| Collection | GB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections |
| Level | Series |
| Ref No | MS 2070/12 |
| Title | Journal of Jonathan Troup: December 1789 |
| Date | December 1789 |
| Extent | Pages 135v - 143 |
| Creator Name | Jonathan Troup (c1764 - 1799), physician, of Aberdeen, Scotland and Dominica, West Indies |
| Description | Journal of Jonathan Troup: December 1789
Mr Smith wrote to Martinique concerning Troup
Colonel Maxwell from Grenada asked him to make a list of all the animals in Dominica which he did. He remarked that he hoped the exposure of his name through this would aid his employment prospects
Col. and Capt. Urquhart went to Barbados for a court martial. 13 officers were on the trial
He wrote a letter to Dr Livingstone vindicating his character
He saw Dr Clark in the street
He stated that the season was becoming unhealthy and there were a lot of sore throats. Mr Carson performed v.s. on seven people
The letters to Nevis and Antigua were sent
He recounted the death of Captain Cook
Dr Anderson died
Troup went to a Friendly Dominica Society meeting
He noted the words of one of John Pomfret's poems
He thought of 'dear Mary' Ford of Dartmouth
He made notes from Fielding's plays
He visited Lowndes and Old Minchall who had been ruined by grog
He remarked that there was a great sickness in Martinique
He stated that he was determined to sail for Antigua if he heard nothing from Martinique and Nevis before Monday
He drew and read plays
He received letter (in French) from Martinique. The writer suggested he should be taken on as an associate treating mainly English and Americans while he improved his French. He determined against Martinique
Dr Clark was not satisfied with his promissory note and suggested a promissory note that had him paying less money over a shorter time
He was introduced to Colonel Maxwell and congratulated on his list of animals
He went to Morne Bruce estate and determined to go to Prince Rupert's (on the other side of Dominica)
He called on Miss Fran and Rainy
Dr Clark very much approved of his plan to go to Prince Rupert's
He requested passage to Prince Rupert's
Roseau caught fire at 3 am. The negroes would not lend a hand until ordered to carry wood for themselves. The fire was put out when the soldiers of the 30th regiment arrived. A fire engine was used. The Governor congratulated the soldiers for extinguishing the fire and they were given a double shot of rum
Col. Maxwell was to give him letters to the Military at Prince Rupert's
He bought a horse
He transcribed a letter of recommendation on Troup's behalf
He was told of the death of Mr Beaubois' negro
He visited several estates
He described changing money between him and others
He saw Mr Winston who promised him the work of 3 estates for which he would need two horses
He called on Governor Bruce and William Brown, surgeon to the Royal Artillery on Dominica. He approved and gave him a letter to Dr Markham and 8$
He got 4$, two bottles of wine and rum from Mr Smith
He set sail for Prince Rupert's on a small sloop on the 19th. He described his fellow passenger, John Bisset, and gives his story. He complained of a tedious passage which took two days and two nights to travel 30 miles before landing at Portsmouth
He treated Mr Ross whose legs were rotten from Lues Venerea
Mr Bisset was suffering from dizziness and memory loss
He dined with Mr Laing and Mr Baird and gave information about them both
He visited the negro hospital. Most had coughs and colds with pain in breast, sore throat and fever
Dr Markham got a small foetus in an abortion at three months. Troup stated that he did not bother to find out whether the patient was pregnant before treating her and Troup believed this to be murder
He described who he met in the evening
He described target practice
He went to the tavern of an old sailor. 'He has a bouncing mollatoe girl - I could do her business'
He was offered lodging on the Cabbrits
He saw the gun battery on Douglas Bay
He took a ride around the area
He settled on Mr Bell's house for his abode but would have to trust to providence to get the cash to pay for it
He stated his intention to write to Dr Clark regarding his assisting Dr Swanson until he was fit
He was invited to dine at Mr Hodnett's on Christmas day. He intended to go to sea but all the negroes were too drunk to do anything
He rose in the morning of the 26th with a queasy stomach after wine. He distributed 1 and ½ bits to the negroes dancing
He made an oath to stick to his promises in every respect
He went to Mr Grubb's. He described him and the other people he met there
He remarked that sore throats prevailed
He saw Prince Rupert's tomb on a pedestal. This was where the bay got its name from.
He gave the story of young Trotter who was reluctant to go to sea and drowned there. Troup stated that the bias of the mind must be attended to
He remarked that soldiers who get drunk on rum were sure to come in vomiting constantly
Dr Swanson's burial took place on Christmas day
Troup experienced a pain above his left ear followed later by violent sweating and stiffness in his throat, head and chest from 'not getting my powder in my hair as usual'
Dr Swanson's death was unknown to some Portsmouth residents
He rode to Mr Trotter's estate and fell over the mule's neck, saddle and all
He treated a soldier for vomiting
He described social events held to bring in the new year |
| Access Status | Open |
| Access Conditions | The records are available subject to the signed acceptance of the Department's access conditions. |