Part Two

The weaving industry in Anderston began expanding steadily during the 1750's, and it was around this time that James Monteith, who was to become a prominent figure in the development of the area, opened his first weaving mill in Bishop Street. The success enjoyed by the weavers of Anderston meant that as demand for local produce grew, so too, did the need for additional craftsmen. The later application of steam-power necessitated the employment of skilled mechanics to maintain and repair the machinery, and to service the growing population, the need for bakers, farmer-workers and other trades also increased. Before long the village had mushroomed into a town. Although at the peak of demand, there were around a dozen steam-powered mills operating in Anderston, a great deal of contract work was still being carried out by weavers operating hand-looms from within their own homes.

Prior to the redevelopment of the area during the 1960-70's there were a number of reminders of Anderston's weaving past, among which, was the aforementioned Weavers’ Pend, at 584 Argyle Street, where the remains of 'Wee Corks' premises was still in evidence. The term 'Cork' was the Scots word for a 'master weaver' and in this context 'Wee Cork' denoted the number of  skilled weavers employed by the business. Names such as Heddle Place, Warp Lane and Carding Lane also served as a reminder of Anderston's weaving roots.

EARLY EMPLOYERS
The Anderston weavers worked hard at improving the manufacturing process and quality of the various materials produced locally. The success of the local produce was reflected in a steadily growing export trade. Among the principal entrepreneurs in the textile industry were people like the Monteiths, the Gillespies and the Houldsworths.

JAMES MONTEITH
Born in the Aberfoyle area, around 1670, James Monteith was regularly harassed by Rob Roy MacGregor, the Highland outlaw, because he refused to pay protection money to the rogue. Monteiths defiance and refusal to succumb to blackmail, led to the outlaw raiding Monteith’s farm and stealing his cattle. Repeated theft of his livestock eventually proved too much of a strain for Monteith and contributed to his early demise. James Monteith was survived by his four children; Jenny, Margaret, Nancy the youngest, and Henry who was born around 1710. Once the funeral expenses and other outstanding debts had been settled, the family affairs were left in a fragile state, so, young Henry decided to make his way to Glasgow to seek his fortune. He took up residence in the new village of Anderstoun where he established himself as a market gardener.

The main crops grown by market gardeners were barley, oats, peas and kail (a curly leafed cabbage) useful for soups. Later, wheat, turnips and potatoes were added to the harvest. Added to the aforementioned vegetables, herring and the occasional salmon would have supplemented the diet. No doubt, as was the practice in those far-off days, the market gardeners would travel to the markets in Glasgow every Wednesday and Saturday to sell their produce. I often wonder if Henry Monteith ever encountered Rob Roy, as the Highlander passed through Anderston on his way to market with his cattle. Rob Roy is reputed to have been a regular visitor to a coach-house, near Sandyford, which was known as the ‘Star Hotel’ during the 1800’s. The old coach-house still exists at 1125 Argyle Street, sandwiched between tenement properties, opposite Kelvingrove Street.

To counter the threat posed by the Jacobite Rising of 1745, Glasgow raised two regiments of volunteers, each comprising of five hundred men. Most lowlanders feared that if Bonnie Prince Charlie, 'The Young Pretender', managed to regain the throne, Scotland would become subject to a Catholic monarchy. Being a staunch Presbyterian, Henry Monteith decided that this would be a good opportunity to display his opposition to the Jacobite cause, while at the same time defend his faith. Monteith joined the Glasgow Regiment as a volunteer, and on 17th January 1746, he fought with distinction at the Battle of Falkirk. The Jacobites routed the government army that day, inflicting heavy casualties on the Glasgow Regiment in particular. Monteith survived the battle unscathed. Those who fought alongside him said that he was reluctant to leave the battlefield, and only did so after firing the last shot of defiance from the government side. When Henry died, his son James, who was born in 1734, succeeded him. James Monteith was destined to become a leading figure in the community and his influence was to have a huge impact on the weaving industry, not only locally, but also nationally.

James Monteith entered the weaving industry as an apprentice handloom weaver and, in 1758, opened his first weaving mill in Bishop Street. Dedicated to producing the best quality materials possible, his business prospered and he began adding more looms to his factory. In his search for perfection, in 1767, he invited forty-six Frenchwomen to come to Anderston to teach the locals the art of spinning fine yarn. It is unclear whether any of the Mademoiselles married locals, or if they returned to France once their task was complete.

The first web of muslin wrought in Scotland was produced in Monteith's mill in 1769. Other pioneering work included muslin webs spun from a 'Mule Jenny' in 1785, with the first linen being spun shortly afterwards. Prior to this period, most homespun yarns were very coarse and quite unsuitable for use in the production of fine fabrics, so, it was necessary to import yarn from France, Belgium or Holland. Monteith, with an eye for business, imported direct from his own supplier, a Messieur Mortier, who lived in Cambray, Flanders. Monteith invited the Frenchman to come to Scotland, an offer that was gratefully accepted. Accompanied by his twelve-year old son, Mortier arrived in Anderston in 1780. Such was the hospitality received during his visit that when it was time for Mortier to return to France, he left his son in Monteith’s care. The young Mortier attended various classes and completed two seasons at the University. After a three-year stay, young Mortier returned home to France.

With trade continuing to flourish, Monteith opened a steam-powered mill adjacent to his original premises in Bishop Street. The new mill accommodated two hundred looms. As his business grew, so too did his reputation for quality. He was able to produce muslin so fine that a dress made from the fabric could be passed through a finger-ring. A dress made of this fine material was presented to Queen Charlotte.

Auld Alliance
Towards the end of the 18th Century France was at war throughout Europe and was occupying Holland and parts of the Rhine. The war was having an adverse effect on the weavers of Anderston, who transacted a great deal of business within Europe.

Monteith’s eldest son, John, who had become involved in running the family business, proposed that Patrick Falconer, one of his partners, should attend one of the great trade fairs in Germany with the aim of securing orders for Anderston produce. Being fluent in French, with a smattering of German, Falconer agreed to the proposition. His intention was to proceed to Germany by the shortest route via Holland. However, shortly after arriving in Holland Falconer was stopped by a French patrol and arrested on suspicion of being a spy. He was taken to the local military headquarters where he was interrogated by a French general. A short time passed, when to Falconer’s astonishment, his interrogator smiled and said in good broad Scots, "But, my frien' dae ye no' ken James Monteith o' Anderston?". A surprised Falconer responded, "Aye, I ken him weel, for he's my ain partner's faither!" Satisfied of his authenticity, the Frenchman addressed Falconer in Scots, informing him that he had spent three years in Anderston as a guest of Monteith. He was of course, none-other than the young Mortier who, had joined the army and, showing enterprise, quickly attained the rank of General. Whilst attending a festival, on 28th July 1835, Mortier was killed by an assassin's bullet, meant for another dignitary. A monument erected to the memory of Mortier stands in the Pere-la-Chaise Cemetery, Paris.

When James Monteith died in 1809, he was described as “being a man of good character, honest and even in old age, hale and hearty, as well as possessing a good erect figure and pleasing countenance”. His portrait continued to adorn the Session Room of the Old Relief Church that he helped found, until the building was removed in 1967 to make way for construction work on the Kingston Bridge.
Six sons, John, James, Henry, Robert, Adam and William, survived James Monteith. The third son, Henry, went on to emulate his father's success. As well as looking after his father's business interests in Anderston, he also operated a large mill in Barrowfield. On the death of his brother James, in 1802, Henry assumed control of yet another mill, this time at Blantyre. The Blantyre Mill of Henry Monteith achieved a worldwide reputation and by 1816 over two thousand people were dependent on their income from that mill. As you may have already guessed, David Livingstone, the famous missionary and explorer, was born in one of the mill-workers houses. Today, Monteith's Blantyre Mill serves as permanent memorial to David Livingstone. Henry Monteith purchased the Estate of Carstairs in 1824 and here he erected a splendid mansion house. He was twice elected Lord Provost of Glasgow, as well as serving as a Member of Parliament.

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