William MacNider (1725-1800)
Merchant, of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire
His family had held several tacks in Ayrshire since the early 17th century, but spurred by the conflicts between Britain and France during the 18th century William, a merchant taylor, moved into the import-export business at Kilmarnock. The Protestant, seafaring MacNiders quickly became well established in Scottish shipping and trading circles. Taking advantage of the British Conquest of New France, William's sons came to the new colony around 1760, extending the reach of their business to Quebec City. They quickly became one of the leading mercantile families there, selling Canadian timber and supplies to the Royal Navy and trading in wine and spices from Europe and the British West Indies to Quebec, London, and Scotland. In 1754, he married Ann Vallance, daughter of William Vallance of Paisley, and they were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom were lost in childhood between 1759 and 1777.
