Bay Estate (Q492533)
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LBS-PLA-EST-01485
- LBS-PLA-EST-01485
- LBS-PLA-EST-e770
| Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
|---|---|---|---|
| English |
Bay Estate
|
LBS-PLA-EST-01485
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Statements
Bay Estate
The Bay Estate was then [in the later 18th century] a large sugar plantation with its lands stretching from the high ridge on which is the Garrison Savannah down to the sea as far as Charles Fort, and thence in the direction of the town past the Bay Mansion and back to Culloden Farm. About 1789 the War Department acquired about 20 acres of this land in the Garrison District divided off and sold to
them by Mr. Beckles. Other portions of the Estate in and around Upper Bay Street were sold off for building purposes, and eventually the area of the plantation under cultivation became considerably reduced. On the death of John Beckles, his son John Alleyne became possessed of the property, and again on the latter's death in 1840 it passed to his children, subject to charges which their grandfath
er, John Beckles had made upon it for legacies under his Will. In 1842 the property consisted of 107 acres, and through the fall in the price of sugar the plantation was placed in Chancery and was appraised to £16,425.The Estate was purchased out of Chancery by Robert Hunte, (son-in-law of John Alleyne Beckles) and John S. Sainsbury, and afterwards Robert Hunte became the sole owner by purchase of
his co-owners share. Robert Hunte died in 1864 and left the plantation to his only child Robert Beckles Hunte, whose descendants are still [in 1944] the owners of the Estate. The associated mansion was occupied by John Beckles and his family and afterwards by his son John Alleyne Beckles as his principal residence. It was one of the very few houses In that part of St. Michael which withstood the
hurricane of 1831, only the roof sustaining damage. To the south of the mansion: the 'Beckles Spring' was a major source of water supply for the inhabitants of Bridgetown before the development of mains water from country reservoirs. It was also the source of water supply for ships in the bay.
13°5'21.725"N, 59°36'45.230"W
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