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The Ladies' Circle was established to offer women between the ages of 18-45 opportunities to socialise, network and serve the community; they held meetings, visits and did work for charity. The first Ladies' Circle met in 1932 in Bournemouth as a social group for wives of members of the Round Table. The Ladies' Circle spread to Demark and Sweden in 1947, which led to the founding of the Ladies' Circle International Organisation in 1958. The club then expanded further in the 1990s, opening its membership to all women. There are 130 Ladies Circles around the UK today (2016). Margaret Coupar was a member of the Broughty Ferry Ladies' Circle from c1973 and was later Chair of the Circle. When she stepped down from the position the Circle slowly went into decline and no longer exists. Source: http://www.ladiescircle.co.uk/

Henry Buist was the Great Uncle of John G Isles, the depositor of the thesis. Mr Isles remembers little of his Great Uncle but notes that his mother recalls Henry Buist making no charge when treating poor patients. Henry's brother, Andrew Buist was the owner of the Buist Spinning Mill, Dundee. He used to live at Tay Park, Perth Road, which is currently a hotel.

The Centre for Tayside and Fife Studies (CETAFS) promoted the study of local history in the region through conferences, newsletters, the establishment of a Diploma and a Certificate in Local Studies and by the 'Occasional Papers' series of publications CETAFS was launched at the inaugral conference in April 1990 and was supported by a wide range of local and national historians including Chris Whatley, Christopher Smout, David Swinfen and Chris Davey. It was a joint venture between the University of Dundee and the University of St Andrews.

The firm was established in 1843 and incorporated as a limited company in 1949.

Thomas Hunter Cox of Maulesden and Duncarse, Deputy-Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for the County of Forfar, was born in 1818. He was the sixth son of James Cock (later Cox) of Foggyley and Helen Scott. After attending school in Lochee, Thomas finished his education at the Dundee Academy. He then entered the office of Mr James Buist, flax merchant, where he received a good commercial training. In 1841 he joined the firm of Cox Brothers, which within a short time became the largest manufacturers of jute goods in Europe. Thomas was well suited to the management of the office including the financial affairs of the firm. He was methodical, punctual and took care in his work and he had a mild and kindly manner. He was a staunch Conservative and a member of the Established Church. He was an elder in the East Kirk, and was a zealous but liberal Churchman. His beneficence extended to many churches in different parts of the country. St Luke's, that had been vacated by the United Presbyterians, stood empty for several years until it was secured by Mr Cox, and went on to become the centre of a flourishing congregation of the Church of Scotland. Thomas H Cox also contributed regularly to this church and to the Lochee Parish Church. Throughout his life he took a great interest in the Lochee area and in schemes concerning the welfare of the community, giving financial support to the Lochee Literary Association, Lochee Christian Association, the Bog and other Missions He was a supporter of the movement in favour of a Medical School for Dundee an in 1886 he donated £12,000 to the Council of University College to establish and endow a Chair of Anatomy. Thomas H Cox was appointed to the Boards of many financial companies. He was also a Director of the Northern Assurance Company, of the Laing Overhead Sewing Machine Company, and of the three Scottish American Trust Companies. In 1873 he had became one of the original shareholders in the First Scottish American Trust, along with Messrs John Guild, John Sharp and Thomas Smith. Also in 1873, the Oregon and Washington Trust Investment Company was founded, and Thomas H Cox became a director. Three years later the Dundee Mortgage and Trust Investment Company was established under the same directors. The two companies were later amalgamated to form the Alliance Trust Company, and Thomas H Cox served as Chaiman of this company for the year prior to his retirement in 1885. Thus, he took a leading role in establishing two extremely profitable local investment companies. However, he also suffered the misfortune, along with some of his colleagues, of being associated in a smaller undertaking, the Oregonian Railway Company, which proved disastrous to its shareholders. In 1866 Thomas married Adelaide Campbell, daughter of James Galloway, and widow of William Brown, flax-spinner. They did not have children. He purchased the suburban residence of Duncarse from George Armistead and in c 1870 he purchased the estate of Maulesden, near Brechin from the representatives of Colonel Lauderdale Maule. Thomas H Cox died at Duncarse on 1 January 1892, about two years after the death of his wife.

In 1780 Thomas Bell and Alexander Balfour formed the company Bell & Balfour. In 1833 this firm was dissolved and Thomas Bell was joined by his sons Thomas and William in Thomas Bell & Sons, who erected Belmont Works. Another son, James, joined the firm when it became a limited company in 1863, the first Dundee firm to do so. Heathfield Works was added in 1889. In 1920 it amalgamated with other jute firms to form Jute Industries Ltd. Products included hessians, jute, tarpaulines, flax and jute, roofing canvas and "scenic" canvas. It went into voluntary liquidation in 1933.

South Mills (Rayon ) Ltd (1963-1988) (formerly James Paterson and Co Ltd, 1939-1963) had been re-structured 1958-1959 with a move of production to Lawside Works, Paterson Street, disposal and repair of old machinery and streamlining of raw material, with specialisation as a fibro-factory. By 1978, Sidlaw Industries Ltd, the parent company, owned 100% of the issued share capital and business transferred to Thomas Gill & Sons Ltd becoming Gills South Mills in 1979. The Head office remained in South Mills at 20 Brown Street until 1980 and South Mills (Rayon ) Ltd was declared a dormant Company in 1982.

Harry Walker (1812-1889) came to Dundee in 1833 from Blebo, Fife where his father was a flax spinner, and went into business with his brother John. Building Dura Works, the brothers were successful spinning jute yarn, and survived the trading difficulties of the 1840s and 1850s. In 1873, Harry and his brother dissolved their partnership. Mr P W Walker continued trading from Dura Works while the new firm of Harry Walker & Sons was formed. This firm owned Caldrum Works, built in 1872 to 1873, which was eventually the second biggest jute mill in Dundee. It was perhaps the first large British textile complex to integrate spinning, weaving and finishing on a single storey. By 1913 the firm, under the control of Harry's sons and nephew, was a limited company and the works had been extended to cover a ground area of 8 acres with 9500 spindles. In 1920, Harry Walker & Sons Ltd amalgamated with Jute Industries Ltd.

The firm was incorporated as a limited company in 1898 but had been trading under the same name since at least the 1870s. It became a subsidiary of Jute Industries Ltd, ca 1955.

The Dundee Stock Exchange was formed in 1879. In 1964 the Association became a member of the Scottish Stock Exchange while still operating at local level until 1971 when all four local Scottish Stock Exchanges closed completely. Since then all trading has been through the Scottish Stock Exchange.

The Buist Spinning Co Ltd was incorporated in 1900 and based in Dundee. It took over the business of Laing Bros & Co, jute spinners and power loom linen manufacturers of Stobswell Works, established since the mid 19th century. The Buist Spinning Co Ltd became a subsidiary company of Tay Textiles in 1978 and went into voluntary liquidation in 1979.

Donald George Sutherland was educated at Watson's College and the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1886 with the university medal in medical jurisprudence and public health, and taking the BSc in public health three years later. In 1890 Dr Sutherland became Medical Officer of Health for the county of Sutherland and Burgh of Dornoch. He was later called to the Bar by the Middle Temple and, in 1899, entered as an advanced research student at St John's College, Cambridge, receiving the degrees BA (1901) and MA (1908) of that university. After a period as assistant bacteriologist in the Local Government Board Laboratories he was appointed Senior Bacteriologist to the Metropolitan Water Board in 1905. He wrote a succession of nine Sanitary Reports on the County of Sutherland and a dissertation On Certain Spore-Bearing Anaerobic Considered as Criteria in the Bacterial Examination of Water Supplies.

Michael Peto, photographer, was born in Bata, Hungary on 2 June 1908. On completion of his secondary education Peto worked in his father's general store, and a keen interest in arts and crafts soon developed into a business venture. It was the connection with his work in the export of Hungarian craft products that enabled him to reach Britain at the outset of the Second World War. Peto's war years were spent in London where he became engaged in war work of national importance and was involved with the ARP. He was devoted to the establishment of a Socialist Hungary after the war and advocated an international exchange school of teachers and pupils once peace was established. He was greatly concerned with the education of both adults and children after the war and greatly favoured progressive education systems. Peto was a strong supporter of A S Neill and became involved with Summerhill School in 1944. Peto developed his skills in photography and graphic art after technical instruction from Ervin Marton. He was concerned to achieve his own personal style and eventually became a renowned photographer, working mainly for The Observer. He died on 25 December 1970.

A firm of linen and yarn merchants was founded by Daniel J Jaffé in 1845 and subsequently situated at 134 Seagate. By 1886 it was described as a 'linen and jute merchants'. In 1909 they were acquired by A & S Henry & Co and the offices were moved to the Victoria Road Calender Works sometime between 1910 and 1914. The company was incorporated as a subsidiary of A & S Henry & Co in 1920. In 1956 trading activities came under the direction and management of A & S Henry & Co (Dundee) Ltd, and by 1959 the company had ceased trading.

Cargill & Co Ltd were a firm of Dundee bleachers established prior to 1853 at 21 St Andrew's Street and at Midmill (Dundee Bleachfield). In 1969 the company was bought out completely by William Watson (Dundee) Ltd. The company ceased trading and their whole assets and liabilities were transferred to the holding company. In 1976 Cargill & Co Ltd went into voluntary liquidation, but the activities at Midmill Works were continued by William Watson (Dundee) Ltd.

The Arctic Leather Goods Company started trading c.1928 as 'Schoolbag and leather goods manufacturers' at 49 Yeaman Shore, Dundee. It was incorporated as a limited company in 1931. In 1950 the company was about to be wound up voluntarily when it was acquired by the Dundee Brattice Cloth and Waterproofing Co Ltd.

E Carr & Sons Ltd were warehousemen and manufacturers of cotton and jute bags at Imperial Wharf, London. The company appears to have become a subsidiary of A & S Henry & Co (Dundee) Ltd, between 1953 and 1955.

This jute mill company was incorporated in 1883. Building of its mill was halted for about a year during a celebrated land dispute (1884-1886) with the Samnuggur Jute Factory Co Ltd who saw the new mill as a threat to their labour supply. Thomas Duff & Co Ltd took over the agency of the company in 1888. In 1969 the Victoria Jute Factory Co Ltd was merged with the Samnuggur Jute Factory Co Ltd and the Titaghur Jute Factory Co Ltd with the latter as the parent company and the Angus Company Ltd as a subsidiary of the group. In 1976 changes to the articles of association were adopted, reorganising the capital of the Company and transferring its residence to India, effectively passing management and control of the Company from Dundee to Calcutta.

The firm started trading at 60 Victoria Road, Dundee, between 1875 and 1886. It was acquired by A & S Henry & Co Ltd in 1910, who moved their Dundee offices to the Victoria Road premises. In 1953, with the incorporation of A & S Henry & Co (Dundee) Ltd, it became part of that company. Sack making and printing were carried out at the Victoria Road Works.

James F Low & Co Ltd was set up around the beginning of the nineteenth century by James Low and Robert Fairweather at Monifieth, then 'a primitive village of turf huts'. The firm, which produced the first locally made carding machine for flax tow in 1815, grew as machine spinning spread throughout Tayside. On the death of William Low in 1840, James Kennedy managed the works until James Fairweather Low (1825-1901) assumed control in 1849. Under James F Low, who was later assisted by his brother Samuel Miller Low (1835-1921), the firm continued to expand. By the 1880s there were 300 workers employed at the Monifieth Foundry, producing a range of machines for the processing and spinning of jute, flax, hemp and other similar fibres, not only for local textile spinning concerns but for customers throughout the world. James F Low's son William took over in 1892 and in 1902 the firm was incorporated as a limited company under his chairmanship. In 1924, the Low family sold their interest to John Shaw & Sons (Wolverhampton) Ltd, manufacturers and merchants. By the early 1930s the company was in serious financial trouble and in 1933 was taken over by a Dundee syndicate headed by Joseph Johnstone Barrie of Charles Barrie & Sons, shipowners and insurance brokers. The company's fortunes were restored during the Second World War when the foundry was almost completely turned over to the production of bombs, machine tools and aircraft components. In 1948, McLeod & Co Ltd of Calcutta, whose interests included jute mills, tea estates, engineering and light railways, acquired the company. Actual ownership was subsequently vested in James F Low & Co (India) Ltd, established as a limited company in 1949. One consequence of the change of ownership was the manufacture of Low's machinery by the Britannia Engineering Co Ltd, of Calcutta. From about 1955 Low & Co (India) Ltd, were faced with contracting markets for their textile machinery and consequently diversified into sub-contract work and the manufacture of a range of building equipment, including cement mixers, dumpers, fork-lift trucks, concrete pumps and vibrating pokers. This latter development led to the establishment of Rob Roy (Contractors Plant) Ltd, (c.1959) and Angus Concrete Pumping Services Ltd (formerly Angus Winding Ltd) and in 1966 Low & Co, acquired The Silent Ballcock Co Ltd, which had been incorporated in 1957. The name of The Silent Ballcock Co Ltd was changed to James F Low (Engineers) Ltd, in whom all the fixed assets of James F Low & Co Ltd, including Monifieth Foundry, were vested. James F Low & Co Ltd, thus became merely a holding company with three wholly owned subsidiaries. Control remained with James F Low & Co (India) Ltd, although between 1970 and 1973 a large stake was acquired by Mona Agency, Isle of Man, later transferred to Westdean Ltd, Jersey. In 1984 the Clydesdale Bank called in the receiver and James F Low (Engineers) Ltd, ceased trading. James F Low & Co Ltd, and its subsidiary, Rob Roy (Contractors Plant) were unaffected by the order.

At the Reformation of 1560, the system of consistorial courts where the bishops exercised their civil jurisdiction over executry and matrimonial cases, broke down. This led to such confusion that the commissary courts were re-established between 1564 and 1566. The new system of commissary courts lasted until 1823 when all inferior commissary courts were abolished and their business transferred to the sheriff courts. The principal commissary court at Edinburgh had general jurisdiction over the whole of Scotland and local jurisdiction over the Lothians, Peebles and part of Stirlingshire, the two latter areas being later removed. In 1836 the commissary court of Edinburgh was abolished and its powers and jurisdiction were transferred to the sheriff court. The commissary courts were finally abolished completely and their functions taken over by the sheriff courts in 1876. The office of commissary clerk of Edinburgh was retained, however, and the sheriff court of Edinburgh remained the proper forum for the confirmation of testaments of persons dying outside Scotland possessed of moveable estate there. It had exclusive jurisdiction in cases of a strictly consistorial nature, such as marriage, divorce, separation and legitimacy and in the confirmation of testaments of all persons dying outside Scotland, with or without any fixed domicile, who had moveable estate in Scotland. The court had the right of review of inferior commissaries throughout Scotland although appeals were usually made direct to the Court of Session, which also had right of review of the decisions of the principal commissary court. Source: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/commissary-court-records

Thomas C Keay Ltd acquired a controlling interest in Convertapak Machines Ltd, manufacturers of paper sack machinery in Great Yarmouth, c. 1970.

Thomson, Shepherd & Co Ltd was founded in 1848 when David Thomson, a shipmaster's son who had served an apprenticeship with James Neish, a jute pioneer, set up in business on his own in a small hand-spinning and hand-loom weaving shed. The firm was soon operating successfully and in 1852 David Thomson was granted a patent from Queen Victoria in respect of jute carpeting - the earliest patent granted in Dundee for any jute product.

Born 11 April 1919 in Manchester, 'Rowy' Mitchison was the daughter of a mathematician and the grand-daughter of a historian. She was educated at the Dragon school, Oxford, Channing school, Highgate, and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, where she graduated with a double first. In 1947, she married the scientist Murdoch Mitchison, a son of the writer Naomi Mitchison and later professor of zoology at Edinburgh University. After a variety of teaching and lecturing jobs in English universities, in 1953 Rowy moved to Edinburgh with her husband, who had been appointed to a lectureship. She herself began teaching part-time in what became the department of economic history, and developed an interest in the history of Scotland, on which she contributed a number of landmark publications. She was professor of social history from 1981 to 1986. Mitchison died in Edinburgh 19 December 2002 Source: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/oct/04/guardianobituaries.obituaries