X441/14

Letter from John Erasmus Adlam of Chepstow, to Charles Bicknell, Norfolk Street, London, giving all he can recall of the death of Mr Cater on the Island of Antigua in 1779

12 May 1801

From: 1779 To: 1801

Sir, As events so long past are seldom thought of, much less consider’d, the request contain’d in your Letter, has given my recollection something to do after a period of upwards of Twenty Years. You seem to lay much stress upon the point of my having seen Mr Cater’s body after his Death, but being ill of a Fever at the time the melancholy circumstance took place, I neither saw his body, or attended his Funeral, and therefore have thought it best, first to give you what information I am able, upon the Subject, that you may judge how far it will answer the purpose requir’d. What I do know for certain, is that a Mr Cater came out to the Island of Antigua to join the 40th Regiment as an Ensign, some time I think in the year 1779; that in a few Months after his Arrival he began to shew symptoms of derangement, which encreas’d so rapidly that he made an attempt upon his Life, and in consequence it was found necessary to keep him confin’d as much as possible, without injury to his health, and carefull Men were fixt upon to attend to him day and night, but one fatal day he found means to elude the vigilance of his attendants, and got out of the Barracks unperceiv’d, and ran through the Island to a plantation were he ask’d for something to drink, and while the people went to bring some water, he seiz’d a Bottle of Spirits and drank to that excess, that he was soon after found Dead in the plantation, and much disfgur’d from his struggles in the agonies of Death. His body being brought back to the Barracks and soon after decently and properly interr’d, these circumstances and manner of his death etc., were I remember fully ascertain’d beyond a doubt, and I have also been informed that in his state of Insanity he frequently utter’d bitter execrations against his Mother which made us generally conclude that he had been sent out against his inclination If this brief relation of his death, as to time, place and circumstances, can sufficiently prove what may be necessary, I shall be happy to give the Ladies any further Assistance that may conveniently be in the power of Sir, Your obedient humble Servant John Erasmus Adlam P.S. I am in daily expectation of a Visit from a Gentleman who was Surgeon’s Mate to the 40th Regiment at the time of Mr Cater’s death, who, I make no doubt, can give full and entire satisfaction respecting it in pencil: Succeeded as Second Lieutenant in 40th Foot 8 April 1781 addressed to Charles Bicknell esquire, Norfolk Street, London

item

Adlam, John Erasmus,
Bicknell, Charles,
Cater, John

personal correspondence, Chepstow, London Norfolk Street, Antigua, 40th Regiment of Foot, ensign, mental health, DEATH, suicide, alcoholic spirits, 2nd lieutenant