Blair was a Liverpool merchant who dealt in hides, tallow, copper and timber.

Rapid growth came in the 18th century, when Liverpool merchants engaged in the rich "triangular trade."

He was the tenth child of Thomas Forsyth, a Liverpool merchant.

He was a Liverpool merchant in partnership with Richard Rathbone, his brother.

The improved communications also allowed Liverpool merchants to buy up and develop large estates in Wirral.

One of his other brothers, George Holt was also a noted Liverpool merchant and ship owner.

The house was bought from them by John Higson, a Liverpool merchant, who became the house's first resident.

In 1792, he married his first wife Jane Hall, the daughter of a Liverpool merchant.

In 1745, when John was 17, he was apprenticed to a Liverpool merchant for five years and then entered into partnership with his father.

The original capital was £120,000, one-third of which was raised from local coal owners, salt-makers and Liverpool merchants.