Black Soldiers and Edinburgh c.1792-1848

By John D Ellis

This article explores the enlistment of soldiers of African and Asian origin in the city of Edinburgh between 1792 and 1848.

Today, the existence of three services within HM Armed Forces (the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force), means that, to many identity, and belonging are to the service rather than any individual unit within it, such as a ship, regiment or squadron. This was not the case for soldiers of the British Army during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, whose sense of identity and belonging were dominated by the regiment served in. Regiments had been formed at different times and places, in different circumstances and often served for years in remote, hostile environments. The regiment became a home to soldiers and their families (hence the term ‘regimental family’) and an almost tribal loyalty developed which extended to long-standing rivalries and/or friendships with other regiments. Consequently, jealously guarded idiosyncratic traditions developed, be they customs, uniforms or tactics. Over-seeing all this was the ‘War Office’ who continually tried to exert its authority by attempting to standardise practices on the grounds of efficiency and cost.

Throughout the eighteenth and first half of the nineteenth centuries it was common for British Army regiments to recruit Black males to serve as enlisted military musicians.^[1]Ellis, JD. “The Visual Representation, Role and Origin of Black Soldiers in British Army Regiments during the Early Nineteenth Century”, (MA Thesis, University of Nottingham, September … Continue reading For some regiments, it became a tradition. The various regiments of the British Army made no distinction between soldiers of African or Asian origin, simply referring to them as either “Black” or “of colour”. The term ‘Black soldiers’ will be used in this article, not to perpetuate a historic insensitivity to ethnic diversity, but for brevity. However, when an individual soldier is mentioned by name, their place of birth will also be provided to aid identification of ethnicity.

As regiments were distinctly individual, the experience of Black soldiers probably differed depending on the regiment they served in. Some regiments, such as the 4^th Dragoons employed up to ten Black soldiers for over a century. Their records reveal that a duty of care was extended to Black soldiers – and included promoting them. Other regiments showed less concern: the 52^nd (Oxfordshire) Foot could not retain Black soldiers, with the last one drowning in the River Humber whilst his White peers looked on.

The fashion for ‘Turkish music’, and the ‘racialised’ belief in the ‘natural propensity for music of Black people’, resulted in most British regiments employing Black musicians to play percussion instruments such as cymbals, tambourines and drums (in addition to trumpets and bugles). Employed as symbols of regimental opulence and prestige, they were initially enlisted by high status cavalry and Guards regiments.

The period Black soldiers served saw an increase in the already historically established Black presence in Britain and Ireland. The Somerset Case (1772) resulted in many escaped enslaved people making their way to Britain. The American War of Independence (1775-1783), War of 1812 (1812-1815), and various British campaigns in the Caribbean, Africa and India also seem to have resulted in an increase of Black recruits into British Army regiments (both overseas and from amongst the Black residents in Britain and Ireland – including from amongst French and American Prisoners of War). Between 1803 and 1805, there even existed a regiment composed of Black and Asian men recruited in Britain – ‘The York Rangers’.^[2]http://www.historycalroots.com/a-black-and-asian-british-regiment-the-york-rangers-a-regiment-of-lascars-mulattoes-c-c-1803-1805/

Dominance of sea routes, particularly after the British victory at Trafalgar (1805), meant that many ports had Black populations, variable in size and made up of residents (native born and/or long-term inhabitants) and transients (e.g. merchant sailors). Thus, by the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815), most regiments had some Black presence; be it individuals or small groups of drummers, trumpeters or bandsmen.^[3]Ellis, JD. “The Visual Representation, Role and Origin of Black Soldiers in British Army Regiments during the Early Nineteenth Century”, (MA Thesis, University of Nottingham, September … Continue reading This includes not just the London based 3^rd Foot Guards (the Scots Guards), but most Scottish Crown and auxiliary (i.e. militia, fencible and yeomanry) regiments, and Black soldiers could be found alongside their White Scottish comrades in Battles such as Assaye (1803) and Waterloo (1815).^[4]William Damerum of Poonamallee, India and described as having a Black complexion, was only ten years of age when he served as a boy in the band of the 74th (Highland) Foot at Assaye. For William … Continue reading

In peace time and whilst stationed at ‘Home’ (in Britain and Ireland), military musicians sounded the calls dictating daily events; from reveille, through daily duty calls (breakfast, assembly, duty, sickness, dinner), to last post. They also entertained and promoted regimental prestige at social events such as fairs, balls and dances. Tradition dictated that floggings and executions were performed in front of the regiment, and by military musicians (bandsmen, buglers, drummers and trumpeters). This served both as a deterrent to potential ne’er-do-wells and demonstrated justice being served.

Recruiting parties invariably contained a drummer, whose beating encouraged men to ‘follow the drum’ and enlist. Whilst recruiting for the 29^th (Worcestershire) Foot in Aberdeen in 1807, John Sampson, a Black drummer born in Barbados c.1782, was killed by soldiers of the Argyllshire Militia.^[5]For John Sampson see: TNA WO 12/4503 and WO 25/957. “Drummers for the Devil”. Whether the motivation was ‘racial’ or inter-regimental rivalry remains unknown.

On campaign the role of a band was to communicate orders in battle. With shot and shell making verbal orders difficult to hear, commands were relayed by the beat of a drum or the call of a trumpet and bugle. Alarm, fire/cease-fire, advance, stand-fast. Bandsmen had a secondary role as medics and frequently augmented the ranks.

It is not clear if enlistment was a ‘pro-regiment or ‘pro-Black’ choice, but there were advantages to service; Drummers and trumpeters received slightly more pay per day than privates. Regimental Band Funds, subscribed to by officers boosted the pay of bandsmen. There were opportunities, with permission of the Commanding Officer, to work as civilian musicians and to live out of barracks. They were frequently joining institutions with traditions of employing Black soldiers, and as such ‘racial’ norms had already been negotiated and established, they were frequently serving alongside other Black soldiers. They were trained in the use of weapons; something denied them by the plantocracy in the Caribbean and the United States. According to the Commanding Officer of the 1^st Battalion of the 78^th (Highlanders) Foot in 1830, the Black bandsmen of the regiment “…were perfectly trained in the use of arms and very good marksmen…”^[6]TNA WO 97/67-70.  Ellis, JD. “Drummers for the Devil? The Black Soldiers of the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot, 1759-1843”. JSAHR. Eighty. Autumn 2002. No.323. pp 186-202.

Campaign medals were awarded without discrimination and a pension could be awarded if a soldier was wounded or injured or if worn out by service. This would have been attractive to those Black soldiers born outside of Britain and Ireland, who would have had no recourse to ‘parish relief’ if they fell on hard times. Consequently, Black soldiers were more likely to re-enlist than their White counterparts, and both individual and groups of ‘Journeyman Soldiers’ can be seen moving between regiments. However, few Black soldiers were ever promoted to become senior non-commissioned officers. Partly because being confined to ‘racially defined’ musical roles resulted in fewer opportunities – a battalion or regiment only needed one of either a Drum-Major or Trumpet-Major and one Band Sergeant. However, it may have been because White soldiers were unwilling to serve under the command of Black soldiers. Thus, the Black senior NCOs identified were all experienced combat veterans – individuals whose ability and bravery were proven.

Fall out the Black Soldiers

The practise of employing Black soldiers as enlisted military musicians ended in the 1840s, no doubt influenced by peace time reductions in the establishment of regiments and the size of bands combined with a decrease in the fashion for percussion music. Limits were enforced on the numbers of ‘foreign born’ soldiers that could be enlisted, and although many Black soldiers were British subjects by birth, there is no doubt that the toxicity of the plantocracy and their supporters and the resulting increased racism played a part in enforcing exclusion. To the credit of most regiments, there was no sudden exodus of Black soldiers, they seem to have simply served out their time and retired, being replaced by White military musicians. Officially, the last Black soldier was John Charles, the Trinidad ‘Big Drummer’ of the 32^nd (Cornwall) who was discharged in Ireland in 1845.^[7]https://www.historycalroots.com/the-last-black-drummer-john-charles-of-the-32nd-foot-1808-1845/ Unofficially, the ‘mixed heritage’ sons and grandsons of Black soldiers continued to serve well into the nineteenth century and beyond.

Black Soldiers and Edinburgh

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the city of Edinburgh established extensive commercial links with the burgeoning British Empire and individuals made substantial profits from the trade in enslaved people.

The capital of Scotland since the fifteenth century, Edinburgh Castle was home to a large garrison. As such, it might be expected that Black soldiers were present in the city. One of the first references to Black soldiers in Edinburgh was a parade of the 4^th Dragoons in 1792, when an eye-witness observed “The trumpeters were Africans, dressed in demi-oriental costume and wearing turbans.”^[8]H.P.E.P. ““Notes from “Reminiscences of a Scottish Gentleman,” by “Philo Scotus” (Philip Ainslie), JSAHR, Vol. 32, No. 130 (Summer, 1954). pp. 87. The Black soldiers of the 4th were … Continue reading

The presence in Scotland of the Black soldiers of the 4^th dated from much earlier. In 1715 they had participated in suppressing the ‘Jacobite Uprising’. A contemporary account of military display in Stirling (1715) observed

“This was a show we cowld not pass by withowt looking at and to say truth I scares think there is a more showy regement in Europe…The six drumers were mores with bres drums…..and they roade upon gray horses.”

‘Moor’ and ‘Blackamoor’ were historical terms used to describe people of African origin with “mores” being a reference to ‘Blackamoors’. ^[9]’Moor’ and ‘Blackamoor’ were historical terms used to describe people of African origin. AF, Steuart (ed.), News Letters of 1715-16. (Printed from original papers. W & R Chambers, … Continue reading

Service in Scotland clearly did not appeal to at least one Black soldiers in the 4^th Dragoons, and when they returned briefly to Scotland in 1721, (then known as ‘Evan’s Regiment of Dragoons’), one of them deserted whilst stationed at Haddington, east of Edinburgh. From the Edinburgh Evening Courant, 17th October 1721:

WHEREAS John Burt a Negro Drummer in the honourable Major General Evans`s Regiment of Dragoons, aged 26 Years, about five Foot, four inches high, having on a Regimental Green Frock Red Waistcoat and Breeches, did desert from Haddingtoun the 13th of this Instant October: These are to give Notice, that whoever will secure him, and give an Account thereof to the commanding Officer of the Regiment at Haddingtoun aforesaid, shall receive five Guineas Reward; but any person who shall hereafter be known to entertain him, will be sued according to the Clause in the Act of Parliament against harbouring or concealing of Deserters.^[10]Edinburgh Evening Courant, 17th October 1721. Reference provided by Audrey Dewjee.

John Burt appears to have avoided capture and the fact that he could successfully desert suggests that the Black population in Scotland was sufficiently large for him to find anonymity, safety and employment and that White people were sympathetic to his plight.

The first reference to a Black man enlisting at Edinburgh was to Juba Cambeson, “a black” who attested “for the Edinboro Regt” at the Council Chambers (now City Chambers) in December 1794.^[11]Edinburgh, Scotland, Army Attestation Registers, 1796-1857. ancestry.co.uk

In 1818, Private William Green “a Black man” in the 70^th (Glasgow Lowland) Foot quartered in Edinburgh Castle, was convicted of breaking into the desk of Captain Donald McKay and stealing upwards of 25 guineas, a gold watch and several articles of clothing.^[12]Duffield, Dr I. “Identity, Community and Lived Experience of Black Scots from the Late Eighteenth to Mid Nineteenth Centuries”, Immigrants & Minorities, Vol.11 No.2 (1992), pp.102-29. William Green, who had been employed as servant (a ‘batman’ in military parlance) to Captain McKay, was pursued and captured at Leith on a ship bound for London.^[13]Caledonian Mercury, 7^th May 1818. Caledonian Mercury, 1^st June 1818. findmypast.co.uk Transportation to Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania) for life appears to have done little to address Green’s behaviour and between 1819 and 1821 he received a total of 175 lashes for various offences including theft, drunkenness and absconding.^[14]Tasmania Convict Records 1800-1893. Conduct Record CON31/1/13; Indent CON13/1/1 Page 297; Muster Roll CS01/1/403 Page 9107. findmypast.co.uk

The last reference to a Black man enlisting at Edinburgh was to Lenox Simpson, an African who attested in the 41^st Foot, then quartered in Edinburgh Castle, at the Council Chambers (now City Chambers) in September 1821.^[15]Edinburgh, Scotland, Army Attestation Registers, 1796-1857. ancestry.co.uk

In 1837 Edinburgh Castle was also the final posting of a Jamaican soldier; Sergeant George Rose of the 42^nd (Royal Highland) Foot, better known as ‘The Black Watch’. The son of a man from Inverness and a Black woman and described as “a man of colour”, he had escaped slavery and then enlisted in the 73^rd Foot, with whom he served in the German and Waterloo campaigns (1814 and 1815 respectively), being wounded in both. A recipient of the ‘Waterloo Medal’, after transferring to the 42^nd he had been promoted to Band Sergeant, giving a former slave command over White soldiers whilst slavery was still legal within the British Empire.^[16] https://www.historycalroots.com/george-rose-an-exemplary-soldier/ He may well have been the Black soldier observed serving with a Highland regiment in West Lothian during the early 1800s, of whom it was remarked that he was so “naturalised” a Scot that he became a piper.^[17]Inverness Courier, 23^rd October 1833. findmypast.co.uk George Rose was discharged on a pension in 1837 and settled with his family in Glasgow where he became a Methodist Minister in the ‘Waterloo Chapel’. Whilst he was not the only Black man to become a senior non-commissioned officer, this inverting of contemporary norms vis-à-vis the ‘racial hierarchy’ was to the credit of the 42^nd Foot.

One Black former soldier of the 78^th (Highlanders) appears to have made Edinburgh his home: Thomas Manuel was born at Port-au-Prince, Haiti c.1771. Described as having a Black complexion, he served with the 1^st Battalion 78^th (Highland) Foot between 1805 and 1812. He was wounded in the right arm during the capture of Java (1811) and discharged as an out-pensioner of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in July 1813. He claimed the ‘Military General Service Medal’ in 1848 with the ‘Java’ clasp, and pension records reveal that he died in “Edinbro” (as Edinburgh was rendered) in November 1848.^[18]For Thomas Manuel see: TNA WO 22/123, WO 23/43, 100/8 and WO 121/132.

Black Soldiers in the 1^st Foot (Royal Scots)

Black soldiers are also known to have served as military musicians in the 1^st Foot (Royal Scots) – later the Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) – the regiment mostly closely linked with Edinburgh Castle and Lothian:

John Ferdinand was born in Madras, India c.1783. Described as having a Black complexion and being “a native of the East Indies”, between 1801 and 1811 he served in both the 74^th then 33^rd (1^st Yorkshire West Riding) Regiments of Foot.^[19]TNA WO 23/148 and WO 97/224/13. The 74th Foot later became the Highland Light Infantry, then the Royal Highland Fusiliers. The 33rd Foot later became the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment then the … Continue reading Transferring to the 2^nd Battalion of the 1^st Foot (Royal Scots) at Madras in January 1812 he served as a private until discharged on a pension in April 1828 being worn out. During his service the battalion fought in the 3^rd Mahratta War (1817-1819) and the 1^st Burma War (1825-1826). Having married Allana Sweitzer, “a native of Trichinopoly”, at Madras in April 1821, he settled locally and died in 1837.^[20]BIO Ecclesiastical Returns: Marriages. N-2-17/163. BIO Ecclesiastical Returns: Deaths and Burials. N-2-3/76. findmypast.co.uk

Hugh Evans was born in Pennsylvania c.1775. Described as having a yellow complexion (indicating that he was of ‘mixed heritage’) and black woolly hair, he enlisted in the 1^st Battalion of the 1^st Foot (Royal Scots) in January 1803 when it was serving in the West Indies. A sailor by occupation, most of his service was spent in the West Indies, during which time elements of the battalion were engaged in the capture of Guadeloupe (1810). He deserted in December 1813, within months of the battalion arriving in Canada.^[21]TNA WO 25/308 and 309.

Richard Williams was born on St Vincent, West Indies c.1790. Described as having a Black complexion he enlisted in the 4^th Battalion of the 1^st Foot (Royal Scots) at Plymouth, Devon in July 1808.^[22]TNA WO 25/316 and 325. In 1814, the 2^nd Battalion were engaged in the ill-considered attack on Bergen-op-Zoom, where the Colours were lost. When the battalion was disbanded in March 1816, Richard Williams transferred to the 2^nd Battalion in India and probably served with it in the 1^st Burma War (1825-1826). He died at Bhagalpur, Bengal in September 1830.

Black Soldiers in Edinburgh from the ‘Army Attestation Registers, 1796-1857’

From the 1790s the War Office required regiments to record the personal details of enlisted soldiers. These details included age, place of birth, civilian occupation, height, the colour of eyes, hair and complexion and distinguishing marks. Although pre-printed forms and bound ledgers were provided, at other times regiments appeared to have either sourced them locally or produced their own. These records were generated with the aim of facilitating the identification of deserters and authenticating the identity of veterans claiming pensions. Whilst place of birth and complexion facilitate the identification of ethnicity, the War Office does not appear to have provided any guidance regarding the gradation of complexion. Thus, it was left to individual regimental officers to devise their own. ‘Black’ or ‘of colour’ was used to describe the complexion of someone of African or Asian origin (with mulatto, creole, tawny, copper and yellow used for individuals of ‘mixed heritage’), and the complexion of those of White British and European origin being described as pale, sallow, fresh, ruddy, swarthy, dark and brown.

In regiments with a well-established Black presence it is clear that when someone was described as having a “Black” complexion then they were of either African or Asian origin. However, in other regiments this was not the case and many White soldiers were described as having “Black” complexions. In some cases, regiments differentiated between the men. For example, in the ‘Regimental Records of Service, 1806-1817’ for the 2^nd Battalion of the 67^th (the South Hampshire) Foot, eighteen British and Irish born soldiers were described as having “Black” complexions, but two of the men also had the annotation “Black man”.^[23]Thomas Brien born at Martinique c.1779 and George Casar (Caesar) born at Guadeloupe c.1784. See: TNA WO 25/453. Whilst in the ‘Regimental Records of Service, 1811-1815’ for the 2^nd Battalion of the 88^th Foot (Connaught Rangers), a number of British and Irish born soldiers were described as having “Black” complexions, although only one was also noted to have a “coloured” complexion.^[24]For John Carr, born in Baltimore, USA c.1793 see: TNA WO 25/518. (“Coloured” was not a term commonly used). Both the 67^th and 88^th Foot were clearly aware that whilst a soldier of White British or Irish origin and a soldier of African or Asian origin might both possess a complexion to be sufficiently dark enough to be described as “Black”, that there was a difference.

What must have been a ‘common sense distinction’ was being made locally at a time when ‘race’ was being constructed. However, it does complicate the search for soldiers of African or Asian origin. Thus, the identification has to be made on a regiment-by-regiment basis, but with the caveat that place of birth combined with complexion was a strong indicator of ethnicity as are other ‘indicators’ such as being described as possessing “woolly hair”, “being a native of…” or not being allowed service in either the East or West Indies to count towards pension. As such, the identification of Black soldiers has tended to be based on those born in Africa, the African Diaspora and Asia, rather than those born Britain and Ireland. The ethnicity of Scottish born soldiers can only be confirmed with certainty if they served in regiments who were clear that describing an individual as having a Black complexion was confirmation that they were of African or Asian origin. Obviously, this means that soldiers of African or Asian soldiers and born in either Britain or Ireland are more problematic to identify and therefore the extent of their presence in the ranks of British regiments cannot be ascertained. However, two Black Scottish soldiers can be identified with absolute certainty:

Robert Mumford was born in Dumfries c.1799. Described as having a tawney complexion and being “a man of colour” he served in the 31^st (Huntingdonshire) Foot (1817-1819), the 5^th Dragoon Guards (1820-1825), the Royal African Corps (1825) and the 69^th (South Lincolnshire) Foot from 1827 onwards.^[25]For Robert Mumford see: TNA WO 25/454.

William Rind was born in Stirling c.1796. Described as having a Black complexion and being “a half-caste East Indian” he served in the 27^th (Inniskilling) Foot (1806-1817), 94th Foot (1817-1818) and 40^th (the 2^nd Somersetshire) Foot (1818-1841).^[26]For William Rind see: TNA WO 12/5352, WO 22/17, WO 97/565/90 and TNA WO 116/49. Also ‘The Story of Black Joe, 1796-1857’. rictornorton.co.uk/

It was not just the military that had to record the personal details of enlisted soldiers. In towns and cities across Britain and Ireland, new recruits were attested by Justices of the Peace (JPs). In Edinburgh between 1796 and 1857 attestation was carried out by local JPs in the City Chambers (also referred to as ‘the Council Chambers’). The details of all new recruits were recorded in handwriting in pre-printed ledgers.^[27]Edinburgh, Scotland, Army Attestation Registers, 1796-1857. ancestry.co.uk

The men whose details were recorded were destined for service in both Crown and auxiliary regiments, including those stationed in Edinburgh Castle and those who had sent recruiting parties into the city. The following information was recorded: Name. Date of attestation. Age at attestation. Place of birth. Regiment (destined for). Designation (i.e. occupation). Physical description (colour of eyes, hair, complexion and height).

Between 1794 and 1821 over 13,000 new recruits were attested at the City Chambers in Edinburgh, mostly during the Napoleonic Wars of 1793-1815. Of that number approximately 100 were described as having either “Black” or ‘similar’ complexions (two men were described as possessing tawney complexion and one a yellow complexion). Whilst the majority of these men were born in Scotland, over thirty were born in Africa, the African Diaspora or Asia. Most of the men were born in the Caribbean and most men served in Scottish infantry and auxiliary regiments. With the 21^st (Royal North British) Foot enlisting four men and the Aberdeen Militia and Royal Edinburgh Volunteers enlisting four and seven men respectively.

In some cases, multiple men were enlisted on the same day, (the Aberdeen Militia enlisted four men born in St Domingo on the 14^th of October 1805), which might indicate that they were previously known to each other, or that they had been deliberately gathered together, perhaps for the purposes of establishing the percussion element in a regimental band.

In the 1790s the War Office purchased thousands of enslaved men to serve in the West India Regiments, and thereafter in the early nineteenth century forcibly enlisted many enslaved men ‘liberated’ from slave traders by the Royal Navy. There is no evidence of slavery, purchase or coercion in the ‘Army Attestation Registers, 1796-1857’ and the Black soldiers appear to have attested at Edinburgh in the same manner as their White peers. Although two men (Jerry Chevis and Philip De Grundy) were subsequently identified as former Prisoners of War, so for them attestation was probably the lesser of two evils.

A number of the men served long enough to receive pensions, (John Davidson, Philip De Grundy, John Joseph and Lenox Simpson) and their records indicate that they were Black, (with the transportation records for Nicolas Batise doing similar), confirming that the Edinburgh JPs were indeed using complexion and place of birth to as an indicator of ethnicity.

The details for the men have been transcribed in the Appendix. References provide additional details and clarification when needed, with the supporting information mostly drawn from ancestry.co.uk, findmypast.co.uk and www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

Appendix: Black Soldiers of Africa, African and Asian origin attested at City Chambers, Edinburgh between 1794 and 1821.

Name. Date of attestation. Age at attestation. Place of birth. Regiment attested for. Designation (i.e. occupation). Physical description (colour of eyes, hair, complexion and height).

11^th December 1794. Juba Cambeson. 5 feet 7”, for the Edinboro Regt, he is a black.^[28]Surname also rendered as Camlyson. There was a marriage in Edinburgh on the 9th of April 1795 of Juba Camlyson a soldier in Dundass’s Edinburgh Battalion to Mary Sanders, daughter of James Sanders … Continue reading

16^th April 1796. John Oliver, a black boy for Col. French. 15 years of age. 5/0” tall.^[29]John Oliver was one of four soldiers enlisted, the other three being White, by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph French of the 102^nd Foot.

18^th May 1796. John Thomas a Black. Labourer. New York, America. 88^th Foot. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 27 years of age. 5/7 and 1/2” tall.^[30]The 88^th Foot (Connaught Rangers) were later the Connaught Rangers and disbanded in 1922.

25^th September 1797. Philip De Grundy. Hairdresser. Senegalle, Port aux Prince. 2^nd Battn 2^nd REV. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 27 years of age. 5/8” tall.^[31]See entry for Philip De Gonde dated 15^th May 1798. The unit was the 2nd Regiment of Royal Edinburgh Volunteers under the Duke of Buccleuch. It had been formed in February 1797.

20^th December 1797. Jerry Chevis. Labourer. Salem, Massachusetts. 21^st Foot. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 34 years of age. 5/7” tall.^[32]It is likely that this man was the Prisoner of War Gerel Chienvess. Taken by the Prince William, 12th July 1797. Belonging to a Coal Sloop, (identity unknown). Gerel Chienvess. Into custody, 1st … Continue reading

20^th December 1797. William Moses. Labourer. St Thomas. 21^st Foot. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 24 years of age. 5/7” tall.^[33]St Thomas is an island in the Caribbean. It is likely that this man was the Prisoner of War William Mois. Taken by Rio Aron. W.Colquhoun of Grenock. Belonging to a French ship taken in the West … Continue reading

7^th May 1798. Thomas Brodie. Labourer. Africa. 2^nd Battn 2^nd REV. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 30 years of age. 5/6 and 1/2” tall.^[34]The unit was the 2^nd Regiment of Royal Edinburgh Volunteers under the Duke of Buccleuch. It had been formed in February 1797.

15^th May 1798. Philip De Gonde. Drum Beater. Guadeloupe, Guadeloupe. 21^st Regt of Foot. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 27 years of age. 5/10” tall.^[35]See previous entry for Philip De Grundy, dated 25th September 1797. Entries for Philip De Grundy (sic) appear on ancestry.co.uk, findmypast.co.uk and www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: French POWs at … Continue reading

16^th May 1798. Robert Currie. Labourer. Tobago, Tobago. 5^th or Fifeshire Militia. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 18 years of age. 5/7 and 1/2” tall.^[36]See entry for Robert Currie dated 24^th May 1802. The Fifeshire Militia were raised in 1798 and served in Ireland and on Home Defence duties during the Napoleonic Wars.

17^th July 1798. John Robertson. Servant. Barbados. Caithness Legion. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 19 years of age. 5/5 and 1/2” tall.^[37]The Caithness Legion was raised by Sir Benjamin Dunbar in 1794. It spent much of its service in Ireland, returning to Scotland to be disbanded in 1802.

29^th August 1798. William Knox Taylor. Grenada. Lanark Militia. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 18 years of age. 5/7 and 3/4” tall.^[38]The Royal Lanark Militia.

6^th November 1798. Nicolas Batise. Labourer. Guadeloupe. Loyal McLeod Fencibles. Black complexion, very dark eyes, black hair. 20 years of age. 5/7” tall.^[39]The Loyal Macleod Fencibles or Princess Charlotte of Wales’s Loyal Macleod Fencible Regiment were raised in 1798 under the command of Colonel John Macleod of Colbeck. They served in Ireland and … Continue reading

19^th November 1798. Edward Haywood. Gentleman’s Servant. Kingston, Jamaica. 2^nd Battn 2^nd REV. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 25 years of age. 5/8 and 1/2” tall.^[40]The unit was the 2nd Regiment of Royal Edinburgh Volunteers under the Duke of Buccleuch. It had been formed in February 1797.

20^th November 1798. William Davidson. Gentleman’s Servant. Africa, Africa. 2^nd Battn 2^nd REV. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 20 years of age. 5/7 and 1/2” tall.^[41]Ibid.

22^nd February 1799. Thomas Fairly. Gentleman’s Servant. Indigo (Intigo), West Indies. Ross and Cromarty Fencibles. Yellow complexion, black eyes, black hair. 18 years of age. 5/4” tall.^[42]It has not been possible to identify the place of birth, other than it was clearly in the ‘West Indies’. Indigo was cultivated extensively by enslaved people in the Caribbean from the eighteenth … Continue reading

12^th June 1799. Francis Johnson. Button Maker. Virginia, America. Norfolk LD. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 20 years of age. 5/4 and 1/4” tall.^[43]The Norfolk Light Dragoons.

9^th August 1799. Allan McLean. Weaver. Campore, E Indies. 74^th Regt of Foot. Black complexion, hazel eyes, black hair. 19 years of age. 5/0” tall.^[44]The 74^th Foot were an antecedent of the Highland Light Infantry and then the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

4^th October 1799. John Davidson. Labourer. Kingston, Jamaica. Dumbarton Volunteers. Tawney complexion, black eyes, black hair. 20 years of age. 5/8” tall.^[45]‘Tawney’ was used to describe the complexion of people of ‘mixed heritage’. After service in the Dumbarton Volunteers (Fencibles), John Davidson transferred to the 72nd Foot in July 1800, in … Continue reading

17^th December 1799. James Gordon. Joiner. Tobago. Royal Artillery. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 19 years of age. 5/11 and 3/4” tall.

15^th August 1801. John Robertson. Labourer. Africa. 2^nd Battn 2^nd REV. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 30 years of age. 5/7” tall.^[46]The unit was the 2nd Regiment of Royal Edinburgh Volunteers under the Duke of Buccleuch. It had been formed in February 1797.

24^th May 1802. Robert Currie. Labourer. Tobago. 70^th From 5^th N.Battn. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 20 years of age. 5/7” tall.^[47]See previous entry for Robert Currie dated 16th May 1798. The ‘5th N.Battn.’ was the 5th or Fifeshire Militia. The 70th (Glasgow Lowland) Foot were an antecedent of the Surrey Regiment then the … Continue reading

19^th January 1804. Thomas Farley. Potter. Antigua. Lanark Militia. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 22 years of age. 5/5” tall.^[48]The Royal Lanark Militia.

27^th January 1804. John Began. Hairdresser. St Kitts. R Lanark M. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 29 years of age. 5/8 and 3/4” tall.^[49]Ibid.

2^nd February 1804. Robert Roberts. Labourer. Bombay. R Lanark M. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 25 years of age. 5/4” tall.^[50]See entry for Robert Roberts dated 24^th October 1807. The Royal Lanark Militia.

7^th March 1805. John Baptist Shaw. Musician. Island of Grenada, West Indies. 5^th D Gds. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 24 years of age. 5/9” tall.^[51]The 5^th (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards are an antecedent of the Royal Dragoon Guards.

2^nd August 1805. John Douglas. Labourer. St Kitts. Inverness Militia. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 25 years of age. 5/7” tall.^[52]The Inverness Militia were formed in 1802 under Sir James Grant. It disbanded in 1814.

14^th October 1805. John Joseph. Labourer. St Domingo, St Domingo. Aberdeen M. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 17 years of age. 5/4” tall.^[53]There is some doubt regarding his place of birth, see the entry for John Joseph, 24^th May 1815. The Aberdeen Militia.

14^th October 1805. James Mussel (Muffel). Labourer. St Domingo, St Domingo. Aberdeen M. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 15 years of age. 5/5 and 1/2” tall.^[54]The Aberdeen Militia.

14^th October 1805. Orphy Mussel (Muffel). Labourer. St Domingo, St Domingo. Aberdeen M. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 15 years of age. 5/4 and 1/2” tall.^[55]Ibid.

14^th October 1805. John Tully. Labourer. St Domingo, St Domingo. Aberdeen M. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 20 years of age. 5/6” tall.^[56]Ibid.

21^st September 1807. John Tankard. Labourer. New York, Province of New York. 42^nd Regt of Foot, Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 18 years of age. 5/9” tall.^[57]Some doubt as to height – possibly 5/4” tall. The 42^nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot were later known as the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment).

24^th October 1807. Robert Roberts. Labourer. Bombay. 74^th Foot. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 28 years of age. 5/4 and 1/2” tall.^[58]See entry for Robert Roberts dated 2^nd February January 1804. The 74^th Foot were an antecedent of the Highland Light Infantry and then the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

4^th November 1807. Touissant Juro. Labourer. Guadeloupe, Guadeloupe. 43rd Foot. Black complexion, black eyes, black hair. 29 years of age. 5/11” tall.^[59]The 43^rd (Monmouthshire) Foot (Light Infantry) were an antecedent regiment of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, then later the Light Infantry.

29^th February 1808. William Ryston. Shoemaker. Northampton, S Carolina. 1^st Battn REV. Black complexion, brown eyes, black hair. 24 years of age. 5/8” tall.^[60]The 1^st Battalion Royal Edinburgh Volunteers.

22^nd July 1809. James Kelso. Labourer. Charleston, America. 25^th Foot. Black complexion, black hair, black eyes. 34 years of age. 5/7” tall.^[61]The 25^th (the King’s Own Borderers) Foot were later known as the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

24^th May 1815. John Joseph. Labourer. New York. 21st Foot. Black complexion, black hair, black eyes. 26 years of age. 5/7” tall.^[62]See the entry for John Joseph, 14th October 1805. There is some doubt regarding his place of birth, possibly because he was previously enslaved and chose to hide it. John Joseph had initially … Continue reading

18^th September 1821. Lennox Simpson. Labourer. Houston, Africa. 41^st Foot. Black complexion, black hair, black eyes. 22 years of age. 6/0” tall.^[63]Lenox Simpson was born in Africa c.1794. His exact place of birth cannot be identified. He enlisted in the 41st Foot at Edinburgh in September 1841, whilst the regiment was stationed in Edinburgh … Continue reading