Robert Robertson (abt. 1681)

Born about 18 Mar 1681 in Edinburgh, Scotland

Husband of Mary (Pogson) Robertson — married about 13 Nov 1709 in St Kitts and Nevis

Descendants

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Biography

Robert Robertson was rector of St Paul's church on Nevis from December 1707. He was also a plantation owner.

According to Caribbeana, Robertson made some "remarks" which were published in London in the years 1730, 1736 on the slaves and their Owners in the Sugar Islands of England". He was a proponent of the rights of plantation owners writing a series of letters (which were published) in defence of their "rights". Robertson also tried to defend the reputation of slave owners who he believed were unjustly accused of not trying to do their best to convert their slaves to Christianity. He argued that English men and women should be sent from charity schools to the Leeward Islands to help convert the slaves.

Sources

• Caribbeana, ed Vere Langford Oliver, 1910

• Mastering Christianity: Missionary Anglicanism and Slavery in the Atlantic World by Travis Glasson.