McManus 168

Patrick Watson was born to James Watson, a merchant, and Margaret Hardie in 1809.^[1] In the year he was born, his father was listed in the Dundee Directory as having been a haberdasher and clothier.^[21] His premises were stated as having been on the east side of New Inn Entry on the High Street.^[21]

It would appear from Directory entries that Patrick was employed within his father’s business by the early 1830s^[19] and probably earlier, although he would not necessarily then have merited an entry. In his mid 20s, Patrick married Margaret Low, the daughter of Andrew Low, shipowner, on 1 September 1834,^[3] almost a year after the death of his mother, Margaret Hardie in 1833.^[22]

Patrick’s father withdrew from the business by the later 1830s and spent his twilight years resident at 23^[23] Tay Street.^[24] He died in 1846.^[24]

Settling into married life while managing a successful business, the Watsons became parents to 6 children, although James, Euphemia and Andrew predeceased their father.

Patrick Watson and his wife were Congregationalists and were to be found listed in the membership records of the Congregational churches in Dundee. Patrick was enrolled as a member of Ward Chapel on 10th February 1831.^[10] His sister, Mrs (Christiana) Thow, was already a member. Christiana, married Thomas Thow, writer in Dundee, on 7 Dec 1830.^[25] Patrick and Margaret transferred to Panmure Street Chapel when it opened in 1853. It was noted that they removed to Bristol in 1876.^[11] Patrick Watson was adhered to the ‘Sabbath Alliance,’ declaring his allegiance to the ‘obligation of keeping the Sabbath and the benefits which would result from its due observance and to secure for all classes the undisturbed possession of that day.’^[26]

Patrick Watson was reported to have been ‘one of the originators of the Industrial Schools in Dundee in 1846.’ It was reported that:

‘Mr Watson, until he left town to reside in England, took a deep practical interest in the everyday work of the institution and, from its establishment (1846) to 1864, when the schools were entirely dependent for support on voluntary subscriptions, acted as Honorary Treasurer. In this capacity, Mr Watson rendered valuable services to the society, not only by the attention of his duties to his office, but also by his assiduity in keeping its claims and usefulness before the community. Up to his death, Mr Watson manifested his unabated interest in the schools, by acting as a Trustee and contributing regularly and generously towards their support.’^[14]

It was further claimed that Patrick Watson had induced Lord Kinnaird and others to join him in establishing the first Industrial Schools of any note in Scotland. The first Model Lodging Houses in Scotland, Refuges for Fallen Women, Coffee Rooms, a Training Ship and Temperance Movements were specially his work from the mid 1840s onwards.^[13] It was said that ‘there was no more ardent advocate for the abolition of Government regulations of vice.’^[13]

It would appear from press reports and advertisements that Patrick Watson spent a great deal of time giving public lectures against the iniquities of the population at large, while extolling the virtues of living by God’s word, temperance and self respect. However, Patrick Watson’s public face as a Christian philanthropist was countered in one article which professed him, at times, to be ‘righteous overmuch’^[27] – a damning indictment perhaps.

The Dundee Directories indicated that Alexander Henderson was assumed as a partner in 1860,^[20] having been employed by Patrick Watson for almost 14 years.^[20] Their business was titled ‘Watson and Henderson.’  Patrick  Watson ceased to have an active interest in the business by 1868, at which time it became known as ‘Henderson and Lowson,’ still with premises in the High Street.^[15]

Mr and Mrs Watson were living in Howe Street, Edinburgh, at the time of the 1871 census^[2] although he retained his house at 162 Nethergate and remained on the roll of Panmure Street Chapel until leaving for Bristol in 1876. By 1881, Patrick Watson was described as being a ‘Retired Silk Mercer,’ living at Tower Leaze, Westbury on Trym, Gloucestershire.^[28]

After his death, Patrick Watson’s coffin was transported by train from England to the Caledonian Railway Station in Union Street, Dundee, his place of birth.^[9] At 3 pm, the mourners congregated at the station from where they followed the hearse, drawn by 4 horses and accompanied by about a dozen mourning coaches. They proceeded by Union Street, Nethergate, High Street, Reform Street and Euclid Street to Constitution Road Cemetery.^[9] The funeral was attended by many leading and influential citizens.^[9]