Ann Clarke McClery

Ann Clarke McClery was the daughter of William McClery and his wife Frances, born in Jamaica c. 1811. Baptised 20/09/1818 in St George, Jamaica: "A white female child, daughter of William and Frances McClary deceased, baptised Ann McClary. Born December 12th 1810." [20/09/1810]. She had four older siblings who had all been baptised in St George, Jamaica, 20/11/1809. Her sister Judith married Winston Bristowe in Croyden, Surrey, 25/06/1823 (both were described as of this parish). Ann can be found living in the household of Winston and Judith in the censuses of 1841 (at Hitchen, Hertfordshire), 1851 (at Bampton Street, Minehead, Somerset), 1871 (Little Bedwyn, Wiltshire) and 1881 (4 Violet Terrace, Seaton, Devon). In 1861 she was recorded as a visitor at the house of Rev. Thos. G. P. Atwood in Froxfield, Wiltshire, next door to her sister Judith. In 1891, after Judith's death, Ann was living at The Elms, Beer Road, Seaton, with her niece Isabella M. Richards. Her occupation was variously described as "Income derived from house property and dividends", "Coffee Planter's Daughter" and "Living on Own Means". The death of Ann Clarke McClery was registered in Axminster, Devon, Q1 1897.

The will of Ann's mother Frances states: "I give and bequeath unto my five following named children Judith John David William and Ann Clarke McClery all my right claim Interest and demands in and unto my late husband's property called Galloway plantation with the Slaves and Stocks thereunto appertaining Share and Share alike to be divided when My youngest Survivor of my Said Children Shall have attained the age of twenty one Years... I give and bequeath to my five before named children or such of them as may survive when the youngest Survivor shall attain this age of twenty one years all those Negroes bequeathed to me by my late Mother Ann Clarke with the increase of the females to be divided among them Share and Share alike". The exact ownership status of Galloway estate is unclear. Ann's brother David claimed the compensation but the award was made to Hector Mitchel as "executor of John Biggar the executor and trustee of Wm McClery and as such a Creditor on his estate".

Familysearch.org, Jamaica, Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online]. Familysearch.org batch no. I03817-2. Ancestry.com, Surrey, England, Marriages, 1754-1937 [database online]. Censuses online, 1841-1891. FreeUKGen, England and Wales Free BMD Database, Births, 1837-1983 [database online].

Transcription of the will of Frances McClery provided by Susan C. J. Bethune and sourced to 645/97 LOS 87 Folio 180. T71/869 St George claim no. 184 (Galloway Plantation).

We are grateful to Susan C. J. Bethune and Terrence Prince for their assistance with compiling this entry.