Hello Anne
A bit more info: William Cotton died between 24 Jan 1828 and 31 Dec 1830 on St. Vincent Island. I base this on details in the slave census of 1828. He left a Will but I guess this will be not available for public viwing at the Kingstown archives. This info comes from the slave census info where he is mentioned in successive censuses Aug 1817, Jan 1822, Jan 1826 & Jan 1828 at his Gomia Estate. He died before emancipation of the Carribean slaves in British territories in 1834. There is a mention of a Matilda Cotton in the 1834 census who buys a couple of his slaves after his death. Don't know who she is.
He is listed in 1797 as one of the property owners requesting compensation after the creole/french rebellion of 1796-7. By the way this rebellion seems to have been utterly brutal for both sides with women and children killed as well as combatants.
He was also Quarter Master of the militia in 1815. Look up Charles
Shephard 1831 book on St. Vincent island history. There is a copy at the British Library which i'll try to get to see.
No knowledge of his birthplace or wife, though she may have predeceased him because he set free the slave
Amelia in his will (I gather it was customary to set your "squeeze" free in your will). He may have had at least 2 children (but I've not proved this link):
John Andrew Cotton born c. 1789 He found his way back to
London at the following censuses:
1841 Tile Kiln cottage, St. Leonard, Shoreditch
1851
Queen Street, Marlyebone
1861 Church Street, Bethnal Green
1871 Bethnal Green,
HackneyHe died on 20 Jan 1874 age 85 at Dowry Square, Hotwells, Clifton,
Bristol and is buried in the
Greenbank cemetery at
Easton,
Bristol. No idea why he ended up in
Bristol.
He married Jane Mary Ann smith at Christchurch, Blackfriers in 1813. She died 1856Q4 in Shoreditch.
Possibly his sister Elisabeth (my direct ancestor) was living in Homerton,
Hackney in 1841 and in Camberwell, surrey in 1851 age 53. So far I'vefailed to find her in the 1861 census, or where she died. She married William
Chapman in Jan 1816 at Christchurch, Blackfriers (same church, but these records were destroyed in 1941 so only have limited transcript to go on and no witness info).
I might have a chance of visiting St.Vincent island to try some research during October or November this year, thoughh I've read that many records are locked away and are too fragile to be open to the public. I've been trying to find out where the Gomia Estate was but no luck so far.
Hope this is of interest. What is your news?
Regards Jonathan