James Greenfield

14th Jul 1783 - 6th Aug 1857


Biography

Partner in the predecessor firm of Atkinson Hozier, which with the Earls of Balcarres contracted to provide 'pioneers' (enslaved people in support roles) to the military in Jamaica. He was shown as an absentee in 1826.

  1. James, son of James Greenfield, merchant, and Margaret Home his spouse, of New Greyfriars, was born 14/07/1783 and baptised 26/07/1783 in Edinburgh.

  2. Jane Anna, daughter of Thomasina Greeman "a free quadroon" by James Greenfield was baptised in Kingston 24/11/1811 aged about 2 years. Agnes Greenfield, daughter of Elizabeth Stranchie, "free mulatto", by James Greenfield, was born 11/11/1814 and baptised 11/05/1815 in Kingston, Jamaica. James, son of Elizabeth Welcome Strahan by James Greenfield Esquire, born 19/11/1818 and baptised 09/05/1821 in Kingston on the same day as his younger sister Mary (born 12/11/1820). Barbara, "coloured", daughter of James Greenfield and Elizabeth Strachn (not married) of East Street, was born 08/05/1825 and baptised 16/06/1826 in Kingston.

  3. In 1841, James Greenfield, age 57, was living at Claremont Street, Edinburgh, of independent means, with his daughter Agnes age 25 and son Hume age 13, Margaret Montgomery age 34, Janet Webster age 3, and three female servants. In 1851 he was living at 9 East Claremont Street, age 67, "House proprietor and fund holder" with his niece Margaret H. Montgomery and two female servants. According to later censuses, Hume was born in Brompton, London c. 1828, although no record of his baptism has been found. Margaret Home Montgomery, daughter of George Montgomery, confectioner, and Agnes Greenfield his spouse, was born 12/02/1807 and baptised 03/02/1808; one of the witnesses was Mr James Greenfield.

  4. James Greenfield, "formerly a merchant West Indies" died 06/08/1857 at 9 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh, age 74 years. His parents were James Greenfield, merchant, and Margaret nee Hume. The informant was his son Hume Greenfield, a merchant.


Sources

  1. GROS OPR Births 685/1 370 198 Edinburgh.

  2. Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online].

  3. 1841 and 1851 censuses online; 1861 census for Hume Greenfield at 1 Abbotts Road, Hampstead; GROS OPR Births 685/1 410 36 Edinburgh.

  4. GROS Deaths 1857 685/6 186.

We are grateful to Gill Gellalty for her assistance with compiling this entry.


Further Information

Absentee?
Transatlantic
Will

SC70/4/53, Edinburgh Sheriff Court Wills - precis.

James Greenfield of East Claremont Street, Edinburgh.

My son Hume Greenfield residing with me and my niece Margaret Home Montgomery also residing there to be my executors.

All my moveable or personal estate whether consisting of railway debentures, bonds or mortgages, british or foreign public securities, moneys in bankers hands, bonds, bills or promisary notes, household furniture, plate, linens, books, wines or other chattels, goods or debts to my executors for the following purposes.

First, payment of deathbed and funeral expenses and just and lawful debts and the expenses incurred by the executors.

Secondly, an annuity of £150 to Margaret Home Montgomery for life, the sum necessary for the purpose to be invested in such manner and the annuity to be payable at such terms as she shall require and direct.

Thirdly payment of such legacies and bequests as I from time to time may leave or bequeath to any person or persons.

Fourthly, all rest and residue of my personal estate to Hume Greenfield. Should he predecease me or die within 6 months of my death then the bequest to him and the annuity to Margaret Home Montgomery to be revoked. In this case my estate to Margaret Home Montgomery, Mrs Eliza Sorley (wife of Rev. Alexander Sorley or Arbroath), Mrs Agnes Goodchap (wife of William Goodchap of London, accountant), Mrs Mary Sage (wife of William Sage of London, chemist) and James Greenfield of London, accountant, or the survivors of them equally share and share alike.

Signed 27/06/1850.

Occupation
Merchant

Associated Estates (14)

The dates listed below have different categories as denoted by the letters in the brackets following each date. Here is a key to explain those letter codes:

  • SD - Association Start Date
  • SY - Association Start Year
  • EA - Earliest Known Association
  • ED - Association End Date
  • EY - Association End Year
  • LA - Latest Known Association
1817 [EA] - 1820 [LA] → Attorney
1817 [EA] - → Attorney
1817 [EA] - → Attorney
1817 [EA] - 1823 [LA] → Attorney
1817 [EA] - → Agent
1817 [EA] - → Attorney
20/02/1818 [SD] - → Mortgage Holder
1817 [EA] - → Attorney
1820 [EA] - → Attorney
1817 [EA] - → Attorney
20/01/1818 [SD] - → Mortgage Holder
1817 [EA] - → Agent
1817 [EA] - 1829 [LA] → Joint owner
1829 [EA] - → Joint owner

Legacies Summary

Commercial (1)

Partner
Atkinson, Hozier & Co.
West India merchant  
 
notes →
Partner in the predecessor firm of Atkinson Hozier and in that capacity joint-owner of 'pioneers', enslaved people contracted to the military and government in Jamaica ...

Addresses (1)

9 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian (Edinburgh), Central Scotland, Scotland