Bermuda

ABRAHAM EVE (c1)

Abraham Eve was born in about 1730. He died in 1802 in Brackish Pond, Bermuda - Burial: 28 Nov 1802 Devonshire Parish, Bermuda. Details of father are not known.

He married Martha Adderley on the 3rd May 1759 in Bermuda. She died in 1794 in Brockish Pond. They had the following children.

• Susanna Eve (c2) - born Sept 1759 in Warwick, Bermuda. She married Joseph Richardson
• Martha Eve (c3) - born before 19th Nov 1760 in Warwick, Bermuda.
• John Eve (c4) - born before 16th July 1762 in Warwick, Bermuda
• Abraham Adderley Eve (c5)- born before 2nd Sept1764 in Warwick, Bermuda
• Thomas Eve - b ? died early 1799 see codicil of will below
• Edward Eve (c6
• Frances Eve (c7)
• Tabitha Eve (c8)
• Nancy Eve (c9)

Background

Abrahan EVE isd described as a sea captain - the same profession as Oswell EVE (see links to the USA) - are they related ?

There are some details of Abraham EVE's land holdings in Bermuda - taken from the following - approx 1789

A Survey of the Inhabitants of Bermuda Taken sometime between 1783 and 1808 (probably 1789)

This undated document is now housed in the Bermuda Archives. It was first in possession of John Harvey Tucker of Somerville. The cover page conatined an inscription "… given to me shortly after my return from Nova Scotia…" He returned in 1813. It is not known why the document was compiled but it includes both the owners and the inhabitants for this period as well as the valuation of land, property, and timber. The earliest date of 1783 was determined as a listed inhabitant, Robert Dalziel was known to arrive in this year. The document is thought to be the work of a select committee of the House of Assembly or of a Joint Committee of the House and the Council. As Speaker of the House, James Tucker of Bellevue, Paget would logically have come into possession. James Tucker was father of John Harvey Tucker of Somerville, named above. His daughter Louisa Bryan Tucker gave the document to Mr H J Tucker. (reference: Bermuda Historical Quarterly, Vol 3, no. 2-4, 1946).

The Survey begins with the following: "The Committee appointed to make an estimate of the real estate of the inhabitants of these Islands distinguishing the parishes and the freeholders in each parish with the names of the several owners or possessors – the quanitty of acres and value of timber, houses or other improvements to be made to the best of their ability on principles of equity and justice – having perfected the business beg leave to offer their report to the consideration of the House, viz….."

Devonshire Parish

• Eve, Capn Abraham -19 acres -L 378 estate value
• Eve, Capn Abraham - person in possession Smith, William
• acres 0.5 - L 106 estate value

Other records from the same survey relating to the children can be found later.

Details of Abraham EVE's will is available and are posted on the BERMUDA GENWEB page.

The will (W12:134) is dated 25 March 1799 and has two codicils - 25 March 1799 & 25 November 1800. The will was proved on the 23 December 1802.

The codicils provide useful information -

• The codicil of 25 March 1799 records the death of his son Thomas EVE.
• The codicil of 25 November 1800 records the death of his daughter Susanna EVE.

A copy of the will and the codicils is reproduced below:

In the name of God, Amen, I Abraham Eve of Devonshire Parish in the Islands of Bermuda, mariner, being at present in tolerable good health and of sound mind, memory, and understanding raised be God, therefore do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

Imprimis. It is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid by my executors herein after named as speedily as may be after my decease, and previous to any distribution being made of my estate.

Secondly. It is my will and desire that a certain tract of land containing six acres or thereabouts of which I some years past put my son John Eve in possession and in which he hath since erected a dwelling house wherein he now resides be held by my said son John Eve in Fee Simple without any restrictions or limitations whatsoever.

Thirdly. Although I have reason to believe that my said son John Eve will at my death be entitled in right of his deceased mother to my house and lots of land in Warwick Parish in the said Islands at present occupied by Rebecca Wilson yet as it is possible he might not, and if the same being implicated in the clause herein after contained which respects the residue of my estate, I think it is proper to give the said house and lots occupied as aforesaid by the said Rebecca Wilson to my said son John Eve and to his heirs and assignes forever.

Fourthly. I also give unto my said son John Eve the sum of five shillings current money of Bermuda which together with what I have hereby or have hitherto given him will be more than equal to any proportion of my estate which may fall to the lot or share of any one of my other children; of course I have no wish or desire to give my said son John Eve any thing more, resting assured that he will be fully satisfied therewith.

Fifthly. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Vesey the sum of one hundred pounds current money of Bermuda to be paid her as soon as may be after my decease and before any division of my estate takes place. i also release all accounts, ___, or demands whatsoever which I might have on any pretext whatsoever other against my said daughter Martha Vesey or her deceased husband Solomon Vesey's estate.

Sixthly. I give and devise unto my daughter Tabitha Eve a small lot of land situate in Warwick Parish aforesaid, which I purchased of Martha Boyer containing a rood or thereabouts, to have and to hold the same lot of land to my said daughter Tabitha Eve and to her heirs and assignes forever.

Seventhly. My dwelling house and tract of land thereunto belonging as also the rest and residue of my estate both real and personal, I give and devise equally to and among my three sons, to wit, Abraham Eve, Thomas Eve, and Edward Eve and four daughters to wit, Susanna Richardson, Frances Hill, Tabitha Eve, and Nancy Eve, to have and to hold the same to my said seven children Abraham Eve, Thomas Eve, Edward Eve, Susanna Richardson, Frances Hill, Tabitha Eve, and Nancy Eve and their heirs, executors, aministrators, and assignes forever as tenants in common or ___ ___.

Lastly. I hereby revoke and make all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this and this only to be my last will and testament and do appoint my two sons the said Thomas Eve and Edward Eve executors and my four daughters the said Susanna Richardson, Frances Hill, Tabitha Eve and Nancy Eve executrices thereof. In Testimony whereof I have to my last will and testament set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine.

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said testator Abraham eve as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and with presence of each other have hereunto set our names as witnesses.

John Tucker John Wingood William W Gallagher

Codiciils

Whereas since I gave my attorney directions to draft the foregoing will, I have heard of the death of my son Thomas Eve, it is therefore my will that the part or proportion of my estate both real and personal which I devised him by this my will shall go to my six children, to wit, the said Abraham Eve, Edward Eve, Susanna Richardson, Frances Hill, Tabitha Eve and Nancy Eve to be held by them in fee simple and as tenants in common. In witness whereof be this codicil or additional clause of my last will I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine.

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said Abraham Eve the testator as a part of his last will and testament aforesaid in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request we have hereunto set our names as witnesses. John Tucker John Wingood William W Gallagher

Abraham Eve of Devonshire Parish in the Islands of Bermuda, mariner, do make this codicil to be taken as part of my last will and testament as follows, that is to say, Whereas I have by my said will bearing date the twenty fifth day of March in the year of our Lord 1799, as also by a codicil thereunto annexed bearing equal date therewith given a certain proportion or proportions or part of my estate to my daughter Susanna Richardson who hath since departed this life leaving four children; now I do hereby revoke and make void the said devise or bequest contained as well as my said will as the said codicil thereto annexed so far as respects my said daughter Susanna Richardson deceased and her heirs; And I do hereby devise the part or proportion so given to my said daughter Susanna Richardson to my sons John Eve and Edward Eve and their executors and administrators in trust to and for the use, benefit and ___ of the children of the said Susanna Richardson deceased who are as follows, Sarah Cox Richardson, George Richardson, Thomas Richardson, and Benjamin Joseph Richardsonand their heirs, executors, and administrators forever equally between them as tenants in common to be paid and delivered to them the said Sarah Cox Richardson, George Richardson, Thomas Richardson, and Benjamin Joseph Richardson, that is to say their respective proportions thereof as they shall severally attain the year of twenty one years leaving it never the less in the power of my said two sons John Eve and Edward Eve and the survivor of them to make all or any of the said four children of my said daughter during their minorities such advancements out of his, her, or their proportion or dividend aforesaid as to my said two sons or the survivor of them their executors or administrators shall or may think proper. In testimony whereof I have to this codicil annexed to my said will set my hand and seal this 25th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred.

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said Abraham Eve the testator as a codicil to his last will and testament in the presence of us.

John Vickers John Eveson Bermuda alias Somer's Islands. By his excellency George Beckwith Governor, Commander in Chief, Vice-Admiral, and &

I do hereby certify that this 23'd day of December 1809, before me the Governor and Ordinary personally appeared Mr John Vickers and Mr William W Gallagher, two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing will, who solemnly made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God that they saw (the testator) Mr Abraham Eve sign, seal, and duly execute the same as and for his last will and testament and that at the time of such execution he the said testator was of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of their respective judgements. And that they also saw Mr John Wingood subscribe his name as a witness thereto.

And I do hereby further certify that at the same time personally appeared before me the Governor and Ordinary aforesaid Mr John Vickers one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing codicil who also made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that he saw (the testator) Mr Abraham Eve make his mark to seal and duly execute the same as and for a part of his last will and testament, and that at the time of such execution he the said testator was of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of his judgement. And that he also saw Mr John Eveson subscribe his name as a witness thereto...

In testimony whereof I the Governor and Ordinary aforesaid have hereunto set my hand and seal at ___ the day and year above written..

By his excellency's command Samuel Adams D'y Secretary

SUSANNA EVE (c2)

Susanna Eve was born in Sept 1759 in Warwick, Bermuda. She died before Dec 1800.

She married Joseph Richardson. They had the following children.

• Sarah Cox Richardson - born cira 1790
• George Eve Richardson - born 1793
• Thomas Eve Richardson - born 1795
• Benjamin William Joseph Richardson - born 1798

There are refences to Susanna Eve and her children in Abraham Eve's will - see above.

MARTHA EVE (c3)

Martha Eve was born before 19 Nov 1760 in Warwick, Bermuda. She died on the 25th Feb 1840 in Smiths Bermuda.

She married Soloman Vesey who was born about 1760. He died before the3th Feb1787 in Warwick Bermuda. No children known

Background

Again mentioned in Abraham Eve's will.

A copy of Soloman Vesey's estate details is also available on the BERMUDA GENWEB project page. He died without making a Will.

VESEY, SOLOMON - admin of estate 3 February 1787 Bermuda, alias Somers Islands,

By his Excellency William Browne Esquire Governor and Ordinary of these islands To all to whom these presents shall come, or may come, Greeting.... W:m Browne

Whereas Mr Solomon Vesey late of Warwick Parish in these Islands dyed without making any last will and testament, in writing, and his estate as yet remains unadministered on. And whereas Mrs. Martha Vesey has prayed for administration on the said estatte she having entered into bond, with sufficient securities truly to administer as the law in such cases hath provided and directed, and also due publication having been lately made thereof, and no cause appearing to me to the contrary. Now therefore know ye, that I have committed, and by these presents do commit, authorize and allow her the said Martha Vesey the administration of all and singular the goods, chattles, and personal estatte of the said Solomon Vesey deceased, whereof or wherein he was possessed or interested, and which shall come to the hands, possession, or knowledge of the said Martha Vesey and any other for her. And I do hereby authorize her the said Martha Vesey to be administratrix hereby charging her that (on oath) she do take, or cause to be made, a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattles, and personal estate of him the said Solomon Vesey deceased, and the same cause to be valued and appraised by three or more honest and indifferent persons, by me the Governor and Ordinary aforesaid to be approved and allowed. And the same inventory and appraisement so made and taken, the said administratrix is to exhibit in writing, into the Secretarys office of these Islands, within fifteen days next insuing. And also that she render unto me, or my successors, a full and true account of the said administration, and all her doings and proceedings therein (on oath) when thereunto required she the said administratrix always indemnifying me the Governor and Ordinary aforesaid, my successors, and ministers, for and in respect of the promises...

Given under my hand and the great seal of these islands the third day of February A.D. 1787 By his Excellencys command Henry Tucker Jun'r Secretary