Thomas Corrie

Thomas Corrie of Edinburgh, awarded part of the compensation for enslaved persons on Lower Quarter Estate, Tobago, both in his own name and as one of the representatives of Lydia Campbell (q.v.). William Collow (q.v.) had had title to the estate and presumably a share in it came to Thomas Corrie through his mother.

1. Presumably the Thomas Corrie of Edinburgh who was joint general manager of the British Linen Company, 1828-1859. If so, then born c. 1790 in Midlothian to Hugh Corrie, a Writer to the Signet, and his wife Mary Corrie née Collow. Married Clementina Blair Ross, daughter of Colonel Andrew Ross, in Edinburgh, 18/03/1814. Five children born to this couple in Edinburgh: Mary (1816), Isabella Lydia (1815), Mary (1816), Hugh (1818), Clementina Margaret (1821) and Marion Jessie (1822). Registered to 36 St Andrews Square, Edinburgh, in a directory of 1835/6 (now renumbered as 37 St Andrews Square). Living at Sunnyside House, Liberton, Midlothian in 1841, age 50, Banker, with his wife, 4 daughters and 5 female servants. Living at 1 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh in 1851, age 61, Bank Manager, with his 4 daughters, son-in-law James Connell, granddaughter Clementina I. Connell and 4 female servants. Died at 25 Melville Street, Edinburgh, 15/04/1859 age 69.

2. Possibly distantly related to Edgar Corrie, son of a business partner of John Gladstone (q.v.), founder of the London-based firm Corrie & Co., whose company arranged the sale of Lower Quarter Estate in 1842.

T71/891 Tobago claim no. 30A + B (Lower Quarter Estate).

1. Richard Saville, Bank of Scotland: A History, 1696-1995 (Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 1996) pp. 301-302. www.familysearch.org batch nos. M11983-4 and C11983-5. Edinburgh Post Office Directory, 1835/6. 1841 and 1851 censuses online. General Register Office for Scotland, Deaths 1857 685/1 282.

2. Thomas Ellison, The cotton trade of Great Britain (London, Frank Cass, 1886) pp. 225-227. T71/1610 letter from Corrie & Co 29 Mincing Lane seeking stamped copy of award as recipients were intending to sell the estate to a resident in Tobago. Times 07/05/1842 p. 3 Ads: 'For sale, a small sugar estate in Tobago, which will be disposed of on moderate terms. For particulars aply to Messrs Corrie & Co., Mincing Lane.'