Elizabeth Martin

Elizabeth Martin who inherited The Deanery and Long Bay, Jamaica, from John Scott. Likely identification as Elizabeth Scott, born in Greenock c.1775, wife of Daniel Martin, a merchant in Greenock, who died 28/04/1828.

1. Elizabeth Martin's son John Martin of Greenock, Scotland, wrote to the Compensation Commission 31/10/1834: 'A relative who resided in Kingston Jamaica died last spring and by will (not a trust will) bequeathed my mother, two sisters and myself Land etc in that island and about 140 negroes.' John Martin and another, in Jamaica, are the executors. 'I was immediately informed by gentlemen of the highest respectability that the property had fallen into the hands of one who had gone through his own property and was in all probability not the most likely to take proper care of a stranger's ... I therefore sent out my brother-in-law' with full powers, but not recognised in Jamaica, 'the other executor [Charles Ross of Kingston? letter of 28/05/1835 and T71/852] will not give up the property'. 'I have said, all I wish is to secure to the females any residue of the compensation.'

2. Daniel Martin, merchant, died at Greenock on 28th April 1828 age 58; Catherine, youngest daughter of the late Daniel Martin, merchant in Greenock, married Alexander Anderson, merchant in Greenock, on 3rd August 1830; Elizabeth Scott, widow of Daniel Martin, merchant at Bank Top, Greenock, died on 17th February 1852 age 77. This gives Elizabeth Martin née Scott's date of birth c. 1775.

3. Elizabeth Martin, age 65, of independent means, living with her son-in-law Alexander Anderson and his family in Regent Street, Greenock in the census of 1841. Elizabeth Martin, age 76, annuitant, living with Alexander Anderson and family at Mount Park, Carmichael's Land, Greenock, in the census of 1851. She does not appear in the census of 1861 nor is her death recorded in the statutory records for Scotland (beginning in 1855) so she most likely died between the census of 1851 and the beginning of civil registration on 01/01/1855.

4. Marriage of Daniel Martin Distiller and Eliz Scott at Greenock 16/12/1795. Children of Elizabeth Scott and Daniel Martin: Peter Martin (born 31/10/1796); Elizabeth Martin (baptised 31/12/1797); David Martin (baptised 14/07/1799); John Martin (died 29/07/1855 aged 54); Catherine Martin (died  12/02/1861 age 58).

T71/852 St Catherine claim no. 688.

1. T71/1606

2. Births, marriage and deaths in Greenock Advertiser 09/05/1828; Greenock Advertiser 10/08/1830; Greenock Advertiser 20/02/1852.

3. 1841 census online; 1851 census online.

4. Marriage of Daniel Martin and Elizabeth Scott, General Register Office for Scotland, OPR 1795 564/03 040 240; birth of Peter Martin reference, General Register Office for Scotland OPR 564/03 020 504; baptisms of Elizabeth and David Martin IGI batch no C119573; death of John Martin, General Register Office for Scotland 1855 564/03 460; death of Catherine Martin, General Register Office for Scotland 1861 564/03 090.