James Watson d.c.1689 Ship Prudent Mary East India Company

[Coningesby]

I had a reference to one of my family, James Watson on a pedigree. All it said was 'beyond the sea', so I didn't pursue my search.

Then I found two Wills of a James Watson, which I was sure was my man, from the people mentioned in both Wills. The first was in London, naming him a Mariner, prior to a voyage on the ship Prudent Mary, with the East India Company. The Second Will from Madras.
Although I have returned to my search from time to time, I have had no luck finding information about my relation James Watson.

So, I settled, to reading about Samuel Lake, the Captain of the ship Prudence Mary, and his time in India.

I came across the Diary of William Hedges who was the agent in Bengal [Later Sir William] On page 90, it seems that the Prudent Mary has just arrived in India, with Letters from the Hon. Company, which Mr Hedges is quoting.

Then, I notice a reference on this same page, to a Mr James Watson! [This James Watson was not mentioned in Mr Wm Hedges diary prior to this page 90!]

The reference reads-'Ordered that Mr James Watson be sent to Cassumbazar [Cassimbazar?] according to Ye Honourable Company's Orders.'
It seemed that this man was a writer/administrator for the company

This James Watson (above) is subsequently mentioned 15 times, pages 90 to 130 in the diary!

Was it possible that this is my James Watson??? If so, why would he have referred to himself as a Mariner on his first Will prior to his voyage?

What bad luck for me, if the ship from England, the Prudence Mary, had a James Watson, a Mariner on board, plus also another James Watson a Servant of the East India Company?

My family member, James Watson, was the son of John Watson, a Notary Public, Registrar of the Court of Chivalry and onetime Bluemantle Pursuivant at the College of Arms, during the Cromwell Commonwealth period,....so he would be reasonable educated, to be a Writer for the East India Company.
I suppose that finding a humble mariner named in the Company's Records would be rare!

So, does anyone know of any other historic documentation, which will 'burst my bubble', by identifying the other James Watson, a servant of the Company mentioned on page 90? of Sir William Hedges book?

[Kiltaglassan]

Hi,

You have mistakenly posted on "How to Use RootsChat board (Please don't post requests here)".

I have asked a moderator to move your request to a more appropriate board where you might find an answer.

Good Luck!

[Coningesby]

Sorry....It's some time since I posted! Thanks for moving!

[mckha489]

Were both wills proved?
If so, surely they cannot be for the same man.
If the people mentioned in both seem connected, perhaps they are cousins or some other relation?

[hanes teulu]

This mentions the Prudent Mary 1689 - nowt else (as yet). The item is from a  publication "A Supplement, 1689 to a former treatise concerning the East India trade, published 1681"

[Coningesby]

Hi
HANES TEULU and MCKHA489

Sorry for the delay in replying, I had a Stroke!

With regard to the two Wills possibly being two separate men? I wrote to the National Archives and received this reply-


Thank you for contacting The National Archives of the UK.[/u]

 ' The first will was written on 11 Oct 1682 and proved on 10 March 1692/93 (Old Style/New Style years). There is a marginal note in Latin next to the probate clause which indicates that this will was revoked because one of a later date presumably came to light after it was initially proved.  The second will was written on 12 Nov 1689, so would have superseded the 1682 will, and was proved on 15 March 1694/95.'

So I think with all the people mentioned in the Will, it was definitely my relation on both.

Regards
Coningesby

[mckha489]

Oh no! Welcome back.

In the second will, is JW just “of Madras” with no indication as to occupation? (I assume not as you would have said, but just wanted to clarify).
How old would he have been at the time of the first?

[Coningesby]

Hi mckha489,

                           Confirmed no occupation! He was born 14th May 1656 son of John Watson and
 Ann nee Dethick ( The Dethick family were prominent in the College of Arms in Royal Times)

                          James and the other children were said to be born in the Herald's Office, and baptised at St Benet Paul's Wharf, which is just across the road from the Herald's College

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Watson_(officer_of_arms)

Regards