Hercules Ross

Hercules Ross (1745 – 25 December 1816) was a Scottish merchant, who made a fortune in Jamaica, became an intimate friend of Horatio Nelson and figured prominently, if briefly, in the campaign for the abolition of the slave trade. Fiona Scharlau characterises Ross as 'a supreme example of the poor boy who worked hard in a foreign country, creating a life of opportunities that lead to fulfillment of the rags-to-riches dream of the sojourner.' He ended his days at Rossie Castle, a large house which he had built on land acquired by him in Forfarshire.

Origins He was the ninth son of John Ross (fifth son to a second wife, Elizabeth Fullarton), an excise officer in Port Glasgow of narrow means and a probable descendant (via the Rosses of Kirkland and Tartraven) from Ninian Ross, 3rd Lord Ross.

Career in the West Indies In 1761 he travelled to Jamaica, where he established himself successfully as a trader, naval prize agent and privateer shipowner and made the acquaintance of Nelson. He acquired a Jamaican mistress, Elizabeth Foord, a quadroon slave whom he later freed and by whom he had several children. One of their sons, Daniel Ross (1780-1849), later became a leading marine surveyor with the Bombay Marine, a Fellow of the Royal Society and President of the Bombay Geographical Society.

Return to Scotland In 1782, with his fortune made, Ross returned to Scotland, leaving behind Elizabeth Foord, who had been left with sufficient funds to open what became a prosperous boarding house. however, he drew consolation from his continuing friendship with Lord Nelson, who became godfather to his son Horatio Ross (1801-1886). Horatio became a celebrated sportsman, being the best rifle shot of his day, and a pioneer photographer. Two of Hercules Ross's younger sons emigrated to the United States in the late 1790s, settling in Pennsylvania.

Hercules Ross died on 25 December 1816, his wife having died in 1811 at the age of 43. His son Horatio, who was at that point only 15 years old, inherited his estate.