Streetname related question

[AlanBoyd]

What is the evidence that the streets were built by Dixon?

The Dixons did not build the Houses but feued the land to the builders for the purpose of building the tenements.

How likely is it, do you think, that the builders were allowed to name some of the streets?

[RJ_Paton]

How likely is it, do you think, that the builders were allowed to name some of the streets?

Given the preponderance of Dixon connections it's difficult to separate and establish what was freely named and what element of tugging the proverbial forelock was involved. In addition to this Glasgow by annexing the surrounding areas found itself with many duplicated street names and set about a major renaming operation in the early 1900's. 

Added: Strangely in two books about the origins of Glasgow Street Names published in 1899 & 1902 respectively there are no listings of streets in the Govanhill area.

[Vendee]

Thanks again to everyone... so much information. I knew that several streets were named after Dixon's ironworks, namely Gartuck street, Carfin street and Calder street. I knew that Belleisle street was named after Dixons residence in Ayrshire. I knew that Allison street was named after Sir Archibald Allison and predates the other streets above that lead off it. I've seen reference to the Ailleen Smart book before and its nice to learn that it can be downloaded but her assertion that Daisy and Annette were William Smith Dixon's daughters are at odds with this reference :- http://www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/100_Glasgow_Men/Dixon_William.htm which states of Dixon:- He died in London in June, 1880, having married in 1851 Catherine Anne, daughter of David Napier, merchant, of Singapore, by whom he had no children, and who died in 1884

[RJ_Paton]

I would be more inclined to trust Aileen Smart although I would seek other verification. The Book 100 Glasgow Men is a splendid example of Victorian whitewashing - not just in the case of William Dixon.

What it does show for William S. Dixon is that he comes across as what in modern terms would be described as a micromanager and control freak  and it is this aspect of his personality which may have lead to the abundance of Dixon connections in the street names of Govanhill after all he did retain ownership of all of the lands of Govanhill

[Vendee]

I understand what you are saying RJ. Most of the streets in that part of Govanhill have a connection to the Dixon family. Belleisle, Daisy, Gartuck and Annette streets are all consecutive to each other. Daisy and Annette must have some relevance to William S Dixon, I accept that. Its just that if Dixon did have a couple of daughters, there would surely be birth records. He married in 1851. There is an entry in the 1851 census that shows a William S Dixon aged 26 registered in the Gorbals district. Record keeping was quite good in those days. I remember reading a claim online somewhere that Daisy was the name of Dixon's dog. I thought that was ridiculous but now I wouldn't rule it out.   

[RJ_Paton]

I understand what you are saying RJ. Most of the streets in that part of Govanhill have a connection to the Dixon family. Belleisle, Daisy, Gartuck and Annette streets are all consecutive to each other. Daisy and Annette must have some relevance to William S Dixon, I accept that. Its just that if Dixon did have a couple of daughters, there would surely be birth records. He married in 1851. There is an entry in the 1851 census that shows a William S Dixon aged 26 registered in the Gorbals district.

Pre 1851 birth records rely upon Church records and as the Dixons built a Methodist Church in Fireworks Village its possible that this may be the reason that no records exist in the Cof S records.
There is also the possibility of other family members having Children, Williams brother John had no interest in the family business and is reputed to have sold his shares to William.

I remember reading a claim online somewhere that Daisy was the name of Dixon's dog. I thought that was ridiculous but now I wouldn't rule it out.   

  Having read quite a bit about the Dixons when I was researching Fireworks Village I wouldn't either. 

[Vendee]

Hmm... I'm just reading Aileen Smarts book at the moment and it refers to the land the Dixon Halls was built on being donated by James Smith Dixon in the 1870's. So either that is a typo or... it means that William Smith Dixon wasn't childless and had a son. And if that is true, there is a chance that he had a couple of daughters too. It would be nice to see the records that confirm that though.

[RJ_Paton]

the section on page 106 of the copy of the book I have referring to Dixon Halls states that William Smith Dixon donated the land.

[Vendee]

Ah yes I see that under the illustration but at the bottom of page 104, continuing onto page 105 it says" James Smith Dixon gifted a site at the junction of Dixon avenue and Cathcart road for a burgh hall". I wonder which statement is correct?