BALLANTRAE
1837 -AYRSHIRE DIRECTORIES by PIGOT & CO
A small sea-port village, in the parish of its name, is 105 miles sw from Edinburgh, 68 sw from Glasgow, 34 s of Ayr, 24 nne of
Portpatrick, 18 n of Straurarr, 13 s by w of Girvan, and 25 ssw of Maybole, situate near the south western extremity of the county, and on the banks of the river
Stinchar, which here falls into the Firth of Clyde. It is principally supported by its fishing of salmon and cod-fish, and by the manufacture of
coarse linen and plaids, in the weaving of which about 50 looms are employed; the salmon fishing belongs to the Earl of Stair.The approach to
the town from Straurarr is over the river across which is an excellent stone bridge of three well proportioned arches. On the right, near the bridge,
stand the ruins of Ald-Stinchar castle, which formerly belonged to the Hamilton family, and was inhabited by them about 160 years ago; the ancient
clock, belonging to the tower now standing, is still used as time keeper for the town. Old kirkcudbright
kirk, now in ruins, gives a mournful yet
pleasing effect to the surrounding scenery. The present kirk is a neat modern building, ornamented with stone, in the plain Gothic style. There
are several schools in the parish, including Sunday, parochial and private schools. In addition to his salary, the master of the parocial school
enjoys the interest of £100 bequeathed for the education of poor children of the parish. There are no resident magistrates; and the nearest court is
held at Girvan, where small debts are recoverable only by summons. Ballantrae is without either fairs or weekly market, but there is an annual
cattle show in the month of June.
Post Office John Millar, Post master. Letters from Portpatrick and Glasgow arrive every day at half past one, and are despatched to the south at the
same hour - Letters to the north are despatched every evening at six.
GENTRY AND CLERGY
Anderson, Rev Robert DD Glendrissale
Donaldson, John Esq of Auchairne
Kennedy, Captain Hew Ferguson of Bennan
McIlraith, James jnr Esq (magistrate) of Auchenflower
Melroy, Rev John manse
INNKEEPERS AND VINTERS
Dickie, William
Donnan, Peter
Eglesham, James
Ferguson, John
McCredie, James
SHOPKEEPERS AND TRADERS
Aitken, Mary shopkeeper
Brown, Crawford tailor
Clark, William blacksmith
Cumming, William boat builder
Donovan, Peter shoe maker
Eglesham, James shoe maker
Ferguson, William tailor
Hunter, Ann shopkeeper
McCredie, James shopkeeper
McKissock, Andrew mason
McKissock, James mason
McKissock, William mason
McLeod, John shopkeeper
McWhirter, James tailor
McWhirter, Robert joiner & cartwright
Millar, John master of parochial school
Millar, John jnr shoe maker
Milroy, Janet dress maker
Scott, James shoe maker
Scott, Jane dress maker
Scott, John shoe maker
Scott, William mason
Sherar, John blacksmith South Luggan
Small, William cooper
Stewart, John surgeon
Tait, John blacksmith
Wright, Andrew shopkeeper
CONVEYANCE BY WATER
Steam Packets
To and from Glasgow and Stranraer, the "Loch Ryan" and the "Nimrod" call occasionally.
This transcript was
kindly provided by Keith Muirhead
from the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.
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