Jamaican Family Search Genealogy Research Library

WILLS
CLARKE, DAVIS, KERR, LAW,  BRUCE


Will of Sir Simon Clarke, Baronet, of the parish of Hanover, Jamaica [PRO London, PROB 11/1103]

I, Sir Simon Clarke of the parish of Hanover do make publish and ordain this to be my last will and testament
I order and direct that the mortgage of the moiety of Warwick Castle estate be immediately foreclosed and that the same be put up to sale and sold to the highest and best bidder and I authorise my executrix and executors to purchase the same for the benefit of my estate.
Item I bequeath unto my two sons Philip Haughton Clarke and Simon Haughton Clarke all my estate both real and personal in the island of Jamaica or elsewhere to be equally divided between them as soon as Simon Haughton Clarke shall arrive at the age of twenty one years...
And I do herby give the same In Trust to Richard Brissett of the parish of Trelawny Esq. and the Reverend Joseph Stowey [Stoney?]of the same parish for the sole use and benefit of my said sons and my daughter Catherine Haughton Clarke to be equally divided between them...
In case of the death of such...then I bequeath the same amongst my nephews Simon Fleming Begg and John Begg, my niece Mary Begg and my worthy kinswoman Mrs. Elizabeth Willikin Lyon wife of Benjamin Lyon of the parish of St. Catherine Esq. and their sons equally and jointly between them...
It is my express will that my son Philip Haughton Clarke shall be kept at his studies at the University and on his travels with proper tutors till my son Simon Haughton Clarke shall arrive at the age of twenty one...
Item, I bequeath unto my dear little daughter Catherine Haughton Clarke the sum of £20,000 Sterling to be paid at the age of twenty years or day of marriage...
Item, I bequeath unto my nephews Simon Fleming Begg and John Begg the sum of £2,000 current money of Jamaica at their respective ages of twenty one years...and I direct that they shall be decently educated out of my estate and put out apprentices at a proper age to some useful and genteel profession such as they shall choose...
Item, I bequeath unto my niece Mary Begg the sum of £1,500 of like money at the age of twenty one years or day of marriage and I direct that she be brought up in a prudent and devout manner...
Everything herein before given to my nephews and niece are upon the proviso and condition that they will relinquish any right or demand they may have to Warwick Castle and Johann de Bolas estates by virtue of the last will and testament of their late grandfather Sir Simon Clarke Baronet deceased and the will of their late mother Ann Clarke deceased...
Item, I bequeath unto my executors the sum of £50 current money...unto Elizabeth Willikin Lyon £100 the like money...my good friend Mrs. Rebecca Waller widow of John Waller deceased £50 the like money as a small token of the grateful trust I have of her humanity and kindness towards me in my sickness...
I request that my executrix and executors will give unto my worthy friend Fortunatus D'Warris of Kingston Esq. a ring of the value of twenty Guineas as a small token of remembrance...unto Mrs. Catherine Willikin Mitchell the wife of William Mitchell of St. Catherine Esq. the sum of £50 of like money...unto my worthy friend James Ridge Esq. the sum of twenty Guineas...unto my much beloved friend the Reverend Joseph Stowey the sum of £50 current money...unto John Morris of St. Catherine, Planter (son of Joseph Morris of the same place deceased) the sum of £20 current money per annum during his natural life...
Item, I bequeath unto my reputed daughter (whose name I do not at present recollect) begotten by me on the body of Miss Hannah Samuels in the Kingdom of Great Britain the sum of £1,000 current money as soon as she shall arrive at the age of twenty one years or day of marriage and until she arrive at said age I allow unto her the sum of £50 Sterling...
Item, I relinquish Mr. James Taylor (my late clerk) from any demand I have against him by virtue of his account signed by himself in my favour for the sum of £807.14s.6d current money for his integrity and faithful service and a ring to the value of twenty Guineas with this inscription on one side and his name on the other Non Emmenior Mei Vive and as a further trust of his faithful services the sum of £50 current money per annum during his natural life...
Item, I desire that my house at Montego Bay which I purchased of Henry C--iffe [Cuniffe?] Esq. and the house and store at Lucea Bay which I purchased of John Vernon Esq. be sold and the monies arising shall become part of my estate and in case Edmund Kelly of St. James Esq. shall lease my said house at Montego Bay for two three or four years at the rate of £200 current money and shall be able to purchase the same within or at the expiration of that time he shall have he shall have preference for such purchase for the same sum of money I paid for it with interest...and for his obliging services to me I recommend him to [my executrix and executors]...
Item, it is my will that the mortgage I have on Plantain Garden River shall be immediately foreclosed and that all securities for monies granted to me by Thomas Fearon, Joseph Fearon and Thomas Peters Fearon shall be immediately called in and sink into my estate provided my executrix and executors consider it prudent to do so
Item, I give unto my dear wife Lady Ann Clarke the use of as many and what part of my furniture, plate, riding horses, carriage horses and carriages as she shall make choice of and the remainder, together with my rare horses and rare mares shall be sold to the best advantage
It is my will that the decretal order passed in my favour for the sale of Long Pond shall be suspended until my son Simon Haughton Clarke shall arrive at twenty one years...
It is my will that the mortgage I have on Johann De Bolas estate may be foreclosed and that the same be sold and should my executrix and executors think it an eligible purchase that they may purchase it and the same sink into my estate
Lastly I do nominate my dear wife Lady Ann Clarke and my much esteemed friends Richard Brissett and Benjamin Lyon to be my executrix and executors of this my last will and testament and guardians to my said children

Signed, Simon Clarke 29th October 1777
Witnesses, Thomas Morris, David Stewart, Nicholas Rotherham

Vera Copia

[Attested in Jamaica by Thomas Morris and Nicholas Rotherham, both of Hanover, before George Spence, ____ November 1777. Proved in London 10th May 1780]


Will of James Davis of the parish of St. Elizabeth Jamaica [PRO London, PROB 11/423]

I James Davis of the parish of St. Elizabeth and island aforesaid...give and dispose in manner following...
I give unto my dear and well beloved sister Mrs. Elizabeth Crooks1 living in London fifteene pounds per Anno of current money of Jamaica during her naturall life...
I give unto my two nephews my said sisters two sonnes Edmund Crooks and Rise Crooks2 to each I give one hundred pounds current money of Jamaica and if either dyes the survivor to have his part...
I give unto Peter the sonn of Jane Tutte3 two hundred pounds and five hundred acres of land out of the land patent in my own name when hee cometh to the age of twenty one years old...
I give unto my only daughter Mary Frances Davis three hundred pounds current money of Jamaica to bee paid her at the day of her marriage provided she marries with her mothers consent...
I give unto my loving wife Frances Davis one Indian woman by name of Betty with her pickaniny called Bess and one Indian Girl called Clare to shee her heires and assigns forever likewise all my plate and gold that is in my house at my decease...
Peter the sonn of Jane Tutte shall have maintenance and schooling till he comes of age...
The rest of my estate both here and elsewhere I give unto my sonn and heire James Davis Junr.
Lastly I doe make my loving wife Frances to bee the sole executrix of this my last will and testament...and if she finds my sonne stubborn and will not be ruled by her then hath she power to detaine and keepe out of his hands the whole estate for five years longer notwithstanding hee being twenty one years old
If it please God my wife should dye then after her decease I doe appoint Mr. Timothy Meamouth and Mr. Phillip Jennings and Mr. James Duhenray merchants living in Port Royall to bee overseers and guardians over this my last will and testament
Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of October 1689
James Davis
in the presence of Edward Gough, John Shoren Senr. John Shoren Jnr. William Cahane.

London 10th December, 1694 - proved for the benefit of Mary Frances Davis, a minor, now principal surviving legatee in the will of James Davis
______________________

1A Mrs. Elizabeth Crooks was the beneficiary and executrix of the will of one John Crooks of Aldgate, London [written in 1698] a merchant seaman and probable privateer who claimed bounty money and prize money from the Royal Naval Commissioners. Although real estate was mentioned in his will there was no specific reference to Jamaica.
2The name Rise Crooks appears in the Parish Registers for Hanover, 1725-1825.
3The best reading that can be made of this name.

Comments
It is possible, if not likely, that the Jamaican land referred to is at Davis' Cove, Hanover which Mary Frances Davis would have inherited. When this will was written Hanover did not exist and, according to some contemporary maps, St. Elizabeth then included Hanover and Westmoreland.
It is not known whether the John Crooks mentioned in note 1 was related to the James Crooks who owned Cousins Cove before 1740.
The land at Davis' Cove is adjacent to the Crooks Cove plantation (Cousins Cove). A surviving tombstone at Cousins Cove records that a James Crooks of Jamaica died there in October 1740, aged 72 years, 8 months and 9 days.


WILL OF FRANCES MARIA KERR

JAMAICA S.S.

This is the last Will and Testament of me Frances Maria Kerr, residing at Greenwood in the parish of Saint James widow.  I give and devise all my Real Estate hereditaments and premises wheresoever situate of or to which I am, now entitled .. with their appurtenances unto and to the use of my live sons Herbert Jarrett Kerr and William Louis Kerr and their heirs as Tenants in Common, and I give and bequeath unto my said live Sons for their own absolute use and benefit and in equal shares all my goods chattels moneys and securities for moneys debts and other personal estate and effects of or to which I shall be possessed or entitled to at the time of my deceased.  And I appoint my said live sons the Executors under this my will in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of November in the year One Thousand Eight hundred and Eighty Five.
[Signed] F. M. Kerr
Signed and acknowledged by the said Testatrix in the presence of . . .
Geo. Paterson
John B. Stewart

Affidavit of Herbert Jarrett Kerr dated 7th March 1906.
Affidavit of Alexander Doull dated 8th March 1906, signed before R. W. Scott, J.P. St. James

Entered in Will Book 10 Folio 240
Filed in Records Office 23 March 1906.


WILL OF JOHN EDWARD KERR

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Edward Kerr of the parish of St. James, merchant.
1.  I revoke all prior wills.
2.  I devise and bequeath all my estate real and personal unto my sons Ernest Harriott Kerr and Walter Coke Kerr absolutely but nevertheless upon the trusts and for the purposes and subject to the powers declared or contained in a certain Indenture bearing date the 22nd day of December 1902 and made between myself and my two said sons with respect to the said property.
3.  I appoint the said Ernest Harriott Kerr and Walter Coke Kerr executors hereof.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of December 1902.
[signed] John E. Kerr
Signed in the presence of us who subscribe our names as witnesses:  
W. L. Kingdon
R. L. Robertson

I declare that my general estate is to redeem Richmond Hill from mortgage to S. S. Dobres & Sons, so that the same shall be held by my wife unencumbered.  This is to be read as a Codicil to my Will.  Dated this 3rd January 1903
J. E. Kerr

Signed by the said John Edward Kerr as a first Codicil to his last will in the presence of:
W. L. Kingdon
R. L. Robertson

Affidavit of William Lionel Kingdon dated 14th April 1904
Affidavit signed by Ernest H. Kerr and W. Coke Kerr April 1904
in the presence of G. Corinaldi, J.P. St. James

Entered in Will Book 9, Folio 391
Filed in the Record Office 22 July 1904


WILL OF WILLIAM LOUIS KERR

This is the Last Will and Testament of me William Louis Kerr of Orange Valley Estate in the parish of Trelawny in Jamaica sugar planter, at present residing at No. 5 Trinity Crescent Folkestone in the County of Kent in England.  I appoint my wife Amy Kerr and my nephew Alister Stella Gray to be the Executors and Trustees of this my Will and I appoint my son Thomas Kerr to be an executor and trustee of this my Will from the time of the decease of my said wife together with my said nephew Alistair Stella Gray (if then living).  I give and bequeath to my said wife Amy Kerr for her own absolute use and benefit all cash in hand and money in my house or residence at the time of my decease and also all moneys standing to my credit at my Bank on deposit, or drawing account, and also all moneys which shall be payable under any Insurance on my life. And I give and bequeath to me said son Thomas Kerr absolutely my set of silver with crest thereon and also two of my silver sweet dishes with crest thereon and also my silver candle-sticks And I give and bequeath to my son Henry Kerr absolutely my silver spoons and forks without any crest thereon and also two of my silver sweet dishes with crest thereon And I give devise and bequeath all my houses land and real estate in the said Island of Jamaica or elsewhere and also all my live and dead stock in the said Island and all the rest residue and remainder of my real and personal estate property and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto the Trustees for the time being of this my Will Upon trust to pay the annual income thereof to my said wife Amy Kerr during her life and after her decease, as to capital and income, In trust for my children namely Marcella Gray, Marion Aitken and the said Thomas Kerr and Henry Kerr equally to be divided between them and if any of them shall have died in my lifetime or during the lifetime of my said wife, leaving issue living at the death of the survivor of us, my said wife and myself, such issue shall take, in equal shares if more than one, the share which their his or her parent would have taken under this my will if then living but if any of my said children shall have so died without leaving issue as aforesaid then his or her share shall be divided among my surviving children And I empower the Trustees or Trustee for the time being of this my Will to let or lease of a term of years or otherwise all or any of my houses and land and real or to sell the said real estate and invest the proceeds and to pay the income arising from such investments to my said wife during her life and after her decease to hold the said investments In trust for my said children.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 28th December 1912.
[Signed] Wm. Louis Kerr

Signed in the presence of witnesses:
A. E. Watts, Solicitor 51 Guildhall Street, Folkestone Kent England
Arthur Watts, 51 Guildhall Street, Folkestone Kent England

Affidavit of Amy Kerr and Alister Stella Gray sworn to 18 August 1913 before Joseph Shore J.P.

In the Court of Probate in Jamaica, Affidavit of Arthur Edward Watts, Solicitor:  William Louis Kerr died 21 April 1913 at No. 5 Trinity Crescent, Folkestone, aforesaid, aged 60 years.  Affidavit signed 26 April 1913.

Hacton in Trelawny has been brought under the operation of Registration of Titles Laws by Title dated the 30th June 1915.  Entered in Vol. 107 Folio 100 of the Register Book in the Office of Titles.  Dated 23 July 1915
Signed Asst. Deputy Keeper of the Records.

Liber 13, Folio 229
Lodged in the Record Office 4th September 1913


WILL OF ROBERT LAW, 1798

Abstract of the will of Robert Law (Liber of Wills, Jamaica Liber 66 folio 94) dated 5th Jan 1798

Robert Law of the Parish of St Andrew Esquire directs payment of his debts.
 
Gives to his wife Dorothy dwelling house in Orange Street in the Town and Parish of Kingston also certain slaves for her life also £450 yearly also plate, carriages horses charriott household furniture at his pen in lieu of dower.
 
Gives to granddaughter Dorothy Browning Colburn £1000 sterling when 21 or on day of marriage.
Gives and devises to James Stewart* of the Parish Kingston Esquire another dwelling house in Orange Street in which James Stewart resides, for life and then to his grandson Robert Stewart and if Robert Stewart dies to his granddaughters Margaret Stewart, Mary Ann Stewart and Elizabeth Stewart.
 
Gives to grandson Robert Stewart 2 carpenter negro slaves also land in Clarendon called Bakers Run.
 
Gives and bequeaths to the eldest son of his late brother William Law late of the Shire of Linerick [Lanark] near Glasgow £25.
 
Gives to eldest son of his brother James Law of the shire of Linrick £25.
 
Gives to Margaret Stirling late wife of John Sterling deceased and to Elizabeth Hamilton of Linerick aforesaid £25.
 
Gives to nephew Robert Law living on Swamps Estate in the Parish of St David Jamaica £200 current money of Jamaica.
He mentions his mountain plantation called Green Valley and gives the residue to his grandson James Law Stewart.
 
Gives to his granddaughters Stewart £700 when 21 or on day of marriage.
 
Executors James Stewart, Robert Law, Dorothy Law
 
* [this is the father of the Trelawny custos.  A list of properties in Trelawny settled since 1776 included Stewart Castle, settled by James Stewart.  While the date may not be accurate, the information does indicate that James Stewart was the original occupier of that property.]


WILL OF CHARLES NATHANIEL BRUCE

Lodged 6th May 1929

Jamaica S.S.
        This is the last Will and Testament of me Charles Nathaniel Bruce of Hampstead in the Parish of Saint Mary overseer.
        I revoke all Wills, Codicils and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me at any time.
        I appoint Hubert Uriah Robinson of Port Maria and Thomas White of Hampstead executors of this my last Will.
        My four acres of land at Killancholly in St. Mary I give and bequeath as follows:-
To my son Charles Low Bruce one Acre.
To my daughter Agnes Gentles one Acre.
To my son John Peter Bruce one Acre.
To my daughter Alice Maud Clemetson one Acre.
Each person's piece must butt on the ____ Road.
        To my daughter Elma Bruce I give and bequeath my ½ Acre of land more or less at Hampstead on which the Post Office now stands.
        To my grandson Robert Ernest Bruce known as "George" I give and bequeath 7  ½ Squares of land more or less at Hampstead known as Davis' Land together with the House thereof.  This land shall be left by the Executors in trust for the said Robert Ernest Bruce until his attains the age of twenty one years.  The proceeds of the said land shall in the meantime be lodged by the Executors in the Govt. Savings Bank to the credit of Robert and the Executor to his guardian such sums towards his maintenance and education.  In the event of Robert's death before he attains 21 years, the said land and house must go to Elma.
        Carolina Delmidge shall have the right to keep the undercrops and coconuts growing on Davis' Land so long as she remains unmarried or does not become associated with any man in concubinage or otherwise.
        All debts due to my estate are to be collected by my Executors.
        To Elma I give and bequeath the sum of £100 with interest due to me by John Ch...
        To Agnes I give and bequeath the sum of £10 (Ten Pounds).
        To my grandson Robert and grand-daughter Cissie I give and bequeath the sum of £100 with interest due to me by David Osborne.  This money is to be lodged to their credit in the Govt. Savings Bank and treated by Executors in the same manner___ as the proceeds from Davis' Land so far as their maintenance and education are concerned.
        To my sons Charles and John and grandson Robert I give and bequeath in equal shares the sum of £100 due me by R. A. Styers, £50 by L. D. White, £35 by A. J. B. Wilson, £40 odd by Leon Reid and £150  Part of the moneys standing to my credit in the Bank of Nova Scotia.  Robert's share shall be treated by the Executors in the same manner as the other moneys hereinbefore devised to him.

        To Mrs. Catherine Burnett my sister I give the sum of £5 (Five Pounds).
        My clothes I give to my son John.
        The rest of my estate I give to Elma.
Dated this 8th day of February 1929.
Signed by the said Charles Nathaniel Bruce in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

[Goffe], Clerk Port Maria
[Frances J. McReilley]? Thomas J. White?
H. U. Robinson
February 2, 1929


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