Stitcher: Kate Fielding – Edinburgh
In 1746 Sir John Wedderburn was executed following his capture at the Battle of Culloden. His son John, after witnessing the horrific act, was forced to seek a new life in the Caribbean. He eventually became the largest landowner in Jamaica, before returning to Scotland. Here one of his slaves challenged him in court and won, establishing that slavery did not exist under Scottish law. James Wedderburn also made his fortune in Jamaica, building Inveresk Lodge with the money. His son Robert, by his slave Rosanna, sought him out here but was turned away. Robert Wedderburn became an influential abolitionist.
JM03 Seumas agus Raibeart Wedderburn
Ann an 1746 chaidh Sir Iain Wedderburn a chur gu bàs a’ leantainn air a thoirt am bruid aig Cùil Lodair. Rinn a dhithis mhac, Iain agus Seumas, beatha ùr dhaibh fhèin sa Charaibian far an robh sealbh aca air mòran phlanntachasan thràillean. Bha mac aig Seumas bhon tràill aige, Rosanna, agus an uair sin mus d’ rugadh an leanabh (Raibeart) reic e Rosanna air ais ris an tsealbhadair a bh’ aice roimhe, leis a’ chead gum biodh Raibeart saor o àm a bhreith. Nuair a thill Seumas a dh’Alba ann an 1773, cheannaich e Loidse Inbhir Easg. Chaidh Raibeart ga lorg an sin, ach cha ghabhadh e gnothaich ris agus chuir e air falbh e le “sia sgillinn bhriste”. Dh’fhàs Raibeart Wedderburn buadhach ann an cur às do thràillealachd agus b’ e am Morair Bill Wedderburn aon de a shliochd.