Jemma Williams shared this wonderful piece of art. It is an original charcoal portrait of Blantyre man, John Gray born 20/06/1844 – died 01/01/1928. According to my notes, “John was a master grocer and wine merchant, born in Blantyre on 20th June 1844, the son of Robert and an abandoned orphan Mary (Blantyre) Gray. In […]
Pictured here around 1910-1915 or so, is Blantyre couple John Gray and Agnes Murdoch. Prominent shopkeepers and business owners of the time. It’s safe to say, they lived a comfortable lifestyle by comparison to many others, no thanks to their own hard work. John Gray was a master grocer and wine merchant, born in Blantyre […]
We next arrive at interesting tenement which still stands today. ‘Grays Buildings’, or more recently known as the YMCA building, directly across Glasgow Road from Joanna Terrace. However, before we delve into the detail, we’re going to tell a nice little story to set the scene, a story belonging to the ‘Gray family’ the […]