Scotland’s links with nineteenth century Caribbean slave trade revealed in rare papers which have come to Aberdeen
An Aberdeen historian researching the history of Newmachar has uncovered a fascinating insight into the role of Scots in the West Indies trade of the early nineteenth century.
Professor Roy Bridges has been studying the history of the North-east village and he has been helped by Major Francis Irvine of Straloch House, Newmachar, who invited him to look at family and business papers he had documenting dealings in Jamaica from 1818 to 1835.
The papers relate to the life and career of William Shand, who was connected by marriage with Major Irvine's forbears and spent the last part of his life living at Straloch. Shand had assisted his brother John manage the family estates in Jamaica from 1818. Their activities in the Caribbean have revealed that Aberdeen and the North-east were as much involved in the Atlantic system of trade with its slave plantations as any other part of the UK.
Following his meeting with Professor Bridges, Major Irvine, former Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, has very kindly entrusted the papers to the care of the University and they will be kept in the Department of Special Collections.
Professor Bridges described the discovery of such important historical documentation as ‘very exciting’ and said that the papers will be of immense historical value to those interested in both the history of Scotland and more particularly Scotland’s links to the Caribbean.
“The papers are in very good condition and make fascinating reading,” said Professor Bridges.
“The records of the estates in Jamaica are exceptionally well kept, and include the names of all the slaves, their ages and occupations. It is particularly interesting because the time when these documents were written is the period between the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 and the abolition of the status of slavery in 1833.
“It is very exciting to come across this kind of material unexpectedly and we are extremely grateful to Major Irvine for allowing us to archive and study these wonderful documents.”
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