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 KILBIRNIE

      Ayrshire Directory - 1837 - by Pigot & Co   

Or Kilbirny, is a thriving and populous village, in the parish of its name, and district of Cunningham; 64 miles w by s of Edinburgh, 20 ssw of Glasgow, the like distance n of Ayr, and three from Beith; eligibly situate on the banks of the Garnock, in the heart of a fine country, and within a mile of the Lock of Kilbirny, which extends two miles in length by half a mile in breadth, and is well stored with perch, trout and eel.  The importance of this village has been much augmented of late years, by the establishment of two very extensive mills - one for the spinning of flax, belonging to Messrs Wilson and Jamesons, the other for the manufacture of cotton goods by power, belonging to Mr David Watson; there is also a manufacturory for thread.  The old castle of Glengarnock is perhaps one of the most ancient, as well as the most stately ruins in Ayrshire; it is supposed to have been the residence of the once famed family of De Morville, which flourished in great splendour during the reigh of Alexander I, David I, Malcolm IV, and William the Lion; they held the high office of constable of Scotland, and were Lords of Galloway and Cunningham.  There likewise exists the extensive ruin of the old house of Kilbirnie, long the residence of the ancient family of Crawford of Kilbirnie.  Some time after the death of George, the last Earl of Crawford, a person came from Ireland, calling himself John Lindsay Crawford, and assuming to be the heir male to the title and estates; this claim excited a great sensation in the country for several years; but the pretender being convicted of vitiating written evidence, in support of his assumption, was  transported to Botany Bay for seven years.  Upon his return, however, he renewed his demands, and a society of noblemen and gentlemen in London assisted him; but, after a minute and careful investigation, the claim was decided to be unfounded, and was consequently abandoned.  This individual having since died, his heirs, not satisfied with the judicial decision which had been pronounced, are still pertinaciously litigating their claim to the property. Post.  Letters arrive from Beith every morning at ten, and are despatched every afternoon at half- past five. 

      CLERGY

Ferguson, Rev. James (reformed presbytery),  Hill cottage

Urquhart, Rev. Robert (established church),  Manse   

      ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS

Miller, James,  Bank

Parochial School, James Muir, master

Stewart, James,  Dennyholm   

      BLEACHERS AND THREAD MANUFACTURERS

Knox, William & James,  Water side   

      BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS

Allan, George,  Bridge st

Allan, James,  Newtown

Allan, John,  Cockran st

Anderson, William,  Cockran st

Irvine, David,  Mill st

Sinclair, John,  Bridge st

Steel, John,  Bridge st   

      CARTWRIGHTS

Barclay, James,  Bridge st

Crawford, Archibald,  Cockran st

Dickie, William,  Newtown   

      COTTON MANUFACTURERS  (by power)

Watson, David, Kilbirnie Mill - Matthew Shanks, manager   

      FLAX SPINNERS

Wilson & Jamesons,  Garnock mill   

      FLESHERS

Orr, Robert,  Bridge st

Patton, Robert,  Bridge st

Shedden, William,  Bridge st   

      GROCERS & SPIRIT DEALERS

Allan, John,  Bridge st

Brodie, James,  Mill st

Fife, Robert (& agent),  bridge st

Fife, William (tea dealer),  Main st

Law, John,  Bridge st

Mackie, James,  Bridge st

Patton, Robert,  Bridge st

Shedden, William,  Bridge st

Walker, James,  Bridge st   

      STONE MASONS

Knox, Robert,  Bridge st

Russell, Allan,  Bridge st   

      TAILORS

Bryan, Hugh,  Main st

Clark, Robert,  Bridge st   

      VINTERS

Archibald, Elizabeth,  Bridge st

Crawford, Robert,  Bridge st

Durrock, Alexander,  Bridge st

Love, William,  Bridge st

McCormick, Janet,  Main st

Orr, Robert,  Bridge st

Walker, John,  Mill st   

      MISCELLANEOUS

Barclay, Peter,  joiner,  Cockran st

Baxter, Daniel,  sexton

Beech, Allan,  tinsmith,  Hamilton st

Crawford, Rachael, draper,  Bridge st

Dickie, George, miller,  Nether mill

Graham, James,  cabinet maker,  Main st

Howie, Andrew,  lime burner,  Auchinleck

Jameson, James,  coal merchant,  Lade side

McCosh, John,  baker,  Main st

Montgomerie, Skeoh, rope maker,  Dennyholm

Orr, Robt, earthenware dealer,  Bridge st

Pebles, James, wheel maker,  Bridge st

Walker, William,  surgeon,  Main st   

      CARRIERS

To Glasgow, James Allan and James Allan jnr, every Thursday.

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