Col. Gledstanes

Slave-owner in Trinidad, given as Col. Gledstanes.

1. This was probably but not certainly Sir Albert Gledstanes, whose will was proved 11/07/1818, who had been a Colonel in the 57th Regiment and then in the 102nd Foot and died a Lieutenant-General. This man served in the West Indies, for a period as Adjutant General: in support of the link with Trinidad is the fact that 'Col. Gledstanes' allegedly saved a soldier of the 57th [Gledstanes' regiment at the time] from summary execution by Thomas Picton in 1807. However, the will of Sir Alfred Gledstanes [made in 1817] makes no mention of slave-property.

2. Memorial in St Swithin's Church, Walcot, Bath: BENEATH THIS PLACE LIE THE REMAINS OF LIEUT GENL SIR ALBERT GLEDSTANES KNIGHT, COLONEL OF THE 100TH REGT OF FOOT: AN ABLE AND VETERAN OFFICER, A FAITHFUL FRIEND, AFFECTIONATE RELATIVE, AND MOST TENDER HUSBAND. HE WAS BORN SEPTR 2ND 1750, DIED APRIL 25TH 1818. THIS TABLET IS ERECTED TO HIS MEMORY, BY HIS MOURNING WIDOW ALSO HIS WIFE DAME ANNA MARIA GLEDSTANES, WHO DIED 29TH AUGUST 1831.

1. Will of Sir Albert Gledstanes of Bath PROB 11/1603/455; Thomas Fullarton, 'Substance of the Evidence...in the Case of Thomas Picton', p. 22. Confusingly Blackwoods shows the death of Lt. Col. Gledstanes h.p. 3 W.I.R. at Trinidad '4 December 1820', although this date might refer to the entry that follows immediately below the entry for Lt Col. Gledstanes.

2. St Swithin's Church, Walcot, Internal Monuments, https://www.batharchives.co.uk/sites/bath_record_office/files/STS%20Internal%20Monuments.pdf [accessed 07/07/2020].

We are grateful to Stephen Bird for his assistance with compiling this entry.