James Wedderburn-Colville facts for kids

James Wedderburn-Colville (1739-1807) was an important Scottish planter. He was born James Wedderburn in Perthshire, Scotland. His father was Sir John Wedderburn, who faced difficulties after the Jacobite rising of 1745. After his father's death, James went to Jamaica. There, he became very wealthy in the sugar trade.

He returned to Scotland in 1773. He married Isabella Blackburn and bought a large home called Inveresk Lodge. They had six children. Later in life, he added "Colvile" to his name due to an inheritance. He lived as a country gentleman until he passed away in 1807.

Life Story of James Wedderburn

This is a portrait of Robert Wedderburn from 1824. He was James Wedderburn's son.

Early Years in Scotland

James Wedderburn was born on August 28, 1739. His birthplace was Perthshire, Scotland. He was the second son of Jean Fullerton and Sir John Wedderburn, 5th Baronet of Blackness. His father was a Colonel in the Jacobite rising of 1745. Sadly, his father was captured and executed for treason.

After this difficult time, James and his older brother John Wedderburn traveled to Jamaica. This was in 1747. Both brothers started working as "practitioners in physick and chirurgery." This means they worked in medicine, even without formal training.

Time in Jamaica

While in Jamaica, James and John bought land. They also became involved in the sugar trade. This trade helped them become very wealthy. James Wedderburn had children with enslaved women. One of his sons was Robert Wedderburn. Robert later moved to England. In 1824, he wrote a book called The Horrors of Slavery. This book spoke out against slavery.

Returning to Scotland

James Wedderburn came back to Scotland in 1773. He married Isabella Blackburn in 1774. They bought a home called Inveresk Lodge in Midlothian. He lived there comfortably until he died in 1807.

Isabella Blackburn was the daughter of Andrew Blackburn. Her mother was Margaret Aytoun. When Isabella inherited property in Fife, she and James added the surname Colvile to their name.

At one point, Robert Wedderburn visited his father. This visit happened at Inveresk Lodge. However, the meeting did not go well. In his book, Robert wrote about the visit. He said his father called him "lazy" and would not help him. Robert only got a drink of small beer from the cook. The footman gave him a cracked sixpence coin.

James's Family

James and Isabella had four sons and two daughters:

• John Wedderburn (1776-1799)
• Andrew Wedderburn Colvile (1779-1856) who became a Governor of The Hudson's Bay Company
• Peter Wedderburn Ogilvy (1781-1873)
• James Wedderburn (1782-1822)
• Margaret Wedderburn
• Jean Wedderburn (1786-1871), who married Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk

Later Life and Legacy

James Wedderburn passed away on December 14, 1807. In his will, written in 1802, he left most of his wealth to his oldest son, Andrew Wedderburn Colvile. He also left a small amount of money each year to his daughter Lydia. She had married a grocer in Musselburgh. His will did not mention his mixed-race children in Jamaica.

In Books

James Wedderburn appears as a character in a book. The book is called Joseph Knight (2003). It was written by James Robertson.