Eleanor West (née Walsh)

Eleanor West née Walsh was awarded a half share of the compensation for enslaved people on Ann Grove and a 1/6th share for enslaved people on Harmony Hill, both in St George, Jamaica. Sister of Rachel Winchester and brother-in-law of Robert Winchester (both q.v.).

1. Born in Jamaica circa 1806, the daughter of Dominick Walsh and Ann Walsh née Cumming. 09/06/1828: “At Edinburgh, [marriage of] Stewart West Esq., of Kingston, Jamaica, to Eleanor, second daughter of the late Dominick Walsh, Esq., of that Island.” At least one child born to this marriage, also named Eleanor, circa 1833 in Jamaica, but listed as “of Scotland” in the compensation records two years later.

2. Living at Scotland Street, Edinburgh, in the census of 1841, age 30, “Independent”, with her daughter Eleanor West age 10, Grace Graham age 50 “Independent” and 1 female servant. A widow in the 1851 census, living with her sister Rachel Winchester at 3 Marlborough Terrace, Marylebone, Middlesex, age 44, “Annuitant”, born in Jamaica, again with her daughter Ellen West age 19, also an annuitant, also born in Jamaica. Moved to 13 Howard Place, Edinburgh, by the census of 1861, age 54, “Holder of Gar[?] Shares”, again with her sister Rachel, daughter Eleanor and 1 female servant. Died at 6 Warriston Crescent, Edinburgh, 15/08/1866 age 59, “Widow of Stewart West, Merchant, Kingston, Jamaica.”

3. It is most likely that Eleanor West inherited her share of Ann Grove and Harmony Hill from her own family rather than from her husband, as she shares ownership with her sister.

T71/869 St George Nos. 256A-D and 258A & B.

1. Names of parents taken from her death certificate: General Register Office for Scotland, 1866 685/02 0419. Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 24, p. 404 (W. Blackwood Ltd, Edinburgh, 1828). Age and place of birth of daughter Eleanor taken from later census records (see below).

2. 1841 census online; 1851 census online; 1861 census online; General Register Office for Scotland, 1866 685/02 0419.

3. See separate entries for Rachel Winchester and Robert Winchester.