McManus 168

David Low was born in 1837, the oldest son of Matthew Low, a flax dresser and Margaret Duncan, his second wife.^[1] His father, Matthew, became a well known  flax dresser, flax spinner and merchant, firstly in the Wellgate area of Dundee^[15] and latterly, at Keathbank Mill in Rattray. His father’s operations in Dundee were concentrated in Dallfield Walk, Coupar’s Alley and Kirk Entry. The Valuation Rolls of 1855 indicated that Matthew Low tenanted a warehouse and attic at 16 Dallfield Walk^[19] and that he owned 4 weaving shops in Dallfield Terrace (aka Dudhope Street).^[20] By 1858, his son David having reached the age of maturity, Matthew Low and the rest of his family removed to Keathbank in Rattray, leaving David to oversee operations in Dundee.^[21] David Low’s first listing in the local Directory appeared in 1861, being of ‘Low & Fife,’ and living in Kirk Entry,^[10] a lane almost opposite that of Coupar’s Alley (where Low & Fyfe operated their flaxspinning firm),^[10] running east towards the steps of St Andrew’s Church on the Cowgate. In 1865, when his son David was working for him, listings indicated that Matthew Low tenanted a ‘counting house in Coupar’s Alley.’^[22] Coupar’s Alley and Kirk Entry ran west and east (respectively) off the Wellgate, while the Dallfield area ran west from the bottom of the Hilltown.

THE MILLS

Keathbank Mill in Rattray was originally erected in 1830, directly across the River Ericht from Oakbank Mill. It was here that Matthew Low went into partnership with William Fife, who in 1851, was listed as a mechanic at Keathbank.^[23] In 1864, Matthew Low at Keathbank possessed a fairly modest concern with his waterpowered mill, producing 12 hp with 660 spindles, employing 40 hands.^[24] By 1865 however, his partnership with William Fife was dissolved (Matthew by this time a man in his 70s).^[16] Thereafter, it would appear that David Low, together with his younger brother Allan assumed the responsibility for the running of the mill on the Ericht and, through them, an expansion plan was formed.

The original mill was demolished and ‘a new and larger mill was erected a few yards further downstream, in order to increase the fall by the then owners, Messrs Low.^[25] In November of the same year, it was reported that further improvements were to be made at Keathbank in the fact that ‘We observe preparations going on for an addition to Messrs D & A Lows’ Works at Keathbank. A large warehouse is to be built at the south end of the new factory and a steam engine is to be put up at the other end in a short time.’^[26] This new mill was driven by a waterwheel and power steam engine by Carmichael of Dundee. By 1880, it employed 100 people and yarns were produced for the Forfar trade.^[25]

After David Low’s death in 1898, Keathbank Mill was purchased by Messrs Proctor of Ashgrove Works for £5,000. It was reported that David Low ‘purchased the works from Mrs Allan Proctor’s father, Mr Fife.’^[27]

Ann Street Mill was acquired by David Low around 1868. Its extent was described thus – Ann Street Works. This name is applied to works extending from Ann Street to Alexander Street and bounded on the east by William Street and on the west by Ellen Street. The buildings are one storey. Lately erected. Average hands employed 145 and 2 engines of 30 hp each. The manufacture is jute spinning. David Low is the proprietor.^[28] David Low operated a business from Ann Street Mill for thirty years, contemporaneously with Keathbank Mill.

The fate of Ann Street Mill after David Low’s death lay in safe hands. John Mathieson Nairn (son of William Nairn, merchant in Dundee), an engineer and already a manager of ‘Messrs David Low & Co’ (as it had then become known) became sole proprietor of the company.^[29][30]

David Low had been very highly regarded by his employees and was presented a year before his death with ‘an illuminated address, in recognition of his many generous acts and as an expression of the kindly feelings that had always existed between him and his workers.’ The workers of both mills sent floral tributes to his funeral.^[8] On his death, he left a total estate of £38,041 16s 5d to his brothers, sister and nieces, with a small legacy to his housekeeper.^[31] He left no public bequests.^[32]