Basic Biographical Details Name: | David Smith | Designation: | | Born: | c. 1813 | Died: | 2 August 1879 | Bio Notes: | David Smith was born c.1813 and practised initially as a builder and mason in Thurso. He designed some buildings later in his career. He was probably the David Smith who served on the Parochial Board in 1864. He was proposed as a Bailie of the town in 1871 and may have been a volunteer himself. ('Lieutenant D Smith' is mentioned in the John O' Groats Journal of 4 October 1860).
When he was elected postmaster of Thurso in 1872 through the influence of Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster, it was reported that Smith had been a town councillor and served on the Police Commission for 'a series of years' and he was a 'gentleman possessed of natural good qualities and highly respected by all who knew him' and that 'no son of Thurso has devoted more time and labout to the beautifying of the town'. On various occasions Smith was requested by the Town Council to draw up plans and reports on issues in the town such as encroachments of the harbour and the position of wells in the town.
His wife was Catherine Grant and they had three sons and two daughters. He was a member of the congregation of the Independent Chapel (his son David, preached there in September 1871) and he was a member of the Total Abstinence Society acting as chairman at one meeting in 1859.
He died at Thurso on 2 August 1879, predeceased by his wife Catherine Grant who died 18 November 1876 aged 65. The monument with marble portrait head in Thurso Cemetery is recorded as being 'a testimony of the esteemed respect in which he was held in Thurso and vicinity'. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Wilson Street, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland | Private | 1851 | | | | Thurso, Caithness, Scotland | Business | Before 1859 | 1879 | | | Bank Street, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland | Private | 1861 | | | | Bank Street, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland | Private | 1871 | | |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Wick Sheriff Court SC14/40/12 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | John O' Groats Journal | 24 March 1859 | | | p2 | | John O' Groats Journal | 19 May 1864 | | | p2 | | John O' Groats Journal | 18 November 1869 | | | p2 | | John O' Groats Journal | 15 June 1871 | | | p2 | | John O' Groats Journal | 14 September 1871 | | | p2 | | John O' Groats Journal | 26 October 1871 | | | p3 | | John O' Groats Journal | 26 September 1872 | | | p10 |
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