Fonds D39 - Papers of T & J Abernethy, merchants at Brouster, Bridge of Walls.

Business papers include: shop books, ledgers, bank statements, invoices, business correspondence etc. Non-business papers include files relating to the family's other interests such as the Congregational Church, School Board, personal correspondence, and photograph albums.

Brothers Thomas Abernethy (1842-1921) and James Abernethy (1836-1910) established their business at Brouster in Bridge of Walls in the 1860s. They started out as joiners but quickly expanded to run a varied general merchant business. James's son Robert Abernethy (1875-1915) also had a share. They ran a shop, carried out building work, exported eggs, traded wool, and were involved in the fishing industry. A document from 1885 (D39/1/70) states that, while the shop was to be called James and Thomas Abernethy, John Abernethy and Arthur Abernethy, sons of James, were also both equal partners. It seems that each family member had specific trades. In Mansons' Shetland Almanac, 1892: James and Thomas are both listed as carpenters, the firm J. &.T. Abernethy is listed as a 'merchants', and James is listed as a watchmaker, Arthur Abernethy of Brouster is listed as a painter, John Abernethy is listed as a shoemaker. Later they also hired cars to visitors, and repaired motor bikes. Other family members carried on the business and it continued in the family until the 1970s. The family were also involved in other local organisations: J. Abernethy was a local secretary of the Udal Rights Association (1892). J. Abernethy served on the Walls, Sandness, Papa Stour and Foula School Board (1900) James Abernethy was secretary and treasurer for Walls and Bixter Congregational Church 1886- Note: the spelling of Brouster / Browster varies over time.