Edinkillie cemetery

[morageckford]

In Edinkillie cemetery there is a grave of KOPURI, 'TOM' native of the island of ROTUMAR in the South Pacific Ocean. Faithful and attached servant of C. F. Wood Esqu. Tom died at Relugas House aged 22 in 1877 -  he was born about 1855, so not a slave. His death certificate says he was a valet. Does anybody know more about him?

[CaroleW]

Does his death cert have any parental details

[Calleva]

His parents are described on the record of his death as unknown.
I see Rotuma is the modern spelling of ‘Rotumah’ shown on the record as his birthplace.
Will research further and share any findings. Regards Stuart

[Calleva]

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=572672.0

Link to previous posts mentioning the inscription on Tom’s grave at Edinkillie and CF Wood.

[Calleva]

https://archive.org/stream/ayachtingcruise00woodgoog/ayachtingcruise00woodgoog_djvu.txt

Link to digitised version of CF Wood’s book about his sailing expeditions to the South Seas. Haven’t had a chance to read but there may be some clues about how Tom became associated with him and ended up in faraway Relugas.

[Calleva]

Sorry, should have acknowledged that MonicaL originally tracked this book down, I’m but following (stumbling probably better word) in her footsteps!

[Forfarian]

I wonder why LIBINDX lists the name on the stone as Myra rather than Tom?

libindx.moray.gov.uk/subjects/subject_people_report_view.asp?REF_ID=NM090439 (Needs copy and paste rather than just a click)

[Calleva]

I wonder why LIBINDX lists the name on the stone as Myra rather than Tom?

libindx.moray.gov.uk/subjects/subject_people_report_view.asp?REF_ID=NM090439 (Needs copy and paste rather than just a click)

Curious. The Death Certificate has just Kopuri.

[Calleva]

Stopped at Edinkillie this morning en route to Grantown and took photo of the headstone, which confirms Tom Kopuri.