Emma Shoy

Wife of Walter Shoy, currently residing in Paris, France. Unsuccessful counterclaimant for Streatham estate in Montserrat for a portion of the compensation money for her dower. Not otherwise identified.

1. A genealogical site, sourced to the archives at Christiansted, show a Shoy family of the Virgin Islands (St Croix and St John) with children of Edmond (d. by 02/10/1764) and MaryAnn Shoy including Michael (d. 1780 in Christiansted) and Walter. Given the continuity of naming practices and rarity of the surname, the Michael and Walter Shoy in the compensation records are almost certainly descendants of this family.

T71/888 Montserrat claim no. 3 (Streatham Estate). T71/1610: letter, dated 08/03/1836, from Thos. Daniel & Sons, stating that they have counterclaimed on a score of debt owing to them, and that the counterclaim has been admitted. William Dardis Furlonge and others have signed a consent to our receiving the compensation money; but the arrangement has impeded by a counterclaim from Emma Shoy for dower, 'which counterclaim is so manifestly vexatious that we entertain the strongest hopes that HM commissioners will strike it off...the counterclaimant's husband is alive and well, and that therefore she is not entitled to dower, and also... negroes in Montserrat are by Law chattel property, and consequently not dowerable'.

1. 'Virgin Island Familes: Shoy.' Contributors: Svend E Holsoe, David W Knight. http://www.vifamilies.org/images/Shoy.doc accessed 19/11/2013.