From Nova-Scotia to Liverpool, via the battlefields of the Napoleonic War: The travels and travails of Drummer George Wise of the 29^th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot

By John D Ellis

Following the American War of Independence (1775-1783), General Guy Carlton (1724-1808), negotiated the safe exile of approximately 3000 black people who had supported the British cause. Two of those, George and Peggy Wise, embarked from New York on the brig “Elijah” bound for Port Mattoon, under Alexander Buchanan, and settled in Nova Scotia in 1783. Both are described in “The Book of Negroes”:

George Wise. Stout fellow, 30 years of age, and formerly slave to Francis Thoroughgood, of Norfolk, Virginia. He had left Thoroughgood in 1778.^[1]G. Russell Hodges (ed.) The Black Loyalist Directory: African Americans in Exile After the American Revolution. (New York and London. Garland Publishing Company in association with the New England … Continue reading

Peggy Wise. Stout wench. 26 years of age, and formerly slave to Humphrey Guin of Guin’s Island. She had left Guinn 1776.^[2]Ibid.

George and Peggy settled in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, enduring the riots of 1784, North America’s first ‘race’ riots, and the collapse of the economy in the late 1780s. They appear to have claimed to be married in order to stay together as, following the baptism of a daughter, Fanny in October 1790, the pair married.^[3]Peggy’s maiden name was given as Wynn. Information provided by Kim Williams of the Shelburne County Genealogical Society. In July 1791 George was granted a lot of 40 acres and featured in the return of inhabitants summoned to work on the highways by Colonel Buskirk.^[4]Information provided by Kim Williams from the Nova Scotia Historical Review, (Volume 3. Number 1. 1983. Page 113): “The Return of the Inhabitants Summonsed to work on the highways under the … Continue reading Unlike many other black Loyalists, the Wises declined the move to Sierra Leone in 1792. Their son, George was born in March 1796, and baptised in July 1798.^[5]Information provided by Kim Williams of the Shelburne County Genealogical Society. Also Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857. 1845-1854. TNA BT 113/1. findmypast.co.uk

In May 1805 George Wise – junior, (hereafter simply George Wise), enlisted for unlimited service in the 29^th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot in Halifax, Nova-Scotia.^[6]George Wise claimed to be fourteen years of age on enlistment and probably added a couple of years to his age in order to more rapidly be able to obtain the increased pay a solder of full age, (18 … Continue reading He was one of four black Nova-Scotians enlisted by the 29^th Foot between 1804 and 1805.^[7]John Freeling and James Patison of Halifax, and James Kearney of Cape Breton.

The 29^th Foot had employed black soldiers as drummers since the 1750s and it is likely that the opportunity to serve in a unit in which he would have a measure of equality with his white peers would have appealed to George. Whilst black drummers were deployed at a company level (i.e. one per company), there were clearly occasions when they were all gathered together under the command of the Drum-Major. It is difficult to ascertain whether a sense of community developed amongst black soldiers, although it is clear that they knew each other in the 29^th, as one black drummer, John Freeman of Antigua, was named as next of kin by two others.^[8]Freeman, who served in the 29th from 1800 to 1818, was next of kin to Robert Glover and James Starling. Glover, of Antigua died in North America in 1814. Starling, of Dominica, died in the Peninsula … Continue reading

Wise served under-age until May 1809, and thereafter as an adult drummer until April 1835. Discharged on a pension of 10d per day, 30^th April 1835, at his own request, it was noted: ‘His conduct has always been that of an excellent soldier, always efficient, seldom in hospital, trustworthy and strictly sober.’ On discharge he was 40 years old, 5/6″ and 1/2″ tall and a labourer by occupation. He was described as having black eyes, black woolly hair and a black complexion.^[10]For George Wise see TNA WO 25/364 and 957 and WO 97/483. He had “served four years and six months in the Peninsula, seven months in Gibraltar, two years and one month in North America, and eight years seven months in the Mauritius. Was present at the battles of Rolica, Vimiera, Talavera and Albuera, and also at the capture of the Ponotscot Territory, United States, North America, in the expedition under the command of Lt.Gen. Sir John Sherbroke in 1814.”^[11]Ibid. George signed, rather than marked his discharge certificate, suggesting that he was literate.

Discharged whilst the 29^th were stationed in Mauritius, it was recorded that Wise intended to reside there. However, his time on the island was brief and in 1837 he joined the merchant marine as a cook and steward.^[12]Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857, 1845-1854. TNA BT 113/1. Also findmypast.co.uk

Ray Costello’s book, Black Salt, more than adequately explores the socio-economic and historical context of sailors of African descent throughout the long history of British seafaring.^[13]R. Costello, Black Salt: Seafarers of African Descent on British Ships, (Liverpool University Press, 2014). George’s army pension, at 10d per day, was less than the 1s per day needed to maintain the minimum standard of living. Thus, it is likely that his decision to go to sea was an economic one.

In 1844 Wise registered as a Merchant Seaman (in the name of George Wyse), giving his address as Oriel Street, Liverpool.^[14]Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857. George Wyse. #No.369. Born Halifax, British America, 10th March 1796. Capacity: Cook & Steward. Height: 5/5 & ½”. Complexion: Black/Man of Colour. … Continue reading (Oriel Street was/is close to the docks of the River Mersey).

In Black Liverpool Costello explores the history of Liverpool’s longstanding black community.^[15]Ibid. By the 1830s the black population of the city was well established and included transient sailors like Wise (from Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas), alongside more well established groups such as black loyalists from the USA and a native-born black population.^[16]R. Costello, Black Liverpool: The Early History of Britain’s Oldest Black Community, 1730-1918, (Picton Press, 2001). Whilst Wise’s merchant navy records date his residence in Liverpool to 1844, parish records reveal it to be earlier: In November 1837 he had married Janet Howard at St Nicholas Church, Liverpool.^[17]Ibid.

A child, a son named George, was baptised in St Nicholas Church in December 1838.^[19]Baptism: 8th December 1838. St Nicholas, Liverpool, Lancashire, England. George son of George Wise and Jane Wise of Charter Street. Father was a mariner. Liverpool, England, Church of England … Continue reading

When the census of 1841 was taken, whilst George was probably at sea, Janet and the infant George were living in Gibbons Lane, Dale Street, Liverpool, only a short distance from Oriel Street.^[20]1841 England Census. Dale Street, Liverpool, Lancashire. Street name is Gibbons Lane. Sarah Martin. Head. 35 years. Born: Foreign parts. Elizabeth Howard. 18 years. Born: Foreign parts. Frances … Continue reading The census does provide some suggestions as to the origins of Janet herself, in that she is residing in a dwelling headed by one Sarah Martin, born in “foreign parts”.^[21]Ibid. Costello identifies Martin as a Black Loyalist surname.^[22]R. Costello, Black Liverpool, pp. 16.

A second child, another son, named John, was baptised at St Nicholas Church in September 1843.^[23]Baptism: 1st September 1843. St Nicholas, Liverpool, Lancashire, England. John Wyse, (born 24th August 1843), son of George Wyse and Janet Wyse. Resident in Queen Street. Occupation of father: … Continue reading

Life at sea was hard and not without risks. It would have taken a toll on anyone, let alone a pensioner in his early fifties with many years campaigning. However, it was a life chosen by George to support his family. Both Army and Merchant Navy records were agreed that George Wise died at sea, off the coast of Africa, aged 51 years, in September 1845.^[24]George’s date of death was given as 22nd September 1845. However, the Army were not notified until 12th January 1846. It was also noted that he had drawn his pension in Liverpool. TNA WO 22/46. … Continue reading

Postscript

John Wise. Son of George and Janet: Died aged 5 years old in September 1848.^[25]Burial: 5th September 1848. St Mary’s Cemetery, Liverpool, Lancashire. John Wise. Aged 5 years. Abode: Queen’s Street. Liverpool, England, Church of England Burials, 1813-1975. Liverpool Record … Continue reading He was buried in St Mary’s Cemetery, Liverpool.

George Wise. Son of George and Janet: In 1851 he was working as a blacksmith’s apprentice and residing with Sarah Martin, his grandmother, in Dale Street Liverpool.^[26]1851 England Census. Dale Street, Liverpool, Lancashire. Street name is Gibbons Ct/Gibbons Lane. Sarah Martin. Head. Widow. 52 years. Lodging House Keeper. Born America. Frances Howard. Daughter. … Continue reading (This was the same Sarah Martin he and his mother Janet were living with on the 1841 census). The possibility of a link to Black American Loyalists is strengthened by the fact that it was noted that Sarah had been born in the USA. (Also, that a daughter had the surname Howard – the same as Janet). In 1853 George followed his father to sea, registering as a merchant seaman.^[27]Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857. George Wise. Born 1838, Liverpool, Lancashire. Voyage out: 1853. Africa.  Voyage out: 1854. Voyage out: 1856. Indecipherable.  Britain, Merchant Seamen, … Continue reading Thereafter, his fate remains unknown.

Janet Wise. At St Nicholas Church, in October 1853, Janet Wise, (a widow of Oriel Street), married David Robinson (a widower).^[28]Marriage: 3rd October 1853. St Nicholas, Liverpool, Lancashire, England. David Robinson. Full age. Widower. Mariner. Resident Oriel Street. Father: Henry Robinson, mariner. Janet Wyse. Full age. … Continue reading In 1861 Janet and George Robinson were living in Liverpool. The census reveals that the latter was a mariner, born in Demerara.^[29]1861 England Census. 1 Court. #No2. David Robinson. Head. Married. 56 years. Seaman. Born Demerara. Janet Robinson. Wife. Married. 34 years. Born Liverpool, Lancashire. Eliza Wilson. Lodger. … Continue reading

In June 1878, Janet Robinson was admitted to Liverpool Workhouse suffering from the effects of drink. Aged 58 years, it was noted that she was a Roman Catholic, the “wife of David – a seaman”, had previously been in receipt of parish relief and had spent the evening before admission in Frederick Street. Janet Robinson, of 103 Upper Frederick Street, died in May 1880 and was buried in a public grave (Section 4, Grave 354), in the Roman Catholic Ground of Anfield Cemetery.

In May 1879, David Robinson was admitted to Liverpool Workhouse suffering from an abscess. Aged 68 years, “old and infirm” it was noted that he was a Protestant, a seaman, married and had spent the evening before admission at 103 Upper Frederick Street. He was admitted to the Workhouse again in 1880, suffering from bronchitis. He died in March 1880 and was buried in a public grave (Section 12, Grave 1888), in Anfield Cemetery.

St Nicholas Church: Today named Liverpool Parish Church: Our Lady and St Nicholas, and the scene of so many important events in the life of George Wise, was bombed heavily during World War Two. However, the tower survived from the 1830s and 1840s.

The 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot: Amalgamated to become the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters and is now an antecedent regiment of the Mercian.