Require Some History of Tobago

[Lesley L]

Is there anyone who lives on Tobago who could find me some history please. My great great grandfather Lt Colonel Lawrence Graeme was the Lt. Govenor there from 1845 until his death in December 1850. It is stated that he is buried there and a monument to him can be located in one of the churches there. His wife was Elizabeth. There was apparently a write up in the Tobago newspapers of the time.
Any help appreciated.
Lahpun

[Brian Taylor]

hello there
found him mentioned in one history book already. doing some research. can take some time, let's see if we can track him down.... love history!
ali

[Lesley L]

Hey "Ali Baba"

That is very kind of you. I look forward to hearing from you.

[Julia C.]

How interesting!
I just did a quick google search and you've probably found these sites yourself, but just incase you haven't.
Here's one that confirms he was a Governor on Tobago 1845 - 1850 http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Trinidad.html

And here's one that list him as a President on Nevis 1842 - 1844! http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Saint_Kit ... Nevis.html

[Sue J]

Brian

Please post your research here rather than reply to Lahpun's private email address or the rest of us will miss out on how the research goes!

Regards

Sue

[Lesley L]

Good morning from Australia
Sunday 25th Sept. 6.14am

Hello Brian (may I call you that) and hello to anyone else who may be interested.

Yes, I did know that my great great grandfather had been to those islands (and had seen those sites and copied them into the volumes of paper which I call "my family history" but thank you for pointing them out again.

When I said that I had known about the places he had been it is because one of his 14? children has written a book on their great family from Scotland the history of which dates back to 1125. This was published in 1903.

Of his children I believe that two may have been born on Tobago or Nevis (pure guesswork) the writer of the book, Louisa Grace Graeme and her sister Emily Susan Graeme. The LDS though states that these children were born in Perthshire Scotland and I have been told that I should never trust entries on the LDS. The writer though tells us she was born in Tobago in 1848 and her sister, so I would guess she should know.

May I share a portion of the writers thoughts with you all:

In the book Louisa Graeme tells us:

The appointment of Lieutenant Governor of Tobago was given to Major Graeme, and with his wife he went down to Perthshire where Inchbrakie, Gask and Condie flung wide their doors. In London Henry James Blair Oliphant was born and the Governor sailed with his wife, his two daughters (one being my great grandmother) and their two youngest sons for Tobago. After visiting the Governor Sir Charles Gray at Barbadoes, their Excellencies proceeded to Tobago, which they reached on the 25th September 1845, and were met and conducted to their new home at Government House.

In the summer of 1846 the sixth babe was taken from them, James Blair Oliphant, after a brief life of ten months; this further blow was more than the mother’s strength could bear and she was ordered home, her youngest boy Drummond accompanying her. Major Graeme’s diary is a very incomplete one owing to the loss of the original in the fearful hurricane of 1847, but at this time from the date he parted from his wife in 1846 until he welcomes her back in six months, the diary is a blank; another daughter Louisa Grace (writer of this story) is born in 1848, and in 1849 the Governor and his family sailed for England for his much needed change after residing in Tobago for over three and a half years; the change came too late to save Major Graeme’s life; in January 1850 on his return from his last visit to his friends in Perthshire and to his brother at Inchbrakie, he was attacked by a severe illness which nearly proved fatal; he rallied however sufficiently to sail in April 1850 for his post; the last entry in his diary is the birth of his youngest daughter Emily Susan, and on the 14th of December of the same year he fell a victim in the prime of his matured manhood to the effect of climate and a too rigorous refusal of the Colonial Office either to grant him leave of absence or remove him to a healthier climate.

All that sympathy could devise to alleviate a severe loss, was done by the Government officials of the island, The Governor and his wife had been deeply admired and loved privately, and though His Excellency’s high standard or morale was a source of annoyance to the local House of Assembly, these persons were true enough to nature to know that they had lost an upright governor and a true gentleman from their midst, and the House passed a sincere vote of condolence, which was presented to his widow. A handsome memorial erected in the church preserves his memory in the island, while the highest tribute was paid him in the October gazette of Tobago, and the English, Liverpool and London papers spoke of his death as a great loss to the Colonial Office, while the Globe did not hesitate to affirm that the breaches of faith by the Tobago House of Assembly to its officials hastened his death. Major and Mrs Lawrence Graeme’s surviving family consisted of four daughters and three sons.


Well there you have what I know, and had put my family history on this family away until I found your forum and thought why not ask if someone could maybe get a photo/picture of the memorial in the church or any write up in your history books for me.

Thanks again
Lesley (lahpun)

[Lesley L]

I have been looking at all the fabulous photographs of Tobago which are on the site and it sure is a great place.

Brian,
Can you tell me anything about Government House back in 1845-50 please. Are there any pictures in books which show the place then. I look forward to hearing from you.
Lesley L.

[Brian Taylor]

hello back
1. for the churches. everyone I asked said that there is no churches left from that time. hurricanes took it down and they where rebuild.

2. there is only a sketch of government house in the museum of fort king george. seems like you have to buy a looooong distance ticket and come over to see the places for yourself

keep my eyes open

[Lesley L]

Well, thanks Brian for trying. It certainly is a shame that a lot of history seems to be lost no matter what country you go to. I will keep the website in my favourites and check back often just to see what others are saying.
Lesley L.