The Minor Family of Somerset

Name Suffix:<NSFX> of Jamaica
from History of Northowram
John, Lister, the second son of John and Phoebe, of Overbrear, i
t is stated, "was first a groser,and dwelt at York; afterward
s was a distiller, and dwelt at Manchester; andnotwithstandin
g he had a very good trade; yet, through the perswasions of hi
s wife, he went with his family into Jamaica, and died there Oct
ober the 20th 1698." When he and his family went out to Jamaic
a we have not been able todiscover; the following interesting l
etter, however, shows that he was there, and entertained thought
s of returning to England about the time when toleration was gra
nted to Nonconformists in this country, hence his references t
oit.
"Brother Samuell,
I received yours, dated the 10th May 1687, very gladly; and do
e much rejoyce to heare of yor healthes. I pray as you have opp
ertunity write, may send it to Mr. John Pack at the Naked Boy i
n Grace Church Street and direct it as you did the former. I fi
nd this place to bee extreamehote, and though it agree with m
e very well as to my cough, yett it is troublesome in other resp
ects, for in some parts of the yeare there comes a fly (asindee
d there are of severall sorts) which bites and becomes burdensom
e, and in yt (that) part where I dwell there is not so good mean
es as I could wish, and the thoughts of the tolleration in Engla
nd doth make me have some thoughts of returning for England. W
e have such long draught as people are oftenill putt to it to k
eepe their cattle and horses; we have often no rane of 3or 4 m
onthes and sometimes more; we have neither herb nor grasse nor t
ree nor wood of any sort that growed in Engloand; except some fe
w garden herbes that comes from the seed yt that comes out of En
gland, and that is little or nothing; neither have we any wild
e fowle that flyes, or fish in the water, whether salt water o
r fresh, that is of the sorte of our fowles or fishes in England
. I am afraid if I should stay here long that the heat would s
o alter my body that I shall not be able to endure the cold in E
ngland, but I can settnoe time of comeing yett untill I have a
n opportunity to settle my businesse. I and my wife presents ou
r duties to my mother and to all at Boothe Towneand Shibden Hal
l and Halifax, they are too many to mention in particular. Pra
y let me heare how all is with you, and hereby you will very muc
h oblige me; hearty Respects to yorselfe and sister is the res
t from, Your affectionate brother, John Lister.
Withy Wood, the 9 June, 1688