Samuel Barrett Moulton Barrett MP

Samuel Barrett Moulton Barrett, MP for Richmond Yorkshire 1820-1827, brother of Edward Barrett Moulton Barrett, uncle of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, died Jamaica 1837. Claimed as owner and tenant-in-tail but compensation was finally awarded to family and trustees in 1843 for St Ann No. 632. (See also Jamaica, St James claim no. 666 for similar award on Cinnamon Hill.)

1. His entry in the History of Parliament reads in part: 'The dilemma of being a slave-owning Whig never weighed lightly with him, and he reformed the regime under which his estates were run. He abolished the whip, appointed a negro overseer, built decent houses, schools and churches for his 1,100 slaves, and encouraged Nonconformist missions. As a result, his property survived almost intact during the uprisings of 1831-2.8 Throughout his life he maintained a close relationship with his niece Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the poet. He died at Cinnamon Hill in December 1837. He left his house at Montego Bay and an annuity to his wife and the remainder of his Jamaican and English estates to his brother. Limited probate was granted on his estate in England, which was sworn under £9,000.10 After his death his friend Peter Duncan wrote that he was ‘a gentleman of great intelligence and liberality, and also a true friend to the religious instruction of the slaves’.'

2. The will of Samuel Barrett Moulton Barrett of St James, Jamaica, was proved in 1838.

T71/873 St James claim no. 666; T71/857 St Ann claim no. 632; http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/member/moulton-barrett-samuel-1787-1837; Jamaican family search - Barrett family, [accessed 12/08/2012].

1. http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/member/moulton-barrett-samuel-1787-1837 [accessed 15/03/2018].

2. PROB 11/1893/146.

We are grateful to Peter Selley for his assistance with compiling this entry.