McManus 168

Descended from a notable Cornish family, George Clement Boase was the son of Henry Boase, a banker, and his wife Anne Craige.^[2]

George’s father, a banker in London, was involved, along with 2 of his partners, in Dundee affairs.^[15] In 1802, they had joined John Baxter (of Idvies) and 4 others in ‘re-founding the Dundee Commercial Bank of 1792 as the Dundee New Bank.’^[15] This was prior to his sons, Charles and George taking up positions within the company.

Henry Boase, George’s father, died in 1827.^[1] His brother, Charles, already employed as cashier for the ‘New Bank,’ assumed responsibility for supporting him and his sisters. By 1830, George had become an unpaid clerk at the New Bank^[15] which was then located at 52 Murraygate, with living quarters above.^[16] By 1833, George had become ‘confidential clerk and partner’ with the bank.^[15]

The following year, George Clement Boase married Jane Smyth Lindsay,^[3] sister of his brother’s wife, Helen, and daughter of Provost Lindsay. He and his wife moved to reside in King Street,^[5] a short distance from his employ in the Murraygate.

It would appear that the need for security of banking establishments always figured largely as the following letter from Boase testifies:

‘Gentlemen – I suppose it will be gratifying to you to receive the following testimonial of the security of your Locks. An attempt was made upon this Bank on the night of Saturday last by a set of thieves evidently quite accomplished in their profession. The part of our property which they selected for their operations was an iron door secured by one of your Locks, in attempting to pick which there can be no doubt all their ingenuity was at first expended, as the only alternative was the tedious and laborious one of boring into the lock in order to destroy it. Before this could be accomplished a sudden alarm made them take to flight; but the work done in boring, etc., could not have occupied less than four or five hours, plainly showing that they despaired of being able to open your lock in that time. And as in their flight they left all their implements behind them, including a perfect set of lock-picking instruments, it is also seen that they were amply furnished for their work, had they believed it practicable. So far as the construction of your Locks is concerned, their safety seems very efficient; all that appears to be wanting is, that they should be enclosed on all sides in case-hardened steel, and their security would seem to be complete.^[17]

I am, Gentlemen, yours obediently, George C Boase, Cashier.’

The letter was forwarded to none other than ‘Messrs Chubb and Son,’ 57 St Paul’s Churchyard, London.

In 1867, George Clement Boase retired from his office as sub-manager of (by then) the Royal Bank, also receiving a pension. He was reported to have ‘discharged his duties with zeal and fidelity that won him the warmest approbation of the Directors.‘^[4]

Retiring to Brighton, George Clement Boase was then able to plough his energies into his passion for the Catholic Apostolic Church. He, his brother and sisters, plus nephew, Alfred (son of Dr Boase at Claverhouse) had been strong adherents and leaders of the small Dundee community of the Apostolic Church during the 1830s.^[15] His brother, Charles was responsible for the building of a chapel in Bell Street.^[15] George himself was an ardent evangelist, being ordained a priest in 1836, bishop for Dundee in 1859, coadjutor for a spell and, ultimately, minister in Brighton from 1868.^[15]

His workings in Dundee included attempting to persuade the Governors of Dundee Royal Infirmary to hang texts of Scriptures upon the walls of the infirmary, so as to soothe and uplift the spirits of those languishing within.^[18] The Governors acceded to his request.^[18]

George Clement Boase, banker and evangelist, resident for approximately 38 years, became a well known and highly respected citizen of Dundee.