Records of James Finlay & Co, Finlay and Muir family records

This material is held atUniversity of Glasgow Archive Services

Scope and Content

Includes:

  • Heirs of the late James Finlay legal instruments;
  • Heirs of the late James Finlay correspondence;
  • Heirs of the late James Finlay accounts and balances;
  • Heirs of the late James Finlay payment books;
  • Heirs of the late James Finlay vouchers and receipts;
  • James Finlay (senior) household expenses account and vouchers;
  • Miscellaneous records relating to heirs of the late James Finlay;
  • Sir John Muir's Trust minutes of trustees;
  • Sir John Muir's Trust financial reports;
  • Sir John Muir's Trust petitions and dispositions;
  • Kirkman Finlay family records;
  • Thomas Finlay family records;
  • Finlay family accounts;
  • Finlay family personal papers;
  • Muir family accounts;
  • Muir family diaries and reports;
  • Miscellaneous Muir family records;

This description is part of the main James Finlay & Co collection which has been divided into the following sections, each with its own separate description:

Administrative / Biographical History

In 1750 James Finlay (1727-c1792) established the firm of James Finlay & Co in Glasgow, Scotland. He operated in a number of overseas and UK markets, entering into a number of trade agreements. After his death, his son Kirkman Finlay (d1842), one of the most influential merchants of his generation, became senior managing partner of the firm.

In 1798  the company purchased mills at Ballindalloch, Balfron, Stirling, Scotland, and soon became major textile manufacturers, later purchasing additional mills at Catrine, East Ayrshire, Scotland in 1801  and Deanston, Perth & Kinross, Scotland, in 1808 . The firm also established many trading connections overseas, initially in Europe, but later further afield. These trading operations were facilitated by a staff of travelling agents and by the formation of branch establishments in major trading centres.

Gradually the company's trading activities outstripped their textile manufacturing business and in 1844  the works at Ballindalloch, Stirling, were sold. In 1858  the company merged with Wilson, James & Kay. Their Indian business connections were strengthened in 1862  when Finlay Clerk & Co was established in Bombay, known as Finlay Muir & Co from 1870  when and a branch was opened in Calcutta. In around 1882  the firm began to diversify into tea estate management and by Finlay, Muir & Co 1901  was managing extensive tea estates in India and Sri Lankra. In 1909  the company became incorporated as a limited liability company, James Finlay & Co Ltd, with head offices at Nile Street, Glasgow. For a more detailed administrative history see the full James Finlay & Co collection description.

Arrangement

Files arranged as received.

Access Information

Some files in this collection are subject to Data Protection legislation as they contain sensitive information and material under 30 years old is closed to access. It is advised that you should contact the Duty Archivist before visiting: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

None which affect the use of this material

Conditions Governing Use

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents

Any work intended for publication that is based on research from this collection must be approved in advance. Apply in the first instance to Archives and Special Collections, email: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures. Duplicates have been removed.

Accruals

None expected

Related Material

Material in other repositories: GB 059 Finlay Campbell & Co and Finlay Muir & Co (British Library: Oriental and India Office Collections)

Bibliography

No known publications using this material

Additional Information

Description compiled in line with the following international standards: International Council on Archives, ISAD(G) Second Edition, September 1999and National Council on Archives, Rules for the construction of personal, place and corporate names

Scotland is the location of all place names in the administrative/biographical history element, unless otherwise stated.

Collection catalogued by members of Glasgow University Archive Services staff. Catalogue converted to Encoded Archival Description by Michelle Kaye, Archives Assistant (Cataloguing), May 2012. Additional material catalogued and converted into Encoded Archival Description by Peter Morphew, Cataloguing Archivist, January 2016.