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WILLS
Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
In the Name of God, Amen.
I, Homer Blair, of the parish of Westmoreland and said Island being at present in sound mind memory and judgment though in a very feeble and infirm state of health and being from the growing infirmities of old age and the symptoms in which I can hardly be deceived aware that the time of my departure out of this uncertain transitory state is at hand and wishing also to settle my worldly affairs while in any degree of health that my mind may not be taken up with concerns unsuitable to the situation of a death bed when it should be employed about thoughts more serious and interesting to publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and following in the first place I order that my body may be decently interred in my own garden and in a spot to be by me pointed out without any needless expenses of funeral pomp which I have ever considered as in the highest degree improper and that my debts may be fully paid and satisfied and as after the injustice I have suffered from those to whom I have heretofore when off this country entrusted my affairs as the premeditated villainy of a certain pretended friend since my return to which I unsuspectingly became the dupe notwithstanding my intentions to him were of the most generous and disinterested kind a very small residue of my Estate will remain and that small residue if divided among all my children would be of little service to them I therefore trust my dear sons David Blair and Homer Blair who are able to provide for themselves will cheerfully acquiesce in the manner in which I have disposed of it. I therefore give and bequeath the yearly rents produce or income of all the residue of my Estate real and personal to my beloved Wife Helen Blair during her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Blair the sum of five hundred pounds sterling in lieu and full satisfaction of money I owe her with interest thereon from and after the day of my death I give and bequeath the residue and remainder of my said estate real and personal to my daughter Margaret Blair and my daughter Christian Speed Blair equally to be divided betwixt them share and share alike and to the survivor of their and the heirs and assigns of each survivor And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my brother David Blair of Cookston Esquire Merchant in Dundee who I trust ere now has forgot any small difference or animosity that may ever have subsisted betwixt us as I have long since done. Executors of this my last Will in Great Britain and I hereby request his kindness countenance and protection to my poor family who in probability may stand more in need of them than ever they did after I am no more at the same time most sincerely thanking him for the kindness he has from time to time shown than on former occasions And I do hereby appoint my said wife Helen Blair and my daughters Margaret and Christian Speed Blair David Finlayson Thomas William Harbin John Blyth James Murray and John Hogg all of the parish of Westmoreland Esquires Executrixes and Executors in this Island humbly entreating their good offices counsel and protection to my family when required hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore at any time made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set hand and seal this first day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen 1816.
Signed: Homer Blair
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Homer Blair as and for his last Will and Testament in our presence who at his desire in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set and subscribed our names as witnesses thereof.
Signed: Isabel Orr Dorvill Fraser James Kyd
Memorandum Jamaica - Be it remembered that I Homer Blair as writer of the within Will Signed Sealed and duly executed in presence of three subscribing Witnesses as my only last Will and Testament do this third day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen as a Codicil to the said Will revoke my appoint of John Hogg Esquire as Executor to my said Will hereby appointing my son Homer Blair Executor in his room in testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal on the day month and year above written in presence of three Witnesses hereunto annexed.
Signed: Homer Blair
Signed: Isabel Orr David Wilson Dorvill Fraser Witnesses
PROVED at London with a Codicil on the 9th April 1829 before the Judge by the Oath of David Blair Esquire the Brother the Executor for Great Britain named in the Will to whom Administration was granted limited to the Deceased's Effects in Great Britain he having been first sworn by commission duly to administer.
Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
In the Name of God, Amen.
Daniel Wright Master of the Barque Black River Packet now laying at the Port of Alligator Pond in the Island of Jamaica being now sick in body but in mind and understanding strong I do now declare this to be my last Will and Testament. My first wish is that all my just debts and personal expenses are paid. I nominate and appoint my dear wife Elizabeth Wright now living in Coburn Street Mile End Road London to be my Executor and trustee to this my last Will and Testament I give and bequeath unto my above named wife Elizabeth for her use and my dear children by my said wife all my real and personal property of any kind whatever that I may at present have or any other property that I may become possessed of previous to my death to have and to hold the same for their joint benefit however should my dear wife depart this life previous to my dear children coming of proper age then I nominate and appoint my friends James Robertson Esquire of Inncote Row Edingborough and Mr. John Henry of Strathiola Cottage Boro Road London to be my Executors and trustees to act for the benefit of my children in any manner that may seem to them most beneficial for the interest of my dear children. In witness whereof I have put my hand and seal this 1st day of April 1841
Signed: Daniel Wright
We the subscribed witnesses did see the same Daniel Wright sign and seal this Will declaring it to be his last Will and Testament.
Signed: Thos. Wheatle John Slaughter George Dempster
Prerogatives
In the goods of Daniel Wright deceased
APPEARED PERSONALLY John Slaughter of No. 16 Liverpool Street Kings Cross in the County of Middlesex Master Mariner and made oath that he is one of the subscribed witnesses to the last Will and Testament of Daniel Wright late of Coburn Street Mile End Road in the County of Middlesex Master of the Merchant Ship Black River Packet at Sea deceased and which said Will bearing date first day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty One is now hereto annexed and he further made oath that on the first day of April aforesaid the said Daniel Wright duly corrected his said Will by signing his name Daniel Wright at the foot or end thereof in the presence of this deponent and of Thomas Wheatle and George Dempster the other subscribed witness thereto all of whom were present at the same time and the said Thomas Wheatle this deponent and the said George Dempster thereupon respectively subscribed their names as attesting witnesses to the one correction of the said Will in the presence of the said Testator and of each other.
Signed: John Slaughter
On the 8th day of September 1845 the said John Slaughter was duly sworn to the truth of the aforegoing Affidavit. Before me
Signed: A. Bayford W. Rothery
PROVED at London 15th December 1845 before the Judge by the oath of Elizabeth Wright Widow the Relict the sole Executrix absolutely or for life in the event mentioned in the Will to whom administration was granted having been first sworn by common duly to administer
Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
GEORGE THE FOURTH BY THE Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King and of Jamaica Lord Defender of the Faith. To our trusty and well beloved Joseph Barnes and John Biggar of the City and Parish of Kingston Esquires. Know ye that we have constituted authorized and appointed and by these presence do constitute authorize and appoint ye or either of ye to administer an oath unto Richard S. Turner of the city of Kingston Gentleman or any other that are witnesses and can make oath of the signing sealing publishing and declaring of the last Will and Testament of Thomas Henry Wright late of the parish of Kingston Merchant deceased and thereof you or either of you are to make a due return under your or either of your hands and seals unto our Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Island or to the Governor in Chief of the same for the time being with this power annexed so that such proceedings may be ordered therein as may be according to law. Witness His Honour Henry Conran Esquire Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Island at Saint Jago de la Vega the 5th day of Annoque Domini 1822 and in the 3rd year of our Reign.
Signed: H. Conran
Passed the Secretary's Office W. Bullock Secretary. The execution of this dedimus appears by the Will and Probate hereunto annexed. Given under my hand and seal this seventh day of October 1822.
Signed: J. Biggar
THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Thomas Henry Wright of the City and Parish of Kingston in the Island of Jamaica being of sound mind memory and understanding praised be God for the same. In the first place it is my wish that the expense of my funeral may be as moderate as possible and after payment of the same and any other debts that may be owing by me at the time of my decease I give devise and bequeath the whole of whatever property I may be possessed of or entitled to unto my dear wife Sarah Wright now resident at Heath Cottage Addiscomb Surry with our three children Denny William Henry and William Jackson in full reliance that she will make use of whatever property she may obtain under and by virtue of this my last Will for the benefit of herself and our aforesaid children and I hereby appoint my friends Benjamin Caractarus Patey of Kingston aforesaid Merchant and Thomas Farquhar Hill of the same place Attorney at Law Executors of this my Will in Jamaica who I trust will give my said dead wife their friendly advice as to the application of the little property she may derive from this my Will and I do also appoint my said dear wife Executrix and her cousin George Banks of Nicholas Lane Lombard Street in the City of London Executor of the same in England but in case my said wife should happen to depart this life before me then and in that case I give devise and bequeath the whole of whatever property I may be possessed of or entitled to at the time of my decease unto my said Executors in trust for them to realize the same as early as possible and to apply the whole according to their direction towards the support maintenance and education of my said dear children and in the event of the death of my said dear wife I do hereby appoint my friend William Banks of Nicholas Lane aforesaid Executor of this Will in her place and I do hereby revoke and make void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this alone to be and contain my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of May one thousand eight hundred and twenty two.
Signed: T. H. Wright
Signed sealed published and declared by the Testator Thomas Henry Wright as and for his last Will and Testament at whose request in whose presence and in the presence of each other we have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Signed: William Lamborn George Gregory W. Turner. Jamaica
In obedience to the dedimus potestatem accounts annexed I have administered an oath unto Richard S. Turner of the City of Kingston Gentleman who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists deposeth and saith that he was present and did see Thomas Henry Wright the Testator in the annexed Instrument of writing named being at that time of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding sign seal publish and declare the same as and for his last Will and Testament and at the same time William Lamburne and George Gregory were also present and together with him subscribed their names as witnesses to the same and in the presence of the said Testator and further that he knows nothing of any will since made by the said Testator that can tend to the disadvantage of the Will hereunto annexed. Given under my hand and seal this seventh day of October Annoque Domini 1822.
Signed: John Biggar W. Bullock, Secretary
Vera Copia Extun
PROVED at London 27th October 1823 before the Worshipful John Danbury of Laws & Surrogate by the oath of Sarah Wright Widow the relict one of the Executors for England to whom administration was granted limited so far as concerns the deceased's effects in England and also limited until the original will or a more authentic copy hereof be brought into and left in the Registry of this Court being first sworn duly to administer power reserved of making the like grant to George Banks the other Executor for England in the said Will named where he shall apply for the same.
Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
GEORGE THE FOURTH by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King of Jamaica Lord Defender of the Faith. To our trusty and well beloved William Stimpson and the Reverend George Wilson Bridges. Know ye that we have constituted authorized and appointed and by those presents do constitute authorise and appoint ye or other of ye to administer an oath unto Robert Fergusson or any other that are witnesses and can make oath of the signing sealing publishing and declaring of the last Will and Testament of William Burt Wright late of the Parish of Manchester Esquire deceased and thereof you or other of you are to make a due return under your or other of your hands and seals unto our Captain General and Governor in Chief of our said Island or to the Governor in Chief of the same for the time being with this power annexed so that such proceedings may be ordered herein as may be according to Law. Witness His Grace William Duke of Manchester Captain General and Governor in Chief of our said Island at St. Jago de la Vega the 19th day of March Anno Domini 1821 and in the second year of our Reign - Manchester - passed the Secretary's Office W. Bullock Secretary, Jamaica
The execution of the within dedimus potestatum appears by the will and probate accounts annexed. Given under my hand and seal this 6th day of April 1821.
Signed: William Stimpson Jamaica.
THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me WILLIAM BURT WRIGHT of the Parish of Manchester in the County of Middlesex and said Island Esquire which I make and publish in manner following that is to say. In the first place I direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I give and bequeath unto each of the children of my brother in law George Brooks who shall be living at the time of my decease the sum of two hundred pounds sterling money of Great Britain. I give unto my brother Ezekiel Wright of the Parish of Trelawny Planter the sum of one hundred pounds sterling and unto my godson Phillpotts Wright Taylor son of my esteemed friend William Taylor of the parish of Saint Catherine Esquire the like sum of one hundred pounds and unto my Sister Ann Frances Wright at present in England the sum of five hundred pounds sterling and I direct that the said several legacies and bequests shall be paid and discharged by my Executrix and Executors hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I give devise and bequeath all that my plantation called Enfield situate in the Parish of Manchester aforesaid with the Slaves and Stock thereupon and belonging thereto or which shall belong thereto at the time of my decease and also all and every other my Lands Tenements Slave hereditaments Cattle Stock and premises monies in the funds or but owing payable or belonging to me or which shall or may become so outstanding debts goods chattels and effects whatsoever and wheresoever which I shall be seized or possessed of or entitled unto at the time of my decease either in possession reversion remainder or expectancy and likewise all and singular the rest residue and remainder of my real personal and mixed Estates of whatever kind the same may consist or contain or wheresoever situate and being unto my dear wife Frances Wright Wright my said brother Ezekiel Wright and my friend Robert Boyes Muirhead of the City and parish of Kingston Merchant to hold the same unto the said Frances Wright Wright Ezekiel Wright and Robert Boyes Muirhead and the survivors and survivor of them and the heirs executors administrators and assigns of such survivor for ever. Nevertheless to the uses upon the trusts and for the several ends intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned expressed and declared of and concurring the same that is to say to the use of my said dear wife Frances Wright Wright and to permit and suffer her to retrieve and take the rents issues profits and proceeds thereof and of every part thereof for and during the term of her natural life for her own sole absolute use and benefit and disposal and from and after the decease of my said wife and immediately thereupon to the use of all and every my child or children on the body of my said wife begotten or to be begotten as shall be living at my decease or born in due time afterwards equally to be divided between or among them if more than one share and of share alike and they to take as tenants in common and of the several and respective heirs of the body and bodies of all and every such child or children lawfully issuing and if there shall be a failure of issue of any such child or children then as to the part or share parts or shares of such child or children whose issue shall so fail to the use of the remaining and other children equally to be divided between or them if more than one share and share alike and they to take as tenants in common and to the use of the several and respective heirs of his her and their body and bodies lawfully issuing and in case there shall be a failure of issue of all such children but one or if there shall be but one such child then to the use of such remaining or only child and of the heirs or his or her body lawfully issuing and for default of such issue to the use of my brother Robert Benstead Wright his heirs and assigns for ever and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said dear wife Executrix and the said Ezekiel Wright and Robert Boyes Muirhead Executors of this my last Will and Testament and hereby revoking all former and other will and wills by me at any time heretofore made. I do declare this to be and contain my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have to the first sheet of this my last Will and Testament contained in this and the preceding sheet of paper set my hand and to this last sheet thereof my hand and seal this eighth day of December one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Signed: William Burt Wright.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator William Burt Wright as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Signed: John Govers J. G. King Robert Ferguson
In obedience to the dedimus potestatem accounts annexed I have administered an oath unto Robert Ferguson who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists deposeth and saith that he was present and did see William Burt Wright the testator in the annexed Instrument of writing named being at that time of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding sign seal publish and declare the same as and for his last Will and Testament and at the same time John Govers and J. G. King were also present and together with him subscribed their names as witnesses to the same in the presence of the said Testator and further that he knows nothing of any will since made by the said Testator that can tend to the disadvantage of the Will hereunto annexed save and except a certain Codicil written at the foot of the said Will bearing date the 13th day of December 1818. Given under my hand and seal this sixth day of April 1821.
Signed: William Stimpson Geo. H. Bridges Jamaica
GEORGE THE FOURTH by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King and of Jamaica Lord Defender of the Faith. To our trusty and well beloved William Hewitt Esquire and William Taylor Esquire. Know ye that we have constituted authorized and appointed and by these presents do constitute authorize and appoint ye or either of ye to administer an oath unto George Singer or any other that are witnesses and can make oath of the signing sealing publishing and declaring of the Codicil to the last Will and Testament of William Burt Wright late of the parish of Manchester Esquire deceased and thereof you or either of you are to make due return under your or either of your hands and seals unto our Captain General and Governor in Chief of our said Island or to the Commander in Chief of the same for the time being with this power annexed so that such proceedings may be ordered therein as may be according to Law.
Witness His Grace William Duke of Manchester Captain General and Governor in Chief of our said Island at St. Jago de la Vega the 21st day of March Annoque Domini 1821 and in the 2nd year of our Reign Manchester passed at the Secretary's Office W. Bullock Secretary Jamaica
The execution of the within dedimus potestatem appears by the Codicil and probate hereunto annexed. Given under our hand and seal this tenth day of April 1821.
Signed: William Taylor
WHEREAS I the said William Burt Wright am desirous of bequeathing to my said Brother Robert Benstead Wright a legacy or sum of five hundred pounds sterling. Now I do by this Codicil to my above written Will bequeath unto the said Robert Benstead Wright the said sum of five hundred pounds sterling which I direct shall be paid in the same manner as the other legacies given in and by my said Will and I do hereby confirm my said Will in all other respects as witness my hand and seal this thirteenth day of December 1818.
Signed: William Burt Wright
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator as and for a Codicil to his said Will in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names.
Signed: George Singer James Dunlevie Bennett Smith Jamaica
In obedience to the dedimus potestatem hereunto annexed I have administered an oath unto George Singer who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists deposeth and saith that he was present and did see William Burt Wright the Testator in the annexed Instrument of writing named being at that time of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding sign seal publish and declare the Codicil annexed as and for his Codicil to the last Will and Testament of the said William Burt Wright and at the same time James Dunlevie and Bennett Smith were also present and together with him subscribed their names as witnesses to the same Codicil in the presence of the said Testator and further that he knows nothing of any Will or Codicil since made by the said Testator that can tend to the disadvantage of the Will and Codicil accounts annexed. Given under my hand and seal this tenth day of April 1821.
Signed: William Taylor
PROVED at London 10 August 1821 before the Worshipful Samuel Rush Esquire Doctor of Laws & Surrogate by the oath of Frances Wright Widow the Relict one of the Executors to whom administration was granted being first sworn duly to administer power reserved of making the like grant to Ezekiel Wright the Brother Robert Boyes Muirhead Esquire the other Executors.
On the 6th February 1829 administration with the Will and Codicil annexed of the goods, chattels and credits of William Burt Wright late of Kingston in the Island of Jamaica and of the parish of Manchester in the County of Middlesex in the Island of Jamaica Esquire deceased left unadministered by Frances Wright Wright afterwards James (wife of Thomas James Esquire) deceased whilst being the Relict one of the Executors Residuary Trustees in trust and also Residuary Legatees (for life) executed in the said Will was granted to the said Thomas James the Guardian appointed by the ---------------- Court of Chancery to Helen Frances Wright spinster a Minor the natural and lawful and only child and ----------------- Residuary Legatees as stated in the said Will and Codicil first sworn duly to administer for her use and benefit and until she shall attain the age of 21 years. Robert Boyes Muirhead one other of the Executors and Residuary Legatees in trust having duly sworn and witnessed the probate execution of the said Will and Codicil as the Letters of Administration with the said Will and Codicil annexed of the Goods left unadministered of the said deceased and Ezekiel Wright the other Executor and Residuary Legatee in trust having been first duly cited with the usual intimation but in no wise appeared as by Acts of Court -----------.
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Wills transcribed by Harry and Jacqueline E Rhodes Blair Christensen -2008
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