The Tombstone of Sir Norman Lamont, John and Boyden Lamont reads:
Left:
In Memory of John Lamont of Cedar Grove Esq. long a well- known and highly respected planter in this island who died at his house at the Cascade, Diego Martin on the 21st November, 1850 Aged 68. Much regretted by numerous friends here and in Britain.
Center:
Sacred to the memory of Sir Norman Lamont second and last Baronet of Knockdow, Scotland and Palmiste, Trinidad. Born 7th December, 1869, died in the Colonial Hospital San Fernando 3rd September, 1949.
Right:
In Memory of a justly beloved brother Boydon Lamont of Canaan Exq. Ninth son of James Lamont Esq. of Knockdow in Scotland who departed this life on 31st August 1837 aged 43 years. This tablet is inscribed by his surviving and sorrowing brothers as a tribute to his many eminent virtues.
Sir Norman Lamont was born in 1869 in Scotland. He died in Trinidad in 1949 at the age of 79. His title, the Laird of Knockdow, died with him as he did not have any legitimate children. He passed away after he was gored by a bull on Palmiste Estate which he owned. Sir Norman was well known and owned properties in Trinidad and in Scotland. Before coming to Trinidad he was a liberal politician in Britain. He inherited his estates from his father, James Lamont, who was an Artic explorer and author.
The Lamont family was an important landowning family in Trinidad in the 19th century. It began with John Lamont who came to Trinidad around 1801/1802 at only 20 years old. After serving an apprenticeship as an overseer/manager on the Eccles plantation he went on to become a planter himself. In 1809 he bought Cedar Grove Estate, and then he bought the Canaan, River (now Diego Martin) and Palmiste Estates. John Lamont was a founding member of the Agricultural Society and Greyfriars Church in Port of Spain. John’s brother Boydon joined him in Trinidad and when he died Boydon’s properties passed to John. When John passed away in 1850 he left the majority of his estates to his nephew, James. Sir James Lamont sold River Estate and purchased Bel Air Estate, Phillipine Estate from George Maxwell Phillipe and La Resource Estate from the heirs of Louis Bicaise. When he died the estates passed on to his son Norman.
Norman Lamont took over John Lamont’s plantations in 1907. He sold the sugar factory and introduced a sharecropping system with the Indian Indentured Labourers who worked on the estates. He tried to diversify his estates away from sugar by planting other crops. In Trinidad he served on the Board of Agriculture and from 1915-23 he was a member of the Legislative Council of Trinidad and Tobago. When he passed away his gift to the people of Trinidad was Palmiste Park, which was willed to be an agricultural college campus or a public space. He is also credited with creating the SS Erin Road, a direct route to San Fernando from further south. He donated land to the Presbyterian Mission to establish the Canaan Presbyterian Church and School.
Related to:
River Estate, Diego Martin
La Resource Estate, Palmiste
Sources:
San Fernando Heritage Trust:
Clan Lamont Gathering 2008:
http://clark-debisschop.co.uk/tng/histories/Clan%20Lamont%20gathering%202008.pdf
Address: Canaan Road
Town/City: La Romain
Region: Penal – Debe Region
Site Type: Cultural Heritage
Ownership:
Public Accessibility:
Cultural Community: British
Site Features: Tombs & Burial Grounds
Canaan Road, La Romain, Penal – Debe Region
