William Mitchell Kerr

Son of Sarah Newton Jarrett and David Kerr, nephew of John Jarrett (1746-1809) and Herbert Newton Jarrett III (d. 1829), and brother-in-law of John Baillie (q.v.). Joint owner with brother Herbert Newton Jarrett Kerr (q.v.) (given as H.N.Kerr in the compensation records) of Spring Garden, which was inherited through their mother's family.

1. Born 24/12/1789; English education sponsored by his uncle John Jarrett; in 1806 placed by his other uncle Herbert Newton Jarrett III at Orange Valley to learn the planter's business. Acted for the Langlands family of Bogardo (owners of Roseberry coffee estate in St Elizabeth). Retired to Britain in 1836 when aged 46; married Eleanor Aynsworth of an Irish family in 1837. In 1845 living at Kerfield House in Peebles, later moving to Terlings Park Hertfordshire. At 27 Green Park, Walcot, Bath, in the census of 1851, age 60.

2. Will of William Mitchell Kerr, formerly of Terlings Park Gilston Harlow Hertfordshire but late of 13 Baker Street Portman Square who died 13/05/1862 proved 30/05/1862 by Eleanor the relict and William James Kerr of Terlings Park, effects under £25,000, resworn Stamp Office December 1862 £12,000. Buried at Kensal Green Cemetery 17/05/1862 age 73; burial record gives his address as 9 Westbourne Park, Paddington.

T71/873 St James claim no. 47 for Spring Garden; T71/870 St Elizabeth No. 186 for Roseberry, which confirms the details below.

1. www.orange-tree-valley.co.uk [accessed 30/06/2011]. Much of the information on this site is apparently drawn from two works by William Mitchell Kerr's son William James Kerr, The Genealogical Tree of the Family of Jarrett of Orange Valley, Jamaica, and Camerton Court, Co. Somerset (Privately printed, 1900) and History of the Name and Lineage of the Family of Kerr (Privately printed, c. 1900). 1851 census online.

2. National Probate Calendar 1862. Ancestry.com, London, England, Deaths and Burials, 1813-1980 [database online].