William Merrylees
William Merrylees (b. 4 April 1795, East Linton, Scotland, d. 6 June 1859, Lerwick) was an agent for Aberdeen Leith and Lerwick Shipping Company, Session Clerk Parish of Lerwick, teacher of music and Lerwick Town Councillor.
Biography
William Merrylees was born at East Linton in Scotland and married into the Mouat family of North Hamarsland, Shetland. He was once a cattle dealer and grocer in the premises that was occupied by Anderson and Goodlad (solicitors in Lerwick). He was an Agent for the Shipping Company in Lerwick until the time of his death and was succeeded by Mr John Robertson.
William is listed in the Shetland Directory for 1854 as follows: Merrylees, William , agent for the Aberdeen Leith and Clyde Shipping Company-agent for the Northern Assurance Company,and session-clerk of Lerwick, dwelling house Twageos; office 20 Commercial Street.
He was endowed with musical talent and trained under Mr Glass who did so much to encourage a love of music in the town before his comparatively early death. Mr Merrylees carried on the tradition, becoming leader of the music performed at the Parish Church. There was a large family: William who had married in America and Sarah who also went there; Euphemia born in 1831, the wife of John Anderson, merchant in Hillswick; Christina, died on 17th November 1896, having married Rev.Alexander Reid, Lerwick minister; John, in America, married to Martha Barr of Buffalo; another daughter who was unmarried ran a private school in Mounthooly Street; Charles was joint agent of the Shipping Company with Baillie Robertson. The office and the lodberry or store was at 16 Commercial Street. The goods were taken ashore in flit boats. Carts conveyed goods to Scalloway and thence to west side ports. At that time the male population was mainly engaged in the seal and whale fishing besides white fishing in home waters. The Post Office was the small shop opposite the Queen's Hotel, the road system was poor and mails were conveyed by carriers who walked with the load strapped to their backs. Communication with the North isles was by sailing craft, all of which gradually improved.
His son, Charles was also a Lerwick Town Councillor, and his grandson, Thomas Anderson was a County Councillor.
