Rebecca James Mountague (née Bernard)

Daughter of William Rhodes Bernard the elder and his wife Susanna nee James. Baptised in Jamaica in 1774. Appears as R.J. Mountague in the compensation records, but identifiable as Rebecca James Mountague widow of Bristol whose will was proved 04/10/1833. Her will is short, dealing with what she described as the 'small property which I might be entitled to', and provides for her personalty (other than £100 to her nephew Ralph Mountague Bernard and £20 to her servant Ann Bartlett) to be placed in trust in the funds to replace the amounts drawn down under an unspecified trust. Her trustees were Charles Edward Bernard and Eliza Bernard. She was the widow of Ralph Mountague jun. (q.v.), who left her an annuity of £400 p.a. in his will, of which £220 p.a. was to come from his residuary estate and £180 p.a. from the interest on 3% consols. Her sons appear to have predeceased her.

Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online; T71/ 239 00120; PROB 11/1822/296. Her death date was given as 12/04/1830 in the 1894 National Probate Calendar, when administration of her will was granted to Sir Charles Edward Bernard, the son of James Fogo Bernard and colonial official with an entry in the ODNB.

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