Kilwinning
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KILWINNING 
1837 Ayrshire Directories by Pigot & Co

Is an ancient and thriving little manufacturing town, in the parish of it's name, and district of Cunningham; 24 miles from Glasgow, 3 nw of Irvine, 4 ne of Saltcoats, the like distance s of Dalry, 10 nw of Kilmarnock and 5 from Ardrossan; situate on rising ground about 2 miles from the sea; stretching westward from the right bank of the Garnock, and approached through long ambrageous paths, skirted by beautiful fields. It consists chiefly of one street and bye-lanes, with a few rows of modern houses. The weaving and manufacture of gauzes, muslins, shawls, etc are carried on, to an important extent, for the Glasgow and Paisley markets, to which they are conveyed by the local agents. The agricultural produce of the parish is likewise considerable; and coals, which are obtained in abundance, are conveyed by a railway passing from east to west across the parish. The only remarkable objects are, the picturesque ruins of the ancient abbey founded by Hugh de Morville in 1140; and the beautiful tower of the church, to which its style of architecture bears no resemblance; this tower cost, exclusive of the old materials, the sum of £2000, raised by subscription and to which the late Earl of Eglintoun was a liberal contributor. The present Earl has a fine mansion in the neighbourhood, called Eglintoun castle. Kilwinning was the first place in Scotland where free masonary was established; it is said to have been introduced by the foreign architect who was employed in erecting the monastry here. Besides the distinction acquired from its ancient masonic lodge, it is also remarkable for being the seat of a company of archers, ascertained to have existed as early as the year 1488; and the society at the present day is most respectable. Fairs are held on the 1st of February, new style; and on the first Wednesday after the 19th of October, old style.

Post Office Donald McMallan - post master - The Kilmarnock, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Irish and English mails arrive every morning at half past seven and are despatched every evening at five.

NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY
Bowman, Miss M. of Ashgrove 
Campbell, Rev Archibald Manse
Cowan, Rev Samuel Eglintoun, the Right Hon. Earl of - Elgintoun castle
Glasgow, Robt Esq of Mountgreenan 
Johnston, George Esq Redbarn
McGregor, Rev Alexander 
Miller, Wm Esq of Mount castle
Reid, James Esq of Dalegarven 
Smith, Mrs Smithton

PROFESSIONAL PERSONS
Boyle, William writer and notary 
Brown, John surgeon
Burns, Robert surgeon 
Craig, Robert surgeon
Cunningham, John writer and notary 
King, Hugh writer and notary
Ramsay, John MD surgeon

AGENTS TO MANUFACTURERS
Boyd, Bryce 
Brown, William 
Cochran, Agnes
Conn, Hugh 
Conn, Hugh jnr 
Richmond, John
Richie, John 
Service, John 
Service, Robert
Woodside, Hugh 
Young, Andrew 
Young, George

SCHOOLS
Auchenteber Boys School William Cameron - master
Bullerholes Boys School Thos Thomson - master
Byre's Boys School James Miller Gardiner - master
Dalgarvan Boys School George Young - master
Gibson, Helen (girls' day)
Goldie, Hugh (boys' day)
Hamilton, John (boys' day)
McFie, Jean (girls'day)
Martin, Hannah (girls' day)
Parish School James Ramsay - master

INNKEEPERS AND VINTERS
Blair, Jas (Eglintoun Arms) 
Boyd, James 
Boyd, John
Brown, Robert 
Conn, Hugh & Co 
Dickie, Robert
Fulton, James 
Gray, Robert 
Kenneth, Elizabeth
Kerr, William 
Knox, James 
McGavin, Robert
McMaster, James 
McVey, Charles 
Miller, William
Pritchard, Robert 
Skeoch, John Smith, John
Wallace, Andrew 
Whinton, Andrew 
Wilson, Hugh
Wyllie, John

SHOPKEEPERS AND TRADERS
Adair, William cabinet maker
 Aitken, David tailor
Allan, Wm watch and clock maker
Allan, William blacksmith
Anderson, Thomas lime burner Monkredden 
Blair, James clock and watch maker
Boyd, James auctioneer
Boyd, John grocer 
Brydone, John grocer
Carverrie, John tailor 
Clark, David flesher
Clark, John linen draper 
Clark, Thomas flesher
Conn, Hugh & Co grocer 
Craig, Thomas grocer
Crawford, Robert grocer 
Dickie, Robert corn miller
Dowra Collery Co Monkredden 
Dunsmuir, John coal proprietor East Dowra
Fennie Archibald Coal proprietor Fergus Hill
Fulton, James grocer 
Goldie, John tailor
Jack, James shoe maker 
Kenneth, Archibald coal manager
King, Thomas millwright 
Kirkwood, James grocer and draper
Knox, James grocer 
Knox, John grocer & spirit dealer
Lambe, George grocer 
Leitch, William baker
McGavin, Robt grocer & auctioneer 
McKannan, James grocer
McNair, William flesher 
Miller, William ironmonger
Montgomerie, Hugh shoe maker 
Muir, David cabinet maker
Muir, William cabinet maker 
Murray, John tailor
Nevvin, Isabella straw hat maker 
Pritchard, Robert grocer
Reid, James wheelwright
Richie & Cochrane tanners &c
Robertson, James blacksmith 
Scott, John grocer
Service, James blacksmith 
Service, Margaret straw hat maker
Taylor & Kennedy coal proprietors Eglintoun colliery
Todd, James turner 
Wallace, Andrew blacksmith
Whinton, Andrew grocer 
Whinton, John cartwright
Wilson, Hugh flax dresser 
Wilson, John blacksmith
Wyllie, David tailor 
Wyllie, John grocer
Young, James corn merchant 
Young, Joseph linen draper

PLACES OF WORSHIP
Established Church Rev Archibald Blair Campbell manse
Antiburghers no minister
United Secession Rev Alexander McGregor

COACHES
To Ardrossan the "Ayrshire Lass" (from Kilmarnock) calls at Eglintoun Arms every morning (Sunday excepted) at half past nine.
To Glasgow the "Fair Trader" (from Saltcoats) calls at Wallace's every
morning (Sunday excepted) at half past seven and the "Herald" at half past six in the evening.
To Kilmarnock the "Time Keeper" and an omnibus (from Saltcoats) call at Eglington Arms every morning (Sunday excepted) at half past eight and the "Ayrshire Lass" (from Ardrossan) at half past six in the evening.
To Saltcoats the "Herald" (from Glasgow) calls at Wallace's every morning (sunday excepted) at half past nine and the "Fair Trader" at eight in the evening; an omnibus (from Kilmarnock) calls at the Eglintoun Arms, every evening (Sunday excepted) at half past five and the "Time Keeper" at six.

CARRIERS
To Glasgow & Paisley Jas Jack and Robert Boyd, every Tues and Fri
To Saltcoats John McBride & James Harris daily


This transcript was kindly provided by Keith Muirhead from the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.