BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 13
By his first wife he had no children ; and those of the second marriage all died
before they reached maturity.
The first of the two wheelers, MR HENRY WATSON, was a hardware
merchant, and had his shop at the head of Paterson’s Court, and afterwards on
the South Bridge. Unless much belied by common fame, he was in no way
remarkable for the brilliancy of his talents. Like his friend Mr. Hardie, he
possessed an invaluable helpmate, who used to superintend his shop, by which
means he found ample leisure to pursue his own amusements.
The other wheeler, MR. WILLTAM HALL, merchant, was born at Summerhall,
in the suburbs of Edinburgh, on the 19th May 1749. He was the
youngest son of Mr. William Hall, of that place, by his wife Marion Robertson,
a lady of good family, and a relative of the historian, Principal Robertson.
At an early age he began his mercantile career in the banking-house of Messrs.
Mansfield, Hunter, and Ramsay, in which establishment his eldest brother,
Robert, held an office of trust and responsibility. From his enterprising
disposition he very soon received an appointment as manager of the White
Herring Fishing Company, in which capacity he made several voyages. Shortly
afterwards he commenced business in Edinburgh as a general merchant, in which
he became very successful, having been the founder of the mercantile house of
William Hall and Company.
Mr. Hall was an active and intelligent citizen; and took a lively interest in
local matters, particularly such as were connected with useful and charitable
objects. He was for several years a member of the Town Council, and elected
one of the Magistrates in 1797. He was much esteemed by his friends and
acquaintances. His person was graceful, and his manners peculiarly pleasing
and captivating.
From the cheerfulness of hk disposition, and his great personal activity, he
was fond of all the national games of recreation. He was a good archer, and
remarkably partial to the game of golf, in which latter game he was a great
proficient, and was long a member of the Burgess Golfing Society. His attitude,
technically called ‘‘ address,” in striking off the ball was exceedingly graceful, and
was so much admired that the members of the Club prevailed upon him to allow
his portrait to be taken in that attitude ; but his death prevented its completion.
In 1770, at the early age of twenty, Mr, Hall married a daughter of Mr. John
Mitchell, of Burnfoot, East Lothian. This gentleman was a zealous supporter
of the cause of Prince Charles Edward ; and in 1745, in addition to his personal
services, rendered very efficient assistance by furnishing horses and carts for the
use of the army. The daughter above alluded to was named Charlotte, in
compliment to the Prince. By this union Mr. Hall had eight children, five of
whom attained majority, namely, a son and four daughters, He died on the
5th April 1808.
Mr. Hall had a sister who married Mr. Bustard, an eminent merchant in