James William Dawes

James William Dawes, of Trowbridge Wiltshire, awarded as trustee with John Kirkland (q.v.) part of the compensation for the Enfield estate in Westmoreland, apparently as a result of the unsound mind of Captain William Clarke. The remainder of the compensation was paid directly to members of the Clarke family. This is presumed (based on comparable age) to be the same man as James William Dawes the natural son of John Dawes (q.v.), from whom he inherited the Rock Spring estate in Hanover. It is not clear whether James William Dawes was a man of colour: his mother is given as 'Agnes Valentine deceased' in the will of John Dawes.

1. James William Dawes and his wife Sarah had three children baptised in Hanover, Jamaica: Isabella (born 18/10/1790, baptised 06/10/1790); John (born 16/10/1791, baptised 25/08/1792); AND WILLIAM (BORN 31.07/1794 and baptised 10/02/1795).

2. Marriage, 1834 "At Trowbridge, by the Rev. F. Fulford, Conrad William Finzel, Esq., of Bristol, to Isabella, eldest daughter of Jas. Wm. Dawes, Esq., late of Rockspring, Jamaica."

3. The death of James William Dawes was registered at Melksham Wiltshire (close to Trowbridge) Q1 1849, and the burial 'aged 82' 09/02/1849. In 1841 a James Dawes aged 70 'Ind.' was shown living at Trowbridge with wife Sarah aged 55 and a servant, none born in the parish.

T71/1378 Special awards in trust, Westmoreland no. 503D. James William Dawes was shown as aged about 16 in 1783 when John Dawes made his will.

1. Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online].

2. Salisbury and Winchester Journal 25/08/1834.

3. Ancestry.com, England & Wales, Free BMD Death Index: 1837-1915 and England, Select Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991 [databases online]; 1841 census online.

We are grateful to Peter Selley for his assistance with compiling this entry.