The first Glasgow directory was published in 1783 by John Tait. This image is taken from a facsimile reprint published in 1871 by Robert Forrester. Page 22 includes surnames from Campbell to Crawford.
John Coats Campbell (1721-1804) was a prosperous Glasgow merchant. Born John Coats, he added his mother's maiden name of Campbell following her death, when he inherited the estate of Clathick in Perthshire. Involved in the tobacco trade during its most prosperous period, he was also a founder partner of the Thistle Bank in 1761, a partner in Bell's Tannery, and lent financial support to the Foulis brothers. When Glasgow Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1783, Campbell was on the Board of Directors and played a leading role in its activities during its early years. He was Lord Provost 1784-85, and an active member of the Hodge Podge Club, the leading social and literary club in Glasgow at the time.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC 914.14351
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
banks, Bell's Tannery, directories, family history, genealogy, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Hodge Podge Club, John Tait's Directory, lord provosts, merchants, Thistle Bank, Tobacco Lords