Hercules Ross (1745 - 1816)

Born 1745 in Kincardine, Fife, Scotland

Husband of Elizabeth Foord — married before 1780 in Jamaica

Husband of Henriette Parish — married 9 Apr 1785 in Edinburgh, Scotland

Descendants

Died 25 Dec 1816 at about age 71 in Scotland

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Biography

Hercules Ross is Notable.

Hercules Ross was christened on the 4th July 1745, in Benholm, Kincardineshire, Fife to John Rossand [[|]].^[1]. His parents were John Ross and Elizabeth Fullerton.^[2] His father was an excise officer in Port Glasgow. There is much to say on the biography of Mr.Ross. A man who led two lives in two different countries with powers only some men dream of. His children themselves lived up to his name. Some met tragedy and some were very successful. I have listed more on him as you continue to read.

Mistress

While dealing in slaves and acting as the Prize agent for the island in the American War of Independence he acquired 200 acres at the Bushy Park estate in St Andrew's, where he installed his 'quadroon' mistress Elizabeth Foord and their seven children. Jane, the daughter of Elizabeth Foord "a free quadroon woman by Ross-Hercules Ross Esquire was born and baptised in Kingston 23/11/1778. Margaret, same parents, born and baptised in Kingston 23/11/1778. Hercules, same parents, born 13/09/1779 and baptised in Kingston 07/01/1781. Daniel, same parents, born 11/11/1780 and baptised in Kingston 07/01/1781. David, same parents, born 19/12/1781 and baptised in Kingston 12/10/1782. She and Hercules Ross never married.^[3]

Marriage

In 1785, he married Henrietta Parish,this was his wife in Scotland.^[4] She was the daughter of John Parish, a banker with extensive interests in Hamburg.

Occupation

Hercules Ross was a Scottish merchant, he made a fortune in Jamaica as a trader, naval prize agent and privateer shipowner. He sailed to Jamaica in 1761 to make his fortune and sailed back into Falmouth harbour twenty years later in his own 36 gun frigate. He was active in the campaign for the abolishment of the slave trade. Seeing that he had Multiracial children, He must have thought of the very future of his own childrens welfare. He stated his thoughts on this matter, “Finally, as the result of his observations and most serious reflection, he hesitates not to say, that the trade for slaves ought to be abolished, not only as contrary to sound policy, but to the laws of God and nature; and were it possible, by the present inquiry, to convey a just knowledge of the extensive misery it occasions, every Kingdom of Europe must unite in calling on their legislatures to abolish the human traffic."^[5]

He was a friend of Lord Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte, and Knight of the Order of the Bath.^[6] It was said Lord Nelson was nursed back to health at his place in Jamaica. He was a supreme example of the poor boy who worked hard in a foreign country, creating a life of opportunities that lead to fulfillment of the rags to riches dream of the sojourner. You have to wonder what was his driven force.

Burgess of Glasgow

In 1782 he returned to Scotland, where he was elected an Honorary Burgess of Glasgow. ^[7][8] I'm not sure what happened to his mistress In Jamaica. However, it was said that Scotland called, and after paying off Ms Foord, he returned home to Scotland in 1782.

Residence

He purchased an estate at Rossie, near Montrose, on which he built a large house, Rossie Castle.

Rossie Castle

Death and Burial

Ross died at Rossie on Christmas Day, 1816, with Horatio inheriting the estate when he was just 15. His burial is unknown at this time. After he died It began the long demise of Rossie Castle. By 1882, it was in the hands of Montrose timber merchant Edward Miller but was unoccupied from 1914. In 1931, the rapidly deteriorating building – by now with its roof removed to avoid payment of taxes – was bought by ex-Montrose footballer Willie Henderson for £1.^[9] The lost Scottish castle built on slave money sold for £1 and was demolished and used to widen the road in 1953.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.geographicus.com/P/ctgy&Category_Code=rossdaniel
2. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYFY-64R : accessed 11 March 2016), Hercules Ross, 04 Jul 1745; citing BENHOLM,KINCARDINE,SCOTLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 993,309.
3. ↑ http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/3/3_pss_members_ross_horatio_family_and_homes.htm
4. ↑ "Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYW4-6LQ : accessed 11 March 2016), Hercules Ross and Henieretta Parish, 09 Apr 1785; citing Edinburgh Parish,Edinburgh,Midlothian,Scotland, reference ; FHL microfilm 993,527.
5. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_Ross
6. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Nelson,_1st_Viscount_Nelson
7. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgess_(title)
8. ↑ https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/member/ross-horatio-1801-1886 History of Parliament : ROSS Horatio 1801-1886 of Rossie Castle
9. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Henderson
10. ↑ https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/the-lost-scottish-castle-built-on-slave-money-and-sold-for-ps1-3290594%3famp