Charles Nathaniel Bayly

PROB 11/2185 - precis.

Charles Nathaniel Bayly of Hampton Court Palace, Middlesex.

Whereas I made a settlement at the time of my marriage for the provisions whereof I appropriated two of my estates called Tryall and Brimmer Hall in Jamaica. By this settlement a jointure of £4000 a year was to be paid to my widow and a sum of £20,000 to be raised for the portion of younger children. To this settlement (now I fear rendered little better than a dead letter) I refer my executors. The reduced state of West India property occasioned in the first place by the abolition of slavery and in the next by the admission of foreign slae grown sugar into British use has not only greatly impoverished me during the latter part of my life but has left me little or nothing to leave to my family from an income varying from 4 to £8000 so great have been the losses on the estates since 1838 (the year of Emancipation) that I am now reduced to an income of £300 a year out of which I am obliged to provide for my oldest son and other charges which diminish it to 220, and even this I owe to the liberality and I may say charity of my merchant. To my merhant Samuel Baker Esquire of Fenchurch Street London a considerable debt is due the dosposable property that I may have been possessed of is assigned over to him and most heartily do I hope (but greatly fear) that eventually he may be no sufferer by the friendship kindness and liberality he has always shown me.

And whereas I may possess many effects in my apartments in Hampton Court Palace. All these to my wife for her life. The portrait of my daughter Augusta by Hurlstone to my son-in-law John Davidson.

After the death of my wife, my effects to be distributed as follows:

the furniture, pictures, framed drawings and prints, objects of use and ornament, clocks, bronzes, china and glass together with all things appertaining to the kitchen pantry (excepting plate), larder and offices and all other effects saving those specifically devised to be sold. From the money arising my executors to reveice £100 to enable them to pay small debts and funeral expenses. Afterwards to pay to Samuel Baker Esquire (according to agreement) £300. My plate (of which there is but a small quantity left) I will to be divided in equal shares between my two sons William and Charles. My books and wine I also will to be sold on decease of my wife. Of my books each of my children together with my two grandchildren Duncan and Sophia Davidson selecting such as may be of or about the value of £5 as small memorials of me, Georgiana taking first choice, Augusta second, William third, Charles fourth, Duncan fifth and Sophia sixth.

The picture of Duncan and Sophia Davidson by Hurlstone I bequeath to John and Augusta Davidson.

The picture of Lady Sarah by Shee to my eldest son with a stipulation that after his death it may be sent as a present to Lord Jersey to be placed among the family portraits at Middleton Park.

To my two daughters I bequeath the pictures and miniatures being in the drawing room between the fire place and the window, Georgiana taking the first choice, Augsuta second and so on.

To my daughter Georgiana to whom I have already given my large green book letttered drawings by Rowlandson I leave my box of pebbles and the black and white marble clock which usually stands in the drawing room, as well as half the urnsir[?] books (the other half to her sister Augusta).

To my son-in-law John Davidson I bequeath the french clock which usually stands in my dressing room and to my daughter Augusta the screen which usually stands in the large bedroom.

Samuel Baker and my two sons William Villiers and Charles Villiers Bayly to be executors.

Signed 18/06/1850.

Proved at London 16/02/1854 by Samuel Baker.