In the high period of Caribbean slave-based economies the Scottish Stirlings of Kippendavie and Stirlings of Keir families were prominent as plantation owners and managers in Jamaica and at the same time highly engaged in the import of Caribbean cotton, sugar and rum through Port Glasgow where the firm of Stirling, Gordon and Co handled their business and that of others. By the beginning of the 19th century Glasgow and neighbouring Greenock rivalled Bristol as destinations for Caribbean produce.
The
Patrick Stirling (1734-1775) of this letter succeeded to his title on the death
of his father in 1745 and went out to Jamaica in 1753 - it seems in company of Robert Stirling of Keir - to manage the family estate,
sometimes called the Content plantation. He stayed on and died in
Jamaica in 1775, making a will the day before he died. According to the UCL
Legacies of Slavery database, probate recorded him as owner of 129 enslaved
people of whom 71 were listed as male and 58 as female. 22 were listed as boys,
girls or children. The estate was valued at £19,361 in Jamaican currency of
which £9,385 was reckoned the value of enslaved people. There were £6000 in
debts. He was succeeded as 6th Laird by his younger brother John,
mentioned at the end of the letter, who has a Wikipedia page partly
because he was painted with his youngest daughter by Sir Henry Raeburn, best
known now for The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch.
The
contents of this letter are unremarkable until one realises that though addressed to his widowed mother (born Margaret Douglas, 1703-1786)
it is not the “family news” affair one might expect but a business letter which
shows that his widowed mother is fully engaged in the conduct of the family’s
business and clearly familiar with a cast of named business partners.
Transcription
Addressed: To Lady Kippendavie at Kippendavie nigh Stirling
Datelined:
Jamaica St Thomas in ye Vale Novr 27th 1753
Dr
Mother
I
have wrote you 3 letters by the way of London but has had an answer to none of
them, one in March, another in May by Bob Campble wt. whom I sent my Watch the
other the beginning of Septr last under cover to Mr Fogg [London merchant]
to whom I send this. I received yours of the 4th June by Mr Sharp
which had been opened for I plainly perceived two different kinds of wax, besides
the direction you inclosed about Mr McKenzie was taken out. I have sent a hhd [hogshead
– a large barrel] of Sugar to Mr Archibald Arbuthnott & wrote him after
paying freight Duty &c Mr Scotts Acct to remit the remainder to you &
at same time a receipt from Mr Scott for the Money & the Inventory I signed
when he gave me them goods which please take care of in case of back spangs [obsolete
dialect for trickery, underhand behaviour] Mr Scotts Acct amounts to
£2=19=3 ¼ Stlg [Sterling].
When
Mr Arbuthnott remits you the money please pay of the remainder of my Cloaths Acct
& my Sisters Acct which is £2=9=3 ¼ Stlg as you’ll see by the inclosed bill
of sales, I would have sent them Cotton as they desired but it is so trifling I
think this is a better method of payment for them. The Sugar stood me here
£17=19=1 ½ Stlg which I hope will do to pay Mr Scott, my sisters & the
remainder of their Acct in your next let me know if does & at same time
send me an Acct sales of Cotton & Sugar. [He is running out of space and
omitting small words] Shall be glad to know what Kate is doing & as I
wrote you before what Business you intend Johnie shoud follow.
Please
my Compliments in yr most respectfull manner to Mr Stirling [Stirling of
Keir?], my Aunt, Sisters, Brothers & all Friends so concludes hoping
soon to hear of your own good health which will give great satisfaction to
Dr
Mother Your most affecte. Son &
obedient hbl Servt. Patrick Stirling
