P & R Paterson, Tanners – Account book, 1839 – 1888
Recently found within the papers of Mathie, MacLukie and Lupton, is an account book detailing the financial transactions of the business P & R Paterson. Peter and Robert Paterson were tanners based in the Craigs, Stirling, and the accounts provide a unique insight into tanning in the local area.
Although the business was called ‘P & R Paterson’, the co-partnery was dissolved on 25th February 1853 by mutual consent and the business was carried on by Robert Paterson. Peter Paterson, who was also a Councillor and the Treasurer of Stirling Town Council, emigrated to Australia. He died at Knobs Tooth Station, Australia, on 25th February 1859.
Tanning was generally seen as successful and profitable trade in 18th and 19th century Scotland. Hides would primarily come from cattle or sheep, as the by-products of animals raised for meat.
The account book details the various requests for different types of hides. Examples include ‘American Market Hides’, ‘Irish Hides’, ‘Salted Uruguay Ox Hides’, ‘Dublin Hides’ and ‘Dry Hides’. There are also numerous requests for bellies to tanned, with drawings marking out the measurement and cost of each hide.
The tanning process required a lot of water, and tanneries were often located close a water source. The Paterson’s business was no different, situated close to the Town Burn.
On 4th January 1890, an article in the Stirling Observer reported that a devasting fire caused over £15,000 worth of damage to the Craigs tanworks. The business didn’t appear to fully recover and Robert Paterson died a few years later on 22nd December 1892. He is buried in Mar Place, Stirling.