BRYAN EDWARDS SENIOR (1704-1758)

BRYAN EDWARDS (1704-1758)

Bryan Edwards, of Westbury, Wilts, was the father of Bryan Edwards (1743-1800), historian of the British West Indies. He was born on 21 June 1704 and baptised at Westbury All Saints church on 25 June, the eldest of three children of Nicholas Edwards, maltster, of Priory, Westbury, and his wife Hester.[1] Another son, John, must have died early: he is not mentioned in either parents’ will.

On 12 July 1742, he married Elizabeth Bayly of Westbury, in the church of St John the Baptist, Devizes; his occupation is recorded as Maltster.[2] He is said also to have been a surveyor of the highways of Westbury.[3] He was evidently well regarded by Elizabeth’s guardian and grandfather, Peter Lee, who named him as trustee of his will in 1743.[4]  There was apparently a rift however between Bryan and his father: Nicholas Edwards made his will in the same year, leaving his only substantial asset, the copyhold tenancy of a malt house and 40 acres of land to his son-in-law, not to his only surviving son.[5] He may have objected to Bryan’s marriage to Elizabeth Bayly because she came from a dissenting family.

According to an inscription in the Old Congregational Chapel, Westbury, Bryant [sic] Edwards, Esq., died on 30 June 1758.[6] His will bears an armorial seal of a lion rampant; it was presumably stamped with the “black armorial Ring” which was bequeathed to him in his mother’s will.[7]

Will of Bryan Edwards, 12 April 1758, proved 10 May 1759

I Bryan Edwards of Westbury in the County of Wilts Malster Do revoke all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare my last Will and Testament to be as follows (that is to say) I give to my Loveing Wife Elizabeth all my Moneys Goods Chattells and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and I do make my Said Wife Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal the twelfth day of Aprill in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight

Bryan Edwards [8]

[1] Westbury All Saints baptismal register, Wiltshire and Swindon Archives.

[2] Devizes St Johns marriage register 1741/2; Sarum Marriage Licence Bonds 14 June 1742,Wiltshire and Swindon Archives.

[3] Charles Evans, Notes & Queries (June 1958), p. 253.

[4] Wiltshire and Swindon Archives, P1/h/403: signed 24 March 1743, proved 7 Sept 1744.

[5] Wiltshire and Swindon Archives, P1/h/403: signed 24 March 1743, proved 7 Sept 1744.

[6] Transcription no. 31750, Westbury URC: Wiltshire Family History Society. His date of birth is wrongly given in the inscription as 1698. The inscription itself can no longer be seen in the chapel.

[7] Will of Hester Edwards, proved 20 December 1756, Wiltshire and Swindon Archives, P25/1756/2.

[8] Wiltshire and Swindon Archives, P25/1759/3.