Newmilns
1846
NEWMILNS, a village and a burgh of barony, in the parish of Loudoun,
district of Cunninghame, county of Ayr, 8 miles (E.) from Kilmarnock, and 18
(N. E. by E.) from Ayr; containing 1988 inhabitants. This place was made a
burgh of barony under a charter of James IV., dated the 9th January, 1490,
and which vested the superiority in the earls of Loudoun. It is a thriving
manufacturing village, situated on the river Irvine, and at about the middle
of the south boundaryline of the parish: nearly the whole of the population
are engaged in handloom and other weaving, of which that of muslin forms the
principal branch. A machine called the "jacquard" has been lately introduced
here, for the purpose of saving a great part of the labour previously
performed by young children, and it has been so successful that upwards of
£1300 have been expended in this description of article. There is a
post-office for the convenience of the surrounding district, and carriers
ply to Glasgow and Kilmarnock. The village is governed by two bailies, a
chancellor, treasurer, fiscal, and thirteen councillors: the nomination of
the magistrates and council is annual, the burgesses choosing the council,
and these, again, appointing the bailies, chancellor, and other officers.
Here is an excellent market; and four annual fairs take place in February,
May, August, and October. The parish church is situated in the village, as
is the school. A bequest of £60 per annum by Mr. John Smith, a native of the
place, is appropriated to decayed burgesses, their widows, and children, not
receiving parochial relief.
From: A
Topographical Dictionary of Scotland (1846)
and .co.uk