Family Bloodlines
OTTO-BAIJER FAMILY BLOODLINE
… BAIJER, b. est 1600 in the Netherlands (?). His portrait is mentioned in his son Bastian BAIJER’s will.
[Children of … BAIJER]:
Bastian BAIJER, bur. 26 Oct 1704 at Dutch Church, Austin Friars, London.
Bastian possessed a considerable fortune which comprised large plantations in Antigua and property in Norfolk, Lincolnshire and London, also personal effects of value. In 1667, “Lieut.-Colonel Bastian Baijer” claimed “500 acres by grant and purchase in St. John's Division, 728 acres in Popeshead, also 140 acres” in Antigua. In 1668, signed the capitulation of Antigua from the French, and himself conducted most of the correspondence and proceedings. In 1668, Bastian had acquired 100 acres in Five Islands Division, Antigua. In 1671, a Member of the Council of Antigua. On 17 Jun 1701, when he made his will, of London. In his will he wished “to be buried in the Dutch Church in Austin Fryars, and a large bleue stone to be placed over my grave with my name thereon”. He bequeathed "2000 lbs. of Muscovado sugar yearly for twelve years to the poor of St. John’s Division, Antigua. 1000 lbs. of sugar yearly for twelve years to the poor of Old North Sound Division". To his coachman John STENNY he bequeathed “£8 ground rent of a tenement in Petty France” and “my coach and two horses”. His nephew John OTTO-BAIJER inherited the principal part of his estate. The will was witnessed by Isaac FIRTH, Daniel GILL, Richard HOE, John MALETEDE and John KITCHING, proved on 26 Oct 1704 and recorded at Antigua on 17 Jun 1705. A codicil dated 17 July 1704, besides other bequests, states: “My father’s and my sister’s pictures below in the parlour I desire may be sent to my nephews in Holland.” The codicil was witnessed by Jasper NOKE, Richard HOE, John KITCHING and Anthony CHESTER.
[The medieval building of the Dutch Church was bombed and destroyed 15-16 Oct 1940, and a new church built at Austin Friars in 1950. The church still possesses detailed archives and is the oldest Dutch-language Protestant church in the world.]
[Antigua came under British control in 1632. The French briefly occupied Antigua from 1666-67, after which Britain reclaimed the island for the Commonwealth.]
Nicholas BAIJER, d. 1678 in Antigua.
On 10 Sep 1672 and 16 Jan 1673, named in deeds in Antigua.
Naha BAIJER, living 1673, b. and d. dates unknown.
On 10 April 1673, received a warrant to audit the treasurer’s accounts in Antigua.
Gertrug BAIJER, b. est. 1635, m. before 1657 John OTTO; d. before 1701.
On 9 Jan 1678 her husband John OTTO, a planter, sold a moiety of 100 acres at Five Islands in Antigua to Robert GARDEN for 3 negroes. On 5 July 1679, John was granted 20 acres by Judge J. WATKINS. On 25 Aug 1679 John sold 100 acres at Five Islands to Robert GARDEN for 10,000 lbs. sugar. On 15 Sep 1679 William WAINWRIGHT, planter, sold 30 men and land to John OTTO.
[Child of Gertrug BAIJER and John OTTO]:
John OTTO-BAIJER, b. ca. 1657, m1. before 1680 Mary (BAIJER?) (bur. 15 Sep 1706 at St. John’s, Antigua), m2. 1706 Anne CARTER (b. ca. 1682, d. 21 Jun 1726, bur. and M.I. at St. John’s Cathedral Churchyard, Antigua); d. 14 Feb 1724, bur. Feb 1724 at St. John’s Cathedral Churchyard, Antigua, M.I. at St. John’s Churchyard.
John was heir to his uncle Bastian BAIJER, whose name he took, calling himself OTTO-BAIJER. In his will dated 17 Jun 1701, Bastian BAIJER bequeathed "to my beloved nephew John Otto Baijer, son of my deceased sister Gertrug Baijer, £1600 in two bonds, one of £600 on lands in Norfolk… the other of £1000 in Lincolnshire… to him and to his son Bastiaen Otto Baijer. Also three pieces of plate - a bason, cure, and trenchard of German work… all my linen and books", and “my plantation of 266 acres in North Sound Division for life, then to his younger sons, Nicolas and Baijer”. His uncle’s will also bequeathed "a £50 diamond ring to my niece the wife of my nephew John Otto Baijer. All my negros now leased to Colonel Rowland Williams to my nephew John. 100 acres left me by the late John Hamlin and 5000 lbs. of sugar each to my nieces the daughters of my nephew John Otto Baijer… All residue to my nephew John Otto Baijer". In 1715, recorded as Captain John OTTO-BAIJER, owner of the plantation called Donovans, formerly Vaughans, in St. George’s Parish, Antigua, where stood a “very substantial windmill” and a walled family graveyard, probably built by the DONOVANS. On 10 Nov 1719, a document that also names his son Baijer OTTO-BAIJER, contests the loss of 25 feet to the boundary of their land at St. John’s which had belonged to the OTTO-BAIJERs since 11 April 1688. On 12 Jan 1720, acknowledged, with consent of his 2nd wife Anne, a lease to Daniel HUNT. When he made is own will on 16 July 1722, besides several other bequests, he left “to my wife Ann my messuage in St. John’s Town… also two other parcels of lands and a house in the tenure of Mrs. Frances Tempest, also a house and 1 acre adjoining Otto’s pasture… and after my wife’s death to my children; also the use of my jewells, plate, household goods, and furniture, then among all my children equally; also my chariott and coach horses, one of my best riding horses and five negros… my Monteth punch bowl to be an heirloom & to go to the possessor of the mansion on the Cooke plantation, also my books. My wife to be Guardian…” and after various gifts to others: “All residue of my personal estate to my wife” and he wished “to be buried in St. John’s churchyard near my former wife & children”. The will was witnessed by James GAMBLE, Philip REYNOLDS and Gilbert GLEMING, and proved on 2 March 1727. At St. John’s Cathedral Churchyard, Antigua, a white marble tomb of John OTTO-BAIJER and his 2nd wife Anne bears the inscriptions: “Here lyes the Body of JOHN OTTO BAYER Esq. of whom it may with truth be said, That he was Just, Sincere, Charitable, Beneficent, & Friendly; In gratitude to whose Memory, ANN his relict Erected this Monument” and “Here lyes also the Body of ANNE OTTO BAYER Relict of the said JOHN OTTO BAYER, Esq. Who dyed in Her Voyage to Engd. And according to Her Earnest desire Her Body was brought back & is here Interred with that of Her said Husband, A true Emblem of their Inseparable Affections. She was A Dutiful obliging Wife, A tender Mother, A Good Neighbour & Mistress & very Charitable to the Poor”.
[“The Communion plate of St. John’s Cathedral includes a handsome, richly chased silver dish, which has in the centre a well-executed representation of the Last Supper in repousse work. It bears the London Hall-mark of 1715-16. Around the edge is the inscription :
‘Donum Domini Johannis Otto Bayer ad Templum Divi Johannis in Antigua’”
(from “The History of the Island of Antigua” Vol. 1 (1894) by Vere Langford Oliver)
“The most famed treasure at St. John’s Cathedral is an Alms Dish from 1715-1716 that measures 18 inches and has been fastened to a painting of the Last Supper. It was gifted to the Cathedral in 1724 by John Otto Baijer.”
(citation: www.stjohnsthedivineantigua.com 2015)
(Also see Appendix 5.)]
[Children of John OTTO-BAIJER and Mary (BAIJER)]:
[Children of John OTTO-BAIJER and Anne CARTER]:
Bastian OTTO-BAIJER, b. ca. 1680, m. 15 Jul 1710 at St. Michael Paternoster, City of London, Gratia COX (daughter of Samuel COX, m2. Benjamin Andrew ATKINSON, d. 1751 at St. Giles, Cripplegate, City of London, bur. 8 Oct 1751 at St. John the Baptist, Hillingdon); d. 4 Mar 1715, M.I. at St. John’s Cathedral Churchyard, Antigua.
Bastian was a Captain of Militia in Antigua. At his marriage on 15 July 1710, of St. Andrew Parish, Undershaft, City of London; Gratia was of St. Mary Parish, Islington. In his will, dated 1 March 1715, he bequeathed “one moiety of my estate to my only daughter Maria Burket OTTO-BAIJER” and “to my dear wife Gratia the other moiety, together with the moiety of 100 acres in St. John’s Division [in Antigua] …”; the will was proved by Gratia OTTO-BAIJER “the widow and relict”, and witnessed by Walter SYDGENTEN, Edwin DEVEREUX and Elizabeth MARGIN. After his death, Gratia also inherited Bastian’s annuity of £100, payable by her brother-in-law Baijer OTTO-BAIJER. At St. John’s Cathedral Churchyard, Antigua, a ledger stone was laid in the pathway from the west entrance gate with the inscription: “In Memory of Capt. BASTIAEN OTTO BAIJER (nephew of the late Honourable Coll. BASTIAEN BAIJER) who departed this Life in the 35th year of his Age, March the 4th 1715. This stone is dedicated by his Mournful Wife GRATIA”. In 1717, the only child of Bastian and Gratia, Maria Burkett OTTO-BAIJER died at North Sound, Antigua. After Bastian’s death, Gratia married Benjamin Andrews ATKINSON. In1744, Gratia and Benjamin were of Bridgewater Square, London. On 6 Jun 1744, Benjamin ATKINSON made an agreement to convey to his creditors property which was inherited from Bastian and owned by Gratia: “a sixth part of a plantation… in Antigua, and the negros and mulatto slaves, cattle, horses, etc, belonging thereto” to be sold “for the best price, and to pay the money among the creditors, as far as it would go towards discharging their debts”; but in compassion for Gratia‘s difficult circumstances, at her request, the creditors agreed to advance £300 and “during the life of Gratia ATKINSON, to divide the clear rents… and to pay the residue to Gratia ATKINSON for her own private, peculiar, and separate use, exclusive of her husband”. In 1748, Gratia and Benjamin were of St. Giles, Cripplegate. On 6 Mar 1748, in an indenture between Benjamin and Gratia and her nephew John OTTO-BAIJER it was agreed that Gratia would continue to receive “£100 sterling a year, in lieu of dower, for life”.
Nicholas OTTO-BAIJER, b. est. 1682; bur. 21 Oct 1716 at St. John’s, Antigua.
Nicholas is named in his great-uncle Bastian BAIJER’s will of 1701: “To my nephew John Otto Baijer my plantation of 266 acres in North Sound Division for life, then to his younger sons, Nicolas and Baijer”. Nicholas pre-deceased his father and therefore is not mentioned in John OTTO-BAIJER’s will of 1722. In an indenture dated 15 Jan 1753 between his nephew John OTTO-BAIJER and others, Nicholas is named posthumously “the second son… Nicholas Otto-Baijer died unmarried in 1718 [sic]”.
Richard OTTO-BAIJER, b. est. 1687; bur. 26 May 1734 at St. John’s, Antigua.
On 25 Feb 1724, in an indenture between Richard and his brother Baijer OTTO-BAIJER, Richard released his share of the Old North Sound plantation to his brother Baijer for life. Another document dated 1 May 1725 makes reference to Richard’s annuity of £60. In 1746, his only child Rebecca Mary OTTO-BAIJER died. An indenture between his nephew John OTTO-BAIJER and others, made on 15 Jan 1753, names "Richard Otto-Baijer, late of Antigua, Gentleman, deceased, being in his lifetime … possessed of an estate tail to him and the heirs male of his body … containing 100 acres in the division and parish of St. John in Antigua… and whereas Richard Otto-Baijer departed this life … without any lawful issue male, but leaving one only child, Rebecca Otto-Baijer", his half-brother Edward now sought to recover possession of the plantation from Ashton WARNER and Robert GREY, who had acquired the land “under pretence of fraudulent circumstances, imposition, lowness and inadequacy of consideration by Ashton Warner, and mistake, weakness of capacity and understanding and drunkenness in Richard Otto-Baijer”.
John OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 1703 at St. John’s, Antigua, m. 30 May 1732 at Temple Church, City of London, Isabella LORD (d. 1768 at Middlesex); d. 21 or 26 Oct 1765 at Hampstead, Middlesex.
His father’s will dated 16 July 1722 bequeathed “to my son John, in case he shall and until he doth intermarry with a sister of the whole or halfe blood of Mr. Richard Oliver of this island, my Five Islands plantation and the moiety of 118 negros there”. A codicil to his father’s will dated 14 Dec 1723 states that “I revoke everything to my son John, & give to my daughter Anna Maria my Five Islands plantation, & in default to my son Edward. To my son John £50 yearly.” (Anna Maria and Edward were half-siblings to John, by his father’s second marriage to Anne CARTER.) His brother Baijer’s will dated 15 May 1736 gives a plantation of 266 acres to his own son Bastian with the proviso of "£105 yearly I am bound to pay to my brother John Otto-Baijer"; and a gift of "£20 for mourning to my brother John Otto-Baijer and a 40s. [shilling] ring". On 3 Apr 1738, at his daughter Anne’s baptism, of Hackney, Middlesex. On 25 Jan 1752, when he made his own will, a gentleman of Hummerton, Hackney, “being in good health of Body and of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding but fully sensible at the same time how sudden and uncertain the dissolution of human Life is and to remove Doubts Differences and Disputes that possibly must arise and happen after my decease”. His entire estate was bequeathed “unto my loving wife Isabella Otto Baijer” who was also appointed sole executrix; the will was witnessed by William BUTTERFIELD, Mark LANE and Ellen KELLEY, all of "Mr. Otto‘s, Hummerton", and Caesar LORD of Crutched Fryars. In 1759, John’s and Isabella’s only child Anne OTTO-BAIJER died at Hackney, Middlesex; written on her tomb at Hackney Churchyard is: "Anne, daughter of John Otto-Baijer, Esq., 1759". In Oct 1765, the Scots Magazine reported John’s death: "21 [Oct]. At Hampstead. Mr John Otto Bayer, one of the tallest men in England, his coffin measuring six feet nine inches"; and on 26 Oct 1765, the Oxford Journal also wrote: “Died. Yesterday, at Hampstead, Mr. John Otto Bayer. His coffin measured six Feet nine Inches”. On 15 Apr 1768 Isabella made her will, which was witnessed by George GREEN and Robert ASKWITH; the will was proved in London on 18 Jul 1768. On 6 May 1771, when John’s will was proved, he was “late of the Parish of Hampstead”, and administration was granted to Jane GILLET, who was Isabella’s sole executrix “having been first sworn duly to administer the said Isabella Otto Baijer … dying before she had taken upon her the Execution thereof [of her husband‘s will]”.
Baijer OTTO-BAIJER, b. est. 1685, m. 7 Nov 1720 Frances OLIVER (daughter of Richard OLIVER, m2. 1739 at St. John’s Antigua, John MURRAY; bur. 22 Jun 1782 at Marylebone, Westminster); d. Dec 1737, bur. 1 Jan 1738 at St. John’s, Antigua.
On 10 Nov 1719, named in a document with his father, John OTTO-BAIJER, which contests the loss of 25 feet to the boundary of their land at St. John’s which had belonged to the OTTO-BAIJERs since 11 April 1688. Baijer is not named in his father’s will of 16 July 1722, but a codicil dated 14 December 1723 contains the following: "My son Baijer being very well provided for, 1s. [shilling] only, & revoke all bequests in reversion to him. To the son of my said son Baijer now born, all the estate which might descend to my right heirs". On 25 Feb 1724, named in an indenture “between Richard Otto-Baijer, Gent., one of the younger sons of John Otto-Baijer, Esq., deceased, …and Baijer Otto-Baijer, another younger son… the only younger sons who were living at the date of Bastian Baijer's will”, wherein Richard released his share of the Old North Sound plantation to his brother Baijer for life. On 1 May 1725 an indenture was made between Baijer and his brother Richard, re Richard OTTO-BAIJER’s £60 annuity. On 21 April 1726, "to prevent disputes Baijer Otto-Baijer for 7s. paid for destroying a joint tenancy and heritorship by Rowland Oliver [and] hath released to him the said plantation of 247 acres in St. George's parish North Sound with all slaves". On 15 May 1736, he made his will, which was recorded at Antigua when Baijer was about to depart for Great Britain. He bequeathed “to my dearly loved wife Frances above her dower 3 negros, all furniture, & live stock”, also specific gifts to his children, brothers and niece, and "all residue to my son John Otto-Baijer". The will named Edward OTTO-BAIJER, Richard OLIVER, Rowland OLIVER and John FRYE executors and guardians, was witnessed by John MANWARING, Joseph CLEMENTS and William WYNE, and was proved on 28 Nov 1738. After Baijer’s death in1737, Frances married John MURRAY in 1739 at St. John’s in Antigua. On 17 Aug 1765, when she made her will, Frances was again widowed; the will was witnessed by Margaret WEBB, Mary Arabella FRENCH and Harry WEBB. On 1 May 1780, when she made a codicil to her will, Frances was of Wimpole St, Middlesex (now London);her will was proved on 3 July 1782 by her daughter Mary OTTO-BAIJER.
[Children of Baijer OTTO-BAIJER and Frances OLIVER]:
Bastian OTTO-BAIJER, b. 1724, m. 29 Oct 1745 St. John’s Antigua, Margaret Nicholls (m2. 4 Jan 1746 St. John’s Antigua, Harry WEBB); bur. 3 Jan 1746 at St. John’s Antigua.
His father’s will, dated 15 May 1736 and proved 28 Nov 1738, bequeathed to Bastian “my North Sound plantation of 266 acres” with the proviso that “should my son Bastian die under 21 & without issue, my North Sound plantation to my son Rowland”. On 17 June 1741, matriculated to New College, Oxford, aged 17. On 31 Dec 1745, two months after his marriage and one month before his death, he made his will which stated simply “All to my wife Margaret”. The will was witnessed by Walter SYDSERFE, Alexander FRASER and John ABBOTT, and recorded at St. John’s, Antigua.
Rowland OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 17 Jan 1726 St. John’s Antigua, m. Elizabeth PARE (b. ca. 1727 in Antigua, daughter of John and Rachel PARE); bur. 30 July 1762 at St. Andrew, Holborn, London.
His father’s will, dated 15 May 1736 and proved 28 Nov 1738, bequeathed “£1000 to my son Rowland OTTO-BAIJER at 21, & £50 yearly till then for maintenance, & 2 negros” and also “should my son Bastian die under 21 & without issue, my North Sound plantation to my son Rowland”. On 24 Nov 1761, when he made his will, Rowland was "late of Antigua, now of New Ormond St, St. Andrew, Holborn". He bequeathed "To my wife Elizabeth plate, linen, coach & £300. To my daughters Frances, Rachel, Mary and Cath. Otto-Baijer, & my son Rowland Otto-Baijer £1000 each at 21, & £50 yearly till then. Whereas my eldest son John Otto-Baijer, of the age of 12 years or thereabouts, labours under an Infirmity & Insanity of mind which may unhappily attend him all his life, I do give him £120 per annum, if he recover to have my plantation called Vaughans in North Sound Division". A codicil dated 11 May 1762 states “My son Rowland shall inherit my plantation called Vaughans in any case”. The will was witnessed by Thomas SOMERS, Richard LIMBREY and Robert TURNER, proved on 12 Oct 1762 by his uncle Edward OTTO-BAIJER and his brother John OTTO-BAIJER, and recorded at Antigua. On 28 May 1762, in an indenture between “Rowland Otto-Baijer, late of Antigua, but now of New Ormond Street, St. Andrew's, Holborn, and Elizabeth his wife”, and his brother John OTTO-BAIJER, it was agreed that “Rowland Otto-Baijer and Elizabeth his wife shall make such an assignment of 2 messuages, 350 acres of land, and 350 acres of pasture, with all appurtenances… in Vaughans in the New North Sound Division and Parish of St. George's, Antigua, and all their lands, tenements, rents, reversions, etc, whatsoever and whosesoever unto John Otto-Baijer and his heirs, etc… in trust…for Rowland OTTO-BAIJER, his heirs, etc… freely discharged from all claim of dower Elizabeth may have therein”. On 4 July 1767, Rowland’s and Elizabeth’s son John, “an imbecile”, was buried in the OLIVER vault under St. Alfege Church, Greenwich. On 11 Jan 1798, an indenture between Rowland’s and Elizabeth’s surviving son Rowland OTTO-BAIJER (b. 29 Sep 1752) "late of Antigua, but now residing in England" and his wife Sarah (nee WICKHAM-HARMAN) “now residing at Lambeth, Surrey”, states that “in consideration of great misconduct on the part of Sarah Otto-Baijer, Rowland Otto-Baijer and Sarah have for several years past lived separate and apart from each other, and Rowland Otto-Baijer hath for several years not only refused and discontinued to allow to Sarah Otto-Baijer any alimony for her separate maintenance, but hath refused and successfully resisted the payment of any debts contracted by her, and hath instituted a suit in the Spiritual Court for a divorce and separation… but insomuch as Sarah Otto-Baijer and her infant daughter Maria - commonly called Maria Otto-Baijer - are now without any provision or maintenance from Rowland Otto-Baijer… Sarah Otto-Baijer is also desirous that he shall make some immediate provision for the maintenance and support of herself and her daughter…” (this infers that Rowland was not the father of Sarah’s daughter Maria, and indeed Vere Langford OLIVER in 'The History of the Island of Antigua' does not show Maria to be of the OTTO-BAIJER bloodline). On 8 Apr 1793 Sarah had been committed to the King’s Bench Prison, Southwark, and was discharged in 1794 - the London Gazette reported her detention: “Prisoners in the KING’s BENCH Prison, in the County of Surrey … Sarah, Wife of Rowland Otto Baijer, Planter of the Island of Antigua, formerly of Great Portland-street, late of Edgeware-road in the County of Middlesex, Gentlewoman”.
[The King’s Bench Prison was known as a debtor’s prison. It was a profit-making institution where prisoners were obliged to pay the marshal and his gaolers for their keep. By paying a large sum prisoners could serve their sentence within a three mile radius outside the prison walls.]
Richard OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 17 Jun 1729 at St. John’s Antigua, m. 1 Jun 1758 at Shaftesbury, Dorset, Janey HARTWELL.
By his father’s will dated 15 May 1736, Richard received £1000 at the age of 21 "and £50 yearly for maintenance till then, & 2 negros". On 26 Mar 1761, at his daughter Sarah’s burial, of Shaftesbury, Dorset. On 23 May 1764, at the baptism of his children Harriot and John, of Shaftesbury, Dorset. On 17 Aug 1765, when his mother Frances MURRAY made her will, she assigned £400 "in Trust towards the maintenance and education of my Grand Daughter Harriot, Daughter of my son Richard Otto Baijer". In a codicil dated 1 May 1780, Frances MURRAY added that £500 should be equally shared among Richard’s children “by his present wife” (possibly Janey had died and Richard had remarried?).
Sarah OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 1731 at St. John’s Antigua, m. ?… CANDLER, d. before 1765.
By her father’s will dated 15 May 1736, Sarah received £1000 at the age of 21 "& £50 yearly till then, & 4 negros". Her mother Frances MURRAY, in her will dated 17 Aug 1765, assigned £200 in trust to “apprentice my Grandson John Candler son of my late Daughter Sarah Candler… but if no such occasion shall happen then to retain all… until he shall attain his age of twenty one years”.
Mary OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 28 Nov 1737 at St. John’s Antigua; a spinster in 1782.
Mary is not named in her father’s will of 15 May 1736, but he provides that "Any future child to have £1000, & £50 yearly maintenance". Frances MURRAY’s will was "proved 3 July 1782 by Mary Otto-Baijer, spinster, the daughter"; and after all other legacies, her mother bequeathed "All residue to my daughter Mary Otto-Baijer, sole Executrix".
John OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 15 Jan 1722 at St. John’s Antigua, m. Sarah Bridges OTTLEY (b. ca. 1721 in Exeter, Devon, daughter of Drewry OTTLEY of St. Christopher’s, West Indies, and Edith CAREY; bur. 27 April 1796 at St. Thomas, Exeter, Devon; M.I. at St. Thomas Exeter); d. 1 Nov 1790 at Franklyn House, Exeter, bur. 8 Nov 1790 at St. Thomas, Exeter, Devon; M.I. at St. Thomas Exeter.
A Colonel of Militia, John was first son and heir to his father Baijer OTTO-BAIJER. On 6 Mar 1748, of London, named in an indenture between himself and Benjamin and Gratia ATKINSON (see above, re Gratia COX). On 15 Jan 1753, a gentleman of Great Ormond St, St. George the Martyr, London, named in an indenture between himself and John TOMLINSON, Stephen BLIZARD and Rowland OLIVER “all of Antigua”, concerning the recovery of land once in the possession of his uncle Richard OTTO-BAIJER (see above, re Richard OTTO-BAIJER c.1687-1734). On 3 Apr 1760, at his daughter Mary’s baptism, of Little Ormond St, London. On 19 Mar 1761, at his son Baijer’s baptism, of Little Ormond St, London. On 28 May 1762, of New Ormond St, named in an indenture between himself and “Rowland Otto-Baijer, late of Antigua, but now of New Ormond Street, St. Andrew's, Holborn, and Elizabeth his wife”, in which it was agreed that certain lands in Antigua and Somerset would be held in trust for Rowland and his heirs. On 17 Nov 1780, of Franklyn, near Exeter, named in an indenture in which it was stated that he was substantially indebted to Thomas OLIVER and Michael LOVELL, and in repayment he would give “to Thomas Oliver and his heirs all his plantation in the parish of St. John's, Antigua, called the Otto Plantation and all negros, etc., etc., to the only proper use of Thomas Oliver and his heirs for ever”, but with the provision “that if John Otto-Baijer pays the £7726 4s., the £4056 6s. 7d., and the £2032 6s. before the 17th May next, with interest at 6 per cent, Thomas Oliver shall reconvey the said plantations, etc… and further it is hereby decreed that until a default shall be made it shall be lawful to John Otto-Baijer and his heirs peacefully and quietly to have, hold, occupy, and possess and enjoy all and singular the said premises, and to receive and take the rents, etc, as if this indenture had not been made”. On 8 June 1790, when he made his will, of St. Thomas the Apostle, Exeter, Devon, in which he wished that “my funeral may be private but devout and conducted with frugality”. He bequeathed an annuity of £250 and 20 guineas for mourning to his wife Sarah, and “unto Robert Turner and Frances his wife my servants and who have lived with me as such for many years Twenty Guineas apiece as a token of my regard and respect for them and as some recompense for their faithful Services and great attention to me and my family”. His will also made a gift of £1000 each to his daughters Ann, Edith, Fanny, Mary, Elizabeth and Barbara; his son Baijer was bequeathed “all my Plantations Houses Buildings Negroes in the Island of Antigua or elsewhere and all other my Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments … also all the rest and residue of my Goods Chattels Rights Credits Personal and Testamentary Estate whatsoever and whosesoever”. The will was witnessed by John STOODLEY, George SHORT and William BRANSCOMBE. On 20 July 1790, of St. Thomas, near Exeter, named in a indenture between himself and his cousin John OTTO-BAIJER of Ham Common, and Alexander WILLCOCK, a merchant of Broad St Buildings, London, in which “17 and a half acres of negro land” formerly inherited by Edward OTTO-BAIJER (father of John OTTO-BAIJER of Ham Common) was conveyed to Alexander WILLCOCK. On 21 Jul 1790, of St. Thomas, Exeter, named in an indenture between himself and his cousin John OTTO-BAIJER of Ham Common, and Alexander WILLCOCK, in which “it is witnessed that in consideration of £6000... John Otto-Baijer of St. Thomas… did (according to his estate and interest) grant and convey to Alexander Willcock all those 17&half acres”, and was meant to have appeared before a judge of H.M.’s Court of Common Pleas at Westminster “but he was at that time in an ill state of health, and unable to travel to Westminster without great difficulty and danger to his life”. A description of a published bookplate of John OTTO-BAIJER (Caribbeana by Vere Langford OLIVER, 1919) says: “There were two men of the above name in Antigua, first-cousins and of Dutch origin. The one, a Captain of the 38th Regiment, was sometime of Ham Common, Co. Surrey… The other, a Colonel of Militia, resided for many years at St. Thomas, near Exeter, where he died 1 Nov 1790, aged 67. The same crests … are on a tomb of 1727 in St. John’s churchyard in Antigua”. At St. Thomas the Apostle church, Exeter, a ledger in the South aisle bears the inscription, “JOHN OTTO BAIJER Esqr died Novr the 1st 1790 aged 67”. On 1 July 1791, his will was proved in London by his son Baijer OTTO-BAIJER, the sole executor. After her death in 1796, a memorial inscription was added to her husband’s at St. Thomas the Apostle church, Exeter: “SARAH OTTO BAIJER died April the 20th 1796 aged 70”.
[Franklyn House in Cowick Lane, Exeter, home of the OTTO-BAIJERs and where John died in 1790, still exists and is now Franklyn Community Hospital.]
[Children of John OTTO-BAIJER and Sarah Bridges OTTLEY]:
Sarah OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 10 Sep1745 at St. John’s. Antigua.
Sarah is cited in the BAIJER pedigree in Vere Langford Oliver’s 'The History of the Island of Antigua Vol.1' (1894) , but not named in her father’s will of 8 Jun 1790, therefore it must be presumed that she predeceased her parents and siblings.
Ann OTTO-BAIJER, b. ca. 1749, m. 9 Feb 1789 at St. Thomas the Apostle, Exeter, Devon, Thomas OKES, a surgeon (b. 17 Nov 1730 in Bermondsey, Surrey; d. 25 May 1797 at Exeter, Devon, M.I. at Exeter Cathedral); bur. 26 Aug 1835 at St. John, Hackney, Middlesex.
Ann was the third wife of Thomas OKES, who was admitted to King’s College, Cambridge from Eton in 1749. In 1750, Thomas matriculated; in 1754 awarded BA; in 1758 awarded MA; in 1769 awarded M.D. and thereafter practised medicine at Exeter. On 19 Feb 1789, their marriage was announced in the Bath Chronicle & Weekly Gazette: “Thomas Okes, M.D. of Exeter, to Miss Ann Otto Baijer”. On 8 Jun 1790, her father’s will bequeathed “unto my Daughter Ann the wife of Doctor Thomas Okes the sum of one Thousand pounds … for her sole separate and distinct use benefit and disposal”. At Exeter Cathedral, a small white mural tablet in the south aisle bears an inscription in memory of her husband: “T.OKES, M.D. AETAT. 66 A.D. 1797”. On 7 Oct 1826, when her brother Baijer OTTO-BAIJER made his will, he bequeathed a fifth part of half of his estate in England and Antigua to Ann. On 29 Aug 1835, the Oxford University & City Herald reported her death: “At Hackney, Mrs. Ann Okes, aged 86”. On 15 Sep 1837, in a codicil, it is stated that Ann had died since the writing of her brother’s original will, and her inheritance redistributed between remaining relatives.
[In 1778, Thomas Okes was appointed as a Physician at The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. The following year it is recorded that he complained that laudanum had been entrusted to a nurse and that large quantities should not be sent down to the wards. He was also involved, with his fellow physicians, in a notice in the Exeter Flying Post, stating that “every poor person can have an apothecary”. In 1795 he threatened to resign because of the hospital’s run-down state and inadequate ventilation, after which remedial measures were undertaken.]
Edith OTTO-BAIJER, b. est. 1756, m. 16 Mar 1799 at Alphington, Devon, John WATKINS (b. ca. 1755, d. 8 Feb 1830, probably in Hampshire); d. before 1837.
On 8 Jun 1790, her father’s will bequeathed “unto my Daughter Edith Otto Baijer the sum of one Thousand pounds” and 20 guineas for mourning. On 25 Mar 1799, the Salisbury & Winchester Journal reported: “On Sunday the 17th inst. [sic] was married, at Exeter, Lieut. Watkins, of the Wilts. Militia, to Miss Otto, daughter of the late John Otto Baijer, Esq. of St. Thomas, Near Exeter”. On 7 Oct 1826, when her brother Baijer OTTO-BAIJER made his will, he bequeathed a fifth part of half of his estate in England and Antigua to Edith “for her own sole use and benefit separate and apart from her present or any future husband and so that the same may not be subject or habit to his respective debts contracts forfeitures or engagements” and in the event of her predeceasing her brother “I give the same unto the person or persons who… shall be of her blood and in kin to her”. On 15 Feb 1830, the Salisbury & Winchester Journal reported the death of her husband: “On Monday, the 8th inst. died Lieut. John Watkins, aged 75, formerly of the Wilts Militia, but he had belonged to the South Hants Militia seventeen years”. On 15 Sep 1837, in a codicil, it is stated that Edith had died since the writing of her brother’s original will, and her inheritance redistributed between remaining relatives.
Fanny OTTO-BAIJER, b. ca. 1759, m. 6 Jan 1789 at St. Lawrence, Exeter, Devon, William CAZAL (b. ca. 1752, bur. 17 Aug 1791 at Exeter, Devon, M.I. at St. Thomas the Apostle church, Exeter); d. 1821 at Heavitree, Devon.
On 8 Jun 1790, named as “my Daughter Fanny Cazal Wife of Mr William Cazal” in her father’s will, she was bequeathed £1000 “for her sole separate and distinct use benefit and disposal”. On 21 Aug 1790, her daughter Fanny was baptised at Heavitree, Devon. At St. Thomas the Apostle church, Exeter, a ledger in the south aisle bears the inscription: “WILLIAM CAZAL Esqr died Aug. the 11, 1791 Aged 39”. William is shown (posth?) as “Mr, Cazel, Exeter” in the list of subscribers for 'An Essay Towards a History of Bideford in the County of Devon' published in 1792 by John WATKINS (a Devon clergyman, not the husband of Edith). On 3 Nov 1808, the Exeter Flying Post reported the elopement of her daughter Fanny: “Elopement. On Saturday se‘nnight, captain John Impey, of Newick Park, Kent, set off from Teignmouth in a post-chaise and four, accompanied by Miss Cazal, of this city, on a matrimonial excursion to Gretna Green, where the ceremony was performed; and the parties are since returned to this city. The young lady is a ward in chancery, amiable and highly accomplished, and will possess a handsome fortune when of age.”
[John Impey (1772-1858) entered the navy in 1785 as Midshipman, promoted to Lieutenant in 1793, retired as Rear-Admiral in 1838. Son of Sir Elijah Impey (1732-1809) and Mary Reade (1749-1818). When Sir Elijah was chief justice in Fort William, Bengal, Lady Mary made a collection of native birds and animals in the gardens of their estate. She commissioned of a series of over 300 paintings by local Indian artists of native birds, animals and plants and she also kept extensive notes about their habitat and behaviour which were of value to later biologists. Known as the Impey Album, the collection was dispersed at auction in 1810, and several pieces are now in the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the V&A in London, and the Radcliffe Library in Oxford.]
On 2 Aug 1821, the Exeter Flying Post reported: “Died. At Heavitree, in the 62nd year of her age, Mrs. Cazal, wife of the late William Cazal, Esq. and daughter of the late Baiger Otto Baiger Esq. [sic] of Franklyn-House, near Exeter”.
Mary OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 3 Apr 1760 at St. Andrew, Holborn, London, m1. 22 July 1782 at St. Thomas the Apostle, Exeter, Devon, John WILLIAMS (d. before 1890) m2. John COOPER (d. before 1826 at Henley, Oxfordshire); d. before 1826 at Henley, Oxfordshire.
On 3 Apr 1760, at her baptism, of Little Ormond St, London. On 8 Jun 1790, named as “my Daughter Mary Williams Widow ” in her father’s will, she was bequeathed £1000. On 7 Oct 1826, when her brother Baijer OTTO-BAIJER made his will, he bequeathed a fifth part of half of his estate in England and Antigua to “Henry Cooper, Baijer Otto Cooper, Francis Cooper and Mary Ann the wife of Thomas Archer Esquire being the children of my deceased sister Mary Cooper… to be equally divided between them”. On 4 Feb 1843, the death of Mary’s youngest son Joseph (omitted in error from her brother’s will?) was reported: “At Tumlook, Bengal, of fever, sincerely lamented by all who knew him, Joseph Baijer Cooper, Esq., youngest son of the late John Cooper, Esq., of Henley-on-Thames, aged 43 years” (from The Reading Mercury and The Berkshire Chronicle).
Baijer OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 19 Mar 1761 at St. Andrew, Holborn, London, m. Nov 1797 at St. John’s, Antigua, Ann Blizard HODGE (chr. 10 Mar 1746 at St. John’s, Antigua, daughter of Henry and Grace HODGE, wid. of Langford LOVELL, d. 22 Sep 1826, M.I. at Amersham, Buckinghamshire); d. 25 Feb 1839 at Manchester Sq, Middlesex, M.I. at Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
On 19 Mar 1761, at his baptism, of Little Ormond Street, London. On 8 Jun 1790, named in his father‘s will which, after the bequest of an annuity to Baijer’s mother and monetary gifts to his sisters and his parents' servants, bequeathed “all my Plantations Houses Buildings Negroes in the Island of Antigua or elsewhere and all other my Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments wheresoever situate … unto and to the use of my only son Baijer Otto”. On 1st Jul 1791, was sole executor when his father’s will was proved in London. On 4 Jun 1804, the Gentleman’s Magazine reported the death of his thirteen year old step-grandson at Baijer‘s London house: “In Bentinck-street, Langford Lovell Mason, second son of Kender M. esq. of Beel House, in Buckinghamshire”. On 29 Sep 1817, an inventory of slaves belonging to Baijer was entered in the Slave Register of British Colonial Dependencies by his attorney Thomas HARDMAN, who listed 180 slaves with ages ranging from 2 months to 68 years: “Antigua. I Thomas Hardman do Swear that the Return now by me delivered to be Registered contains to the best of my knowledge and belief a true, faithful and accurate account and description of all the Slaves belonging to Baijer Otto Baijer and being within this Island. And I do further Swear that no-one of the said Slaves has been to my knowledge imported into this Island contrary to the existing Laws for abolishing the Slave Trade” (two of the slaves listed were named Langford, one aged 31 and another aged 7. Baijer’s wife’s first husband and her son were both called Langford LOVELL - was there a blood connection to the family?). In 1819, Baijer and “Mrs Otto Bayer” each donated a guinea towards the “subscription for the distressed inhabitants of the Scilly Islands, and for affording them permanent relief” (Morning Chronicle 1 April 1819). On 25 May 1819, the Berkshire Chronicle reported the death of Kender MASON: “yesterday, at the house of Baijer Otto Baijer, Esq. in Bentinck-street”; and on 26 May 1819 the London Public Ledger also reported the incident: “May 24, in Bentinck-street, Kender Mason, Esq., of Beel House, Bucks”.
[Kender MASON was the husband of Baijer’s step-daughter Eliza (Beel House was still named as Eliza’s residence in Baijer’s will of 1826). Two years later, the London Morning Chronicle reported the death of Eliza and Kender’s son, aged 31: “Died. On 14th May, 1821, in the East Indies, Lieut. Kender Mason, of the Bengal Artillery, eldest son of the late Kender Mason, Esq., of Beel-house, Amersham, Bucks”.
Beel House, in Little Chalfont, Bucks., originally the home of the Duke of Buckinghamshire, was built in the 16th century and is now Grade II listed. In the 20th century it was owned successively by actor Dirk Bogarde, film director Basil Dearden, musician Ozzy Osbourne and writer and politician Robert Kilroy-Silk. (See Appendix 7 for a description of the house.)]
When a census was taken in Marylebone in 1821, of 2 Bentinck St; the household was recorded thus:- males: 1 aged 20-30, 2 aged 40-50, 1 aged 60-70, and females: 1 aged 15-20, 3 aged 20-30, 1 aged 50-60, I aged 70-80. In 1822, listed in Pigot’s Directory as a merchant of 14 New City Chambers. In 1824, the owner of 170 enslaved people in Antigua (citation: Legacies of British Slave-ownership, UCL).The Gentleman’s Magazine reported his wife Ann‘s death on 22 Sep 1826: “In Bentinck Street, Manchester Square, the wife of Baijer Otto Baijer, Esq.” On 1 Oct 1826, when he made his will, of “Bentinck Street, Manchester Square in the County of Middlesex”. In his will Baijer gives “all my wines and other liquors furniture plate linen china books maps pictures prints sculptures and articles of value watches jewellery and wearing apparel of every kind soever in England” and a quarter share each of the his real and personal estates in England and Antigua, to his step-children Eliza MASON (nee LOVELL) and Langford LOVELL, and in the event of their predeceasing him, to their children; the remaining half of his estate was to be divided into fifths for the benefit of his sisters and their children. The will was witnessed by George LAW, James BARRATT and John M. HARWOOD, and the executors were Eliza MASON and Langford LOVELL. In 1828, he was the owner of 165 enslaved people in Antigua (citation: Legacies of British Slave-ownership, UCL). On 2 Jul 1830, the Antigua Free Press reported: “Absconded from the Plantation of Baijer Otto Baijer, a Negro man named Peter; he has lost the thumb from the left hand, but is so well known generally, and to the Police in particular, as to need no further description. A suitable reward will be paid for apprehending and delivering him on the said Plantation, by the Subscriber. N.B. All persons are cautioned against harbouring or employing the said runaway”. When a census was taken in Marylebone in 1831, of 2 Bentinck St, the household consisted of 1 male (recorded under the category of “males who are Wholesale Merchants, Bankers, Professional Persons or other Educated Men”) and 2 females, with 2 male and 2 female servants. In 1834, claimed compensation for his plantation slaves in Antigua, but the following year a consensually agreed and successful counterclaim was made by his step-son Langford LOVELL for the sum of £2549 6s 1d (citation: Legacies of British Slave-ownership, UCL).
[The slave trade was abolished in 1807, but it took another 26 years to effect emancipation of the enslaved. Subsequently, a system of apprenticeship took the place of slavery which in turn tied the newly freed people to another form of labour for fixed terms. The former slave-owners received £20 million in compensation, paid out by British taxpayers.]
On 20 Nov 1834, The Courier reported Baijer’s subscription of £10 “for the relief of the poorer classes of sufferers” who were victims of a hurricane in Dominica; other subscribers included his stepson Langford LOVELL, Langford’s wife and her parents Sir William and Mrs HEATHCOTE of Hursley Park (see Appendix 6).
[After their marriage Langford LOVELL and his wife also lived at Hursley, an 18th century mansion in Hampshire owned by the HEATHCOTEs (see Appendix 8 - auction of Langford‘s property at Hursley).]
On 15 Sep 1837, in a codicil to his will, the following amendment was made: “since the Execution of my said Will, Eliza Mason, Harriet Mason late the wife of William Mason Esquire, Ann Okes, Edith Watkins, Barbara Patch and Emma Patch … have severally departed this life and Edward Sercombe therein named hath also departed this life leaving two or more children who are now respectively infants, and whereas the name of William Sercombe out of the children of my sister Elizabeth Sercombe was intended to be inserted in my said Will among the names of the other children … but was by mistake omitted”; he gives “all my wines and other liquors” etc, etc (as above) to Langford LOVELL “for his own absolute benefit”, and appoints Thomas TINDAL of Lincoln’s Inn as trustee and executor in the place of Eliza MASON. The codicil was witnessed by James HOARE, Francis BOURDILLON and William MILLER. In 1839, listed in Pigot’s Directory as a merchant of 14 Garden New City. In 1839 , listed In Robson’s Trade Directory as a merchant of 14 New City Chambers. The Gentleman’s Magazine reported his death on 25 Feb 1839 : “In Bentinck-st, aged 78, Baijer Otto Baijer, esq. of Antigua”. On 2 March 1839, the Reading Mercury also reported his death: “Died - On the 25th ult., at his residence, 2, Bentinck-street, Manchester-square, sincerely lamented by his relations and friends, Baijer Otto Baijer, Esq., of the island of Antigua, aged 72 years [sic]”. Baijer’s will, which comprised13 pages in addition to 4 extensive codicils (the final of which is dated 27 April 1838), was proved on 9 Mar 1839.
[In Old Amersham Churchyard, on a tombstone inside iron railings, are the following inscriptions:
East face:
MRS ANN BLIZARD OTTO BAIJER, WIFE OF BAIJER OTTO BAIJER ESQR. DIED 22ND SEPTR 1826 AGED 80 YEARS.
BAIJER OTTO BAIJER ESQR. DIED 25TH FEBRUARY 1839 Aged 78 Years.
ALSO HENRY WILLIAM ELDEST SON OF HENRY WILLIAM MASON ESQR. Aged 19 Years AFTER MANY YEARS DISTRESSING ILLNESS.
South face:
HORATIA NELSON MASON BORN NOV __ 1831 DIED AUGUST 1832. AGED 9 MONTHS.
On the North face is a coat of arms, with the motto IN COELO QUIES.
West face:
IN THE VAULT BENEATH ARE INTERRED THE REMAINS OF MRS MARY MASON WIFE OF WILLIAM MASON OF BEEL HOUSE IN THIS PARISH ESQR. WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 13 FEBY 1825 (1835?) AGED 34 YEARS.]
Barbara OTTO-BAIJER, chr. 29 Jul 1767 at St. Thomas, Exeter, Devon, m. 7 Apr 1787 at St. Thomas the Apostle, Exeter, Devon, Robert London PATCH, a surgeon (b. 1751 in Devon, son of Robert Burnet PATCH and Margaret LONDON, d. 6 Jun 1813 at Bath, Somerset); d. before 1837.
On 8 Jun 1790, named as “my Daughter Barbara the Wife of Dr Robert Patch” in her father’s will, she was bequeathed £1000 “for her own sole separate and distinct use benefit and disposal”. On 30 May 1816, Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post reported her daughter‘s marriage: “Saturday last was married, at St. Thomas’s Church, Captain George Bignell, of the Royal Navy, to Miss Charlotte Patch, second daughter of the late Mr. Robert Patch, of this city, surgeon.”
[Captain George Bignell had an illustrious naval career before his marriage. His biography can be found in William Richard O‘Byrne‘s ‘A Naval Biographical Dictionary’ (1849), which entry ends: “Commander Bignell enjoys a pension of £150, awarded him for his wounds ... He married, 25 May 1816, Miss Charlotte Patch, and by that lady has issue six children”.]
On 7 Oct 1826, when her brother Baijer OTTO-BAIJER made his will, he bequeathed a fifth part of half of his estate in England and Antigua to “my sister Barbara the widow of Robert Patch… separate and apart from any future husband” and after her death “I give the same unto her children Robert Patch, John Patch, William Otto Patch, Sophia the wife of the Reverend Collins, Charlotte the wife of George Bignell Esquire of the Royal Navy, Louisa Patch, Amelia Patch and Emma Patch”. The Gentleman’s Magazine reported the death of her son William Otto PATCH on 2 Dec 1831: “At Launceston, after an illness of three weeks, occasioned by a puncture of the hand whilst dissecting, Wm Patch Esq., formerly one of the surgeons to the North Devon Infirmary”. On 15 Sep 1837, in a codicil to her brother's will, it is stated that Barbara and her daughter Emma had also died since the writing of the original will, and her inheritance redistributed between her remaining children. The Gentleman’s Magazine reported the death in London of her son Robert on 18 March 1840: “Robert Bayer Patch, esq. M.A. late Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, eldest son of the late Robert Patch, esq. of Exeter. He took the degree of M.A. Dec. 2, 1813”. In the Exeter Flying Post on 30 August 1849, in a “Biography of Exonians”, Barbara’s husband is mentioned: "Mr. Robert Patch, a nephew of [John Patch], succeeded, in a great degree, to his business. This able practitioner was elected, in 1781, one of the Surgeons of the Hospital [the Exeter and Devon], and dying on 6th June, 1813, was buried in St. Lawrence’s Church".
[“To the rear of the St Lawrence’s Church was a small churchyard, formerly a garden, which was used to bury the bodies of poor parishioners for free. However, the Devon and Exeter Hospital surgeon Robert Patch was buried in the yard in June 1813.” (citation: www.exetermemories.co.uk)
Earlier in 1813, on 29 Mar, the following appeared in the Salisbury and Winchester Journal:
“10,000 WATCHED - HIS BODY WENT FOR DISSECTION BY
MR. ROBERT PATCH.
At the Assizes for the county of Devon which commenced at the Castle of Exeter on Thursday se’nnight, - Thomas Luscombe, for the wilful murder of Sarah Ford, also (on his own confession) with the wilful murder of Margaret Huxtable, a child of ten years old, was found guilty and sentenced to be executed on the New Drop on Friday last, and his body delivered to the surgeons for dissection.”
In an article entitled “EXETER AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD UNDER GEORGE THE THIRD” published 12 March 1879, is the following: “Mr. Robert Patch, of Castle-street, Exeter, who for thirty-three years had been one of the surgeons of the Devon and Exeter Hospital, having died at Bath on the 6th [June 1813], Messrs. Samuel Barnes, Charles Pugsley, and John Haddy James became candidates for the appointment. The former was elected.” (Exeter Flying Post)]
Elizabeth OTTO-BAIJER, b. ca. 1769 in Devon, m. 20 Sep 1792 at St. Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, Thomas Filmore SERCOMBE, an attorney (chr. 11 Jan 1770 at St. Paul, Exeter, son of Isaac SERCOMBE and Grace FILMORE, bur. 13 Dec 1847 at St. Peter, Walworth, Surrey); d. 1 Jan 1848 at Heavitree, Devon.
On 8 Jun 1790, her father’s will bequeathed “unto my Daughter Elizabeth Otto Baijer the sum of one Thousand pounds” and 20 guineas for mourning. At her marriage in 1792, Elizabeth was of Exeter St. Sidwell; Thomas was a gentleman of Exeter St. Paul. On 27 Sep 1792, the Bath Chronicle & Weekly Gazette reported the wedding: “Mr. Thomas Sercombe of Exeter, attorney-at-law, to Miss Elizabeth Otto, daughter of the late John Bayer Otto, esq. [sic]”. In March 1826, under the will of her brother Baijer Otto BAIJER, Elizabeth was bequeathed “for the sole use and benefit of Elizabeth the wife of Thomas Sercombe Esquire, separate and apart from her said present and any future husband” a fifth part of half of his estate in England and Antigua, and after her death the residue of her inheritance to her children John SERCOMBE, Edward SERCOMBE, Isaac SERCOMBE, Baijer Otto SERCOMBE and Ann SERCOMBE. A codicil to Baijer’s will dated 15 Sep 1837, instated her son William SERCOMBE as a legatee, who was “by mistake omitted”, and noted the death of Edward SERCOMBE, to whose children a bequest was made; Ann SERCOMBE was omitted from this and later codicils. In 1841, of St. Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, apparently living independently of her husband, with her children Isaac, Ann and Baijer visiting. On 2 Aug 1846, when Elizabeth made her will, she was living separately from her husband at Heavitree, Exeter. In her will she writes: “So far as regards the property bequeathed to me for my separate use by the Will of my late brother Baijer Otto Baijer Esquire deceased and which consists of a life interest in one third of a moiety of the residuary personal estate in England and of the produce of the real and personal estate in Antigua”; she instructs that £200 worth of annuities already purchased from the proceeds from the Antiguan estate, and “all further additions which I may hereafter make thereto by means of accumulations and savings out of my life income”, should be held in trust by her son William SERCOMBE and Drewry OTTLEY, “for the sole use and benefit of my daughter Ann Sercombe… as they or he may think will be most for her advantage having regard for her unfortunate condition”. Ann was the sole beneficiary of her mother’s will, which was witnessed by Grace TUCKER and William TUCKER, both of 11 Albion Place, Heavitree, and the executors were her son William SERCOMBE and Drewry OTTLEY, surgeon, of Bedford Place, Russell Square, Middlesex.
[Drewry OTTLEY MD (1804-1882) was one of several named Drewry OTTLEY, his father (also Drewry) was first cousin to Elizabeth (whose mother’s maiden name was OTTLEY). A distinguished Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, his publications included 'The Life of John Hunter' (1839) and 'Observations on Surgical Diseases of the Head and Neck' (1848). He married Anna Waldron GIFFORD in 1837. Their son Walter OTTLEY (1850-1883) was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (see Plarr’s Lives of the Fellows Online), and their son Drewry Gifford OTTLEY (1845-1896) had a notable career as an engineer (see Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History).]
On 1 Jan 1848, the Gentleman’s Magazine reported Elizabeth‘s death: “At Heavitree, at an advanced age, Mrs. Eliza Sercombe, last surviving sister of the late Bayer Otto Bayer, esq. of Bentinck-st. Manchester-sq.”. Elizabeth’s will was proved on 4 Mar 1848.
[Children of Elizabeth OTTO-BAIJER and Thomas Filmore SERCOMBE]:
[Elizabeth’s son William Goode SERCOMBE married Emma GIFFARD (1807-1853). Their son Henry Auton Giffard SERCOMBE (1838 - c.1861) married Mary Hannah KING (1837-1874), and their only child was Mary Emma SERCOMBE (1859-1922).]