This information relates to Chart 39, the descendants of Thomas Pask, (1766 - b1851), who lived in St. Pancras.
Last week we were contacted by David Noden from the Department of Africa, Oceania and Americas in the British Museum. He has provided some very interesting information on James Morton Pask.
David is compiling biographies on people who have been responsible for the museum's Ahanta collections. He hopes to turn the biographies into a permanent record of the collectors who have contributed to the museum.
David advised us that the British Museum received two drinking cups from James Morton Pask in 1874 which he had brought back from the Ashantee war of that year, he appears to have been on HMS Druid during the bombardment of Dixcove on The Gold Coast, Ghana.
James wrote in his accompanying letter:
Dear Sir,
I send you two skulls. They were taken by King Hama-dikky (King of Dixcove) after the bombardment of Aquidah by HMS Druid, and the attack on the town by the Dixcove river in the last war.
I received them on the evening after the battle from his majesty through the commandant.
They are cut in the manner you will observe in all probability to serve as drinking cups.
The men of Aquidah are of the Ahanta tribe.
I am your obedient servant
James Morton Pask R.N
More information on James Morton Pask is available in his detailed narrative, which will be updated in the near future. We plan to visit The National Archives at Kew to obtain James' naval record and any other information that will help David in his project.
