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This bank was formed by Glasgow merchants in order to fund their rapidly increasing trade finance requirements. The six gentlemen who founded themselves into a bank were

William McDowall of Castlesemple,

Andrew Buchanan of Drumpellier, Provost,

Allan Dreghorn of Ruchill,

Robert Dunlop, Merchant,

Colin Dunlop of Carmyle, and

Alexander Houston of Jordanhill.

The firm was known by the name of Dunlop, Houston & Co. although the trade name was known as the Ship Bank as a consequence of the banknotes (which were signed by Dunlop and Houston) containing the figure of a ship under full sail.

Business commenced in January 1750 at an office at the East end of Bridgegate with this property owned by Arthur Robertson the Cashier. His term in office appears to have been short as he died about 1753 and was succeeded by James Simson.

Upon the expiry of the first Contract of Copartnery, 1775, the original Partners all retired and eight new ones carried on the business under the name of Moores, Carrick & Co. The Partners were

George Moore, Ballamore, Isle of Man,

James Moore, Merchant, Glasgow,

Robert Carrick, Merchant, Glasgow,

Thomas Brown, Former London Surgeon, residing at Aitkenhead, Glasgow,

Andrew Thomson of Faskin, Coal Merchant, (Andrew Thomson also became a Partner in the Paisley Banking Company in 1783 and in 1785 he, together with his two sons, founded the Glasgow Private banking firm of A. G. & A. Thomson which failed in 1793),

John Brown of Langfine,

Thomas Buchanan of Ardoch, and

William Craig, Merchant, Glasgow.

The business moved in 1776 from Bridgegate to the corner of Argyll Street and Glassford Street from where it operated for 50 years.

In 1783 a further change in partners occurred and the firm name altered to Carrick, Brown & Co. There were then four Partners who were

Robert Carrick, then of Braco,

John Brown jun, of Waterhaughs,

Thomas Buchanan, of Ardoch, and

William Craig, Merchant, Glasgow.

In subsequent years a number of further changes of Partners occurred with this including David Buchanan of Drumpellier, Nicol Brown of Langfine and Michael Rowand, the Cashier. The mainstays of the banking business in the early 19th Century appear to have been Robert Carrick and Michael Rowand. Carrick appears to have been a well known Glasgow character and consider information is available on this gentleman. The vast majority appears to suggest that he was very frugal, if not miserly, with this trait continuing until his death in 1821.

In 1836 this bank merged with the Glasgow Bank Company to form the Glasgow and Ship Bank with Robert Findlay of Easthill the Manager.

Officials.

The following officials have been identified from letters in the collection. Where possible notes have been added.

Robert Findlay of Easthill, Manager