Katherine Ramsay facts for kids

Katherine Ramsay was a successful businesswoman from Scotland. She lived from the 1720s until 1808. Katherine was a milliner, meaning she made and sold hats. She also ran a shop in Edinburgh. Her business was located near what is now the famous Royal Mile.

Early Life and Family Business

Katherine Ramsay was born in the 1720s. She had five sisters: Mary, Christian, Ann, and Jean. All of them helped make and sell hats and other sewing items called haberdashery. Their parents were Katherine Kerr and Gilbert Ramsay. Gilbert was a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer. He also managed the large estate of a nobleman, the Duke of Roxburghe.

Running a Shop in Edinburgh

Katherine and her younger sister became very successful shopkeepers. They owned a large, five-room shop. It was located on Lyon Close, which was easy to reach from Edinburgh's High Street. This area is now part of the Royal Mile.

They had several helpers, including assistants and servants. A clerk named James Mushet worked for them. Isobel Colvin was another employee who worked with them for ten years. Katherine and her team often went to court. They would sue people who owed them money for goods. Katherine and her staff also appeared as witnesses in these trials. They sold and made their goods right at their shop. The shop itself was put up for sale in December 1765.

Property and Later Years

Katherine and her sister Ann bought some land. It was called "Kilnacre" and was located near Edinburgh in a place called Restalrig. They bought this land from Christian's husband, James, who was a builder.

Building a New Home

Starting in 1769, they had a house built on this land. They named their new home Viewfrith, or sometimes Viewfirth. In 1783, they sold the house to Captain James M'Rae. He was a cousin of the Earl of Glencairn. Captain M'Rae then renamed the house Marionville. It is not clear where Katherine worked after selling Viewfrith. However, she was still in business in 1771. At that time, she and her sister were selling goods to a person known as "Clerk of Penicuik."

Viewfirth, which was later renamed Marionville House.

Death and Legacy

Katherine Ramsay passed away in Edinburgh in 1808. She likely died at her home on Antigua Street. She left her Bible and prayer book to her niece. Katherine was a very wealthy woman when she died. She owned shares in the Bank of Scotland worth £4,000. This amount would be worth over £500,000 today.