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Thomas Brough Esquire

Thomas Brough, at the time of his death in 1868, had been in business in Dundee for approximately 33 years. A man known for his genial disposition, he had maintained a high commercial position and an unblemished reputation throughout that period.[end]

Subscription value in 1863:

£100

Relative to inflation up to 2024:

£10000

Relative to income compared to 2024:

£80000

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Personal details and history

Full name

Thomas Brough

Date of birth

03-09-1812[1]

Place of birth

Dundee[1]

Gender

Male

Marital status

Married 15-11-1841[2]

Name of spouse

Catherine Johnston[2][3]

Children

Alexander Johnston; Thomas Johnston; Christian Kitchen Johnston; William; Cecilia Ballantine Johnston; Robert Johnston; Catherine Johnston; Marion Johnston; John Smith; Mary Eliza Jane; Emma;

Home address

Bonnybank House[4][5]
2 Nelson Street
Dundee

Age at death:

55 years[3]

Place of death:

Bonnybank House, Nelson Street, Dundee[3]

Date of death:

22-02-1868[3]

Buried:

The New Cemetery, Constitution Road, Dundee - this cemetery was demolished in 1962 to make way for the Bell Street car park.[6] The inscriptions were noted in 1950.

Affiliations, clubs, offices and related subscribers

Religious affiliation

Free Church: Elder in Free St Paul's (Rev. Mr Wilson): Prior to the 'Disruption "Thomas Brough demonstrated an alliance with the Non Intrusionists."[7]

Political affiliation

Thomas Brough displayed no active part in burgh politics.[7]

Clubs / societies

On 10-12-1846 Thomas Brough, manufacturer, was admitted as a Free Master of the Bonnetmaker Craft:[8][9] Dundee Property Investment Company - Director:[10]

Public offices

Thomas Brough was twice elected by the Nine Trades as a Governor of Morgan Hospital.[9][5][7]

Related subscribers

Career and worklife

Occupation

Linen Merchant[4] and Manufacturer of Sail Cloth and Tarpaulines[9][5]

Employment

Owner

Place of work

Peep O' Day Works[9] and Taybank Works[11]

Work address

27 Cowgate
Dundee[5]

Peep o' Day Works
Blackscroft
Dundee[9]

1 King Street
Dundee[11]

Taybank Works[11]
Lilybank
Arbroath Road,
Dundee

Career to date:

Thomas Brough, at the time of his death in 1868, had been in business for approximately 33 years.[7] The 1841 census indicates that he was a linen manufacturer in Blackscroft (Peep o' Day Works).[4] By 1851 the census record shows that he was a flax manufacturer, employing 32 men and 3 women. His business had expanded by 1861, with the census stating that he was a sailcloth manufacturer, employing 75 men and women. By 1864 Thomas Brough operated the Taybank Works at Lilybank, which housed 1 engine, producing 12 horse power, 68 power looms, 200 hands employed, showing continued expansion of his business.[12] Alexander Johnston Brough (Thomas' eldest son) joined in co-partnership with his father in October 1867. Over four years, between 1864 and 1868, the works had increased further to corporate 2 High Pressure Steam Engines of 12 NHP, 2 Steam Boilers and 96 Power Looms as an advert for the sale of equipment testifies.[13] Thomas died in February 1868 at a relatively young age. His son, Alexander Johnston Brough, declared that he found it impossible to continue the business. The business then went into sequestration with liabilities far outweighing the assets. Alexander blamed bad debts.[14] Thereafter, Alexander Johnston Brough went on to establish a successful business, with his younger brother Robert, ensuring the 'Brough' name continued to feature in Dundee manufacturing.

More information

Like his father, William Brough, before him, Thomas entered into the business of the manufacture of linen from 1835, aged approximately 23 years. The family lived in the Blackscroft area for many years and at least from 1829-30.[15] Thomas himself appears in the Dundee Postal Directory for 1842-43 as a manufacturer at Peep o’ Day – running South from Blackscroft.

No additional information has been uncovered for Thomas Brough although his son, Alexander Johnston Brough continued as a manufacturer in Dundee for a number of decades.

Sources

  1. Old Parish Registers. Dundee. Births. 1812. 282/ 90 562. ScotlandsPeople website.
  2. Old Parish Registers. Edinburgh. Marriages. 685/2 440 646. ScotlandsPeople website.
  3. Statutory Registers. Dundee. Deaths. 1868, 282/ 4/ 124. ScotlandsPeople website.
  4. Census Returns. Dundee. 1861. 282/ 2/ 15. ScotlandsPeople website.
  5. Dundee Postal Directory 1864-65. Dundee Central Library, Local Studies.
  6. Monumental Inscriptions. Volume 4. Constitution Road. p.182. entry 185.
  7. Dundee Courier, 24 February 1868. Findmypast website.
  8. Lockit Book of the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee.
  9. Dundee Postal Directory, 1861-62. Dundee Central Library, Local Studies.
  10. Dundee Postal Directory, 1858-59. Dundee Central Library, Local Studies.
  11. Dundee Postal Directory, 1867-68. Dundee Central Library, Local Studies.
  12. Warden, Alexander J. (1864) The Linen Trade, Ancient & Modern. London. Longman. p.656.
  13. Dundee Courier, 23 March 1869. Findmypast website.
  14. Dundee Courier, 24 February 1868. Findmypast website.
  15. Dundee Postal Directory, 1829-30. Dundee Central Library, Local Studies.

The information above about Thomas Brough has been collated from a range of digital and hard copy sources. To the best of our knowledge it is correct but if you are relying on any information from our website for the purpose of your own research we would advise you to follow up the sources to your own satisfaction. If you are aware of an inaccuracy in our text please do not hesitate to notify us through our Contact page.