Alexander Reid of Easter Elchies

Alexander Reid of Easter Elchies was the brother of John Reid of Falmouth and Tobago (q.v.), and residuary heir for life under John Reid's will of the Cinnamon Hill estate and the enslaved people attached to it on Tobago. John Reid was indebted at his death, and it is not clear to what extent if any Alexander Reid benefited from his inheritance: John Reid's estate was the subject of a Chancery suit in Tobago in 1821 that led to the sale of Cinnamon Hill and 72 enslaved people. Alexander Reid was the founder of The Macallan whisky business at Speyside, establishing the first licensed distillery on the site in 1824.

The proceeding in the Court of Chancery in Tobago of Jean Reid [probably the mother or sister of John Reid the testator] creditor of John Reid versus Alexander Gordon et al. led in 1821 to the announcement of the sale of Cinnamon Hill, with 197 acres '72 slaves, 22 head of cattle, 10 mules and 1 ass' on 01/03/1822. The sale was then postponed until 22/04/1822. London Gazette 17779 05/01/1822 p. 28; ibid 17797 09/03/1822 p. 411.

PROB 11/1619/26.

A letter from A. Nisbet[t] of Tobago to Alexander Reid concerning Cinnamon Hill dated 09/08/1821 is at https://litsdigital.hamilton.edu/collections/cinnamon-hill-estate-autograph-letter-signed-nisbet-agent-tobago-alexander-reid [accessed 16/11/2023]. The letter gives details of production and of some of the debts of the estate.

https://www.themacallan.com/en/making-of-the-macallan [accessed 16/11/2023].

We are grateful to Keith Otto for his help with this entry, and for sharing images and a transcription of an earlier letter from Dr A. Nisbett in Tobago to Alexander Reid at Easter Elchies dated 27/03/1820.