Pigot 1837

Is a considerable village, or rather town, in the parish of its name, and district of Kyle-Stewart, eligably situate on the left bank of the Irvine, on the road from Edinburgh to Ayr, and from Dumfries to Glasgow; it is 22 miles from the latter city, 16 south-east of Ayr, and five from Kilmarnock; seated in a hollow, sheltered on all sides by rising grounds.

The principal employment of the labouring class is weaving; there is manufactory for muslins, another for linens and three for bonnets. The stream of the river, which is crossed by a stone bridge of three arches, gives motion to two corn-mills, another for preparing flax, and one for making paper; besides these various means of employment, another occupation is found in raising coals, of which a considerable quantity is obtained from estates of the Duke of Portland, who is superior of the parish. A court is held in Galston, on the last Thursday monthly, for the recovery of small debts, and the administration of justice in affairs of minor importance.

Here are no fewer than five benefit societies, a bible and missionary association, two Sabbath evening schools, wherein 200 children receive the advantages of instrustion, and a subscription library.

The parish extends about thirteen miles in length, by about four to five in breadth; laying in the upper part of the county, contiguous to Lanarkshire; and seperated by the Irvine from the parish of Loudon, on the north, Sorn bounding it on the south. The surface is diversified with hills, but the land is generally arable, and there is a considerable quantity of wood. The district is watered by some small tributaries of the Irvine, and the river Avon, which rises in the upper part of the parish. About a mile from the town is Loudon Castle, a large and magnificent structure, in the modern castellated style; this, together with the old castles of Cessnock and Barr, surrounded as they are by natural and artificial woods, highly enhance the beauty of this district - in which is also Paties' Mill, celebrated in the delightful song called "The Lass of Paties' Mill".

The annual fairs are on the third Thursday in April, the first Thursday in June, and about the first of December.

Post Office, William McHoull, Post Master - Letters from all parts arrive every morning at eight, and are despatched every afternoon at a quarter past four.

GENTRY AND CLERGY

Blackwood, Rev. James, Wallace St

Campbell, John, Esq ., Sornbeg

Fairlie, James Esq., Holms

Stirling, Rev Robert, Manse

ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS

Brown, Hugh, Wallace st

Ewing, Isabella, Garden st

Parochial School, Alexander McNaught, master

Stirling, Rev Robert, (gent's boarding) Manse

AGENTS TO MANUFACTURERS

Allison, William, Titchfield st

Gibb, James, Titchfield st

Goldie, John, Orchard st

Johnston, Hugh, Titchfield st

Mair, Robert, Orchard st

Wallace, John, Titchfield st

BAKERS

Andrew, James, Bridge

Torrance, James, Wallace st

Warnock, Andrew, Polwhat st

BLACKSMITHS

Findlay, John & Robt, Henrietta st

Wallace, James (and plough maker), Cross

BONNET & CAP MANFACTURERS

Richmond, Alexander, Garden st

Richmond, Hugh, Garden st

Richmond, Hugh jnr, Titchfield st

BOOT & SHOE MAKERS

Dunn, Douglas, Titchfield st

Hargreave, James, Brewland st

Highet, Gabriel, Wallace st

McDonald, Michael, Orchard st

Meickle, William, Wallace st

Nisbet, James, Wallace st

Paterson, George, Brewland st

Paton, John, Polwhat st

CARTWRIGHTS

Lanox, Hugh, Wallace st

McCormick, Andrew (and millwright), Wallace st

Paterson, Matthew, Wallace st

DRESS MAKERS

Gibb, Janet, Bridge st

Hamilton, Ann, Brewland st

Kay, Mary, Bridge st

McLuckie, Sarah, Brewland st

Wallace, Jane, Titchfield st

FLESHERS

Lambie, Alexander, Bridge st

Morton, John, Polwhat st

Paton, Robert, Wallace st

Thomson, Hugh, Brewland st

GROCERS & SPIRIT DEALERS

Andrew, James, Bridge st

Caldwell, James, Polwhat st

Dunlop, William, Wallace st

Gibb, William, Titchfield st

Hutchinson, Jane, Brewland st

McDonald, Elizabeth, Bridge st

Mchoull, William, Bridge st

Meickle, Thomas, Bridge st

Paterson, Agnes, Wallace st

Paterson, James, Titchfield st

Pollock, Marthe, Bridge st

Porter, Jane, Brewland st

Reid, Hugh, Henrietta st

Reid, James, Bridge st

Wallace, Marths, Orchard st

Whyte, Andrew, Brewland st

Wilson, Janet, Titchfield st

Young, Mary, Brewland st

Young, Robert, Henrietta st

INNKEEPERS AND VINTERS

Caldwell, James, Polwhat st

Campbell, John, Polwhat st

Dunn, Douglas, Titchfield st

Frame, James (Loudon Arms), Waterside

Hamilton, Robert (Black Bull), Bridge st

Morton, John, Bridge st

Paton, John, Polwhat st

Richmond, Jas, Mason, Brewland st

Wilson, Samuel (Portland Arms), Brewland stst\n

JOINERS

Parlane, Robert, Orchard st

Yewdale, Abraham, Pie lane

LINEN DRAPERS

Aitken, Christina, Bridge st

Howat, William, Bridge st

Wallace, John, Titchfield st

MANUFACTURERS

Good, George (muslin), Wallace st

Mair, Robert (linen), Orchard st

MILLERS

Hunter, William, Barr mill

Scoular, Robert, Paties mill

SLATERS

Hutchinson, Cunningham, Orchid st

Hutchinson, John, Henrietta st

Hutchinson, John jnr, Pie lane

STONE MASONS

Menzies, Peter, Henrietta st

Neil, Robert, Titchfield st

Shields & Howat, Bridge st

Wallace, Robert, Orchard st

SURGEONS

Frame, Thomas, Waterside

Hamilton, George, Brewland st

Wallace, John, Bridge st

TAILORS

Campbell, Jno (& draper), Bridge st

Galt, Jas, (& draper) Henrietta st

Marsh, George, Orchard st

Parker, Robert, Bridge st

Richmond, Henry, Henrietta st

Scott, John, Bridge st

MISCELLANEOUS

Anderson, Wm, stone dealer, Barrward quarry

Bryce, Alexander, cooper, Brewland st

Douglas, Walter, watch maker, Polwhat st

Eaton, Andrew, turner, Cross

Hamilton, William, tin-smith, Titchfield st

Harrison, John, Excise officer, Bridge st

McCormick, Andrew, millwright, Wallace st

McHallum, John, flax dresser, Long house

Marshal, Alexander, saddler, Bridge st

Parker, Matthew, lime burner, Cessnock

Wardrop, John, brewer, Wallace st

White, George, glazier, Wallace st

Wilson, William, saw mill, Long house

Young, James, stocking maker, Brewland st

Young, Margt, ironmonger, Henrietta st

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Established Church, Rev Robert Stirling

United Seccession Church, Rev James Blackwood

COACHES

To Edinburgh - the 'Marques of Hastings' (from Ayr), passes every morning at ten: goes through New Milne, Durval and Strathaven.

To Ayr - the 'Marques of Hastings' (from Edinburgh), passes every afternoon at three; goes thro' Kilmarnock.

To Kilmarnock - a Car, from the Portland Arms, every Friday morning at 10.

CARRIERS

To Glasgow - Robert Wilson, every Tuesday morning and Thursday night, and Samuel Wilson, every Tues morn.

To Kilmarnock - James Robertson, every morning

This transcript was kindly provided by Keith Muirhead from Queensland.