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Mr William Young Martin

A bachelor until his marriage at the age of 63, William took the surname of Blyth Martin, possibly in recognition of his wife's status as a wealthy heiress. They enjoyed 20 years together in Blyth House, Newport, devoting themselves to public benefactions.

Subscription value in 1863:

£30

Relative to inflation up to 2024:

£3000

Relative to income compared to 2024:

£24000

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Personal details and history

Full name

William Young Martin

Date of birth

08-02-1814[1]

Place of birth

Dundee[1]

Gender

Male

Marital status

Bachelor but married at age of 63 in 15-01-1878 in George Street, Edinburgh[2]

Name of spouse

Isabella Blyth, widow of William Kerr, engineer, Douglas Foundry, Dundee[2]

Children

none

Home address

4 Hawkhill Place[3], later 35 Seafield Road[4] then 3 Airlie Place[5],
Dundee
On marriage Blyth House, Newport[2]

Age at death:

92[1]

Place of death:

Blyth House, Newport, Fife[1]

Date of death:

19-12-1906[6]

Buried:

Western Cemetery, Dundee

Affiliations, clubs, offices and related subscribers

Religious affiliation

Free Church of Scotland[2]

Political affiliation

Clubs / societies

Member of Dundee Chamber of Commerce[3] A regular and valued contributor to the Dundee Advertiser[1]. In his retirement an author and poet[1], his love of literature shared by his wife[7].

Public offices

Related subscribers

Subscriber no.125 – William Kerr of Douglas Foundry, Dundee, first husband of Isabella Blyth.

Career and worklife

Occupation

Calenderer[3] and insurance agent (West of England Fire & Life Insurance Company)

Employment

Manager (employing 240 men and 2 boys in 1871[8])

Place of work

Trades Lane Calendering Company[3]

Work address

Office 15 Cowgate[3]
Dundee

Career to date:

William Junior had built up the business, the Trades Lane Calendering Company, increasing its size greatly over the 1860s and 1870s. He had been a very successful and greatly respected business man[1] when he married Isabella Blyth, widow of engineer William Kerr of Douglas Foundry and heiress to the estates of her three brothers who had predeceased her[7]. Together they would make many public donations such as Blyth Hall, Burgh Chambers, a fine stained glass window in the Parish Church, all in Newport[1].

More information

Martin (known as Martin Junior, on marriage as Blyth Martin)

Sources

  1. Leng, J. & Co. (1907-1909) The Dundee Year Book, 1906-08. Dundee: John Leng & Co. p.81. Local Studies, Dundee Central Library.
  2. Statutory Records. Edinburgh. Marriage. 15 January 1878. 685/2 41. ScotlandsPeople website.
  3. Dundee Directory, 1867-68, Local Studies, Dundee Central Library.
  4. Dundee Directory, 1869-70, Local Studies, Dundee Central Library.
  5. Dundee Directory, 1874-75, Local Studies, Dundee Central Library.
  6. Statutory Records. Forgan. Death. 19 December 1906. 431/55. ScotlandsPeople website.
  7. Leng, J. & Co. (1899-1901) The Dundee Year Book, 1898-1900. Dundee: John Leng & Co. p.87. Local Studies, Dundee Central Library
  8. 1871 Census England,Wales and Scotland. FindMyPast website.

The information above about William Young Martin 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.