JOHN ANDERSON
John Anderson was a British Lieutenant who came to Guam with the French scientific expedition headed by Louis de Freycinet in 1819. He served as an aide to the Captain of the Port as early as 1831and acted as pilot bringing ships into and out of the harbor. His conduct was reported to be good except when there was a reunion of his fellow countrymen at which times, "like a good Englishman" he would get drunk. He had no permit of naturalization as of 1851.
John married Josefa de la Cruz on 21 November 1819. In the 1990 edition of The Cruise of the Gipsy: The Journal of John Wilson, Surgeon of a Whaling Voyage to the Pacific Ocean 1839-1843, the couple are said to have eleven children, six boys and five girls. I have only been able to identify 6 of these children: Maria Anderson y dela Cruz; Dolores Anderson y dela Cruz; Jose Anderson y dela Cruz; Juan Anderson y dela Cruz; Josefa Engracia Anderson y dela Crus and Rosa Anderson y dela Cruz.
An account related in Life and Adventure in the South Pacific by A Roving Printer, John D. Jones tells of John Anderson's attempt to take over the government of the island. 'Some years ago Captain Anderson and few more English residents contrived a plan to make themselves possessors of the island. They secretly worked, step by step, at the same time insinuating themselves into the graces of the Governor. Their plans worked to a charm, and when they were fully matured, they quietly took possession of the Palace, the Governor having been made, as Captain Anderson expressed it, “as drunk as a boiled owl.” As they now had possession of all the arms and ammunition, it was an easy matter to subdue the natives, which they did in short order, without loss of life on either side, covering themselves with glory. As matter of course, the new lords and masters must have a glorious jollification over the affair, and at the same time agree on a governor. This latter, however, proved no easy task, as all were equally anxious to “serve their country” in being the chief dignitary of the island. After consulting and debating some hours, and finding they were no nearer a decision than at first, they decided to have a spree, and whoever should remain sober the longest, and see the others all laid out, should be the honorable governor. Accordingly at it they went, bottle after bottle disappeared, one by one they voluntarily relinquished their seats and quietly rolled under the table. After a short time no one remained in his seat but Captain Anderson, and he feeling elated at his success, drank a few bumpers to Captain Anderson, the future Governor of the distinguished Island of Guam. But, as he said, “he was born under an unlucky star.” So it proved, as the bumpers he drank to his own good health keeled him over, and he took his place among his comrades.'
'The Spaniards, who had been watching these proceedings with no small degree of interest, seeing how matters stood and the would-be Governors gloriously drunk, very adroitly bound them hand and food. The dethroned governor was of course, immediately reinstated, and the next day these noble spirits were arraigned for trail. Being convicted of treason, they were sentenced to be placed on a raft, taken out to sea and then cast loose, leaving them at the mercy of the winds and waves. This was accordingly done, and after drifting about several days, they were safely landed on the island of Tinian. Here they resided some time, finally expressing their sorrow for what they had done, the governor pardoned them, and permitted them to make Guam their future residence, on swearing allegiance to the government and promising to be true and loyal citizens.'
For more information see:
John married Josefa de la Cruz on 21 November 1819. In the 1990 edition of The Cruise of the Gipsy: The Journal of John Wilson, Surgeon of a Whaling Voyage to the Pacific Ocean 1839-1843, the couple are said to have eleven children, six boys and five girls. I have only been able to identify 6 of these children: Maria Anderson y dela Cruz; Dolores Anderson y dela Cruz; Jose Anderson y dela Cruz; Juan Anderson y dela Cruz; Josefa Engracia Anderson y dela Crus and Rosa Anderson y dela Cruz.
An account related in Life and Adventure in the South Pacific by A Roving Printer, John D. Jones tells of John Anderson's attempt to take over the government of the island. 'Some years ago Captain Anderson and few more English residents contrived a plan to make themselves possessors of the island. They secretly worked, step by step, at the same time insinuating themselves into the graces of the Governor. Their plans worked to a charm, and when they were fully matured, they quietly took possession of the Palace, the Governor having been made, as Captain Anderson expressed it, “as drunk as a boiled owl.” As they now had possession of all the arms and ammunition, it was an easy matter to subdue the natives, which they did in short order, without loss of life on either side, covering themselves with glory. As matter of course, the new lords and masters must have a glorious jollification over the affair, and at the same time agree on a governor. This latter, however, proved no easy task, as all were equally anxious to “serve their country” in being the chief dignitary of the island. After consulting and debating some hours, and finding they were no nearer a decision than at first, they decided to have a spree, and whoever should remain sober the longest, and see the others all laid out, should be the honorable governor. Accordingly at it they went, bottle after bottle disappeared, one by one they voluntarily relinquished their seats and quietly rolled under the table. After a short time no one remained in his seat but Captain Anderson, and he feeling elated at his success, drank a few bumpers to Captain Anderson, the future Governor of the distinguished Island of Guam. But, as he said, “he was born under an unlucky star.” So it proved, as the bumpers he drank to his own good health keeled him over, and he took his place among his comrades.'
'The Spaniards, who had been watching these proceedings with no small degree of interest, seeing how matters stood and the would-be Governors gloriously drunk, very adroitly bound them hand and food. The dethroned governor was of course, immediately reinstated, and the next day these noble spirits were arraigned for trail. Being convicted of treason, they were sentenced to be placed on a raft, taken out to sea and then cast loose, leaving them at the mercy of the winds and waves. This was accordingly done, and after drifting about several days, they were safely landed on the island of Tinian. Here they resided some time, finally expressing their sorrow for what they had done, the governor pardoned them, and permitted them to make Guam their future residence, on swearing allegiance to the government and promising to be true and loyal citizens.'
For more information see:
- Jones, John D. 1861. Life and Adventure in the South Pacific by A Roving Printer, London: Sampson Low, Son, & Co.
- Rogers, Robert F. 1995. Destiny’s Landfall: A History of Guam. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press
- Safford, William E. 1902. The Mariana Islands, unpublished manuscript.
- Wilson, John. 1991. The Cruise of the Gipsy: The Journal of John Wilson, Surgeon of a Whaling Voyage to the Pacific Ocean 1839-1843. Fairfield, Washington: Ye Galleon Press.