I represent John Tunks. I was a private in His Majesty’s 31st Regiment of Foot, Capt. John Ross‘ company. The 31st was an infantry regiment that joined the garrison at Pensacola in 1765 and stayed – with a brief transfer to St. Augustine in 1769 – until 1772. We immediately suffered immense losses due to disease and poor nutrition. I died of “bilious fever,” an 18th century term for any disease that caused nausea and vomiting and yellowing of the skin or eyes – in this case, yellow fever. The records differe as to whether it was the 14th or 17th, and whether it was August or September of 1765. I likely still lie in an unmarked grave in Pensacola. I apparently left a widow behind, as there is a “Mrs. Tunks” in the Return of Women & Children of the 31st Regiment in Captain Ross’ company.
Sources: 8, 19, 25