Evan Baillie (1741 – 28 June 1835) was a British West Indes merchant, landowner and Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1802 to 1812.
Baillie was the third son of Hugh Baillie of Dochfour and his wife Emilia Fraser daughter of Alexander Fraser of Inverness.[1] His early life was obscure and he suffered "fatal neglect" in formal education.[2] He entered the army in early life and served in part of the American war.[1]
By the 1780s Baillie was established as West Indies merchant in Bristol. It is not known if he went to the West Indies but he owned plantations there. He founded the firm of Evan Baillie, Son & Co in Bristol and became a common councilman for Bristol in 1785. He was sheriff of Bristol for 1786 to 1787 but declined becoming mayor. In 1789 he was member of a committee of merchants to defend the slave trade. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Bristol Volunteers in 1797 and Colonel in 1798.[2]
On the death of his brother Alexander in 1798 Baillie succeeded to the family estates in Inverness-shire. He was also partner in an Inverness hemp manufacturers and other businesses.[2] He continued to purchase more land in Scotland as a result of concerns about the effects of the war with France and effects of abolition of slavery.[3]
In 1802 Baillie became an alderman of Bristol in 1802. Also in 1802 he was elected unopposed as Member of Parliament for Bristol.[4] He was unopposed again in 1806 and 1807. He noted how feeble were attempts in parliament to oppose slave trade abolition bill but he was not among those who made last stand against it. By 1811 he was suffering poor health and was concerned for his son Peter who died in 1812. He therefore decided not to stand in the 1812 election.[2]
Baillie retired to Scotland and left the business operations to his sons. He resigned as alderman of Bristol in 1821 pleading old age, but survived to the age of 94.[2]
Baillie married Mary Gurley, daughter of Peter Gurley of St. Vincent.[1] Their sons Peter Baillie and James Evan Baillie both became Members of Parliament. Baillie's brother James Baillie was also an MP.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lord Sheffield Charles Bragge |
Member of Parliament for Bristol 1802 – 1812 With: Charles Bragge to July 1812 Richard Hart Davis from July 1812 |
Succeeded by Edward Protheroe Richard Hart Davis |