McManus 168

According to Mark Watson Prain’s Mill at Larchfield Works was built circa 1866. It might be that the original buildings from an earlier time were expanded. Referring to “Larchfield Works, The Mill (building), Watson mentions that “tiles in the attic floor served to minimise the fire risk and withstand the vibrations of the winding frames”. There is evidence that Larchfield Works expanded in 1880 when James Prain & Sons bought a one storey mill that had been used as a preparing block as part of the Coffin Mill. It was situated between Walton Street and Brook Street.^[33] The information in Watson’s book is supported by an announcement in the Dundee Courier 1867. The article says “A new powerloom factory, recently built in Walton Street and belonging to Messers Prain and Sons was started on Saturday last. The new work is three storeys high and gives employment to a large number of operatives”.^[34]

There is a record of James Prain’s marriage to Barbara Sutherland (born in England,^[15] daughter of John Sutherland) on 2 June 1831 in  Dundee.^[2] The family lived at 25 Hawkhill.^[36] James and Barbara Prain had 8 children: Elizabeth Easton Prain , born 1834, d.19 March 1876;^[5] Barbara Prain, born 1834, d. 21 October 1848, age 13 (“water in the head”);^[9] Agnes Prain, born 1838, d. 21 August 1909;^[5] John Easton Prain, born 1839; James Prain, born 1840; Euphemia Prain, born 1844, d. 20 January 1865;^[5] William Prain, born 1846, d. 1847, age 8 months  “water in head”;^[9] Jean Prain was born in 1847 (also died that year age 1 month “debility”).^[9]

Barbara Prain, wife of James Prain sadly died 14 December 1854 at 31 Park Wynd, age 48, the cause of death was “disease of heart”. Barbara Prain (nee Sutherland), wife of James Prain, Barbara Prain, William Prain and Jean Prain, children of James Prain were interred at New Howff Cemetery also known as Constitution Road Cemetery.^[9] By 1853 James Prain was living at 31 Park Wynd, Dundee.^[13] At this time James Prain’s occupation is stated as Manufacturer of Linens.^[13] Previously the 1851 census tells us that there was an Elizabeth Elder or Sutherland  also living there at that time named as “grandmother” . It is possible she was there help to take care of the children if their mother’s health was failing and after the death of Barbara Prain.^[15]

There is also record of James Prain being associated with numbers 29 and 33 Park Wynd during the time period (1853- 1864). This is further explained by an entry in the classifieds column of the Dundee Courier in 1864 where James Prain is selling two tenements with garden ground behind in Park Wynd. One is described as a dwelling house and the other as warehouses suitable for conversion into dwelling houses at little cost which “could command good tenants.”^[37]

In  the 1881 Census James Prain (age 78) was residing at 5 Dudhope Terrace. At this time he was described as a Flax and Jute Merchant employing 50 men, 320 women, 55 boys and 10 girls. He had in his employ two servants Mary Salmond age 24 – servant and cook and Mary Jarron 19 – housemaid. Also living at this house in 1881 were his daughter Agnes Prain (age 43) and son James Prain (age 40). In the same 1881 census his son John Easton Prain was living in Albany Terrace, one of the streets behind Dudhope Terrace.^[18]

James Prain died on 6 April 1890 at 5 Dudhope Terrace. In his obituary the Rev Dr Short of Ward Chapel noted that James had been a member of the congregation for at least 55 years and that “.. though he had lived a long life and had had his trials yet on the whole he had enjoyed a happy life. His cheery courageous heart kept up to the last”.^[21] He left an estate valued at £19,718 15s.^[38]

James Prain and his family were buried in the Constitution Road Burial Ground (aka the New Howff)^[39] which was also closely associated with the Ward Chapel, James Prain’s church of 55 years. The burying-ground, on the west side of Constitution Road, was opened in 1836, the Ward Chapel itself having opened in 1833.^[40]. The cemetery was destroyed for the construction of the inner ring road and a multi-storey car park in 1962.^[41]

Transcription of headstone in Constitution Road Cemetery:

In memory of James Prain,  Manufacturer died 9 April 1890, his wife Barbara Sutherland d 14, December 1854.  Their son William d. 4 March 1847 aged 8 months. Their daughters Jeannie who died in infancy.  Barbara who died 21 October 1848 aged 13 years. Euphemia who died 20 January 1865 aged 21 years, Elizabeth Easton d. 19 March 1876 aged 42 years, Agnes d.21 August 1909 aged 72 years, Elisabeth Elder or Sutherland d. 17 April 1857 aged 60 years. Agnes Prain, widow of William Sturrock who d. 14 July 1881 or 1861? aged 63 years.^[5]