[25] Labat mentions seeing this woman at Dominica, and gives the following account of her:—“This old savage woman is, I think, the oldest creature in the world, being more than a hundred years old. They say she had been very handsome, and on account of her beauty the English governor at St. Kitts kept her for a considerable time. She had a number of children, among which was one called _Ouverard_. [_Warner, it ought to be; but Pierre du Tertre is not very particular in his orthography of English names._] Pierre du Tertre speaks of him in his history; but this demi-savage was dead before I came to the West Indies. They always continue to call her Madam _Ouverard_. After the English sent her to Dominica upon the death of the governor, she was more respected for her old age than from being his mistress. Her property was rather extensive, and was entirely peopled by her children’s children. This old woman was entirely naked, and had not two dozen hairs upon her head; her skin resembled old parchment completely dried up, as if baked. She was so crooked that I could not see her features except when she went to drink water. She had a good many teeth in her head, and her eyes were perfectly clear.” [26] Some writers make it sixteen. [27] Dampier says St Lucia. CHAPTER V. Governor Col. R. Williams—Biographical remarks—Towns of trade appointed—Antigua divided into parishes—Sir Nathaniel Johnson appointed captain-general and governor-in-chief—Colonel Codrington—Remarks upon this family—Invasion of Antigua by a French privateer—Attack upon Guadeloupe by the English— Expedition to St. Christopher’s—Gallant conduct of Colonel Williams and Colonel Willoughby Byam—Sir Francis Wheeler’s expedition—Wilmot and Lillingston’s expedition—Death of the captain-general, General Codrington—Colonel John Yeamans, lieutenant-governor—Arrival of Admiral Benbow. In 1675, Colonel Rowland Williams was appointed lieutenant-governor (or, as the phrase then was, deputy-governor) of Antigua. This gentleman was possessed of eminent qualifications, which honourably distinguished him among his contemporaries. He was alike conspicuous as a wise councillor and a skilful commander; whether in the senate or the field, he equally merited applause. The father of Colonel Williams (as will be seen in the genealogy of this family) was one of the earliest settlers in Antigua, and even in those times was famed for noble virtues—virtues which have descended from father to son, down to the present day, and centered themselves in the person of the Hon. Rowland E. Williams, the present possessor of “Claremont,” the family mansion.[28]