WHITAKER (John, probably of Limpsfield, Surrey)

Interesting Holograph Will written on setting out for Buenos Aires, "waiting ... untill the Ship ... the Symmetry of Scarborough Captain Smith ... has taken in her Cargo", and travelling with his wife Maria Henrietta, and daughters Anna Maria Whitaker and Henrietta Graeme Whitaker, he mentions the 1820 will of his wife's brother Robert Burt, Planter and Merchant of Dominica, so that her portion can be claimed when realised, he is going out at a salary of 100 guineas a year as Superintendent of "certain works about to commence", he names his employers in the City of London, his executors are his wife, his uncle William Whitaker, watchmaker of Camberwell, and the famous Dr George Birkbeck, founder of Birkbeck College, London, (who handled many people's finances, especially if less well-off or in difficulty), he leaves all to his wife, and "to her generosity" the care of "2 Natural Children I had born to me by our Servant Hannah Ridley", now under the care of "Mrs White ... Kentish Town", should his wife and daughters die without issue, the natural children and uncle divide the property, lastly he leaves £20 to the Overseers of the Parish of Limpsfield, the interest to be given "to the Wifes of 10 Labouring Men having more than two Children ... after Divine Service on Every Christmas Day for Ever ... selected by the Church Warden and the Parish Clerk - I trust Nothing to Parsons", Whitaker notes on the back where to find Burt's will, 4 sides foolscap, Port of Leith, Scotland, 16th May



Item Date:  1825

Stock No:  19109      £75

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire