Robert Kirke of Burntisland and Surinam

Slave-owner in Surinam, and nephew and main heir of James Balfour of Surinam (q.v.), from whom he inherited the bulk of Balfour's estates in Surinam in 1841. 'One of the last slave-owners in Scotland', according to David Alston, and builder of Greenmount House near Burntisland, Fife after his return to Scotland by 1863.

1. In 1863 the heirs of James Balfour were awarded 116,100 guilders for 387 enslaved people (the claim was for 392) on Pln. Berlin in Surinam. The awardees were Robert Kirk [sic] (then of Burnt Island) for 41/48ths; James Balfour and Thomas Balfour, both of Dunfermline, for 2/48ths each; and John Janet [sic] Duncanson for the remaining 3/48ths. The four individuals shared in the same proportions the 50,700 guilders in compensation for 169 enslaved people on Plantage Hazard on the River Nickerie in Surinam, the 1,200 guilders in compensation for 4 enslaved people on Plantage Lot No. 1, the 900 guilders for Plantage Lot K, both also on the River Nickerie, as well as 68,700 guilders for 229 (the claim was for 231) enslaved people on Pln. Waterloo, again on the River Nickerie.

David Alston, Slaves & Highlanders, http://www.spanglefish.com/slavesandhighlanders/index.asp?pageid=607903 [accessed 17/06/2016].

1. Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Algemene Rekenkamer CB (Comptabel Beheer), nummer toegang 2.02.09.08, inventarisnummer 223, claim number 21; Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Algemene Rekenkamer CB (Comptabel Beheer), nummer toegang 2.02.09.08, inventarisnummer 225, claim number 85; Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Algemene Rekenkamer CB (Comptabel Beheer), nummer toegang 2.02.09.08, inventarisnummer 225, claim number 124; Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Algemene Rekenkamer CB (Comptabel Beheer), nummer toegang 2.02.09.08, inventarisnummer 225, claim number 128; Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Algemene Rekenkamer CB (Comptabel Beheer), nummer toegang 2.02.09.08, inventarisnummer 228, claim number 220.

We are grateful to Okke ten Hove for his help with this entry.