James Coats (1835-1913)
Sir James Coats of J. and P. Coats
c1835 Born in Paisley son of Peter Coats
1857 James Coats, junior, arrived home from America with his new bride, a member of the Auchinloss family of USA[1]
1861 James Coats 26, thread manufacturer, lived in Abbey Burgh with Saraham Coats 22, Elizabeth E Coats 2, Annie Mck Coats 10 Mo[2]
1893 Director of J. and P. Coats
1905 James Coats, of Auchendrane, in the Parish of Maybole and County of Ayr, Esquire, was made a Baronet.
1913 'SIR JAMES COATS. DEATH OF DIRECTOR OF FAMOUS THREAD FIRM.
The death took place, at Carrick House, Ayr, the residence of Mrs T. G. Arthur, yesterday of Sir James Coats, first Baronet of Auchendrane. director of Messrs J. and P. Coats, Ltd. Sir James had been ill for some time, and his condition during the past two days had given cause for grave concern. He was in his 79th year. Sir James was the eldest son of the late Sir Peter Coats of Auchendrane, and his mother was a daughter of the late Mr Donald Mackenzie of Sandbank. Sir James's business life was mainly devoted to the American branch of the business, and it was after his father's death in 1890 that he returned to this country and took up his residence at Auchendrane, where he lived quietly. In his younger days he took active interest in volunteering, and was for a time captain of the 2nd Battalion Renfrewshire Rifles. Sir James was a generous contributor to all charitable organisations in the county of Ayr. He was twice married. His first wife was a daughter of Mr John Auchinclose, of New York; and his second, by whom he is survived, was a daughter of late Charles Henri Adam, of Alsce. By his first wife Sir James had family of three sons and three daughters. His eldest son and heir is Mr Stuart Auchincloss Coats.'[3]