Bridgeton is an area to the east of Glasgow’s city centre. (For more information about this area, see Gordon Adams’s chapter, [Bridgeton & Dalmarnock], ‘Historical Background‘, on the East Glasgow History website.)

According to the evidence given in 1836 to the Commissioners of Religious Instruction by Reverend John Edwards, Minister of the Relief Congregation, Edwards’ church was the only one in the village, and his congregation was comprised chiefly of the poor and the working classes. More specifically, he lists them as being ‘[e]very species of handicraftsman, weavers, cotton spinners, masons, wrights, and shopkeepers’. At that time, the Association was a collective of 10 Sabbath Schools in the area that were supported by voluntary subscription from the villagers. In addition to a library, there was also a charity reading school. The Association’s listing in the 1870 to 1871 Glasgow Post Office directory suggests that their original aims were still being carried out:

‘The principal object of the Assocation is the moral and religious improvement of the population of Bridgeton by the circulation of the Scriptures; the delivery of lectures; the establishment of Sabbath schools; the support of week-day and evening schools; and such other measures as appear best calculated to promote those ends. Institution Buildings, Bridgeton Public School, 96 Main Street, Bridgeton.’

(‘Bridgeton Association for Religious and Intellectual Improvement’, ‘Religious and Moral Societies’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1870-1871… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1870), p. 81)

Date of Existence

1824-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Declaration of Mr Andrew Thomson, Relief Congregation, Barony Parish, Glasgow, 13th April 1836’, Report of the Commissioners of Religious Instruction, Scotland, Vol. 2 (Edinburgh: printed by W. & A. K. Johnston, 1837), p. 441, https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=p-NHAQAAMAAJ [accessed 20/08/17];

2.’Bridgeton Association for Religious and Intellectual Improvement’, ‘Religious and Moral Societies’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1870-1871… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1870), p. 81;

3. Records for Glasgow: Bridgeton Friendly Association (NRS, FS1/16/51)

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directory)

National Library of Scotland (Glasgow Post Office directory)

National Records of Scotland (NRS) (records, Bridgeton Friendly Assoc.)

Reference Number

(see Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Andrew Thomson was a Clerk to the managers of the Relief Congregation, Barony Parish, Glasgow. Thomson was an elder of the church and the Director of  the association.

The Glasgow Post Office directories are available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland. Digitised copies are available through the NLS website: https://www.nls.uk/family-history/directories/post-office/index.cfm?place=Glasgow