1765�
THE WILL OF WILLIAM POWELL
Of St. Thomas in the Vale, Jamaica
In the Name of God Amen.
I William Powell of the Parish
of Saint Thomas in The Vale in the County of Middlesex, in the Island of
Jamaica, Esquire, being of sound perfect and disposing mind memory and
understanding, Do make, publish, and declare this my last Will and Testament in
manner and form following, that is to say, Imprimis.� I will and direct that all my just debts,
funeral expenses, annuities and legacies be fully paid and satisfied to the
payment whereof I subject and make liable all that my plantation and sugar work
commonly called and known by the name of Harkers Hall, and all of
the cattle, stock, plantation utensils and implements of planting upon and
belonging thereto. Item: I give and bequeath unto my dearly
beloved sister, Mary Rennalls of the Parish of Saint Catherine, widow,
one annuity or yearly rent charge of One Hundred Pounds current money of
Jamaica to be paid to her yearly and every year during the term of her natural
life and widowhood, but in case of her marriage then it is my will and pleasure
that the said annuity or yearly rent charge shall immediately cease.� Item:� I give, devise, and bequeath unto my said
sister Mary Rennalls for and during the term of her natural life only and no
longer, all that my mountain patent
situate, lying, and being in the said Parish of Saint Catherine
commonly called and known by the name of the little Angels
whereon she is now settled and all the land thereunto belonging and from and
immediately after the decease of my said sister Mary Rennalls, then I give
devise and bequeath the same unto my nephew Henry Rennalls of the said
Parish of St. Catherine, Gentleman, his heirs and assigns forever.� Item: I give and bequeath unto
my sister Mary Rennalls and her heirs my gold watch and all appendages
thereto.� Item: I give and
bequeath unto Mary Rennalls the daughter of my nephew Thomas Rennalls
the sum of Fifty Pounds current money of Jamaica to be paid to her as soon
as convenient after my decease.� Item:
I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Rennalls (one other of the daughters
of the said Thomas Rennalls) the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to her as
aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto Margaret Powell
Rennalls (one other of the daughters of the said Thomas Rennalls) the like
sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to her as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto Millesent
Rennalls (one other of the daughters of the said Thomas Rennalls) the like
sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to her as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto Peter Rennalls
(one of the sons of the said Thomas Rennalls) the like sum of Fifty Pounds to
be paid to him as aforesaid.� Item:
I give and bequeath unto John Rennalls (one of the sons of my (Page
2) nephew William Rennalls) the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be
paid to him as aforesaid. Item: I give and bequeath unto Ann
Rennalls (one of the daughters of the said William Rennalls) the like sum
of Fifty Pounds to be paid to her as aforesaid.�
Item:� I give
and bequeath unto Margaret Rennalls (one other of the daughters of the
said William Rennalls) the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to her as
aforesaid.� Item: I give
and bequeath unto Joseph Arthur Rennalls (one other of the sons of the
said William Rennalls) the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to him as
aforesaid.� Item: I give
and bequeath unto Mary Forsyth Rennalls (the daughter of my Nephew,
Henry Rennalls) the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to her as aforesaid. Item:
I give and bequeath unto my niece Sarah MacCulloch the wife of George
MacCulloch of the said Parish of Saint Catherine, Gentleman, the sum of Four
Hundred Pounds like current money to be paid to her as aforesaid.� Item: I give and bequeath unto Ann
Holliar MacCulloch (one of the daughters of the said Sarah MacCulloch) the
sum of Fifty Pounds like current money to be paid to her as aforesaid.� Item: I give and bequeath unto Millesent
W. � MacCulloch (the other of the daughters of the said Sarah MacCulloch)
the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to her as aforesaid and also a silver
cup with two handles and a cover marked R. A. in a Cypher.� Item: I give and bequeath unto Mary
Howell (the wife of Samuel Howell, Esquire) the sum of Two Hundred Pounds
like current money to be paid to her as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto Ann Howell the
daughter of the said Samuel Howell the sum of Fifty Pounds like current money
to be paid to her as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my Nephew William
Wall the said sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to him as aforesaid.� Item:� ��Item:� I give and bequeath unto my Nephew John
Wall the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to him as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my Nephew Edward
Wall the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to him as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my Nephew Thomas
Wall the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to him as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my Nephew Richard
Wall the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to him as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my Nephew Benjamin
Wall the like sum of Fifty Pounds to be paid to him as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto Bridgett Dyer
(the wife of Doctor John Dyer) the sum of One Hundred Pounds like current money
to be paid to her as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto William
Powell Bennett (the son of Richard Bennett, planter) the sum of Fifty
Pounds like current money to be paid to him as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto Janett
Bennett (the daughter of the said Richard Bennett) the like sum of Fifty
Pounds to be paid to her as aforesaid.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto John Vezey
Rennalls (one other of the sons of the said Thomas Rennalls) the sum of
Five Hundred Pounds Sterling money (Page 3) of Great
Britain to be issuing and payable out of my moneys which I now have in the
house of John Serocold of the City of London in the Kingdom of Great
Britain, merchant.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my said Nephew William
Rennalls all the moneys that shall stand indebted unto me by Bond, Note or
otherwise at the time of my decease.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my Niece Mary
Bennett the wife of the said Richard Bennett, planter, all that her said
husband shall stand indebted unto me by Bond, Note or otherwise at the time of
my decease together with One Annuity or yearly rent charge of Fifty Pounds
current money of Jamaica to be paid to her yearly and every year during the
term of her natural life.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my reputed mulatto
son, Thomas Williams, alias Thomas Williams Powell, the sum of Two
Thousand Pounds Sterling money of Great Britain aforesaid to be paid to him at
the age of twenty-one years and which sum is to be issuing and payable out of
my monies which I now have in the house of the said John Serocold and which sum
I desire may be lodged in one the publick funds or on private security in
England at the discretion of the said John Serocold and that the interest of
the said sum of Two Thousand Pounds Sterling money aforesaid shall be applied
to his maintenance and education.� But in
case of the death of the said Thomas Williams alias Thomas Williams Powell
before he attains the age of twenty-one years, then I give and bequeath the
said sum of Two Thousand Pounds Sterling money aforesaid and the interest that
shall be then remaining due unto my two reputed mulatto children named Elizabeth
and Charles share and share alike. �Item:� I give, devise and bequeath unto the said Thomas
Williams, alias Thomas Williams Powell, all my lands at Cassava River in
the said Parish of Saint Thomas in the Vale, called Powells Crawle and
also the parcel of land thereunto adjoining which I purchased from the
Honourable Peter Burwell, Esquire, and my said nephew Thomas Rennalls, the
whole containing together five hundred and eleven acres (be the same more or
less) and the horned cattle, mules, and other stock which may be thereon or
thereunto belonging at the time of my decease, and also the following Negro
slaves named Amy Little Cuffee, Dido, Bennela, ---? Smart Titus Quamina Ben Valentine
Turpin Daniel Jacob? Philander Brutus Ben Young August Wednesday Africa Bella Nanny and her children named Agnus? and
Lettice Sabina Dolly Pindar Clara Martilla Bellinda Sarah Cammarita Primus
Penny Margarett and Mintus? together with the future issue and
increase of the said female slaves, to be held and enjoyed by the said Thomas
Williams, alias Thomas Williams Powell his heirs and assigns forever, but in
case of the death of the said Thomas Williams, alias Thomas Williams Powell
before he attains the age of twenty-one years, then I do hereby set and make
free the said Negro (Page 4) slaves named Amy Dido and Bennela and
also in case of the death of the said Thomas Williams, alias Thomas Williams
Powell before he attains his age of twenty-one years then I give devise and
bequeath the said lands, slaves, cattle, stock and premises and every part and
parcel thereof except the said Negro slaves Amy Dido and Bennela whom I have
hereby made free in case of the death of the said Thomas Williams, alias Thomas
Williams Powell before he attains his said age of twenty-one years, unto my
said reputed mulatto children named Elizabeth and Charles and to
the survivor of them and the heirs and assigns of such survivor forever, and
further it is my will and desire that the said Thomas Williams, alias Thomas
Williams Powell be sent to England as soon as convenient after my decease in
order to be educated there and that he be put out apprentice when of sufficient
age to any calling or profession which his genius or inclination may lead him
to, and it is my express will and desire and I do hereby order and direct that
the said Thomas Williams, alias Thomas Williams Powell shall have the use of
two or my horses such as he shall choose until he be sent to England.� Item:� I give, devise and bequeath unto my
reputed mulatto daughter named Kate or Catherine all that my Penn
and piece or parcel of Penn land situate, lying, and being in the said Parish
of Saint Catherine, commonly called and known by the name of Bushy Pond
Penn together with the Negro slaves named July, David, Felix
Nero Isaac Liverpool Shaw Martin Case Smith Chance Cato Fred Princess Hagar
Cubia Rubenna Cynthia and Sukey�� with the future issue and increase of the
female slaves with the horned cattle, sheep, and other stock that shall be upon
or belonging to me at the said Penn at the time of my decease, and also my
dwelling house which I purchased of George Beavis and Sarah his wife and all the land thereunto
belonging and all my land adjoining thereunto and all houses, erections and
buildings thereon being to be held and enjoyed by the said Kate or
Catherine for and during the term of her natural life, and from and immediately
after her decease, then I give, devise, and bequeath the same and every part
thereof unto the two children of the said Kate or Catherine named Francis
and Mary and to the issue of her and their body and bodies and in case
of the death of the said Francis and Mary without issue as aforesaid, then and
is such case I give, devise, and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto
my said mulatto children named Elizabeth and Charles and the survivor of them
and the heirs and assigns of such survivor for ever.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto the said Kate or
Catherine and her heirs all my household goods and furniture that shall be in
my said dwelling house (which I purchased from the said George Beavis
and Sarah his wife) at the time of my decease.�
Item:� I give,
devise, and bequeath my old family dwelling house in the town of
St. Jago de la Vega and (Page 5) and all the land thereunto
belonging and all houses, stores, storehouses, erections and buildings on the
said land or any part thereof or ordered and built with the appur�ts unto
William Powell Rennalls (one other of the sons of the said Thomas Rennalls, to
hold to the said William Powell Rennalls his heirs and assigns forever.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my said mulatto
daughter named Elizabeth the sum of Fifty Pounds
current money of Jamaica
to be paid to her yearly and every year toward her maintenance and education
until she arrives at the age of twenty-one years and no longer.� Item:� I give and bequeath unto my said mulatto son
named Charles the sum of Fifty Pounds current money of Jamaica to be paid to
him yearly and every year toward his maintenance and education until he arrives
at the age of twenty-one years and no longer and it is my express will and
desire that the said Charles as soon as he shall arrive at the age of fourteen
years be put out apprentice to such trade or calling as he shall choose and I
do hereby give as an apprentice fee with the said Charles the sum of Twenty
Pounds current money of Jamaica for the payment thereof, I charge and make
liable the produce of my said plantation called Harkers Hall.� Item:� I give, devise, and bequeath unto my said
mulatto son named Charles his heirs and assigns forever my Negro boy named
Daniel which I purchased from Joseph Curtis the Elder Gentleman, and it is my
express will and desire that the said Negro boy named Daniel shall be put out
apprentice with the said Charles and that charges of the same be paid out of
the produce of my said plantation called Harkers Hall.� Item:� I give, devise, and bequeath unto my said two
mulatto children named Elizabeth and Charles all that piece or parcel of land
situate, lying and being in the said Parish of Saint Thomas in the Vale
containing one hundred acres butting and bounding Northerly on John Goff,
Southerly on a road, Easterly on the lands above devised to the said Thomas
Williams, alias Thomas Williams Powell, and Westerly on myself, the said
William Powell, which parcel of land is part of a larger parcel of land that I
lately purchased from my said Nephew Thomas Rennalls and also the following
Negro slaves named Cromwell Sussex Lisbon Greenwich Portsmouth
Alick Dextford? Storeport? Bell Esther Barbary and her
son Daniel and little Rose �together with the future
issue and increase of the said female slaves, To hold the said land and slaves
unto the said Elizabeth and Charles and the survivor of them and the heirs and
assigns of the said survivor forever.�
And I do hereby will and direct that the said land so as aforesaid
devised to the said Elizabeth and Charles be well settled with a good
plantation walk of fifteen acres of ground at the least well planted in a
planter like manner and a good thatched house useful outhouses be ordered and
built on the same and I do hereby (Page 6) order and direct that
the same shall be fully completed for the said Elizabeth and Charles so as to
be ready on his or her attaining the age of eighteen years.� Item:�
I do hereby set and make free my following slaves named Old Hector, Bascoe and Celia.
��������
Item. I do give, devise, and bequeath unto William Marks, a free Negro man, the
house wherein he now lives and six acres of ground round the same to be
peaceably held and enjoyed by the said William Marks for and during the term of
his natural life only, and from and after his decease then I give, devise, and
bequeath the same and every part thereof to the said Negro woman named Bascoe
whom I have hereby made free, to be held and enjoyed by her for and during the
term of her natural life only.� And
whereas I am entitled to the reversion of three Negro slaves named Charity,
Jessey and Hope upon the death of the said William Marks, and it is my express
will and desire, and I do hereby give, devise, and bequeath unto the said
Thomas Williams alias Thomas Williams Powell his heirs and assigns forever the
said three Negro slaves named Charity, Jessey and Hope expectant on the death
of the said William Marks.� Item.� I give and bequeath unto Joseph Curtis
the younger of the Parish of Saint Catherine aforesaid, gentleman, the two
several Indentures of Mortgage from his father, Joseph Curtis the Elder to me
and the premises in the said Indenture of Mortgage contained and all sum and
sums of money now due and owing, or hereafter to become due and owing on the
said Indentures of Mortgage or either of them, To hold unto the said Joseph
Curtis the younger or his heirs, executors administrators and assigns
forever.� Item.� It is my express will and desire and I hereby
do order and direct the Estate of my late friend, Joseph Curtis late of the
said Parish of Saint Thomas in the Vale, planter, deceased, shall not be
molested dispossessed or disturbed for the space of two years at least not
ensuing the time of my decease for or by reason or means of any demand that I
now have against the Estate of the said Joseph Curtis, deceased, by Bond, Note
or otherwise howsoever.� Item.� All the rest, residue and remainder of my
Estate, both real and personal, whatsoever and wheresoever, I give devise, and
bequeath the same and every part thereof unto by said Nephews, Thomas Rennalls,
William Rennalls and Henry Rennalls and to my Nephews Jonathan Rennalls of the
said Parish of Saint Thomas in the Vale, planter, and Joseph Rennalls of the
said Parish of Saint Catherine, merchant, and the said John Vezey Rennalls (the
son of the said Thomas Rennalls) To hold the same and every part thereof
unto the said Thomas Rennalls, William Rennalls, Henry Rennalls, Jonathan
Rennalls, Joseph Rennalls and John Vezey Rennalls, their several and respective
heirs, and assigns (Page 7) forever share and share alike but in
case of the death of any or either of them, the said Thomas Rennalls, William
Rennalls, Henry Rennalls, Jonathan Rennalls, Joseph Rennalls and John Vezey
Rennalls, in my lifetime, then the part and share of him or them so dying shall
be divided among all and every his or their child or children lawfully begotten
share and share alike and in case of the death of any or either of them the
said Thomas Rennalls, William Rennalls, Henry Rennalls, Jonathan Rennalls,
Joseph Rennalls and John Vezey Rennalls, in my lifetime without issue lawfully
begotten then the part or share of him or them so dying without issue as
aforesaid shall be equally divided share and share alike among the survivors
and survivor of them.� And I do hereby
declare that it is my will and intention that in case any or either of them,
the said Thomas Rennalls, William Rennalls, Henry Rennalls, Jonathan Rennalls,
Joseph Rennalls and John Vezey Rennalls, or any other of my relations and
kindred shall at any time with an interest or by virtue of or under colour of
any Law or otherwise attempt to defeat, annul, or make void, any devise or
bequest that I have hereinbefore made to the said mulattos named Thomas
Williams alias Thomas Williams Powell, Elizabeth, Charles, Kate or Catherine
and her two children named Francis and Mary or any or either of them that from
and immediately after such attempt to defeat, annul or make void the same or
any part thereof shall be made, then and is such case I do hereby declare that
every devise and bequest herein made to him, her, or them, shall be immediately
void to all intents and purposes whatsoever, and that his, her, or their part
and share shall be equally divided among all and every other my relations and
kindred who does not make such attempt as aforesaid.� And I do hereby further declare that the
several lands, slaves and premises hereby devised to the said mulattoes named
Thomas Williams alias Thomas Williams Powell, Elizabeth, Charles, Kate or
Catherine and her two children named Francis and Mary shall be free from all
encumbrances whatsoever.� And lastly I do
hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint my said Nephews Thomas Rennalls, and
Jonathan Rennalls, and John Howell of the said Parish of Saint Thomas in the
Vale, planter, and the said Joseph Curtis the younger, Executors for such
part of my Estate as shall be in the Island of Jamaica, and the said John
Serocold of the City of London, merchant, Executor for such part of my
Estate as shall be in Great Britain at the time of my decease.� And I do hereby appoint the said John Serocold,
John Howell and Joseph Curtis the younger, guardians of the person and estate
of my said mulatto son, named Thomas Williams alias Thomas Williams Powell
until he arrives at the age of twenty-one years, and the said John Howell and
Joseph Curtis the younger guardians of the persons and estates of my said
mulatto children named Elizabeth and Charles (Page 8) until they
shall severally arrive at the age of twenty-one years, and I do hereby will and
desire, and do order and direct that the said John Howell and Joseph Curtis the
younger shall have the care and management of the lands, slaves and premises
hereby devised to the said Thomas Williams alias Thomas Williams Powell,
Elizabeth and Charles and that without interruption from any other of my
Executors, and I do hereby declare that my said Executors or either of them
shall not be released or discharged from any debt or demands that shall happen
to be due to me from them or either of them at the time of my decease by being
appointed Executors of this my Will, but the same shall notwithstanding their
being named Executors thereof, remain in full force against them. And I do
hereby revoke, annul, and make void all former and other Will and Wills by me
at any time heretofore made, and declare this only to be my last Will and
Testament.� In Witness whereof, I the
said William Powell the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament
contained in two sheets of paper to the first sheet thereof set my hand, and to
the last sheet thereof my hand and Seal the Fourth Day of February in
the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Five.
William
Powell
Signed, sealed, published and
declared by the said William Powell, the Testator, as and for his last Will and
Testament in the presence of us who at his request have subscribed our names as
witnesses hereto in his presence and in the presence of each other, the several
alterations, erasures, and interlineations being first made.
John Noy Mecham, ������ �Alexander Thoms, ������ James Benson
This
Will was proved at London before the Worshipful William Macham, Doctor
of Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful George Hoy also Doctor of Laws,
Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
constituted on the Third Day of December in the Year of Our Lord One
Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Six by the Oath of John Serocold otherwise
Serocold, Esquire, the Executor named in the said Will for such part of the
Estate of the deceased as should be in Great Britain at the time of his
decease, to whom Administration was granted for the purposes aforesaid but no
further or otherwise he having been first sworn duly to Administer.� E.C.