James Gilmour (Miramichi lumber baron)
Encyclopedia
James Gilmour was a prominent Scottish-born entrepreneur, farmer, school trustee, justice of the peace, militia officer, and co-founder of both Douglastown, New Brunswick
, and Gilmour, Rankin & Co.
Born in 1782, James Gilmour was the brother of Allan Gilmour, Sr, and the son of Allan Gilmour and Elizabeth Pollok. He was sent in 1812 (together with Alexander Rankin
) to establish a base on the Miramichi River
(New Brunswick
, Canada
) for the family's Glasgow
-based firm, Pollok, Gilmour and Company
. Together, James Gilmour and Alexander Rankin, founded the small community of Gretna Green (later Douglastown, New Brunswick
), and established a new branch for the firm, Gilmour, Rankin & Co.
Gilmour and Rankin first developed a sawmill, offices and a house at Douglastown, New Brunswick
, and later established a shipbuilding yard and a second sawmill. They were one of the largest and most influential employers in the region, highly successful as timber merchants and ship builders.
James Gilmour returned to Scotland in 1840, and died at Eaglesham
, Renfrewshire
in 1858.
Douglastown, New Brunswick
Douglastown is a Canadian suburban neighbourhood in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick.Prior to municipal amalgamation on January 1, 1995, Douglastown was an incorporated village in Northumberland County....
, and Gilmour, Rankin & Co.
Born in 1782, James Gilmour was the brother of Allan Gilmour, Sr, and the son of Allan Gilmour and Elizabeth Pollok. He was sent in 1812 (together with Alexander Rankin
Alexander Rankin
Alexander Rankin was a Scottish-born merchant and political figure in New Brunswick. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1827 to 1852....
) to establish a base on the Miramichi River
Miramichi River
The Miramichi River is a Canadian river located in the east-central part of New Brunswick. The river drains into Miramichi Bay in the Gulf of St. Lawrence...
(New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) for the family's Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
-based firm, Pollok, Gilmour and Company
Pollok, Gilmour and Company
Pollok, Gilmour, and Company was a Glasgow-based timber-importing firm established in 1804 by Allan Gilmour, Sr and the brothers John Pollok and Arthur Pollok. The company soon became the leading British firm in the North American timber trade, chiefly through its Miramichi, New Brunswick operations...
. Together, James Gilmour and Alexander Rankin, founded the small community of Gretna Green (later Douglastown, New Brunswick
Douglastown, New Brunswick
Douglastown is a Canadian suburban neighbourhood in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick.Prior to municipal amalgamation on January 1, 1995, Douglastown was an incorporated village in Northumberland County....
), and established a new branch for the firm, Gilmour, Rankin & Co.
Gilmour and Rankin first developed a sawmill, offices and a house at Douglastown, New Brunswick
Douglastown, New Brunswick
Douglastown is a Canadian suburban neighbourhood in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick.Prior to municipal amalgamation on January 1, 1995, Douglastown was an incorporated village in Northumberland County....
, and later established a shipbuilding yard and a second sawmill. They were one of the largest and most influential employers in the region, highly successful as timber merchants and ship builders.
James Gilmour returned to Scotland in 1840, and died at Eaglesham
Eaglesham
Eaglesham , is a village and parish set in the west central Lowlands of Scotland - population 3,127 . Today it is chiefly a dormitory town for commuters to nearby Glasgow. The village is distinctive in being based around a large triangular green...
, Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
in 1858.