East India Company Interest: Bottomry Bond for the boat Dawson by John Freeman and Thomas Cook

East India Company Interest Manuscript Bottomry Bond for the boat Dawson by John Cook-Freeman (1689-1752) and his brother Thomas Cook dated 26 January 1729, Folio (40cm x 32cm), latin introductory paragraph followed by the conditions of the bond, naming Thomas Cook of London and John Freeman of Folly [sic] Court (Fawley Court, Henley on Thames) for the 'vessel called the Dawson of the burthen of five hundred tonns or thereabouts now at anchor in the River of Thames whereof Francis Steward is now Commander' for a voyage to 'Fort Saint George or any other port or place in the East Indies, China, Persia or elsewhere beyond the Cape of Good Hope', the bond to be paid to Aaron Franks; signed by Walter Henley and Robert Offerton, Thomas Cook and John Freeman and two red seals; verso with settlement statement of the bond; together with a single sheet manuscript receipt for to Thomas Cooke dated February 17 1725/6 for £500 in regard to a bottomry bond for the 'Spanish registered ships' signed by James Naish regarding Spanish registered ships dated 1725/26 and naming Edward Harrison Esq (18cm x 15.5cm)

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From a Gloucestershire country house

John Freeman, a Madras merchant and keen amateur architect inherited Fawley Court in 1707 and properties in the West Indies. He was an early member of the Society of Antiquaries, built the Gothic folly in the grounds and the Freeman family mausoleum in the village based on the design of the tomb of Caecilla Metella in Rome. His uncle, from which he inherited the estate has been a slave trader and it is possible that the boats in discussion would have been used for this purpose. James Naish was Chief of the English East India Company Council in Canton (Guangzhou), China and extensive records exist in the British Library of his travels and life.

Further records of the family can be found in a letter book of John Freeman of Fawley Court to his brother Thomas Cook of Fort St. George and Calcutta, and to others, re his interests in East India trade and family affairs, 1717-1742, 1717-1742 (Gloucestershire Archives D1245/FF33)