Jamaican Family Search Genealogy Research Library

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.


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