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accessed 14 Apr 2017), see page 23
Last Will and Testament
James William Gittens wrote and signed his last will and testament (Archive record RB4 vol. 67 page 257) on January 15th 1835. After giving praises to God for his life and for what material possessions he had been able to accumulate, he declared:
"I, James William Gittens, shoemaker of St. Philip, in perfect health of mind, body and memory"… then he went on to give instructions as to how his possessions should be disposed of. He wrote…
"Firstly, I give to my beloved wife Anna Maria, after paying my debts and funeral expenses, her living at my place called Pilgrim Lodge while she remain single for her life and, at her death to be kept by my sons Frederick Edward and William James, who I name as my sole executors".
"Secondly I leave my shoe buckles and my knee buckles to be divided between my sons, my watch to my son Joshua Daniel. My Bay Place to be kept as my master The Hon. Joshua Gittens left by deed as an asylum for my children not to be liable to any debt that any of them may contract but to be kept as a bay house for my family so long as any of them exist".
"Thirdly and lastly, if it pleases God that I should leave any money I give and bequeath to my sister's children five pounds to buy mourning---(rings?).
My place called "Pilgrim Lodge" to be kept by my sons Frederick Edward and William James of St. John after the death of their mother as a residence for any of their sisters destitute of a home"
The Will was witnessed by John William Gay and Mary F. Gittens who subsequently presented the document to James Dak Hollinside, on 29th June 1836 for the assent and signature the Governor General of the island. |
