Catherine Despard facts for kids
Catherine Despard, who passed away in 1815, was a brave woman from Jamaica. She became well-known for speaking out about how people were held in prison in London. Her husband, Colonel Edward Despard, was often put in jail there because they both believed in democratic ideas, meaning everyone should have a say in how things are run. Catherine worked very hard to free him, but sadly, she couldn't save him. In 1803, he was found guilty of planning to harm King George III and was executed.
Catherine's Early Life in Jamaica
We don't know everything about Catherine Despard's early life in the Caribbean. Some people thought she was a well-educated Spanish Creole. They believed she met Edward Despard when he was working in the Bay of Honduras starting in 1786.
However, new information suggests she was the daughter of Sarah Gordon. Sarah was a free woman of colour living in a place called St. Andrew's in Kingston, Jamaica.
Edward Despard himself had been sent to Jamaica with his army group from Ireland around 1766. He became a skilled engineer who built defenses. Later, he led soldiers in battles against the Spanish in 1780 and 1782.
Fighting for Justice in London
Edward Despard was called back to London in 1790. This happened because some powerful white settlers complained about him. They said he was encouraging free Black people to believe in "Universal Equality," which meant everyone should be treated equally. As a leader, he had given land to people who had lost their homes, no matter their background or skin colour.
When Catherine and Edward arrived in London with their young son, James, they were a married couple. Edward became more involved in politics, joining groups like the London Corresponding Society and the Society of United Irishmen. These groups wanted more fairness and rights for people.
Edward was arrested several times because of his political views. Even with all this trouble, no one in authority ever questioned their marriage.
Edward faced lawsuits from his enemies and was held in King's Bench Prison for two years without any charges. In March 1798, he was arrested again with other political activists. He was sent to Coldbath Fields Prison. This was allowed because a law called habeas corpus, which protects people from being held without charge, was temporarily stopped during wartime.
Catherine Despard bravely spoke out against the terrible conditions her husband faced in prison. She gained support from Francis Burdett, who was a big supporter of prison reform. Catherine wrote letters to important people, like the Home Secretary (the Duke of Portland), and to London newspapers. She described the poor conditions inside the prison in detail.
Thanks partly to her efforts, her husband's imprisonment became a major topic. The House of Commons debated for three weeks whether to continue stopping the habeas corpus law. A letter from Catherine was even read aloud in the Parliament by MP John Courtenay. It explained the harsh conditions Edward was living in. Despite her hard work, Edward Despard remained in prison for three years. He was finally released in May 1801.
Some people tried to make Catherine's efforts seem less important. They said she was just a "fair sex" woman, implying she wasn't smart enough to write such letters herself. The attorney general, Sir John Scott, even suggested she was being used by others. But Catherine continued to speak her mind.
After a year of freedom, which Catherine and Edward spent mostly in Ireland, Edward was arrested again in 1802. He was accused of treason, meaning he was charged with trying to overthrow the government. He was said to be the leader of a plan, known as the Despard Plot. This plot involved soldiers and workers, many of them Irish, who wanted to harm the King and take over the Tower of London.
Edward denied these charges. But in February 1803, he and six other people were sentenced to be executed.
Catherine did not give up. She continued to campaign for her husband, asking the Prime Minister for help and sending petitions to the King. She had hoped his sentence would be changed, but when it wasn't, she was reported to be "almost sunk under the anticipated horror of his fate."
Catherine visited her husband in prison. She was suspected of bringing secret items or messages to him and the other arrested rebels. She might have even helped Edward write the speech he gave before his execution. In this speech, he said his only "guilt" was being a "friend to the poor and to the oppressed."
Life After Edward's Execution
After her husband was executed, there was a report that Lady Nelson took Catherine "under her protection." Lady Nelson was the wife of Lord Nelson, who had been Edward's friend and fought with him in the Caribbean. Lord Nelson had even spoken up for Edward during his trial.
Sir Francis Burdett gave Catherine Despard some money to live on. She also spent some time in Ireland. There, she was a guest of Valentine Lawless, who had been arrested with Edward Despard in 1798. Catherine Despard passed away in Somers Town, London in 1815.
