Captain Robert Welbank

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Captain of East Indiaman
• Note: 4 Feb 1778, St Botolph's, Bishopgate; Robert Welbank, 18 Days Old, son, of William and Jemima
• Occupation: 1793; Robert Welbank was only fifteen when he joined the Company in 1793 as captain's servant and he must have had exceptionally good commercial connections asw he was appointed captain of HEICS Cuffnells in 1806, only thirteen years later. from: Gifts from the Gardens of China By Jane Kilpatrick
• Note: 1811; Captain Robert Welbank imported varieties of Camellia into England from China as the Commander of an East India Company ship. The following 'Curtis Monograph' about the Japanese Rose (or Camellia) contains references to Captain Welbank and Captain Rawes. The essential info contained below is that Captain Welbank brought back Camellias from China in 1811 and 1816. The name of the Warren Hastings, East Indiaman is associated with Rawes [Cuffnells with Welbank].~ [The Origin of Plants by Maggie Campbell Culver (2014) says that Captain Welbank had a good reputation for transporting plants, and 90 of 100 plants survived the voyage on the Cuffnells in 1816. A white Camellia was named "Welbankiana" in his honour. He imported the wisteria for his brother-in-law Charles Hampden Turner who was a keen botanist and gardener. Turner was his residuary beneficiary.]
• Note: 13 Jun 1812, Madras, India; GILBERT LAIRD Has the pleasure to inform his Friends and the Public, that he has purchased the well-chosen Investment of Captain Welbank, of the Honourable Company's ship Cuffnells, and which will be exposed for sale at his Shop under the Exchange, as soon as loaded. English claret, from Paxton, Bell and other houses. Port wine, from Gledstanes and Beachcroft. Hock and champaign Bottled ale, porter and cyder. Ale in butts and hogsheads, from Hedgson. Hams, pine, berkley, and gloster cheeses. Europe butter in firkins. Neats tongues, red herrings, in wickered jars, and salted salmon. Oilman's stores, a general assortment. Confectionary, from Hoffman, a general assortment. Grocery, a general assortment. Essence of spruce. Sadlery, from Simpson, a general assortment. Perfumery, from Smyth and Nephew. Cloth, of various colours, from Viguere and Randall. Welsh Flannel Boots and Shoes, from Laidlow Straw Bonnets, an elegant assortment Garden Seeds, from Swinden Glass-Ware, from Nash. Hosiery and Cutlery. Hats and Gloves, from Bicknell Paints in Kegs, of various colours Blank Books and Stationary Best Mogul Cards Ephemeries, from Heather Nests of Morocco Trunks Blankets and Boat Cloaks Gold and Silver Thread, from Bodley and Etty Ironmongery, a general assortment Beer and Wine Corks, and a variety of other articles Madras, June 13, 1812
• Occupation: 1814, Book; 248. INSTRUCTION BOOK & CHARTER PARTY FOR EAST INDIAMAN "CUFFNELLS" given to Capt. Robert Welbank by the ship's owners, on sailing to the East Indies. 16 pg printed booklet of 67 instructions to the captain. Marbled wrappers. Quarto. London: 1814. Part of paper spine lacking; covers lightly soiled; vertical fold along center; else, very good condition. Particularly interesting, as the standard demands are supplemented by several amusing ms. instructions on the last 2 blank leaves regarding purchase of drugs in India. Plus 27-pg. Charter Party, folded in half, laid in. $600.00.
• Occupation: 28 Aug 1814, Portsmouth; East India Company Register EAST-INDIA SHIPS FOR THE SEASON 1814-15, ABROAD, WITH THEIR MANAGING OWNERS, COMMANDERS, PRINCIPAL OFFICERS, TIME OF SAILING, &c.; When and from Whence sailed: Portsmouth, 28th Aug. 1814 Ship: Cuffnells Voyage: 8 Charter Tonnage: 1200 Managing Owner: Francis P. Martin, Esq. Commander: Robert Welbank First Officer: Richard Roger Second Officer: John Vincent Third Officer: George Roberts Fourth Officer: James Drayner Surgeon: Edmund Paul Purser: William Kershaw Consignment: Bengal, Madras & China [James Drayner is distantly related to Jean Drayner, who married Peter John Welbank. He later became an East India Captain himself, of the Carnatic. He died on a voyage in 1844.]
• Note: 4 May 1816, England; Captain Robert Welbank brings back the first specimen of Wisteria sinensis to the country, as well as the white camellia japonica later called Welbankia, in a consignment of 100 plants. Captain Hawes also sailed from China with specimens of these two plants and arrived in England on the 11th May. Captain Robert gave his plants to his brother-in-law Charles Hampden Turner and both bloomed in 1819, his gardener propagated cuttings of the wisteria and two were given to the Royal Horticultural Society and Loddiges Nursery in Hackney. Loddiges seem to have been offering plants for sale in 1823. Turner's wisteria was still growing at his home in 1835. Kew Gardens believe they have the oldest wisteria plant in the UK, they believe it was planted about 1820 but it is not mentioned in their records. Fullers Brewery in Chiswick suggest that the wisteria growing on the Griffin Brewery site is the oldest and it comes from a cutting brought back in a separate voyage in 1818. This seems odd, as it would be easier to get a cutting from a plant in England. The camellia also flowered in 1819 and was appearing in lists of garden plants by 1826. Chiswick House has two in its greenhouse but they don't appear to be very old. There are some large trees in NZ and Australia. WISTERIA SINENSIS ON THE SLOW BOAT FROM CHINA: THE JOURNEY OF WISTERIA TO ENGLAND James A. Compton, Curtis Botanical Magazine, 28 October 2015
• Residence: 1817, Tandridge, Surrey; Retired in 1816 and moved to Oxted Priory in Tandridge, which was owned by Charles Hampden Turner.
• Note: 18 Apr 1831, The Globe, London; Report of an interesting case brought before Capt Welbank and some other local magistrates. A farmer was accused of setting fire to a barn on his farm where Irish labourers were sleeping. It was thought to be the work of an "incendiary" as there had been reports that all farmers employing Irish labourers would have their property burnt down. A reward was offered for evidence, and months later a convicted sheep-stealer said he knew it was done by the farmer, the magistrates said it was their duty to commit him for trial. Earlier, Evening Mail 22 Oct 1830, a man was arrested and brought before Mr Welbank, following a series of arson attacks on a local farm, who had "receipts .. to set fire to and blow up houses" and "political prophecies of his own invention... that a revolution was at hand in this country" as well as home-made brass weapons he had invented.
• Occupation: 1836, Surrey; Listed as JP in Parliamentary Papers - 7 - relating to Courts, Juries, Elections - Session 4 Feb - 20 August 1836 VOL XLII page 71?
• Residence: 1851, The Priory, Tandridge, Surrey; sister Harriet Sampson is also living there in 1851.
• Note: 10 May 1851, Wellbank Bay, Nunavut, Canada; 11 Nov 1851 London Evening Standard Report from Arctic explorer John Rae of an expedition for the Hudson Bay Company (he reports he found no trace of Sir John Franklin's party); on the 10 May he reached a bay which he named after a Director of the Company. Captain Welbank "one of the most honest and excellent men in existence" was made a Director of the Hudson Bay Company in 1848 (letter from James Edward Fitzgerald to Wm. Gladstone, 27 Nov 1848, British Columbia Historical Quarterly, Jan 1949, p12, Paul Knaplund.) I haven't verified if the bay is still called after Captain Welbank.
• Note: 1825-1857; elder brother of Trinity House, corresponded with Michael Faraday about possible uses for his discoveries for lighthouses. Travelled the coast making notes which are held at the National Archives.
• Note: 10 Jul 1857, The Priory, Tandridge, Surrey; Summary of the Will of Robert Welbank of the Priory, Parish of Tandridge in the County of Surrey. proved 10th July 1857 Executors: Sarah Welbank (wife), Edward Hawkins the younger and Major Rohde Hawkins, (nephews of wife) mentions sister Jemima; living at 2 Prospect Row, Ramsgate, Kent; she is left the house; and nephew George Welbank owns property in Ravensworth, nr. Richmond, Yorks. leaves much property and estates, after wife's death, to Charles Hampden Turner of Rook's Nest, Surrey; and to Eliza Turner, daughter of Charles Turner. Robert's two nephews are Hawkins!

Notes:

Christened:
Baptism record:
St Botolph's, Bishopgate. - 4th Feb 1778 - Cert. 180
Robert Welbank, 18 Days Old, son, of William and Jemima

Robert married Sarah Rohde [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Robert Welbank was born in 18--.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Broker. of St. James' Place, London SW
• Note: 25 Jan 1768, London; Freedom of City: Fletcher
• Note: 1781; Many documents related to hemp dealing at the National Archives dated 1780-3 eg: Reference: ADM 106/1263/474 Description: Mr. Barr, Symons Wharf. Complains of his treatment by Mr. Welbank of Deptford Yard on his unloading a cargo of hemp at Symons Wharf for delivery to the Admiralty. Date: 1781 Oct 19 Held by: The National Archives, Kew
• Note: 1787; The tenders for a breadfruit ship: On 10 May, 1787, government advertised for a vessel for the breadfruit voyage. The incoming tenders were made into a short list of five ships by 16 May. Campbell on 15 May tendered his ship Lynx, 300 tons, with a third flush deck able to be put on her, new sheathed. Campbell considered her "a compleat little ship". This was all a handy idea as Bligh had sailed Lynx and knew her well. Campbell Letter 162: Adelphi 15 May 1787 Honble Commissir of the Navy I have a ship the Lynx well known to your Board having formerly been one of His Majesty's Sloops of War, tho' constructed for the Merchant service, if her burthen being above 300 tons measurment can be dispensed with she may from having a third flush deck be navigated with very little more expence than a vessel of 250 Tons being a full burthensome Roomy Vessel & if intended for a long voyage will in my opinion have many advantages in point of all sorts of accomodation. Should she upon examination be found fit for the Service intended, my price is £2200...About three years since I gave to your Board £2300 - for this very Ship with hardly any Stores. She is now well found was new Sheathed last year & is as compleat a little Ship as any in the Thames. With the greatest respect I am She lyes in the Greenland Dock Lockt up with the keys in my possession - ([83]) Other merchants tendering included: ([84]) Dawson of King Edward Stairs, the William Pitt 240 tons, value £1200; Etches of Newcastle offered a new ship of 240-250 tons for £9/10/- per ton. The hemp contractors Welbank, Sharpe and Brown offered their 270-ton Shepherdess, lying at Pickle Herring Chain, value £2050. That is, Welbank Sharp and Brown tendered two ships, Shepherdess and Bethia. A late offer was Harriott. ([85]) (Since the 1960s, Australian historians have argued that a desire for flax as one of Britain's necessary naval stores was one of the reasons Britain settled Australasia - an argument about Imperial strategy - but they have not noticed flax merchants Welbank, Sharpe and Brown offering a ship for breadfruit, nor, after 1800, Welbank, Brown and Petyt taking contracts for convict transportation. [Bethia was chosen and the name changed to Bounty. National Archives have many documents relating to Welbank Sharpe and Brown's hemp trading. Perhaps this was the point that they moved from hemp trading to broking ships to the Government].
• Note: 1789; An Account of the Number of Vessels, with the Amount of their Tonnage, their Names, the Port to which they belong, and the Names of the respective Owners of each, that have cleared out from the Ports of London, Bristol and Liverpool, to the Coast of Africa, for the Purpose of purchasing slaves, in the Three Years preceding the 5th of January 1792. House of Commons Sessional Papers of the Eighteenth Century, Vol. 82, pp. 329-37. London: .....George Sharpe & George Browne & William Christopher & William Welbank & Rowland Webster & John Middleton & Robert Smith plus executors of the late John Langley; ....
• Note: 1791, Croydon; William WALBANCKE d. 1791 Church of Croydon In the south aisle, those of Mary, wife of John Smith, rector of Weybridge, who died in 1787; John Vade, vicar of Croydon, who died in 1765; James Wilkins, Capt. of Dragoons, who died in 1769; James Douglass, Esq. Major General, who died in 1743; William Welbancke, Esq. who died in 1791; and Richard Peers, Esq. alderman of London, who died in 1765. Against the south wall, is a tablet to the memory of Francis Tirrel, who was a benefactor to the town, and died in 1600. Source: 'Croydon', The Environs of London: volume 1: County of Surrey (1792), p. 187. (www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45377)
• Occupation: 1791; Welbank, -, broker, Suncourt, Cornhill. 17 Oct 1791. (E.M. 320; G.M. 975.)
• Residence: 1780-1791, Croydon, Surrey, England; Land tax records, occupying a house & garden

William married Jemima Jones on 20 Apr 1776 in St. Botolph Without Bishopsgate, London, Middlesex, England. Jemima was born about 1754 in of Stratford le Bow, Middx.; died in 17 Aug 1840 in Ramsgate, Kent, England - Age 86. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Stratford (atte) le Bow, now Bromley by Bow, Middlesex, England
• Note: 1840; Death Cert: Where & When: Seventeenth of August 1840 at Ramsgate Name and Surname: Jemima Wellbank Sex: Female Age: 86 Occupation: Widow Cause of death: Old age Informant: Ann Lane (or Law or ????), Present at the death, Whitchurch, Oxfordshire When reg: Nineteenth of August 1840 Registrar: John Powell, Registrar

Notes:

Married:
parish record book, 1776 no 178

Other Events and Attributes:

• Note: Possibly born in North Cowton in 1687 to Christopher Welbank. He was living in Greenwich in 1752 and in 1753 William Welbank of Greenwich left the residue of his estate to his brother George, living in Greenwich. He also had land in North Cowton when he died, mentioned by his daughter Mary in her Will. However this would make him quite old when he married (45) and died (80).
• Residence: 1744, Stockton; 8 Paradise Row, Stockton. History of Stockton on Tees p 116
• Residence: 1752, Greenwich, London.; Reference code: GB-0033-ORD Title: Ord of Sands Hall (Sedgefield) papers Dates of creation: 1606-1858 Extent: 141 items Held by: Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections Origination: documents relating to the property and agricultural activities of the Ord family around Sedgefield, Co. Durham. 33 (formerly 11 and 12) 22 November 26 George II (1752) (1) George Welbank formerly of Stockton now of Greenwich, Kent, gent. (2) Thomas Stokoe of Bryanslope, gent. (3) Richard Carlisle of Stillington, gent. Release by (1) and (2) to (3) of the above premises at present mortgaged by (2) to (1). Consideration: £1,110, of which £630 is paid by (3) to (1) and £480 by (3) to (2). Signed and sealed: (1) and (2). [H] 1m. Lease (formerly No. 11) missing.

George married Margaret Chapman on 4 Aug 1732 in St. Mary's, Gainford, Durham. Margaret was born in 1700; died in 1789; was buried on 19 Oct 1789 in Stockton on Tees, Durham. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
age 89