McManus 168

James Petrie was born on 8 November 1819, in the parish of Monikie and was baptised on the 14th November.^[1] His parents were George, then a weaver,^[1] (later becoming a baker and shopkeeper),^[6] and Helen Petrie.^[1] He also had an older sister, Margaret born in 1816. A younger brother, John, died in infancy.

The 1841 census found James at 93 Murraygate, Dundee, where he professed himself as a baker.^[2] His older sister, Margaret, was living in the same household.^[2] It would appear that by 1850,^[11] until 1864, the year of his death,^[6] Petrie’s business premises were located at 117 Muraygate, and, at times, he employed as many as six people.^[10] James Petrie became a notable baker and it was under his careful guidance and supervision that Peter Anderson, born in 1831 in Arbirlot, began his apprenticeship and went on to become one of the most well-known of Dundee based bakers.

James Petrie’s presence in Dundee signified more than his well-acknowledged reputation in the trade. He also was a well-respected member of the community and a philanthropist.

Petrie passed away at the age of 45 years on 29 Nov 1864.^[6]  A year later, a notice dated 18 April 1865 and published in the Dundee People’s Journal, acknowledged all the support received by the late James Petrie during his time in the Trade and informed the wider public about the future of the business:

“The Representatives of the late Mr James Petrie, Baker, 117 Murraygate, Dundee, beg to thank his numerous Customers for their very lengthened and liberal patronage while in business during the last twenty-five years; and also intimate that they have now disposed of  Goodwill of  Business to Mr John Cooper who, they trust, will be eminently successful in his endeavours to meet the wishes of the trade.”^[12]

However, this was not entirely the end of the Petrie connection with the Murraygate. Between the years 187-74, James Petrie’s nephew, James Petrie Mathers was a partner in ‘Mathers & Petrie,’ bakers, the other partner having been Charles Petrie (perhaps a relative).^[13] Their business operated from 105 Murraygate, while James and his mother, Margaret lived at 107 Murraygate.^[14] The short-lived co-partnery of ‘Mathers & Petrie’ was dissolved in February of 1874.^[13]