Henry Smithson

William Campbell, as executor of Henry Smithson, was awarded the compensation for the enslaved people on New Forest in British Guiana. Although Henry Smithson's will, made in 1828, refers to another estate, Smithsons Place, as belonging to him, the compensation paid for the enslaved people on Smithsons Place was awarded to others, apparently unconnected, implying he had sold the estate and the enslaved people on it before his death in 1833.

1. Will of Henry Smithson of the colony of Berbice in the West Indies and now of Morton [sic] Lodge in Maidsmorton [sic] in the county of Bucks. made 30/01/1828, proved 03/06/1833. Under the will, Smithson left his 'friends' John Cameron of Berbice and William Parker of Birmingham, 'builder', the plantations called Smithsons Place and New Forest upon trust, to secure annuities of £300 p.a. to his wife Ann and £50 p.a. to his 'daughter or reputed daughter' Elizabeth Smithson of Berbice. He also left an annuity of £50 p.a. to his sister Mary Parker in Paulersbury Northants., and of £20 p.a. each to Mary Burrows and Maria Parker 'two Girls of Colour...manumitted by me'. There was a further series of legacies, including to his adopted or reputed daughter Harriet Tate Smithson. He left land in Bethnal Green and near Aylesbury Bucks. to his nephew William Parker (presumably the same man as his trustee). William Campbell does not appear among the executors named in the will, but presumably was the local attorney to the executors, who unusually included Smithson's adopted or reputed daughter Harriet Tate Smithson when she reached her majority.

2. Ann Smithson aged 60 Ind was living at Maids Moreton in 1841. She died in 1849, her daughter having predeceased her: under her will, she left legacies to her sister Hannah Tate and her son Thomas, her sister Jane Hayter [?] and to the family of her late brother George Tate.

1. PROB 11/1818/48. There is a sketch of Henry Smithson's activities on David Alston's Slaves and Highlanders site.

2. 1841 census online; will of Ann Smithson widow of Buckingham Buckinghamshire, proved 20/10/1849, PROB 11/ 2101/402.