James Gale Senior senior

Profile & Legacies Summary

26^th Mar 1758 - 3^rd Feb 1797

Biography

Owner of Prospect Hill in Jamaica and 300 acres near Bluefields. Heir at law of the late William Gale Esquire or his father Henry Gale for Saltspring estate in St Elizabeth, Jamaica. Children born in Jamaica in 1780s and 1790s. Resident in England when he wrote his will in 1796.
St Paul’s Church, Bristol: In memory of James Gale Senior Esquire of the parish of St Elizabeth in the island of Jamaica who departed this life on the 3rd day of February 1797 aged 38. Also of Letitia his wife who died on the 4th day of December 1797 aged 29, Also of Letitia Laird [q.v.] relict of James laird Esquire of the same island who died on the 7th day of November 1824 aged 86.

Sources

PROB 11/1289/30. Ancestry.com, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online]. http://www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Members/rsenior.htm [accessed 11/02/2015].
Vere Langford Oliver, Caribbeana being miscellaneous papers relating to the history, genealogy, topography, and antiquities of the British West Indies (6 vols., London, Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke, 1910-1919) vol. 2 p. 308. This source also states Letitia Laird was "evidently the mother" of Letitia Senior, wife of James Gale Senior, though this is incorrect.

We are grateful to Paul Hitchings for his assistance with compiling this entry.

Further Information

Absentee?

Transatlantic?

Spouse

Letitia Martin

Children

James Gale, Lewis Goodin, Bernard Martin, Letitia Maria

Will

PROB 11/1289/30 - précis.

James Gale Senior of Jamaica but lately residing in England.

Prospect Hill and my 300 acres near Bluefields upon trust to sell and apply the proceeds to payment of my just debts and the support and education of my family.

Saltspring which I am possessed of as heir at law of the late William Gale Esquire or of his father Henry Gale deceased, upon trust for an annuity of £500 sterling p.a. to my wife Letitia in lieu of dower (or £300 p.a. if she remarries), then for the education and maintenance of my children. Any surplus to be invested in the funds of Great Britain. All residue and remainder to my children Lewis Goodin Senior, Bernard Martin Senior, Letitia Maria Senior and James Gale Senior share and share alike when my younger son reaches the age of 21.

Sarah Russell to be manumitted within 12 months of my death.

Several rings bequeathed to friends in Jamaica...

Signed 06/09/1796.

Codicil dated 14/11/1796. Reiteration that my estate should go equally to my children as tenants in common not as joint tenants. A mourning ring to my brother Henry Christopher Senior of London.

Proved in London 04/04/1797 by Letitia Senior the widow and only executrix during her lifetime.

Associated Estates (2)

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