George Simpson was the Kirkton of Largo draper and clothier in whose memory the village's Simpson Institute was built. As the Institute was opened 44 years after he died, most people who have subsequently used the facility probably do not know much about the man. There is not much evidence of his business and certainly no photographs of him or of the village at the time he lived and worked there. Nevertheless, some details of his life and legacy can be pieced together. George Simpson appeared in only one census (in 1841), and the information from that record puts his birth at around 1772. Parish records show that he married Helen Mackie of Newburn in Largo in 1800. Their children were Helen (born 1801), Janet (1803), Margaret (1804) and John (1810).
George's wife Helen died in 1822 and it would seem that Margaret died at a young age. By the 1841 census George (who is described as 'living on independent means') is found residing with his second daughter Janet in Kirkton of Largo. Meanwhile, eldest child, Helen, is married to a William Wood who is described as a tailor and clothier in consecutive censuses. It is likely that Helen and William took the business over from George Simpson upon his retirement. The business must have been fairly substantial, as in 1851 Wood employed 5 men and in 1861 he employed 4 men and 2 boys. By 1871 Wood had retired, being described as a 'late tailor'. In fact, the 1865 valuation roll also describes him as a 'late clothier' who owns three consecutive properties on Upper Largo's Main Street - one in which he lives and two in which other individuals are carrying out a tailor and clothier business and a drapery business respectively. The shop continued to be a tailor, under different names, for many decades thereafter.
The location of the tailor's shop, and of George Simpson's original premises for his business as a draper and clothier, is on the south side of the Main Street, just to the east of the Inn (now the Upper Largo Hotel). The business therefore would have been in the shop on the right side of the photograph below (shown in more detail further below). George Simpson was granted the feu from Major General James Durham of Largo on 1st November 1809. Simpson set up his business at a time of development in the village. The main road had not long been upgraded and the Largo ferry would soon bring new visitors to the area. Over the years, as his drapery business thrived, George Simpson developed other business interests. He had shares in the Leven Gaslight Company, Largo Inn and Granary and in Largo Granary Steelyard at the time of his death.
George's wife Helen died in 1822 and it would seem that Margaret died at a young age. By the 1841 census George (who is described as 'living on independent means') is found residing with his second daughter Janet in Kirkton of Largo. Meanwhile, eldest child, Helen, is married to a William Wood who is described as a tailor and clothier in consecutive censuses. It is likely that Helen and William took the business over from George Simpson upon his retirement. The business must have been fairly substantial, as in 1851 Wood employed 5 men and in 1861 he employed 4 men and 2 boys. By 1871 Wood had retired, being described as a 'late tailor'. In fact, the 1865 valuation roll also describes him as a 'late clothier' who owns three consecutive properties on Upper Largo's Main Street - one in which he lives and two in which other individuals are carrying out a tailor and clothier business and a drapery business respectively. The shop continued to be a tailor, under different names, for many decades thereafter.
The location of the tailor's shop, and of George Simpson's original premises for his business as a draper and clothier, is on the south side of the Main Street, just to the east of the Inn (now the Upper Largo Hotel). The business therefore would have been in the shop on the right side of the photograph below (shown in more detail further below). George Simpson was granted the feu from Major General James Durham of Largo on 1st November 1809. Simpson set up his business at a time of development in the village. The main road had not long been upgraded and the Largo ferry would soon bring new visitors to the area. Over the years, as his drapery business thrived, George Simpson developed other business interests. He had shares in the Leven Gaslight Company, Largo Inn and Granary and in Largo Granary Steelyard at the time of his death.
Second daughter Janet (who would go on to bequeath the Simpson Institute) also married a draper and clothier. Her 1841 marriage was to William Galloway whose business was based in Edinburgh. In 1851 Janet and William were at 3 Melbourne Place in Edinburgh, running their business next door to the famous confectioner 'Ferguson', makers of Edinburgh Rock, at No. 1 (see below). The Galloway's subsequently moved to the Newington area of Edinburgh, and their business thrived. So, two of George's daughters remained involved in the drapery trade and after their father's death the two women had a headstone erected in the graveyard of Largo Kirk which reads:
"George Simpson, Clothier of Largo died 27.6.1847 aged 76years. Helen Mackie his spouse died 17.12.1822 aged 52 yrs. Son John Simpson d 19.10.1840 aged 30 years. This stone erected to their memory by their remaining daughters".
"George Simpson, Clothier of Largo died 27.6.1847 aged 76years. Helen Mackie his spouse died 17.12.1822 aged 52 yrs. Son John Simpson d 19.10.1840 aged 30 years. This stone erected to their memory by their remaining daughters".
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