McManus 168

David Anderson was born in Dundee at the beginning of the 19th century^[1] and quickly built a strong reputation as a master cabinetmaker. In 1835 he married Dundonian, Charlotte Nucator.^[2] By 1837, he appeared in the Dundee Directory with a listing for his own business.^[13]

David Anderson’s shop was situated in the “lower floor of the westmost”^[14] wing of the old hospital, situated just within the town wall at the gate called Nethergate, directly under what is now the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre. He lived across the road, first in the close or alley called Tay Street^[3] and latterly in the grander new houses of Tay Street.^[4]

Eight years after their marriage, David and Charlotte had a son, Charles, who was followed by his sisters Jane, Jean or Jeannie Jamieson, Helen Renny and Charlotte Nucator Anderson in 1845 and 1851. Helen died of measles, aged one and is buried in the Howff.^[15]

By the census of 1851, David was employing twenty two men^[16] and in the 1861 document he is said to be “a master maker employing nineteen men and five boys.”^[17] His business seems to have been very successful but, sadly, on Christmas Day, 1863, the children’s mother, Charlotte, died.^[18] David bought a lair in the Perth Road’s Western Cemetery three days later.^[6]

In 1869, David Anderson was commissioned to complete the fitting of the Free Library in the Albert Institute.^[19] This work was commissioned by the council, not the subscribers, the library part of the building being under their jurisdiction from the beginning.^[19][20] The press was eager to comment on the goings on:

“While the Police Commissioners are busily engaged laying out the grounds around the Albert Institute, the Works’ Committee of the Free Library Committee have just accepted contract for the fitting up and furnishing their part of the building. The work has been entrusted to Mr David Anderson, cabinetmaker, who has undertaken to furnish the rooms in first class style for £647. What are the Directors of the Albert Institute Company to do with their part of the memorial building?”^[19]

“The Free Library – At the meeting of the Town Council yesterday, Bailie Cox stated that the Committee of the Council had met with the Works’ Committee of the Library Committee on Wednesday, and that after going over the estimates for the furnishing of the two rooms, they had accepted the offer of Mr David Anderson, cabinetmaker, the sum being £647. The estimate included bookcases for three rooms, nine tables, fifteen forms, and twelve chairs. The latter were to be in the best style, covered with morocco and stuffed with hair. The sum for which Mr Anderson has agreed to do the work is about £200 below the anticipated cost.“^[20]

David Anderson’s shop was clearly upmarket and quite modern, having a shop window. During the run up to the Greenfield Church Bazaar in 1868, a description is given of the contents of the window:

“Mr Anderson, cabinetmaker, also shows a variety of articles in his window in the Nethergate, among which an ottoman covered with elaborate sewed work, a black cabinet finely decorated in the pictorial style by a lady, a lady’s chair, a devotional chair, and fender stool.”^[21]

David Anderson retired in 1876 and the listings for the auction roup of the contents of his shop and workshop materials detail the high quality of high Victorian taste for which he catered. (see images)