Thomas Kaylet senior

The heirs of Thomas Kaylett [sic] claimed for the compensation for the enslaved people on Maverly in St Andrew, Jamaica: the compensation was paid to George Joad (q.v), who had it appears lent money (secured on 45 - or one-fifth - of the enslaved people on Maverly and on the compensation money itself) to one of the heirs of Thomas Kaylet, his daughter Jane, who had married the London shipping merchant John Charles White 27/10/1814 at St Marylebone.

1. Thomas Kaylet married Elizabeth Smith Brett in 1784. They had three daughters baptised in St Andrew, Jamaica: Ann (1790), Eliza (1791) and Jane (1794). Thomas Kaylet died in Liguanea 23/10/1794. "His death was occasioned by a kick from a vicious horse... in attempting to take a lady out of a chaise, after having extricated himself."

2. Administration of the will of Thomas Kaylet of the parish of St Andrew in the said island [Jamaica] was granted 19/04/1822 to Ann Zimmer and Eliza Mitchell the daughters and residuary legatees named in the will, Thomas Kaylet [the son] and John Davidson 'dying without taking upon them...the probate and execution of the will.' The will had originally been made 10/04/1792 and included a £5000 Jamaican currency bequest to his wife Elizabeth, the same sums each to his daughters Mary (presumbly from an earlier marriage), Ann and Eliza. In a codicil dated 24/10/1794 he added a legacy to his daughter Jane of £5000 current money of Jamaica. All rest and residue was bequeathed to his son Thomas (also from an earlier marriage), then to Thomas's lawful children. In remainder, the estate was to be shared 1/3 to Mary, Ann and Eliza for life, in remainder to their children. The will was the subject of continued legal action amongst his descendants until 1845.

Ancestry.com, London, England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online]; the entry shows Jane as a minor, marrying with the consent of her mother and lawful guardian, Elizabeth Dewdney formerly Kaylet.

1. Transcription of indenture on the inheritance of Maverley Plantation, dated 23/07/1838 kindly provided by John Gowar and sourced to LMA Q/UL/C5/93 – 100; Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online]; Royal Gazette of Jamaica 25/10/1794.

2. PROB 11/1656/153; Maverley indenture.

We are grateful to John Gower and Dr Sally Cockburn for their help with this entry.