Alexander Geddes

Very probably the same man as the Alex Geddes (q.v.) who was attorney for Peter Matthew Dixon (q.v.).

1. This is presumably the same Alexander Geddes who, according to his evidence to the 1848 Select Committee on Sugar and Coffee Planting, went out to Jamaica in 1819 as a planter; 1826 came into charge of a very large property; 1826-1841 actively engaged as agent in the management of ‘every description of property in almost every district of Jamaica’. 1841 left the island (travelling through Cuba and the USA) and returned home, i.e. to Britain, in 1841. Gave evidence to the Select Committee on West India Colonies in 1842. 1843: returned to Jamaica to reside upon his own properties (for grazing and the production of pimento). Became member of the legislature the chief magistrate and custos rotulorum (the highest civil office) of the largest district in Jamaica. He said that ‘I gave my time entirely to my duties in the legislature and to the discharge of my functions as chief magistrate, and to the promotion of agriculture by every means in my power; also to the improvement of the institutions of the district.’ However, Geddes claimed in his evidence that 'I never owned a slave' (q. 9069, p. 17).

2. In 1861 Alexander Geddes aged 61 'West Indian proprietor' born Wisboro Green Sussex was living with his wife Frances aged 46 born Jamaica and three daughters aged 22-24, two born London and one born Jamaica, at 27 Chepstow Villas West, Kensington. The will of Alexander Geddes formerly of the Island of Jamaica but late of Chepstow Villas West who died at Murphy Hill St Ann Jamaica 01/01/1864 was proved 24/06/1864, effects under £3000.

1. House of Commons Select Committee on Sugar and Coffee Planting, 4th Report, PP1847-48 (184) XXIII Pt. II, p. 1; Select Committee on West India Colonies, PP1842 (479) XIII. pp.476-90.

2. 1861 census online; National Probate Calendar 1864.