1757 - 1800
Baptised in Shrewsbury, 31/07/1757, son of John Watkis and his wife Elizabeth nee Price. Planter of Jamaica. Returned to London by 1800 where he wrote his will. Left legacies to his "mulatto" daughter Bessy and to his son William. Residuary legatee was his brother Price Watkis. A memorial inscription in St George's Gardens, London WC1 gives his death as 1800 aged 43 years.
Owner of 86 enslaved people and 303 stock in St Ann in 1792.
Findmypast.co.uk, Shropshire baptisms [online database with images]; PROB 11/1355/256; Email from Diana Scarrott, 23/04/2018 with details of his memorial inscription.
'A List of slaves and stock in the parish of St Ann taken the 28th March 1792 pursuant to order of the Honourable House of Assembly... transcribed from papers presented to the British Museum by Charles E. Long ref. Add. 12435' transcribed at http://www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Members/mstann1792.htm.
We are grateful to Diana Scarrott for her assistance with compiling this entry.
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Children
[Illegitimate} Bessy, William
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Will
PROB 11/1355/256 - precis. John Watkis late of the parish of St Ann, Jamaica, but now of Warwick Place, St Andrew Holborn. To Sarah Bolt of Jamaica, late my slave, £20. To my mulatto daughter Bessy £20. To my son William who was under the care of my cousin Samuel Betton of Philadelphia, a chemist, £50 per annum to age 21 (in the year 1805) to be paid out of whatever interest I may make in the public funds or other security in this kingdom or in deficiency then out of the income of my estate in Jamaica. To Bessy £20 per annum for her life. To my niece Caroline Price Watkis £500 with interest from my decease to be paid when of age or at marriage. To my brother Price Watkis and his heirs all the residue and remainder of my property, in default to my niece Caroline P. Watkis and her heirs, in remainder to Samuel Bretton and his heirs. To my executors Samuel Bretton of Philadelphia, William Norton of Firnwals Ive[?] and Isaac Virgo of Red Lion Street, £50 each. Executors to be my brother Price Watkis of Jamaica, my cousin Samuel Bretton of Philadelphia, William Norton and Isaac Virgo of London. Signed 04/07/1800 in London. In addition, to my aforesaid son William all my library of books either here or in Jamaica for his use and benefit. Signed 01/08/1800. Proved in London 26/03/1801 by William Norton and Isaac Virgo. |
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The dates listed below have different categories as denoted by the letters in the brackets following each date. Here is a key to explain those letter codes:
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1792 [EA] - 1801 [EY] → Joint owner
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1809 [EA] - 1811 [LA] → Previous owner
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Nephew → Uncle
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Brothers
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Brothers
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Uncle → Niece
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Other relatives
Notes →
Samuel Betton of Philadelphia 'Chemist' was described as 'cousin' in the will of John Watkis [proved 1801]. It is probable that this was Samuel Betton the elder, the father of Samuel...
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Shrewsbury, Shropshire, West Midlands, England
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Warwick Place, St Andrew Holborn, London, Middlesex, London, England
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???? - 1848
Successful planter in British Guiana and Grenada; part of a close-knit mixed-race family with numerous business interests.
Document comprises 4 parts, written recto and verso across 5 folios: 1. An inventory and valuation of enslaved persons at Windsor Estate, St Elizabeth parish, Jamaica, 1814. 2. An inventory and valuation of enslaved persons at Williamsfield settlement, St Elisabeth parish, Jamaica, 1814. 3. An inventory of animals at Windsor Estate, St Elizabeth parish, Jamaica, 1814. 4. A cover note outlining the contents of the document.
© Copyright Legacies of British Slavery - UCL Department of History 2024
CITING THIS RECORD:
'John Watkis', Legacies of British Slavery database, http://wwwdepts-live.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146642321 [accessed 16th April 2024].
