By 1905 Wright Brothers of the Boyne Mills, Portsoy, made reapers, drillers and threshing mills. It was their threshing mills, and as a millwright that the company was especially renowned. By the late 1940s the business was undergoing significant changes. In early 1948 steps were being taken to incorporate it to become a company limited by guarantee; the company received its certificate of incorporation to become Wright Brothers (Boyne Mills) Ltd. The company continued in business until 1955. On 7 February the company passed an extraordinary resolution to voluntarily wind up the company. Its final winding up meeting was held on 17 October 1956.
One of the key figures in the business was William Wright. He died in 1902 at the age of sixty years of age. His obituary was recorded in a number of the local Banffshire newspapers. They provide information about his life and the development of his millwrighting work:
“Death of Mr William Wright, Boyne Mills (from Banffshire reporter of 29 January 1902)
After a lingering illness, Mr Wm Wright, millwright, Boyne Mills, near Portsoy, died on Monday at noon, at the age of sixty years. The announcement of Mr Wright’s death will be received with deep regret by many friends over a wide area. Mr Wright, who belonged to Alehouseburn, Ord, learned the trade of a millwright. When only twenty-three years of age he began the construction of mills on his own account. His business soon became very successful. He put into his mills the best that good workmanship could do, and soon they became exceedingly popular with farmers, and are to be found on numerous farms in the counties of Banff and Aberdeen, and the North generally. For twelve years he carried on business at Alehouseburn; for fully twelve years he was at Quarry Croft, Ord; and for the past twelve and a half years he had been at the Boyne Mills. At the Boyne he also engaged in the more general business of a joiner. His last important contract was the joiner work of the new United Free Church at Cullen. He also did the carpenter work of the Hay Memorial Hall, Cornhill, and of several large houses in Banff. Mr Wright, was a member of the East U.F. Church, Portsoy, and took a great interest in evangelistic work. He was held in high esteem. Mr Wright, is survived by his widow and a family of eight, for whom sincere sympathy is felt in their sore bereavement. The funeral takes place on Thursday to Boyndie Churchyard.”
“The late Mr William Wright (from Banffshire recorder, 5 February 1902)
In the East United Free Church, Portsoy, on Sunday forenoon, the Rev Wm Simmers referred to the late Mr William Wright, Boyne Mills. He said-Since last Lord’s day the head of a family connected with this church has been called away from much suffering, patiently and bravely borne, and has been carried home to rest and peace. He had a deathbed of peculiar pain, endured without despondency and without complaint. He had the peace of God which passeth all understanding, keeping his heart and mind, and the presence of Christ enabled him to bear his pain. Wm Wright was all along a man of steady and persevering nature, and from his early years he possessed Christian principles which strengthened him for life’s duty. Possessing skills alike of head and hands, he entered a line of business which called for the exercise of both, and he filled his place in life faithfully to the end. His intelligence gave him places in the School Board and parish Council of his parish, and he acted so as to be useful and respected in both. His heart was in evangelistic work, and he delighted in the gospel of Christ and in the salvation of the lost and perishing. His faith was steadfast to the end. Now his day is over, and his work is done. We regret his loss, and deeply, very deeply, do we sympathise with his widow and sorrowing family, over whom the cloud of sorrow has rested so darkly and so long.”
