Paisley or the Paisley pattern, is the English term originating from Paisley, in Renfrewshire, Scotland, for a textile design using the boteh or buta, a droplet-shaped vegetable motif, which originates from Persia. Before I begin the story of the Dudgeons in Paisley, the Glasgow chapter needs to be closed for a while.
The beautiful Theatre Royal, Dunlop Street, Glasgow, was totally destroyed by fire on Saturday morning, 31st January, 1863. The fire was first noticed at half-past four in the morning, by a night constable, who just happened to be strolling along the lane leading into Dunlop Street. By the time the Central, Anderston, Cowcaddens, and Gorbals Fire Brigades had arrived, the fire was too far out of control. Only the facade and ornamental statues survived. What a dreadful way to start the year for the theatre folk, with yet another fire.The buildings, fittings, old scenery and machinery were insured by the late Mr. Alexander's trustees for 9000 pounds, however all of the new scenery belonged to Mrs. Glover. She also had an extensive library of play books and music books, in print and in manuscript format, which were almost irreplaceable. The magnificent wardrobe of valuable dresses and costumes, armour, and banners belonging to Edmund Glover, and indispensable to any theatre were lost. However, two cash boxes belonging to Mrs. Glover were reclaimed to find that the gold and silver had survived and was only discoloured by smoke, and the bank-notes were damp but not damaged, so financially she was probably still solvent. Any scenery painted by Thomas and kept in the theatre was destroyed. At least 136 people employed in the theatre, were now out of work. They also lost personal property , such as dresses and musical instruments. (Glasgow Herald, February 2nd, 1863.) Many were left with only the clothes on their backs. This meant moving to find work somewhere else. At one stage, it was suggested that an appeal be made to the public, or a benefit concert be held. However at that time the cotton trade was suffering, and those who would probably help were already affected themselves by hardship.
The site of the Theatre Royal, Dunlop Street was sold at auction on Wednesday, 15th April, 1863 for 4,750 pounds. The purchase was made on behalf of Mr. Houghton, the manager, and Mr. William Glover, the late Edmund Glover's son, now the artist of the theatre. With the purchase of an adjacent piece of land, plans were made by the Glovers to rebuild a new theatre which would be much larger than the previous one, and leased out by Mrs. Glover's trustees for the family. (Glasgow Herald, Thursday, April 16, 1863.) On the 17th December, 1863 the Theatre Royal reopened. The new Act drop for the grand opening was painted by Sam Bough, and it appears that Thomas has moved on.
Thomas and Agnes's daughter Thomina Buchannan Dudgeon, b. September 8th.,1840, married Duncan Fletcher on April 18th., 1864, at Christ's Church, Byculla, Bombay, India. This would have been a bitter sweet time for Thomas with the impending marriage of his youngest daughter being consummated so far away and not being able to attend. The 1861 census has Duncan living with his family at 26 Portland Street, Govan, Glasgow and his occupation listed as a clerk to an Engineer. However, by the time of their marriage he is a partner in the metal merchant firm, Messieurs Fletcher and Mitchell. Messieurs being the plural of the French term, Monsieur meaning Mr., still used in Scottish documents back then. While the Fletcher family have a strong association with Paisley it is unclear if the Dudgeon family had any relationship with the Fletchers before the union of Thomina and Duncan. An extract from Granny DeLandelles Memoirs, provides some family insight into her step-sister Thomina and Duncan's life:
"I had two step-sisters - the other one married Mr. Bone-Fletcher. He had something to do with a shipping firm, but he caught the yellow fever when in Bombay, and died. The news came through when his wife had just had a little son and the shock unhinged her mind - she never recovered her reason, poor soul."
According to the extract of Duncan's will, released on 2nd March, 1872, he died on 9th January, 1870.(1872 Fletcher, Duncan (Reference SC70/1/156 Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventories).They were only married for 6 years.
In 1864, we find Thomas working in Paisley, in Central Scotland, at the Exchange Rooms, which was used as the People's Concert hall, in Moss Street, Paisley, and has continued to be used as a theatre for many years to eventually become known as the Theatre Royal. The Peoples Concert Hall was part of the theatre empire managed by the Glovers. He was working with Messrs. Bogle & Co. to paint, remodel and decorate the Hall at great expense for its opening on Monday, 22nd August. The Exchange Rooms playbills described Thomas as the Late Scenic Artist of the Theatre-Royal, Glasgow, and accredited him at the Exchange Rooms with executing an entirely New Stage and Proscenium, and with painting a magnificent new drop curtain, representing a view of Paisley. (Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser, August 20, 1864.) This work was financed by the proprietor, Mr. Morison Kyle. So it is confirmed by the playbills that Thomas's association with the Theatre Royal in Dunlop Street, Glasgow is now over, however he is still associated with Bogle & Co. On the Voter Roll, he is still listed as a Painter, living at 57 West Nile Street, Glasgow.
When Thomas arrives to work at the Exchange Rooms, Paisley in 1864, James, his youngest brother and his wife, formerly Janet Gallacher, have already been living in Paisley for a couple of years. James was born in 1822, and married Janet at 213 Gallowgate, Glasgow on the 22nd January, 1861. A family wedding for the Dudgeons. James and Janet continue to live at 213 Gallowgate following the wedding. By this time, Janet's parents have died, and the 1861 Census records indicate that her younger brother Thomas, and younger sister Isabella are living with them. The Census recorded the following people at their house: James and Janet Dudgeon, Thomas Gallacher (Brother in law, Aged 15, Apprentice Printer), Isabella Gallacher (Sister in Law, Aged 7, scholar), Mary Brown, (Aged 18, Domestic Servant), Christina Maxwell, (Aged 13, Domestic Servant). On March 15, 1862, James purchased at auction, a two-storey slated tenement, at 20 George Street for 352 pounds. The following record of sale appeared in The Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser, 1862:
At same time and place, Mr. Robert Paterson, auctioneer offered for sale that two-storey slated tenement No. 20 George Street, Paisley, consisting of two shops and dwelling-houses. Rental, 27 pounds; feu-duty, 2 pounds 5 shillings.; and the entry of heirs and singular successors is taxed. It was put up at 270 pounds, and knocked down to Mr. Dudgeon at 352 pounds. Mr. James Caldwell, writer, 33 old Sneddon Street, Paisley, acted as agent in the sale.
This establishment was a worthwhile investment for James and Janet, and would have provided them with a lot more space, presuming that their two servants, and Janet's younger brother and sister moved to Paisley with them. James probably operated his grocery and spirit business from one of the shops,and perhaps the family lived in the rest of the building following renovations or they may have rented out the other shop and residence. Remembering also, that previously in Glasgow, when James was married, he was a house painter.
By the mid-19th century, Paisley was in the grip of an economic boom based on its flourishing textile industry. It had become the centre of the Scottish weaving industry, famous for the Paisley design and the Paisley shawl. Whilst the western name for this pattern is derived from Paisley where it went from being woven to printed, the original twisted tear-drop design came from Iran and India.The design however was not only used for clothing in Iran and India, but heavily influenced ornamentation and interior design, in religious mosques and other Persian buildings.
Textile printing spread to Europe, from the Islamic world, from cities such as Isfahan in Iran, around the 12th century. However, the European dyes were inferior to the Middle Eastern dyes restricting the use of smaller intricate patterns.
As the design evolved, influenced by its religious and botanical origins, it continued to spread throughout Asia, and Europe into the 17th century, as the East India company accelerated its imports and increased the popularity of the design. Soldiers returning from the colonies, brought home authentic cashmere shawls from Kashmir for their ladies.The designs on these costly shawls were copied and adapted for use on handlooms, and after 1820 on mechanical Jacquard Looms, particularly useful for manufacturing textiles with complex patterns, such as the paisley pattern.. By 1860, Paisley was producing shawls with fifteen colours, which still compared quite poorly with the multicolor paisleys still being imported form Kashmir. However, Paisley was still the most successful producer of the multicolour pattern to which it gave the name. The Paisley shawl was the fashion statement during this time for those that could afford it. Paisley patterned wallpaper adorned the more affluent houses.
James and Janet, became proud parents when little James entered the world on 14th August, 1864, at 20 George Street. The arrival of a baby turns a house into the family home. The Birth Certificate was registered in the Parish of High Church, in the Burgh of Paisley. Was Uncle Thomas living with them whilst he was in Paisley as he was still working at the People's Concert Hall on the new drop curtain and stage. The opening of the Hall was imminent, the 20th August, only 6 days after the birth. There just may not have been enough room to put up Thomas as well. The Paisley Post Office Directories, 1865-6, records James as a grocer and spirit dealer still living at 20 George Street.
Thomas was back in Paisley for the 1866 season at the Exchange Rooms Concert Hall in Moss Street. The Proprietor is still Morison Kyle. The Negro Burlesque Pantomime opened on Monday, 5th February, 1866 to crowded houses and delighted audiences.
EXCHANGE ROOMS CONCERT HALL,- Amongst the attractions for next week is a grand Negro Burlesque Pantomime, with Miss Kate Harley, Mr. and Mrs. St. George, Messrs Dempsey and McGuinness, and other star Artistes,. Beautiful and appropriate scenery has been prepared for the Pantomime by that Prince amongst scene painters, Mr. T. Dudgeon. (Paisley Herald, Jan. 27, 1866)
In January , 1867, the Pantomime seasons in Glasgow at the Theatre Royal and the Prince of Wales Theatre, are reviewed in The Era. Mrs. Glover is still the lessee at the Theatre Royal, but Thomas has worked non stop to complete numerous sets of scenery in time for the pantomime season starting even earlier than usual on the 9th December.
"The scenery is of a highly elaborate nature, the "Transformation ", which is that of a Balsatic Cavern, being a most tasteful ideal picture, and as the Fairies are grouped in a most attractive manner the effect is exceedingly good. Another scene of of much merit is the Enchanted Valley, and the concluding one of the Pantomime, called the Gold and Silver Gates of Peri-dise, is also most effective. In fact, everything has been done that could be wished for the scenery, and Mr. Dudgeon, the artist, cannot be too highly complimented for the result of his labours." (The Era, Dec. 15, 1867.)
By 1871, from information provided by the Census, we know that Agnes Dudgeon, Thomas's first wife and mother of their surviving children, Agnes, Thomina, and Thomas, is living by herself at 188 Cowcaddens Street, Milton, Glasgow. James and Janet Dudgeon and their family have moved back to Glasgow, living at 45 College Street, and James is house painting again. Thomas is in Bishop Auckland. During the last four years, a lot has happened to forever change Thomas's personal life.
The site of the Theatre Royal, Dunlop Street was sold at auction on Wednesday, 15th April, 1863 for 4,750 pounds. The purchase was made on behalf of Mr. Houghton, the manager, and Mr. William Glover, the late Edmund Glover's son, now the artist of the theatre. With the purchase of an adjacent piece of land, plans were made by the Glovers to rebuild a new theatre which would be much larger than the previous one, and leased out by Mrs. Glover's trustees for the family. (Glasgow Herald, Thursday, April 16, 1863.) On the 17th December, 1863 the Theatre Royal reopened. The new Act drop for the grand opening was painted by Sam Bough, and it appears that Thomas has moved on.
Thomas and Agnes's daughter Thomina Buchannan Dudgeon, b. September 8th.,1840, married Duncan Fletcher on April 18th., 1864, at Christ's Church, Byculla, Bombay, India. This would have been a bitter sweet time for Thomas with the impending marriage of his youngest daughter being consummated so far away and not being able to attend. The 1861 census has Duncan living with his family at 26 Portland Street, Govan, Glasgow and his occupation listed as a clerk to an Engineer. However, by the time of their marriage he is a partner in the metal merchant firm, Messieurs Fletcher and Mitchell. Messieurs being the plural of the French term, Monsieur meaning Mr., still used in Scottish documents back then. While the Fletcher family have a strong association with Paisley it is unclear if the Dudgeon family had any relationship with the Fletchers before the union of Thomina and Duncan. An extract from Granny DeLandelles Memoirs, provides some family insight into her step-sister Thomina and Duncan's life:
"I had two step-sisters - the other one married Mr. Bone-Fletcher. He had something to do with a shipping firm, but he caught the yellow fever when in Bombay, and died. The news came through when his wife had just had a little son and the shock unhinged her mind - she never recovered her reason, poor soul."
According to the extract of Duncan's will, released on 2nd March, 1872, he died on 9th January, 1870.(1872 Fletcher, Duncan (Reference SC70/1/156 Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventories).They were only married for 6 years.
In 1864, we find Thomas working in Paisley, in Central Scotland, at the Exchange Rooms, which was used as the People's Concert hall, in Moss Street, Paisley, and has continued to be used as a theatre for many years to eventually become known as the Theatre Royal. The Peoples Concert Hall was part of the theatre empire managed by the Glovers. He was working with Messrs. Bogle & Co. to paint, remodel and decorate the Hall at great expense for its opening on Monday, 22nd August. The Exchange Rooms playbills described Thomas as the Late Scenic Artist of the Theatre-Royal, Glasgow, and accredited him at the Exchange Rooms with executing an entirely New Stage and Proscenium, and with painting a magnificent new drop curtain, representing a view of Paisley. (Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser, August 20, 1864.) This work was financed by the proprietor, Mr. Morison Kyle. So it is confirmed by the playbills that Thomas's association with the Theatre Royal in Dunlop Street, Glasgow is now over, however he is still associated with Bogle & Co. On the Voter Roll, he is still listed as a Painter, living at 57 West Nile Street, Glasgow.
When Thomas arrives to work at the Exchange Rooms, Paisley in 1864, James, his youngest brother and his wife, formerly Janet Gallacher, have already been living in Paisley for a couple of years. James was born in 1822, and married Janet at 213 Gallowgate, Glasgow on the 22nd January, 1861. A family wedding for the Dudgeons. James and Janet continue to live at 213 Gallowgate following the wedding. By this time, Janet's parents have died, and the 1861 Census records indicate that her younger brother Thomas, and younger sister Isabella are living with them. The Census recorded the following people at their house: James and Janet Dudgeon, Thomas Gallacher (Brother in law, Aged 15, Apprentice Printer), Isabella Gallacher (Sister in Law, Aged 7, scholar), Mary Brown, (Aged 18, Domestic Servant), Christina Maxwell, (Aged 13, Domestic Servant). On March 15, 1862, James purchased at auction, a two-storey slated tenement, at 20 George Street for 352 pounds. The following record of sale appeared in The Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser, 1862:
At same time and place, Mr. Robert Paterson, auctioneer offered for sale that two-storey slated tenement No. 20 George Street, Paisley, consisting of two shops and dwelling-houses. Rental, 27 pounds; feu-duty, 2 pounds 5 shillings.; and the entry of heirs and singular successors is taxed. It was put up at 270 pounds, and knocked down to Mr. Dudgeon at 352 pounds. Mr. James Caldwell, writer, 33 old Sneddon Street, Paisley, acted as agent in the sale.
This establishment was a worthwhile investment for James and Janet, and would have provided them with a lot more space, presuming that their two servants, and Janet's younger brother and sister moved to Paisley with them. James probably operated his grocery and spirit business from one of the shops,and perhaps the family lived in the rest of the building following renovations or they may have rented out the other shop and residence. Remembering also, that previously in Glasgow, when James was married, he was a house painter.
By the mid-19th century, Paisley was in the grip of an economic boom based on its flourishing textile industry. It had become the centre of the Scottish weaving industry, famous for the Paisley design and the Paisley shawl. Whilst the western name for this pattern is derived from Paisley where it went from being woven to printed, the original twisted tear-drop design came from Iran and India.The design however was not only used for clothing in Iran and India, but heavily influenced ornamentation and interior design, in religious mosques and other Persian buildings.
 |
| Textile printing in Isfahan, Iran |
Textile printing spread to Europe, from the Islamic world, from cities such as Isfahan in Iran, around the 12th century. However, the European dyes were inferior to the Middle Eastern dyes restricting the use of smaller intricate patterns.
 |
| The Shah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran. This is a painting by the French Architect, Pascal Coste, when visiting Persia in 1841. |
As the design evolved, influenced by its religious and botanical origins, it continued to spread throughout Asia, and Europe into the 17th century, as the East India company accelerated its imports and increased the popularity of the design. Soldiers returning from the colonies, brought home authentic cashmere shawls from Kashmir for their ladies.The designs on these costly shawls were copied and adapted for use on handlooms, and after 1820 on mechanical Jacquard Looms, particularly useful for manufacturing textiles with complex patterns, such as the paisley pattern.. By 1860, Paisley was producing shawls with fifteen colours, which still compared quite poorly with the multicolor paisleys still being imported form Kashmir. However, Paisley was still the most successful producer of the multicolour pattern to which it gave the name. The Paisley shawl was the fashion statement during this time for those that could afford it. Paisley patterned wallpaper adorned the more affluent houses.
James and Janet, became proud parents when little James entered the world on 14th August, 1864, at 20 George Street. The arrival of a baby turns a house into the family home. The Birth Certificate was registered in the Parish of High Church, in the Burgh of Paisley. Was Uncle Thomas living with them whilst he was in Paisley as he was still working at the People's Concert Hall on the new drop curtain and stage. The opening of the Hall was imminent, the 20th August, only 6 days after the birth. There just may not have been enough room to put up Thomas as well. The Paisley Post Office Directories, 1865-6, records James as a grocer and spirit dealer still living at 20 George Street.
Thomas was back in Paisley for the 1866 season at the Exchange Rooms Concert Hall in Moss Street. The Proprietor is still Morison Kyle. The Negro Burlesque Pantomime opened on Monday, 5th February, 1866 to crowded houses and delighted audiences.
EXCHANGE ROOMS CONCERT HALL,- Amongst the attractions for next week is a grand Negro Burlesque Pantomime, with Miss Kate Harley, Mr. and Mrs. St. George, Messrs Dempsey and McGuinness, and other star Artistes,. Beautiful and appropriate scenery has been prepared for the Pantomime by that Prince amongst scene painters, Mr. T. Dudgeon. (Paisley Herald, Jan. 27, 1866)
In January , 1867, the Pantomime seasons in Glasgow at the Theatre Royal and the Prince of Wales Theatre, are reviewed in The Era. Mrs. Glover is still the lessee at the Theatre Royal, but Thomas has worked non stop to complete numerous sets of scenery in time for the pantomime season starting even earlier than usual on the 9th December.
"The scenery is of a highly elaborate nature, the "Transformation ", which is that of a Balsatic Cavern, being a most tasteful ideal picture, and as the Fairies are grouped in a most attractive manner the effect is exceedingly good. Another scene of of much merit is the Enchanted Valley, and the concluding one of the Pantomime, called the Gold and Silver Gates of Peri-dise, is also most effective. In fact, everything has been done that could be wished for the scenery, and Mr. Dudgeon, the artist, cannot be too highly complimented for the result of his labours." (The Era, Dec. 15, 1867.)
By 1871, from information provided by the Census, we know that Agnes Dudgeon, Thomas's first wife and mother of their surviving children, Agnes, Thomina, and Thomas, is living by herself at 188 Cowcaddens Street, Milton, Glasgow. James and Janet Dudgeon and their family have moved back to Glasgow, living at 45 College Street, and James is house painting again. Thomas is in Bishop Auckland. During the last four years, a lot has happened to forever change Thomas's personal life.
- Bibliography:
- The Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser, 20th August, 1864.
- Glasgow Herald, (Glasgow, Scotland), Monday, February 2nd, 1863, Issue 7196.
- Glasgow Herald, (Glasgow, Scotland), Thursday, April 16th, 1863, Issue 7259.
- The Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser, March 15, 1862.
- The Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser, Jan. 27, 1866.The Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser, Feb. 3rd, 1866.
- The Era (London, Eng.) Provincial Theatres. Sunday, December 15, 1867, Issue 1525.
- This is article is Copyright (c) 2014 by Hope Pauline McNee
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