Elizabeth Smith Kaylet then Dewdney (née Brett)

Wife of Thomas Kaylett senior of Maverley estate, St Andrew, Jamaica.

1. Elizabeth Smith Brett married Thomas Kaylett in 1794. 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. Elizabeth was bequeathed £500 Jamaican currency, a coach and four carriage horses, household furniture up to the value of £300 Jamaican currency in the will of Thomas Kaylett, "in addition to a provision made for her in lieu and bar of dower". The will was the subject of continued legal action amongst his descendants until 1845.

3. Elizabeth remarried, 31/10/1797 in St Pancras, London, to Joseph Dewdney. Their daughter Josephine was baptised in St Pancras Old Church, London, in 1801 and their son Charles in Curry Rivel, Somerset, in 1805. Joseph Dewdney died in Jamaica in 1817. She died in Worcester, probably at the home of her daugher Ann, in 1737 age 75.

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.

3. Ancestry.com, London, England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online]; Ancestry.com, England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database online]; Findmypast.co.uk, Somerset Baptism Index [database online]; PROB 11/1615/189; Findmypast.co.uk, National Burial Index For England & Wales [database online].

We are grateful to Joh Dower for his assistance with compiling this entry.