Gilbert Thomas Carter
Encyclopedia
Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter KCMG (14 January 1848 – 18 January 1927) was an administrative officer in the Royal Navy
and later a colonial official who served as a Collector of Customs for the Gold Coast
and a Treasurer of the Gold Coast and The Gambia
. He also served as an Administrator
for The Gambia, and as Governor for the Lagos Colony
, The Bahamas
, Barbados
and Trinidad and Tobago
.
). He was educated at the Royal Naval School
in Greenwich
. Carter joined the Royal Navy in 1864, serving as an Assistant Clerk on the , being transferred in 1866 to . On 5 July 1966, Carter was promoted to Clerk, while still serving on HMS Malacca. Between 1867 and 1869, he served on a variety of ships as a clerk, until on 1 December 1869 (while serving on , when he was promoted to Assistant Paymaster (being added to the Navy List
).
Following a posting to for the first 9 months of 1870, Carter's final posting was to the Colonial steamer Sherbro from August 1870. During his time on the Sherbro, he was involved with the Third Anglo-Ashanto War on the Gold Coast
. When Elmina
was sold to the British by the Dutch Government, he was a commissioner, responsible for valuing the stores and ordnance left behind by the Dutch. He retired from the Navy on 21 July 1875.
. In August 1879, he was appointed Collector of Customs and Treasurer of the Gold Coast. From 1882 until December 1888, Carter administered the Settlement on the Gambia
as a Treasurer and Postmaster. From 1886, he was acting Administrator of the Colony of the Gambia, and on 1 December 1888 he was appointed Administrator on its separation from Sierra Leone.
On 1 January 1890, Carter was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).
In 1891, the native King of Gambia had been organising abusive acts towards the British colonists. Carter (from his official residence in Bathurst
) sent an envoy with a message that if the abuses continued, "he might expect a visit of a disciplinary nature from the marine forces of the Queen of England." The King sent the envoy back mutilated, with a message: "This is the King's answer." In response, Carter sent three British gunboats to avenge the outrage upon the envoy.
"in the interest of civilization". Afterwards, he continued to justify this attack as a war to end slavery and promote civilization.
Early in 1893, Carter travelled to various parts of Yorubaland
, accompanied by soldiers, in an attempt to demonstrate the might of the British. Carter was not well received at Oyo
, and the Egba
chiefs advised him not to interfere with slavery, while the Ibadan
chiefs said they were afraid that their slaves would "assert their freedom by running to the Resident
" – and they refused to sign a treaty with Carter that would impose a Resident on the city.
However, in January 1893 the Egba chiefs signed a Treaty of Independence with the British Government. It was agreed that freedom of trade between the Egba Nation and Lagos was to be guaranteed by the British Government, in return for which no road would be closed without the approval of the Governor. They further agreed that complete protection and "every assistance and encouragement" would be afforded to all Christian ministers. The Crown agreed that "no annexation on any portion of Egba Nation shall be made by her Majesty’s Government without the consent of the lawful authorities of the nation, no aggressive action shall be taken against the said nation and its independence shall be fully recognized." The Egba chiefs further promised to abolish human sacrifices.
He was promoted Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) on 3 June 1893, "in recognition of his services in conducting a mission to the Yoruba country which resulted in the negotiation of important treaties and brough to an end a long-standing war."
Carter sent Ife
works of art to Europe, including three known as the Ife marbles which were given to Carter in 1896 by the recently-crowned King of Ife, Adelekan, in the hopes that a decision in his favour would be made about the resettlement of Modakeke
residents outside the city.
In the spring of 1903, Carter met Gertrude Codman Parker (born 6 February 1875) when she was travelling in the Bahamas with her parents. They married on 25 August 1903 in the Church of the Advent in Boston
. He was twice married, and had 3 sons and 2 daughters. His son Humphrey was Director of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden
.
Carter retired in 1910. In 1919, he changed his surname to Gilbert-Carter. In the early 1920s, he moved back to Barbados, and lived at Ilaro Court
, which had been designed and built by Lady Gilbert Carter. He died there on 18 January 1927.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and later a colonial official who served as a Collector of Customs for the Gold Coast
Gold Coast (region)
The Gold Coast was the region of West Africa which is now the nation of Ghana. Early uses of the term refer literally to the coast and not the interior. It was not until the 19th century that the term came to refer to areas that are far from the coast...
and a Treasurer of the Gold Coast and The Gambia
The Gambia
The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia , is a country in West Africa. Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west....
. He also served as an Administrator
Administrator of the Government
An Administrator in the constitutional practice of some countries in the Commonwealth is a person who fulfils a role similar to that of a Governor or a Governor-General...
for The Gambia, and as Governor for the Lagos Colony
Lagos Colony
Lagos Colony was a British colonial possession centered on the port of Lagos in what is now southern Nigeria. Lagos was annexed on 6 August 1861 and declared a colony on 5 March 1862....
, The Bahamas
The Bahamas
The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States...
, Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
and Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
.
Early life and Naval career
Carter was the only son of Commander Thomas Gilbert Carter (R.N.Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
). He was educated at the Royal Naval School
Royal Naval School
The Royal Naval School was an English school that was established in Camberwell, London, in 1833 and then formally constituted by the Royal Naval College Act 1840. It was a charitable institution, established as a boarding school for the sons of officers in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Many of...
in Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
. Carter joined the Royal Navy in 1864, serving as an Assistant Clerk on the , being transferred in 1866 to . On 5 July 1966, Carter was promoted to Clerk, while still serving on HMS Malacca. Between 1867 and 1869, he served on a variety of ships as a clerk, until on 1 December 1869 (while serving on , when he was promoted to Assistant Paymaster (being added to the Navy List
Navy List
A Navy List or Naval Register is an official list of naval officers, their ranks and seniority, the ships which they command or to which they are appointed, etc., that is published by the government or naval authorities of a country....
).
Following a posting to for the first 9 months of 1870, Carter's final posting was to the Colonial steamer Sherbro from August 1870. During his time on the Sherbro, he was involved with the Third Anglo-Ashanto War on the Gold Coast
Gold Coast (region)
The Gold Coast was the region of West Africa which is now the nation of Ghana. Early uses of the term refer literally to the coast and not the interior. It was not until the 19th century that the term came to refer to areas that are far from the coast...
. When Elmina
Elmina
Elmina, is a town in the Central Region, situated on a south-facing bay on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ghana, about 12 km west of Cape Coast...
was sold to the British by the Dutch Government, he was a commissioner, responsible for valuing the stores and ordnance left behind by the Dutch. He retired from the Navy on 21 July 1875.
Leeward Islands, the Gold Coast and the Gambia
In 1875, Carter became the private secretary to Sir George Berkeley, Governor of the Leeward IslandsLeeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
. In August 1879, he was appointed Collector of Customs and Treasurer of the Gold Coast. From 1882 until December 1888, Carter administered the Settlement on the Gambia
The Gambia
The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia , is a country in West Africa. Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west....
as a Treasurer and Postmaster. From 1886, he was acting Administrator of the Colony of the Gambia, and on 1 December 1888 he was appointed Administrator on its separation from Sierra Leone.
On 1 January 1890, Carter was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).
In 1891, the native King of Gambia had been organising abusive acts towards the British colonists. Carter (from his official residence in Bathurst
Banjul
-Transport:Ferries sail from Banjul to Barra. The city is served by the Banjul International Airport. Banjul is on the Trans–West African Coastal Highway connecting it to Dakar and Bissau, and will eventually provide a paved highway link to 11 other nations of ECOWAS.Banjul International Airport...
) sent an envoy with a message that if the abuses continued, "he might expect a visit of a disciplinary nature from the marine forces of the Queen of England." The King sent the envoy back mutilated, with a message: "This is the King's answer." In response, Carter sent three British gunboats to avenge the outrage upon the envoy.
Lagos (Nigeria)
On 3 February 1891, Carter was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Lagos. In 1892, Carter ordered an attack on the IjebuIjebu
Ijebu was a Yoruba kingdom in pre-colonial Nigeria. It formed around the fifteenth century. According to legend, its ruling dynasty was founded by Obanta of Ile-Ife...
"in the interest of civilization". Afterwards, he continued to justify this attack as a war to end slavery and promote civilization.
Early in 1893, Carter travelled to various parts of Yorubaland
Yoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
, accompanied by soldiers, in an attempt to demonstrate the might of the British. Carter was not well received at Oyo
Oyo, Nigeria
Oyo is a city in Oyo State, Nigeria, founded as the capital of the Oyo Kingdom in the 1830s and known to its people as 'New Oyo' to distinguish it from the former capital to the north, 'Old Oyo' ) which had been deserted as a result of rumors of war. Its inhabitants are mostly of the Yoruba people...
, and the Egba
Egba
The Egba are a clan of the Yoruba people who live in western Nigeria. Many Egba live in the city of Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State.- History :...
chiefs advised him not to interfere with slavery, while the Ibadan
Ibadan
Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
chiefs said they were afraid that their slaves would "assert their freedom by running to the Resident
Resident (title)
A Resident, or in full Resident Minister, is a government official required to take up permanent residence in another country. A representative of his government, he officially has diplomatic functions which are often seen as a form of indirect rule....
" – and they refused to sign a treaty with Carter that would impose a Resident on the city.
However, in January 1893 the Egba chiefs signed a Treaty of Independence with the British Government. It was agreed that freedom of trade between the Egba Nation and Lagos was to be guaranteed by the British Government, in return for which no road would be closed without the approval of the Governor. They further agreed that complete protection and "every assistance and encouragement" would be afforded to all Christian ministers. The Crown agreed that "no annexation on any portion of Egba Nation shall be made by her Majesty’s Government without the consent of the lawful authorities of the nation, no aggressive action shall be taken against the said nation and its independence shall be fully recognized." The Egba chiefs further promised to abolish human sacrifices.
He was promoted Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) on 3 June 1893, "in recognition of his services in conducting a mission to the Yoruba country which resulted in the negotiation of important treaties and brough to an end a long-standing war."
Carter sent Ife
Ife
Ife is an ancient Yoruba city in south-western Nigeria. Evidence of inhabitation at the site has been discovered to date back to roughly 560 BC...
works of art to Europe, including three known as the Ife marbles which were given to Carter in 1896 by the recently-crowned King of Ife, Adelekan, in the hopes that a decision in his favour would be made about the resettlement of Modakeke
Modakeke
Modakeke is a town in Osun State, South West Nigeria, with a population of close to three hundred thousand people.The Modakekes are also known as the "Akoraye" and have a history of valor at war and are prosperous farmers.- History :...
residents outside the city.
Later life, retirement and death
In 1898, Carter was transferred to Bahamas as Governor and Commander-in-Chief, and after a temporary transfer to Trinidad, in July 1904 he was transferred to the Barbados as Governor and Commander-in-Chief.In the spring of 1903, Carter met Gertrude Codman Parker (born 6 February 1875) when she was travelling in the Bahamas with her parents. They married on 25 August 1903 in the Church of the Advent in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. He was twice married, and had 3 sons and 2 daughters. His son Humphrey was Director of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is a botanical garden located in Cambridge, England. It lies between Trumpington Road to the west and Hills Road to the east, close to Cambridge railway station. The garden covers an area of 16 hectares...
.
Carter retired in 1910. In 1919, he changed his surname to Gilbert-Carter. In the early 1920s, he moved back to Barbados, and lived at Ilaro Court
Ilaro court
Ilaro Court is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Barbados. Ilaro Court was designed and built in the early 1920s by Lady Gilbert Carter, an accomplished American artist whose husband Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter was Governor of Barbados from 1904 to 1911. The name Ilaro was derived from...
, which had been designed and built by Lady Gilbert Carter. He died there on 18 January 1927.