John Greenland

Described as of Goudhurst and Jamaica at the marriage of his daughter Sarah to William Spurden in 1816.

1. Will of John Greenland of the parish of St Mary county of Middlesex Jamaica, made in 1837 and proved 20/02/1839. In the will he left £1000 in trust for his 'natural daughter' Sarah Spurden the widow of William Spurden deceased 'formerly of London and at present residing in or near London', to pay her £100 p.a, and after her death if there was anything left it was to go to John Greenland's grandchild Leopold Charles Spurden, then in Jamaica. He also left £200 Jamaican currency directly to Leopold Charles Spurden. Greenland's estate after these legacies (including Salt Gut and another holding called Speculation) went to the children of his brother George Greenland of Peasmarsh in Sussex who had died in 1835. In an undated codicil Greenland said that because Jamaica was so impoverished his executors there would not be able to raise the £1000 left in trust for Sarah Spurden without damaging his estate, so he asked them instead to send what they could, still aiming to provide her £100 p.a.

William Spurden of Clerkenwell Middx merchant bachelor & Sarah Greenland of Goudhurst spinster, married at Goudhurst Kent 5th May 1816, John Greenland of Goudhurst and Jamaica by bond. Canterbury Marriage Licences, 1810-1837, p. 65, Canterbury Diocese.

1. PROB 11/1906/376.

We are grateful to Russ Anthony Spurdens for his help with this entry.