Nathaniel Uring

Nathaniel Uring was an English merchant who served as deputy-governor of Saint Lucia during a failed colonial venture backed by John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu from 1722 to 1723. Uring was involved in the Atlantic slave trade and travelled to Guinea and Mosquito Coast during his life.

Early life Nathaniel Uring was born in Walsingham, England, in 1680/1681, to a family of Quakers. From 1689 to 1699, he was on a slave ship that sailed to Barbados and Virginia.

Career In 1701, Uring signed on as a second mate for Martha, which would sail from London to Guinea to collect slaves. The captain died during the voyage.

In 1711, Uring visited Black River on the Mosquito Coast after being shipwrecked. He lived along the Belize River for a few months in 1720. In 1723, Uring became shipwrecked along the Honduran coast. He walked from Cabo Gracias a Dios to Cabo Camarón. Uring returned to Walsingham and opened a wine importing business.

John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu was granted the islands of Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent. Montagu appointed Uring as deputy-governor and sent him to colonise the area in 1722. He arrived on Saint Lucia with two governors, 51 officers, and 425 other men on 28 December 1722. The day that Uring arrived France ordered him to leave the island and 1,400-2,000 French men from Martinique and Guadaloupe arrived in January 1723. The English only had 80 men who were fit for combat. On 8 January, an agreement was reached for both sides to leave the island. The expedition cost £40,000.

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