McManus 168

John White was born the son of John White, a pendicler, and his wife, Elizabeth Gray, at Pitmiddle in 1833.^[1]

John White married Lilias Maxwell Dorward in 1857^[3] and fathered eight children in total. The 1861 census indicated that Lilias, aged 24 and John, aged 27, were living at 5 Brown Street with their two children, Mary aged 2 and George aged 1.^[2] By the 1871 census, a further four children were listed – John, Lilias, Charles and Annie.^[15] By 1881, another two children, James and Alexander, were recorded.^[16]

There is no indication to confirm what drew John White and his interest towards Dundee and the grocery trade. What is clear is that he must have possessed a good business acumen, with an ability to make shrewd decisions.

He ultimately ran a grocer’s business which operated from 33 West Port and regularly advertised in the local press, for example in the Dundee Advertiser of 1863.^[17]

From small beginnings as a grocer on the Hawkhill, John White expanded to become a Grocer, Tea and Wine Merchant, at a location close to a very salubrious area of the town, with South Tay Street, Park Place, and the residences on the south side of the Hawkhill on his doorstep.

Seven years after the death of his wife, Lilias, aged 44 years, in 1880,^[18] John White, although retaining his business in Dundee, took out a lease near his boyhood home.

‘The farm of Guardswell, prettily situated on the braes of the Carse, in the parish of Kinnaird, presently in the occupancy of Mr Patrick Constable, Baledgarno, has been let on lease to Mr John White, grocer, Dundee, who at present rents the house.

This is one of the moderate-sized and easily managed farms for which there is a demand, though at much less rents than formerly.’^[19]

So, while retaining his address at 5 Brown Street, Dundee, John White also maintained a country residence for himself and his family.

At the time of his own death in 1916,^[8] John White had extended his interest in farming pursuits. By then, he owned a half share in the farm of Guardswell, a half share in the farm of Outfield and a third share of another neighbouring farm of Moncur.^[8]

After his death, the transfer of his grocer’s certificate was made over to his eldest son, George;

‘The grocer’s certificate at 33 West Port, formerly held by his father was transferred to George White, Guardswell, Inchture.’^[20]

As to what became of John White’s farming interests, his concerns were put up for sale in 1917, the year after his death;

‘Guardswell Farm and Outfield, the latter including the village of Pitmiddle and the ground let as holdings to the villagers, fetched £4,100 and £4,00 respectively.’^[21]