John Adams Wood

PROB 10/7428/3 - precis.

John Adams Wood at present of the island of Antigua but intending shortly to depart for Europe.

My household furniture and other furniture, busts, plate, books, liquors, bed and table linen and other things whatsoever in my dwellinghouses except cash or securities of money to my dear wife Margaret Gilbert Wood. An annuity of £1000 per annum current gold and silver money to my wife for her natural life, chargeable on the net proceeds of my three plantations in Antigua.

My plantations called Colebrooke in St Philip to my trustees during the minority of my son John Thomas Wood until age 24 years, my trustees to pay the proceeds to John Thomas Wood after payment of a share of my wife's annuity. Trustees to convey the estate to him at age 24 years.

My plantation called Mangrove or Gauiors[?] in St Philip to my trustees during the minority of my daughter Frances Albouy Wood until age 20 years or be married, my trustees to pay to her after payment of a share of my wife's annuity any money as may be necessary for her maintenance and education until age 20 or marriage. Thereafter she to receive all profits of the estate after payment of a share of my wife's annuity.

My plantation called Brecknocks in St John to my daughter Mary Caroline Bennett (wife of John Bennett of Antigua, merchant).

In case of the death of John Thomas Wood and Frances Albouy Wood without lawful issue, then all estates to Mary Caroline Bennett after payment of £500 each to my sisters Mary Ann Mercer, widow, Elizabeth Whitaker Judkin[?] widow and Abigail Walrond Wood spinster, all residing in Bermuda, and also £500 to Ann Eliza Albouy now of Antigua and Catherine Hinson of Bermuda, both sisters of my said wife.

In case all my children shall depart this life in their minorities without lawful issue then all my plantations to my dear wife Margaret Gilbert Wood for her natural life and thereafter to my said sisters Mary Ann Mercer, Elizabeth Whitaker Judkin and Abigail Walrond Wood.

As I have already by conveyance presented each of my daughters with a dwellinghouse in St John, I hereby give to my son John Thomas Wood and his heirs the piece of land on Point Street in the town of St John with the house thereon.

As my wife may not wish to dwell in town, I give to my son John Thomas Wood the piece of land with the stores, wharf and buildings now occupied by the firm of Wood and Bennett on the condition that he purchases a dwellinghouse and land as his mother shall point out. Otherwise this land to my wife for life.

To my daughter Frances Albouy Wood the western half of the lot of land by the moiety given to my daughter Mary Caroline Bennett.

To my sister Abigail Walrond Wood, $100 per annum for life together with all the land I am possessed of in the island of Bermuda for the term of her natural life and thereafter to John Thomas Wood. This excludes property my wife may be entitled to from her father's estate.

To my nephew Robert Mercer of Bermuda, the entire debt due to me by his late father Archibald Mercer or his mother Mary Ann Mercer for his own use and benefit provided that a full and sufficient title or conveyance be given to my sister Elizabeth Whitaker Judkin for the lands now in her possession which were the property of my late uncle Robert Adams (one the property of my grandfather John Adams and the other adjoining south called Clarke's. Otherwise to my sister Elizabeth Whitaker Judkin one half of the debt aforesaid due by Archibald Mercer deceased or my sister Mary Ann Mercer.

To my sister Elizabeth Whitaker Judkin, £200 to be paid by my wife as soon as she conveniently can together with any debt which may be due to me by her late jusband.

All rest and residue to my wife Margaret Gilbert Wood.

Trustees and executors to be Hon. William Byam of Antigua, Samuel Auchinlock of Antigua, Francis John Jones and William Riddle Jones of Antigua, merchants.

Signed 27/04/1835.

Codicil dated 29/04/1835. The land and premises formerly Colebrooks Free Tenancy now occupied by Mrs Huggins in [blank] Street to my grandson John Bennett. His father John Bennett as his natural guardian to deal with it during his son's minority.

Codicial dated 01/05/1835 on the eve of my departure for England. Robert Briggs Esquire of Antigua to also be a trustee and executor.

Administration of the estate of John Adams Wood, formerly of Antigua but late of Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, Middlesex, granted to Joseph Liggins as attorney of the executors, 01/10/1836.