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Pigot 1837

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Dalmellington
1837 Ayrshire Directories
Pigot & Co

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A burgh of barony, is 72 miles sw from Edinburgh, 49 s of Glasgow, 42 nw of Dumfries, 24 sse of Kilmarnock, 15 se of Ayr, 14 e of Maybole, 12 s of Old Cumnock, and 6 to the eastward of Straiton. This thriving little place is pleasantly situate on the north bank of the water of Doon, and near the base of an eminence, from the summit of which a fine view is obtained of the varied character, comprising rude and lofty mountains and the softer features of cultivation.

The manufacture of carpets, blankets and plaiding, and the weaving of cotton goods, together with the coal-mines in the neighbourhood, furnish employment to the many of the industrious class. These mines are at present leased to Mr Wm Sloss, of the "Cross Keys" a very comfortable inn here; the coal, which is obtained by an exceedingly simple method, is sold for the low price of 2s 4d per ton. Besides the trading importance enjoyed by the town, it derives some advantage from resorts of parties of pleasure and for fishing; those who intend to partake of the latter entertainment will find on the banks of the Doon neat boats, furnished by the proprietors of the two good Inns in this place, the "Cross Keys" and the "Black Bull".

The loch is a beautiful sheet of water, with a hard rocky shore, extending six miles in length, and abounding in trout of fine flavour. On an island in the lake are the remains of Hallock Castle. Some years since a fishing party discovered, at the bottom of the loch, what appears to be boats; and having obtained the necessary assistance, they succeeded in raising three canoes - the largest measuring 24 feet in length by 4 in breadth, and hewn out of a solid log of oak; two were much decayed, but the third was so little impaired as to allow of its being floated on the surface, with a person in it for a considerable time.

In Dalmellington are a public and private library, and a reading-room well furnished with standard works, periodicals and newspapers; a sum has been left in trust for the support of the latter and the private library, and for the education of a certain number of children. The parish, which is ten miles in length by about three in breadth, belongs principally to the Honourable Colonel F. MacAdam Cathcart of Berleith and his lady.

Fairs are held in March, May and December.

Post Office: Robert Smith - Postmaster - Letters from Ayr arrive every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at one, and are despatched every Monday, Wednesday and Friday forenoon at eleven.

GENTRY & CLERGY

McAdam, Mrs Elizabeth (of Craigengillan) Camlarg Lodge
Cathcart, Hon. Colonel Frederick McAdam of Berbith
Houston, Rev. Robert Manse

INNS

Black Bull, Duncan Wright

Cross Keys, William Sloss and joiner and lessee of Camlarg Coal Mines

SHOPKEEPERS & TRADERS

Arthur, William - shopkeeperBaird, Jane - grocer & spirit dealer
Dempster, William - grocer & flesherEdgar, David - agent for Spring Garden bleachfield
Ferguson, Agnes - shopkeeperGammel, Thomas - agent for Glasgow tartan weaving
Gregg, Mary - shopkeeperGrierson, John - mason
Hannah, Andrew - tailorHetrick, Robert - blacksmith
Hewlison, Jas - waulk & dying millsHogg, William - tailor
Howitson, James - shoemakerJamieson, John - surgeon
Kay, William - flesherMcCulloch, Mary - grocer & spirit dealer
McEwan, John - tailorMcGill, Thomas - boot & shoemaker
McKay, William - boot & shoemakerMcLimont, John - boot & shoemaker
McLimont, Mary - dress makerMcMicken, John - tailor
McMicken, William - shopkeeperMcMurtrie, Dav - joiner & cartwright
McMurtrie, Elizabeth - shopkeeperMcWhirter, John - baker
Reid, James - surgeonRowan, Janet - shopkeeper
Simpson, David - tailorSmith, Robert - grocer, spirit dealer & joiner
Templeton, Thomas - watch and clock makerWalker, John - grazier Bellsbank
Walker, John jnr - grazier LightWalker, William - shopkeeper
Wallace, Thomas - grocer & draperWeir, David - ironmonger & draper
Welsh, John - blacksmithWight, James - joiner
Wight, William - carpet, blanket and plaiding manufacturerWillet, Duncan - shopkeeper & agent for Glasgow weaving
Wilson, Janet - linen draper 

PRIVATE LIBRARY & READING ROOM

Reid, James - surgeon, librarian

SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY, PAROCHIAL SCHOOL

Hewitson, John - librarian

SCHOOLS

  • Anderson, James
  • Douglas, Harriet
  • Orr, James (partially endowed)
  • Parochial School, John Hewitson - master & Seccession clerk Rowan, Janet

COACH

  • To Ayr: the "Craigengillan Castle" (from Dumfries) calls at the Black Bull, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday about at twelve; and a car from the Cross Keys every Tuesday and Friday morning at seven.
  • To Dumfries: the "Craigengillan Castle" (from Ayr) calls at the Black Bull every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon at two.

CARRIERS

  • To Ayr:
    • John Houston, every Monday;
    • John Orr, every Tuesday and Alexander Gammel, every Friday.
  • To Castle Douglas:
    • Thomas Willet from the Black Bull every alternate Monday
    • and David McClure every alternate Saturday.
  • To Glasgow:
    • Thomas Willet and David McClure from the Black Bull every alternate Tuesday.

This transcript was kindly provided by Keith Muirhead from Queensland.