Jamaica St Catherine 688

Parliamentary Papers p. 285.

T71/852: awarded to Elizabeth Martin, heiress of John Scott.

T71/1593 pp. 64-65: letter dated 16/1/1836 to John Martin, Greenock, Scotland, saying the counterclaim on this claim had not been withdrawn. John Martin wrote [T71/1606, dated 12/1/1836] re the status of this claim. Letter dated 31/10/1834 from John Martin states, 'A relative who resided in Kingston Jamaica died last spring and by will (not a trust will) bequeathed my mother, two sisters and myself Land etc in that island and about 140 negroes.' JM and a person in Kingston were the executors. If the property is sold, money should be lodged in British funds, not liable to be called upon by legatees for two years. 'I was immediately informed by gentlemen of the highest respectability that the property had fallen into the hands of one who had gone through his own property and was in all probability not the most likely to take proper care of a stranger's... I therefore sent out my brother-in-law' with full powers, but not recognised in Jamaica, 'the other executor [Charles Ross of Kingston? letter dated 28/05/1835 and T71/852] will not give up the property'. 'I have said, all I wish is to secure to the females any residue of the compensation.' John Martin requested whether the Court of Chancery can control the compensation in funds for two years until the legatees ask for it.