Testament (Jamaica)

Moses Cohen DeLara, Jamaica Is.

In the name of God, Amen.

I Moses Cohen DeLara of the parish of Kingston in the Island of Jamaica aforesaid Merchant being sick in Body but of Sound memory and understanding and calling to mind the Uncertainty of this transitory life do hereby make and declare this my Last Will and Testament in manner hereinafter particularly mentioned.

First being sorry for my sins most humbly craving forgiveness for them & Recommending my soul to almighty God and my Body to the heart decently to be Interred at Discretion of my Executrix hereinafter named and as to my [?] Estate I give and dispose of the same as follows to wit

Imprimis I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah Cohen DeLara all and singular My Estate Both real and personally whatsoever wheresoever and of what soever which I shall be possessed of a [illegible word] at the time of any decease for and during her natural Life

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Rebecca Cohen DeLara spinster the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds current money and my negro woman named Grace and her future increase to be paid and delivered to her on the day of her marriage or immediately after my said wifes death and no more for reason that I have given my said daughter four negroes to sell Negro Sam Mary and Christia as a record of Tollment in the parish of Kingston aforesaid and which I do hereby confirm with the aforesaid sum of money and Negro together to her, her heirs and assigns for ever.

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my other daughters Esther Cohen DeLara Judith Cohen DeLara and Sarah Cohen DeLara Spinsters the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds current money each to be paid to each of them on their respective days of marriage or immediately after my said wifes death and in case of the death of either of my said Daughters before such time and without heirs of their Body her or their part of them so dying I give devise and bequeath to the survivors or survivor of them to be equally divided.

Item I do hereby subject and make liable all my Estate Both real and personal for the payment of my debts and the said legacies so bequeathed to my said daughters and I do hereby authorize and impower my Executrix hereinafter named to sell and dispose of all my Estate Both real and personal or any part thereto that she shall think proper for the payment of my debts and said daughters legacies except the said negro woman Grace and her future increase which I have bequeathed to my said daughter Rebecca.

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved son Abraham Cohen DeLara her heirs and assigns for ever all that piece or parcell of Land and premisses which is bequeathed to me by the late Joseph Abenatha deceased situate in the parish of Saint Johns in the Island of Jamaica aforesaid also the debt due to me from the Estate of the said Joseph Abenatha.

Item I give devise and bequeath the rest residue and remainder of my Estate both real and personal whatsoever wheresoever and of what sort soever after my said wifes death unto my said Beloved son Abraham Cohen DeLara and my beloved son David Cohen DeLara and their heirs lawfully begotten and in case of the death of either of my said sons without such issue I give devise and bequeath his part so dying to the Survivor of them and his heirs lawfully begotten and in case of the decease of Both of my said sons without such issue then I give devise and bequeath their parts to and among all my said daughters and their heirs equally to be divided.

Item in case of the death of my said wife / who I do hereby nominate and appoint Executrix to this my last will and Testament / before she hath paid my debts and said daughters their respective legacies / I appoint my said son Abraham Cohen DeLara Executor to this my Last will and Testament from and immediately after my said Wifes Death and do hereby authorize and I empower him the said Abraham Cohen DeLara in such case to sell and dispose of all my Estate Both real and personal or what part thereof he shall think proper for the payment of my said debts and said daughters legacies or of such of them that be not at that time paid.

Item it is my will and pleasure that my said Daughters and son David or such of them that are not married at the time of my wifes death shall continue to live with their Brother Abraham Cohen DeLara and be maintained out of the Interest of their legacy until their respective days of Marriage.

Item I do hereby acquitt and discharge Rachell Abenatha of and from all / Moses Cohen DeLara / and all manner of Claim and demand for her [illegible word] Lodging or maintenance for the time she hath dwelleth with me and for the time that she may after my decease dwell with my wife And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said beloved wife Sarah Cohen DeLara sole Executrix to this my last will and Testament during her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I do hereby appoint my said son Abraham Cohen DeLara Sole Executor in her stead and place.

And Lastly I do hereby revoke and disanull and make void all other Wills and Testaments heretofore by and made or cause to be made either by word or writing and this and no other to be taken for my Last will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the eighteenth day of October in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and forty eight.

Moses Cohen De Lara

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the Testator to be his last will and Testament In the presence of us who by his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto. Note the words of said son David were first interlined within between the fourth and fifth lines from the bottom.

David Cohen DeLara. Joseph Cohen DeLara. Jacob Laguna.

Memorandum this 19th January 1748 Personally came and appeared before me Jacob Laguna and made oath on the five Books of Moses that he was present and did see Moses Cohen DeLara the Testator within and above mentioned being then of sound mind and memory sign seal publish and declare the within and above written Instrument to be his last will and Testament and that at the same time David Cohen DeLara & Joseph Cohen DeLara were also present and together with him subscribed their names as witnesses to the same in the presence of the said Testator.

And Further that he knows nothing of any will since made by the said Testator which may tend to the disadvantage of the Will within and above written

Edw Trelawny