McManus 168

Early life and marriage

The son of William Kerr, a leather merchant and his wife Isobel Cuthill,^[1] William Kerr was born in Aberdeen about 1810.^[2][3] He married three times and had one surviving daughter^[1]. He first married Elizabeth Guthrie in 1847,^[1] with whom he had one daughter, Catherine. Elizabeth Guthrie died of consumption in 1850.^[22] William then married Margaret Monro in 1857,^[5] who died in 1862 from ‘disease of the ankle joint about one year, amputation, pneumonia 18 days.’^[10] Lastly, he married Isabella Blyth in 1866, who outlived him. At the time of pledging his subscription to the Albert Institute, William Kerr had been newly widowed for a second time.

Working life and achievements 

William Kerr, an engineer,^[2] worked in various parts of Germany supervising the erection of machinery before going into partnership with his brother John Kerr.^[20] The engineer and millwright firm traded as ‘John Kerr & Co.’ at Douglas Foundry, Dundee, manufacturing a wide range of different machinery for all the mills in Dundee, ranging from power looms to turbines and hydraulic presses.^[23]

Some long standing manufacturing firms were already well known for their flax spinning and weaving machinery. However ‘John Kerr & Co.’  a much newer firm, was fast becoming a strong competitor in the field, especially with their calendering machinery.^[24] The firm was very successful and exhibited a 5 roller calender for finishing cloth, in Section 7 of the International Exhibition in 1862.^[24][25]

Retirement

William Kerr’s working partnership with his brother John was dissolved in 1866 when both retired. William then moved to Newport where he had a grand house, Ashbank, built for his use (now known as 72 Tay Street).^[20][21] The 1867-68 Valuation Rolls indicated that Mr Kerr was also the proprietor of three other properties in Newport – 5 James Street, 68 Tay Street and 70 Tay Street, all three had tenants.^[26]

William Kerr, a wealthy man, died in Newport on 5 April 1877 and left £17,152,17s 8d.^[27] The Dundee Evening Telegraph, dated 5 April 1877, described him as being “greatly respected for his amiable and honourable character” in Newport, which is certainly a great tribute to him.

The newspaper also declared that “ it is to be regretted that he did not live to see the opening of Blyth Hall.” William Kerr was said to have had a strong interest in his third wife Isabella’s plan to donate the Hall and the Fountain to the community in Newport, in memory of  her brothers, Henry, Charles and Thomas Blyth.^[20]