Fascinating glimpse

Donald Abbott of Invergowrie has been in touch. He says: “In 1867, Charles William Boase (1804-1872) wrote a book entitled A Century of Banking in Dundee, this to set out a record of the Dundee Banking Company and its predecessor from 1764 until 1864 and to mark that bank’s amalgamation with the Royal Bank of Scotland.

“This book also contains snippets of information about Dundee of an earlier era, which I thought worthy of recording.

“It mentions The Dundee Register of Merchants and Trades printed by and for T. Colvill and sold at the Printing Office, Kirk Wynd 1782.

“It begins with an account of Dundee stating that it is in ‘a very flourishing state; manufactures go on briskly and there are nearly 100 sail of shipping belonging to the place. The several manufactures consist of linen (especially osnaburgs), sailcloth, cordage, thread, stockings, buckrams, tanned leather, shoes and hats.

‘A sugar house has been erected some years ago. The osnaburg trade is the staple of which there has been above four million of yards annually stamped of late.

‘Threads have long been famous in Dundee and are now manufactured to a large amount, employing about 3,000 people. The inhabitants are reckoned to be about 16,000.’

“It also states that between November 1781 and November 1 the following year there were 150 marriages.

Of the births in the city, there were 214 males and 184 females, giving a total of 398. There were 453 burials – 194 males and 249 females. These figures were certified by James Ballingall, Hospital Master.

“It also provides other lists which make interesting reading. For example, it states that there are 46 ‘private families’; 158 merchants (including shopkeepers, of course); 12 manufacturers, 11 milliners etc. and 51 shipmasters.

“Covering the Nine Incorporated Trades, we learn that there were 27 bakers, 63 shoemakers, 10 glovers, 43 tailors, four bonnetmakers, 16 fleshers, 29 hammermen, 101 weavers and eight walkers.

“It also mentions Pendicle Trades – there were 50 maltmen, 44 wrights, eight coopers, three shipbuilders, three heel and last makers, 21 masons, nine slaters, 19 barbers, three plasterers, three painters and two upholsterers.