Sir Simon Clarke 7th Bart.

PROB 11/1103/168 - precis.

Sir Simon Clarke of the parish of Hanover.

All my just debts and funeral expenses to be fully paid off and satisfied and for that purpose I order and direct that my executors do with all convenient speed after my decease collect and get in all my debts on judgement and all other outstanding debts of what nature or find soever not already secured by mortgages. All sums secured to me by mortgages on the mortgagees settling their accounts properly and giving such good securities for the same and paying the interest punctually shall not be distressed or called upon for any part of the principal money until my two sons Philip Haughton Clarke and Simon Haughton Clarke reach the ages of 21. The interest meanwhile to become part of my personal estate.

The mortgage of the moity of Warwick Castle Estate to be immediately foreclosed and the estate put up for sale and sold to the highest and best bidder. My executors to purchase the same for the benefit of my estate.

To my two sons Philip Haughton Clarke and Simon Haughton Clarke all my estate both real and personal in Jamaica and elsewhere to be equally divided between them share and share alike as soon as my son Simon Haughton Clarke reaches the age of 21 years, to hold to them and their heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten forever. But it is notwithstanding my express will and meaning that my real estate shall be given in trust to Richard Brissett of Trelawny and Rev. Joseph Stoney of Trelawny in trust for the purposes hereinafter mentioned, that is to say for the sole use and benefit of my said sons and my daughter Catharine Haughton Clarke to be equally divided between them share and share alike and to the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten without impeachment of waste. Should all die without issue then to my nephews Simon Fleming Begg and John Begg, my niece Mary Begg and my worthy kinswoman Mrs Elizabeth Willikin Lyon, wife of Benjamin Lyon of St Catherine and their heirs forever equally and jointly.

I desire that my son Philip be kept at his studies at University and on his travels with proper tutors to age 21 years.

To my dear little daughter Catharine Haughton Clarke £20,000 sterling at age 21 or marriage if she marries with the consent of her mother and her guardians.

To each of my said nephews £2,000 Jamaican currency at age 21. They to be decently educated at the expense of my estate and put out as apprentices at a proper age to some useful and genteel profession such as they shall choose themselves.

To my said niece Mary Begg £1,500 Jamaican currency at age 21 or at marriage. She to be brought up in a prudent and decent manner.

These legacies to my nephews and niece on condition that they relinquish any right, claim or demand that they may have to Warick Castle and Johan de Bolas Estates by virtue of the last will and testament of their late grandfather Sir Simon Clarke Baronet deceased and the will of their late mother Ann Clarke deceased. The monies laid out for them in their education to be charged to them also should they not relinquish claim to Warwick estate.

To each of my executors £50 Jamaican currency.

To my kinswoman Elizabeth Willikin Lyon £100 Jamaican currency.

To my good friend Mrs Rebecca Waller, widow of John Waller, £50 Jamaican currency which I beg her acceptance of as a small token of the grateful sense I have of her humanity and tenderness to me in my sickness.

To my old aquaintance and worthy friend Fortunasus D'Warris of Kingston a ring of the value of 20 guineas.

To Mrs Mary Williken Ridge, wife of James Ridge Esquire £50 Jamaican currency.

To Mrs Catherine Willikin Mitchell, wife of Wiliam Mitchell of St Catherine £50 Jamaican currency.

To James Ridge 20 guineas.

To Rev. Joseph Stoney of Trelawny £50 Jamaican currency.

To John Morrris of St Catherine, planter (son of Joseph Morris late of St Catherine deceased) £20 Jamaican currency per annum for life, payable out of my estate.

To my reputed daughter (whose name I do not at present recollect) begotten by me on the body of Miss Hannah Samuels in Great Britain £1,000 Jamaican currency at age 21 years or marriage. £50 sterling per annum to her in the meantime.

Mr James Taylor, my late clerk, to be relinquished from any claim I have against him my virtue of his account settled in my favour for £807 14s 6d Jamaican currency for his integrity and faithful service. Also to him a ring of the value of 20 guineas and £50 Jamacian currency per annum for life.

My house at Montego Bay which I purchased of Henry Cuniffe and the house and store at Luna Bay which I purchased of John Vernon to be sold and the monies arising to become part of my personal estate. If Edmund Kelly of St James shall choose to lease my said house at Montego Bay for 2, 3 or 3 years at £200 per annum to commence from 1st February next and shall be able to purchase the same within or at the expiration of that time then he shall have the preference of such purchase for the same sum of money I paid for it with interest. He shall not be distressed for any monies that he does or may owe me upon giving good and sufficient security.

The mortgage I have on Plantain Garden River to be immediately foreclosed and that all money granted to me by Thomas Fearon, Rosseter Fearon and Thomas Peters Fearon shall be immediately called in and that the same shall form part of my personal estate if my executors think it prudent.

To my dear wife Lady Ann Clarke the use of any of my household furniture, plate, riding horses, carriage horses and carriages as she shall make choice of. The remainder together with my racehources and race mares to be sold and the monies to form part of my personal estate.

The inforcement of the decretal order passed in my favour for the sale of Long Pond Estate shall be suspended until my son Simon Haughton Clarke reaches the age of 21 so long as interest paid and securities given to the satistaction of my executors.

The mortgage I have on Johann de Bolas estate to be foreclosed and it sold. Should be executors think it an eligible purchase, they may purchase it for my estate.

My wife Lady Ann Clarke, my esteemed friends Richard Brissett and Benjamin Lyon to be executors and guardians to my children.

Signed 29/10/1777.

Sworn in Jamaica [blank] November 1777.

Proved at London 10/05/1783 by Dame Ann Clarke.