William Leigh Symes

PROB 11/1293/36 - precis.

William Leigh Symes of Ufford Hall in the County of Northampton Esquire.

By virtue of the power to me given in the will of my late father Robert Symes Esquire deceased charge all that plantation or sugar work called Oxford containing by estimation 840 acres in St Mary, Jamaica, and also all my real or personal estate, I charge with the payment of an annuity for yearly charge of £500 to my wife Mariana Georgia Symes and her assigns for her natural life.

My estate called Oxford to also be charged with the payment of £2,000 apiece to each of my younger sons William Symes and George Frederick Symes and to each of my daughters Katharine Symes, Maria Symes and Harriot Symes, to be paid at the ages of 21 years or marriage, with interest at 5 per cent per annum from my death towards their maintenance and education.

For the more effectual raising and paying the said anuity and sums of money I limit and appoint the said plantation and estates and all other lands and premises in Jamaica to the Rev. Henry Jenkin, doctor of divinity, rector of Ufford, and my brothers in law Rowland Edward Williams of Bristol Esquire and Henry Swann of the Inner Temple London Esquire for the term of 99 years upon trust by sale or mortgage of a sufficient part of the said estates to raise and pay the annuity and the several sums to my younger children.

To Maria Ryves of Richmond in Surrey, widow, an annuity of £50 per annum for life chargeable on my manor or mansion house and all other lands in Ufford or elsewhere in the county of Northampton. My said manor and lands at Ufford or elsewhere in Northampton to my trustees in trust to raise by sale or mortgage the sum of £10,000 to pay and apply in aid of my personal estate in discharge of such debts and incumbrances as may be due and owing from me at the time of my decease. Subject to the payment of the above annuity of £50 and the sum of £10,000 I give and devise my mansion house and lands in Northamptonshire to the use of my eldest son Robert Symes for ever. If my trustees shall think it most for his benefit that he shall be the purchaser of any or all of my said estate then I authorise them to lay out any part of the income which my said son will be entitled to and which may come to the hands of my trustees as his guardians during his minority towards discharge of the said sum of £10,000. The surplus and residue of the sum of £10,000 after payment of all my debts to be equally divided amongst my younger children William, George Frederick, Katherine, Maria and Harriot share and share alike.

All my freehold and copyhold land now on lease to George Summer Esquire at Esher in Surrey (the copyhold part thereof I have only surrendered to the use of my wife) to my said wife Marianna Georgina Symes and her assigns for her natural life. After her decease to my son William Symes. In default to George Frederick Symes or the next eldest son then to my daughters share and share alike.

To my eldest son Robert all my plate and library in case my personal estate shall be sufficient for the payment of my debts.

All rest and residue of my real and personal estate to all of my younger children to be equally divided amongst them.

Henry Jenkin, Rowland Edward Williams and Henry Swann to be guardians and trustees for all my children during their minorities and executors.

Signed 08/04/1795.

Proved at London 09/06/1797 by the oath of Henry Swann Esquire.