Christopher Crooks

Will of Christopher Crooks, 1763, [RGD, LOS 34/153] [Abstract]

Jamaica SS

I Christopher Crooks of the parish of Hanover in the county of Cornwall in the island aforesaid Planter… Give devise and bequeath unto a free negro woman called and known by the name Betty (but lately baptized …name of Elizabeth ) who now lives with me and her seven respective children commonly called and known by the names Amey, Richard, Cicely, Jenny, Sukey, Maudlin and James all my estate both real and personal or mixt whatsoever that I am now seized or possessed of…or other wise Intittled unto, To hold the same and every part and parcell unto the said Free negro woman commonly called and known by the name of Betty alias Elizabeth and to her said seven mulatto (children) as Joint-tennants during the natural life of Betty alias Elizabeth … Imediately after the decease of the said free negro…known by the name of Betty alias Elizabeth, I Give devise and bequeath all my estate both real and personal or mixt whatsoever or whersoever I shall die seized or possessed of Interested in or otherwise intittled unto and amongst the said seven mulatto children To hold the same and every parcell thereof…as Tennants in common and not as joint tenants and to the several and respective heirs of their several and respective bodyes and body, issueing whether lawfully or illegitimately begotten of the bodys of any free negro, Indian, mulatto or other person and to the survivors and survivor of them and to the heirs and assigns of such survivors forever And it is my express will and desire that neither of the said mulatto children…shall lease sell or otherwise dispose of his, her or their part share or proportion of the estate real or personal herein before by me devised to them unless it be to one of his her or their brothers or sisters…and from thenceforth desend to and be vested amongst [the survivors] of his her or their brothers or sisters herein before named to be held and enjoyed in manner and form aforesaid Lastly I revoke disanull and utterly make void all former and …codcils Bequests and legacies by me at anytime here …or given ratifying and confirming these presents on …contain my last will and testament and I do name and appoint my good friends the Honble Montague [James] and Archimedes George Esquires Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and Guardians of the persons and estate of my aforesaid named mulatto children herein before particularly…the age of twenty one years Signed, Christopher Crooks, July 1762 Witnesses by Isaac Cresse, James Clarke, Jacob Lewis

Memorandum dated 20th January 1763 Signed by W.H Lyttleton , Governor

[Christopher Crooks was buried at Haughton Court Mountain in January 1763]