Reynold Alleyne of the parish of St. Andrew, Barbados. To daughter Elizabeth Forster wife of George Forster Esq. Negro women Frances. To daughter Isabella Gibbes wife of Joseph Gibbes 2 negro girls. To dau Christian Gibbes wife of John Gibbes, negro woman. To dau Ruth Alleyne when 21 years old or at marriage 2,000 pounds and 50 pounds more to buy her a horse and saddle. Also a negro woman. To son Reynold Alleyne at age 21 4,000 pounds and negrowoman and her children. To son Thomas Alleyne at age of 21 years 4,000 pounds and negro woman and her children.
Son Reynold Alleyne to be paid 40 pounds every three months for his maintenance and accommodation in dwelling house. Also accommodation for his horse and negros. "My own horse and best saddle to be delivered to him immediateley after my decease." Son Thomas Alleyne to be educated in England until he attain the age of 21 yrs. "I leave it to the discretion of his guardians to have him bound to a merchant, attorney-at-law or bred at the university" to be paid for by the estate.
"I will and appoint that my daughter Ruth Alleyne be rendered the care and discretion of my Mother Elizabeth Gay and do appoint that she be allowed out of my who estate 175 pounds p. annum current money of this Island to be paid Quarterly into the hands of my said Mother, which is for maintenance and accommodation of her negroes which is to continue until her legacy aforesaid becomes due, not doubting but if that is more than will bring her up handsomely, My Mother will preserve it to be an addition to her fortune. If my said Mother should dye before she attain the age of 21 or day of marriage, then I desire my Daughter Alleyne (my son John's wife) to take the trouble of bringing up my said daughter Ruth and I charge my son John Alleyne that he supply my place to her." To each grandchild 50 pounds. To brother Samuel Osborne gold headed cane. Mother Elizabeth Alleyne 50 pounds. All sons and son-in-law, daughters and daughters-in-law 25 pounds for mourning. The same to brothers and sisters and nephew Timothy Alleyne and his wife. Guardians of the children: Brothers Benjamin and Samuel Osbourne. Sons John and Abel Alleyne. All residue of estate to son John Alleyne. Son John Alleyne sole executor and charge him to be particularly careful of his brothers and sisters and to be a father to them all as well as a brother. Signed Reynold Alleyne.
Witnesses: John Wilde. Thomas Scott. John Harrison.
Proved 16 Nov. 1722. (Barbados Records Vol 6 p 486.)
To the Honourable the President,
Sir,
I need not take any pains to convince Your Honour how great a misfortune it is to live
in a constant ill state of health. The inconveniency is so great even in my private
affairs, that I find myself under a necessity of banishing all thoughts of acting
in any publick Post whatever; I am very well assr'd I should never be able to discharge
my Duty to my Country with the least Pleasure or satisfaction to my self, since I can
have no hopes of exerting my self with that Vigour and application, which is so
indispensably necessary to every man, who values his own Reputation, or has the interest
of his COuntry at heart.
I think my selfe under a great many obligations for the Honour designed me, and tho' with the greatest reluctancy, yet I must beg leave to be excused from obeying Your Commands, and am Your Honour's
Most obedient Humble servant,
REYNOLD ALLEYNE
Four Hills,
December ye 12th, 1721.
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