John Dukinfield

John Dukinfield (also Duckinfield, Duckenfield) was a Bristol merchant and slave trader. Born 12 August 1677 in Bristol, he died in 1745. He had two brothers, Robert and William. A member of the family holding the Dukinfield baronetcy, he was a member of the Society of Merchant Venturers.

Trans-Atlantic slave trade

Dukinfield started in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1713; his last voyage was in 1731. Dukinfield's slave ships made approximately 23 voyages for the purpose of buying and selling slaves, acquiring roughly 6,448 slaves in Africa, with 5,183 surviving. After purchase they were sent to be sold in various ports, mainly Jamaica, and Virginia, with less than 3% going to other Caribbean ports. 20% of slaves from his ships voyages did not survive, a comparatively high figure compared to the 12.1% average of the middle crossing death rate at the time. and the highest number ever was 715, in 1719. The Berkley, The Berkley Gally, The Abington, The Prince Eugene, The Tunbridge Gally, The Peterborough, The Joseph Anna, and The Betty.

Other interests

When Dukinfield's ships returned from Africa, they would often carry with them foreign goods, including redwood, ivory, pepper, and exotic animal hides. He also was a big trader in sugar, due to the large sugar plantation he had established in Jamaica. and Robert. The latter inherited the large plantation in St. Thomas-in-the-East in Jamaica, called Dukinfield Hall.