Wilson Joseph brn Angola, in 1841C at Penicuik Midlothian

Lynn · Post by **Lynn** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 4:23 pm

hello -- this is my first post -- i may not be in right forum -- please advise and I will re post if required. My query is:

Joseph Wilson is listed as a millwright app in the 1841 census at lowmill Penicuik midlothian scotland -- he was born in Angola -- this clear -- it looks like a qualifier of FR Angola but i am not sure abt the FR bit.

My question is -- does any one have any idea how a young black man -- his descendants were called "darkie" wilson until the 1925's -- would come to work in a paper mill at penicuik in the 1840's ?

I am stumped. Any help appreciated. Happy New Year, Lynn

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:51 pm

Hi Lynn

Looking at the date it was only a few years after the Abolition of slavery Act 1833 so there would probably have been quite a few ex-slaves in Scotland. Men and women who were brought over by merchants and ships captains as personal servants. Once freed there was no way they could return to their own country and many stayed on in Scotland and became part of the local community seeking any kind of work they could get alongside the rest of the male population.
There is an excellent book (only part fictional) called 'Joseph Knight' by James Robertson (ISBN No 0-00-715025-3) a paper back published by the Fourth Estate.

It brings out the prevailing attitudes as well as the legalities in Scotland at that time.

By the way, don't worry about the correctness, or otherwise, of a post. If there is a better thread for it Site Admin can transfer it. Most of the folk on here trawl all the threads anyway, but General Discussion is perfect

Russell

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:29 pm

The instructions to the enumerator in respect of place of birth were as follows (see also under the Census tab on this site) .......

4. WHERE BORN

"If born in Scotland, state whether in County or Otherwise."

In the case of persons born in Scotland, write opposite to each name, "Yes" if born in the County, and "No" if not born in the County. British Subjects born in Colonies, East Indies, or out of the United Kingdom, to be inserted with "No" to their name.

"Whether Foreigner or whether born in England or Ireland."

Write in this column ""E." for born in England, "I". for born in Ireland and "F" for Foreigner. The latter mark is to be used for those who are subjects of some Foreign State.

Enter the totals for houses and number of each sex, under the proper columns, in each page.

Sooo.... "F" means foreigner, but I'm unsure about the "R". You can post the 1841 census image on this site in the Gallery, and let some more eyes have a look (it's needs authorisation from Site Admin before the reference appears in your post).

Orraverybest

David

Post by **emanday** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:22 pm

I don't know if it applied in Scotland, but the UK abolition of slavery act of 1834 did stipulate that the emancipated slave had to serve a six year apprenticeship before being free to leave.
If he was brought here as a slave and was freed then, he might have been "apprenticed" under this ruling.

Lynn · Post by **Lynn** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 12:56 am

Hi emanday, david , russel -- thanx for these posts -- very very useful info and thanks for the isbn reference -- census "f' info super -- didn't know -- frankly the answers beyond my expectations -- thank you each so very much -- i am going to start a search for emancipation type data/documents just in case any such jewels exist -- best, lynn

Post by **emanday** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:27 am

I'd also use the word "manumission" in your searches. Living in Bristol now, I have actually seen an example of such a manumission document during an exhibition about the slave trade which was held here a few years ago.

If memory serves me, it was loaned to the museum by the descendants of the very slave it referred to, and was a much treasured document of the family.

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:36 am

Hi all
About the "FR" - do you think it might be a longer abbreviation than was actually asked for i.e. F[oreigne]R instead of just F?

Best wishes
Lesley

Lynn · Post by **Lynn** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:43 am

thanks -- i have posted the census record at the following url -- i tried to load it here but said file too big -- on reflection it may just be an "F" as opposed to an " Fr" -- no clue -- thanks, Lynn

http://www.freewebs.com/wilsonreunion/documents.htm

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:08 am

Lynn wrote:thanks -- i have posted the census record at the following url -- i tried to load it here but said file too big -- on reflection it may just be an "F" as opposed to an " Fr" -- no clue -- thanks, Lynn

http://www.freewebs.com/wilsonreunion/documents.htm

Aye weel

, - that's that aspect solved, - that just a classic capital "F" of the time, - no "R" or "r" along with it

David

Post by **joette** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:41 pm

Wow how fascinating & I would just like to add that my Scott ancestors were working in the Papermills at Penicuik in the same period.
They were moving from the Roxb. area where John Scott had been a Ploughman.
The eldest boys ended up in the Papermill along-side their Father with the youngest two being Masons.
The papermills provided employment for four generations of my Scott line.