John Merrick

Jamaica slave-owner, dying in London c. 1737.

1. Administration of the will of John Merrick of the parish of St Catherine Jamaica but residing in Allhallows Street [made in 1737] was granted in London 19/11/1739. He charged his [unnamed] sugar works 'together with my slaves' in St Thomas-in-the-Vale with his debts, and confirmed his wife Mary's inheritance from her father Rowland Williams. He left his wife an annuity of £100 currency p.a., and the use of his 'mulatto and other slaves'. viz 'Clarinda and her five children Sarah, Abigail, Grace, Charles and George, a negro woman named Jenny [?], a negro man named Holland and the negro boys Parrot and Blow' for life. He left Samuel Howell jun., an annuity of £40 p.a. He made his mother his residuary heir (in the absence of any children of his own) and executrix. Administration was granted to Robert Bostock as attorney of Anne Merrick, in place of 'pretended' letters of administration previously granted to Edmund Tempany, a pretended creditor of the deceased.

1. PROB 11/699/140. The will was subject to the suit of Timpany v Buller. C 11/1830/33 Document type: Bill and answer. Plaintiffs: Edmund Tempany alias Edmund Timpany, grocer of Cirencester, Gloucestershire (administrator of John Merrick, deceased, formerly the Island of Jamaica, West Indies and later of All Hallows Lombard Street, London). Defendants: Richard Buller, merchant and Robert Bostock. Date of bill (or first document): 1737.