William Rhodes Bernard the elder

Profile & Legacies Summary

???? - 1809

Biography

One of three brothers in Jamaica in the late C18: elder brothers were Charles (d. 1796) and David (d. 1809, husband of Judith Bernard senior (q.v.)). He returned to Britain before his death. No mention of his wife in his will. Bequeathed everything, including his Jamaican plantations, to his son Dr Charles Edward Bernard, having previously made provision for his four daughters.
Married Susanna James in Hanover, 29/05/1772. She was the daughter of Edward and Susanna James, brn 21/05/1754, baptised 06/12/1756 in Westmoreland. Four children with Susanna, all baptised in St James, Jamaica: Rebecca James (1774), Elizabeth (1776), Charles Edward (1778), Mary (1781).
Another daughter, Frances Ann, is named in his will and was living with her niece Susan Montague (daughter of Mary Bernard) at 7 Charlotte Street, Bristol, age 67. Frances Ann Bernard was buried in Bristol in 1856 age 72. Her will identifies her nieces and nephews as the children of Rebecca James Bernard and Charles Edward Bernard.
Childermas estate in St James was registered to W. R. and E. Rhodes in 1809 and thereafter to Charles Edward Bernard.

Sources

PROB 11/1501/224.
Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online].
1851 census online; Ancestry.com, Bristol, England, Church of England Burials, 1813-1994 [database online]; PROB 11/2230/150.
Jamaica Almanacs.

We are grateful to David Barker for his assistance with compiling this entry.

Further Information

Absentee?

Transatlantic

Spouse

Susanna

Children

Charles Edward, Rebecca James, Elizabeth, Mary Rhodes, Frances Ann

Will

PROB 11/1501/224.

William Rhodes Bernard late of the parish of St James, Jamaica, but now of Bristol.

I have by various settlements made competent provision for my several daughters Rebecca James Montague (wife of Ralph Montague the younger of the city of Bristol, merchant), Elizabeth Bernard, spinster, Mary Rhodes Bernard (wife of Henry Jones Bernard of Wookey near Wells in Somerset, surgeon) and Frances Ann Bernard, spinster.

All my plantations in the West Indies or elsewhere, all monies in the public funds of Great Britain and all my real and personal estate to the use of my son Charles Edward Bernard of the City of Bristol aforesaid, doctor of physic and his heirs for his own absolute use and benefit.

My son with my son-in-law Ralph Montague to be executors.

Signed 16/04/1808.

Proved at London 02/08/1809 by Charles Edward Bernard and Ralph Montague the younger.

Associated Estates (1)

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