Ghost of a flea: National Archives

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August 17, 2004

National Archives

The National Archives has an impressive interface. I have to restrain myself from downloading the wills of various 17th century Packwoods... Of particular interest is the will of Will of George Packwood, Perfumer and Razor Strop Maker of All Hallow's Lombard Street London (18 December 1810). Then there is a document dated 15 February, 1836, the Will of Joseph Packwood, Captain in His Majesty's Navy.

The National Archives, which covers England, Wales and the United Kingdom, was formed in April 2003 by bringing together the Public Record Office and the Historical Manuscripts Commission. It is responsible for looking after the records of central government and the courts of law, and making sure everyone can look at them. The collection is one of the largest in the world and spans an unbroken period from the 11th century to the present day.

And then... Some googling gets results. Whosever the will, there was a Cpt. Joseph Packwood caught up in "the first open defiance of British authority in the colonies." I imagine the privateer and the Napoleonic Lt. (see below) are two different men, both captains of the same name. Somewhat confusing given the limitations of research on "the internet." A poignant note is a record from the old Protestant cemetary, Naples: "Cecil Galway BERTHOUD, died 8th August 1836, aged 10 months. Buried with his grandfather Captain Joseph Packwood, Royal Navy". There is also reference to the Wasp, formerly the Guepe, a French privateer captured in 1801 and later under the command of Lt. Joseph Packwood in 1805. Sacre bleu!

Posted by Ghost of a flea at August 17, 2004 08:33 AM

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