Gillespie, James, of Spylaw (1726–1797), tobacconist and benefactor, was born in 1726, probably at Roslin, near Edinburgh. He had one sister and a younger brother. His family were members of the Cameronians, or reformed Presbyterians, a strict nonconformist sect. Gillespie began his career as a tobacconist and, in partnership with his brother, ...
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James Tait
revised by Christine Clark
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Hardham, John [pseud. Abel Drugger] (d. 1772), tobacconist, was born at Chichester, the son of a wholesale provision merchant. He is believed to have trained as a lapidary, or diamond cutter, although one source suggests he began life as a servant. He moved to ...
