In 1894, an extensive work schedule of repairs was being carried out at Blantyre Mills. It was generally recognised that the mills were in decline by this time, the mining folks overshadowing the spinners but still there was hope that some sudden upsurge in work would happen. During July of that year, exactly 130 years […]
My fellow history writing colleague Lynette Rhodes, who lives in Tasmania, has an interesting family connection. Fresh from writing a book about her ancestors the Monteiths who once owned the Blantyre Mills, Lynette took a DNA test which uncovered a fascinating connection to one Monteith in particular! She is related to “Cherokee Tom Mantooth” in […]
Next, a tale long forgotten, for it happened 154 years ago. Another massive fire at the Blantyre Dye Works, the FOURTH time the huge 6 storey building was completely gutted. At about eight o’clock on Sunday evening on 6th March 1864, fire was discovered to have again broken out in one of the drying […]
During November, I received a lovely gift by post from Lynne Rhodes who lives in Tasmania. All the way from Australia, Lynne posted me a free copy of her new book “A Twist of Fate” which details the history of the Monteith family, who started Blantyre Mills and owned its estate from the 1780’s. Lynne […]
Hamilton Place was located at the former Blantyre Works Village. Situated on the western side of the quadrangle, it was the northernmost of 3 blocks which formed and was part of Mid or Middle Row. The addresses for these properties throughout the 19th Century was always referred to mid Row owned by the Monteith family […]
William Galbraith was born on September 9, 1782, in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, the child of William and Isabella. Making his way out in the world, he started working at Blantyre Works, in particular at the mill in 1798, perhaps attracted by that new industry being so close by to his hometown. This required a move to […]
Monks in Paisley were granted various extensive charters to net and to construct traps (yairs) in the year 1452AD for catching salmon in Loch Lomond, Rivers Leven, River Clyde and the Gare Loch. During the early 1700’s, long before the construction of Dales Mills a dam had been built on the River Clyde at Blantyre. […]