Francis George Smyth the younger

Claimed as owner-in-fee of Goshen and Longhill Pen in St Elizabeth Jamaica, the compensation for which was awarded to a group of trustees (comprising his nephews and son-in-law) for his marriage settlement, possibly re-settled by a settlement covering the compensation money mentioned in Francis George Smyth's will (made in 1837 and proved in 1840). Step-son of Mrs Elizabeth Smyth (q.v.).

1. A genealogy in Caribbeana Vol. II shows F.G. Smyth of Goshen in 1807 as the son of Francis George Smyth deceased and grandson of Cath. Brooks [d. 1772] and Francis Smyth. Elsewhere Francis George Smyth is shown, apparently erroneously, as the son of John Smyth of Durrant Devon.

2. Francis George Smyth, son of Francis George Smyth and Frederita his wife, born 28/01/1770 and baptised 16/07/1770 in St Elizabeth, Jamaica. Francis George Smyth, son of Francis George Smyth of the Isle of Jamaica, gentleman, matriculated Balliol College, Oxford, 05/11/1788 aged 18. Marriage of Francis George Smyth and Catherine Vanheelen 22/10/1792 at St Marylebone. He was probably the Francis George Smyth esq who was resident at the newly-built Oldbury Hall, near Atherstone, Warwickshire, when it was to let for a term of three years in 1795 (Smyth was "leaving the country"); he was of Wilbury House, Wiltshire, when his sister married in 1799.

3. Three children with his wife Catherine: Francis George Raxted Smyth, baptised St Andrew's, Clifton, 19/03/1798; Henry William, born at Stratford Place, London, 17/09/1803, died at Kingston, Jamaica, immediately after arriving there, 23/11/1825 (having gone there for the sake of his health); Harriet Catherine, who married Thomas Bladen Capel in 1816.

4. Appointed Lieut.Col. of the 2nd Bn, Gloucestershire Militia, 1810, and as "Lt.Col. F G Smyth" was present at several Royal Levees in the following years. In 1811 his wife gave "an elegant supper and ball at Upper Brook Street to upwards of 300 persons of the first distinction. The suite of apartments were beautifully decorated with flowers and illuminated with the most excellent chandeliers". His tract "An Apology for West Indians and Reflections on the Policy of Great Britain's Interference in the Internal Concerns of the West India Colonies" was published by Ridgways, Piccadilly, 1824, cost 1s.6d. He died at Clifton, 20 June 1839, aged 69.

5. Will of Francis George Smyth of Clifton Gloucestershire [made in 1837] proved 29/01/1840. He was also described as of Clifton in 1829 in a lease held at the Bristol Record Office. In his will he left his estates - specified as Goshen, Longville and Bowfields in St Elizabeth and Sunderland and the pen named Rockingham in St James - with the apprentices attached to them in trust for his wife's benefit for life (on condition she waived her right to dower) and then to his daughter Harriet Capel and her issue.   

6. Letters of administration for the estate of Francis George Smyth late of Clifton who died 20/6/1839 at Clifton whose will was left unadministered by William Wilson Currey awarded 5/10/1858 to Dame Harriet Catherine Capel widow executrix of Catherine Smyth the relict one of the other executors [of Francis George Smyth], effects £20. His estate seems to have been largely intact in 1891 when, described as comprising the pens of Goshen and Longhill and part of the property known as Austins in St.Elizabeth (4,903 acres in all), an order was made for its sale during a Chancery suit between members of the Leach family. Contestation however over the estate of Francis George Smyth was still running in the case of Leach v Leach in 1894.

T71/870 St Elizabeth no. 103. The marriage settlement in the claim is shown as 20/10/1792, coinciding with Smyth's marriage on 22/10/1792.

1. Caribbeana Vol. II 'Brooks of St Elizabeth Jamaica'; Roland Thorne M.A., 'The Leach Family of Castlemartin', The Pembrokeshire Historian No. 7 1981 pp. 29-51.

2. Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online]; Ancestry.com, Oxford University Alumni, 1500-1886 [database online]; Ancestry.com, London England Marriages and Banns 1754-1921 [database online]; Northampton Mercury 14/03/1795; Salisbury and Winchester Journal 29/11/1799.

3. Ancestry.com, England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database online]; Ancestry.com, London, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 [database online]; Norwich Mercury 28/01/1826; see separate entry for Thomas Bladen Capel.

4. Morning Post 12/09/1810, 10/05/1811 and 01/03/1824.

5. PROB 11/1922; Bristol Record Office Deeds and Documents relating to the Harford Family, 28048 P132 1829 10 December.

6. National Probate Calendar 1858; Gentleman's Magazine New Series Vol. XII (July-December 1839) p. 99; London Evening Standard 08/08/1891; London Gazette 26518 01/06/1894 p. 3217.

We are grateful to Paul Hitchings for his assistance with compiling this entry.