Jane Allen of Greenwich

Absentee slave-owner, co-owner of Tryall estate in Hanover Jamaica c. 1762, when she and others, including William Allen of Blackheath (presumed to be her cousin) leased the estate and enslaved people to Hon. Peter Mackenzie (q.v.). The estate had been owned by 'Messrs. Allan, Hiscox and Acres, deceased' in 1740. While her path to ownership has not been traced it appears likely that she was the co-heir of the 'Allan' who had co-owned the estate.

1. Will of Jane Allen spinster of Greenwich [made in 1795] was proved 08/04/1807. Under the will she left her land at Clavering with Langley in Essex and elsewhere, that came to her on the death of her brother Robert Allen or that she had purchased, in trust. She left her house at Greenwich and £2000 to her niece Sarah Smith, the daughter of Matthew Smith the elder, one of her executors. After several monetary legacies to family and friends, the co-residuary heirs were Sarah Smith and her two sisters. The will was silent on slave-property but identified her nephew as Kenneth McKenzie, son of her late sister Sarah Mckenzie: the Hon. Peter McKenzie was lessee of Tryall from the Allen family.

2. Possibly the Jane Allen 'a Genlwm' who was buried at St Alphege Greenwich 26/03/1807. The death of 'Mrs [sic] Jane Allen of Croom's Hill Greenwich in her 91st year was recorded 18/03/1807.

1. PROB 11/1458/201

2. Ancestry.com, London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 for Jane Allen Greenwich St Alfege 1794-1812 [database online]; Annual Register 1807 p. 560.