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Archiver > AYRSHIRE > 1999-11 > 0942572208


From: Keith Muirhead <>
Subject: Re: AYRSHIRE-D Digest V99 #512
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 19:36:48 +1000


At 05:46 12/11/99 -0800, you wrote:

>Fellow list members,
>
>I have somehow "lost" the first section of the directory information for
>Kilmarnock which was publishing on this mailing list a few weeks ago. If
>someone has kept a copy of it I'd really appreciate it if you would send me
>a copy as some of my relations were mentioned in it.
>
>TIA
>
>Margaret Rome


Margaret

See below

Regards

Keith Muirhead
on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland

KILMARNOCK
with the villages of Riccarton and Kilmaurs
Ayrsire Directory - 1837 - by Pigot & Co

KILMARNOCK is a large and important manufacturing town, in the parish of its
name, and in the District of Cunningham; 65½ miles sw of Edinburgh through
Glasgow, from the latter city 21½ ssw, 12 n from Ayr, and between 6 and 7 e
from Irvine; situate on level ground, near the confluence of the Kilmarnock
water with the Irvine. Two centuaries ago, this now thriving and populous
town was a mere hamlet, dependent upon the baronial castle in its
neighbourhood. The advantages of the place, as a site for manufactures,
were the presence of coal, healthiness of situation, a populous country
around, and abundance of provisions: for many years and generations,
however, it seems to have been distinguished only for the production of
broad flat bonnets, so long the characteristic wear of the Scottish lowland
peasantry, as also the striped cowls which yet bear the name of the town.
As this business increased, the population augmented; and in the year 1731
the number had swelled so much, that the parish was found inadequate for its
accommodation, and a new one was erected. Subsequently, and for a
considerable period, the staple manufacture was that of carpets, and in this
branch it yet stands pre-eminant: in 1832 the ascertained product of this
article amounted to £150,000; it is made of every possible kind and texture,
from the plainest to the richest colour and fabrick; a few years since the
Brussels carpet was successfully imitated; and lately a variety, termed the
"three-plie", of extreme beauty and durability, has been introduced. An
extensive trade is carried on in the manufacture of shoes for exportation -
likewise that of leather, for the tanning and dressing of which there are
several highly respectable and large establishments. There are four very
extensive nursery-grounds, two breweries, and the like number of rope-walks;
iron-founding and machine making are important branches, and there are
numerous well-furnished and handsome shops, in the various occupations
usually found in large and populous towns. One particular description of
productive industry and skill seems, however, of late years, to have
outstripped all those before mentioned - namely, the making and printing of
shawls: for, in the year 1832, the amazing number of 1,128,814 of this
denomination of garment issued from the manufactories of this place,
amounting in value to upwards of £200,000; and the demand since that year
has greatly increased. The trade and commerce of Kilmarnock are assisted by
branches of the "Ayr Bank", of the "Ayrshire Banking Company" and the
"Commercial Bank of Scotland". About half a mile north-west of the town is
an extensive coal-field, from which fuel is obtained for the works of
Kilmarnock, beside large supplies transmitted continually by railway to
Troon, where they are shipped for various places. There are five
incorporated trades, namely, the bonnet-makers, skinners, tailors,
shoe-makers and weavers; the first named is the most ancient - it was
incorporated in 1646.
The aspect of the town is agreeable, especially in its central part, where
the streets are regularly laid out, and the greater portion of the houses
are of freestone; it has of late considerably extended to the south and
east, and in these directions has now many elegant edifaces. The
improvements of Kilmarnock are under trustees, nominated by act of
parliament in 1802; these are the provost and magistrates for the time
being, his Grace the Duke of Portland, and several gentlemen also interested
in improving the town; this trust is expected soon to be wound up. The
town-house, built in 1805, contains a court-room for the magistracy, and
public offices, besides a prison for criminals. In 1814 a superb and
commodious news-room was erected in the centre of the town, serving the
double purpose of a reading-room and a place of general resort. The
gas-works were constructed in 1823, at an expense of from £5,000 to £6,000,
defrayed by means of shares of £10 each, which, to the credit of the
inhabitants, were taken up in the course of a few weeks; the works are under
the management of twelve gentlemen, and a sub-committee of four. Kilmarnock
possesses an excellent academy, in which various branches of education are
taught by able masters; there are, besides, several private seminaries of a
high character, and many schools that impart instruction to children of the
poorer classes. The institutions likewise comprise some well- conducted
societies, amongst which are the procurators' and the merchants', a
philosophical institution, an excellent subscription library, with numerous
benefit clubs and associations. A very fine observatory, with valuable
machinery and telescopes of a superior description, has been constructed by
the inventive genius of Mr Thomas Morton, of this town, a self-instructed
mechanist, who also originated many important improvements in the process of
carpet-weaving. The civil government is vested in the Provost, four bailies
and eleven councillors; the magistrates preside in their civil and criminal
courts by turns, and the justices sit once a fortnight in what is called the
small debts court. The town joins with Dumbarton, Port Glasgow, Renfrew,
and Rutherglen, in returning one member to parliament.
Kilmarnock consists of two parishes - the High and the Low - each containing
an established church. In the latter parish there has been lately erected,
in addition, a large and handsome ediface, connected with the establishment,
possessing accommodations for 1700 persons; the style of architecture is
that which prevailed in England during the latter part of the fourteenth
centuary; it is ornamented with an admirable Gothic tower, and cost £5,000;
Messrs Howie and Brown, of this town, were the builders. Near to the
church, in King-street, is a very neatly-designed relief church, of recent
erection, with an elegant spire; there are likewise two burgher chapels, one
Cameronian, and one independent, with several other places of worship for
different sects. The most remarkable object in this vicinity is the ruin of
Dean castle - an ancient, extensive, and well defended mansion, formerly the
property of the Earls of Kilmarnock; it stands in a "dean", or hollow, less
than a mile north from the town; it was burnt down in 1735, from the
carelessness of a servant girl, who in preparing some lint for spinning
heedlessly let it catch fire. Kilmarnock house, another edifaceonce
belonging to, and the last residence of, that noble family, is also in the
parish: from this house proceeded the last unfortunate earl, in 1745, to
join the standard of rebellion, which cost him his head. The Dutchess of
Portland and the Marchioness of Hastings (Countess of London) are the
principal proprietors of this conjoined parish. The markets, which are held
on Tuesday and Friday, are abundantly suppliedwith every necessary article
of domestic consumption; a market for grain has also been established of
late years, and promises to become of considerable utility. The fairs are
held in February ("Fastens-even"), first Tuesday in May, third Wednesday in
July (commonly called "the gooseberry fair"), and the third Wednesday in
October - the last three are old style.
The parish of RICCARTON is in the district of Kyle, lying on the left or
south bank of the Irvine river, which separates it from Kilmarnock. The
village stands on an eminence, a mile to the south of that town, on the
right bank; but almost connected with Kilmarnock by a long street. The
parish extends about six miles in length, by between two and three in
breadth. The village is remarkable for having been the residence of the
venerable Sir Ronald Crawford, the maternal uncle of Wallace, with whom, it
is said, the hero sometimes sojourned; and it was to Riccarton that he
generally retired after performing any of his daring exploits, before he
openly unfurled his country's banner. On revenging the treacherous murder
of his uncle and other chieftains, by burning the barns of Ayr, he took his
way by night to this village, accompanied by a few followers; when he
reached a certain eminence, about six miles from Ayr, he turned round, and,
seeing the flames still ascending, exclaimed with stern exultation, "the
barns burn well!" From this laconic expression (tradition adds) the spot
obtained the name of "Burn-well", which it still retains. The church at
Riccarton is a modern structure, having been erected in 1823; it has a fine
steeple, and from its elevated position has an ornamental effect upon the
country all around. A new bridge across the Irvine is now in progress,
which will materially improve the approach from Ayr road to Kilmarnock. A
considerable quantity of coal is raised in this parish; the Duke of Portland
is the principal landed proprietor.
KILMAURS, a small town, a burgh of Barony, and capital of the parish of its
name, in the district of Cunningham, two miles from Kilmarnock, is situate
on the right bank of a rivulet, called Kilmaur's water, or "Carmel water",
it was erected into a burgh of barony by James V , at the insistance of
Cuthbert, Earl of Glencairn, and his son, Lord Kilmaurs. The government of
the town invested in two bailies (chosen annually by the portioners), before
whom debts may be recovered. Kilmaurs is composed principally of one
street, in the middle of which is a small town house with a steeple and
clock. Formerly this place was somewhat noted for the manufacture of clasp
knives , or "whittles" - the sharpness of the edge of which instruments gave
rise in Ayrshire to a jocular expression of comparison : a man of acute
understanding, and quickness of action, is said to be "as sharp as a
Kilmaurs whittle". The most prominent trades now are those of shoemaking
and weaving, for the Glasgow and Paisley markets. Coals are mined in the
parish, the surface of which consists of large level fields, intersperced
with gentle declivities and elevations; the summits of the latter are well
wooded, and the whole district has a pleasing appearance. There is an old
pile of building near to the church, seemingly of very ancient origin; but
with respect to its founder, or the date or object of its erection, even
tradition itself is silent. In the cemetery of the Glencairn family,
adjacent to the church, is a piece of beautiful sculpture, a specimen of the
taste and execution of former times, erected as a monument to the memoey of
the chancellor, William, the ninth earl. The market, which was for many
years held on the Friday, has fallen into disuse; but fairs are held on the
11th of June, 11th of November, and the first Wednesday in August - all old
style.
Post Office, King street, William Rankin, Post master. Letters from London
arrive every afternoon at half past four, and are despatched every night at
half past eleven - Letters from Edinburgh and Glasgow arrive every morning
at five and evening at half past seven, and are despatched every evening at
seven and night at half past eleven - the Irish mail, with letters for Ayr,
Maybole, Girvan, Ballantrae, and Stranraer, are despatched every evening at
half past seven, and arrive every night at half past eleven - Letters from
Ayr arrive every evening at seven, and are despatched every morning at five
- Letters from Irvine, Saltcoats and Toon arrive every evening at half past
six, and are despatched every morning at five - Letters from Cumnock and
Maunchline arrive every afternoon at half past four, and are despatched
every morning at five - Letters from Stewarton arrive every evening at half
past six, and are despatched every morning at five.
Post Office, Kilmaurs, James Dickie, Post master - Letters from Kilmarnock
arrive every morning at six, and are despatched every evening at half-past
five.

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