Elizabeth Freeman Ripley

Profile & Legacies Summary

No Dates

Biography

Owner of the Hermitage in St Andrew, Jamaica, according to her will. It's possible also that she managed the estate on behalf of her reputed children and that the Hermitage had previously belonged to her children's father Ebenezer Edie.

"Elizabeth Frances Freeman Ripley, Cleopatra Freeman Ripley, Susannah Freeman Ripley, Ann Freeman Ripley, Mary Freeman Ripley, Elizabeth Freeman Ripley reputed daughters of John Ripley by Emma Freeman, a free negro woman and Henry Freeman Ripley the reputed son of the late John Ripley and William Gibson the reputed son of James Gibson of the parish of Kingston pastry cook by the said Cleopatra Freeman Ripley" were granted some of the rights of white people in an Act of Assembly, 12/08/1766.

John Ripley, the son of Elizabeth Freeman, a free mulatto woman, by Ebenezer Eddie, was born 04/07/1786 and baptised 08/01/1787 in Kingston, Jamaica.

Frances, the daughter of Elizabeth Freeman Ripley, a free quadroon woman, by Ebenezer Eddie, was born 29/08/1787 and baptised 11/05/1788 in Kingston, Jamaica.

Thomas, Ebenezer, Alexander and Ann, the children of [blank] Ripley, a mulatto woman, by Ebenezer Edie, were baptised in Kingston 24/07/1802. There are two dates of birth given for the four children so it's not clear to whom they apply: 14/06/1789 and 22/11/1791.

Elizabeth died at some point between 1826 and 1829. Her executors were Thomas Edie, Alexander Edie and Ann Edie.

The will of Elizabeth Freeman Ripley of Kingston, Jamaica, was proved in London 03/09/1831. She bequeathed her plantation called Tower Hill to her daughters Frances Ripley Edie and Ann Edie. Hermitage was left to her four children in equal parts: Frances Ripley Edie, Ann Edie, Thomas Edie and Alexander Edie.

Sources

CO139/22 (86) transcribed at http://www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Samples/acts.htm.

Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online]; PROB 11/1790/375.

We are grateful to Jim Brennan for his assistance with compiling this entry.

Further Information

Children

[With Ebenezer Edie] John Edie (1786-), Frances Ripley Edie (1787-), Thomas, Ebenezer, Alexander, Ann

Will

PROB 11/1790/375 - precis.

Elizabeth Freeman Ripley of Kingston, Jamaica, a free person of colour.

To my daughter Frances Ripley Edie my house in Orange Street, Kingston, for life, and after her death the same to her children James Hammond, Elizabeth Hammond and Frances Groom as tenants in common. After her death my executors to take possession of the house and receive the rents to be applied towards the maintenance, education and support of James Hammond, Elizabeth Hammond and Frances Groom during their minorities. Each one at the age of 21 years to receive his or her proportion thereof.

Also to Frances Ripley Edie my three slaves named Sylvia (daughter of my negro named Kitty), Rebecca (daughter of my negro named Margaret) and Charles Edie for life, and after her death the same to my grandchildren James Hammond, Elizabeth Hammond and Frances Groom.

To my daughter Ann Edie the house in which I now reside in King Street and also my four slaves named Robert Edie, Caroline Edie, Patience Edie and Charles Stable.

Also to Ann Edie my horse and chaise, household furniture, plate, china, bed and table linen.

To my son Alexander Edie my slaves named Thomas (the son of my negro woman named Jane) and Peregrine Pickle (the son of my negro woman named Kitty).

To my son Thomas Edie the house he now resides in in Gutters Lane, also my negro woman slave named Charlotte and her son named Alexander.

To my daughters Frances Ripley Edie and Ann Edie my plantation called Tower Hill in St Andrew with 10 of my negro or other slaves for the purpose of cultivating and carrying on the said plantation, such 10 negroes to be chosen by my daughters out of the remainder of my slaves as tenants in common.

To my sons Thomas Edie and Alexander Edie one full moiety of my plantation called Hermitage in St Andrew and also one full moiety of of the slaves (subject to the 10 slaves to be selected by my daughters). One half of the remaining moity (being equal to one fourth part of the whole) to my daughter Frances Ripley Edie for life, and after her death to her children James Hammond, Elizabeth Hammond and Frances Groom as tenants in common. The remaining fourth part to my daughter Ann Edie.

And whereas I am entitled to the sum of £3,000 reduced annuities funded by Ebenezer Edie, formerly of this island Esquire but now deceased in my own name or in my behalf but subject to the life interest of two of the sisters of Ebenezer Edie. All such sums of money as may be funded in the reduced annuity fund in Great Britain or in any other funds to my children Frances Ripley Edie, Ann Edie, Thomas Edie and Alexander Edie share and share alike.

All rest and residue to my four children as joint tenants.

Edward Cowell of Kingston, merchant, Joseph Gordon of St Andrew, Esquire, my sons Thomas Edie and Alexander Edie and my daughters Frances Ripley Edie and Ann Edie to be my executors.

Signed 01/09/1827.

Proved at London 03/09/1831 by the oaths of Thomas Edie, Alexander Edie and Ann Edie spinster.

Associated Estates (9)

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