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Angus (Forfarshire) / Re: Jute Mills & Iron Works Dundee
« on: Monday 29 December 14 17:46 GMT (UK) »Hi Martin
Seems I was barking up the wrong tree with my ancestors! It wasn't David Leighton that was in Jute, but his father-in-law Michael Ferrier. He was Mill manager at Law Mill Dundee. I also think he was based in Calcutta and Candahar (sp?). I am downloading a lot of newspaper articles about him whilst the free weekend is on, so need to piece them together. Struggling to find Law Mill online, have you heard of it?
Mel
Hi Mel,
Apologies for the delayed response, I've not been on here for a bit.
I've just researched "Law Mill" for your - my first instinct knowing parts of Dundee reasonably well was that it must be near Dundee Law (This is an extinct volcano formed around 400 million years ago, the 572-foot peak is the city's most distinctive landmark).
With that idea in mind I set about researching the area local to the Law Hill and found Lawside Works which sits just north east of the Law Hill. Looking back the maps I found it was called Lawside Works from the early 1900's all the way through into the last map available for the 1940's. It is now a housing development located on the corner of Paterson Street and Milton Street in Dundee. I found the planning application for the new houses which was early 2000's.
I then proceeded to look more into the Mill and found it was called Law Mill on the map dated 1885.
From looking up on the RCAHMS website I found the following which suggests it was built in the 1830's. http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/68115/details/dundee+milton+street+lawside+jute+spinning+and+dye+works/
Links to maps are as follows:
1885 - http://maps.nls.uk/view/74478924
1903 - http://maps.nls.uk/view/82884861
1922 - http://maps.nls.uk/view/82884864
1941 - http://maps.nls.uk/view/82884867
It isn't marked on the 1865 map (http://maps.nls.uk/view/74426931) but Lawmill Cottages seems to suggest it existed.
This map of 1857 shows in good detail the different parts of the mill. http://maps.nls.uk/view/74415299
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
Martin