John Campbell in Polquhirter

Research into the life and work of John Campbell in Polquhirter in the period covering 1511-1531, long before the parish of Cumnock was divided into the parishes of Old Cumnock and New Cumnock, provides a valuable insight into –

• the organisation of Cumnock Kirk prior to the Reformation of 1560.
• local and county feuds, resulting in criminal trials.
• invaluable records of the Protocol Book of notary Gavin Ros (1512-1532).

Fortunately the invaluable ‘Protocol Book of Gavin Ros N.P. (1512-1532)’ covers this period, and the full entries of the instruments are recorded under the Instrument No. in the Appendix.

The earliest reference to John Campbell, uncovered thus far, appears in the record of the trial of the ‘Slaughter of Laird of Corsintoune‘ in January 1512, that is the murder of Patrick Dunbar of Corsencon, while attending mass at Cumnock the previous month [1]. Although Campbell was referred to as the parish clerk at this point, his place of residence was not recorded, however a case for it being Polquhirter will emerge later.

The leading clergyman of Cumnock at the time was Mr Thomas Campbell, canon of Glasgow and the prebendary of the church of Cumnock. He was named in the charter of September 1509, granted by King James IV to James Dunbar, baron of Cumnock, in virtue of which the church lands of Cumnock were erected into a Burgh of Barony [2, 3]. Thomas Campbell had previously served as ‘rectore de Cumnok‘ as witnessed in a document of March 1481 [4], while later that century the rectory of Cumnock was converted into a prebend of the cathedral of Glasgow, as described by Reverend John Warrick [5] –

… the rectory of Cumnock was converted into a prebend of the cathedral of Glasgow with the consent of the patrons who continued to hold the patronage of the rectory and prebend. After this conversion, the rector, in his capacity of prebendary or canon of Glasgow lived for the most part away from Cumnock, putting a vicar in his place to whom he gave a fixed stipend, while he drew the remainder of the church revenues for himself.

Rev. John Warrick, ‘The History of Old Cumnock’ (1899)

Warrick also notes that ‘Sir Arthur Care (Kerr?) is entered in 1510 as vicar of Cumnock’ [6] albeit he later names him as Sir Andrew Care and concludes that ‘in all probability he was the vicar of Sir Thomas Campbell’ [7]. In a similar vein, it can be suggested that in all probability, John Campbell was the parish clerk and assistant to the vicar, Sir Andrew Care.

Sir Andrew Care resigned his vicarage on 20 April 1523 in favour of Sir Thomas Craufurd, chaplain, witnessed by Mr. Thomas Campbell, rector of Cumnock [Ros Instrument 652].

Denis A. McKay’s excellent articles on ‘Parish Clerks of Medieval Scotland’ covers their election [8], induction [9] and duties [10]. He also provides an excellent overview specifically on the ‘Ayrshire Parish Clerks’ [11] from which is gleaned their key duties and reward for services and given below –

At the middle of the 15th century the priest and people of every parish could claim by the law and custom of the realm to have an official assistant minister known as the parish clerk.

The parish clerk was the vicar’s clerk making responses at mass and other services. He or his servant had to keep the church clean, care for the high altar and look after its furnishings and vestments. Chaplains looked after their own side altars but were served with water and light by the clerk. A characteristic duty of the clerk was the weekly tour of the parish with “holy water styk and stop“* to asperse the people in their homes, a duty possibly in decline in the sixteenth century.

As a reward for his services the clerk was given a house and garden in some parishes. In every parish he could claim clerk-meal, a measure of milled grain, usually oats or barley at the rate of one firlot per plough. He also collected clerk-mail, a money payment which was in some cases a commutation of clerk-meal. In landward parishes the income and status of the clerk might be low but in burgh churches relatively good.

D. A. McKay M.A., Ph. D. ‘ Ayrshire Parish Clerks’, AANHS

* styk, the stick-like object used to sprinkle holy water; stop, stoup, a water-container used for various purposes in religious ritual

These duties and services would more than likely to have applied to John Campbell, parish clerk in the early years of the 16th century and as such he may have acquired a house and garden at Polquhirter as reward for his services. However, following the murder of Patrick Dunbar of Corsencon at Cumnock Kirk in December 1511, his position would have been under scrutiny. McKay in his ‘Ayrshire Parish Clerks’ addresses the case of ‘feuding clerks‘ –

Well-born clerks brought little honour to the office because they were expected to take part in the quarrels of their class , the burnings, mutilations and killings which marred the peace of the town and under the weak rule of the Stewarts. The feuding clerks were generally from landward parishes and were married men in minor orders, safe from the rope or axe because they enjoyed benefit of clergy and were repledged from the criminal courts to the bishop’s court, which could not deal in blood.

D. A. McKay M.A., Ph. D. ‘ Ayrshire Parish Clerks’, AANHS

The feud in question was that between Patrick Dunbar of Corsencon and his kinsman Sir James Dunbar, baron of Cumnock, resident at Cumnock Castle. It is clear that the assailants at Cumnock Kirk that day were on the side of the baron. Indeed, the dispute continued after the trial of those involved in the murder, as Sir James refused to give sasine of the lands of Corsencon and Auchincross, to Patrick Dunbar, son of the deceased Patrick Dunbar, a dispute not settled until 1530. The outcome of the trial resulted in the following actions [1] –

• Andro Campbell: executed.
• Duncan Campbell, John Stillie, Robert Campbell of Schankston and his brothers George and John, and Andrew Bomby: denounced as Rebels, put to the horne.
• John Campbell*, Parish Clerk of Cumnok: replegiated by the Archbishop of Glasgow’s Commissary (Mr Richard Boithville) to his Regality’.

John Campbell* meets the criteria of McKay’s ‘feuding clerks‘ – he was involved in a feud, he was a married man from a landward parish and was replegiated to the court of the Archbishop of Glasgow, since Cumnock was a prebend of the cathedral of Glasgow.

*N.B. McKay has mistakenly recorded the parish clerk as ‘1512 James Campbell. repledged. (Pitcairn, Ancient Criminal Trials, i, 82)‘, as the trials clearly record name John Campbell.

Nevertheless, some five years later in February 1517, notary Gavin Ros records that ‘James Campbell, parish clerk of Cumnock‘ witnessed an instrument pertaining to ‘Mr. Thomas Campble, (rector of) Cumnock, canon of Glasgow and commissary of Andrew, Archbishop of St. Andrews‘ [Ros Instrument 212]. Campbell is such a common name in the parish of Cumnock and therefore it is difficult to confirm the relationship, if any, between the parish clerks John Campbell and James Campbell .

No further record of this James Campbell has been uncovered, however in July 1524 the name ‘John Campble, parish clerk of Cumnock‘ reappears in the Ros’s protocol book –

Instrument narrating that William Hamilton in Laglofe, John M’irvale in Beax, Thomas Skering and John Craufurd in Dalricart, compearing in the burgh of Are at the cross, offered themselves to become lawful sureties for John Campble, parish clerk of Cumnok, George Campble and William Campble, his sone*, and for John Skering, Thomas Skering, Andrew Skering in Horscleuch and John Skering in Wodhed, according to letters of the king obtained by Andrew Lowis and his friends and servants; and because no one compeared to receive the sureties, they protested this should not prejudice them. Done at the market cross of the burgh of Are 26 July 1524. Witnesses, John Broun, draper, Andrew ….

Scottish Record Society, Protocol Book of Gavin Ros, N.P. 1512-1532| Ros Instrument 707

• Place-names New Cumnock: Laglofe (Laglaff), Beax (Beoch), Dalricart (Dalricket)
• Place-names Old Cumnock: Horscleuch (Horsecleugh), Wodhed (woodhead)
• ‘his sone’ should read ‘his sons‘, since we know for definite that the first named George was his son.

Although John Campbell (replegiated in 1512), returned to his office of parish clerk of Cumnok, it seems he was in some trouble again, along with his two sons, George and William, and others. Four parishioners offered themselves ‘to become lawful sureties’, i.e. supervise the accused while they were out on bail; although for what is not divulged. In any case, no one appeared at the market cross of Ayr to meet with the sureties.

The market cross not only identified the location of a market but also served as a focal point for public proclamations, including public shamings. In 1205, William the Lion, King of Scots had ‘made a burgh at my new castle of Ayr‘ and ‘alloted in it a market every Saturday‘ [12]. It would be surprising if the original market cross had survived for over 300 years. Indeed by the 17th century there were two market crosses in Ayr, some 100 yards apart, namely the Fish Cross and the Malt Cross.

The Fish Cross was erected in 1539 [13,14] marking the location of the fish market. Dr. John Strawhorn notes in a decree of 1547 ‘na kynd of stuff be sauld in tyme comyn at the fyshe cross but fyshe‘ [15,16] while William Dillon had a different perspective based on the understanding that much of the commerce of Ayr took place in the vicinity of the Fish Cross ‘here, from its pedestal, burghal proclamations were given forth and Kirk Session disciplines publicly carried out. It was the Town Cross of Ayr in all but name‘ [16,17].

The Malt Cross ‘was built in 1662 on the site of an earlier cross. It was modelled on the market cross of Edinburgh’ [18,19]. Since the aformentioned sureties for John Campbell et. al met at the

The meeting of those that offered themselves as sureties for John Campbell and others ‘at the market cross of the burgh of Are, 26 July 1524‘, pre-dates the construction of the Fish Cross and must have taken place at the earlier cross at the site of the Malt Cross.

Three years later in September 1527, Andrew Hog of Barschar, a parishioner of Cumnock, appeared at Ayr, probably at the same cross ‘as surety for John Campble in Polquhiter (or Polqhirter)‘ in association with the murder of the Earl of Cassillis [Ros Instrument 775]. Hog’s role was to secure Campbell’s attendance at the criminal trial to be held at the Tolbooth of Edinburgh on Sunday 5th October 1527 [12].

• Place-Name Old Cumnock: Barschar (Barshare)
• N.B. This instrument of 1527 is the first reference to the residence, i.e. Polquhirter, of John Campbell, parish clerk, since the initial encounter with John Campbell, parish clerk, at the criminal trial of the Laird of Corsintoune, in 1512 – it surely seems they are the one and the same person.

The ‘slaughter of the Earl of Cassillis‘ came about after Gilbert Kennedy, 2^nd Earl of Cassillis and Sir Hugh Campbell of Loudon, the sheriff of Ayr had a major falling out regarding the ownership of Turnberry on the Ayrshire coast and other lands which had been granted to Loudon on 13^th March 1527. Cassillis refused to give up these lands, his case was heard by the Lords of Council at Edinburgh and on 20^th July 1527 but they decided in Loudon’s favour before granting him a 13-year tack of Turnberry. Matters went from bad to worse for Cassillis and at some time between 26th and 28th August, while returning home, he and his followers were fatally ambushed at the instigation of Loudon, as described below [20].

Over a thousand men concealed themselves in the sand dunes near the Pow Burn at Prestwick to ambush the earl and two dozen or so retainers as they passed. On making his way home to Carrick, the Earl of Cassillis was ambushed and assassinated. With these odds it is unsurprising that no casualties were recorded on the attacking side. The only death recorded was that of Cassillis. The uncertain date of the murder suggests that there were no survivors on the Kennedy side, and that the killers abandoned the ambush scene leaving the atrocity to be discovered later.

Brian Brennan (2019), A history of the Kennedy Earls of Cassillis before 1576. University of Glasgow PhD thesis.

Returning to the criminal trial of the 5th October 1527 the earl of Angus denounced Hugh Campbell of Loudoun and his accomplices as rebels and put them to the horn … they were to be made an example of, and their ‘housis, fortalices and strenthis’ were to be taken and given to loyal subjects [21].

Accomplices named in the criminal trial were George Craufurd of Leffnories, and William his brother, John Campbell of Cessnock, Bartholomew Craufurd of Kerse, David and Duncan his brothers, John Craufurd of Drongan, John and William his sons, with a great number of others, all of whom ‘were found caution to underly (submit to) the law for this crime, on the third day of the next Justicaire at Air *’ [13].

*Numerous entries occur of persons cited for this crime; and, failing to appear, they were all denounced rebels, &c. Rebels from the parish of Cumnock included the above named Craufurds of Leffnorieis (in what is now the parish of Old Cumnock) a branch of the Craufurds of Dalleagles (in what is now the parish of New Cumnock). John Campbell of Cessnock, parish of Galston, may have been a forbearer of the Campbells of Cessnock that later would be major landowners in the parish of New Cumnock, including Polquhirter in the late 17th century.

It is unclear what be,ame of John Campbell, parish clerk, he may like others have been denounced as a rebel or perhaps he was once again ‘replegiated by the Archbishop of Glasgow’s Commissary‘, as was his outcome after the trial of the ‘Slaughter of the Laird of Corsintoun‘.

However, fortunes changed the following after Sir Hugh Campbell of Loudon found favour with King James V and ‘Loudoun was rewarded with a full remission, for himself and 1400 others, for the killing of the second earl of Cassillis’ on 1st July 1528 [12].

John Campbell, presumably returned to Polquhirter and resumed the office of parish clerk of Cumnock, albeit only for a few years. In April 1531, a further instrument narrated by Gavin Ros refers to the ‘late John C. of Polquhirter‘ [Ros Instrument 1144] –

1144. Instrument narrating that Thomas Craufurd, vicar of Netoun (Newton) appointed John Reid, chaplain, John Campble of Schankistoun, James Dunbar, Andrew Campble of Skerrington and others, his procurators for resigning the office of the clerkship (?) of Cumnock in the hands of the parishioners in favour of George Campble, son of the late John C. of Polquhirter, as soon as said George shall obtain absolution that he may lawfully enjoy said office, according to a contract made between them; giving full power to said procurators , &c. (… April 1531). Witnesses John Craufurd of Drongan, William Reid, Hugh Craufurd of Horsecleugh, Hugh Craufurd in Smydeschaw,’ .

Scottish Record Society, Protocol Book of Gavin Ros, N.P. 1512-1532| Ros Instrument 1144

John Campbell in Polquhirter’s time as parish clerk of Cumnock drew to a close and it would be fitting if he lies at rest in the ‘dust of St. Conval’s’ at Cumnock Kirk.

It seemed his son George Campbell would follow in his father’s footsteps as parish clerk, however his son George’s opportunity to ‘enjoy said office’ never came to fruition. Presumably he did not obtain absolution, for whatever sin committed, indeed George’ resigned and entirely demitted the elections of the office of clerkship of Cumnok, in the hands of George Craufurd of (Laffinoris), transferring the votes falling (to him?) to the person of Sir Thomas Craufurd, present and accepting‘ [Ros Instrument 1146], i.e. Sir Thomas Craufurd, the vicar of Cumnock.

D. A. McKay M.A., Ph. D. ‘ Ayrshire Parish Clerks’, AANHS provides an overview of the election process [11] –

The clerk was sometimes appointed directly by the bishop but was usually presented to the bishop by a patron. The parishioners themselves were very frequently patrons, presenting their clerk after a popular election held at the parish church on Sunday before the high, prinicipal or parish mass. The right to vote was confined to men and women, landholders able and required to meet the parish dues. There was only one candidate at a parochial election. The names of the voters were registered by a notary and presented to the bishop as proof the “the greater and sounder part” of the parishioners accepted the choice of clerk as required by canon law. The bishop then issued a writ ordering the induction of the clerk. This writ was countersigned by the induction clerk.

D. A. McKay M.A., Ph. D. ‘ Ayrshire Parish Clerks’, AANHS

The vote went ahead and ‘the parishioners of Cumnok, have chosen Sir Thomas Craufurd …… of Cumnock in and to the said office of clerkship which had fallen, as they asserted, into their hands by decease of the late John Campbell, last parish clerk and possessor of the same, and they have given freely their votes and choice to him‘ [Ros Instrument 1147]; the names of the voters are also recorded in Ros’s instrument albeit with several missing, both Christian and surnames.

There were also references to the cerermonial duties ‘the said Sir Thomas Craufurd, clerk, so elected into the possession of the office by delivery of stoup, keys of the church and phial as the manner is. These things were done in the church as to the possession and as to other things at the church and other places of said parish [Ros Instrument 1147].

However, on the same day, Sir Thomas ‘admonished publicly all the parishioners of Cumnock’, probably as Ros suggests, to make sure the newly elected clerk received the rewards (payments etc.) associated with the office at the usual times [Ros Instrument 1148].

The complete instrument is given below, and it is worthing noting that the only other name on the document is that of George Campble, Glesnok, presumably also the witness. This is possibly George, the son of the late John Campbell in Polquhirter, now resident at Glaisnock.

1148. The same day Sir Thomas Craufurd, clerk of Cumnok, inducted into possession, admonished publicly all the parishioners of (Cumnok) …. to George Campble, Glesnok. (Probaby an admonition to make the various emoluments of the office forthcoming at the usual terms, but the writ is mutilated. Witness, George Campble, 142a.

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros, N.P. 1512-1532, No. 1148

As well as being the parish clerk, Sir Thomas Crawford continued to serve as the vicar of Cumnock. In November 1531 he was one of the witnesses of an ‘instrument narrating that John (Dunbar of Knok)-schenok gave sasine and possession of £10 annual rent from the barony of Cumnok, to Patrick Dunbar, his son and heir-apparent, and to Cristina Craufurd‘ [Ros Instrument 1222].

APPENDIX

Scottish Record Society, Protocol Book of Gavin Ros, N.P. 1512-1532

Instrument 212 / 03 Feb 1517

212. Instrument narrating that Mr. Thomas Campble, (rector of) Cumnok, canon of Glasgow and commissary of Andrew, Archbishop of St. Andrews, legate, &c. did, in terms of letters from said legate directed to him, dispense with Duncan Fergusoun and Jonet Campble (her brother, John C. being her procurator), as to certain impediments contained in the letters, declaring their future offspring legitimate. He decerned the process to be published by the notary. Done at Terrinzane 3 February 1517. Witness, James Campbell, parish clerk of Cumnock, Henry Campbell, Patrick Campbell and Andrew Pawtoun, 41a.

Instrument 652 / 20 Apr 1523

652. Instrument narrating that Sir Andrew Kare, chaplain-vicar, pensioner of the parish church of Cumnok, freely constituted and named James Colvil of Uchiltre, Mr. Adam Stewart and Mr. John Boswell, chaplains, his procurator, for resigning his vicarage in the hands of James, Archbishop of Glasgow, in favour of Sir Thomas Craufurd, chaplain. Done in the church of Cumnok 20 April 1523. Witnesses, Mr. Thomas Campbell, rector of Cumnok, George Craufurd of Laffinoris and Patrick Broune,

Gavin Ros: Instrument 707 / 26 Jul 1524

707. Instrument narrating that William Hamilton in Laglofe, John M’irvale in Beax, Thomas Skering and John Craufurd in Dalricart, compearing in the burgh of Are at the cross, offered themselves to become lawful sureties for John Campble, parish clerk of Cumnok, George Campble and William Campble, his sone , and for John Skering, Thomas Skering, Andrew Skering in Horscleuch and John Skering in Wodhed, according to letters of the king obtained by Andrew Lowis and his friends and servants; and because no one compeared to receive the sureties, they protested this should not prejudice them. Done at the market cross of the burgh of Are 26 July 1524. Witnesses, John Broun, draper, Andrew ….

Instrument 775 / 27 Sep 1527

775. Instrument narrating that Ormond, king’s pursuivant, received Andrew Hog of Barschar as surety for entering John Campble in Polquhiter (or Polquhirter), parish clerk of Cumnock in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, on 5 October next for the murder of the late Gilbert, Earl of Cassillis. At Are 27 September 1527. Witnesses, James Udart and William Campbell,

Instrument 1144 / .. Apr 1531

1144. Instrument narrating that Thomas Craufurd, vicar of Netoun (Newton) appointed John Reid, chaplain, John Campble of Schankistoun, James Dunbar, Andrew Campble of Skerrington and others, his procurators for resigning the office of the clerkship (?) of Cumnock in the hands of the parishioners in favour of George Campble, son of the late John C. of Polquhirter, as soon as said George shall obtain absolution that he may lawfully enjoy said office, according to a contract made between them; giving full power to said procurators , &c. (… April 1531). Witnesses John Craufurd of Drongan, William Reid, Hugh Craufurd of Horsecleugh, Hugh Craufurd in Smydeschaw,

Instrument 1146 / .. Aprl 1531

1146. Instrument apparently to the effect that (George Campble), son of the late John (Campble), resigned and entirely demitted the elections of the office of clerkship (of Cumnok, see above), in the hands of George Craufurd of (Laffinoris), transferring the votes falling (to him?) to the person of Sir Thomas Craufurd, present and accepting. These things were done at the church (of Cumnok), April 1531. Witnesses, ….. Blak, Walter Rede and Sir Finaly [M’Cubyn] and Andrew Craufurd, 141a.

Instrument 1147 / .. Apr 1531

Instrument 1148 / .. Apr 1531

1148. The same day Sir Thomas Craufurd, clerk of Cumnok, inducted into possession, admonished publicly all the parishioners of (Cumnok) …. to George Cample, Glesnok. (Probably an admonition to make the various emoluments of the office forthcoming at the usual terms, but the writ is mutilated. Witness, George Campble, 142a.

Instrument 1222 / .. Nov 1531

1222. Instrument narrating that John (Dunbar of Knok)-schenok gave sasine and possession of £10 annual rent from the barony of Cumnok, to Patrick Dunbar, his son and heir-apparent, and to Cristina Craufurd, his spouse, in conjunct fee, the longer liver of the two and their heirs-male to be lawfully born, whom failing, to John D. and his heirs, according to a charter of blenchfarm for payment of silver pennies to be made. (Sasine being given) by delivery of a penny. Done on the ground of Knokschenoch, within said barony of Cumnok ( . . .November) 1531. Witnesses, William Rede, Hugh Gelt, Sir Thomas Craufurd, vicar of Cumnok, Robert Bovvak and George M’Nacht, 169b.

Instrument 1247 / .. 10 January 1532

1247. Instrument narrating that Sir Thomas Craufurd discharged an instrument publicly taken … in the hands of Mr. John Coldoun,notary public, by which Sir John (?) Eglintoun, appointed certain procurators to resign (the vicarage ?) of Cumnok in the hands of his ordinary, giving him (?) licence … to intromit with said vicarage in future. The said Sir John asked instrument. 10 January 1531*.Witnesses, John M’Cleche and Hugh Curry,.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Images

1. Fish Cross Ayr (1814) // by Robert Bryden (1865-1939), image credit: South Ayrshire Council, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

2. The Fish Cross (after D.O. Hill) and The Malt Cross (from Ferguson’s Auld Ayr) William J. Dillon, Fairs and Markets, The Royal Burgh of Ayr, Annie I. Dunlop, ed. (1953

References

[1] Bannatyne Club, Criminal trials in Scotland, from A.D. M.CCCC.LXXXVIII to A.D. M.DC.XXIV, embracing the entire reigns of James IV. and V., Mary Queen of Scots and James VI , Volume 1 > (188) Page 82 |Slaughter of the Laird of Corsintoune. See also New Cumnock History: Mass Murder at Cumnock Kirk

[2] Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, Vol. 2 | No. 3376

[3] Reverend John Warrick, ‘the History of Old Cumnock’ (1899), p. 52

[4] Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, Vol. 2 | No. 1504

[5] Reverend John Warrick, ‘the History of Old Cumnock’ (1899), p. 65

[6] Reverend John Warrick, ‘the History of Old Cumnock’ (1899), p. 66, in Protocol. Dioces. Glas., Vol. II., p.367

[7] Reverend John Warrick, ‘the History of Old Cumnock’ (1899), p. 67

[8] Dennis McKay, The Election Of The Parish Clerk In Medieval Scotland, Innes Review, Volume 18, Issue 1, SPRING, 1967

[9] Dennis McKay, The Induction Of The Parish Clerk In Medieval Scotland, Innes Review, Volume 20, Issue 1, SPRING, 1969

[10] Dennis McKay, The Duties Of The Parish Clerk In Medieval Scotland, Innes Review, Volume 19, Issue 1, SPRING, 1968

[11] D. A. McKay, Ayrshire Archaeological & Natural History Society|Ayrshire Parish Clerks,

[12] G.W.S. Barrow, Ayr and the Charter of William the Lion 1205, Ayrshire Monographs No. 32, AANHS (2005)

[13] CANMORE, National Record of the Historic Environment | Ayr, Fish Cross, Canmore ID 41792

[14] Brash and Leach, R W and A. (1972) Round old Ayr: a guided walk. [Ayr?]. Page(s): 3 RCAHMS Shelf Number: D.11.23.AYR.P

[15] John Strawhorn, The History of Ayr, 1989

[16] Rob Close, The Street Names of Ayr, Ayrshire Monographs No. 25, AANHS (2001)

[17] William J. Dillon, Fairs and Markets, The Royal Burgh of Ayr, Annie I. Dunlop, ed. (1953)

[18] CANMORE, National Record of the Historic Environment | Ayr, Malt Cross, Canmore ID 41791

[19] Dodd, W. (1972) Ayr: a study of urban growth. [Ayr]. Page(s): 320, 327, 331, 339 RCAHMS Shelf Number: D.11.23.AYR

[20] Bannatyne Club, Criminal trials in Scotland, from A.D. M.CCCC.LXXXVIII to A.D. M.DC.XXIV, embracing the entire reigns of James IV. and V., Mary Queen of Scots and James VI , Volume 1 > (188) Page 136 |Slaughter of the Earl of Cassillis

[21] Brian Brennan (2019), A history of the Kennedy Earls of Cassillis before 1576. University of Glasgow PhD thesis

[22] Reverend John Warrick, ‘the History of Old Cumnock’ (1899), p. 81

Maps

Reproduced with the Permission of National Library of Scotland

https://maps.nls.uk/

Map 1: Andrew Armstrong, A new map of Ayrshire (1775) | Polwhirter

Map 2: Ordnance Survey Maps – 25 inch 1st edition, Scotland, 1855-1882 (1858) | Site of Cumnock Kirk

Map 2: Ordnance Survey Maps – 25 inch 1st edition, Scotland, 1855-1882 (1858) | Fish Cross and Malt Cross, Ayr