Rev. Musgrave, Sugar Planter

Antigua, 4 pence, B1/05 on 20 Feb 20, 1886, cover to Aylesford, NS via New York, back stamp Halifax, Mar 6, 1886, Addressed to Rev. Burnthorn Musgrave, Holmworth, Aylesford, Nova Scotia. Manuscript “cf.M” in lower left corner.

The Hon. and Rev. Burnthorn Musgrave, b. 14 Mar 1823, Antigua, West Indies, was the second son to Anthony Musgrave, M.D. of Edinburgh, Treasurer of Antigua (1825-1852), and older brother to Sir Anthony Musgrave, G.C.M.G., Lieut.-Governor, successively of St. Vincent, Newfoundland, British Columbia, and Natal, and Governor of South Australia, Jamaica, and Queensland.

Burnthorn was a sugar planter in Antigua and a Member of the Legislative Council of Antigua. He was subsequently a minister of the Reformed Episcopal Church of America (organized in New York in 1873). He settled at “Holmworth,” Auburn, King’s County, Nova Scotia in May of 1870, where he lived until his death 29 Jul 1894.  In the 1880’s, he served as supply minister at the Congregational Church in Habitant, Nova Scotia. He is the author of an 1889 tract refuting Free Baptist baptismal doctrine, “A view of baptism from the Greek testament, in the light of the Gospel”, Nova Scotia Printing Company, Halifax, 1889.

Burnthorn’s son, Anthony, became private secretary to his uncle Sir Anthony Musgrave in Newfoundland, British Columbia, Natal, South Australia, Jamaica, and Queensland. He then served as assistant deputy commissioner, M.L.C., and auditor in British New Guinea, 1885-1890.

Burnthorn married Francis Albouy Wood, 30 June 1847 in Antigua. They had as children: Anthony, 1849, Francis, born July 13th, 1850, in Antigua, Margaret Albony, born 1852, in Antigua, Burnthorn, born Jun 15th, 1854, baptized 9 Aug 1854, in Saint Mungo, Dumfries, Scotland, George, born January 1858 in Antigua, and Amy, baptized 2 May 1860, in West Malvern, Worcestershire, England.

In 1852, Burnthorn Musgrave assumed ownership of Drew’s Hill Estate, with 253 acres in St. John’s Parish, he also owned Gaynor’s with 67 acres, and Wickham’s with 216 acres, both in St. Philip’s Parish. In 1833, the Drew’s Hill Estate had been awarded by the British Parliament £2,159.13s.1p. as a Legacy payment for granting freedom to 144 enslaved persons.

In 1852 Gaynor’s Estate contained 117 acres with 71 "slaves" – these would have been negro freedmen since slavery was abolished in Antigua in 1833. In 1861 the Collins book shows Burnthorn owning Gaynor’s with 67 acres. By 1871, Gaynor’s was owned by Francis Shand. History of the Island of Antigua by Vere Oliver Vol.II. 

In 1858 there was an uprising in Antigua initially sparked by job competition between Antiguan and Barbudan dock workers. Over several days Antiguans progressed from attacking the persons and property of Barbudans to targeting Madeiran retailers, whites, and mixed-race policemen.

The 1871 census of Aylesford South, Kings Co., Nova Scotia records Benthorne Musgrave, married, age 43, birthplace: Antigua, occupation: “planter of Antigua”, religion: “Evangelical” with wife, Francis, and children Fanny, Margaret, Benthorn, George, and Amy. The 1881 census lists his occupation as “clergyman”, religion: Refd Ep. Church.

Burnthorn's father, Anthony Musgrave, MD, was born in Antigua in November 1793, educated in Edinburgh, Scotland, and became a doctor in 1814.  He married Mary Harris Sheriff and they had thirteen children.  Dr. Musgrave served as an Assemblyman of Antigua in 1817, the same year he published a book about the history of yellow fever, which was regularly prevalent on the island.  He also authored many articles for medical journals abroad.   He also served as Treasurer of the Island’s government from 1824 to 1852 and passed away in Antigua on February 24 of that year.

How an Antigua sugar planter and slaver became a minister and farmer in Kings County Nova Scotia is a story yet to be told.