271                     THE OLD MERCHAA-TS
 

CHAPTER  XXXII.

Few merchants of this city have been of more note
than James McBride. He was from Armagh, in Ireland,
and commenced business in this city in the year 1795.

As early as 1796, there was a large firm of McBride
& Watson, soap and tallow chandlers, at 98 Beekman
street. The firm was composed of James McBride
and William Watson.

That house dissolved, and James McBride, in 1803,
started in business on his own account, at 101 William
street.

In the later years of his mercantile career, he was
better known as an importer of Irish linens and dry
goods than as a general merchant. It was not so in the
earlier part of his mercantile career. In 1805 he
owned vessels, among them the ship " Support." He
owned the steamboat wharf at the foot of Courtlandt
street, and his counting-house was at No. 2 Dey street;
he lived at No. 4. In 1810 he had increased his busi¬
ness very largely. He imported from London by every
vessel, and besides Irish linens, sheeting, &c., he sold
hundreds of crates and casks of glassware. His great
rival in the business at that time was William Bailie,
who sold the same kind of merchandise.

Mr. McBride  was  a  successful  merchant  for many