Adam Dawson (distiller)
Encyclopedia
Adam Dawson was a Provost
of Linlithgow
, Scotland, and owner of St Magdalene Distillery
in Linlithgow
.
, on 27 January 1793, the son of a distiller, Adam Dawson (1747–1836) and Francies McKell or Meikel (1783–1815).
through all his life. Occupying the position of a country gentleman
he farmed his own land. A keen politician, he interested himself in all public affairs in his county; he was for nearly twenty years Provost of the burgh
of Linlithgow (1830–1848), an office which his father had held before him, in which his brother succeeded him, and which his eldest son also held. He took an active part in the business of the firm of A & J Dawson of St Magdalene Distillery, of which he was a principal partner.
In politics he was an earnest and consistent Whig. He was a keen supporter of Distillers in Scotland and had an interview with Sir Charles Wood
, Chancellor of the Exchequer
, at Downing Street
to support Scotch Distillers. He held the Chief Magistracy of Linlithgow, JP
and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the Burgh Halls, Linlithgow, following a fire, which is commemorated by an inscription above the Burgh Halls, "Destroyed by fire 1847 restored 1848 Adam Dawson of Bonnytoun Provost".
Adam Dawson published a series of letters in the Falkirk Herald
which he called "Rambling Recollections of Past Times" and which were afterwards reprinted for private circulation.
Adam Dawson initially lived at the category B listed Bonnytoun Farm House, and in the 1840s he built Bonnytoun House. Bonnytoun House is a Tudor style house attributed to Thomas Hamilton
, and is now protected as a category B listed building. Following Adam Dawson's death in 1873, the 493 acres (199.5 ha) estate of Bonnytoun was sold to Robert Meikel, a wood merchant from Glasgow, for £20,000.
Provost (civil)
A provost is the ceremonial head of many Scottish local authorities, and under the name prévôt was a governmental position of varying importance in Ancien Regime France.-History:...
of Linlithgow
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
, Scotland, and owner of St Magdalene Distillery
St. Magdalene (whisky distillery)
The St. Magdalene distillery was a producer of single malt Scotch whisky that operated between 1798 and 1983.-History:St. Magdalene was established at least by 1798 . During its early life, it was known as "Linlithgow" after the town in which it was built, and was originally located at Bonnytoun....
in Linlithgow
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
.
Background
A prominent Scottish industrialist, Adam Dawson was born at Bonnytoun, Linlithgow, West LothianWest Lothian
West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....
, on 27 January 1793, the son of a distiller, Adam Dawson (1747–1836) and Francies McKell or Meikel (1783–1815).
Career
Adam Dawson was educated at Edinburgh University and was in many ways a busy man despite being subject to severe rheumatismRheumatism
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue. The study of, and therapeutic interventions in, such disorders is called rheumatology.-Terminology:...
through all his life. Occupying the position of a country gentleman
Gentry
Gentry denotes "well-born and well-bred people" of high social class, especially in the past....
he farmed his own land. A keen politician, he interested himself in all public affairs in his county; he was for nearly twenty years Provost of the burgh
Burgh
A burgh was an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland and Northern England, usually a town. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs. Burgh status was broadly analogous to borough status, found in the rest of the United...
of Linlithgow (1830–1848), an office which his father had held before him, in which his brother succeeded him, and which his eldest son also held. He took an active part in the business of the firm of A & J Dawson of St Magdalene Distillery, of which he was a principal partner.
In politics he was an earnest and consistent Whig. He was a keen supporter of Distillers in Scotland and had an interview with Sir Charles Wood
Charles Wood
Charles Wood may refer to:*Charles Wood, 2nd Earl of Halifax , British politician and peer*Charles Wood, 3rd Earl of Halifax , British peer*Charles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax , English politician...
, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
, at Downing Street
Downing Street
Downing Street in London, England has for over two hundred years housed the official residences of two of the most senior British cabinet ministers: the First Lord of the Treasury, an office now synonymous with that of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the Second Lord of the Treasury, an...
to support Scotch Distillers. He held the Chief Magistracy of Linlithgow, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the Burgh Halls, Linlithgow, following a fire, which is commemorated by an inscription above the Burgh Halls, "Destroyed by fire 1847 restored 1848 Adam Dawson of Bonnytoun Provost".
Adam Dawson published a series of letters in the Falkirk Herald
Falkirk Herald
The Falkirk Herald is a weekly tabloid newspaper published by Johnston Press. It provides news coverage, opinion and analysis of current affairs in the towns of Falkirk, Grangemouth, Larbert and Denny as well as neighbouring villages including Polmont, Redding and Bonnybridge.Combined, the paper's...
which he called "Rambling Recollections of Past Times" and which were afterwards reprinted for private circulation.
Adam Dawson initially lived at the category B listed Bonnytoun Farm House, and in the 1840s he built Bonnytoun House. Bonnytoun House is a Tudor style house attributed to Thomas Hamilton
Thomas Hamilton (architect)
Thomas Hamilton was a Scottish architect, based in Edinburgh. Born in Glasgow, his works include: the Dean Orphan Hospital, now the Dean Gallery; the Royal High School on the Calton Hill, long considered as home for the Scottish Parliament; Bedlam Theatre; the George IV Bridge, which spans the...
, and is now protected as a category B listed building. Following Adam Dawson's death in 1873, the 493 acres (199.5 ha) estate of Bonnytoun was sold to Robert Meikel, a wood merchant from Glasgow, for £20,000.