Powys-Lybbe Forbears - Person Sheet
Powys-Lybbe Forbears - Person Sheet
NameSir Nicholas Waite 
Death1716
GeneralMerchant. Of Chertsey Abbey, Surrey. President of East India Company.
FatherCol Thomas Waite (->1668)
MotherJane
Spouses
Marriage22 May 1685, St Nicholas Cole Abbey, London [21, Their marriage on 22 May 1685]
ChildrenHenry
Notes for Sir Nicholas Waite
He also lived at Red Lion Sq, London; his will states he had two houses there.
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In chapter 3 of the book “A History of the Church in India Since the Early Days of the East India Company” by Eyre Chatterton, pub 1924, there is this passage:
“When Edwards, the Chaplain of Surat, died, Hackett. who was then Chaplain of a ship in port, was appointed to fill the vacancy. The owners of this merchant vessel had arranged with Hackett that he was to receive £100 on his return to England. When, therefore, he was offered this Chaplaincy he asked that the Company should indemnify him for the financial loss which he would suffer by breaking his agreement. Sir Nicholas Waite, the President of the new Company, agreed to this, and in a letter to the Company dated April 9, 1700, adds, "I hope that he will by his piety and diligence in his station be such an example of virtue as may deserve this favour from your honours.
"Hackett was apparently a parson of a manly type, for shortly afterwards he was sent to Berhampore in charge of the brass guns which had been left behind at Surat by the Ambassador. Sir William Norris was then up-country with the Mughal Emperor. On this occasion we find Hackett commanding ten soldiers, six writers, and two Surgeons. He apparently did not care for India, as he retired shortly afterwards.
“Hackett was succeeded by the Rev. Pratt Physon, who undertook the duties of Chaplain for six months. Physon bore a bad name. He purchased goods of great value for which he had no means of paying. Anderson speaks of him as follows: "And so passes off the scene this Acting Chaplain, leaving a smell of brimstone behind him."
“After his departure we find Sir Nicholas Waite writing to the Court of Directors as follows:--
“"We shall be without a Chaplain for reading prayers and instruction of your youth, until your honours please to send a pious and ingenuous man whose learning and behaviour may be exemplary to all your servants and inform the world of the glorious mysteries as yet unknown amongst these people."”
“It is strange to think that the person who could have written such a letter as this was the same person who intrigued successfully to keep his rival incarcerated in the Factory at Surat for three years!
“One of the least pleasing features of the period was the tone of unctuous piety adopted by persons whose ordinary conduct seems to have been both irreligious and unrighteous.”
He also appears to have earlier been Governor of the Bombay Presidency:
“Nicholas Waite acted as the Governor of Bombay Presidency from the year 1704 to 1708. He was one of the most prominent colonial administrators under the British East India Company. Waite was appointed as the Governor of the British Indian province of Bombay (now Mumbai) in November 1704. He was an officiating governor in earlier undivided India, under the administrative control of the British. He was preceded by John Gayer who held office from 17 May 1694 to November 1704.
“Bombay Presidency was one of the 3 main Presidencies and provinces of British India, which also included Madras Presidency and Bengal Presidency. The province was initially established as a trading post for the British East India Company during the 17th century at Surat. The Presidency included the regions of modern states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, regions of Konkan, Kandesh and Desh, and northwestern state of Karnataka.”
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In chapter 3 of the book “A History of the Church in India Since the Early Days of the East India Company” by Eyre Chatterton, pub 1924, there is this passage:
“When Edwards, the Chaplain of Surat, died, Hackett. who was then Chaplain of a ship in port, was appointed to fill the vacancy. The owners of this merchant vessel had arranged with Hackett that he was to receive £100 on his return to England. When, therefore, he was offered this Chaplaincy he asked that the Company should indemnify him for the financial loss which he would suffer by breaking his agreement. Sir Nicholas Waite, the President of the new Company, agreed to this, and in a letter to the Company dated April 9, 1700, adds, "I hope that he will by his piety and diligence in his station be such an example of virtue as may deserve this favour from your honours.
"Hackett was apparently a parson of a manly type, for shortly afterwards he was sent to Berhampore in charge of the brass guns which had been left behind at Surat by the Ambassador. Sir William Norris was then up-country with the Mughal Emperor. On this occasion we find Hackett commanding ten soldiers, six writers, and two Surgeons. He apparently did not care for India, as he retired shortly afterwards.
“Hackett was succeeded by the Rev. Pratt Physon, who undertook the duties of Chaplain for six months. Physon bore a bad name. He purchased goods of great value for which he had no means of paying. Anderson speaks of him as follows: "And so passes off the scene this Acting Chaplain, leaving a smell of brimstone behind him."
“After his departure we find Sir Nicholas Waite writing to the Court of Directors as follows:--
“"We shall be without a Chaplain for reading prayers and instruction of your youth, until your honours please to send a pious and ingenuous man whose learning and behaviour may be exemplary to all your servants and inform the world of the glorious mysteries as yet unknown amongst these people."”
“It is strange to think that the person who could have written such a letter as this was the same person who intrigued successfully to keep his rival incarcerated in the Factory at Surat for three years!
“One of the least pleasing features of the period was the tone of unctuous piety adopted by persons whose ordinary conduct seems to have been both irreligious and unrighteous.”
He also appears to have earlier been Governor of the Bombay Presidency:
“Nicholas Waite acted as the Governor of Bombay Presidency from the year 1704 to 1708. He was one of the most prominent colonial administrators under the British East India Company. Waite was appointed as the Governor of the British Indian province of Bombay (now Mumbai) in November 1704. He was an officiating governor in earlier undivided India, under the administrative control of the British. He was preceded by John Gayer who held office from 17 May 1694 to November 1704.
“Bombay Presidency was one of the 3 main Presidencies and provinces of British India, which also included Madras Presidency and Bengal Presidency. The province was initially established as a trading post for the British East India Company during the 17th century at Surat. The Presidency included the regions of modern states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, regions of Konkan, Kandesh and Desh, and northwestern state of Karnataka.”
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Will notes for Sir Nicholas Waite
His will was dated 9th June 1715.
The probate clause is in latin and looks like its date was 4th July 1716.
In the will there is this clause:
“my said extors and their servs(?) shall stand and be seized of all my reall and personall estate whatsoever to the uses following (that is to say) five hundred pounds to my son Henry Waite which is and shall be in full of all his claims demands and pretensions whatsoever for his chusing to live in British ???? rather than obey his the command of God and his parents”
I have no idea what this refers to!
In the rest of his will he takes major steps to provide for his wife Judith and three daughters, ???? ???? (probably Anne Jane who m. Thomas Wherwood) Waite, Jane Waite (m. Henshaw Halsey of Gaddesdon Place, Herts) and Dorothy Waite.
The probate clause is in latin and looks like its date was 4th July 1716.
In the will there is this clause:
“my said extors and their servs(?) shall stand and be seized of all my reall and personall estate whatsoever to the uses following (that is to say) five hundred pounds to my son Henry Waite which is and shall be in full of all his claims demands and pretensions whatsoever for his chusing to live in British ???? rather than obey his the command of God and his parents”
I have no idea what this refers to!
In the rest of his will he takes major steps to provide for his wife Judith and three daughters, ???? ???? (probably Anne Jane who m. Thomas Wherwood) Waite, Jane Waite (m. Henshaw Halsey of Gaddesdon Place, Herts) and Dorothy Waite.
Notes for Nicholas & Judith (Family)
From Family Search, their marriage:
Name: Nicholas Waite
Spouse's Name: Judith Garrett
Event Date: 22 May 1685
Event Place: Saint Nicholas Cole Abbey,London,London,England
Name: Nicholas Waite
Spouse's Name: Judith Garrett
Event Date: 22 May 1685
Event Place: Saint Nicholas Cole Abbey,London,London,England