Part 867s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1798 Benjamin D’hariet Smith – Power of Attorney

Good Day,

My search and research continues for any Smith connection in St. George, Grenada who may provide some clues to the origins of my ggg-grandfather James Smith. The following record from the Grenada Registers of Records was entered 29 October 1798.

My next document is a Letter of Attorney appointing Benjamin D’hariet Smith dated 31 August 1798.  This is the second time that I am presenting and transcribing this record.

The next two pages with an occurrence of the Smith surname are pages 446 and 447. The following are the images of the two pages downloaded from the Grenada Registers of Records and recorded on the microfilm FHL [1563328] Item 1.

My transcription –

446

Entered the 29th October 1798

Know all Men by these Presents that I, James Park, at present residing in
the Town of Belfast in the County of Antrium and Kingdom of Ireland, Merchant and
Partner in Trade with Benjamin D’hariet Smith of the Island of Grenada in the West
Indies, Merchant, under the Firm of Park and Smith, Have made, ordained, authorized

constituted

447

Constituted and appointed, and by these presents Do make, ordain, authorize,
constitute and appoint the said Benjamin D’hariet Smith, my free and lawful Attorney
irrevocable, for me and in my Name, Place, and Stead, and to my use, to grant, bargain,
sell alien, release, confirm, aſsign, transfer and make over all my right, Title, Property,
Estate, and Interest of in and to a certain Dwelling House, Meſsuage or Tenement, and
two Lots or Parcels of Ground, all situate lying and being in the Carenage, in the Town
of St. George and Island of Grenada, in the West Indies; and to Sign, Seal, deliver and
execute all Deeds, Conveyances, Receipts and Writings which may be needful and
neceſsary in the Premiſes, as fully in every respect as I myself might or could do were I
personally present and did the same: Hereby ratifying confirming and allowing all and
whatsoever my said Attorney shall lawfully do, or cause or procure to be done, by virtue of
these Presents. In Witneſs whereof I the said James Park have hereunto set my hand and
Seal the thirty first Day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and Ninety eight at Belfast aforesaid, in the Presence of John Tisdall, Notary Public
residing there, and of the other Witneſs whose name is under written.

James Park (LS)

Signed, Sealed & Delivered (being first duly stamped) }
in the Presence of Alexander Boyd. }

(LS) John Tisdall Notary Publick Belfast

Borough of Belfast in the County }
of Antrim and Kingdom of Ireland }
John Tisdall of Belfast and County of Antrim
aforesaid, Notary Publick, maketh oath this Day
before me the Revd. William Bristow, Sovereign of said Borough and one of his Majesty’s
Justices of the Peace for said County, and Saith that he this Depont is a Subscribing Witneſs to
the within Letter of Attorney, and saw the same duly signed, sealed, delivered and executed by
James Park the executing Party thereto; and ſaith, that the name John Tisdall ſubscribed as
a Witneſs to said Letter of Attorney is this Deponent’s proper name and Hand writing.

John Tisdall

(LS)
Sworn before me at Belfast aforsd the 1st Day of September
1798. In Testimony whereof I the sd Sovereign have hereunto sub-
scribed my name and can the Corporation Seal of said Borough
to be hereunto affixed.

Willm Bristow Sovn of Belfast Will. Atherson

Town Clerk

My previous work and transcription has included records associated with Benjamin D’hariet Smith, also known as Benjamin D’Harriette Smith, see Part 172s, and Part 171s.

I have discovered that the “Search This Blog” function in the right-hand column of A Genealogy Hunt is not working. This appears to be a universal situation and I have read other incidents occurring on other blogs. A current way around this issue would be to use the main Goggle search engine. I will try to find another alternative and more efficient way.

And I continue my search for the origins of ggg-grandfather James Smith.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 866s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1798 William Smith - Letter of Attorney

Good Day,

I have finished my next transcription of a record from the Grenada Registers of Records in my search for all ggg – grandfather James Smith. This record appears to be a Letter of Attorney in which William Smith of Martinique is one of the appointed attorneys. The date of the document is 3 March 1798. It was entered into the Registers 29 May 1798.

(The above image of the Beaumaris Court  House may have been the very place  where a part of this document may have been signed. The image was uploaded by Necrothesp at en.wikipedia.)

There is no apparent and observable link between this William Smith and ggg – grandfather James. But I am curious that the year is 1798 and this William Smith is designated as "of the Island of Martinique Merchant". This of course may be an observation, but there is a coinciding assumption that ggg – grandmother, Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith was possibly from Martinique as well.

My observation is that this document is dated 1798. GGG – grandparents James and Mary Ann began having children in the early 1800s. I know this is a stretch but there could be a relationship between William Smith and ggg – grandfather James only because of the time element and the dates may be compared. Just something to think about.

The countries and colonies involved and included in this document are Wales, Great Britain, Ireland, Grenada, Demerara, Martinique, and Dominique. It also appears that this document and Power Of Attorney may have been written a good time after Last Will and Testament of the late Thomas Morris was actually produced.

I have downloaded the images of the pages 336 to 341 from FHL[1563328], Item 1.

My transcription -

336

Entered the 29th May 1798

Examd

To all to whom these presents shall come James Knowles of Gwynedd in the County
of Anglesey in North Wales in the Kingdom of Great Britain and Jane his Wife and
Mary Morris of the City of Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland Spinster send Greeting Whereas
Thomas Morris late of the Island of Grenada Esquire deceased in and by his last will and
Elizabeth Morris and to the Survivor of them the Sum of Five hundred pounds Sterling a Year
for their natural lives and then he gave devised and bequeathed to his Sisters Thesaid Jane
Knowles and Mary Morris and to their heirs forever all the rest residue and remainder of
his Estates both real and personal in the Colony of Demerara and elsewhere to be divided
equally between them as Tenants in Common but it was his will intention and desire
nevertheleſs that his said Sister Jane Knowles and her heirs should first deduct from his
real and personal estates the fair appraisements of his said said Father’s estate in Wales
and he thereby nominated and appointed his Friends Joseph Hamer of thesaid Colony of
Demerara Esquire John Tarleton of Liverpool Esquire Daniel Backhouse of the same place
Esquire Hugh James of the same place Esquire thesaid James Knowles Charles Henderick Anderson
of the Island of Grenada Esquire William Postlethwaite of the same place Esquire and Samuel
Cary Junior of the same place Esquire Executors of that his last Will as in and by the said
Will and Testament on reference being thereunto had may more fully and at large appear
and Whereas thesaid Edward Morris and Elizabeth his Wife are both dead since
the Testator Now know ye that thesaid James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary
Morris for divers good causes and considerations there hereunto severally moving Have
and each and every of them Hath made ordained authorized nominated constituted
and appointed and in their and each and every of their place and stead full and
deputed and by these presents Do and each and every of them Doth make ordain autho-
rize nominate constitute and appoint William Smith of the Island of Martinique
Merchant Richard Hooten of the Island of Dominique Merchant John Ferguſson of the
Island of Grenada Merchant and William Heathcote of Demara foresaid Esquire to be
these and each and every of their tried and lawful Attornies and Attorney Agents and Agent
jointly and severally for them and each and every of them to enter into and upon and
by all and every lawful ways means and remedies to recover and get poſseſsion of all and
every the plantations Meſsuages Farms Lands Tenements and hereditaments and all other the
real and personal estate and effects whatsoever which were of him thesaid Thomas Morris
deceased of what nature or kind soever or wheresoever thesame may be and which they or
any of them are or is or shall or may be entitled to under or by virtue of thesaid in
part recited Will of thesaid Thomas Morris deceased for any estate house or interest
wjhatsoever and thesame Meſsuages Homes Lands Tenements and Hereditaments and
all other the real and personal estates and effects whatsoever herein before mentioned and

every

337

every or any part thereof to order direct manage and cultivate by such ways and means
and in such manner as they thesaid William Smith Richard Hooton John Ferguſson and
William Heathcote shall in their discretion jointly or severally think neceſsary proper or
adviseable until such Sale or Sales shall be made thereof as are herein after mentioned
and directed and also for them and each and every of them and in their and each and every
of their names and name when and as their said Attornies or any of them shall think proper
to make Sale and absolutely dispose of all and every thesaid plantations Meſsuages Farms Lands
Tenements and hereditaments and all other the said real and personal estate and effects of what
nature or kind so ever or wheresoever thesame may be or any parts or part thereof either
shall seem advisable for the best price and prices and most money which can or
may be reasonably had or gotton for thesame or which they or any of them shall in
their or his judgment think so to any person or persons who shall or may be willing to
become a purchaser or purchasers thereof or of any part thereof and for that purpose for them
and each and every of them and in their and each and every of their names or name or in
their or any of their names or name is Attornies or Attorney as aforesaid to enter into sign
Seal deliver and execute such contracts and agreements for the Sale and Conveyance of
all or any part or part of thesaid Meſsuages Farms Lands Tenements hereditaments and other
real and personal estate and effects and also to have and receive all and whatsoever
purchase money or other consideration they or any of them shall contact or agree for and
thereupon to make and execute good valid and Sufficient receipts and discharges for
what they or any of them shall so receive and also for them and in their each and every
of their names and name or in their or any of their own names as Attornies or Attorney as
aforesaid to Sign Seal deliver acknowledge levy suffer and execute all and every such gifts
grants alienations deeds Conveyances and Aſsurances whatsoever whether thesame be by fines
or other matter of records or otherwise howsoever as shall be proper for granting Conveying
and aſsuring all and every or any part or parts of the said plantations Meſsuages Farms
Lands Tenements hereditaments and other real and personal estate and effects whatsoever
unto any such purchase or purchases his her or their heirs executors administrators or Aſsigns
for all the estate and interest of them the said James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris
in the premises to be so Conveyed and to proxy and represent them and every of them before the
proper Register or Registers Officer or Officers and there or elsewhere to do perform and execute all
such acts matters and things as may be neceſsary for the purpose of having such acts deeds
Conveyances and Aſsurances as aforesaid enregistered or recorded in the proper place or places and
the titles to the same plantation Meſsuages Fames Lands Tenements hereditaments and real and
personal estate and effects in every respect fully aſsured and confirmed unto such purchaser
and purchasers his her or their heirs executors Administrators or aſsigns and also to collect get in
and received the yearly and other rents produce proceeds and profits of thesame plantations Meſsua-
ges Farms Lands Tenements hereditaments and real and personal estate and effects whatsoever now

Let

338

Let or to become due And to give good and sufficient receipts and discharges for what they or any
of them shall so secure and also to commence and prosecute with effects such actions and Suits in
any Court or Cours either of Law or of Equity as the said Attornies or any of them shall think neceſsa-
ry or expedient for the purposes of recovering receiving or getting poſseſsion of thesaid plantations
Meſsuages Farms Lands Tenements hereditaments and real and personal stock and effects or any parts
thereof and also the said rents produce proceeds and profits thereof or for effectuating or accomplishing
the purposes aforesaid and to pursue all neceſsary measures for conveying into execution the judgments
or devices of such Court or Courts and to have the benefit thereof and also for them thesaid James Knowles
and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris to appear to and defend any actions or Suits which may be
commenced or prosecuted against them or any of them in such Courts as aforesaid and to receive from
his executors of thesaid Thomas Morris deceased all or any of them such Sum of money as are done
to their or any of their hands from the estate and effects of thesaid Thomas Morris deceased and which
they or any of them are entitled to receive under or by Virtue of the Will of thesaid Thomas Morris
deceased and to settle all accounts with thesaid executors or any of them And to make and
execute full and effectual releases and discharges to such executors and one or more Substitute or
Substitutes under them the said Attornies or any of them for all or any of the purposes and with
all or any of the powers and authorities aforesaid to Substitute and appoint and such Substitute
and Substitutes from him to _____ at pleasure to revoke and others to appoint so often as _____
may require or to thesaid Attornies or Attorney or any of them it shall seem advisable And
Generally for them thesaid James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris and every or
any of them to do preform and execute all and every such further and other lawful and reason-
able acts deeds matters and things whatsoever for accomplishing and carrying int execution all
or any of the purposes aforesaid as fully and effectually to all intents and purposes whatsoever as
they or any of them could or might do if personally present they thesaid James Knowles Jane his
Wife and Mary Morris and each and every of them hereby giving and granting unto thesaid
Attornies and every of them their and each and every of their full and discretionary power
and Authority in and about the premises and ratifying allowing and confirming all and
whatsoever they or any of them shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof And
thesaid James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris do hereby expreſsly Revoke and or
make void all and every the powers and authorities by them or any of them heretofore given for
all or any of the purposes aforesaid to any person or persons whosoever In Witness whereof
the said James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris have hereunto set their Hands and
Seals this third day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety eight.

Jes Knowles (LS)

Jane Knowles (LS)

Mary Morris (LS)

Sealed and Delivered by the ….}
above named James Knowles (being ….}
full duly stamped) in the presence of ….}

Robt Bowers ---- Rob Prichard

339

Sealed and Delivered by the above named Jane Knowles in the presence of

Jos Lace ---- Mark Stephinson ----

Sealed and Delivered by the above named Mary Morris in the presence of

Willm King ---- Jas Bellow ----

Joshua Luce of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster Gentleman maketh Oath that
he did see Jane Knowles one of the persons named in the Letter of Attorney hereto annexed
duly sign seal and as her act and deed deliver thesaid Letter of Attorney And this Deponent
saith that the named Jane Knowles thereto subscribed as the party executing the same and
also the names “Josa Lace” and “Mark Stephenson” thereto subscribed as Witneſses attest-
ing the execution thereof by the said Jane Knowles are of the proper hand writing of thesaid
Jane Knowles and of this Deponent and of Mark Stephenson of Liverpool aforesaid Gentleman

Josa Lace,

Sworn at Liverpool aforesaid the third day ….}
of March in the Year of our Lord 1798 ….}
Before T Staniforth Mayor of Liverpool
To all to whom these present shall come I Thomas Staniforth Esquire Mayor of the
Borough and Town of Liverpool in the County palatine of Lancaster and Kingdom of Great
Britain do hereby Certify that on the day of the date hereof personally came and appeared
before me Jane Knowles one of the persons named in the Letter of Attorney hereto annexed and
acknowledged thesaid Letter of Attorney to be her act and deed and that she had executed the same
to the intent that it might be effected to paſs and carry all her estate and interest in
the plantations Meſsuages farms Tenements hereditaments and real estate late of Thomas Morris
of the island of Grenada esquire deceased And I do Certify that the said Jane Knowles was
examined separately and apart from her husband executed thesaid Letter of Attorney and on the
same day personally appeared before me Joshua Lace of Liverpool aforesaid Gentleman the Depo-
nent named in this affidavit on the other side written being a person well known and worthy of
good credit and by Solemn Oath which thesaid Deponent then took before me upon the holy
evangelists of Almighty God he did solemnly and sincerely declare testify and depose to be had
the several matters and things mentioned and contained in thesaid Affidavit..
(LS)
In faith and Testimony whereof I thesaid Mayor have caused the Seal of
Mayoralty of thesaid Borough and Town to be hereunto affixed and the Letter of
Attorney mentioned and referred to in thesaid affidavit to be hereunto annexed
Dated at Liverpool the thid day of March in the Year of our Lord 1798.

R. Stathame Dep Town Clerk

By order of the Mayor
Robert Prichard of Beaumarie in the County of Anglesey Gentleman maketh oath
and saith That he did see James Knowles one of the Persons named in the Letter of Attorney here-
unto annexed duly sign seal and as his act and Deed deliver thesaid Letter of Attorney and this
Deponent further saith that the Names “Jas Knowles” thereto subscribed as the party executing

the

340

the same and also the names “Robt Bowers” and “Robt Prichard thereto subscribed as
Witneſses attesting the Execution thereof by the said James Knowles are of the proper handwriting
of thesaid James Knowles and of Robert Bowers of the City of Chelsea Silversmith and of
this Deponent. –

Robt Pritchard

Sworn at Beaumaris aforesaid the seventeenth….}
Day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand….}
Seven hundred and ninety eight…..}

Before W Williams Bailiff of one of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the
Borough of Beaumaris
To all to whom these presents shall come I Williams Williams one of the Bailiffs and
Chief Magistrates of the Town and Borough of Beaumaris in the County of Anglesey in North
Wales and Kingdom of Great Britain Do hereby certify that on the Day of the Date hereof
personally appeared before me Robert Prichard of Beaumaris aforesaid Gentleman this Deponent
named in the Affidavit on the other side written being a Person well known and worthy of good
Credit and by Solemn Oath which thesaid Robert Prichard then took before me on the Holy
Evangelists of Almighty God he did solemnly and sincerely declare testify and depose to be _____
the several Matters and Things mentioned and contained in thesaid Affidavit…
(LS)
In Faith and Testimony whereof I thesaid William Williams Bailiff and one
of the Chief Magistrates of the said Town and Borough of Beaumaris have caused
the Corporation Seal of the Town and Borough aforesaid to be hereto affixed and the
Letter of Attorney mentioned and referred to in the said Affidavit to be hereunto
annexed Dated at Beaumaris aforesaid this seventeenth Day of March 1798.

W Williams

Senior Bailiff and one of the Chief Magistrates of the Town and
Borough of Beaumaris aforesaid.

William King of William Street in the City of Dublin Gentn. Maketh Oath that he did see
Mary Morris one of the Persons named in the Letter of Attorney hereto annexed duly sign
seal and as her act and Deed deliver thesaid Letter of Attorney and the Deponents saith
that the name of Mary Morris thereto Subscribed as the peraty executing the same and also
the names William King and James Bellow thereto Subscribed as Witneſses attesting this
executin thereof by thesaid Mary Morris are of the proper hand writing of thesaid Mary
Morris and of this Deponent and of James Bellow of William St aforesaid Clerk to said
William King,

William King

Sworn at the City of Dublin aforesaid the 28th day….}
of March in the Year of our Lord 1798…..}
Before Thos Fleming Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin

341

To all to whom these presents shall come I The Right Honble Thomas Fleming Lord
Mayor of the City of Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland do hereby certify that on the day
of the date hereof personally came and appeared before me Mary Morris one of the
persons named in the Letter of Attorney hereto annexed and acknowledged thesaid Letter of
Attorney to be here Act and Deed and that she had executed the same to the intent that
it might be effectual to paſs and convey all her Estate and Interest in the plantations
Meſsuages Farms tenements hereditaments and real Estate late of Thomas Morris of the
Island of Grenada Esquire deceased and I do certify that thesaid Mary Morris was
examined and declared that she had freely And Voluntarily Executed thesaid Letter of
Attorney and on the same day personally appeared before me William King of William St. in the
City of Dublin aforesaid the deponent named in the Affidavit on the other side written being
a person well known and worthy of good credit and by solemn oath which the said Deponent
then took before me upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God he did solemnly and
sincerely declare testify and depose to be true the several matters and things mentioned and
contained in thesaid Affidavit.
(LS)
In Faith and Testimony whereof I the said Thomas Fleming have
caused Seal to hereunto Affixed and the Letter of Attorney mentioned
and referred to in thesaid Affidavit to be hereunto annexed Dated at Dublin
the 28 of March in the Year of our Lord 1798.

Thos. Fleming

In my search and research for ggg – grandfather James Smith, I will continue to comb and investigate the documents and records of the Grenada Registers of Records. I have found a new online source, which may or may not help my search and research. It is the Digital Public Library of America, and available at - http://dp.la/.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 866s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1791 William Smith - Sale £99

Good Day,

Today's record from the Grenada Registers of Records is one entered 27 April 1798 but actually composed 21 January 1791. There does appear to be a lag of time between the actual timing of an event and between the actual recording of the same. I guess this is all a part of my search and research for any information of ggg-grandfather James Smith.

In this record William Smith is one of the primary parties. The record is a 1791 sale of a slave, Lucy to one Felicité Boisfermé. It appears that William Steil was witness in both 1791 and 1798.

The following images are of the records from Item 1 of the microfilm FHL[1563328], pages 290-292.

My attempt at a transcription -

290

Entered 27th April 1798

This Indenture made the Twenty first day of January in the year of
Our Lord one thousand seven hundred & Ninety one Between William Smith
of the Town of Saint George in the Island of Grenada Merchant of the one part
and Felicité Boisfermé of the said Town and Island a free Mulatto Woman of the
other part Witneſseth that for and in Consideration of the Sum of Ninety nine
pounds Current Money of the said Island to the said William Smith in had well
and truly paid by the said Felicité Boisfermé at or before the Sealing and delivery
of these presents (the Receipt whereof the said William Smith doth hereby acknowledge
and thereof and therefrom and from every part and parcel thereof doth Acquit Release
exonerate and for ever discharge thesaid Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs Executors and
Admonistrators by these presents) He thesaid William Smith Hath Granted
Bargained Sold Aliened Enfeoffed Conveyed and Confirmed and by these presents Doth
Grant Bargain Sell Align Enfeoff Convy and Confirm unto the said Felicité Boisfermé
her Heirs and Aſsigns for ever A certain female Negro Slave named Lucy with her future
Iſsue and Increase And the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders
Rents Iſsues Services and Profits of the said Slave and also all the Estate Right Title
Interest Use Trust poſseſsion property Benefit Claim and demand whatsoever both
at Law and in Equity of him thesaid William Smith of in to or out of the said female
Negro Slave named Lucy together with all Deeds Evidences and writings relating to or
concerning the same Slave To Have and to Hold thesaid female Negro Slave named
Lucy herein before mentioned with her future Iſsue and Increase as aforesaid unto
thesaid Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns to the only proper use and behoof of
the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns for ever And the said William
Smith for himself his Heirs Executors and Administrators doth Covenant promise

and

291

and agree to and with the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns that he
the said William Smith now hath in himself good Right full power and lawful
Authority to Grant Bargain Sell Alien Enfeoff Convey and Confirm thesaid female Slave
before named unto the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns to the only proper use
benefit and behoof of the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns for ever according
to the true intent and meaning of these presents And also that she thesaid Felicité
Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns shall and may from time to time and at all times
hereafter peaceably and quietly have hold Occupy poſseſs and enjoy thesaid female Slave
hereinbefore mentioned without the Let Suit Trouble hindrance Molestation Interruption
of him the said William Smith his Heirs or Aſsigns or of any other person or persons whatsoever
and Lastly that he the said William Smith and his Heirs the said Slave herein
before mentioned unto the the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns against him the
said William Smith his Heirs and Aſsigns and against all and every other person and
persons whatsoever shall and will Warrant and for ever defend by these presents In
Witneſs whereof thesaid parties have hereto set their Hands and Seals respectively the day
and Year first above written

WM Smith (LS)

The Mark

X

of Felicité Boisfermé (LS)

Sealed and Delivered
In the presence of

Rd. Owen – Wm. Steil –

Received on the day of the date of the above written Indenture of and from the above
named Felicité Boisfermé the sum of Ninety nine Pounds Current Money of the said
Island being the Consideration Money above mentioned to be by her paid to me. I say
Received……………………………………………………………………………….£99 Curry

Wm. Smith

Witneſs

Rd Owen – Wm Steil

Be it Remembered that on this Twenty first day of January In the Year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety one peaceable and quiet poſseſsion
Livery and Seisin of the female Negro Slave named Lucy in the preceding Indenture
particularly mentioned was delivered by the before named William Smith to the also
before named Felicité Boisfermé according to the tenor and effect of the before written
Deed or Feoffment _ In the Presence of us whose Names are hereunto Subscribed

Rd Owen

Wm Steil

Grenada _ Before the Honorable Thomas Bridgwater Esquire Chief Justice of
His Majesty’s Court of Common Pleas for said Island established.
Personally appeared William Steil of the Town of Saint George in the said Island
Mason one of the subscribing Witneſses to the within Indenture who being duly Sworn on
the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God maketh Oath and saith That he was present with
Richard Owen (since deceased) the other subscribing Witneſs thereto and did see William
Smith one of the parties to the said Indenture sign Seal and deliver the same as

and

292

and for his free and voluntary Act and Deed; And that he also saw him
sign the Receipt for the Consideration Money written at the foot of the said
Indenture And the Deponent further saith that he also saw Felicité
Boisferme the other party to the said Indenture sign the same by making a
Croſs opposite the second Seal at the foot of the same Indenture and also saw
her Seal and deliver the same as and for her free and voluntary Act and Deed.
And the Deponent also saith that he was also present with the said Richard
Owen and did see peaceable and quiet poſseſsion Livery and Seisin of the
within mentioned female Negro Slave Lucy delivered by the said William
Smith to the said Felicité Boisfermé according to the Tenor and Effect of the
said Indenture And the Deponent lastly saith that in Testimony of such
Execution and Livery and Seisin as beforementioned the said Richard Owen
and the Deponent did subscribe their Names to the said Indenture as Witneſses
thereto.

Wm Steil

Sworn to before me the 27th day of April 1798

Thomas Bridgwater

This record does not provide any immediate link or connection between William Smith and ggg-grandfather James Smith. Next.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 865s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1794 William Smith - Inquiry of Sale

Good Day,

Well it looks like the confusion of the construction has almost come to a completion.   (Apologies about the near alliteration.) This means, of course, that I can now get back to an uninterrupted flow of my search and research for my ggg-grandfather James Smith.

My energy for the next little while, while I wait for some anticipated family information and details, will be to work with and transcribe the records and documents from the Grenada Registers of Records that do relate and possibly reference the surname Smith. All things being equal, and this is not a promise to myself, but I hope to work on at least two documents a week… for the next while.

Thank you Steve, Ashley, and Zöe for your comments and ideas.

The next document was entered in 1797, but written 6 August 1794. It appears to be a letter of intent presented by Mr. John Tarleton with what appears to be an offer to purchase. My guess would be that the "Smith" referred to in the record is the same William Smith who was appointed Power of Attorney 12 March 1794. See Part 861s.

This record was downloaded from the Grenada Registers of Records 1797-1817 (v. Gr-R2) and microfilm FHL[1563328].  Here are the images of pages 37 and 38.

The following is my transcription.

37

Entered 30 September 1797

Gentm.

Liverpool 6 Augt 1794

We have already wrote you fully by this opportunity to which we beg
have to refer The purpose of the present is therefore to acquaint You that if
you incline to sell the Mary's Cargoe of Negroes from Angola in any way of the
British Windward or in any of the lately conquered Islands, Mr. John Tarleton,
the writer hereof, will accept and pay your drafts upon him at the customary
sight of Bills at the time of the Sale of this Cargo of Slaves. You are on this
account to draw £2 ½ &Ct on the Sale and £2 ½ &Ct on the remittances for
this Cargo, & Mr. Tarleton who guarantees the debts & Bills is to draw the
remaining £5 & Cent as well as to entitled to any accruing interest on the same
in the same manner and mode, as he lately guaranteed Meſs Howard & Smith
respecting the Sale of the African Cargoes disposed of by them in Dominica
The Bills are to be drawn upon him payable in London, and in favor of Meſs
Tarletons & Backhouse, he also trusts they will not be drawn at leſs than 12, 15, &
18 months Sight, as his sole motive for guaranteeing You arises from the desire of
giving You a commiſsion on the Sale of these Negroes which on account of the
diſsolution, and termination of our late partnership, with Mr. Tarleton must be
sold under guarantee, and also to give you a farther testimony of his confidence
in your _____ to serve himself, and Mr Backhouse, and the sincere friendship
& regard he entertains for You

We are with much esteem

Dear Sirs

Your most obedt. Servt

Tarleton & Backhouse

Superscribed
Meſsrs Postlethwait & Smith

March Grenada

Grenada – Before the Honorable Thomas Bridgwater Esquire Chief Justice
of the Court of Common Pleas for said Island established
Personally appeared John Dawson of Liverpool in the Kingdom of Great Britain
Merchant at present in this Island, who being duly Sworn on the Holy Evangelists of
Almighty God maketh Oath and saith that he knows and is ell acquainted with
John Tarleton of Liverpool aforesaid Merchant carrying Trade there with
Daniel Backhouse under the Firm of Tarleton and Backhouse and also with his
manner and Character of Hand writing and Subscription having often seen him
write and subscribe his Name, and having viewed and carefully perused the Letter
written on part of the second & third Sides of this Sheet of Paper purporting to be a
Letter from the said Meſsrs Tarleton & Backhouse to Meſsrs Postlethwaite and Smith
of this Island Merchants and dated “Liverpool 6th August 1794” He saith that

he

38

He verily and in his Conscience believes the whole of the said Letter beginning
with the Words “Gentn We have already” and ending “ and the “sincere friendship
& regard he entertains for you” and subscribed “Tarleton & “Backhouse” is of the
proper hand writing & Subscription of the said John Tarleton of Liverpool aforesaid.

John Dawson

Sworn to before me this }
30th day of Septr. 1797. }

Thomas Bridgwater

This record does not provide a link back to ggg-grandfather James Smith, but it may be setting the stage for something more to come. Stay tuned and keep following my search and research. I certainly appreciate comments, ideas, thoughts and questions. Something more than just my wee and paltry grey matter may unlock some clue somewhere and sometime.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 864s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1797 William Smith - Manumission

Good Day,

Continuing my work and search for ggg-grandfather James Smith I present another record from the Grenada Registers of Records.

This record was dated 20 November 1797. The document is a recorded manumission, the release of a slave named Dick. Apparently William Steil is acting on behalf of and fulfilling the obligations as Executor for the late William Smith. He, William Steil, is carrying out a requirement as directed by the “last Will and Testament” of the late William Smith.

This is not the first time that I have discovered an interrelationship between the two Williams; William Smith and William Steil. I did work on another record, dated 21 January 1791 and entered 27 April 1798, which included both men. See Part 170s.

This new work is the record from Page 105 of Item 1 from the microfilm FHL [1563328].

Here are the images.

And my transcription –

105

Grenada

Entered 29th November 1797 –

Know all Men by these Presents that I William Steil of the Town of
Saint George in the said Island Gentleman acting in this behalf as the only qualified
Executor named in the last Will and Testament of William Smith late of the same Town
and Island Merchant deceased, for divers good Causes and Considerations _____ hereunto
moving and to the end that the Intention of the said Testator as expreſsed in his said
Will (a Copy whereof is before written) may be carried into Effect, Have manumitted
Enfranchised and for ever set free and by these Presents Do Manumit Enfranchise
and for ever set free a certain Negroe Man Slave named Dick, late the property
of the said William Smith deceased And I the said William Steel have given and
granted, and by these Presents Do give and grant unto the said Negroe Man Slave
Dick his full free and absolute Manumiſsion Enfranchisement and Freedom

from

106 

from the day of the date hereof to his proper Use and behoof for ever Subject
to no Service Labour or Servitude Right Title Claim and Demand of Service Labour
or Servituded or of other Recompence in lieu thereof, to or for the benefit of me my Heirs
Executors or Administrators at any time thereafter, so that neither I the said William
Steil nor any of amy Heirs Executors or Administrators nor any person claiming
under me them or any of them, shall can or may at any time hereafter have or
claim any Estate Right Title or Interest in or to the said Negroe Man Slave –
Dick or to his Servitude or to any benefit Advantage or Emolument whatsoever
arising from his Labour or Employment but that from henceforth We and each and
every of us shall be therefrom for ever barred and utterly precluded by these Presents
In Witneſs whereof I the said William Steil have hereunto set my hand and
Seal this Twentieth day of November One thousand seven hundred and Ninety
seven.

WM Steil (LS)

Signed Sealed and Delivered }
In the Presence of………… }

John Waters Martindale ____ J Frederickson(?) Jr.

Grenada ____ Acknowledged before me by William Steil the Party
executing the above Deed of Manumiſsion as and for his free and voluntary
Act and Deed this twenty ninth day of November One thousand seven
hundred and Ninety Seven.

GH Horsley

Dep Register

Is this the same William Smith whose Last Will and Testament is presented 1 December 1796 and entered 6 December 1796? See Part 538s.

Is this the William Smith whose brother James Smith, the Weaver of Logie, Scotland is searching for? See Part 178s.

Could William Steil also be a William Steele?

Is there some relationship between this William Steil and Richard Steele the father of George Steele who married my gg-grandaunt Mary Ann Smith, who was also the daughter of my ggg-grandfather James Smith?

Okay, it is now late, even with Daylight Savings time. There are many, many “If’s” and “Could’s”. There has to be some clue somewhere to either connect this William Smith or prove that there is no logical possibility that he may be in some way related to ggg-grandfather James Smith. And I just continue my search and research.

Regards,

Jim

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