Kerr, probably together with his spouse and perhaps their daughter, stayed located in Antigua on the 1780s and you may very early 1790s

Throughout those individuals years you will find scattered proof his circumstances which taken along with her allow us to get particular wisdom exactly how the guy accumulated the massive chance one to passed so you can their girlfriend and you will dily along with paid back no less than a couple of visits to Great britain. The original, likely in the 1783, would be to Kerr’s father within the Scotland. For the a page to Jane Apreece while the she got upcoming getting, most likely written in early 1806, the newest poet and soon after novelist, Walter Scott (1771–1832), a relation of the Scottish kind (i.age. a distant cousin) in order to Kerr, recollected past appointment this lady from the this lady ‘a great grandfather’s’ family when she is actually out-of an enthusiastic ‘age of to try out at the Cover up and you will Seek’. twenty two

St Eustatius

Kerr’s possibility to to get a hefty luck in early 1780s stemmed from Britain’s war that have France and you may The country of spain due to their assistance getting thirteen rebel British territories on mainland America. From inside the February 1780 George Rodney (bp. 1718 os, d. 1792) found its way to the fresh Caribbean since the Chief-in-Captain of your own Leeward Islands route entered inside the uel Bonnet (1724–1816) once the second- in-command. Quite just how Rodney and you may Kerr stumbled on discover each other is not clear, but by December 1780 Kerr is actually controlling the expense away from exchange for honours drawn by the Rodney’s fleet; 23 in reality Kerr expected Rodney in order to highly recommend your since agent so you can Hood or any other flag officials which Rodney performed and you may Bonnet decided. twenty four You to definitely times The uk declared combat with the United Provinces and commands was in fact sent to Rodney so you’re able to consume Dutch possessions, such as for example St Eustatius, a tiny island in the 80 kilometers north-to the west of Antigua. twenty-five That it colony had performed since the a totally free port through which arms from Europe (as well as Great britain) had passed below simple flags for the rebels hence evading brand new Regal Navy’s blockade. twenty six Towards the twenty-seven January 1781 the transaction in order to assault and you will take Dutch areas achieved Rodney. Their early in the day prize broker got experiencing a beneficial ‘severe contact of your Gout’, twenty-seven which could describe as to the reasons, on step one March, Rodney warranted Kerr are one of his honor agencies despite Kerr, when he easily admitted, with never ‘yet done any part of the newest Institution line’. 28 Particularly, Kerr could well be responsible for grabbed Dutch vessels delivered of the Rodney to Antigua. 31

Towards the step 3 February Rodney’s and you can Hood’s fleets, holding military contingents commanded of the John Vaughan (on 1731–95), looked off St Eustatius. Poorly defended, as the news towards declaration from battle got yet to reach, immediately following a quick a symbol opposition the fresh new governor surrendered new island. It integrated over 130 vessels already within anchor truth be told there, a variety, and this after the then methods (including continued so you can fly the fresh Dutch flag over the isle encouraging almost every other adversary ships to trust it a safe anchorage), flower so you can more 200. 29

To maximise the costs received, merchants out-of French territories for example Martinique and Guadeloupe, lower than flags of truce, was in fact greeting to go to, a thing that lured after that criticism so you’re able to Rodney

When you are Rodney asked significant prizes, nothing had waiting him for instance potential wealth that will resolve every his economic problems (to avoid his loan providers he exiled himself in order to France anywhere between 1774 and you will 1779). The guy invested three months to your isle making the called for arrangements receiving far ailment, including because of the Hood, 31 because the guy need to have become following the French collection. He and you will Vaughan captured that which you they available on St Eustatius no amount if this belonged so you can adversary, natural otherwise Uk resellers (whom Rodney considered to be traitors). thirty two The overall well worth, Ve so you can at the very least ?3,000,100000, a huge sum. 33 Randolph Knob keeps determined you to definitely only about a 3rd out-of one to count is sooner know during the bucks, that’s a million lbs, 34 where Rodney might have fairly requested ?125,one hundred thousand just like the dominating admiral’s display. Just below ?380,100000 of complete came from a market held towards the St Eustatius, while it began with middle-March 1781 and you will long-term on the five weeks. 35 Actually, whenever, using ill health, the guy returned to The united kingdomt to possess six months away from ent (successfully) their steps into St Eustatius. 36 Immediately following his come back to new Caribbean, from inside the April 1782, the guy peacefully defeated the fresh new French collection on competition of the New orleans saints for which he had been ennobled and you will granted a great ?dos,100000 retirement.