Robert Bayley

Formerly of Liverpool and at the time of compensation living at Handley near Chester, awarded the compensation for 54 enslaved people on St Lucia as owner-in-fee. Counterclaimed unsuccessfully in another claim in St Lucia (where his surname is given as Bailey but his addresses is given as Handley, Cheshire). No further trace of him has been found to date, although he is possibly the Robert Bayley whose death was registered at Wrexham Denbighshire Q2 1852.

1. Robert Bailey, baptised 30/11/1773 at Handley, Cheshire, son of John Bailey of Handley. In 1851, Robert Bailey, gentleman, born Handley, age 78, unmarried, was living at Thomas Lane, West Derby. Death "On the 7th inst., at Knotty Ash, near Liverpool, Mr. Robt. Bailey, late of Handley, aged 81 years." Robert Bailey of West Derby, Liverpool, was buried in Handley, 12/03/1855 age 81.

T71/884 St Lucia claim nos. 642 (as Robert Bailey) and 494 (which describes him as of parish of Choiseul, owner-in-fee). T71/1224 and T71/1225 describe him as late of Liverpool now (28/07/1835) residing at Handley near Chester; FreeUKGen, England and Wales Free BMD Database, Deaths, 1837-1983 [database online]. The phrasing of his address suggests a temporary residence, and nothing further has been traced of him to date, other than his presence on the electoral registers in 1834 and 1836 and two deeds in the Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service DTW/2343/B/71B dated '1827-1864' which show George Christian of Liverpool, Robert Bailey [sic] of Handley, and William Aston of Bunbury agreeing a lease on premises in Tattenhall between them.

1. Findmypast.co.uk, Diocese of Chester parish registers of baptisms c1538-1910 [database online]; Findmypast.co.uk, Diocese of Chester Bishop's Transcripts of Burials c1600-1910 [database online]; Chester Courant 14/03/1855.

We are grateful to Peter Selley for his assistance with compiling this entry.