Drummond, James

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Drummond, James

Watercolour portrait of James Drummond, aged 71, Manufacturer, by John Sowden.

Back of the painting: "Born at Blyth, Near Newcastle on Tyne. Came to Bradford when six years old and applied to Messrs Lister Spencer & Co. Afterwards Thomas Spencer & Co, then Hill & Smith and lastly Hill & Drummond until the two were merged under his own name, James Drummond."

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Mr Drummond was born at Blyth, Northumberland, in 1819 and came to Bradford with his parents when he was five or six years old. He was educated at a mixed school at Bradford Moor. He was apprenticed to woolsorting and spinning and after considerable experience he joined Messrs Hill & Smith, the name of the firm becoming Hill, Smith and Drummond.

In 1849 Mr Smith retired and Mr Hill also in 1851. The business continued to increase and Mr Drummond took Lister’s old mill and afterwards to greatly increased business he created the large premises at Lumb Lane. In 1871 Mr Drummond took two of his sons into partnership and the name of the firm became James Drummond and Sons.

Mr Drummond was formerly a Wesleyan Methodist, but he joined the Wesleyan Reformers in 1849. For a quarter of a century he supported a chapel and schools in Abbey Street, thus showing his practical sympathy with religious work.

From 1867 to 1870 he sat on the Town Council for Manningham Ward and also represented the Bradford Township on the Board of Guardians in 1867 Mr Drummond was an earnest Liberal. He died in 1891 leaving a widow, four sons and one daughter."

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-115