Record

LevelSub-sub-sub-fonds
Finding Number (Click this to view full catalogue structure)CMS/B/OMS/W
TitleWest Indies Mission
Extent11 vols. of letter-books and mission books, and 2104 docs. (including journals)
Date1818-1863
DescriptionPre-1880 papers of the West Indies mission. There are documents in the West Indies mission series relating to Anguilla 1836, Antigua 1818-1845, Bahamas 1834, Barbados 1820-1856, British Guiana 1825-1856, Dominica 1823, Honduras 1820-1826, Jamaica 1819-1861, Nevis 1820-1827, 1846, Trinidad 1836-1848, St. Kitts 1821, St. Vincent 1823.
Access StatusOpen
Physical DescriptionThe archive reference numbers have been marked in pencil at the back of each individual item, e.g. C W/O 42/7.
Administrative HistoryMission work in the West Indies was begun in 1813 when William Dawes in Antigua offered to act as a CMS agent. A mission was established in Barbados in 1820, Jamaica in 1826, British Guiana in 1827 and Trinidad in 1836.
A severe financial crisis in 1839 forced the Society to decide to withdraw gradually from the work, handing over to the established Anglican church. Support for Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad ended officially at the end of 1849. Work in British Guiana continued until 1858.
Custodial HistoryCatalogued by Rosemary A. Keen, 1960-1961. Handlist revised and expanded by Rosemary Keen, 1981.
CopiesAvailable on microfilm and online.

Microfilm: Church Missionary Society Archive: Section V: Missions to the Americas, part 1.
Publisher: Marlborough: Adam Matthew Publications, 1999.
Location in the Cadbury Research Library: microfilm drawer B7.

Digital publication: Church Missionary Society Archive: Missions to the Americas: West Indies Mission
Publisher: Adam Matthew Digital.
Access: by institutional subscription: free access to members of the University of Birmingham and visitors to the Cadbury Research Library and other subscribing institutions.

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