McManus 168

1867

Marriage of David Cargill, Dundee Bleachworks, to Agnes Drummond, 2nd daughter of Thomas Drummond, Craigie Farm, at Craigie.
Evening entertainment took place in “large new bleaching house” with 350 of Cargill’s employees. Music by Stevenson’s Quadrille Band.^[2]

1874

Mains & Strathmartine School Board – David Cargill, Chairman, presiding.

Resolved to continue Downfield School as at present and to enlarge Strathmartine School to accomodate 150 pupils.^[10]

1880

At a meeting of Dundee Chamber of Commerce David Cargill raised the matter of duties on bleached yarn into France being so high as to make importation prohibitory. Mr Cargill to supply Directors with detailed information on the different rates.^[7]

1888

David Cargill, Longhaugh, was one of a number of the congregation tasked with looking for a suitable person to fill the vacancy at Mains Parish Church.^[8]

1889

A meeting of the Scottish Bleachworkers Union held at Reform St Hall to consider matters relating to 14 workmen employed by Messrs Cargill at Midmill and connected with the Union who had been dismissed and ordered to leave the houses at Parkhead belonging to Cargills where they lived. Cargills paid 14s a week to some of their workers “who were looked upon as slaves rather the workers.” Meeting resolved to strike until 14 reinstated and also demanded an increase of 5% on their wages. Some 300 to 400 workers present at a further meeting which resolved to the 14 to remain in the houses until forced to leave.^[20]

1893

Disastrous fire at Midmill. Dundee Bleachworks burned. Fire originated in one of the warehouses packed with unbleached yarn. Both steam and manual extinguishing apparatus, together with an ample supply of water, were at hand. Owing to the want of a full telephonic connection it was nearly two hours before the services of the Dundee Brigade were available. Initial firefighters were employeees of the company (about 200) and the Cargill family. Fire largely confined to warehouse so no machinery affected and work not disrupted. Loss amounted to between £6000 and £8000. First fire in 40 years of Cargill ownership.^[21]

1895

David Cargill, Longhaugh, listed as one of the Commissioners of Supply for Forfarshire^[11]

David Cargill member of the Management Committee of Dundee Savings Bank^[12]

Formation of joint-stock company ‘Cargill & Co.’ “to acquire the bleaching and dyeing business carried on by Cargill & Co at Dundee Bleach Works and the business of yarn merchants carried on by them in Dundee.” Capital £30,000 in £10 shares. Directors: David and W.D. Cargill. Subscribers:
David and W. D. Cargill, bleachers, Longhaugh; David Cargill, clerk; John David, yarn saleman, Maryfield; James Nicoll, cashier; J. P. Kyd, solicitor, 1 Albert Sq and J. R. Cargill, engineer, Longhaugh.^[22]

David Cargill presided over a bazaar held at the Victoria Art Gallery to raise funds for Maryfield Church.^[9]

1900

Lengthy obituary of David Cargill with portrait.^[6]

Probate entry for David Cargill: Value of estate £24,549 1s 9d.^[23]

Until the 1870s Cargill & Co described themselves as ‘bleachers.’ After 1871 this changed to ‘bleachers, yarn millers and yarn merchants’^[18] and later as ‘bleachers, spinners and yarn merchants.’^[24]

Enid Gauldie says^[15] that “The new owners, Cargill and Company were not Dundonians. Cargill was one of the many
hundreds of linen trade workers attracted into the growing industrial city from the declining towns in the counties of Angus and Perthshire.” Unfortunately, she did not give a more precise birthplace and David Cargill gave his birthplace as Dundee in the 1851 Census^[3].