The Trinity de Carterets

The Trinity de Carterets

Amice (Amias) de Carteret (1559-1631)

Several members of Jersey's de Carteret family have been Bailiffs of their island, but Amice is the only one to have been Bailiff of the sister island of Guernsey. Amice second son of Helier and Godson of Amias Paulet was created Baillif of Guernsey in 1601. Originaly a Jurat of Jersey's Royal Court and Lieut-Baillif, he was one of the elders of the church in Jersey before being offered the post of Magistrate in Guernsey.

"A greatman of repute and beloved of the islanders" - Chroniques de Jersey 1585. While in Jersey he tried to increase the daily rate of the workmen of Elizabeth Castle from 8 pence a day.

"Perhaps the common touch deserted Amice when he took up the post in Guersey trying those accused of Witchcraft. From March 1601 to April 1631 he presided over 63 trials. Thirty five of the accused were burnt, 19 banished and the other nine seem to have been aquitted. After his death in April 1631 the number of Witches sent to the stake dropped dramatically.

Amice was aquinted with James I who came to the Throne of England in 1603. He is said to have been much moved by the movment on the continent with regard to witches.

Amice was a born calvinst and was determined to keep his people dependent on presbyterian authority as long as possible. From 1610 to 1629 he took the role of Baillif and Lieut-Governor.

Sir Edward de Carteret ( -1683)

Sir Edward was Bailiff of Jersey from 1665 to 1682 and was Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for King Charles II from 1671 until his death in 1683.

Black Rod has a number of official duties: he is the personal attendant of the Sovereign in the Lords; as secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain he is responsible as the usher and doorkeeper at meetings of the Order of the Garter (stemming from the Garter Statute 1522); and, as the Sergeant-at-Arms and Keeper of the Doors of the House he is concerned in the admission of strangers to the House of Lords. The Black Rod is his staff of office, a short ebony stick.

Philip de Carteret (1733-1796)

Philip succeeded his elder brother Francis as Seigneur of Trinity. He twice sailed around the world in his thirties. See extended biography.

Sir Philip de Carteret (1776-1828)

Philip, son of the above, reached the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy and succeeded his father as Seigneur of Trinity.

Samuel Silvester de Carteret (1775- )

The brother of the above, Samuel served with the Royal Artillery from 27 February 1792 as a cadet, mostly at Woolwich Depot. He was posted to 5th Company 5 Batallion for service in the West Indies under Major A du Vernet and was one of many in the regiment to die of fever.