John Greatheed emigrated to the island of St Kitts in the Caribbean, purchased land from the crown, then bought slaves to work the land, and earned a considerable fortune from his sugar plantation. He died in 1739, leaving the estate to his eldest child, Samuel. He returned to England and bought Guy's Cliffe and other lands in Warwick and Old Milverton. The sugar plantations were then managed by Craister Greatheed and subsequently by Richard (Bertie) Greatheed.

letter from Craister regarding slave named Tirone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bertie Greatheed's annual account for 1782 shows expenditure between December 1781 and August 1782. Entries include 'For the care and attendance of your Negroes'. 'For 3 Neck Collars for the Negroes' purchased from the same supplier as 'For 1 Tongue and hook for the cattle'. [reference CR1707/30]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Greatheed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The collection includes a number of letters from Craister and Richard Greatheed in St Christophers where they managed the suger plantation called Canaries, to Lady Mary Greatheed and Bertie Greatheed. They are mostly about sugar and rum production, the weather affecting the sugar crop including a hurricane, and the education of children in England. The extract from this letter of 10th March 1770 from Craister Greatheed refers to the illness of a slave named Tirone. [reference CR1707/29] 

 

 

 

 

Samuel Greatheed

 

Portrait of Samuel Greathead. Copyright The British Museum. [referrence P.P.GRE 1]