Brownlee & Company Saw Mills, Glasgow, Scotland
THE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BROWNLEE AND COMPANY SAWMILLS – GLASGOW
Extracts from “ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF TIMBER” by John L. Carvel
JAMES BROWNLEE’s ORIGINS
"There had been Brownlees in the Carluke district of Lanarkshire for many generations before James Brownlee was born there in 1813. Most of them worked on the land – some of the farms of Lee, Braidwood, and Mauldslie, others in the orchards that clothe the banks of the Clyde in that part of the valley." (One Hundred Years in Timber by John L. Carvel)
William Brownlee in 1695 had a Smithy in Carluke where succeeding generations were trained to follow him. The next member of the family of whom anything is known was Robert Brownlee, also a blacksmith, who was born in 1742; he had a son James who had four sons – the eldest of whom was a James, and he also had six daughters.
James the founder of City Saw Mills, born 1813, was a Millwright in Carluke and no doubt his services were in frequent demand for improving and renewing the mills in that part of Upper Clydesdale. It was in a small workshop not far from the market square of that village that the younger Brownlee was taught the rudiments of the trade in whose development he was destined to play a prominent part. James was an individualist among four very individualistic brothers. The family had a lowly origin but each had inherited intelligence, drive and a prideful technical skill.
One Hundred Years in Timber, the story of Brownlee & Company Limited, City Saw Mills, is a book of 168 pages which goes on to outline James and his three brothers’ visit to America and his experience with the Mississippi Timber Industry. It deals with the establishment of his own sawmill in New Orleans and his subsequent return to England due to the ravages of sickness in 1845. James Brownlee's brothers, Robert, John and William stayed behind with Robert taking over the business with his brother John as a partner.
As James’ health improved he talked of returning to New Orleans and also considered acquiring a business in Britain or France. He inspected mills in these places and Ireland, but was impressed by the slow rate of mechanisation in the industry. Although he considered returning to New Orleans he was afraid of a slump in the Mississippi Timber Trade. His fears were well-founded and after John died in New Orleans in 1860, Robert returned to Scotland. William also returned, but in 1863, he emigrated to New Zealand and in 1874, established a sawmill at Havelock in the Marlborough district of the South Island. Here he was joined in the business by his son and together they built up one of the most successful and progressive timber undertakings in that part of the Commonwealth.
James Brownlee founded his sawmill in 1849 on the Craighall Turnpike Road in the Port Dundas district of Glasgow and called the premises The City Saw Mills.
BROWNLEES AND FORRESTS
Brownlee and Forrest are common names between Garrion and Carstairs in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Although the origin of the Brownlee has often been debated. (see Origin of the Name), one suggestion is that the family took the name from the property of Brownlee which lies between Garrion Bridge and Law, and was originally in the barony of Mauldslie. Then, men who lived round the Forest Kirk in the same region – where Wallace was chosen Guardian of Scotland, were generally described as “Men of the Forest” – in time to become Forests or Forrests.
In the Poll Tax list of 1695, there are 181 items of assessment applying to families and individuals in the parish of Carluke. Forrest is the prevailing name, accounting for about one tenth of the entries. There also appears the name of William Brownlee, blacksmith, who on behalf of himself and family paid six shillings and four pence sterling. This William Brownlee is believed to have been the progenitor of James, the founder of the City Saw Mills, for successive generations of Brownlees provided Carluke with its blacksmith.
One of them was Robert Brownlee, born in 1742 who married Janet Walker. Their son, James who followed his father’s trade, married Margaret Ross, daughter of John Ross, land steward on the Kirkton estate. There were four sons and six daughters of whom James was the eldest and founder of City Saw Mills. He married Margaret Weir, but died without issue. The second son Robert, was assistant to his brother in the Mills, the third John, died in New Orleans, the youngest William was founder of the New Zealand branch of the family. Robert Brownlee’s son was Director of Brownlee and Company Ltd., whilst his great grandson Thomas Brownlee Paisley, joined the Board in the Centenary year.
THE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BROWNLEE AND COMPANY SAWMILLS – GLASGOW
Extracts from “ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF TIMBER” by John L. Carvel
JAMES BROWNLEE’s ORIGINS
"There had been Brownlees in the Carluke district of Lanarkshire for many generations before James Brownlee was born there in 1813. Most of them worked on the land – some of the farms of Lee, Braidwood, and Mauldslie, others in the orchards that clothe the banks of the Clyde in that part of the valley." (One Hundred Years in Timber by John L. Carvel)
William Brownlee in 1695 had a Smithy in Carluke where succeeding generations were trained to follow him. The next member of the family of whom anything is known was Robert Brownlee, also a blacksmith, who was born in 1742; he had a son James who had four sons – the eldest of whom was a James, and he also had six daughters.
James the founder of City Saw Mills, born 1813, was a Millwright in Carluke and no doubt his services were in frequent demand for improving and renewing the mills in that part of Upper Clydesdale. It was in a small workshop not far from the market square of that village that the younger Brownlee was taught the rudiments of the trade in whose development he was destined to play a prominent part. James was an individualist among four very individualistic brothers. The family had a lowly origin but each had inherited intelligence, drive and a prideful technical skill.
One Hundred Years in Timber, the story of Brownlee & Company Limited, City Saw Mills, is a book of 168 pages which goes on to outline James and his three brothers’ visit to America and his experience with the Mississippi Timber Industry. It deals with the establishment of his own sawmill in New Orleans and his subsequent return to England due to the ravages of sickness in 1845. James Brownlee's brothers, Robert, John and William stayed behind with Robert taking over the business with his brother John as a partner.
As James’ health improved he talked of returning to New Orleans and also considered acquiring a business in Britain or France. He inspected mills in these places and Ireland, but was impressed by the slow rate of mechanisation in the industry. Although he considered returning to New Orleans he was afraid of a slump in the Mississippi Timber Trade. His fears were well-founded and after John died in New Orleans in 1860, Robert returned to Scotland. William also returned, but in 1863, he emigrated to New Zealand and in 1874, established a sawmill at Havelock in the Marlborough district of the South Island. Here he was joined in the business by his son and together they built up one of the most successful and progressive timber undertakings in that part of the Commonwealth.
James Brownlee founded his sawmill in 1849 on the Craighall Turnpike Road in the Port Dundas district of Glasgow and called the premises The City Saw Mills.
BROWNLEES AND FORRESTS
Brownlee and Forrest are common names between Garrion and Carstairs in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Although the origin of the Brownlee has often been debated. (see Origin of the Name), one suggestion is that the family took the name from the property of Brownlee which lies between Garrion Bridge and Law, and was originally in the barony of Mauldslie. Then, men who lived round the Forest Kirk in the same region – where Wallace was chosen Guardian of Scotland, were generally described as “Men of the Forest” – in time to become Forests or Forrests.
In the Poll Tax list of 1695, there are 181 items of assessment applying to families and individuals in the parish of Carluke. Forrest is the prevailing name, accounting for about one tenth of the entries. There also appears the name of William Brownlee, blacksmith, who on behalf of himself and family paid six shillings and four pence sterling. This William Brownlee is believed to have been the progenitor of James, the founder of the City Saw Mills, for successive generations of Brownlees provided Carluke with its blacksmith.
One of them was Robert Brownlee, born in 1742 who married Janet Walker. Their son, James who followed his father’s trade, married Margaret Ross, daughter of John Ross, land steward on the Kirkton estate. There were four sons and six daughters of whom James was the eldest and founder of City Saw Mills. He married Margaret Weir, but died without issue. The second son Robert, was assistant to his brother in the Mills, the third John, died in New Orleans, the youngest William was founder of the New Zealand branch of the family. Robert Brownlee’s son was Director of Brownlee and Company Ltd., whilst his great grandson Thomas Brownlee Paisley, joined the Board in the Centenary year.
Brownlee & Company Saw Mills, Glasgow, Scotland
THE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BROWNLEE AND COMPANY SAWMILLS – GLASGOW
Extracts from “ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF TIMBER” by John L. Carvel
JAMES BROWNLEE’s ORIGINS
"There had been Brownlees in the Carluke district of Lanarkshire for many generations before James Brownlee was born there in 1813. Most of them worked on the land – some of the farms of Lee, Braidwood, and Mauldslie, others in the orchards that clothe the banks of the Clyde in that part of the valley." (One Hundred Years in Timber by John L. Carvel)
William Brownlee in 1695 had a Smithy in Carluke where succeeding generations were trained to follow him. The next member of the family of whom anything is known was Robert Brownlee, also a blacksmith, who was born in 1742; he had a son James who had four sons – the eldest of whom was a James, and he also had six daughters.
James the founder of City Saw Mills, born 1813, was a Millwright in Carluke and no doubt his services were in frequent demand for improving and renewing the mills in that part of Upper Clydesdale. It was in a small workshop not far from the market square of that village that the younger Brownlee was taught the rudiments of the trade in whose development he was destined to play a prominent part. James was an individualist among four very individualistic brothers. The family had a lowly origin but each had inherited intelligence, drive and a prideful technical skill.
One Hundred Years in Timber, the story of Brownlee & Company Limited, City Saw Mills, is a book of 168 pages which goes on to outline James and his three brothers’ visit to America and his experience with the Mississippi Timber Industry. It deals with the establishment of his own sawmill in New Orleans and his subsequent return to England due to the ravages of sickness in 1845. James Brownlee's brothers, Robert, John and William stayed behind with Robert taking over the business with his brother John as a partner.
As James’ health improved he talked of returning to New Orleans and also considered acquiring a business in Britain or France. He inspected mills in these places and Ireland, but was impressed by the slow rate of mechanisation in the industry. Although he considered returning to New Orleans he was afraid of a slump in the Mississippi Timber Trade. His fears were well-founded and after John died in New Orleans in 1860, Robert returned to Scotland. William also returned, but in 1863, he emigrated to New Zealand and in 1874, established a sawmill at Havelock in the Marlborough district of the South Island. Here he was joined in the business by his son and together they built up one of the most successful and progressive timber undertakings in that part of the Commonwealth.
James Brownlee founded his sawmill in 1849 on the Craighall Turnpike Road in the Port Dundas district of Glasgow and called the premises The City Saw Mills.
BROWNLEES AND FORRESTS
Brownlee and Forrest are common names between Garrion and Carstairs in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Although the origin of the Brownlee has often been debated. (see Origin of the Name), one suggestion is that the family took the name from the property of Brownlee which lies between Garrion Bridge and Law, and was originally in the barony of Mauldslie. Then, men who lived round the Forest Kirk in the same region – where Wallace was chosen Guardian of Scotland, were generally described as “Men of the Forest” – in time to become Forests or Forrests.
In the Poll Tax list of 1695, there are 181 items of assessment applying to families and individuals in the parish of Carluke. Forrest is the prevailing name, accounting for about one tenth of the entries. There also appears the name of William Brownlee, blacksmith, who on behalf of himself and family paid six shillings and four pence sterling. This William Brownlee is believed to have been the progenitor of James, the founder of the City Saw Mills, for successive generations of Brownlees provided Carluke with its blacksmith.
One of them was Robert Brownlee, born in 1742 who married Janet Walker. Their son, James who followed his father’s trade, married Margaret Ross, daughter of John Ross, land steward on the Kirkton estate. There were four sons and six daughters of whom James was the eldest and founder of City Saw Mills. He married Margaret Weir, but died without issue. The second son Robert, was assistant to his brother in the Mills, the third John, died in New Orleans, the youngest William was founder of the New Zealand branch of the family. Robert Brownlee’s son was Director of Brownlee and Company Ltd., whilst his great grandson Thomas Brownlee Paisley, joined the Board in the Centenary year.
THE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BROWNLEE AND COMPANY SAWMILLS – GLASGOW
Extracts from “ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF TIMBER” by John L. Carvel
JAMES BROWNLEE’s ORIGINS
"There had been Brownlees in the Carluke district of Lanarkshire for many generations before James Brownlee was born there in 1813. Most of them worked on the land – some of the farms of Lee, Braidwood, and Mauldslie, others in the orchards that clothe the banks of the Clyde in that part of the valley." (One Hundred Years in Timber by John L. Carvel)
William Brownlee in 1695 had a Smithy in Carluke where succeeding generations were trained to follow him. The next member of the family of whom anything is known was Robert Brownlee, also a blacksmith, who was born in 1742; he had a son James who had four sons – the eldest of whom was a James, and he also had six daughters.
James the founder of City Saw Mills, born 1813, was a Millwright in Carluke and no doubt his services were in frequent demand for improving and renewing the mills in that part of Upper Clydesdale. It was in a small workshop not far from the market square of that village that the younger Brownlee was taught the rudiments of the trade in whose development he was destined to play a prominent part. James was an individualist among four very individualistic brothers. The family had a lowly origin but each had inherited intelligence, drive and a prideful technical skill.
One Hundred Years in Timber, the story of Brownlee & Company Limited, City Saw Mills, is a book of 168 pages which goes on to outline James and his three brothers’ visit to America and his experience with the Mississippi Timber Industry. It deals with the establishment of his own sawmill in New Orleans and his subsequent return to England due to the ravages of sickness in 1845. James Brownlee's brothers, Robert, John and William stayed behind with Robert taking over the business with his brother John as a partner.
As James’ health improved he talked of returning to New Orleans and also considered acquiring a business in Britain or France. He inspected mills in these places and Ireland, but was impressed by the slow rate of mechanisation in the industry. Although he considered returning to New Orleans he was afraid of a slump in the Mississippi Timber Trade. His fears were well-founded and after John died in New Orleans in 1860, Robert returned to Scotland. William also returned, but in 1863, he emigrated to New Zealand and in 1874, established a sawmill at Havelock in the Marlborough district of the South Island. Here he was joined in the business by his son and together they built up one of the most successful and progressive timber undertakings in that part of the Commonwealth.
James Brownlee founded his sawmill in 1849 on the Craighall Turnpike Road in the Port Dundas district of Glasgow and called the premises The City Saw Mills.
BROWNLEES AND FORRESTS
Brownlee and Forrest are common names between Garrion and Carstairs in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Although the origin of the Brownlee has often been debated. (see Origin of the Name), one suggestion is that the family took the name from the property of Brownlee which lies between Garrion Bridge and Law, and was originally in the barony of Mauldslie. Then, men who lived round the Forest Kirk in the same region – where Wallace was chosen Guardian of Scotland, were generally described as “Men of the Forest” – in time to become Forests or Forrests.
In the Poll Tax list of 1695, there are 181 items of assessment applying to families and individuals in the parish of Carluke. Forrest is the prevailing name, accounting for about one tenth of the entries. There also appears the name of William Brownlee, blacksmith, who on behalf of himself and family paid six shillings and four pence sterling. This William Brownlee is believed to have been the progenitor of James, the founder of the City Saw Mills, for successive generations of Brownlees provided Carluke with its blacksmith.
One of them was Robert Brownlee, born in 1742 who married Janet Walker. Their son, James who followed his father’s trade, married Margaret Ross, daughter of John Ross, land steward on the Kirkton estate. There were four sons and six daughters of whom James was the eldest and founder of City Saw Mills. He married Margaret Weir, but died without issue. The second son Robert, was assistant to his brother in the Mills, the third John, died in New Orleans, the youngest William was founder of the New Zealand branch of the family. Robert Brownlee’s son was Director of Brownlee and Company Ltd., whilst his great grandson Thomas Brownlee Paisley, joined the Board in the Centenary year.
Family Members
Siblings
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