McManus 168

James Brydon Nicoll was born to Thomas Nicoll and Charlotte Robertson in Kingston Jamaica in 1821.^[1] His father, Thomas, had been a Captain in the Army in Kingston.^[4] Curiously, on his return to Dundee, Thomas Nicoll and Charlotte Robertson registered their marriage in August of 1823,^[15] 2 years after James’ birth. The entry stated that ‘Thomas Nicoll, late of Kingston, Jamaica, and Charlotte, this parish (Dundee), daughter of Ebenezer Robertson Esq, late attorney in the Island of Jamaica, now in Beverley, Yorkshire,‘^[15] were wed on 18 August 1823.^[15]

James Brydon Nicoll’s father, Thomas was thereafter listed as a merchant and shipowner, living in Hawkhill Place.

The family history of James Brydon Nicoll more than gives a hint of the turbulent, colonial history of Kingston, Jamaica.

As already declared, James’ mother, Charlotte Robertson, was the daughter of Ebenezer Robertson. Ebenezer had at least 7 offspring by Margaret Dunbar (a Scottish sounding name) although not believed to have been his wife. Margaret Dunbar was described, at that time, as having been ‘a free quadroon,’ indicating both her status and her ethnicity. His daughter Charlotte’s death record gives no indication of her mother (declared ‘unknown’) and, although the informant was her son James, it could be surmised that her mother’s name may have been deliberately withheld.

Charlotte’s father, Ebenezer Robertson, in his will, refers to Margaret Dunbar ‘of Duff Street, Kingston’ and also, on the second page, gives reference to Thomas Nicoll and his wife, Charlotte Robertson, of Hawkhill Place in Dundee^[16] – possibly confirming connections among all named.

Another curiosity arises in James’ name. ‘Brydon’ was not a name which appeared in previous family generations. However, one of his (and wife Charlotte’s) father’s contemporaries in Kingston was a James Brydon (1763-1840), a merchant, attorney and slave-owner.^[17] James Brydon, together with his partner, Andrew Scott, operated the firms of ‘James Brydon & Co’ and later, ‘Scott & Brydon.’^[17] Between the years 1817-1832, James Brydon ‘owned’ upwards of 61 slaves.^[17] After an Act was passed in 1816, more particular, informative returns were required to keep a stricter check on any movement of slaves. These returns were made until 1834.

Whether James Brydon Nicoll was named after this fellow is speculation but there remains that possibility.

The 1860s would seem to have been a prosperous decade for James Brydon Nicoll. Not only did he establish a most central location for his business,^[10] but he also procured what was to become his final residence at 3 Park Place.^[4] The property was purchased by roup, for the sum of £1,000 in 1863.^[3]