Emily James (née Jackson)

The same woman who submitted compensation claims using two versions of her forename: see Amelia James née Jackson (q.v.) CSLBS entry 23185.

Widow of the Attorney-General of Jamaica (Hon. Hugo James (q.v.)), and party to a Chancery suit against Samuel Dare, described as a trustee for Mrs James and her children.

Born 30/06/1797, baptised 08/01/1798, in St James Jamaica. Daughter of Hon. Samuel Jackson (q.v.) and Elizabeth Motte Jackson, née Gibbes. She married Hugo James, 01/08/1817, in St James, Jamaica. For details of the couple’s children, see the entry for Hon. Hugo James entry.

She was living in England from 1851, at the age of 52. She lived on Harrington Street, St Pancras, with her sister-in-law and two of her children, Eliza and John Rees. In 1861 she was living as a widow at Clifton Road, Paddington, with her son, John.

It is very likely that she was the Amelia James who died 13/11/1870, aged 74, and was buried 19/11/1870, at St Pancras. Her will was proved on 26 November; she left £4000.

Will of Hugo James of St Catherine Island of Jamaica proved 11/12/1835. Hugo James, appointed Attorney-General of Jamaica, married Aemilia, daughter of Samuel Jackson, Member of Council, and Elizabeth Gibbes, and had with other issue Hugh Rees James, Commission in the Punjab etc. Hugo James is shown as dying c. September 1831-March 1832, having married Amelia (Emily, Emilia) 01/07/1817.

We are grateful to David Barker for his assistance in compiling this entry.

T71/852 St Catherine Nos. 420 & 421; T71/1606 16/09/1836 letter from Alex. Dobie, Palgrave Place, solicitor of Mrs James, referring to the Chancery suit.

Jamaica, Select Births and Baptisms, 1752-1902; Caribbean, Select Marriages, 1591-1905; England Census 1851, online, St Pancras; England Census 1861 online, Paddington; London, C of E Deaths and Burials.

PROB 11/1855; 'Descendants of Hugh and Robert James', note by J. Lawrence Archer www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com (which includes a health warning on Lawrence' genealogical work) [accessed 17/01/2012]. The site summarises the will of Hugo James, which makes no mention of Samuel Dare but refers to earlier settlements made on and in behalf of 'my wife and children.'