McManus 168

George Stephen was born April 1793, in Dundee, to David Stephen, ‘hammerman’ (blacksmith), and Jean Kerr.^[1] He was named after his grandfather, George Kerr.^[1]

Aged 21 years, George Stephen embarked on what was to become his life’s work – he established an ironmongery business in 1814.^[15][14] Three years later, in 1817,  he married Mary Elizabeth Bowman (written as Beaumont in Dundee’s marriage registration)^[2] and, with her, had five children. His second marriage to Ann Gibb in 1828^[5] produced a further eight offspring.

In carrying out his business, the following remarkable events were to map out George’s integrity and strength of character.

It was reported that George suffered ‘a series of losses sustained through the perilous years of 1826-1833, ‘ the consequence of which was the sequestration of his business.^[17] At the time, his creditors agreed a settlement compromise amounting to 8s in the pound. Not content to write off the remainder of his debts, George Stephen resolved to satisfy the needs of his many creditors.

By 1840, it was widely reported that George had made up the remaining 12s per pound owed to many and all of that by sheer dint of conscientiousness and hard work.

‘These payments are now completed – not completed by any windfall coming in his way to enable him to do it easily – not by a man who had only his own wants and comforts to provide for but by one who had a wife and rising family depending on him and this circumstance ought to be in view in estimating Mr Stephen’s conduct.’^[17]

To mark his efforts to satisfy all debts in full, George Stephen was presented with a ‘valuable piece of silver plate’ (kept as a family heirloom) from his creditors, in recognition of their appreciation.^[15]

George Stephen’s burgeoning business encompassed the supply of all items extremely large and extremely small, to both the industrial and domestic markets.

In 1847, an advert for an apprentice declared his desire for  ‘A stout lad, who can write well, of unexceptionable character. One from the country would be preferred,’^[18]  – a malleable lad who would cause no upset! Interestingly, a neighbouring iron merchant firm (D & W Robertson) placed similar adverts ‘country lads preferred.’

It was also around this time that George’s son, Robert Gibb Stephen, became an assistant in his father’s firm. He was to continue in that role for approximately 7 years before being made a partner in the business in 1854,^[14] from which point on the firm’s title became ‘George Stephen & Son.’ ^[14]

George Stephen himself carried on the business of ironmonger for at least 50 years, having established himself in 1814^[14] and continuing into the mid 1860s,^[19] when he resigned his position as head of the firm in favour of his son Robert.^[15] He had gained a reputation as having been ‘naturally shrewd and sagacious and most successful in business.’

George Stephen had not been known to have taken a prominent part in public affairs but his deep interest in both local and national issues were often professed through many (and frequent) letters to the local press,^[10] whereby he left the readers in no doubt about his inclinations. A man of influence, his opinions were noted and respected.^[10]

At the Royal British Hotel on Wed 22nd Sept 1847 he was presented with a handsome silver plate to commemorate his contribution to the community.^[20] By 1871, George Stephen has retired – he is listed as ‘late ironmonger’ – and Robert has taken over the business.

In 1875, George Stephen died of chronic bronchitis at his home in Somerville Place.^[9] His successor, Robert Gibb Stephen, survived him by a mere 8 years although their business survived into the 20th century.

In 1936, the Dundee Chamber of Commerce listed ‘George Stephen & Son’ as one of the few businesses in Dundee to be more than a century old.^[21]

In 1946, the firm of George Stephen & Son Ltd., 29 Castle Street, Dundee, was purchased by Messrs Brown & Tawse, the same firm which acquired the neighbouring firm of iron merchants, D & W Robertson, in 1881.^[22]