British Ships Passport – Island Of Jersey 1753
Passport Island Of Jersey 1753
A mid-18th-century BRITISH SHIP’S PASSPORT issued at the ISLAND OF JERSEY in the name of Honorable Colonel William Deane / Lt Governor of Jersey, Castle Elizabeth on 25 August 1753, signed by Deane, including intact wax seal!
Such ship passports are rare to find! This document was issued 262 years ago to the ship’s master, Lewis Maloviun, for his ship “Le Conde,” including the four-man crew. So far, I have seen ships’ passports from the United States. And remember, in 1753, when this ship was sailing around Jersey the United States of America wasn’t even founded! Island Of Jersey passport
William Deane
is a notable figure in (military) history who became later in 1758 governor of Upnor castle and Major General in 1770. He was also in contact with Benjamin Franklin and even had dinner with him. Maybe they were even friends (source). John Sargent (1715–1791), director of the Bank of England, M.P. for Midhurst and West Looe. He and his wife were also warm friends of Colonel and Mrs. Deane. Another letter from Benjamin Franklin to Deane is here. Deane died in 1775.
Jersey
Officially the Bailiwick of Jersey (French: Bailliage de Jersey; Jèrriais: Bailliage dé Jèrri), is a British Crown dependency located near the coast of Normandy, France. It is the second closest of the Channel Islands to France, after Alderney. Island Of Jersey passport
Jersey was part of the Duchy of Normandy, whose dukes became kings of England in 1066. After the kings of England lost Normandy in the 13th century, the ducal title surrendered to France, Jersey, and the other Channel Islands remained attached to the English crown.
Aware of the military importance of Jersey, the British government had ordered that the bailiwick be heavily fortified. On 6 January 1781, a French invasion force of 2,000 men set out to take over the island, but only half of the force arrived and landed. The Battle of Jersey lasted about half an hour, with the English successfully defending the island. There were about thirty casualties on each side, and the English took 600 French prisoners who were subsequently sent to England.
