Great Houses Found In Grenada
Hermitage Plantation House
Hermitage Estate, located in St. Andrew's, Grenada, was historically owned by prominent figures, including Alexander Fraser, who managed the estate alongside his involvement with Baillie’s plantation. Fraser, a planter with significant experience, married Emilia Duff of Muirton, the niece of Evan Baillie. Their son, Evan Baillie Fraser (1800-91), was born in Grenada.
By 1807, Fraser had relocated to the UK, and by 1812, following the death of Evan Baillie, he entered into a partnership with Baillie’s son, James Evan Baillie, to form the company JE Baillie, Fraser & Co. Based in London, the company dissolved in 1820.
In 1836, a compensation claim for 149 slaves at the Hermitage Estate was filed for £4030 4s 3d, with Evan Baillie (deceased) serving as trustee. Previous part-owners included Colin Chisholm and James Baillie, father of the Baillie brothers.
John Sleeper, in 1860, described Hermitage as one of the finest plantations in Grenada, situated on elevated ground with a residence once occupied by Mr. Houston, the estate's attorney. Under Houston’s management, many fruit trees planted by a previous owner, referred to as “Bailey,” were replaced with sugar cane crops.[1]
Levera Estate Plantation, St. Patrick Grenada
Levera Estate was owned by a Mr. Snell in April 1785. By the late 1790s, Alexander Fraser (1759-1837) of Inchcoulter, Kiltearn, Scotland, became involved with the estate. Fraser, who also contributed to raising funds for the Northern Infirmary in Inverness, purchased his own estate in 1806 and founded the village of Evanton. He was a friend of William Smith of Revolution Hall, who bequeathed him £2000 in his will. Fraser is confirmed to have owned Levera Estate by 1825.
Following the abolition of the slave trade in 1811 and the subsequent legal developments, Fraser submitted a claim to the Slave Compensation Commission on November 9, 1835, for 94 slaves at Levera Estate, seeking £2759 1s 0d in compensation. However, a successful counterclaim was made by Hugh Duncan Baillie, James Evan Baillie, and George Henry Ames, who acted as assignees for the compensation funds.[2]