William Jameson (1737-1813) - The Father of Portobello

William Jameson - Was known as the "Father of Portobello," because of his involvement with the building of so many structures in this coastal town just east of Edinburgh, on the Firth of Fourth, in Scotland. In about 1863 William Jameson acquired that lands known as Figgate Whins, in Portobello where he discovered a valuable bed of clay near the burn, and built a brick and tile works beside the stream. He later built earthenware pottery factory, and the local population grew into a thriving village. Land values subsequently rose, and by the beginning of the 19th century some parts had been sold at a considerable profit.[1]

William Jameson was born April 12, 1737, in Edinburgh, Scotland. the eldest son and second child of four known children, of Patrick Jamieson and Marion (Blaw) Jamieson. His father was a celebrated Edinburgh builder. William was raised in Edinburgh and married Christian Nicholson, the daughter of Sir William Nicholson, of Tillicoultry and Jarvieswood, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. They had twelve children together, seven daughters and five sons, all born in Edinburgh. As a young man, William was allowed admission to the Masonic fraternity as an apprentice of the Edinburgh Lodge, so he could take part in the procession celebrating the laying of the foundation stone, where his father had the contract to build the Royal Exchange in Edinburgh.[2] William was involved with his father for several years in a number of important works with the extension and improvement of the city. The most important being the Royal Exchange. William and his father were extensively involved in developing the resources necessary for supporting the extensive building in and around Edinburgh at that time. William got involved with an area of Portobello, leasing lands there he began excavations for clay, where he had extensive building work. He discovered a bed of clay here known as "brick clay" especially suited for making bricks. This turned out to be a large bed which sustained the vast building in Edinburgh and in Portobello, but for export to Europe as well. In 1767 Mr. Jameson built for himself what was described as a "handsome dwelling house" which he called Rosefield House, near what became Adelphi Place. After which several other villa's were built and after that Portobello became a place for people to come to bathe and live during the summeer. For some time Mr. Jameson made Rosefield House his summer home, but in the latter part of his life he resided entirely in Portobello.

Mr . Jameson used the rubish from a contract he had with the City of Edinburgh to build drains, to fill in the excavations of his early brickworks, then leasing that land out to builders. In the late 1780s, William Jameson decided to have a harbor built at the mouth of Friggate burn, to accomidate his and other businesses in Portobello, although this was created and used for about fourty years, it was eventually considered inadequate and abandonded.

In the early 1800s, William Jameson had a large interest in a hot and cold sea-water baths, in Portobello for the public, by subscription, which by that time had become a thriving villiage, where he was well known. This turnd out to be quite popular, with logings and several other amenities. Portobello soon became a well developed and prosperous see side community.

Jameson was a very wealthy and influntial man in this community and highly resprcted. He lived his final years in Portobello after leasing or selling off most of his holdings, fying in 1813. He is buried at Greyfriars Kirkyard, in Edinburgh, leaving several children and grandchildren, including William Jameson the noted South American Botanist, Doctor, Professor and Assayer to the Mint.

Y-DNA test, associated with this family, #: None Known