McManus 168

Alexander Henderson was born to William Henderson and his wife, Helen Chalmers, at Prestonholm, Cockpen, Midlothian, in 1819.^[1] It seems likely that William Henderson was employed in the flax yarn industry at Prestonholm, where a large spinning mill for flax and hemp was situated, on the estate of the Earl of Dalhousie.^[18]

All of Alexander’s siblings were born in Cockpen apart from his youngest brother, William Boyack Henderson, who was born in Dundee in 1832. It would seem likely therefore, that the Henderson family arrived in Dundee between the years 1829 (sister Christina born Cockpen 1829) and the year of William’s birth, 1832.^[19]

Perhaps another noteworthy indicator was William’s full name – William Boyack Henderson – William Boyack having been the name of the previous co-owner of South Dudhope Mill, West Henderson’s Wynd, Dundee.

Between the years 1832 and the 1841, William Henderson would appear to have been an employee as a flax mill manager^[7] and had not yet assumed ownership of the mill at South Dudhope. William Boyack may have been his employer at that time, given his youngest son’s name. The Dundee Directory of 1834 listed William as ‘flaxspinning superintendent,’^[20] again indicating his rank as an employee, as opposed to that as an employer.

Having taken over ownership of South Dudhope Mill around 1844, William and his son Alexander entered into a co-partnership which ceased a few years later, on his father’s death in 1847.^[17]

South Dudhope Mill was established in 1818^[21] and was first owned by Peter Davie and his son in law, William Boyack, who operated as ‘Davie & Boyack.’^[21]

It comprised ‘a 2 1/2  storey mill and storehouses with winding and warping above.’^[21] Apparently, there were no changes to the mill after 1846.^[21] This was the year that ‘William Henderson & Son’ established their manufacturing works in neighbouring Smellie’s Lane.^[21] In 1864, the factory was of 3 storeys, containing 85 power looms to the rear.^[21] It was reported to have 2 engines producing 50 hp, with its 85 power looms providing employment for 460 workers.^[22] By 1865 it was heavily altered, with the rear demolished and supplied with a new roof.^[21]

Eventually, Alexander Henderson was to become the Senior Partner in the Firm of ‘Alexander Henderson & Sons,’ the proprietors of one of the best equipped spinning and weaving factories within Dundee.^[11]

It was reported that he himself, had been;

‘a prominent figure in the Cowgate for more than half a century, having been one of a group of young men who, in the 40s and early 50s laid the foundation of the jute trade and developed it by their untiring energy and industry,’^[11]

Obituaries for Alexander Henderson painted a picture of a charitable and beneficent character, described as having been;

‘one of the kindliest of our captains of industry, one of the most helpful of citizens and one who was ever ready to lend unostentatious aid in any good movement. Alexander Henderson was one of the truly good men whose influence tells in all the departments of social life.‘^[23]

The company of ‘Messrs Alexander Henderson & Sons,’ eventually became a subsidiary of ‘Low Brothers & Co (Dundee) Ltd,’ and was included in that company’s amalgamation with ‘Don Brothers, Buist & Co Ltd,’ in 1960.^[24]