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Dalmellington |
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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
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Arthur, William - shopkeeper |
Baird, Jane - grocer & spirit dealer |
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Dempster, William - grocer & flesher |
Edgar, David - agent for Spring Garden bleachfield |
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Ferguson, Agnes - shopkeeper |
Gammel, Thomas - agent for Glasgow tartan weaving |
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Gregg, Mary - shopkeeper |
Grierson, John - mason |
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Hannah, Andrew - tailor |
Hetrick, Robert - blacksmith |
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Hewlison, Jas - waulk & dying mills |
Hogg, William - tailor |
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Howitson, James - shoemaker |
Jamieson, John - surgeon |
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Kay, William - flesher |
McCulloch, Mary - grocer & spirit dealer |
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McEwan, John - tailor |
McGill, Thomas - boot & shoemaker |
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McKay, William - boot & shoemaker |
McLimont, John - boot & shoemaker |
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McLimont, Mary - dress maker |
McMicken, John - tailor |
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McMicken, William - shopkeeper |
McMurtrie, Dav - joiner & cartwright |
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McMurtrie, Elizabeth - shopkeeper |
McWhirter, John - baker |
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Reid, James - surgeon |
Rowan, Janet - shopkeeper |
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Simpson, David - tailor |
Smith, Robert - grocer, spirit dealer & joiner |
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Templeton, Thomas - watch and clock maker |
Walker, John - grazier Bellsbank |
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Walker, John jnr - grazier Light |
Walker, William - shopkeeper |
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Wallace, Thomas - grocer & draper |
Weir, David - ironmonger & draper |
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Welsh, John - blacksmith |
Wight, James - joiner |
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Wight, William - carpet, blanket and plaiding manufacturer |
Willet, Duncan - shopkeeper & agent for Glasgow weaving |
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Wilson, Janet - linen draper |
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PRIVATE LIBRARY & READING ROOM
Reid, James - surgeon, librarian
SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY, PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
Hewitson, John - librarian
SCHOOLS
COACH
CARRIERS
This transcript was kindly provided by Keith Muirhead from the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.
Page created by Iain Kerr.