Henry Gourlay McCreath was the founder of H.G.McCreath & Sons; Grain, Fertiliser and Manure Merchants, Berwick-upon Tweed.

Henry’s grandsons William and Henry McCreath shared with Keith Percy the process by which the family became established at Berwick. Henry Gourlay McCreath, (christened simply Henry, later adopting the middle name, Gourlay), got a job in the 1860’s as manager of a grain mill by the River Whiteadder at New Mills, some three miles from Berwick. The rent for the mill was increased, causing the firm (believed to have been named, Clay) to fall upon hard times. Henry Gourlay McCreath acquired the business and turned it round. He became a grain merchant but also sold manure  and later started a fertiliser manufacturing company at Spittal, near Berwick upon Tweed. In adition he had a granary in East Street Berwick where the firm, Henry Gourlay McCreath and Co., had an office.  The firm later became H.G McCreath & Sons when H.G. took his sons William, Jimmy and Joe (john Lorimer) into partnership.

Henry Gourlay McCreath married Agnes Isabella Miller. Following in his father’s footsteps, Henry had a large family with Agnes; 10 Children – 7 sons and three daughters.

William Robert McCreath born 11 July 1876

James Aitchison Miller McCreath born 23 December 1878

Henry Gourlay Crichton McCreath born 8 August 1879

John Lorimer McCreath born 1883

Jeanie Lorimer McCreath born 1885

Andrew Berghaus McCreath born 1888

Margaret Augusta Crichton McCreath born 1 August 1891

Thomas Alexander McCreath born 12 August 1893

Agnes Isabella McCreath born 17 July 1896

David Campbell McCreath born 6 May 1898. Married Jean White.