Basic Biographical Details

Name: David Smith
Designation:  
Born: c. 1813
Died: 2 August 1879
Bio Notes: David Smith was born c.1813 and practised initially as a builder and mason in Thurso. He designed some buildings later in his career. He was probably the David Smith who served on the Parochial Board in 1864. He was proposed as a Bailie of the town in 1871 and may have been a volunteer himself. ('Lieutenant D Smith' is mentioned in the John O' Groats Journal of 4 October 1860).

When he was elected postmaster of Thurso in 1872 through the influence of Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster, it was reported that Smith had been a town councillor and served on the Police Commission for 'a series of years' and he was a 'gentleman possessed of natural good qualities and highly respected by all who knew him' and that 'no son of Thurso has devoted more time and labout to the beautifying of the town'. On various occasions Smith was requested by the Town Council to draw up plans and reports on issues in the town such as encroachments of the harbour and the position of wells in the town.

His wife was Catherine Grant and they had three sons and two daughters. He was a member of the congregation of the Independent Chapel (his son David, preached there in September 1871) and he was a member of the Total Abstinence Society acting as chairman at one meeting in 1859.

He died at Thurso on 2 August 1879, predeceased by his wife Catherine Grant who died 18 November 1876 aged 65. The monument with marble portrait head in Thurso Cemetery is recorded as being 'a testimony of the esteemed respect in which he was held in Thurso and vicinity'.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4Wilson Street, Thurso, Caithness, ScotlandPrivate1851  
Item 2 of 4Thurso, Caithness, ScotlandBusinessBefore 18591879 
Item 3 of 4Bank Street, Thurso, Caithness, ScotlandPrivate1861  
Item 4 of 4Bank Street, Thurso, Caithness, ScotlandPrivate1871  

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 71859West Free ChurchThurso CaithnessScotland 
Item 2 of 71871Property in Traill Street and Mansons LaneThurso CaithnessScotlandPlans drawn up for reconstruction or new building?
Item 3 of 71872Aimster Farm  CaithnessScotlandNew stable
Item 4 of 71872Thurso CastleThurso CaithnessScotland 
Item 5 of 71873Drill HallThurso CaithnessScotland 
Item 6 of 7187811 Janet StreetThurso CaithnessScotland 
Item 7 of 7187825-35 Traill StreetThurso CaithnessScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Scotlands People Website Wills & Testaments  Wick Sheriff Court SC14/40/12

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 7John O' Groats Journal24 March 1859  p2
Item 2 of 7John O' Groats Journal19 May 1864  p2
Item 3 of 7John O' Groats Journal18 November 1869  p2
Item 4 of 7John O' Groats Journal15 June 1871  p2
Item 5 of 7John O' Groats Journal14 September 1871  p2
Item 6 of 7John O' Groats Journal26 October 1871  p3
Item 7 of 7John O' Groats Journal26 September 1872  p10