Thomas Witter

Owner of Mount Pleasant in Hanover, Jamaica. Of Merton Surrey when he made his will in 1760, but apparently dying in Jamaica by 1763. Father of Elizabeth Elinor or Eleanor Jackson (nee Witter) (q.v.).

1. Will of Thomas Witter of Merton Surrey [made 06/12/1760] proved 14/03/1763. In the will he left his property to his daughter Elizabeth Elinor Witter for life, and then to her heirs, failing whom to his brother Olliver [sic] Witter, then to his brother James and then to his sisters Mary Roberts and Elizabeth Howard, subject to an annuity of £400 p.a.to his wife Elinor Witter rising to £1000 p.a. when his debts were paid off, and to smaller legacies to family members, including an enslaved woman named Dorinda left to his sister Mary Roberts. He left 'the property and right' he had to 'William Green my mulatto slave' for ever, desiring that this wife be guardian and tutor to 'my such child.' His executors and trustees were Samuel Vaughan of London, William Rhodes James of Hanover and James Campbell of Orange Bay.

2. Adm. pens. at EMMANUEL, Nov. 9, 1750. Of Jamaica.

3. Thomas Witter of Britain, Esquire. Estate probated in Jamaica in 1763. Slave-ownership at probate: 184 of whom 98 were listed as male and 86 as female. 73 were listed as boys, girls or children. Total value of estate at probate: £10532.06 Jamaican currency of which £9102 currency was the value of enslaved people. Estate valuation included £0 currency cash, £0 currency debts and £5.25 currency plate.

1. PROB 11/886/73

2. Ancestry.com, Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1900 [database online].

3. Trevor Burnard, Database of Jamaican inventories, 1674-1784.