Thomas Bligh Darracott

Trinidad merchant, given as Thomas Darracott in the compensation records but identifiable as the Thomas Bligh Darracott who married a daughter of Robert Neilson (q.v.) in 1837 in New York. Darracott moved to Hamilton Ontario (where Robert Neilson had briefly settled in the 1830s) shortly before his death in 1852. Born in Devon: his grandfather Thomas Bligh Darracott (d. 1793) had been Mayor of Plymouth.

1. Dora, "beloved wife of Thomas Bligh Darracott, Esquire, of Trinidad, and late of Kingsbridge" died at Bermuda 05/11/1835, "where she had gone for the recovery of her health" age 24 years. Thomas Bligh Darracott married Eliza Neilson in New York, 21/07/1837. He arrived in Philadelphia 20/10/1851 aboard the Brig Fairy, "Gentleman", of Great Britain, age 48 with his wife Eliza, "Lady", age 30 and daughters Emma, 12, Ellen, 9, Isis, 7, Jane, 3 and Rosa, 1, all due to move onwards to Canada. The Fairy was owned by Thomas Neilson.

2. “It is announced [1848] from Trinidad that Messrs. Darracott, Adams, and Co., an old house, had been compelled to call a meeting of their creditors. The liabilities are stated at nearly $200,000”. The Mount Pleasant estate in Trinidad was put up for sale in 1852 as a result of litigation between partners or heirs of partners of the earlier firm of Sherlock & Darracott; while the Hibernia cocoa lands were put up for sale also in 1852 by the trustees of Darracott Adams to meet minimal overdue ward rates.

3. The family are in the 1851 census for Canada West (Ontario) at Saltfleet, Wentworth County, with a further daughter, Eliza age 11 and with Isis's name given as Alice. The census gives their religion as Episcopalian and states that Thomas was born in England and his wife and daughters were born in Trinidad. Thomas's occupation is given as Farmer.

4. By 1871, Eliza Darracott widow aged 49 was living at Trelawney, Tormoham, Torquay with 4 daughters in their twenties, all born Trinidad. Eliza Darracott, late of 45 Sandgate Road, Folkstone, Kent, and Upper Norwood, Surrey, widow, died 5 August 1885 at the “Great Britain” Hotel, Valetta, Malta. Will proved 24 March 1886 at the Principal Registry William de Balliol Scott of the Coal Exchange in the City of London, Esq., and William Robert Thornhill of 30 Penny Street, Portsmouth, in the County of Southampton, a Major in Her Majesty’s Service, the Executors. Effects: £1,000 16s 6d.

1. Exeter Fliying Post 04/02/1836; Ancestry.com, New York City, Marriages, 1600s-1800s [database on-line]. Ancestry.com, Philadelphia Passenger Lists, 1800-1945 [database on-line].

2. The Times (London), Tuesday 5 September, 1848 (Money Market and City Intelligence section); Trinidad Gazette, 10 Mar 1852; later editions show the sale date extended to 31 Jul 1852; Trinidad Gazette, 9 Jun 1852.

3. 1851 Canada West census online.

4. 1871 census online; National Probate Calendar 1886.

We are grateful for the help of Dr Brian Darracott and Peter Selley with this entry.