Commerce
A Nineteenth Century Stationer, Bookseller and Printer
As many articles in our industrial and commercial series have shown, medium sized towns such as Dunfermline, supported all sorts of businesses and activities which have now long been centralised at a national or international level. To brewing, engineering, food processing, clothing and transport we can now add printing and bookselling. In “The Millers of Bridge Street“, Jean Barclay relates the history of a family who played an important part in the life of Dunfermline for two generations.
A Seafaring Adventure
Our seafaring ancestors had to deal with many hazards with little assistance, but they also came across some strange occurrences during their travels. In “The Jessie Thoms of Limekilns and the May Queen: A Seafaring Adventure” Jean Barclay tells us what happened when the crew of a Fife brig came across a deserted ship west of Shetland in the autumn of 1858.
Woodrow’s Lemonade
In the third of his series on aerated water manufactures in Dunfermline, George Beattie presents the history of James Woodrow and Sons, the largest and longest lasting of the these businesses. For 100 years from 1908 this firm produced, bottled and distributed a wide range of soft drinks, and also bottled beer and cider for several drinks companies. In 1993 they bought Mitchells as part of an ambitious expansion campaign. Their history is one of growth, in volume and geographical range, until they too were bought over by a still larger business.
Bacca B, Tobacconist and “Medical Rubber”
In “Bacca B: John Beveridge and his Two Careers” Jean Barclay gives us a short biography of a well-known Dunfermline tobacconist and Town Councillor, who, in 1850, moved to Edinburgh and began a new career in an unusual profession.
Allan’s Bakery
Allan’s bakery was a feature of Dunfermline High Street from the 1880’s to the 1960’s. In another of our series on Dunfermline’s Industrial and Commercial past, George Beattie writes, in “Andrew Allan, Baker“, a short, illustrated history of the firm.