Sir Stephen Walcott

A key figure in colonial emigration, born Barbados 1806, the son of Robert J. Walcott (q.v.), and dying in London 1887.

1. 'The death is announced [in London, 28 July 1887] of Sir Stephen Walcott, K.C.M.G., formerly secretary to the South Australian Colonisation Commission and the Emigration Commission, aged 81. Sir Stephen Walcott was born at Barbados in 1806, and was called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1829. In 1832 he was appointed an assistant commissioner for inquiring into the working of the poor laws in England. Three years later he went to Canada with the Governor General as Chief Secretary to the Government. He returned to England in 1838, and his next appointment was that of secretary to Her Majesty’s Colonial Land and Emigration Commission and to the South Australian Colonisation Commission in 1840. In July, 1860, he became Second Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioner , and in January, 1877 he succeeded to the position of sole commissioner. In April 1878, he retired from the service. He received the Companionship of the Order of St. Michael and St George in 1872, and was made a Knight Commander of the order in 1877.'  

2. Elizabeth Isabel, daughter of Stephen and Frances Isabella Walcott of Westbury on Trym, born 15/04/1839 and baptised at Westbury 13/05/1839. Fanny Constance, daughter of Stephen and Frances Isabella Walcott of 8 York Street, London, baptisted at St Mary's, Bryanston Square, 22/01/1845. In 1851, Stephen Walcott, widower, age 44, born Barbados, was living at 17 Lansdowne Crecent, Kensington, with his children Elizabeth I, age 11, born Gloucestershire, Jessie age 8 born Devon, Fanny C, age 6, born London, Susan Racy (his aunt) and Caroline Price (a visitor), Charles K. Bishop (a visitor) Charles's wife Emily and three female servants. At the same address in 1861 and 1871. At 1 Union Place, Worthing, Sussex, in 1881 with his daughter Fanny and two Addison grand-daughters and a nurse.

3. Part of a nexus of former 'West Indians' in London. He was nephew and (in 1870) executor of William Alleyne Culpeper (q.v.); his house at 17 Lansdowne Crescent was shown as the address of Charles Kyd Bishop (q.v.) following the latter's death in 1873 (Stephen Walcott's daughter Jessie had married John Claxton Addison, who was Bishop's executor).

4. The will with a codicil of Sir Stephen Walcott formerly of 17 Lansdowne Crescent, Notting Hill, afterwards of Lansdowne Cottage, Union Place, Worthing, Sussex but late of 7 Grange Park, Ealing, died 25/07/1887 at 7 Grange Park, proved at London 30/08/1887 by John Claxton Addison of 7 Grange Park, retired Major 3rd Batallion Royal Fusiliers, one of the surviving executors. Personal estate £19,776 7s 2d.

5. Memorial inscription at South Ealing Cemetery to Sir Stephen Walcott who died 25/07/1887 age 81 years. In the same grave are Lt. Col. J. C. Addison, son-in-law of Sir Stephen Walcott who died 16/01/1911 age 68 years, his widow Jessie Addison who died 20/11/1917 aged 75 years and also Fanny Constance Walcott who died 02/03/1922 aged 77 years.

1. The Argus [Melbourne], 29 July 1887.

2. Ancestry.com, Bristol, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1918 [database online]; Ancestry.com, London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 [database online]; 1851-1881 censuses online.

3. See separate entries for William Alleyne Cupleper and Charles Kyd Bishop.

4. National Probate Calendar 1887.

5. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5913025/stephen-walcott [accessed 10/07/2020].

We are grateful to Andrzej Suchcitz for his assistance with compiling this entry.