Charles Fyfe

Profile & Legacies Summary

1768 - 8^th Feb 1838

Claimant or beneficiary

Biography

Slave-owner in St Ann, Jamaica.

Resident in Forres, Scotland, by 1837. Brother of Lawrence Fyfe (q.v.). His daughter Charlotte was of Inverkeiting, Scotland, when she married Alexander Wright in Banff, Scotland, 09/03/1806. Alexander Wright, fish curer of Banff, had died by 1837.
Charles Fyfe Esquire formerly of the island of Jamaica thereafter residing in Fyfe Place Forres, died at Fyfe Place 08/02/1838 and was buried in Forres 13/02/1838.
In 1841, Charlotte Wright, of independent means, age 40, was living at Fyfe Place in Forres with Elspet Calmes, a 20 year old servant. In 1851, Charlotte Wright, age 55, annuitant, born Jamaica, was living at 6 Bogton Place, Forres, with Eliza Mckenzie, a 19 year old servant. Charlotte Wright, annuitant, widow of a commercial traveller, daughter of Charles Fyfe, planter in Jamaica (deceased) and an unknown mother, died at Fyfe Place, Forres, 15/04/1858 age 67 years. She was buried in the churchyard in Forres. The will of Charlotte Wright, otherwise Fyfe, of Fyfe Place, is particularly detailed with respect to her personal effects and mentions her cousin Mrs Catherine Fife or Laing of 26 Pitt Street, Edinburgh (they shared a grandmother Mrs Fyfe); another cousin Mary Fyfe or Vass; Lawrence Fyfe and Alexander Gordon Fyfe (sons of her late uncle Laurence Fyfe); James MacIntyre now in America (son of Lawrence and Alexander Fyfe's eldest sister); Laurence Leith (her grandmother's brother); Charles Fyfe Innes (nephew of her late husband); Margaret Leith Fyfe and Reid Fyfe (daughters of her uncle John Fyfe). Her residuary legatee was the incumbant of St Johns Episcopal Chapel in Forres, the interest to be paid to any poor persons in connection with the Chapel. She was probably the Charlotte Fife, "a mulatto child the daughter of Fife" who was baptised in St Ann 11/07/1795.
The mention in Charlotte Wright's will of her grandmother's brother Laurence Leith identifies Laurence as the Laurence Fyfe, baptised 03/06/1768 in Cabrach, Moray, son of John Fyfe in Invercarach and his wife Margaret nee Leith. This couple had ten children baptised in Cabrach between 1751 and 1770.
The house referred to as Fyfe Place is very likely 6 Bogton Place in Forres, "also known as Fyfe Place", now a category B listed building.

Sources

PROB 11/1893/328; GROS OPR Marriages 147 80 263 Banff.
GROS OPR Deaths 137 40 402 Forres.
1841 and 1851 censuses online; GROS Deaths 1858 137 34; SC26/38/8, Elgin Sheriff Court Wills; Familysearch.org, Jamaica, Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online].
GROS OPR Births 177/ 10 174 Cabrach.
https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/master/detail.aspx?tab=main&refno=NJ05NW0195 [accessed 10/12/2020].

We are grateful to Peter Selley for his assistance with compiling this entry.

Further Information

Will

PROB 11/1893/328 - precis.

Charles Fyfe, sometime of St Anne, Jamaica, now residing at Fyfe Place, Forres [Moray, Scotland].

Trustees to be Ralph Bernal of Eaton Square, Middlesex, Member of Parliament, William Fyfe Esquire residing in Garmouth and James Houston Esquire, tacksman of Tullochgriben, both in the county of Elgin.

Land in Forres and the dwelling house built thereon now called Fyfe Place and other land owned by me at the time of my death, together with all the capital stock in the annuities and other funds, and all other moveable estate to my trustees for the following purposes.

To my daughter Charlotte, relict of Alexander Wright, fish curer in Banff, all my plate, linen, china, books, all other household furniture and effects for her own sole and separate use and benefit. She to have the use of my house and garden in Forres called Fyfe Place and an annuity of £100 sterling for life. On her death, the said house and principal sum producing the said annuity to go to any lawful child or children of her body at age 21 years in such proportions as their mother shall be pleased to direct.

To my brother John Fyfe now residing in Whitehills, Banffshire, an annuity of £10 per annum for life.

Should my daughter die without issue, the principal to my two nieces Mary Fyfe and Eliza Fyfe, daughters of my brother Lawrence Fyfe share and share alike.

Signed 10/11/1837.

Codicil dated 11/11/1837. In the event of my brother Lawrence Fyfe, presently at Harmony Hill, St Mary, Jamaica, surviving me, then to him the whole interest or annual profits of the residue of my estate, the same to be paid to him annually by my trustees and executors. The principal sum of the residue after his death to his daughters.

Proved at London 26/04/1838.