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- 1886-1904 (Creation)
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Loose documents in folder
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Name of creator
Biographical history
Alexander McGregor (1821-1896), shipowner and merchant, and John Gibson McGregor (1830-1902) arrived in Tasmania from Scotland with their parents, James and Janet McGregor. The brothers served apprenticeships under a shipwright, John Watson, and then started building boats. Alexander acquired the Domain Shipyard in 1855 with his brother John as foreman, but sold out to his brother in 1869.
Alexander McGregor started the firm of McGregor, Piesse & Co., general merchants of Elizabeth Street, Hobart, with Charles A. Piesse. They bought ships for exporting whale oil, blue gum, timber and wool, known as the "Red Iron" fleet, and they had a warehouse in Salamanca Place. The partnership was dissolved in 1886, possibly because the firm was getting into debt through McGregor's speculating in land and mine ventures. In his last years Alexander McGregor speculated unwisely in various property and mine share deals and was involved in a number of legal actions. Alexander McGregor was a member of the Legislative Council 1880 - 1896.
In 1847 McGregor married Harriet Bayley (1829-1878), who gave her name to two of his ships, the "Hally Bayley" and the "Harriet McGregor", Harriet McGregor died in 1878 and Alexander married Margaret Pigdon about 1884. He had a house, Lenna, in Battery Point and other property. After his death his second wife Margaret (nee Pigdon) married agent Thomas Bennison.
For more information see http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mcgregor-alexander-4095
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited in the 1950's
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Scope and content
Papers relating to miscellaneous property and mortgage business, including: Timaru, New Zealand, small property: letters concerning title to and attempts to sell (1886-1904); Oatlands Hotel: notice to quit from Cascade Brewery (1887) and lease to Joseph Law (1890); St. Peters Pass Estate: letters from M. Bewsher about purchase of hay (1889); 56 Hampden Road: lease to Emma Louisa Clark (1890); "Ceres" sheep run, Parattah: 4 months pasturage to John Wilson (1890); Renison Bell Silver Mining Co.: invitation to A. McGregor to be one of the provisional directors (1891); 106 Macquarie Street: John Deans agreement to take it on rent for one year for £120 pa; (1891), lease to Mrs Helen Leath (Apr. 1894); Lord Rodney Hotel, New Wharf: draft lease and transfer of licence to Catherine & Hyam Simmons (Jan.1893) and lease for three years to Joseph Aaron Phillips (July 1893); Ellenthorpe Estate mortgage (1893-5); creditors of John and Louisa Webster agreement (1894); creditors of Young Lewis, dairyman: agreement over payment (Jan. 1895); store on New Wharf: agreement to let ground and first floor to F. Bond for 6 months (Feb. 1895); house and premises on New Wharf Esplanade: lease for one month to William Honey (March 1895), miscellaneous circulars, insurance receipts, share receipts (including Renison Bell Mine), bank orders etc.
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This material is made available for personal research and study purposes under the University of Tasmania Standard Copyright Licence. For any further use permission should be obtained from the copyright owners. For assistance please contact Special.Collections@utas.edu.au
When reusing this material, please cite the reference number and provide the following acknowledgement:
“Courtesy of the UTAS Library Special & Rare Collections”
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HE May 2018