Jamaica - Tracing Illegitimate Children

[Martin109]

My Gx3 Granddad (1761-1839) was a plantation owner in Jamaica between about 1782 and 1815, when he returned to Scotland.  In his will, he states:

... my said lawful children John Sawers and Robert Sawers shall make payment as soon after my death as possible to John Alexander Sawers a free brown man my reputed or natural son residing in the parish of Hanover in the Island of Jamaica and his heirs and assignees whomsoever the sum of one hundred and fifty Pounds Sterling money which I hereby leave and bequeath to him as a legacy

... I also direct and appoint them to make payment as soon after my death as possible or at any time or in such instalments as they may think proper to Robert Sawers a free Quadroon boy my reputed or natural son who formerly resided with me at Viewfield in the neighbourhood of Stirling and presently a Seaman the sum of one hundred Pounds Sterling which I hereby leave and bequeath to him as a legacy

I would like to find out more about these sons, and also about their mothers, wives and subsequent children.

I have so far used Jamaican Family Search, and found John Alexander having taken over his father's plantation after the latter returned to Scotland in 1815.

How would you go about finding out more?

[Emjaybee]

It was a custom to have a liason with ones plantations slaves.

Are there any plantation owners and slave lists on line.

[Martin109]

Thanks.

I assume the term 'free brown man' would be synonymous with the term 'mulatto'.

[jorose]

https://www.familysearch.org/
Has a marriage in 1825 for a John Alexander Sawers to Jane Petgrave in Hanover, and some children for them.

[Redroger]

Yes, it is apparent from a will I am transcribing for another Rootschatter that there were many liasions between the owners and the slave women. A few hundred miles to the north and west, but in the same historic period i have read that every time George Washington had a row with his wife, he visited the slaves' quarters that night! Many black Americans do seem to carry the surname Washington. A DNA test might be instructive if possible.

[Martin109]

https://www.familysearch.org/
Has a marriage in 1825 for a John Alexander Sawers to Jane Petgrave in Hanover, and some children for them.

Thank you for that!  I was aware of the marriage and some of the children from other sources, but I'm glad to have found some more precise dates.

[Dottie14]

Martin,

I'm a descendant of one of John Alexander's sons, Ezekiel (who migrated to Australia.   I believe we have a contact in common - Janice, who is my grandmother's cousin and Janice forwarded to me the copy of the Will of which you speak about.  I believe you are a descendant of John Sawers Snr. who returned to Scotland, married and had another 'legitimate' family.

I have gone as far back as James Sawers also, and have recently paid a Jamaican genealogist (Dianne Frankson-Golding who appeared on WDYTYA - Ainsley Harriot Series 5.) to research John Alexander and Jane Petgrave's maternal ancestors' origins.  Unfortunately this genealogist was only too happy to take USD$400 but not provide useful information.  We are now back to square one and I have found another genealogist who I think will be credible and who will be able to assist with tracing John Alexander's mother and Jane Petgrave's family.  I have DOB/Parish etc. so all the information is available to begin the search.

I can send you the information I have thus far if you are interested.

I live in Australia.

[Martin109]

Hi Dottie14!

Thanks very much for replying.

Yes, I was in contact with Janice some years ago and I'm so glad she forwarded the copy of the will to you.

I'll PM you later today with some more information.  It's noon in the UK at the moment, so I'll be able to contact you properly after work, which will be in about 6 hours' time.

It's great to be able to make links - there are other links with other parts of the Sawers family in Australia which you may be interested in.

Martin

[Dottie14]

Hi Martin,

It's about 11.00pm here, so I'll check back on first thing Tuesday morning.  I came into contact with Janice on Ancestry.com site last year so through her, I am now aware that John Sawers' son moved to Melbourne and I'm aware of the history of Bowie Sawers as well (thanks to Janice providing pieces of the puzzle).  I look forward to learning more!

Bye.

Traci