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Alexander Easson Esquire

Through hard work and thrift, Alexander Easson rose from the poverty of handloom weaving to the ownership of four linen manufacturing mills. He was heavily involved in public life and on retirement invested in property development in the city centre.

Subscription value in 1863:

£100

Relative to inflation up to 2024:

£10000

Relative to income compared to 2024:

£80000

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Personal details and history

Full name

Alexander Easson

Date of birth

26-02-1796[1]

Place of birth

Dundee[1]

Gender

Male

Marital status

Married 22-05-1833[2]

Name of spouse

Helen Carswell Dick[2]

Children

Helen Christina:[1] Rufus:[3]

Home address

15 Wellington Street Dundee[4]

Age at death:

92 years[5][6]

Place of death:

15 Wellington Street, Dundee[5][6]

Date of death:

29-08-1888 [5][6]

Buried:

Western Cemetery Perth Road Dundee (section 1X lair no. 41 )

Affiliations, clubs, offices and related subscribers

Religious affiliation

Old Scotch Independent Church[1]

Political affiliation

Liberal[1]

Clubs / societies

President of Dundee Liberal Association[1]

Public offices

1832 : Police Commission. At which time the Police Commission consisted of some ex officiis and twenty two representative members. It had no connection with the Town Council until the adoption of The Police Act.(13 & 14 c.33) 17th March 1851:[1] 1837-1849 Councillor, Hospital Master,Harbour Trustee:[1]

Related subscribers

Subscriber 38 – William Lindsay Boase who was in partnership with Alex Easson in the spinning & twine manufacturing factory at Johnshaven.

Career and worklife

Occupation

Canvas Manufacturers[1]

Employment

Owner[1]

Place of work

Cotton Road Dundee

Work address

Cotton Road[7][8][9]
Jamaica Street[9]
Caldrum Street[1]
Albert Street[1]
Commercial Street[1]
He also jointly owned a spinning and weaving factory in Johnshaven with Charles Clark[1] and subsequently William L Boase(connection)

Career to date:

Alexander Easson built up a very successful business in manufacturing linen. He was also very active in public affairs and a staunch supporter and lay preacher in the Old Scotch Independent Church.

More information

Alexander Easson was involved in public affairs for over 17 years until his resignation from the Town Council in 1849. His strongly held views and somewhat preachy style did not always endear him either to his fellow councillors or to the voters. As a consequence, he never attained high office although, in 1856, he stood as candidate for Lord Provost. He subsequently withdrew his candidature – probably as a result of adverse press comment. He retired from business in 1869 when steam power superseded hand labour. He then invested a large part of his money in property, erecting the elegant range of offices next to the Royal Exchange Buildings, subsequently purchased by the Chamber of Commerce. His extensive block in Euclid Street and Euclid Crescent were acquired by Miss Harris for the erection of the Girls High School.

Sources

  1. Obituary Notices, Book 2. Dundee City Library, Local Studies
  2. Old Parish Registers. Dundee. Marriages. 1833. 282/ 220 115, ScotlandsPeople website
  3. Statutory Registers. Dundee. Deaths. 1861, 282/ 1 441. ScotlandsPeople website
  4. Statutory Registers. Dundee. Deaths. 282/ 4 681. ScotlandsPeople website
  5. Dundee Courier. 31 August 1888. p.5. Findmypast website
  6. Dundee Postal Directory, 1837-38. Dundee Central Library, Local Studies
  7. Dundee Postal Directory, 1846-47. Dundee Central Library, Local studies
  8. Dundee Postal Directory, 1850. Dundee Central Library, Local Studies

Credits

Many thanks to the Staff at History Dept Central Library and Burials Dept.

The information above about Alexander Easson has been collated from a range of digital and hard copy sources. To the best of our knowledge it is correct but if you are relying on any information from our website for the purpose of your own research we would advise you to follow up the sources to your own satisfaction. If you are aware of an inaccuracy in our text please do not hesitate to notify us through our Contact page.