The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-07-22 00:00:00

DEPAP.TURE OP JAMES GILMOUR, ESQ.

inz walkineracd eulogium, which we extract
from a Miramichi paper brought by the Britannia, will be
read with no little interest by the numerous friends of the
house to which it refers.]
(From the Miramichi Gleaner.)

We regret much to announce the departure from this corn-
munity of James Gilmour, Esq. and family, which took place
yesterday. They have taken passage to the Clyde in the
barque Oxford, Captain Burns. Nearly thirty years have
elapsed since Mr. Gilmour came to Miramichi, along with
his late partner, Alexander Rankin, Esq. These gentlemen
have, till very recently, carried on business here under the
well-known firm of Gilmour, Rankin, and Co. The busi-
ness they have transacted has been very extensive, and their
manner of conducting it has been alike able and honourable.
By their upright and persevering efforts they have contribu-
ted greatly to extend the trade of that old and most respec-
table house in Glasgow, with which they have been so long
connected—viz., Messrs. Pollock, Gilmour, and Co. The
house in Miramichi was, we believe, the first branch formed
by that firm in British America ; and out of it have sprung
the extensive establishments connected with the same con-
cern in Liverpool, G. 8., Quebec, Montreal, St. John,
N. B.' &c., &c.
In the house at Miramichi were chiefly trained the gen.
tlemen who have conducted these extensive and most respec-
table establishments, and there they acquired those correct
and admirable business habits for which they are so distin-
guished. The house of Messrs. Gilmour, Rankin, and Co.,
of which Mr. James Gilmour was an active partner, it is well
known, has done much to improve the trade and develope
the resources of this important section of the Province.
Their object always has been to encourage worth and honest
industry ; and the best proof of this is to be found in the
large and handsome village of Douglastown, which has
grown up round their establishment, and which continues to
be supported through it. Their capital has also been exten-
sive and usefully employed in the erection and encourage-
ment of saw mills throughout the country.
At the time Messrs. Gilmour and Rankin arrived in this
community the settlements on the Miramichi River were in a
rude and infant state. There were then no roads on which a
person could even walk with comfort,—nothing better than
an Indian track, and very few schools- for the education of
youth. Both these departments early attracted the attention
and called forth the energies of Mr. Gilmour. By his skil-
ful and persevering efforts, coupled with those of the late
Honourable Richard Simonds, excellent roads and bridges
were at length formed through the greater part of the exten-
sive parish of Newcastle, which gave an impulse to the
making of roads on other parts of the river, which may vie
with the roads in any part of British America, and will bear
a comparison even with many of the county roads at home.

Nor is it only as acomniissioner of roads that Mr. Gil-
mour has benefitted this community ; he may be justly
called the Father of our Parish Schools. Under his fostering
care and superintendance as a trustee, was formed the school
at Douglastown, in which all the ordinary branches of an
English education have long been taught in a very successful
and creditable manner. That school served as a model upon
which the other schools in the county were in a great measure
formed, and to many of them the patronage of the houses of
Messrs. Gilmour, Rankin, and Co. was also extended. Mr.
Gilmour has also for a number of years been an able Sabbath
School Teacher, and has done much to improve the minds of
the youth in and about Douglastown, both in learning and
_ _ _

Mr. Gilmour belonged to the Scotch Church at Newcastle,
of which he was an office bearer, and the interests of which
be zealously promoted. He was indeed liberal in his contri-
butions to schools and charges generally, and in short to
every measure calculated to promote the good of the country.
Ve have seldom known a man who laid himself out more to
promote the public benefit, and who did it too in that unas-
suming way for which he was distinguished.
Mr. Gilmour has retired with his family to his native land,
and, as we understand, with an ample competency. Both
he and his family were much attached to Miramachi, and
nothing but what he considered paramount duties led him
to take this step which the public so much regret.
The loss of such a man at any time would have been greatly
felt, and in the present depressed state of trade, is greatly to
be lamented. Had he continued to reside in this section of
New Brunswick we know of no man who could have been
more usefully and honourably employed. Every mark of
respect was shown him upon the eve of his departure by men
of all parties, even those who in politics and various measures
of a public nature, had been opposed to him. As a proof of
this we may mention that a dinner was given to him on Tues-
day the 14th instant, in Hamill's Hotel, Newcastle, which
was numerously and respectably attended. His son, Mr.
Allan Gilmour, and his late partner, Alexander Rankin,
Esq., were also invited as guests. The duties of president
upon that occasion, were ably performed by Dr. Key, and
those of vice president by the high sheriff of the county, John
I. Johnson, Esq. A blessing was asked by the Rev. M.
Souter, and thanks were returned by the Rev. Mr. Archi-
bald. After the cloth had been removed, a number of loyal
and appropriate toasts were drank ; and the feelings of
respect for Mr. Gilmour, and those connected with him,
which were evinced by all present. must have been highly
gratifying to him ; and we fondly hope that he may yet be
induced to return with his family to this community. Such
an event we understand, may possibly take place, and should
it be the case, we can safely say, it would be most gratifying
not only to those who have been connected with him
various ways, but to the community of Miramichi at large
Upon taking leave pf his friends, and of the people o
Douglastown, he and his family, and all present, were deeply
affected, and seldom has a more touching scene been wit-
nessed. Our best wishes attend him and his family ; ma
they have a safe and prosperous voyage across the Atlantic,
and may the evening of Mr. Gilmour's days, wherever spent,
be peaceful and happy. We may here mention, that upon
his embarking, salutes were fired from Douglastown and
Chatham, and also from several of the vessels in the river.
Addresses from the inhabitants of the town of Chatham, an,
from the Kirk Session and Corporation of St. James
Church, Newcastle, were presented to him. To them Mr.
Gilmour made suitable replies.