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WILLIAM COATS
WILLIAM COATS was the son of Archibald Coats, who, as we have noticed elsewhere, was carried off, along with Bailie Carmichael in 1745, as an hostage that the town of Glasgow would be true to its engagement with the rebels., The firm of which William Coats was one of the principal partners was a very prosperous one. His name appears in Jones' Directory, 1789, under various denominations - general merchant, wholesale hardware merchant, wholesale linen merchant, &c. He also appears in the list of Virginia merchants. Mr. Coats took a great interest in the affairs of the town, was Dean of Guild in 1787-88, and one of the first Directors of the Chamber of Commerce. Like his brother, John Coats Campbell of Clathic, he was also a member of that jovial fraternity, the Hodge Podge Club; and he is described by the club poet, Dr. Moore, thus:-
Honest Will Coats,
Not a kindlier heart betwixt this and John Groats!
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