Alexander Taylor, Innkeeper and Canal Boat Operator, Kirkintilloch
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TitleAlexander Taylor, Innkeeper and Canal Boat Operator, Kirkintilloch
ReferenceGD60
Date1827-1847
Archive creatorAlexander Taylor
Scope and ContentLegal Papers, 1831-1847; Correspondence, 1831-1847; Accounts and Receipts, 1827-1847; Account Books, 1835-1837; Passage Boat Papers, 1837-1846 and Miscellaneous Papers, c1843-c1844.
Extent1 box
LanguageEnglish
Archival historyFound in attic of Social Work building in Cowgate (former Eagle Inn / Temperance Hotel) and transferred by Social Work Department.
SubjectBars (Drinking Establishments), Carriers, Canal Boats, Hotelkeepers, Hotels and Taverns - 1830-1840
Level of descriptionfonds
Admin history/BiographyAlexander Taylor was resident at Port Dundas, Glasgow from the 1820s, but from the 1830s his main base was at the Eagle Inn, Cowgate, Kirkintilloch. He possessed a publican's license from 1834 and seems to have continued this involvement in the licensed trade whilst beginning the operation of his own canal vessels between 1831 and 1849, when it is known he was responsible for the haulage of different types of boats on the Forth and Clyde Canal. Those included were cart boats (which conveyed farm vehicles and produce) and passage boats or swifts (for passenger traffic). In 1849 he purchased a swift and assumed full responsibility for passenger operations on the canal, forming a partnership with James Taylor of Falkirk soon afterwards. From the Eagle Inn, he is also known to have operated horse drawn omnibuses.
Messrs A and J Taylor were granted a lease by the Canal Company in 1853 to operate the passenger traffic on the canal between Port Dundas and Lock 16 with one boat, manned by a couple of pairs of horses. In 1861 Messrs Taylor introduced steam power, and the 'screw' - the Rockvilla Castle - operated the passenger service in place of the swifts.
Alexander Taylor was born in in 1811 at Falkirk in Stirlingshire and appears to have been married twice. He had at least 5 children by two wives, the first of whom died about 1845. Taylor married Christina or Christian Howie in Kirkintilloch in 1846 and this may explain the small number of items in this fonds which originate from David Howie. In 1851, Alexander Taylor resides in Cowgate Street, Kirkintilloch were he is described as an Innkeeper with his wife, son, daughter and two house servants.
It is not known when Alexander Taylor died or when the partnership of A and J Taylor was dissolved, however the Rockvilla Castle was sold in 1875.
Messrs A and J Taylor were granted a lease by the Canal Company in 1853 to operate the passenger traffic on the canal between Port Dundas and Lock 16 with one boat, manned by a couple of pairs of horses. In 1861 Messrs Taylor introduced steam power, and the 'screw' - the Rockvilla Castle - operated the passenger service in place of the swifts.
Alexander Taylor was born in in 1811 at Falkirk in Stirlingshire and appears to have been married twice. He had at least 5 children by two wives, the first of whom died about 1845. Taylor married Christina or Christian Howie in Kirkintilloch in 1846 and this may explain the small number of items in this fonds which originate from David Howie. In 1851, Alexander Taylor resides in Cowgate Street, Kirkintilloch were he is described as an Innkeeper with his wife, son, daughter and two house servants.
It is not known when Alexander Taylor died or when the partnership of A and J Taylor was dissolved, however the Rockvilla Castle was sold in 1875.
Repository nameEast Dunbartonshire Archives - Kirkintilloch