In 1528, the Crown granted the Incorporation of Weavers in Glasgow an exclusive charter to practice weaving in that burgh. In 1681, however, they lost the exclusive privilege of weaving linen and hemp. Around 1760, a number of craftsmen in Glasgow began operating as silk-weavers despite being neither freemen of the Incorporation of Weavers nor, in some cases, freemen of Glasgow Burgh. In 1775, after the Incorporation of Weavers brought a complaint against a number of them, Bailie Duncan Niven had them imprisoned and fined. After obtaining a bill of suspension and liberation, these silk-weavers brought an action of oppression and damages against certain members of the Incorporation, and against Bailie Niven. At the same time, the Incorporation of Weavers requested a declaration that only members of their guild could practice silk-weaving within Glasgow. These actions were conjoined and came before Lord Gardenstone, who reported the case. The Court found that if the silk-weavers wished to practice their craft, they must join the Incorporation of Weavers. The case reports only cover the action of declarator brought by the Incorporation of Weavers.
Documents in this case (2)
- The Incorporation of Weavers in Glasgow v. James Freeland and Others — Memorial, 27 Sep 1777
- James Freeland, and Others v. The Incorporation of Weavers in Glasgow, William Bell, Deacon, and John Watson, Collector of the said Incorporation, and Duncan Niven, one of the Bailies of the said City — Information, 14 Nov 1777
People involved
- Francis Garden, Lord Gardenstone — Lord Ordinary
- John Morthland, of Rindmuir — Advocate for Pursuer
- Sir David Rae, Lord Eskgrove, 1st Baronet — Advocate for Defender
- Incorporation of Weavers in Glasgow — Pursuer
- Baillie Duncan Niven — Named in case documents
- James Freeland — Defender
- Thomas Shiells — Defender
- Alexander Shearer — Defender
- Alexander Pettigrew — Defender
- Magistrates and Town-Council of Glasgow — Named in case documents
- Robert MacQueen, Lord Braxfield — Lord Ordinary
Places
- Glasgow (principal)
In 1528, the Crown granted the Incorporation of Weavers in Glasgow an exclusive charter to practice weaving in that burgh. In 1681, however, they lost the exclusive privilege of weaving linen and hemp. Around 1760, a number of craftsmen in Glasgow began operating as silk-weavers despite being neither freemen of the Incorporation of Weavers nor, in some cases, freemen of Glasgow Burgh. In 1775, after the Incorporation of Weavers brought a complaint against a number of them, Bailie Duncan Niven had them imprisoned and fined. After obtaining a bill of suspension and liberation, these silk-weavers brought an action of oppression and damages against certain members of the Incorporation, and against Bailie Niven. At the same time, the Incorporation of Weavers requested a declaration that only members of their guild could practice silk-weaving within Glasgow. These actions were conjoined and came before Lord Gardenstone, who reported the case. The Court found that if the silk-weavers wished to practice their craft, they must join the Incorporation of Weavers. The case reports only cover the action of declarator brought by the Incorporation of Weavers.
