James Moffat

James Moffat was not born into a wealthy family but rather through hard work and good business sense he was what we would refer to as a "self made man"

Trading in retail and in wholesale, supplying ships with stores. He also imported Brandy from France.

His fortune increased and he then became a ship owner. One of his vessels "The Bruce" which was one of the old Quebecer's. In 1876 he had two ships built for him by John Reid & Company.

Mr Moffat died on 16th September 1884 (age 66). He bequeathed legacies to some relatives and the sum of £3500 to infirmaries and other charities.
He also gifted the town the sum of £3000 to erect a public library, The Moffat Library was the first in Port Glasgow.
It opened in 1887 and was in use up untill 1958.

The rest of his estate realised nearly £40,000 which was used to erect and endow an orphanage for poor children whose parents were not in receipt of parochial relief. The institution was built on Mr Moffat's ground at Carnegie to the east of the town. Opened on 19th January 1885. The home was restricted to only taking in Protestant children and had room for 30 boys and 30 girls who were housed on separate sides of the building.

Neither of the two buildings mentioned here are still in existence today.

This page last modified on Sunday, March 02, 2003

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