Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18038 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 3031

Autographs
Sir Robert Rich
1646 (26 November) order from the Lords and Commons Committee for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports to the Navy Commissioners, restoring Humphry Jobson, who had been discharged from his office as Ship Keeper on the 'Prince' "in respect of his age, and inability to doe much service in that place", to that position, with allowance of pay as if he had remained in office. Written up on paper folded in the usual manner. Signed by Sir Robert Rich (Earl of Warwick and Lord High Admiral 1642-45), and four MPs on the Committee, Alexander Bence, Walter Erle, Giles Grene and John Rolle. Blind stamp of collector 'Robt Cole' to the top left corner. Along with an engraving of Robert Rich dated 1794 (30 June).


The reasons given for restoring Jobson to office were that he had been Secretary to the former Lord High Admiral, the Earle of Nottingham (Charles Howard, Howard of Effingham); and that he had lived with "plenty of estate in Ireland, until the Rebellion there involved him into the common calamities of that kingdom".


An interesting document detailing the end of an eventful career. Photo


Humphrey Jobson, a difficult figure to locate in history with extensive Naval involvement. Granted reversion of the office of Clerk of the Cheque at Deptford (1603-10). Granted reversion of office of overseer of tarring of the charge of newly built ships (1607). Then involved in dispute with Earl of Southampton, Vice-Admiral for Hampshire, over rights to a prize (a French pirate ship brought into Portsmouth). Jobson is described in 1608 as a servant of the Lord High Admiral; and the Admiral's Right to Pirate goods may have been farmed to Jobson (1607-08).


In 1627, later in his life, Jobson became embroiled in a dispute over some prize ships taken into Irish ports, over which the Lord Deputy (Sir Henry Cary, Viscount Falkland) arrested him. The Lord Deputy then protested to Sir Edward Nicholas, Secretary to the Admiralty in no uncertain terms 1627 (5 July):


"I refuse to allow such commissions as that given to Jobson to supersede my jurisdiction in Admiralty matters in Munster. Jobson must know himself how injurious such a system would be, having been Deputy Vice Admiral in Munster and Secretary for Admiral Causes to the Earl of Nottingham, from which office he was expelled for bad behaviour".

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£320