Philip Lyne

Unsuccessful counterclaimant as assignee of 2 mortgages on Elmes estate on Antigua, and party to the Chancery suit of Lyne v Thompson, into which was paid the compensation for the Villa estate in Antigua and the River estate on Dominica.

1. Death of Philip Lyne registered at Westbourne Sussex Q4 1840. Will of Philip Lyne of Westbourne Sussex proved 23/01/1841. Among the provisions of the will was the ratification and confirmation 'of the settlement which I have recently made and executed of certain mortgage debts secured on a plantation and estate in the Island of Antigua upon or in favour of my said son Charles Philip Lyne.' He was living at the time he made his will with Harriet Smith and had two natural sons by her (Philip and Thomas), also living with the couple, but he made his legacy to Harriet Smith dependent on her not accompanying his body to the grave.

2. There is or was a memorial in Westbourne Church to Philip Lyne, 'Collector of Customs at Sandy Point St Kitts', ob. 23/11/1840 aet. 78. This is almost certainly the same man. Charles Philip Lyne, apparently a legitimate son, was Rector of West Thorney 1833-1869.

T71/877 Antigua no. 275 (Elmes) (which identifies him as of Westbourne Sussex; T71/877 Antigua no. 106 (Villa); T71/881 Dominica no. 250. In 1817, Philip Lyne was shown as the proprietor of an as yet unidentified estate in Antigua with 154 enslaved people whom he registered himself, T71/245 pp. 297-301: he had sold 146 enslaved people to Charles Robertson by 1821, T71/247 pp. 196-198.

1. PROB 11/1939/342.

2. Gentleman's Magazine Library 1731-1868 'Surrey and Sussex' p. 4271. The memorial reads 'An example of humanity and benevolence kind and affectionate; a friend to the poor and needy in their distress,' Sussex Archaelogical Collections relating to the history and antiquities of the county', p. 203; Ancestry.com, Oxford University Alumni, 1500-1886 [database online].