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Rizal in Liverpool
Filipinos in Liverpool (Part 3)

On May 24, 1888, Jose Rizal, the greatest Filipino hero, landed in Liverpool on his way to London from New York. Probably unknown to him were the Manila-born sailors congregating in the area of Frederick Street. Near the dock, Atlantic Ocean liners like the City of Rome flew the White Star Flag and discharged passengers from New York and picked up immigrants to America. Seafarers lived with the foghorns calling from the shipping magnets that made Liverpool famous.

Rizal probably arrived in London by the English railway system about 200 miles away, a short distance compared to the cross country journey he made earlier in the United States from San Francisco to New York. The English railroad might have reminded him of his childhood sweetheart, Leonora Rivera, who eventually became the embodiment of Filipina woman known as the Maria Clara. She married a railroad engineer, an Englishman working on the first railway system north of Manila. He wrote later that he didn't blame her, for Henry Kipping was a free man and he was not. He admitted that the pain he felt in his heart was like the first blow of the hammer to the railroad..


“Rizal probably arrived in London by the English railway system about 200 miles away, a short distance compared to the cross country journey he made earlier in the United States from San Franscisco to New York."

Leonora would have been the ideal wife but her parents warned her, as his subversive writings were quickly making him an agitator of Spanish authorities. He often avoided marrying any of his close love encounters. This was true once more when he felt that the young English girl Gertrude, the daughter of his landlord in London, was interested in more than his friendship. He said, "I am leaving the Becketts soon, perhaps even London." Gertrude was falling in love with him, and he was growing more fond of her. "I cannot deceive her," he said, "I cannot marry her because I have many other ties, but I am not going to commit the indignity of placing passion over the pure and virginal love she might offer me."

Rizal left London for Paris, not for the final time. Because he could not forget her, he returned to London for the Christmas holidays on the pretense of reviewing the proofs of his Morga's annotation against the original in the museum. Returning to Paris, he sent her a pair of brooches perhaps as a farewell gift, but she wrote, "I can't imagine why you don't answer my letters, it has been nearly three weeks since I wrote you. I suppose you are making me wait because I did not acknowledge the brooches until about a week after I received them. I am sorry I could not write before, I assure you that I was miserable until I had done so."

Gertrude realized that she would be competing against Rizal's passion for his homeland, she wrote," all I can think is that you are ill or that you have to go to Spain in a hurry again and are detained there. There is not a day past I have looked for a letter from you and have been so disappointed at not having one. I do hope you are not offended with me, dearest, I won't tell you anything until I hear from you, which I hope wont be long. Oh dear, I hope your are not cross with me. I can't think what I have done, darling, I am so miserable. With fondest love from your ever loving.. "


Aerial view of Liverpool 1885 Note the ships in the foreground and arrow pointing Frederick Street.


That was the last correspondence Rizal with his English friend. He wrote his second novel and went back to Manila only to be executed in 1896. He offered his medical training in the Cuban uprising that led to his third trip to Europe. His chances of seeking England's safe harbors are recounted in Austin Craig's, "Story of Rizal"

Rizal was a passenger and went ashore at Singapore but refused to remain in English territory, saying his conscience was clear and he had no motive to flee. Pedro P. Roxas, who deserted the ship there and urged Rizal that "in times of danger Spain forgot justice in her fear," lived to see his prophecy. He realized and was later acquitted of all guilt by an investigation held after the excitement had subsided. A cablegram from Manila led to Rizal's arrest shortly after the steamer reached the Mediterranean, so he was placed on the returning steamer at Barcelona.

In Singapore, his London friends, led by Dr. Regidor, made an effort to save him by cabling a firm of lawyers there to apply for a writ of habeus corpus, but the steamer flew the Spanish royal flag and carried troops. So that the court held that it was not a merchant ship that would be subject to British law but a war vessel, which remained Spanish, wherever it was. Had Dr. Rizal ever been brought before a British court he would have gone free, for only in Spain of all nations claiming to be civilized did the charges against him constitute the crime of "carrying on an anti-religious and anti-patriotic campaign of education."

Three times England tried to aid him; with the consul general's protest against his imprisonment without trial: first when an Englishwomen sought an interview in Madrid with the Queen Regent and second, on being refused waylaid the Queen's carriage in her drives to cry out, "Justice, madam, for poor Rizal"; and this third time when the greatest safeguard of Anglo-Saxon liberty was invoked in his behalf.

My personal search for the Filipinos living in England started when I found the family of the Becketts listed in the UK 1880 census. I also found Reinhold Rost, the head of Asian Society in the Indian Library. It was the German born Rost who gave Rizal the access to historical books about the Philippines in the Royal Library. He read Morga and Pigafetta manuscripts when he was not taking the Beckett girls out to the London opera or to the English countryside.

There was a period when the British from 1762 to 1764 captured and ruled Manila. The news of the capture spread across the European continent and challenged Spanish invincibility. It also brought more focus to the Philippines. Manila fell but not without spirited resistance by defenders of the prince of church. An Irish Catholic galleon pilot, Raymond Kelly, fought on the Spanish side died in action. The British compromised on the surrender and allowed the exercise of the Catholic faith. It continued for the years to come.

The treaty of Paris in February 10, 1763 ended the Seven Year War in Europe and handed the Philippines back to Spain. Because of the distance, the news and provision did not reach Manila for a few months. The 17th and 18th centuries marked the bitter rivalry between Spain and England that extended to the Pacific. This made the presence of early Filipinos in England unlikely, as Filipinos were classified as Spanish subjects where the Indian Lascars and Chinese sailors were already serving England's throne under the East Indian Company.

Filipino seafarers were limited to Spanish ships of the Manila galleon trade when Sir Francis Drake entered of the Pacific Ocean in the name of the Queen.  It was not only his piracy of the Manila Galleon trade the infuriated the Iberian kingdom but his return to England marked the second circumnavigation of the word that.  A Challenge to the King of Spain’s supremacy of the seven seas that prompted the all out naval assault of England by the ill-fated Spanish Armada. As Drake drove the Armada Navy back to Spain another Englishman, Captain Thomas Cavendish had boarded and captured another Manila Galleon ship, Santa Ana in the California Coast on November 1587.  He looted valuable cargo and took some Filipino Sailors serving in the Spanish ship.   He then proceeded to the Philippines in an incredible speed.   He stayed in the Philippines for two month before returning back to England as the third person to circumnavigate the world and confirmed thatPacific would now be shared with the British fleet.  With just one ship he presented the Queen valuable treasure and couple of Filipino sailors including three young boys from Santa Ana who might have survived. The first Filipinos in England might just have been these captives from Manila galleons brought to London with prize war booties. While Spanish rule was in decline, Americans came to Manila in 1898. Other Europeans were ready to take over Spanish domination as German, English, Dutch, and Japanese fleets gathered in the mouth of Manila Harbor. The mighty German fleet had the edge and started to intervene Admiral Dewey's Asiatic fleet. It was only when the Royal navy's siding with her American cousin that discouraged possible German interest.

Indeed the names and places were real, and so were the following Manila born Sailors in Liverpool. I have also found more data in later censuses.

Dwelling:   22 Argyle St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615    Folio 12    Page 19

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
James BETHELL  M 34 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Head Boiler Maker
Mary BETHELL   M 29 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Wife  
George BETHELL   8 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son  
Margaret BETHELL    6 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur  
Jane E. BETHELL        1 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur  
Christopher GABREY    36 M Manilla (British Subject), Asia Boarder Dock Labourer
Charlott GABREY     31 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England    

                      

Dwelling:   19 Greetham St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615    Folio 27    Page 9

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Eustaquio DE LA CRUZ  M 45 M Sebu British Subject, Philippines Head Boarding House Keeper
Mary J. DE LA CRUZ   M 31 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Wife  
Francis A. DE LA CRUZ   14 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son Scholar
Margaret P. DE LA CRUZ   10 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
Mary J. DE LA CRUZ   8 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
Josephina DE LA CRUZ   6 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
Augustina DE LA CRUZ   4 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
Isabel C. DE LA CRUZ   3 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
Elizabeth DE LA CRUZ   1 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
Elizabeth MURPHY U 19 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Serv General Serv
Bridget FULLAM   15 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Serv Nurse Girl
Martha COLLINS  W 40 F Ireland Serv General Serv
Leon MARINA U 59 M Manila Annuitant Annuitant
Philimina TANAL U 38 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Theranonis ARBOLIDA U 28 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Philip MABASA U 29 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Juan AUGESTAN U 25 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Siberio PELIO U 29 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Ambroco MANADERA U 28 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Barcelo GURRINA U 25 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Beneto NEBERA U 30 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Pedro SARCINA U 31 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Juan MOLLINA U 35 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Gelgora MAGBANGA U 28 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Santigo ARGANASO  U 22 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Juan SMITH U 22 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Tomas PUDRES U 28 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Daniel PELIO U 25 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Domingo BESERA U 25 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Julian PLARIS U 45 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Antonio MASINDOS U 20 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Plaridinero AGOTE U 28 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Philip ANNA U 24 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Calistro FARNCIES U 29 M Manila Boarder Sailor
Andrigue DE CABIGA U 30 M Manila Boarder Sailor

(note that  other records indicates Eustaquio Delacruz lived at 20 Argyle Street 1875-1880)   

 

Dwelling:   14 Frederick St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 32    Page 19

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
 William HENRY M 55 M Manilla Head Boarding House Keeper
Annie HENRY M 56 F Ireland Wife  
Mary A. HENRY U 17 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur  
Keppella HENRY   16 F   Daur  
Ann NUGEHENT W 58 F Ireland Serv Domestic Serv
Annie RUDDY M 21 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Serv Domestic Serv
Lizzie MAGUIRE M 30 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Serv Domestic Serv
Charles OLDRID U 38 M United States Boarder Sailor
Richard JACKSON U 28 M United States Boarder Sailor
Samuel FIELDS U 29 M China Boarder Sailor

 

Dwelling:   12 Frederick St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 32    Page 20

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Marcono BUENA VENTORA M 50 M Manilla Head Boarding House Keeper
Sophia BUENA VENTORA M 26 F Hamburg, Germany Wife  
Juan ABROCIO U 30 M Manilla Boarder Sea Cook
Alexander EBABAA U 23 M Manilla Boarder Sailor
Mariono VILLIAM U 25 M Manilla Boarder Sailor
Antoni ALADUE U 26 M Manilla Boarder Sailor
Vedal BANTISTA U 23 M Manilla Boarder Sailor
Santiago Buena BENTURA U 30 M Manilla Boarder Sailor
Augustine FIRGADI U 30 M Manilla Boarder Sailor
Marionce D. PINAS U 29 M Manilla Boarder Sailor
Mariona RIDOCA U 28 M Manilla Boarder Sailor
Amiclito RIZES U 36 M Manilla Boarder Sailor


 
Dwelling:   12 Frederick St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 32    Page 20

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Sebastian BRADDYLL M 36 M Manilla Head Sailor
Bessy BRADDYLL M 34 F Ireland Wife  
John BRADDYLL    12 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son  

        
Dwelling:   27 Frederick St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 35    Page 26

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Matthew IGNASIOU M 35 M Manilla Head Sailor
Mary A. IGNASIOU M 26 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Wife  
Margaret IGNASIOU   8 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
Matthew IGNASIOU   2 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son  
Ann MOLINA   46 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Mother In Law Sailors Wife

                         

Dwelling:   28 Upper Frederick St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 36    Page 28

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Peter FLORENTIA M 40 M Manilla Head Sailor
Sarah FLORENTIA M 27 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Wife  
Elizabeth MITCHELL U 6 M Northwich, Cheshire, England Niece Scholar
Peter GONZALOS  U 25 M Manilla Boarder Sailor

 

Dwelling:   3 Court Upper Frederick St No 2
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 39    Page 33

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Bristo PARRIELD M 40 M Manilla Head Late A Sailor (No Ser) (Crippled)
Ann PARRIELD M 39 F Ireland Wife Washerwoman
Mary E. CHRISTOBEL U 17 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Step Daur  
John ANTONY U 40 M Manilla Boarder Sailor
Thomas BEYES U 39 M Manilla Boarder Sailor

                                     

Dwelling:   5 Court Upper Frederick St No 2
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 39    Page 33

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Francisco DE ASHA M 40 M Manilla Head Sailor
Maria DE ASHA  M 34 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Wife  
Isabella DE ASHA   9 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
Robert P. DE ASHA   7 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son Scholar
Francisco DE ASHA   11 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son  
Mary CUTHBERTSON   W 71 F Ireland Mother-in-law  

                                     

Dwelling:   5 Court Upper Frederick St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 39    Page 34

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Philip DE LA CRUZ M 34 M Manilla Head Sailor
Mary DE LA CRUZ  M 29 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Wife  
Manuel ANGEL U 35 M Manilla Boarder Sea Cook

                                  

Dwelling:   5 Court Upper Frederick St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 39    Page 34

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Leone IGNITOUS  M 33 M Manilla Head Sea Cook
Elizabeth IGNITOUS  M 32 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Wife  
Mary E. IGNITOUS U 6 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
Mary E. MOREAR W 36 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Sister-in-law Charwoman
John MOREAR   7 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son  
Annie MOREAR   8 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur  

                                   

Dwelling:   Upper Frederick St 11 Court No 1
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 40    Page 36

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Pedro ABESTO M 37 M Manilla Head Sailor
Eliza ABESTO M 38 F Ireland Wife  

                         

Dwelling:   65 Upper Frederick St
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 41    Page 37

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Bisenta ALVEREZ M 32 M Manilla Head Sailor
Ann ALVEREZ  M 30 F Ireland Wife  
Mary J. ALVEREZ   10 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Daur Scholar
John ALVEREZ   8 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son Scholar

                                    

Dwelling:  Maghull St 5 House 1 Court
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3615   Folio 70    Page 44

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Seriaco ARIZABEL M 40 M Manilla Head Ship's Steward
Sarah ARIZABEL  M 22 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Wife  

                                    

Institution:   "Liverpool Workhouse" Brownlow Hil
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3627    Folio 106    Page 14

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
          Inmate Compositer (Printer)
Hamet BARMOO U 37 M Manilla, Asia Inmate Seaman
John BECKS U 51 M Manchester Inmate Dock (Serv)
             

                                    
                                                                                   
 
Institution:   "Liverpool Workshouse" Brownlow Hill
Census Place:   Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3627    Folio 113    Page 8

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Charles WATLEY U 35 M West Indies Inmate Sailor
James GLEESON W 60 M Tipp Co, Ireland Inmate Dock Labourer (Serv)
John WHISTON U 39 M Over... Inmate Painter
William KELLY U 45 M Ireland Inmate Chair Maker (Cabinet Mkr)
Edwin ANTHONY W 53 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Inmate Musician
Andrew ALFONSO U 33 M Manilla Inmate Seaman
John ALFORD U 53 M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Inmate  

                                 


Dwelling:   22 Dryden St
Census Place:   Gorton, Lancashire, England
Source:   FHL Film 1341866     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 3906    Folio 58    Page 28

Name Mar Age Sex Birthplace Rel Occ
Caroline MOLL U 46 F NBS, Germany Head Dress Maker
Henry MARSLAND M 69 M Salford, Lancashire, England Boarder Accountant
Maria ARGOLEMCAM U 20 F Manilla (NBS), Philippines Boarder Dress Maker


                     
Nicomedes Pantrios? Head age 26 Mariner b. Manilla
Mary A wife age 25 b. Liverpool
Crispino? F son age 5 b. Liverpool
Nicomedes son age 2 b. Liverpool
Lauriente I son age 3 mths b. Liverpool.
 
Page 32 27 Frederick Street cont..
Balbinia Valasco head age 30 Mariner b. Manilla
Francesca wife age 22 b. Spain
Domingo son age 1 b. Liverpool
Pedro Nasrez? Boarder age 23 Mariner b. Manilla
John Marran Boarder age 18 Mariner b. Manilla
Placido Billaflor Boarder age 26 Mariner b. Manilla.
 
5 in 6 Court Grayson Street
Pablo Alberta Head age 49 Dock labourer b. Manila
Eliza wife age 50 b. Ireland.
 
Anita Weldon tried to transcribe some of the related dates in the 1891 census
 
21 Upper Frederick Street
Eustagiu? De La Cruz Head age 56 Shipping Agent b.
Iles de Filipina
Mary wife age 41 Publican Licensed Victualler b. Liverpool
Maria dau age 14 b. Liverpool
Angelina dau age 10 b. Liverpool
Isabella dau age 6 b. Liverpool
Eustagiu son age 4 b. Liverpool
Anestina? dau age 4 mths b. Liverpool
 
Page 32A
 
17, Frederick Street.
Thomas Harrison Head age 25 Boarding House Keeper b. Manila
Mary A wife age 19 b. Liverpool
Margaret McCabe Mother age 50 b. Dublin
James brother age 10 b. Liverpool
Jose Perez Lodger age 20 Sailor b. Buenos Aires
Jose R. Soner Lodger age 21 Sailor b. San Miguel Riuz
Luiz Siza Lodger age 30 Sailor b. Buenos Aires
Gl? Abriel Lodger age 27 Sailor b. Santobe
Nicholas Mendiole? Lodger age 30 Sailor b. Manila
Marrairs? Sanuilis?Lodger age 40 Sailor b. Manila
 
Page 34
 
47 Upper Frederick Street.
James Heltause Head age 55 Seaman b. Manila
Jane wife age 57 b. Ireland
Besuite son age 13 b. Druggist/Assistant Liverpool
Francis Fielden Visitor age 16 b. Liverpool.
 
Page 35A
 
13 Court 1 house Upper Frederick Street.
Torbis Almonto Head age 36 Sailor b. Manila
Aimie wife age 26 b. Liverpool
Anastie dau age 8 b. Liverpool
Juanita dau age 6 b. Liverpool
Torebis son age 5 b. Liverpool
Mary Rosucio cousin widow age 40 charwoman b. Liverpool
Mary E. Rosucio dau age 17 Shopwoman Milliner b. Liverpool
Joseph Rosucio son age 9 bscholar b. Liverpool
 
13 Court 3 House
Thomas Barcelonas Head age 33 Seaman b. Manila
Elizabeth wife age 26 b. Liverpool
 
71 Upper Frederick Street.
Ballentine Bellorous Head age 35 Tailor b. Manila
Ann J wife age 35 b. Liverpool
William A son age 10 scholar b. Liverpool
John B son age 8 b. Liverpool
Ellener dau age 13 b. Liverpool
 
73 Upper Frederick Street.
Guelberto? Vungere? Head age 30 Sailor b. Manila Cantr?
Matilda wife age 24 b. Liverpool
Rebila dau age 6 b. Liverpool
Alberto son age 3 b. Liverpool
Mary A dau age 7 mths b. Liverpool.
 
89 Upper Frederick Street.
Pedro Flores Head age 30 Ship Store Keeper b. Manila
Sarah wife age 25 b. Liverpool.
 
99, Upper Frederick Street
Donato Sarripo? Head age 31 Mariner b. Phillipine Islands
Ann wife age 22 b. Liverpool
Peter Flarnoke? Head age 50 Sailor b. Phillipine Islands
Sarah wife age 28 b. Liverpool
Robert Tranter nephew age 10 scholar b. Liverpool.
Alberto Natona? Head age 29 Mariner b. Phillipine Islands
 
27A Park Lane
Benito Guspi Head age 65 Mariner b. Manilla
Ellen wife age 61 b. Preston, Lancashire
Immecencia? E.D. dau age 22 widow Tin varnisher  b. Liverpool
Ignacius E. Romero Boarder mariner b. Liverpool
Mary E Luson? g-dau age 6 scholar b. Liverpool.




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