Part 860s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Updated James Smith Descendant Chart

Good Day,

Okay, I have re-created and redrafted with some minor changes my current James Smith Descendant Chart. I have re-positioned three of the great, great grands: great-great grandaunt Mary Ann; great-great grandaunt Sophia; and great-great granduncle George.

This positions the children of ggg-grandparents James and Mary Ann (née Dore) Smith in the following order on the Descendant Chart:

  GG-Granduncle George Smith;

  GG-Grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour;

  GG-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith);

  GG-Grandaunt Eley Smith;

  GG-Grandfather James Smith;

  GG-Granduncle Henry Smith; and

  GG-Granduncle Thomas Smith.

My logic is currently based on my research and documentation concerning births, marriage, and burials, as well as the Last Will and Testament of my ggg-grandfather James Smith. (See Part 347s.)

I will shortly be updating the pull-down links at the top of the page of A Genealogy Hunt.

If you have any comment, thought, idea, or question, please feel free to contact me at A Genealogy Hunt.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 859sv- Smith Robertson Genealogy – A Definite Possibility – Great-Great-Grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour – 1865 Burial Registration

Good Day,

Well as I mentioned the genealogy bug has bit me once again and I guess it definitely is time to come in out of my three-month retirement.

What I have now discovered is an 1865 Burial Registration that may be that of great-great-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour. Here is an image of the page from the Grenada, Parish Registers, 1784-1971, Anglican Church, Parish of St. George, Burials 1844-1930 and the microfilm FHL [1523656] Item 18-19.

As you can see the copy from the microfilm is somewhat opaque. Actually it is almost bloody illegible... I have tried to decipher the Burial Registration and determine a possible script even due to the bleeding of the ink of the registration. It seems that the ink from both the facing page and the verso or back side of the page bled through prior to the microfilming of the Register.

I have made close-ups of the registration.  The first is the actual registration and the second is my attempt to make sense of the hidden script using a red tracing to give me a chance to determine the messy script.

Actual registration.

My endeavor to make out the script.

My attempted transcription –

[Page 219]
BURIALS in the Parish of St. George
In the Colony of Grenada in the Year 1865
Name. – Sophia Ventour
Abode. – Town of St. George
When buried. – Feb 2?
Age. – Yrs 59?
By whom the Ceremony was performed. – J K. Anton, Rector

And now, my thoughts and observations. At the present time I cannot be 100% sure that this is the Burial Registration of great-great-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour. All I can do is present a number facts and some logical possibilities.

The Burial Register is that of the Anglican Parish Church of St. George, Grenada. This was, from what I understand the Smith family’s primary place of worship. I have been able to collect a considerable amount of documentation and registrations from this church which are all specific to my Smith family. There is some sense to the possibility the gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour was registered at her death and burial at the family church.

The Burial Registration appears, if I am deciphering it correctly for one “Sophia Ventour”. All-things-being-equal gg-grandaunt Sophia Smith married Benjamin Ventour 16 September 1825. (See Part 62s.)  Her married name would have been Sophia Ventour.

From the 1865 Burial Registration I am trying to decipher the age that this Sophia Ventour passed. It looks to me like it is “Yrs 59”. It is extremely hard to be sure that this is the actual age. If it is 59 years and this Sophia Ventour was buried at the age of 59 there is a possibility that she was born about 1806. And if it is 1806 and this is gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour then, all-things-being-equal it could be possible that she is the elder sister to gg-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) and to all the other gg-grand Smiths that I have been able to find respectable documentation regarding their birth years and dates.

Following another train of thought, and examining ggg-grandfather James Smith’s Last Will and Testament (see Part 61s), gg-grandaunt Sophia is mentioned after ggg-grandmother Mary Ann and gg-granduncle George and before gg-grandaunt Mary Ann. She is also addressed before gg-grandfather James and gg-granduncles Thomas and Henry. I am not sure if this is a general rule of thumb and process but it may be possible that ggg-grandfather James was addressing a specific hierarchy as he included his survivors in his will; his wife first, and then his children in their possible order of age.

And if this is the case, it would make sense that gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour would have been older than her sister Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele. GGG-Grandfather James’s will states “and the further sum of Eight pounds annually to each of my daughters Sophia Ventour and Mary Steele during their natural lives…”  This is the initial place in the Will where gg-grandaunts Sophia and Mary are mentioned.

In my previous post, Part 858ss, we discovered that there is a possibility that gg-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele was born about 1809. If gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour was born before gg-grandaunt Mary Ann it is possible that she would have been born before 1809 and that it would not be unreasonable to say that she may have been born around 1806. And this may be the calculated year of birth of the Sophia Ventour of the 1865 Burial Registration if the age at her death was 59 years.

Definitely food for thought. If you have any comment, thought, idea, or question, please feel free to contact me at A Genealogy Hunt.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 858ss – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Great-Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele – An Aha Moment

Good Day,

I couldn't wait until September 1 to start working on my A Genealogy Hunt again.

Who said “Patience is a virtue”? And I guess I do have a shade of patience… but whether my patience is virtuous, that is another question, for another time.

Most recently I have exchanged a couple of emails with a distant relative of mine regarding some information referencing an ancestor that we may have in common. (Thank you Ashley.) This mutual ancestor is my great-great-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele.

The piece of documentation found is the 1881 Burial Registration of great-great-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele. Here is an image of the page from the Grenada, Parish Registers, 1784-1971, Anglican Church, Parish of St. George, Burials 1844-1930 and the microfilm FHL [1523656] Item 18-19.

My transcription –

[Page 342]
BURIALS in the Parish of St. George
In the Colony of Grenada in the Year 1881
Name. – Mary Ann Steele
Abode. – Town of St. George
When buried. – Oct 2nd
Age. – Yrs 72
By whom the Ceremony was performed. – John K. Anton, Rector

Here is a close-up of the registration.

Based on the information provided by the Register, gg-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele was 72 years old at her burial. Calculating from 1881, this would mean that there is a possibility that gg-grandaunt Mary Ann may have been born in about the year 1809. This is possible proof that gg-grandaunt Mary Ann may have been an elder sister to gg-grandfather James Smith who was born in 1815. (See Part 88s.)

Following this new information I have re-constructed my GenoPro James Smith Descendant Chart.

We now have possible documentary proof and information for the following:

GG-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele – born circa 1809

GG-Grandaunt Eley Smith – born 17 Mar 1812 (Part 87s)

GG-Grandfather James Smith – born 20 Mar 1815 (Part 88s)

GG-Granduncle Henry Smith – born 3 Mar 1818 (Part 89s)

GG-Granduncle Thomas Smith – born 5 Nov 1820 (Part 90s)

I am still looking for information regarding:

GG-Granduncle George Smith, and
GG-Grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour

If you have any information and/or documentation that could lead to a discovery and more details regarding gg-granduncle George Smith, gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour and gg-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele please feel free to contact me at A Genealogy Hunt.

Also some food for thought – It could be possible, based on possible naming conventions that as gg-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele has the same name as her mother, ggg-grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith and that gg-grandfather James Smith has the same name as his father, ggg-grandfather James Smith, they, gg-grandaunt Mary and gg-grandfather James may have been the elder daughter and son of the Smith family. Just something to think about.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 570sd – Smith Robertson Genealogy – GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith – Food For Thought

Good Day,

When I first arrived on the genealogy scene a few years back, I learned very quickly that to find out information of one's ancestors one, that is me, had to ask a lot of questions. And I did… and did I ever get a lot of answers.

Some have been answers that make sense. And some of the answers just did provide the exact bit of information, about a long-gone ancestor.

Case in point, and this is the study which I am attempting to create and write about. Beginning with this Posting, I would like to find out who is and was my ggg-grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith. GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) was the wife of my ggg-grandfather James Smith and the mother of his, at last count, seven children.

In order to relay that which I have found, heard, received, and discovered, I have decided to write a couple of Posts to A Genealogy Hunt. The following is pertinent and documented information that I have, to date, discovered about ggg-grandmother Mary Ann.

To start, here is the list of the possible children of ggg-grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) and ggg-grandfather James Smith. The dates included could be either the registered birth date or the registered baptism date, or both.

• 17 March 1812 – Birth; 10 June 1814 – Baptism – Daughter: Eley Smith
• 20 March 1815 – Birth; 23 April 1815 – Baptism – Son: James Smith (my gg-grandfather). GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann’s surname is entered as Doral.
• 3 March 1818 – Birth; 1 January 1819 – Baptism – Son: Henry Smith. GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann’s surname is entered as Dorette.
• 5 November 1820 – Birth; 1 January 1822 – Baptism – Son: Thomas Smith. GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann’s surname is entered as Dorette.

I have not been able to find either birth or baptism registrations for the following, but their names are included in ggg-grandfather James’ 1842 Last Will and Testament. (See Part 347s.) The additional children include:

• George Smith – Son. Mentioned in ggg-grandfather James Smith’s 1842 Last Will and Testament.
• Sophia (née Smith) Ventour – Daughter. Mentioned in ggg-grandfather James Smith’s 1842 Last Will and Testament.
• Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele – Daughter. Mentioned in ggg-grandfather James Smith’s 1842 Last Will and Testament.

GGG-Grandparents James Smith and Mary Ann (née Doret) were married at Good Hope in Grenada 11 December 1832. (See Part 62s for my discussion of the 1825 Ventour, 1832 Smith, and 1832 Steele marriages.)

(The inserted map is of the island of Grenada with a marker at the location of Good Hope Estate.)

It is based on the order of bequests in ggg-grandfather James’ 1842 LWT, the dates of the above-mentioned marriages, and the birth and baptism dates that I have placed the children of ggg-grandparents James’ and Mary Ann’s in the following order.

1. GG-Grandaunt Eley Smith;
2. GG-Granduncle George Smith;
3. GG-Grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour;
4. GG-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele;
5. GG-Grandfather James Smith;
6. GG-Granduncle Henry Smith; and
7. GG-Granduncle Thomas Smith

Please note as I discover more and more data and documentation I will adjust my records and my logic accordingly.

I do have the documentation for the above-mentioned events and occasions. I have also touched on them in previous discussions on A Genealogy Hunt. You can use the “Search This Blog” function in the right hand column to view previous Postings.

If you have any comments, questions, information, and data please feel free to contact me. You can also comment directly to this posting on A Genealogy Hunt.

Enjoy,

Jim

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My Tangent - What Next? - 1768 LWT - James Smith

Morning,

Who was it that coined some sort of phrase that states that “things happen in threes”? Well, I swear that that soul must have dropped out of school when they began the numbers-that-come-after-three lessons.

Let’s see – (1) Heart; (2) Lightning Hit; (3) Upside down security; (4) Death of an icebox; (5) Late life paternity; (6) A Vicious Vespula vulgaris visitor in the shower… And now Number 7 – My mainstay genealogy software, GenoPro, refuses to save my work.

I’m not sure if it is GenoPro or something to do with the most recent Windows Security Pak update. This of course, I tend to believe has something to do with the Windows update and of it causing some sort of conflict.

The crash of GenoPro and not saving my updates sort of puts an immediate crimp in my Parker Project. I have been using GenoPro in my genealogy work and research since just about the introduction of the software. I use it to create my charts and visual analyses. I like the freedom it proffers me to create pictorial family relationships and the fact that I am not limited to the parameters of the dictates of a specific format.

Last night I downloaded the A’s and B’s of the Indexes of the Grenada Registers of Records for the years 1764 through 1871. All-things-being-equal I have a thought of creating a database to upload the information from the Indexes. The idea is nice, and the question is, when will I get to it?

I discovered an 1768 Will and Last Testament of a James Smith in the Grenada Registers of Records. There are three names associated in the document that bear investigation; his wife – Johanna; his witness – Hamilton Steele; and a friend and associate – Thomas Bennett.

After I spent some time on the 1768 Will, I then discovered a 1767 Indenture between James Smith and Thomas Bennett. Obviously I will be pursuing this tangent.

And now back to try and get my GenoPro application working.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 531s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Indenture Research – 1848 Richard Steele – Last Will and Testament

Good Afternoon and Happy Father’s Day.

And definitely Happy Birthday to AB. Is this the big one… or is it just the beginning of a new adventure?

Today’s Indenture Transcription Project work is sort-of a tangent. I received a request from Ashley in Grenada asking if I may or may not have a copy in my files of the Last Will and Testament of Richard Steele. Well guess what Ashley? I found it.

Based on information gathered from Richard Steele’s Last Will and Testament I have created a Richard Steele Descendant Chart. This Descendant Chart, as always, will continue to be under construction based on current and available information.

Richard Steele was the father of George Steele who married my great-great-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith). My own connection to George Steel would be that he was my great-great-granduncle by marriage. Their children would have been my 1st cousins 3 times removed. GG-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele was, based on what has been discovered, the youngest daughter of my ggg-grandparents James and Mary Ann (Doret) Smith. It is possible that Richard Steele may have been a contemporary of my ggg-grandfather James.

Here are the Pages.

My Transcription –

(407)

Ex

Entered 4th May 1857

This is the Last Will and Testament
of me Richard Steele of the parish of Saint George in
the Island of Grenada Esqr. I give and devise my
daughter Mary Steele and my Son William Steele
their heirs and a∫signs all my real property houses
lands tenements and hereditaments To hold the same
unto and to the use of them the said Mary Steele and
William Steele their heirs and a∫signs Upon Trust that

they

(408)

They or the survivor of them or the heirs or a∫signs of and
survivor do and shall permit and suffer my daughter
the said Mary Steele, and my daughters Ann Steele Sarah
Sarah Steele and Agnes Steele their heirs and a∫signs to reside
in or to occupy my said real property hereditaments and
premises or otherwise to pay to or to apply for the benefit of
them their heirs a∫signs she rents i∫sues and profits thereof
respectively as the same shall become due and payable and
be received Provided however and I do hereby empower the
said Mary Steele and William Steele and the survivor of them
and the heirs and a∫signs of such survivor when they shall
deem it advisable and with the consent in writing of my
said daughters Mary Steele, Ann Steele, Sarah Steele and
Agnes Steele or in case of their death at that time then of the
proper authority of my said Trustees or Trustee to sell and
absolutely to depose of the same real property hereditaments
and premises together or separately or in parcels by public
auction or by private contract as to my Trustees or Trustee
for the time being shall deem expedient with the best price or
prices in money that can be reasonably obtained for the same
respectfully and respectively to convey and a∫sure the same
accordingly and I will and declared that the receipts of my
said Trustees for the purchase money shall be sufficient dis-
charges to the purchases of the said several premises for
their respective purchase money and that such purchases
their heirs executors administrators or a∫signs shall not after
wards be answerable for any lo∫s misapplication or non-
application of such purchase money so received And my
Will further is that the monies which shall arise from such
Sale or Sales as after said shall be considered as real property
and as such shall be paid unto my said daughters Mary Steele
Ann Steele Sarah Steele and Agnes Steele their heirs and a∫signs
I give and bequeath to the said Mary Steele Ann Steele, Sarah
Steele and Agnes Steele all my household furniture books
plate linnen Wines and liquors and also three fifth parts or
shares of any money which I may have or be possessed of
at my decease in the Colonial Bank together with the Interest
then due and owing and the said three fifth parts or shares
of such money I give and bequeath to my Sons Robert Steele
Richard Steele George Steele and William Steele One fifth part
or share of any money which I may have to be possessed of
at my decease in the Colonial Bank with the interest due
and owing thereon And I give and bequeath the remaining
One fifth part with the proportion of interest due thereon to
my Sons Henry Steele, Thomas Steele and James Steele And I
devise and bequeath to the said Mary Steele and William
Steele their heirs executors administrators and a∫signs (according
to the nature of the property whether freehold or a term of years)
a certain me∫suage or tenements lands and hereditaments
whereof I am seized or po∫se∫sed or entitled to by way of
Mortgage from my son Robert and Charlotte his Wife
for securing payments to me of the sum of Fourteen hundred
pounds late current money of Grenada with interest
thereon upon Trust and to the intent that they the said
Mary Steele and William Steele or the survivor of them or
the heirs executing or administrators of such survivor or
their or his or her a∫signs do and shall on payment unto my
Executrix and Executors of such sum or sums of money as shall
be due and owing upon or in respect of the said mort
gaged premises convey a∫sign surrender or a∫sure the same
premises with the appurtenances rents or to the person or
persons who at the time of making such payment
shall be entitled to the equity of redemption thereof and
to his her or their executors administrators or a∫signs
according to the nature of the same premises And I

do

(409)

Do hereby and bequeath the monies which shall be
received for or in respect to the said Mortgage unto my
Sons Robert Steele, Richard Steele, George Steele, William Steele,
Henry Steele, Thomas Steele and James Steele. I give and be
queath to my daughters Mary Steele, Ann Steele, Sarah Steele
and Agnes Steele three fifth parts or shares of any money that
maybe due and owing to me by my son William Steele with
the proportion of interest due thereon at the time of my decease
I give and bequeath to my Sons Robert Steele Richard Steele
George Steele and William Steele One fifth part or share of
any money that may be due and owing to me by my
William Steele the proportion of interest that maybe due
thereon at the time of my decease I give and bequeath
to my Sons Henry Steele, Thomas Steele and James Steele
One fifth part or share of any money that may be due and
owing to me by my son William with the proportion of
interest due thereon at the time of my decease. I give my
Watch with Chain and Seals my son William. My debts
(if any) and funeral expenses (which I wish confine to a
small but indispensable amount potencies to be paid out of the funds
in the Colonial Bank previous to its distribution And I
nominate and appoint my said daughter Mary Steele
in my said Son William Steele and my good friend Joseph
Orgias Esqr to be the Executrix and Executors of this my Will
and last I do revoke hereby all manner of Wills Codicils
and testamentary papers at any time hereto for made by
me On Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal this fourteenth day of October one thousand
eight hundred and forty-eight.

Richard Steele (L S)

Signed and Sealed by the above named Richard Steele
the testator as in the presence of us who were present
together at the same time and who do a test and here
unto scribe our names as Witne∫ses in his presence.

W. A. Horne Alex Aberdein Thos Gibbes

Grenada }
In Ordinary }
In the Estate of Richard Steele deceased
Personally appeared William Alexander Horne
of the town of Saint George in the Island of Grenada
Police Magistrate one of the subscribing Witne∫ses to the with
in Will who been duly sworn and made Oath that he was
present together with Alexander Aberdein and Thomas Gibbes
the other subscribing Witne∫ses thereto and did see the
Richard Steele the Testator therein named duly signed
seal and execute the same as and for his Last Will and
Testament and that the name and signature "Richard
Steele" signed at the end of the within written Will opposite
the Seal at the foot thereof is of the proper handwriting
and signature of the said Richard Steele And this
deponent further saith that in testimony of such due
execution of the said Will they this deponent and the said
Alexander Aberdein and ^ the said Thomas Gibbes did in the presence
of the said Testator and in the presence of each other sub
scribe their names as Witne∫ses thereto And that the names or
signature W. A. Horne Alex Aberdein and Thos Gibbes set and sub
scribed to the said Will as aforesaid are the proper ^signatures and handwritings
of the said Alexander Aberdein Thomas Gibbes and this deponent
respectively And ^ lastly this deponent saith that at the time the said
Testator as executed the said Will as after said he was to the best
of this deponent's judgment and belief of sound and disposing
mind memory and understanding.

W. A. Horne

Sworn to before me this fourth day of May 1857

C. H. Rosbright
Ordinary

And now to continue the search for the origins of ggg-grandfather James Smith.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 446s - Smith Robertson Genealogy - Indenture Research - Smiths To Date Reformatted Matrix

Evening,

Thought I would reformat the Matrix that I introduced in Part 445s. This should present the image of the summary data in a more legible form... hopefully...

And as mentioned if you would like a copy file please contact me.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 445s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Indenture Research – Smiths To Date

Afternoon,

Today I decided to take just a small respite from my work on my Transcription Project. The actual work is relevant to the search of the genealogy and origins of my ggg-grandfather James Smith. I am trying to determine from where and when he did “appear” on the Island of Grenada. For all intents and purposes ggg-grandfather James could have been born in Grenada… There is no immediate or actual discovered proof as to his origins.

The effort of my Transcription Project is to review as many Indentures, Contracts, and Documents from the Grenada Registers of Records which include, at least once, the surname Smith. I have limited, within reason, my search to the mid-to-late 1700s to the mid-1800s. I am hoping that in my review I may stumble across a hint, clue, lead, intimation, suggestion, idea, etc., which may lead me to that “Eureka” moment and assist me to discover the earlier generations of my Smith ancestors.

In the process of my search I am working with those Indentures, Contracts, and Documents from the Grenada Registers of Records that have been collected on microfilm by the Family History Library. As I work with each microfilm, which does represent a period of time, I have created Matrixes which record each unique Smith that I encounter and have included in a specific Posting in A Genealogy Hunt. These Matrixes can be seen listed under the Analyses tab in the Menu at the top of each page.

In a further effort, I have created a new Matrix which summarizes each unique individual named Smith as he or she may appear in a Document, and in my related Posting, from a specific microfilm. (See the write up on Grenada Family History as presented by The National Archives.)

I am currently working to provide an online and clear Matrix. If you would like a copy of the Matrix please contact me. If you any questions, comments, ideas please feel free to contact me.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 363s - Smith Robertson Genealogy – Smith Indenture Study Matrix Update

Good Afternoon,

Yes here it is, a newly updated Smith Indenture Study Matrix for the microfilm FHL [1563380].

If you are new to reading A Genealogy Hunt, the purpose of an Indenture Study Matrix is to present a visual and consolidated summary of those Postings of transcriptions of Records associated with specific Smiths. This Matrix presents cross-references, by Part number to the associated Postings of the microfilm which is a copy of the Grenada Registers of Records, 1825-1834 (v. H5-O5).

To view the Matrix, click on the image and increase the viewing aspect per your viewing software or application. Please note that I have not segregated the Posting numbers by unique individuals only by unique names, as encountered in each Record.

I have only listed the singular Smith names. In other words, there may be more than one individual with the same name, for example, James Smith. I have only recorded those names as single entries if and only if there is a unique prefix or suffix added to the name. For example, James Smith and James Smith, Junior each are represented on separate, single lines of the Matrix. The listed Smith may or may not be the same individual but the transcribed Record(s) may not have any clues or hints as to that fact.

In order to see a specific Part, please enter the Part number, e.g. Part 333s, into the “Search This Blog” box. You can also see a copy of this Matrix by clicking the Analyses tab at the top of the page under the header and choosing the corresponding title on the pull-down menu.

I'm using SmartDraw VP to create the Matrix and hopefully, sometime soon, I hope to provide immediate links to relevant Posting as indicated within the Matrix. At some point, I hope to present the Matrix with relevant and associated links.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Jim

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Part 350s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Indenture Research – 1854 Thomas Smith – LWT Distribution

Morning,

As a follow up to Part 349s where I presented the 1854 Last Will and Testament of great-great-granduncle Thomas Smith, I have made some notes as to the distribution of his personal property and effects as outlined in the Will.

(Image of a Linen - Clothes - Press made in Poland, Gdańsk, c. 1700)

GG-granduncle Thomas Smith was born 5 November 1820 and baptized 1 January 1822. (See Part 90s). A quick calculation computes that he was just about 34 years old when he competed this version of his Last Will and Testament. After a quick search of my files I do have what I believe is the 1855 Death Registration of gg-granduncle Thomas. I will discuss this in my next Posting Part 351s.

Here are my notes regarding the distribution as detailed in gg-granduncle Thomas’ Will.

To His Children – Thomas Landreth, George William, Frederick, and Charlotte Sophia

• His Business and License of Retailer of Spirituous Liquors

To Emily and Elsey Steele, Nieces, (Daughters of George and Mary (née Smith) Steele)

• Three acres of land of Morne Jaloux Estate, in the parish of Saint George

To James Smith, Jr, Nephew, at the time, 1855 in Tobago

• Seven acres of land of Morne Jaloux Estate, in the parish of Saint George to be chosen by his Father, that is, gg-grandfather James Smith, also James Smith, Jr.
• This has to be James Edwin Smith, son of my gg-grandfather James Smith, Jr. The question that I now have was gg-grandfather James, Jr.’s and ggg-grandfather James’ complete name “James Edwin Smith”?

To Rosa Collier, Sister-in-Law, (Sister of his wife Mary Jane (née Collier) Smith)

• Sixteen acres of land situated above Mardigras in the parish of Saint George

To Thomas Grant, Friend

• Two acres of land on the said Morne Jaloux Estate in the line of Cocoa Nuts commonly called _____ near the pond or the boundary of Charles Court Estate

To Charlotte Sophia Smith, Daughter

• Joint possession of his Business and License of Retailer of Spirituous Liquors
• Bedstead, Clothes Press, and all possessed Jewelry
• The rest, remainder and residue of his Estate, real or personal

To Thomas Landreth Smith, Son

• Joint possession of his Business and License of Retailer of Spirituous Liquors
• His Watch and Gold Chain
• The rest, remainder and residue of his Estate, real or personal

To George William Smith, Son

• Joint possession of his Business and License of Retailer of Spirituous Liquors
• His Fowling Piece, (a gun)
• The rest, remainder and residue of his Estate, real or personal

To Frederick Smith, Son

• Joint possession of his Business and License of Retailer of Spirituous Liquors
• His Sword
• The rest, remainder and residue of his Estate, real or personal

To James Smith, Brother

• His Horse, Saddle and Bridle
• All wearing Apparel

To George Steele, Brother-in-Law, on behalf of Mary (née Smith) Steele, Sister

• Three acres of land of Morne Jaloux Estate, in the parish of Saint George

To James Romney, Friend

• One acre of land of Morne Jaloux Estate, in the parish of Saint George

To Henry Garraway, Son of his friend Henry Garraway

• Three acres of land

Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional information, family tales, and documentation that I may add to the ever-increasing library of our Family Tree.

Today I'll be working on the re-installation of The Master Genealogist v7 software. Also I will be beginning a database in MS Access 2010 to record those FHL microfilms that I have reviewed to date.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 349s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Indenture Research – 1854 Thomas Smith - LWT

Afternoon,

Last night I may have found a possible clue that could provide a smidgen of hope in the search and research for the origins, ancestry, and genealogy of ggg-grandfather James Smith.

The next Document appears to be the Last Will and Testament of gg-granduncle Thomas Smith. This Document is located in the Grenada Registers of Records 1837-1881 (v.Z2-G3) as found on the microfilm FHL [1563330]. The LWT is dated 30 December 1854; sealed, signed, and delivered 1 May 1855; and entered to the Registers 14 August 1855.

Within the body of gg-granduncle Thomas Smith’s Last Will and Testament there is a specific distribution that made my eyes and my head start. Specifically it is point number 3 – “I devise to my Nephew James Smith Jr. at present in the Island of Tobago Seven Acres of the Land of the said Morne Jaloux Estate to be chosen by his Father immediately or within twelve months after my decease on the outskirts of the lands of the said Morne Jaloux Estate.”

For what I understand if the “Nephew James Smith Jr.” who is referred to in gg-granduncle Thomas’ LWT, may possibly be the James Smith, Jr. who may have been the son of gg-granduncle Thomas’ brother, my gg-grandfather James Smith. It is also possible that this James Smith, Jr., gg-granduncle Thomas’ Nephew, may have been James Edwin Smith, my great-granduncle. This is the only other James to James relationship that I am aware of, apart from the ggg-grandfather James and gg-grandfather James, Jr. father/son relationship. In other words the descendancy was ggg-grandfather James Smith -- gg-grandfather James Smith, Jr. -- great-granduncle James Edwin Smith. My great-grandfather was William James Smith, brother of great-granduncle James Edwin Smith.

And now here’s the rub. GG-granduncle Thomas’ LWT refers to his “Nephew James Smith Jr.” If this is great-granduncle James Edwin Smith and if he is a “Junior” would it not make sense that he would have had the same name as his father, gg-grandfather James Smith? And then, would it not make sense that gg-grandfather James’ middle name was Edwin? Could gg-grandfather James have been James Edwin Smith as well, with a son named James Edwin Smith, Jr.?

But gg-grandfather James was also known as James Smith, Junior. Therefore, is it possible that ggg-grandfather James may have been James Edwin Junior? Therefore a more complete pedigree may, and I repeat may, look like – great-granduncle James Edwin Smith, Jr. -- gg-grandfather James Edwin Smith, Jr. -- ggg-grandfather James Edwin Smith. And to further add to the thought process, gg-granduncle Thomas only mentions one of his brothers, James Smith in his Last Will and Testament. He also mentions his sisters, gg-grandaunt Mary (née Smith) Steele and gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour. He does not mention his two other brothers, gg-granduncle George Smith and gg-granduncle Henry Smith. All six siblings: George, Sophia, Mary, James, Thomas, and Henry are mentioned in his father, ggg-grandfather James Smith’s 1842 Last Will and Testament. See my Postings Part 61s and Part 347s.

Here are the images of Pages 318 and 319 as downloaded from the microfilm.

My transcription –

(318)

A

Entered 14th of August 1855

This is the Last Will and Testament of me Thomas
Smith of the town of Saint George in the Island of Grenada Spirit Dealer
1. Whereas I have for some time past carried on the business of a Retailer
of Spirituous Liquors in the said Town of Saint George and Island aforesaid
And Whereas I am desirous that the said business shall be carried on after
my decease for the benefit of my children I do therefore hereby give and bequeath
my said business of Retailer of Spirituous Liquors and all my interest therein
and all my stock and effects now or hereafter to be employed therein and
all my stock and effects now or hereafter during the period for which I
now hold a License for the same rents the Trustees and Executors hereinafter
named their Executors Administrators and Assigns. 2. I devise to my two
nieces Emily and Elsey Steele Three acres of Land of Morne Jaloux Estate in the
parish of Saint George of which I stand seized. 3. I devise to my Nephew
James Smith Jr. at present in the Island of Tobago Seven Acres of the Land of the
said Morne Jaloux Estate to be chosen by his Father immediately or within
twelve months after my decease on the outskirts of the lands of the said
Morne Jaloux Estate. 4. I devise Sixteen Acres of Land of which I am seized
situate above Mardigras in the parish of Saint George to my Sister in Law
Rosa Collier. 5. I devise to my friend Thomas Grant Two Acres of land on
the said Morne Jaloux Estate in the line of Cocoa Nuts commonly called
_____ near the pond or the boundary of Charles Court Estate. 6. I give
and bequeath unto my Trustees and Executors hereinafter named the
Bedstead and Clothes Press at present in my Bedroom and all Jewellery I am
possessed of at my decease for the benefit of my infant daughter Charlotte
Sophia. 7. I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Landreth my Watch
and Gold Chain. 8. I give and bequeath unto my son George William
my Fowling Piece. 9. I give and bequeath unto my son Frederick my Sword.
I give devise and bequeath unto my Brother James Smith my Horse
Saddle & Bridal and all my wearing Apparel. I give devise and be
queath all the rest remainder and residue of my Estate Real or personal
whatsoever or wheresoever situate or processed unto my said Trustees and
Executors for the benefit of my children namely Thomas Landreth, George
William, Frederick and Charlotte Sophia upon their respectively attaining
the age of Twenty-One years or if or daughter upon her Marriage which ever
shall first happen and to the survivor or survivors of them who shall have
attained the said Age or Majority after my decease. I hereby nominate
my Sister In Law Rosa Collier Guardian of my Children during their
respective minority and as my dying request I trust that she will kindly
undertake the charge and burthen? which I have _____ thrown upon her
I hereby appoint my Sister Mrs. Sophia Ventour now all of the Island of Tobago
and Henry Garraway Esquire of the town of Saint George and Island
of Grenada aforesaid Trustees and Executors under this my Last Will
and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills Testaments or Testamentary
writings whatsoever done by me. In Witness whereof I have here unto set
my hand this thirtieth day of December One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-four.

Thos. Smith

Signed by the above named Thomas Smith the Testator as and for his Last
Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time and

at

(319)

At his request in his presence and in the presence of each other _____
subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto The word "present" between the fourth
& fifth line and the words "who at his request" between the fifth and sixth
lines of this attestation having been previously inserted.

B

Codicil to the foregoing Last Will and Testament of me Thomas
Smith of the Island of Grenada made this first day of March in the year
1855. I give and bequeath to George Steele in trust for Mary the Wife of the
said George Steele Three Acres of land on Morne Jaloux Estate also One Acre
of the said land to James Romney as a mark of esteem and a small recom
pense for his services and also Three Acres of land to Henry son of my
friend Henry Garraway.

Thomas Smith (L S)

Sealed Signed and delivered in the presence of us this first day of March
1855.

Felix Prudhomme James Logan

I will follow up with my notes of the distribution of property and personal effects as written in gg-granduncle Thomas’ LWT in my next Posting. Part 350s.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 348s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Indenture Research – 1854 Susanna Smith – LWT

Morning,

In my search for the origins, genealogy, and ancestry of my ggg-grandfather James Smith I figure I would have to also research documents and indentures beyond the year of his passing circa 1843. I also discovered that I do not have any Smith related Indentures of the microfilm FHL [1563330] for Item 3. My files jump from Item 2 to Item 4. This means that I will have to re-order the microfilm just to make sure that I did not miss something.

Anyway the first Document from Item 4 of the microfilm FHL [1563330] of the Grenada Registers of Records is a Last Will and Testament of one Susanna Smith of St. George, Grenada. It is a very short Document and there are no leads as to any relationship or familial connection to ggg-grandfather James. The witnesses are Robert Steele and Daniel Smith, but at present I do not have any immediate connecting proof of relationship.

Here are the two images of Pages 250 and 251.

My transcription –

(250)

Exd

Entered 12th December 1854

This is the Last Will and Testament of me
Susanna Smith of the town of St. George in the Island of Grenada I hereby Will
and bequeath of my real property in the parish of St. David Two Acres of land unto
Isabella Ellis and unto Mrs. Mary Bontan? of the same parish One Acre of the said
lands And of my personal property Twenty pounds to be divided between my Sister
Jane Marichand three Eldest daughters in the Island of Portorico and twenty
pounds to be reserved to defray my funeral expenses should there be any residue
after my Internment it is my request that the same be divided between Mrs. Mary
Bontan and Isabella Ellis. Of my household effect I give unto the Eldest daugh
ter of Mr Charles Wells two Silver Tablespoons and two silver teaspoons to
Jane Ellis I give One Silver tablespoon and One silver teaspoon and a Commode?
to Isabella Ellis I give Three Silver Table spoons and three silver Tes spoons One
Table and two chairs and my Mattresses my wearing apparell and all other Ar
ticles I may possess at my death I hereby nominate and appoint Mr. Charles

Wells

(251)

Wells of the town of St George and Mrs. Mary Bontan? of the parish of St. David
to be my Executor and Executrix hereby revoking all other Testamentary writtings.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this Seventeenth day of July one
thousand eight hundred and fifty four

Susanna Smith my X mark

Signed and acknowledged by the said Testator by affirming her mark or cross thereunto
as her will in the presence of us at the same time who at the request in her
presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses

Robert Steele D Smith

Codicil

To Mrs. Mary Bontan I give my Clothes Press a small mahogany table
and two chairs omitted above.

Robert Steele D Smith

Grenada }
In Ordinary}

In the Estate of Susanna Smith deceased

Robert Steele of the town of Saint George in Grenada 

Gentleman maketh Oath and saith the he was present together with Daniel Smith
in the seventeenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and fifty four and
did see Susanna Smith sign (by making her mark or cross) the paper writing
within written purporting to be her Last Will and Testament and that at the
request of the said Testator this deponent and the said Daniel Smith did then and
there subscribe their names as witnesses to the said Will in the presence of the said
Susanna Smith and in the presence of each other being all present together at the
same time And this deponent further saith that the mark or cross set at the
foot of the said Will is the proper mark or cross of the said Susanna Smith And
that the names “Robert Steele” and “D Smith” subscribed to the attestation at the
foot of the said Will as those of Witnesses to the execution thereof by the said Susanna
Smith are of the respective proper handwritings of this deponent and the said Daniel
Smith And this deponent further saith that at the time the said Testator so executed
her said Will she was to the best of this deponents Judgment and belief of sound
and disposing mind memory and understanding.

Robert Steele

Sworn by the deponent Robert Steele this seventh day of December 1854 before me

Robt W Heate – O

Not the spelling of "the Island of Portorico" in the above Will. The Spanish is Porto Rico or Portorico, and in English, Puerto Rico.

Stay tune for the next Indenture. It is another Last Will and Testament and should prove somewhat interesting.

Also check out our new quilt creation, Nöel Diptych, at Quilts SB.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 347s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Indenture Research – 1842 James Smith – LWT – Distribution

Morning,

Just back from my roller-blading. I’m up to 4 ½ miles every other day. Not doing too bad for a border-line elder-codger. (No pun intended to any branch of my Family Tree.) My next target is 6 miles every other day.

Last night’s supper was a quick throw together paella with chicken, shrimp, pepperoni and risotto rice. Onion, garlic, red pepper, cumin, turmeric and salt… and of course olive oil and chicken broth. All on the stove top. Not bad with olives on the side.

The next Document of my Transcription Project in the search for the genealogy, origin and ancestry of my ggg-grandfather James Smith is the last Smith-related Indenture of Item 2 of the FHL microfilm [1563330]. The microfilm is a copy of the Grenada Registers of Records available through the Family History Library at Salt Lake City.

This Document is the Last Will and Testament of ggg-grandfather James Smith. It was signed by ggg-grandfather James 9 December 1842, sworn to 15 February 1843 and entered to the Registers 21 February 1843.

I have previously worked, transcribed and presented ggg-grandfather James’ LWT in Part 61s. This Posting is an updated transcription of the LWT and I decided that I would attempt to further examine and try to understand the distribution of ggg-grandfather James’ possessions and effects to his family and friends.

I am providing images of the pages 502 through and including 505 followed by my updated transcription. Following that are my notes of the distributions accorded from the Will.

Here is my updated transcription.

(502)

Xd

Entered 21st February 1843

In the name of God Amen I James Smith of Good
Hope in the parish of Saint George in the Island of Grenada Esquire being
of sound mind memory and understanding but mindful of the uncertainty of
human life do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form
following that is to say I desire that all my past debts and funeral and testa
mentary expenses may be paid as soon after my decease as made be convenient by
my Executors hereinafter named and I hereby direct that that the fund out of
which the same shall be paid shall (if sufficient) be any sums due to me from
any debtors, as well as any sums of money which shall be at my Credit in the
Books of the West India Bank in this Island at the time of my decease I give
devise and bequeath unto my dear wife Mary Ann Smith All that my Estate
of Good Hope aforesaid situate in the said parish of Saint George with all the
furniture Plate Linen China and other household goods which may be in the
same at the time of my death together with all Cattle Mules and other live
Stock attached to the said Estate or which may be thereon at the time of my
death Also all that my freehold messuage or tenement situate in the town
of Saint George in the said Island of Grenada in the Market Square and now
in the tenure or occupation of Thomas McEwen. To hold the same to
her and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life Subject
to the payment of the sum of Five pounds annually to Mary Smith

the

(503)

The reputed daughter of my son George Smith for and during the term of
her natural life, and the further sum of Eight pounds annually to each of
my daughters Sophia Ventour and Mary Steele during their natural lives
and after the decease of the said Mary Ann Smith I give devise and
bequeath unto my said Son James Smith and to his heirs and assigns
for ever All that my said Estate called Good Hope subject to the annuity
of Five pounds bequeathed to Mary Smith, also one half of my furniture
Plate Linen China and other Household Goods and one half of my Cattle
Mules and other live stock attached to the said Estate of Good Hope and I
give devise and bequeath unto my said Son Thomas Smith and to his heirs and
assigns for ever All that my House and lot in the Market Square at
present in the tenure or occupation of Thomas McEwen subject to the several
annuities of Eight pounds each bequeathed to my daughters Sophia Ventour
and Mary Steele and the other half of my furniture Plate Linen China and
other household Goods and Cattle Mules and other live Stock attached to
the said Good Hope Estate I give devise and bequeath unto my said Son Thomas
Smith his heirs and assigns for ever All that my freehold messuage and
tenement situate in Young Street in the town of St. George with the Shop thereunto
attached and now in the occupation of George Rutherford and John Gibbs. I give
devise and bequeath to my said son James Smith his heirs and assigns
all that freehold Messuage or tenement situate in Scott Street said
town of St. George together with the lot piece or parcel of land now used as a
work Shop with all other than the out buildings there to attached and which were
purchased by me from the late James Bain together with all the Lumber
Tools and other implements of Trade which are now on the same Subject
nevertheless to the annuity and Legacies hereinafter mentioned viz. To my Son
Henry Smith a clear yearly sum of Forty pounds to be paid to the said
Henry Smith quarterly during his life. To my God Sons Robert Guthrie,
James Steele son of Richard Steele Esquire of Green Hill, to James Steele
son of George Steele of the said town of Saint George and to my God
daughters Frances McEwen the wife of Thomas McEwen Esqr and Mary
Ann Smith daughter of the late Frank Smith the sum of Six pounds
each. I give devise and bequeath unto my said Son Thomas Smith All
that my Estate called Charlotte Vale situate in the parish of Saint David
in the said Island of Grenada with the buildings thereon erected and all
and singular the appurtenances thereto belonging. I give devise and bequeath
to Benjamin Ventour James Smith and Alexander Bain their heirs and
assigns All that my other Freehold messuage or tenement situate in Scott
Street aforesaid formerly occupied as the Colony Hospital Upon Trust to pay out of
the rents thereof the sum of Twenty pounds to my son George Smith and to
pay to my Sister Betsy La Grenade the sum of Sixteen pounds annually

during

(504)

During the term of her natural life and the like sum of Sixteen pounds
annually to my son Thomas Smith during the term of his natural life
and upon further Trust that after payment of the said Annuities my said
Trustees Benjamin Ventour James Smith and Alexander Bain whom I also
nominate constitute and appoint Executors of this my last Will and Testament
do employee any rest residue or remainder of the rents to be received from the said
House in keeping the same in repairs or in the improvement thereof at the
discretion of my said Trustees. And from and after the decease of my said
Son Thomas Smith and my Sister Betsy La Grenade I give devise and bequeath
the said Messuage or Tenement loft piece or parcel of land unto the Children of
my daughter Mary Steele by her present Marriage as shall be living at the
time of either of the above events happening their heirs and assigns equally share
and share alike as tenants in common and not as joint tenants. I give
devise and bequeath to my Grand daughter Madelaine Ventour One half of the
Shares which I possess in the Capital Stock of the West India Bank and
the remaining half thereof I give and bequeath to Louis La Grenade Esqre I give
and bequeath to Benjamin Ventour my Gold Watch Chain and Seals. I give
and bequeath unto my friend Alexander Couper his choice of one of my
Milch Cows at Good Hope. I give and bequeath unto Alexander Bain the
Clothes Press which I have in the Town of Saint George and my Copy of the
Encyclopedia Britannica contained in Twenty Volumes. And I do hereby revoke
all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare
this to be my last Will and testament. In Witness whereof I the said Testator
James Smith have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and
Seal this Ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and forty two.

Js Smith (L S)

Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator as and for his
last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his
request and in the presence of each other have here unto subscribed our names
as Witnesses.

J A St. Bernard John Ls A St. Bernard James St. Bernard

Grenada

Before His Excellency Charles Joseph Doyle Colonel in Her

Majesty’s Army Lieutenant Governor and Commander

in Chief in and over the Island of Grenada and its

Dependencies Chancellor and Ordinary of the same.

Personally appeared John Alexander St. Bernard of the Parish
of Saint George in the Island of Grenada Planter who being duly
Sworn made Oath that he was present together with John Louis
Alexander St. Bernard and James St. Bernard and did see James

Smith

(505)

Smith the Testator within named duly signed seal execute and deliver the
within written Will and at the same time did hear the said Testator publish
and declare the same as and for his last Will and Testament and that
the name or signature "Js Smith" set and subscribed opposite the seal
at foot of the said Will is of the proper handwriting of the said Testator James
Smith And this deponent further saith that in testimony of such due execution
thereof as aforesaid they this deponent and the said John Louis Alexander St.
Bernard and James St. Bernard did at the request of the said Testator in his
presence and in the presence of each other severally subscribe their names as
witnesses thereto and that the names or signatures "J. A. St. Bernard" "John
Ls. A. St. Bernard" and "James St. Bernard" set and subscribed to the attestation
written at foot of the said Will are of the respective proper handwriting of this
deponent and the said John Louis Alexander St. Bernard and James St. Bernard
And lastly this deponent saith that at the time the said Testator so signed
sealed published and declared the said within written Will as and for his
last Will and Testament as after said he was to the best of this to deponent's
Judgment and belief of sound mind memory and understanding.

J. A. St. Bernard

Sworn to before me this Fifteenth day of February 1843

C. J. Doyle Ordy.

Here are my notes of the distribution of ggg-grandfather James Smith’s Last Will and Testament.

Definitions -

• Messuage - In law, a dwelling house and its adjacent buildings and the adjacent land used by the household.
• Tenement - A dwelling house with the surrounding land.

To Mary Ann Smith, Wife

• Estate of Good Hope, parish of Saint George with attached
• All Furniture Plate Linen China and other household goods
• All Cattle Mules and other live Stock
• All freehold messuage or tenement situated at Market Square in the town of Saint George, at the time occupied by Thomas McEwen
• All subject to the £5.0.0 annuity to granddaughter Mary Smith

To Mary Smith, Reputed Daughter of Son George Smith

• £5.0.0 Annually for her natural life

To Sophia (née Smith) Ventour, Daughter

• £8.0.0 Annually for her natural life

To Mary (née Smith) Steele, Daughter

• £8.0.0 Annually for her natural life

To James Smith, Son, after the death of Mary Ann Smith, Executor of the Will

• Good Hope Estate, parish of Saint George with attached
• One-half Furniture Plate Linen China and other household goods
• One-half Cattle Mules and other live Stock
• All subject to the £5.0.0 annuity to Granddaughter (his niece) Mary Smith
• All freehold messuage or tenement with the Work Shop and all other buildings situated at Scott Street in the town of Saint George
• All Lumber Tools and other implements of Trade
• All subject to the £8.0.0 annuities to Daughters, (his sisters) Sophia (née Smith) Ventour and Mary (née Smith) Steele and to the £5.0.0 annuity to Granddaughter (his niece) Mary Smith
• All other freehold messuage or tenement situated at Scott Street formerly occupied by the Colony Hospital of which the rents have to give annually £20.0.0 to Son (his brother) George Smith and to give annually £16.0.0 to his Sister (his aunt) Betsy (née Smith) La Grenada, to give annually £20.0.0 to Son (his brother) Thomas Smith

To Thomas Smith, Son after the death of Mary Ann Smith

• The House and Lot in Market Square, at the time occupied by Thomas McEwen
• Other half Furniture Plate Linen China and other household goods attached to Good Hope Estate
• One-half Cattle Mules and other live Stock attached to Good Hope Estate
• All freehold messuage or tenement with the attached Shop situated at Young Street in the town of Saint George, at the time occupied by George Rutherford and John Gibbs
• Charlotte Vale Estate, parish of Saint David
• All buildings and appurtenances belonging to Charlotte Vale Estate

To Henry Smith, Son

• £40.0.0 Annually paid quarterly during his life

To Robert Guthrie, Godson

• £6.0.0

To James Steele, Godson (possibly grandson), son of George (and possibly daughter Mary (née Smith) Steele

• £6.0.0

To James Steele, Godson, son of James Steele

• £6.0.0

To Frances McEwen, Goddaughter, wife of Thomas McEwen

• £6.0.0

To Mary Ann Smith, Goddaughter, daughter of Frank Smith

• £6.0.0

To Benjamin Ventour, Son-in-Law, husband of his daughter Sophia (née Smith) Ventour, Executor of the Will

• All other freehold messuage or tenement situated at Scott Street formerly occupied by the Colony Hospital of which the rents have to give annually £20.0.0 to Son George Smith and to give annually £16.0.0 to his Sister Betsy (née Smith) La Grenada, to give annually £20.0.0 to Son Thomas Smith
• His Gold Watch Chain and Seals

To Alexander Bain, Executor of the Will

• All other freehold messuage or tenement situated at Scott Street formerly occupied by the Colony Hospital of which the rents have to give annually £20.0.0 to Son George Smith and to give annually £16.0.0 to his Sister (his aunt) Betsy La Grenade, to give annually £20.0.0 to Son Thomas Smith
• The Clothes Press
• His copy of Encyclopedia Britannica in Twenty Volumes

To Children of Mary (née Smith) Steele and George Steele, Grandchildren

• In the event of the passing of his Son (their uncle) Thomas Smith and of his Sister (their grandaunt) Betsy (née Smith) La Grenade, to share equally that which had been allocated to their uncle Thomas Smith and grandaunt Betsy (née Smith) La Grenade

To Madelaine Ventour, Granddaughter, daughter of Sophia (née Smith) and Benjamin Ventour

• One half of the Shares of the balance of the Capital Stock owned of the West India Bank

To Louis La Grenade, (I am guessing his brother-in-law and husband of his sister Betsy (née Smith) La Grenade

• One half of the Shares of the balance of the Capital Stock owned of the West India Bank

To Alexander Couper, Friend

• A choice of one of his Milch Cows from the Good Hope Estate

Now on to Item 3.

And after the upgrade to my PC, I need to reinstall both my Legacy 7.4 and The Master Genealogist 7.04 programs.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 332s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Smith Indenture Study Matrix Update

Good Morning Again,

Yes here it is, a newly updated Smith Indenture Study Matrix for the microfilm FHL [1563380].

If you are new to reading A Genealogy Hunt, the purpose of the Matrix is to present a visual and consolidated summary of those Postings of transcriptions of Records associated with specific Smiths. This Matrix presents cross-references, by Part number to the associated Postings of the microfilm which is a copy of the Grenada Registers of Records, 1825-1834 (v. H5-O5).

To view the Matrix, click on the image and increase the viewing aspect per your viewing software or application. Please note that I have not segregated the Posting numbers by unique individuals only by unique names, as encountered in each Record.

I have only listed the singular Smith names. In other words, there may be more than one individual with the same name, for example, James Smith. I have only recorded those names as single entries if and only if there is a unique prefix or suffix added to the name. For example, James Smith and James Smith, Junior each are represented on separate, single lines of the Matrix. The listed Smith may or may not be the same individual but the transcribed Record(s) may not have any clues or hints as to that fact.

In order to see a specific Part, please enter the Part number, e.g. Part 289s, into the “Search This Blog” box. You can also see a copy of this Matrix by clicking the Analyses tab at the top of the page under the header and choosing the corresponding title on the pull-down menu.

I'm using SmartDraw to create the Matrix and hopefully, sometime soon, I hope to provide immediate links to relevant Posting as indicated within the Matrix .

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Jim

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Part 331s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Indenture Research – 1833 Smith, Steele, and Ventour

Morning,

I’ve finally finished the last Smith-related transcription of Item 6 of the microfilm FHL [1563380]. This is an entry to the Grenada Registers of Records 1825-1834 (v.H5-O5).

As previously mentioned in my search for the origins and ancestry of my ggg-grandfather James Smith I am transcribing all and any of the Records entered to the Grenada Registers that may have some reference to the surname Smith. GGG-grandfather James passed away in 1842 so I am trying to limit the range of this search to approximately a 60-year period. It is an arduous task and one hell of a lot of years and a lot of Documents. I am just hoping to find some hint or clue which may relate to the surname Smith and directly or indirectly to ggg-grandfather James.

The subject Record in this Posting references ggg-grandparents James and Mary Ann/e (née Doret) Smith; their daughter, gg-grandaunt Mary (née Smith Steele); and two of their sons-in-law, Benjamin Ventour and George Steele. There is also a distinct possibility that the final entered signature of the Document, Richard Steele, Assistant Justice could be that of gg-granduncle George Steele’s father. (Please note that none of the signatures or seals entered in the Registers is an original but of copies by the Clerk/Scribe who may have transcribed it from the original document.) The other persons included in the Record, from my immediate knowledge, who are not a part of my Smith family are gg-granduncle Benjamin Ventour’s partner Ambrose Hayling, Rosette Overton, John Reynaert, Js Bruce, and Gavin Smith.

This Record, written 21 June 1833 and entered to the Grenada Registers of Records 7 October 1833, appears to involve the same transfer and/or purchase of property in the Town of Saint George as previously discussed. It also seems to be the workings and development of a Trust. See my previous Postings; Parts 329s, and 330s.

Here are the images of Pages 523 through and including 526.

And this is my transcription.

(523)

Examined

Entered 7th October 1833

This Indenture made the twenty first day of June in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Between Ben
jamin Ventour and Ambrose Hayling of the parish of Saint George
in the island of Grenada Esquires of the first part James Smith of the
parish and island aforesaid Esquire of the second part George Steele of the
town of Saint George in the island aforesaid Gentleman and Mary Steele his
wife of the third part Whereas a marriages has been lately hand and solemnized
between the said George Steele and Mary Steele lately Mary Smith daughter
of the said James Smith And whereas by indentures of lease and release
bearing date the lease the day and before and the release even date with these
presents and made or expressed to be made between the said James Smith and
Mary Anne Smith his wife of the one part and the said Benjamin Ventour and
Ambrose Hayling of the other part in consideration of the said marriage the
said James Smith and Mary Anne Smith his wife granted limitted bargained
sold aliened and released unto the said Benjamin Ventour and Ambrose Hayling
and their heirs All that lot piece or parcel of land with the meʃsuage and tenements
thereon erected and built situate lying and being in the Bay in the town of
Saint George in the said Island of Grenada abutted and bounded in the manner
following that is to say to the westward fifty one feet by a certain Street called
Melville Street To the Southward thirty feet by a certain Street called Granby
Street To the eastward by a lot of land and tenements belonging to Rosette Overton
and to the Northward by lands of Gavin Smith of the said island Surveyor or
howsoever the same is abutted bounded known or described and all ways paths
paʃsages watercourses sewers yards profits commodities advantages emoluments
and hereditaments whatsoever to the same premises or any part thereof belonging

or 

(524)

Or in any wise appertaining or therewith at any time before held and occupied
poʃseʃsed and enjoyed accepted reputed deemed and taken or known as part or
parcel or member thereof or of any part thereof and all and every the improve
ments houses offices buildings and tenements now erecting and to be erected thereon
the said James Smith thereby engaging and binding himself to complete and
finish the same at his own proper charge and costs To Hold the same with the
appurtenances unto the said Benjamin Ventour and Ambrose Hayling their
heirs and aʃsigns Nevertheleʃs to the uses upon the trusts and for the intents
and purposes and under and subject to the provisoes declarations stipulations
and agreements therein referred to and hereinafter contained Now this In
denture witnesseth and the said Benjamin Ventour and Ambrose Hayling
_____ hereby for themselves severally and respectively and for their several and
respective heirs executors and administrators admit acknowledge and declare that
the names of them the said Benjamin Ventour and Ambrose Hayling were
made are of in the such recited indentures of lease and release, as trustees only
in the manner hereinafter mentioned, and do hereby for themselves severally
and respectively and for their respective heirs executors and administrators wholly
and utterly renounce and disclaim all and all manner of beneficial or other
estate right title interest claim and demand whatsoever as well legal as equi
table in to upon or repsecting the said lot piece or parcel of land and premises
by the said recited indentures of lease and release granted and released on other
was? aʃsured unto them their heirs and aʃsigns as therein mentioned except only
and otherwise than in trust in the manner hereinafter mentioned that to
say In trust for the said George Steels and his aʃsigns for and during the term
of his natural live without impeachment of or for any manner of waster other than
in (_____ and _____ or permiʃsive waste, and from and immediately after the
determination of the said estate by forfeiture or otherwise in his life time To the use
of the said Benjamin Ventour and Ambrose Hayling and their heirs during the
natural life of the said George Steele) In trust to _____ the contingent uses
and estates hereinafter limited from being defeated or destroyed and for that
purpose to being? actions or make entries as occasion may require but nevertheleʃs
to permit and suffer the said George Steele and his aʃsigns to receive and take
the rents issues and profits thereof to and for his and their own use and benefit
and from and immediately after the decease of the said George Steel To the
use of the said Mary Steele his wife and her aʃsigns for and during the term
of her natural life without impeachment of or for any manner of waste other
than willful and malicious or permiʃsive waste and from? and immediately
after the determination of that estate by forfeiture or other reversion her lifetime _____
to the use of the said Benjamin Ventour and Ambrose Hayling and their heirs
during the natural life of the said Mary Steele In trust to presence? the contin
gent uses and estates hereinafter limited from being defeated and _____ and
for that purpose to bring notions or make entries as reason may require, but

nevertheleʃs

(525)

Nevertheleʃs to permit and suffer the said Mary Steele and her aʃsigns
to receive and take the rents issues and profits thereof to and for her and their
own use and benefit And from and immediately after the decease of the survi
vor of them the said George Steele and Mary Steele his wife To the use and
behoof of all and every the Child and children whether male or female or both
of the said George Steele by the said Mary Steele to be begotten to be equally
divided between and amongst them if more than one share and share alike
as tenants in common and nor as joint tenants and of the several and respective
heirs of the bodies of all and every such child and children respectively iʃsuing
And if there shall be but one child then to the use of such only child and the
heirs of his or her body And in case there shall be more than one such child
and there shall be a failure of lawful iʃsue of the body or bodies of any such child
or children then as to the original part and share or parts and shares of such
child or children where iʃsue shall so fail also as to such other or occurring
part and share or parts and shares as by virtue of this present clause shall
have become vested in or accrued unto the same child or children or his her
or their iʃsue To the use of the other or others of the said child or children so
remaining or surviving child or children equally to be divided between such
remaining or surviving children if more than one share and share alike as
tenants in common and not as joint tenants and if there shall be but one such
remaining or surviving child Then to the use of such one only remaining or sur
viving child and the heirs of his or her body and in default of such issue To the
use of the said James Smith his heirs and aʃsigns for ever Provided always and it
is hereby agreed and declared that in case the trustees before names or either of them
or any succeeding or other trustees or trustee to be substituted in the place or stead of
them or either of them shall happen to die or be desirous to be discharge from or iʃsue?
or become incapable to act in the trust hereinbefore expreʃsed declared and contained
before the same trusts shall have been fully preformed or discharged then and so
often as the same shall so happen it shall and may be lawful for the said George
Stell and Mary Steel his wife sand the said James Smith during their joint
lives and after the decease of any or either of them then to and for the survivors or
survivor of them during their his or her life or lives, and after the decease of the
survivor of them then to and for the surviving or continuing trustee for the time
being by any deed or writing under their his or her hands and seals or hand and seal
to nominate substitute and appoint any other person or persons to be a trustee or
trustees in the place or stead of such trustees or trustee so dying or desirous to be
discharged from or refusing or becoming incapable to act as aforesaid and when
and as often as any new trustee or trustees shall be nominated and appointed
as aforesaid all the rust premises the trustees or trustee of which shall so die
desire to be discharged from or refuse or become incapable to act as aforesaid shall
be thereupon with all convenient speed conveyed transferred aʃsigned and aʃsured

respectively

(526)

Respectively in such sort and manner and so that the same
shall and may be legally and effectually vested in the newly appointed trustees
or trustee jointly with such of the former trustees as shall be willing and capable
to act and in case there shall be no continuing former trustee then in such
newly appointed trustee or trustees only upon the several trusts and to and
for the several intents and purposes hereinbefore created expreʃsed and continued
of an concerning the same and that every such new trustee shall and may
in all things and in all respects act and assist in the management carrying
on and execution of the trusts to which he or they shall be so appointed as fully
and effectually and with the same power and powers authority and authorities
as if such new trustee or trustees had been originally by the said indentures of
lease and release and by these presents nominated and appointed as the trustees
of the same trust premises or otherwise as if such original trustees had been
living and continuing to act under or in execution of the trusts hereby and here
inbefore mentioned declared and contained In witness whereof the said parties
to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year firstly
herein written

Benjm Ventour (LS) George Steele (LS) Jas Smith (LS)

A Hayling (LS) Mary Steele (LS)

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of

John Reynaert Js Bruce

John Reynaert of the town of Saint George in the island of Grenada
maketh oath and saith that he was present and saw the within named
Benjamin Ventour, Ambrose Hayling, James Smith, George Steele and Mary
Steele his wife respectively duly execute, and as and for their several and respective
act and deed deliver the within written indenture, and that the names subscribed
thereof as partied executing the same are of the respective proper handwriting
of the said Benjamin Ventour, Ambrose Hayling James Smith George
Steele and Mary Steele

John Reynaert

Sworn before me in the town of Saint George Grenada this 21st day of June 1833.

Richard Steele

Aʃsistant Justice

And now on to Item 7 of the microfilm.

Enjoy,

Jim

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