| Place-name: | Polquhirter |
| Suggested Meaning: | McWhirter’s burn |
| Gaelic poll ‘burn, stream’ + Surname (Mac)Whirter | |
| Place-name: | Polquhirter Burn |
| Polquhirter Burn | Place-name: Polquhirter + Scots burn ‘burn’ |
| Place-name: | East Polquhirter |
| Place-name: Polquhirter + SSE east ‘east, east of Polquhirter Burn’ | |
| Place-name: | West Polquhirter |
| Place-name: Polquhirter + SSE west ‘west, west of Polquhirter Burn | |
| Place-name: | Polquhirter Cottage |
| Place-name: Polquhirter + SSE cottage ‘cottage’ | |
| Place-name: | Polquhirter Bridge |
| Place-name: Polquhirter + SSE bridge ‘bridge’ | |
| Place-name: | Site of Cairn [Polquhirter] |
| Place-name: SSE cairn ‘heap of stones’ | |
| Blaeu Coila (1654): | N. Polwhyrtyr, O. Polwhyrtyr, Powhyrtir |
| OS Name Books (1855-57): | East Polquhirter, High Polquhirter, West Polquhirter, Polquhirter Cottage Polquhirter Burn, Site of Cairn (Polquhirter) |
| Location: | Ordnance Survey (1895) |
| Early Forms |
| Polquhiter, Polquhirter (1527), Polquortour (1561), Polquhir Tour (1564), N. Polwhyrtyr, O. Polwhyrtyr, Powhyrtir, Polwhyrtyr b, (Blaeu 1654) , Polwharter (1706, 1744), Polquhortur (OPR1708-1756), Polwhirter (Armstrong 1775). Polquhirtor (1803) |
Polquhirter
1. Gaelic poll ‘stream’ + Personal Name: (Mac)Whirter
G. W. S. Barrow [1] provides an insight into the distribution of the element pol- throughout Scotland and particularly its predominance in upper Nithsdale. He concludes that pol was the standard term for burn in this vicinity and that this early British name failed to be influenced by Old English, Gaelic or Scots (i.e. pow -).
However, a strong case has been made for a Gaelic influence. Professor Hector MacQueen kindly provided extracts from his late father, Professor Jack MacQueen’s research into the south-west of Scotland poll– names, which he has shared on the ‘Scottish Place-names / Ainmean-àite na h-Albas’ Facebook discussion group, some of which are given below [2,3] -.
“… the general conclusion must be that Pol- was used as a name-element for burns of small to middle size, regardless of how fast or slow their water might run. For the most part, the burns were tributaries of larger streams, but occasionally they flowed directly into the sea.” He adds: “Names in Pol-, … focus on the Stewartry, with some forty examples. There is, however, a secondary focus in Kyle and Cunninghame where twenty-seven occur.”
Observing that many of the pol- names have family names as their second element, he continues that this is –
“likely to indicate the local presence of a Gall-Ghoidhil family of some status, possibly Norse-speaking and able to support and protect the church in a material way. Settlers of lesser status would have fewer opportunities. No farm-settlement, however, whether small or large, can survive without water. Survival, in fact, depends on the local water-supply. It is thus possible that the local burn might be defined by the sept-name of the family who lived along its banks in scattered houses which together formed a unit corresponding to the later fermtoun.”
He concludes:
“It looks as if most of the original settlers had arrived by way of the Solway Firth, settling mainly in the Stewartry, from which they expanded into Wigtownshire and Nithsdale, perhaps also crossing the Solway to establish themselves in Cumberland. Some, however, perhaps the less privileged, bypassed the Solway and made their way up the Firth of Clyde to a landfall, probably in Kyle, by way of which some moved on into Cunninghame and across the watershed, by way of the valleys of Douglas Water, the Avon and the White Cart, into Lanarkshire and eastern Renfrewshire. The point of arrival may have been Ayr, with the best harbourage on the east coast of the outer Firth of Clyde.”
The comments are based on a sample of about 100 names from across SW Scotland and Cumbria. On the family name thing, he writes: “Family or sept appellations often figure as the second element in such names.
More certain are Polquhirter (NS 635135), a tributary of Nith, Polwhannon (NS 702211), a tributary of Glenmuir Water, Poneil, the tributary of Douglas Water already mentioned, Powhannal (NS 650263), a tributary of Ayr, Polgavin, also already mentioned as a tributary of Water of Deugh, together with another tributary of the same stream, Polwhat (NS 574038). The respective family or sept names are (Mac)Whirter, (Mac)Whannon, (Mac)Neil, (Mac)Gavin and (Mac)What.
Professors Hector and Jack MacQueen, Scottish Place-names / Ainmean-àite na h-Albas
Polquhirter is one of the 27 pol- names in Kyle and Cunningham that was studied and had a second element that was a family name which was ‘likely to indicate the local presence of a Gall-Ghoidhil family of some status, possibly Norse-speaking and able to support and protect the church in a material way.‘ The suggestion being that Polquhirter burn took the sept-name of the family MacWhirter. It appears that the original MacWhirters settlers may have arrived via Nithsdale or through Kyle from Ayr, ‘who lived along the banks of Polquhirter in scattered houses which together formed a unit corresponding to the later fermtoun.’
Perhaps echoes of the fermtoun are found in the following birthplaces that appear in the Old Parish Records of Baptisms during the period (1712-1755) , namely Burntown of Polquhortor x 8, Burnside of Polquhortor x 2 and Nethertown of Polquhortor x 2.
George F. Black in his ‘The Surnames of Scotland’ the entry for MacWhirter begins ‘a form of MacChruiter, q.v. current in Ayrshire, the original home of the name‘ [4]. The entry for MacChruiter begins ‘from the occupation or profession or of cruiteir, often hereditary in the highlands in past times. In 1346 King David II granted a charter of land of Dalelachane in the earldom of Carrick to Patrick, son of the late Michael harper of Carrick‘ [5].
2. Gaelic poll ‘stream’ + Gaelic cruteir ‘fiddler, harpist’
W. J. Watson in his study of River Names with the ‘ideas of sound‘ identifies ‘the shouting burn, the talkative burn, the crying burn and the whispering burn’ [6], while in the parish of New Cumnock there is the Roaring Linn on the Afton Water. In the same vein if Polquhirter is the ‘fiddler, harpist burn‘ perhaps it is in the context of ‘ideas of sound‘ rather than that of a specific musician.
3. Gaelic poll ‘pool’ + Gaelic cairtear ‘carter ‘ or Gaelic cuairtear ‘visitor’
Alexander Murdoch in his ‘Ochiltree – Its History and Reminiscences’ [7] included a chapter on ‘Place-Names’ contributed by Mr. Malcolm MacFarlane, Gaelic expert. The selection of place-names extended beyond the parish of Ochiltree including Polquhirter, New Cumnock. MacFarlane considered the first element pol- to be Gaelic poll ‘pool’ while giving two possibilities for the second element, i.e. Gaelic cairtear ‘carter’ and Gaelic cuairtear ‘visitor’. The suggestion that the first element G. poll ‘pool’ can be discounted in favour of G. poll ‘stream, burn’, however there are certainly a number of pools in Polquhirter Burn, including the named ones ‘boys pool‘ and ‘girls pool‘ for summer swimming.
Polquhirter People
John Campbell in Polquhirter
A more detailed account of the research into his life and times, along with the references , can be found here John Campbell in Polquhirter [8].
John Campbell served as the parish clerk of Cumnock in the early 16th century, long before the division of the parish in 1650 into the parishes of Old Cumnock and New Cumnock.The parish clerk would assist the vicar and ‘make responses at mass and other services; keep the church clean, care for the high altar and look after its furnishings and vestments‘. In some parishes the clerk was rewarded with ‘a house and garden‘ and perhaps John Campbell was rewarded as such, on the lands of Polquhirter. Campbell was initially clerk to Sir Andrew Care, vicar who in turn served Sir Thomas Campbell, previously the Rector of Cumnock, now the canon of Glasgow following the conversion of the Rectory into a prebend of the cathedral of Glasgow.
A brief timeline of events
1511/1512: John Campbell’s name first appears (but not his residence) in the record of the trial of the ‘Slaughter of Laird of Corsintoune‘ in January 1512, i.e. Patrick Dunbar of Corsencon, who was murdered while attending mass at Cumnock Kirk the previous month. The outcome of the trial resulted in the execution of Andro Campbell and six other parishioners were denounced as rebels and put to the horn. Clearly, as parish clerk John Campbell would have at the very least witnessed the murder in the kirk. His punishment saw him ‘replegiated by the Archbishop of Glasgow’s Commissary to his Regality‘, that is repledged from the jurisdiction of the criminal courts to that of the Archbishop’s jurisdiction, ‘which could not deal in blood‘.
1524: In July the names of ‘John Campble, parish clerk of Cumnock‘ and his sons George and William, along with some others, appear in an instrument in which four parishioners offered themselves ‘to become lawful sureties’, i.e. supervise the accused while they were out on bail, for whatever reason is not divulged.
1527: In August Sir Hugh Campbell of Loudon and 1,000 men concealed themselves in the sand dunes near the Pow Burn at Prestwick to ambush the Earl of Cassillis and his small party of 24 followers on their way home. The outcome of this bitter resulted in no casualties on the Loudon side and no survivors on the Cassillis side.
In September 1527, Andrew Hog of Barschar, appeared at Ayr as surety for ‘John Campble in Polquhiter (or Polquhirter)‘ in association with the murder of the Earl of Cassillis, i.e. as a member of Loudon’s following. This instrument contains the first reference to Campbell’s residence, i.e. Polquhirter. Hog’s role was to secure Campbell’s imprisonment in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh on Sunday 5th October 1527, for the beginning of the criminal trial of the ‘Slaughter of the Earl of Cassillis.’
1528: On 1st July, fortunes changed 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.
1531: In April, a further instrument reveals that John Campbell of Polquhirter had passed away, presumably that year, bringing to an end his eventful life as the parish-clerk of Cumnock, not quite the renegade priest but clearly an important figure in the parish. The clerkship of Cumnock had fallen into 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.’ However, for whatever reason, George Campbell resigned and after a vote the parishioners chose Sir Thomas Craufurd, the then vicar of Cumnock as their parish-clerk.
James Dunbar of Polquhirtour
James Dunbar of Polquhirtour was presumably a relative of the Dunbars, Barons of Cumnock. Indeed, ‘The Testament, Testamentar & Inventory of James Dunbar of Polquhir Tour, spouse of Agnes Barclay‘ was ‘made in the castle of Cumnock 25th April 1564‘ [9], confirming the close relationship with the baron. Yvonne Saunderson of the Cumnock History Club [10] has painstakingly deciphered the testament including identifying the following Dunbars –
- James Dunbar oldest son of James Dunbar. Executor of his father’s will. Awarded 40 marks
- John Dunbar Vicar of Cumnock in 1564. Signed the testament of James Dunbar.
- Marion Dunbar awarded £4 in the will of James Dunbar
- Patrik Dunbar of Cumnock. Son of James Dunbar. Witness to the will of James Dunbar.
- William Dunbar servant to the Sherriff of Ayr. Witness to the will of James Dunbar William Dunbar guid son (son in law) of James Dunbar. Awarded 2 marks for his tocher
Campbells of Polquhirter
Returning to the Campbell family, the following are also named in the above Testament of James Dunbar of Polquhirter, 1564 –
- Patrik Campbell of Polquhitte (now ?Polquhirter). Kept livestock belonging to James Dunbar, also owed a sum of money
- William Campbell, brother to the Laird of Cesnok.
Stuart Clarkson [11] in his research into Thomas Campbell of Dalhanna (ca. 1555-1622) makes references to the Testament of John Campbell in Polquhirtour, dated October 1595 and notes that Partick Campbell, son of Thomas married Christian Campbell, sister of Hew Campbell of Polquhirtour.
Wilsons of Nether Polquhirtor
In 1656, there is a reference to Andro Wilsone in the Maynes of Cumnok, now known as Castle Mains. Without a male-heir his daughters Margaret and Christian Wilsone inherited the 2 merk-land of old extent of Nether-Polquhirtor [12].
Another similar sounding, but undated reference has Polquhirter properties being passed on to two daughters by a James Wilson. ‘The Wilsons of Polquhirter were an ancient family who held lands first under the Dunbars of Cumnock, then under the Crichtons. James Wilson left these lands to his two daughters, co-heiresses‘ [13].
Sir George Campbell of Cessnock
Although Cessnock Castle was the seat of the Campbells of Cessnock in the parish of Galston, the family were also heritors or landowners in the parish of Cumnock. Jumping forward to the late 17th century the Laird of Cessnock, younger appeared on the list of heritors of the parish of Cumnock* provided by Samuel Nimmo, minister of Cumnock in October 1684. Cessnok the younger was Sir George Campbell, son of Sir Hew Campbell of Cessnock, both father and son both supporters of the Covenanting cause of the time, and both jailed on the Bass Rock.
*In 1650 the parish of Cumnock was divided into the two new parishes of Old Cumnock and New Cumnock, however the Earl of Dumfries had the division annulled, only for it to be reversed in 1691.
Gordons of Afton
The Barony of Afton was created in 1706, and the 1st Baronet was Sir William Gordon, son of Sir William Gordon of Earlston; the family seat of Earlston Castle situated in the parish of St. John’s Town of Dalry, Kirkcudbrightshire [14].
Gordon of Afton had married Mary Campbell, daughter and heiress of Sir George Campbell of Cessnock and the newly formed Barony of Afton comprised his former lands in the parish of New Cumnock – Straid, Littlemark, Auchingee, Brochloch of Blarein, Carcow, Lagloss, Polquheys, Bank, Ashmark, Laight, Nether Dalhanna, Blackcraig, Dunside, Over Polwharter*, Nether Polwharter*, Middle Parks, Nether Parks and Whitehill of Chang .
*Polquhirter
N.B. In the early years of the Old Parish Baptism Records of New Cumnock (began 1706) the names of four children of Patrick Campbell and Margaret McMichael (3 x Polquhortur, 1 x Nether Polquhortur) appear in the records (1710-1716).
His descendant Sir Thomas Gordon of Afton began to sell off the lands of the Barony of Afton in 1743 [15] and by 1756 he had acquired the lands of Stair, Ayrshire on the banks of the River Ayr, now adopting the title, Gordon of Afton and Stair.
Publikt Notice is hereby given:
That the lands of Baronies of Earlstoun and Airds lying in the parishes of Dalry, Carsphairn and Kells, and Stewartry of Kirkcudbrightshire and Barony of Afton, lying in the parish of New Cumnock and Sheriffdom of Air; Are to be sold either in Wholesale or in Parcels as Purchasers cast up. The Rental of the Barony of Afton is 199i 11s, 10d. Sterl. Whereof there is paid feu duties of 28l. 19s. 3d. The Baronies of Earlston and Afton hold Blanch and Airds Feu of the Crown.
Caledonian Mercury, Tuesday 20th December 1743
In 1744 the barony of Afton lands of ‘Polwharter, Steelhead and Parks’ were to be sold of [16] –
That the lands of POLWHARTER, STEELHEAD AND PARKS which pertained to the deceast Robert Barrie, lying within the barony of Afton, Parish of New Cumnock, Shire of Air, hold feu of Colonel Gordon , and paying of yearly free Rent 400 Merks Scots Money are to be sold by Publik Roup within the tolbooth of Douglas upon Wednesday 15th February inft. The Rental, Progrefs of Writs and Conditions of the Roup are to feen in the hands of Richard Dick. As also the Creditors of the faid deceast Robert Barrie and of Samuel Barrie his Son, are defired to give in Their claims to the faid Richard Dick against the said 15th of February, in order to their Payment.
Caledonian Mercury, Monday 6th February 1744
N.B. ‘Robert Barrie in Poquharter in the new Parroch of Comnock‘ died in December 1739 [17].
The lands of Steelhead [18] and Parks [19] will be covered under New Cumnock Place-Names.
The Gordons of Afton succeeded in selling of these lands and the names of the new proprietors are to be found in the Land Tax Rolls of the parish of New Cumnock. The 1759 Land Tax Roll [20] includes the lands of Nether Polwhirter and those of Browns Polwhirter & Park while the 1803 Land Tax Roll [21] includes the names of the proprietors, i.e. namely Hunter of Nether Polquhirter and Mrs. W. McTurk of Browns Polquhirter & Park respectively. The latter properties are also named in the 1816 Cess Roll [22] with the proprietors named as Thomas Hunter and William McTurk respectively.
Nether and High Polquhirter
1. Reverend Thomas Hunter I (1665-1760) and Christian Ker (1660-1745)
The Reverend Thomas Hunter was ordained as minister of the parish of New Cumnock on 29th September 1706 and settled on the lands of Polquhirter with his wife Christian Ker and their two young children Joseph and Mary. He would stay and serve this large upland parish for over fifty years. His wife Christian died in 1745 and the minister remarried, to Jean Welsh, at the grand old age of 85 years. He demitted his ministry in 1757, and passed away three years later at 95 years old. The Reverend Thomas Hunter, his first spouse Christian Ker and their son Joseph, died 1762, are buried together at the east side of the Auld Kirk (b. 1659). The lands were referred to Nether Polwhirter in the Land Tax Roll of 1759.
- Right: Tombstone of Rev Thomas Hunter (d. 1760), his first wife Christian Ker (d. 1745) his son Joseph Hunter (d.1762) and no doubt his spouse Mary Kirkwood
- Left: Erected by Thomas Hunter M.D in memory of his father Thomas Hunter (d.1836), his mother Jane Key (d. 1837), daughter Jane (d. 1842), niece Jane (d.1834). It is here too that Dr Thomas Hunter, and his wife Mary Kerr probably lie.
2. Joseph Hunter (1696-1762) and Mary Kirkwood
Joseph married Mary Kirkwood, their first child Thomas Hunter b. 1721 was born at Nether Polquhortur. The names of teir six other children were – Jean, Isabella, Robert, James, Christian and Lucia appear in Old Parish Baptism Records (b.1723-1733) with the place of birth recorded as Polquhortur. As noted, Joseph died two years after his father, during which time it is unclear if he was the proprietor of Nether Polquhirter.
3. Thomas Hunter II (1721-<1794) and Mary Henry
Thomas Hunter ll, the eldest son of Joseph Hunter, married Mary Henry and together they had four daughters – Jean, Mary, Isabell and Marjory (b.1749-1755) and one son Thomas Hunter III (b.1758).
4. Thomas Hunter III (1758-1836) and Jean Key (c.1760 -1837)
In 1794 Thomas Hunter (III) married Jean Key of Garlaff, Old Cumnock and together they had two sons William (b.1795) and Thomas IV (b.1801) their birthplace recorded as Polquhorter and two daughters, Margaret (b.1806) and Jean (1812) where their birthplace was recorded as East Polquhortor, the earliest form of this name found thus far.
On the 20th May 1833, Thomas Hunter’s name appears on the list of heritors (landowners) entitled to seats in the new Parish Church.
‘East Polquharter’ appears on William Johnson’s map of Northern (Southern) part of Ayrshire (1828) compiled from estate plans, located on the north side of the road to Dumfries.
However, the form Nether continues to appear in formal documents. The Inventory and Disposition & Deed of Settlement of Thomas Hunter III make interesting reading [23]. He grants in favour of his eldest son William Hunter –
…. All and Whole that part of the lands of Nether Polquhirter to which I succeeded as heir to Mr. Thomas Hunter sometimes Minister of the Gospel at New Cumnock my Grandfather and which still retains the name of Nether Polquhirter….
He notes that he had succeeded to Nether Polquhirter as heir to Rev. Thomas Hunter, his grandfather. The ‘family tree‘ constructed above identifies that Thomas Hunter III was born in 1758, two years after Rev. Thomas Hunter I had passed away, and that the minister was his great-grandfather.
As for his second son Thomas IV, he grants and favours –
…. All and whole of the lands of Over or High Polquhirter* which formally belonged to and were possessed by Mr. Thomas Hunter, Minister of New Cumnock my grandfather and thereafter to William Farquhar of Hall of Auchencross and thereafter to Thomas Campbell and his creditors and thereafter to William Howatson in Darntigar** from whom I purchased the same ….
*Over or High Polquhirter: Blaeu’s map shows Over and Nether Powhyrtyr near one another and Powhyrtir a fair distance further up the Polwhyrtyr burn. However, Over Polquhirter and its alternative High, better describes its location further up Polquhirter Burn. ** Darntigar is Darntaggart in the parish of Ochiltree.
5.1 William Hunter (1795 -1868) and Jennet Key (1808 -1864)
William Hunter married Jennet Key at Dalmellington in 1828 and together they had four children – Margaret, Andrew, Jean and Jennet born at Polquhortour/ Nether Polquhortour (1829-1834). A fifth child Jane, was born a few months after the death of his father Thomas, by which time William was the proprietor of the lands of Nether Polquhirter. No further baptisms of the family appear in the Old Parish Records of New Cumnock and indeed it seems that Jean, Jennet and Jane all died in infancy. In 1837 the family set sail from Liverpool to initially settle in Little Rock, Illinois, USA where Thomas (1841), Robert (1847) and Frances (1850) were born. Their mother, Jennet passed away in 1864 and their father William died four years later both buried at Big Rock.
5.2 Thomas Hunter IV (1801-1870) and Mary Kerr (1805 -1895)
With his eldest brother William off to the USA, Thomas Hunter, proprietor of Over or High Polquhirter now also owned the lands of Nether Polquhirter. He married Mary Kerr, the daughter of Robert Kerr, shoemaker and Margaret Lammie born at Guildhall, Kirkconnel. The family settled at Nether Polquhirter, now formally known as East Polquhirter. The baptism record of their first-born child, Mary (1838) records her father as Thomas Hunter Esq. M.D. Together the couple had three more children – Thomas (b.1839), Jane (b.1841 d. 1842) and Jane (b.1845) with East Polquhirter recorded as the birthplace of Thomas and Jane II.
In 1854, Dr. Thomas Hunter put ‘the lands and estate of East Polquhirter’ up for sale [24] –
ESTATE IN THE PARISH OF NEW CUMNOCK FOR SALE
THE LANDS AND ESTATE OF EAST POLQUHIRTER, lying within the parish of New Cumnock, and county of Ayr. The property consists of 300 acres, or thereby, and has been in the natural possession of the Proprietor for many years. It is beautifully situated in the Vale of Nith, and from its proximity to the Glasgow and South-Western Railway (New Cumnock Station being little more than a mile distant), and its susceptibility of further profitable improvement, it will afford a most desirable purchase either for the purpose of Investment or Residence. There is a large extent of Limestone in the Property, and it is also believed to contain both Coal and Ironstone, which have been discovered in the adjoining Estate. Further particulars will be learned on application to the Proprietor, Dr Hunter, Polquhirter, New Cumnock.
North British Daily Mail – Tuesday 08 August 1854
The remarks about ‘There is a large extent of Limestone in the Property’ is a reference to the limekilns a few hundred yards up the Polquhirter Burn from High Polquhirter which confirms that this property was considered as part of the lands and estate of East Polquhirter’. The remarks about ‘Coal and Ironstone, which have been discovered in the adjoining Estate‘ is a reference to West Polquhirter, which had been purchased the previous year by Miss Guthrie of Mount, Kilmarnock (see Browns Polquhirter below). Indeed, it was Miss Guthrie that would purchase ‘the lands and estate of East Polquhirter‘ for £8,000 [25], while Dr. Thomas Hunter and his family would continue to live there as tenants. Thomas died at East Polquhirtor in 1870, while his widowed wife Mary, aged 90 years, passed away in 1895 at Afton Bridgend.
Browns Polwhirter & Park
The property of Browns Polwhirter & Park appeared in the Land Tax Roll of 1759. As previously discussed, Parks was one of the properties put up for sale by the Gordons of Afton in 1744 and a part of these were now paired with Browns Polwhirter which will be covered under New Cumnock Place-Name: Park [19].
1.1 Thomas Brown I & Margaret White
The Old Parish Records of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire record the marriage of ‘Thos. Brown of Polwharter in the parish of New Cumnock and Margaret White daughter of Thomas White’ on 22 February 1752. Presumably this was Margaret White, daughter of Thomas White, born at Nook, Lesmahagow on 3 Jun 1730, as recorded in the Old Parish Records.
Together, Thomas Brown and Margaret White had ten children, born at Polquhortor/Polquhorter between 1753-1775, two of which died in infancy during this period. It is probably this Thomas Brown that gives the name to Browns Polwharter. Margaret passed away, aged 51 years, on 26 May 1751 and Thomas died on 21 Dec 1788, aged 61 years. The couple lie buried in the Auld Kirkyard, New Cumnock, on the north facing side of the Auld Kirk.
1.2 Thomas Brown II & Catherine Mitchell
The headstone was erected by their first born son Thomas Brown, baptised at Polquhortor on 9 March 1764. He married Catherine Mitchell and together they had a daughter Margaret born at Dalleagles, New Cumnock, baptised on 10 July 1790, two years after his father had passed away. It perhaps would have been expected that Thomas II would have taken up residence at the family property. However, it is interesting that the inscription on his parents’ headstone reads
Indeed, Thomas Brown and Catherine Mitchell set up home as tenants at Braehead, Mauchline where five more children were born Hugh (1794), William (1796), John (1798), Sara (1800) and James Boswell (1805). However, not one son taking the first name of their father or grandfather Thomas, seems unusual?
It should be noted that the Old Parish Baptism record reveals a Thomas Brown and Euphame Mitchell had a son called Thomas, born at Polquhortor, baptised on 19 Apr 1792. Could the name ‘Euphame’ have been entered in the Baptism Register in error, in place of Catherine, suggesting it was Thomas Brown and Catherine Mitchell that moved from Dalleagles in 1790 to ‘Browns Powharter’, where their first son was named Thomas, after his father? The family then settled as tenants at Braehead, Mauchline after leaving Browns Polquhirter.
N.B. New Cumnockian Chris Rollie [26] identified Thomas Brown as the supporter of John Logan of Knockshinnoch (an acquaintance of Robert Burns) when he petitioned the Turnpike committee in 1791/92 for the improvement of the road through the village – a road that passed by the ‘house and yeard’ of Thomas Brown of Polquhirter.
2.1 John McTurk (b.1756 d. 1796) & Margaret Marshall
John McTurk and his wife Margaret Marshall were tenants of Polshill farm, a few miles to the east of Polquhirter. The couple had five children – Margaret (1782), John (1784), William (1786), Michael (1788) and Andrew (1790) all with Poshill recorded as their place of birth. Later, two other children – Marrion (1792) and John (1794) were born, however no place of birth was recorded in the parish register, although this is not unusual. However, the date 1794 matches with the date that Thomas Brown and Catherine Mitchell were now tenants at Braehead, Mauchline, suggesting John was born at Polquhirter.
Margaret Marshall had inherited a small fortune from her uncle, William Marshall, a merchant in New Cumnock. John Muir, writing in his diary [27], explains Marshall was a tailor and had a shop up the Afton where he made a lot of money from trade with those working a lead mine up the Afton; ‘the exact locality I have not found’. With this inheritance the McTurk’s purchased the lands of Browns Polquhirter . As suggested the acquisition took place in 1794 but if not, certainly on or before 1796 when John McTurk passed away, named as ‘John MacTurk of Polquhortir’ in his Testament Dative, dated 3rd March 1796 [28]. In that document William McTurk (b. 1786) is identified as the eldest son, now ten years old, i.e. the eldest living son, as John (b.1784) must have died.
2.2 William McTurk (1786-1810) and Janet Gibson (1789-1873)
At the time of the Land Tax Roll of 1803, William McTurk would have been 17 or 18 years old. The property was still referred to as ‘Browns Polqhuhirtor & Park’ and the proprietor recorded as Mrs W. McTurk – a slip of the pen perhaps as she was Mrs J. McTurk.
William McTurk married Janet Gibson, daughter of John Gibson, farmer at Lanemark and Janet Moffat. William, their first and only child, was born on 19th January 1810, but sadly his father William died a week later, aged 23 years. The baptism record of 28th January reads ‘William (born 19th) L.S. to William McTurk and Janet Gibson and Polquhortir, Mother Sponsor, Father having died 26inst.’; where the term Mother Sponsor identifeid the father was absent from the baptism, in this case had died. Janet McTurk, lived a long life and passed away at Polquhorter Cottage in 1873, aged 84 years.
Third born son Michael McTurk was in line to inherit Polquhirter following the death of his older brother William in 1811, aged, 25 years. However, as discussed William’s wife Janet Gibson was carrying their first child, and it was this infant William who would later inherit the property. By this time Michael had graduated with the degree of Doctor in Medicine from Glasgow University in 1810, and he left the lands of Polshill and Polquhirter behind to begin a new life in the sugar plantations of South America. He settled in the colony of Demerara where he was a sugar planter and served as medical officer. However, he also served in the Guyana Militia and was a leading figure in the brutal suppression of the slave uprising of 1823 and ironically, he was later knighted by Queen Victoria on 7th September 1839 for his efforts on behalf of accelerating the emancipation of slaves.
2.3 William McTurk (1810-1890) and Margaret Arthur (1811-1849)
The ‘Extract from the Cess Roll of the County of Ayr of date 1816‘ records William McTurk as the proprietor of the lands of Browns Polquhirter and Park, although he was only 6 years at the time. On the 20th May 1833, William McTurk’s name appears on the list of heritors (landowners) entitled to seats in the new Parish Church.
William McTurk married Margaret Arthur, daughter of David Arthur, farmer at Wellhill and Jean Finlay. Together they had eight children – Jennet (1833), Jean (1834), John Gibson (1836), Margaret (1838), Mary (1840), Marion (1844), William Arthur (1847). The place of birth was recorded as Polquhirter, other than that of John Gibson McTurk which was recorded as West Polquhirter (1836), the earliest reference to this name encountered thus far.
Margaret died in 1849, aged 37 years and is buried in the Auld Kirkyard, against the south facing wall of the Auld Kirk, close by to the resting place of William McTurk and Janet Gibson. In 1852 widower William McTurk put the ‘Estate of West Polquhirter up for sale [29] –
THE ESTATE OF WEST POLQUHIRTER, in the Parish of New Cumnock and County of Ayr, with the valuable MINERALS therein. The Lands of which, a great portion has been recently Drained, extend to 520 Acres, or thereby, the greater part of which is Let in Grass to respectable Tenants, from year to year, and the remainder is held on Lease, which expires at Martinmas, 1853, and Whitsunday, 1854. The rent, exclusive of Minerals, for the year ending Whitsunday, 1852, was upwards of £450. A considerable return may be realized from the Minerals, which are very valuable. There are Three Seams of Coal, and Three Beds of Limestone, there are also valuable Beds of Ironstone, Mussel, and Blackband. The Estate is situated within a mile of New Cumnock Station of the Glasgow and South-Western Railway. A considerable part of the price will be allowed to remain on the security of the Property; and to insure a Sale, the Upset Price has been reduced to £12,000.
Glasgow Herald – Friday 24 September 1852
Widower William McTurk sold off his lands in 1853 to Miss Guthrie, daughter of the late Alexander Guthrie, The Mount , Kilmarnock for £12,000 [30]. N.B. The Estate of West Polquhirter at that time included the lands of High Park. William McTurk emigrated to Victoria, Australia. He died on 18th July 1890, aged 81 years and is buried at Lilydale Cemetery, Warburton, Deeside alongside his daughter Margaret and her husband John Rankine Gibb.
Miss Guthrie of Mount, Kilmarnock
Christina Guthrie was born on the 12th November 1834, daughter of Alexander Guthrie of Mount and Christina Marshall. The Guthrie family, originally from the adjoining parish of Riccarton, later settled at the Mount, Kilmarnock to the south-west of the town, where Mount House still stands. Alexander Guthrie managed the extensive collieries for the Duke of Portland, in the county of Ayr from which the family made their fortune along with farming interests. Alexander Guthrie Esq., Mount died on 28th February 1852 leaving his daughter Christina the sole heir, aged 17 years old.
In total she spent over £30,000 (about £4 million in today’s money) in purchasing lands and properties in the parish of New Cumnock having acquired the lands of West Polquhirter and High Park, East Polquhirter and High Polquhirter. In 1855 she purchased the lands of Dalleagles and Farden in the parish of New Cumnock and later she also had a new school built at Dalleagles [31].
The 1855/56 Valuation Rolls of Miss Guthrie’s ‘Polquhirter properties‘ recorded the following tenants – Thomas Miller, West Polquhirter; Mrs McTurk, house at West Polquhirter; John Kerr, High Park; Thomas Hunter, East Polquhirter and Adam Dunlop, High Polquhirter.
On 31st December 1859, Miss Christina Guthrie married Geoffrey Dominick Augustus Frederick Browne Guthrie, 2nd Baron Oranmore & Browne, where as part of the marriage arrangement he took the surname Guthrie. The name of the proprietor of the Polquhirters then took on the long-winded form ‘Christina Guthrie Baroness Oranmore and Browne, wife of the Right Honourable Geoffrey Dominic Augustus Frederick Guthrie of Mount, Baron Oranmore and Browne, Castle Macgarret, Claremorris, Ireland‘. Christina Guthrie died at The Mount, Kilmarnock on 1st May 1887 while her husband died in 1900. The 3rd Baron Oranmore and Browne, dropped the Guthrie name and continued to own the Polquhirter lands until his death in 1927. The 4th Baron Oranmore and Browne sold off some of his New Cumnock properties but continued to hold West Polquhirtor, as well as Dalleagles and Farden for a time. In 1936 he married his second wife Oonagh, granddaughter of brewing magnate Eric Guinness. As absentee landords Baron Oranmore and Browne, managed their properties with a variety of people through the years – solicitors in Kilmarnock, Glasgow and more locally John Stevenson, farmer, Changue, Cumnock and A.Y. Hendrie, Dumfries Estate Office, Cumnock.
East Polquhirter
SSE east ‘east of Polquhirter Burn’ + Place-Name: Polquhirter
The Ordnance Survey Name Book (1855-57) entry for East Polquhirter reads –
A farm house the property of Dr. Hunter
The OSNB entry appears to conflict with Miss Guthrie’s purchase of the property in 1854 and the Valuation Roll 1855/56 both of which identified Miss Guthrie as the proprietor and Thomas Hunter as the tenant. Indeed, Dr. Hunter, East Polquhirter was one of the Authorities for Spelling along with George Caldwell, Cairnhill and Thomas Hamilton, Polshill.
As previously discussed, the earliest form of the name was Nether Polquhirter (Blaeu 1654: N. Polwhyrtyr) while the earliest occurrence of the name East Polquhirter, found thus far, was in an 1806 a baptism record. Of course, the pre-fixes East and West may simply have identified the spatial relationship between the two farms, situated on the same road running from east to west some 500 yards apart. However, the Ordnance Survey map illustrating farm boundaries, clearly shows that the lands (not just the farm houses) of East and West Polquhirter are divided by the Polquhirter Burn, which runs from south to north (see link to Map 5 below).
Lord Oranmore & Browne sold off the lands of East Polquhirter some time between 1925-1930, The Valuation Rolls of 1930 and 1935 record John Young Lethardy, as the proprietor and tenant while the 1940 Valuation Roll record Archibald McKellar Laird, as the proprietor and tenant.
High Polquhirter
SSE high ‘high up from East Polquhirter ‘ + Place-Name: Polquhirter
The Ordnance Survey Name Book (1855-57) entry for High Polquhirter reads –
A farm house 20 ch. [chain] S [South] of E. [East] Polquhirter farm house
The ‘Authorities for Spelling’ were Dr. Hunter, East Polquhirter; Adam Dunlop, High Polquhirter and Hugh Kirk, Burntonhill – smalla property up stream from the neighbouring farm of Burnton. The property appears as High Polquhirter in the Valuation Rolls of 1855-1875, however, from 1885 onwards the property is recorded as ‘High Town of East Polquhirter’, reinforcing the property’s association with the lands of East Polquhirter.
Lord Oranmore & Browne sold off the lands of High Town of East Polquhirter some time between 1925-1930. The Valuation Rolls from 1930 to 1940 record the McKervail family, from the neighbouring farm of Burnton, as owners and tenants.
N.B. The property is currently unoccupied and is up for sale.
West Polquhirter
SSE west ‘west of Polquhirter Burn’ + Place-Name: Polquhirter
The Ordnance Survey Name Book (1855-57) entry for West Polquhirter reads –
A farmhouse the property of the Marquis of Bute
Like East Polquhirter the OSNB entry for West Polquhirter appears to be in conflict with Miss Guthrie’s purchase of this property in 1853 and the Valuation Roll of 1855/56 both of which identifies Miss Guthrie as the proprietor and Thomas Miller as the tenant. The Marquis of Bute did own the neighbouring property of Burnton, and perhaps there’s been a simple mix-up.
The ‘Authorities for Spelling’ were Dr. Hunter, East Polquhirter was one of the Authorities for Spelling along with George Caldwell, Cairnhill and Thomas Hamilton, Polshill.
The 1885 and 1895 Valuation Rolls recorded David, Samuel and Matthew Howat as tenants, not only of West Polquhirter and the associated Polquhirter Cottage but also of East Polquhirter. Samuel Howat continued as a tenant at West Polquhirter and Polquhirter Cottage through to the 1920 Valuation Rolls.
Lord Oranmore & Browne continued to own the lands of West Polquhirter through to and including the 1940 Valuation Rolls (the latest available on-line). The tenants in the later years were John Reid and James Young, farmers (1930/1935) and William McLelland (1940).
West Polquhirter farmhouse sits on the west bank of the Polquhirter Burn at the junction of the burn and the A76 road to from Kirkconnel to New Cumnock.
Polquhirter Cottage
Place-Name: Polquhirter + SSE cottage ‘cottage’
The Ordnance Survey Name Book (1855-57) entry for Polquhirter Cottage reads –
A cottage adjoining West Polquhirter farmhouse
The ‘Authorities of Spelling’ were Dr. Hunter, Polquhirter, George Caldwell, Cairnhill and Thomas Hamilton, Polshill.
As discussed Mrs Janet McTurk (nee Gibson), mother of William McTurk, lived a long life and passed away at Polquhirter Cottage in 1873, aged 84 years. The aforementioned Samuel Howat, was a tenant at West Polquhirter and during his tenancy Polquhirter Cottage was let out to a labourer, bower-man and dairyman, in turn. The 1930 Valuation Rolls reveals that Lord Oranmore and Browne had given up ownership of Polquhirter Cottage and the adjoining land, was now owned and tenanted by John McDowall.
Ownership transferred to Robert McLatchie, born in Mansfield Village, son of William McLatchie, coal miner and Grace Pollok. In 1933 he married Meggie Forster, daughter of a Durham coal miner, born at Iveston Village, Durham. The marriage certificate gives Robert’s occupation as ‘poultry farmer’ and his residence as ‘Polquhirter Poultry Farm’. The 1935 Valuation Rolls records Robert McLatchie as owner and tenant of ‘Polquhirter Cottage and land’ while this expands, in the 1940 Valuation Rolls, to include a ‘tomato house’. In later years Robert and Meggie’s only child Margaret trained to be a florist and married John Wilson, musician and together they grew the business. The ‘tomato house‘ evolved through time into 17 greenhouses filled with tomato plants and flowers for weddings and other occasions as well as wreaths for funerals [32].
In 2005, sons Jim and Robert Wilson, bought Polquhirter Nursery from their mother and set out to create a housing development known as Nursery View [33]. This has strong overtures with the origins of Polquhirter, as suggested by the late Professor Jack McQueen –
It is thus possible that the local burn might be defined by the sept-name of the family who lived along its banks in scattered houses which together formed a unit corresponding to the later fermtoun.
Polquhirter Burn
Place-Name: Polquhirter + SSE burn ‘stream, burn’
All examples of pol- water-course names in the parish of New Cumnock are followed with the Scots or SSE burn ‘stream, burn’ [34]. A similar observation was made by Sir Herbert Maxwell [35] in his study of the pol- names in the place-names of Galloway, where he explains ‘all these streams have had ‘Burn’ pleonastically* added to their names since Gaelic ceased to be spoken and understood‘.
*to use more words than necessary to express a meaning, either intentionally or unintentionally
The Ordnance Survey Name Book (1855-57) entry for Polquhirter Burn reads –
A burn formed by the junction of Small burn with Redrey burn. It flows northwards past n. Polquhirter farm house, and falls into the river Nith.
N.B. The transcription of the above entry replaced ‘n. Polquhirter’ with ‘N. (north) Polquhirter’, perhaps to differentiate from West Polquhirter?
The ‘Authorities for Spelling’ were Dr. Hunter, East Polquhirter, George Caldwell, Cairnhill and William McKnight, Bank.
Polquhirter Burn rises on Burnt Moss on the western slope of Hare Hill it flows north-west for a mile where it is joined by Redree Burn. It flows due north and passes High Polquhirter, high on its east bank and soon after passes West Polquhirter on its west bank. From here it flows under Polquhirter Bridge and on towards Polquhirter Cairn on its east bank before heading north-east for 300 metres through a linear man-made channel to meet the River Nith.
The following photos are from a family walk (2003) up Dalhanna Hill and following stretches of the Deil’s Dyke before descending to Redree Burn and then onto Polquhirter Burn.
Polquhirter Burn far side, meets Redree Burn near side (Robert Guthrie 2003) 
Polquhirter Burn, right with small tributary on the left (Robert Guthrie 2003) 
Polquhirter Burn, gorge (Robert Guthrie 2003) 
Family crossing Polquhirter Burn (Robert Guthrie 2003) 
Kemp Stane in ‘Polquhirter Glen’ (Robert Guthrie 2003) 
Polquhirter Burn, Kemp Stane at the trees in the distance (Robert Guthrie 2003) 
An easier way of crossing Polquhirter Burn (Robert Guthrie 2003)
Kemp Stane
A local tradition regarding the Kemp Stane resting on the bank of Polquhirter Burn is to be found in New Cumnock School-Fellow’s Annual Magazine [36] –
“Did the de’il, for a wager, try to putt the Kemp Stane frae Corsincone on to the Knipes, but it slipping aff his haun’ fell into Polquhirter Glen?”
While Kemp is typically recognised as ‘A champion, warrior, hero. Surviving in ballads and place-names‘ the kemp-stane is, “a stone placed as the boundary which has been reached by the first who kemps or strives at the Putting-stone. He who throws farthest beyond it is the victor” [37].
N.B. There is another piece of local folklore that has the Devil residing at Corsencon and was outwitted by a man called Duncan, from whom Duncan’s Burn was named [38].
From High Polquhirter to Polquhirter Bridge
From Polquhirter Bridge to River Nith
Polquhirter Bridge, north side 
Polquhirter Bridge, north side (Robert Guthrie 2025) 
Polquhirter Burn (Robert Guthrie 2025) 
Polquhirter Burn passing the site of the Cairn ( Robert Guthrie 2025) 
Footbridge from East to West Polquhirter lands (Robert Guthrie (2025) 
Looking back toward footbridge (Robert Guthrie 2025) 
Channel to the River Nith (Robert Guthrie 2025) 
Polquhirter Burn meets River Nith (Robert Guthrie 2025)
Polquhirter Bridge
Place-Name: Polquhirter + SSE bridge ‘bridge’
Polquhirter Bridge was not named in the Ordnance Survey Map: Ayrshire, Sheet XLII, Survey date: 1857, Publication date: 1860 and as such it is not an entry in the Ordnance Survey Name Book (1855-57).
In February 1881 plans were afoot to rebuild the bridge over the Polquhirter Burn [39] –
17. By the Ayr Trustees, to Rebuild the Bridge over the Polquhirter Burn, on the Turnpike Road from Ayr through the united Parishes of Ayr and Alloway and the Parishes of Coylton, Stair, Ochiltree, and Old and New Cumnock, to the March of the County with Dumfries near West Polquhirter, in the parish of New Cumnock.
Estimate to rebuild of present dimensions .. .. £86 0 0
Estimated cost of proposed extension .. .. .. .. ..£52 0 0
Ayrshire Express – Saturday 19 February 1881
By April 1881, the Ayr District Road Trust advertised for contractors to rebuild the bridge over the Polquhirter Burn at the farm of West Polquhirter [40], New Cumnock, and by July reported it was nearly completed [41]. No report, however, on its completion or any celebration, if enacted.
Site of Cairn [Polquhirter]
Place-Name: Polquhirter + SSE cairn ‘a pyramid of stones specially built in memory of the dead’
The Ordnance Survey Name Book (1855-57) entry for Cairn [site of] –
The Cairn was known as “Polquhirter Auld Cairn”. It was levelled a few years since and the stone used for building purposes. There were four upright stones and a little fine mould in the centre. No other remains were found.
The ‘Authorities for Spelling’ were Dr. Hunter, East Polquhirter; George Caldwell, Cairnhill and William McKnight, Bank.
The fieldworker recording the information, known only by the intitials J.C.G., added the following extract, in red ink, from the New Statistical Account for the Parish of New Cumnock (1845) compiled in 1838 by the Reverend Matthew Kirkland [42] –
A few years ago, an ancient tumulus on the farm of Polquhaise was removed. It was found to consist of stones, intermixed with fragments of human bones; and in the centre of it, close to the surface of the natural soil, was a sarcophagus of large stone, containing fragments of human bones, with a small quantity of black earth.
New Cumnock, County of Ayrshire, NSA, Vol. V, 1845
However, the fieldworker appears to have confused Polquhirter with Polquhaise. If J.C.G. had discussed this with the ‘Authorities of Spelling’, Dr. Thomas Hunter may have been able to clarify the situation, i.e. there were no human bones found at Polquhirter. Dr. Hunter appears to have been personally interested in the ‘Polquhirter Auld Cairn’, after all it was situated on his lands of East Polquhirter. Indeed, John Smith in his ‘Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire’ (1895) notes Hunter’s contribution to a local museum [43].
In the Grierson Museum, Thornhill, there is a small celt of fine-grained felstone, about five and three-quarter inches in length found at Polquhirt*, and presented by Dr. Hunter.
John Smith ‘Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire’ (1895)
*Polqhuirt = Polquhirter
Could the Polquhirter Auld Cairn have been built in view of Corsencon Hill dominating the sky-line on the other side of the River Nith?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks to Rab Wilson for his correspondence on his family history at Polquhirter Cottage.
| Maps |
| Reproduced with the Permission of National Library of Scotland |
| https://maps.nls.uk/ |
| Map 1: Johan Blaeu , Coila Provincia, [or], The province of Kyle / auct. Timoth. Pont. (1654) | Polwhyrtyr |
| Map 2: Andrew Armstrong A new map of Ayrshire (1775)| Polwhirter |
| Map 3: William Johnston, Northern (Southern part of Ayrshire (1828)|East Polquharter |
| Map 4: Ordnance Survey, Six-inch 2nd Edition (1895) |Polquhirter lands |
| Map 5: Ordnance Survey 6 inch plan (Ayrshire, sheet XLII.SW) marked to show farm boundaries [1944-1955], Reference RHP75837 |
| Map 6: Ordnance Survey, 1:25,000 maps of Great Britain (1938-1957) | Polquhirter Burn |
| Map 7: James Mc.Derment & Sons,Map of the turnpike & parish roads New Cumnock | West and East Palquhirter |
| Ordnance Survey Name Books |
| By Permission of Scotland’s Places |
| scotlandsplaces.gov.uk |
| Ayrshire OS Name Books (1855-57) Vol. 49| 1. East Polquhirter 2. West Polqhirter 3. Polquhirter Cottage |
| Ayrshire OS Name Books (1855-57) Vol. 49| High Polquhirter |
| Ayrshire OS Name Books (1855-57) Vol. 49|Polquhirter Burn |
| Ayrshire OS Name Books (1855-57) Vol. 49|Site of Cairn (Polquhirter) |
| References |
| [1] G.W.S. Barrow ‘The Uses of Place-names and Scottish History – pointers and pitfalls’, in the ‘The Uses of Place-Names ,Ed. Simon Taylor. (1998) |
| [2] Professor Hector MacQueen, Scottish Place-names / Ainmean-àite na h-Albas’ Facebook Group, 27 Sep 2019 |
| [3] Professor Jack MacQueen, unpublished research in poll- names |
| [4] George F. Black ‘The Surnames of Scotland (Birlinn Edition 1999) |MacWhirter |
| [5] George F. Black ‘The Surnames of Scotland (Birlinn Edition 1999) |MacChruiter |
| [6] W. J. Watson ‘The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland’ (Birlinn Edition 2004) | Chapter XIV, River Names II |
| [7] Alexander Murdoch in his ‘Ochiltree -Its History and Reminiscences’ (1920) |
| [8] New Cumnock History: John Campbell in Polquhirter |
| [9] Scotland’s People: Glasgow Commisary Court, Reference Number CC9/7/2 ‘The Testament, Testamentar & Inventory of James Dunbar of Polquhir Tour, spouse of Agnes Barclay‘, 25/04/1564. |
| [10] Yvonne Saunderson, Cumnock Local history research correspondence |
| [11] Stuart Clarkson, Campbell research, correspondence |
| [12] Andrew Wilson, Margaret and Christian Wilsone, heirs-portioners (1656) Apologies I have misplaced the reference |
| [13] James Wilson, two co-heiresses Apologies I have misplaced the reference |
| [14] Robert Guthrie, New Cumnock History : Catherine Gordon Stewart |
| [15] British Newspaper Archive: Caledonian Mercury, Tuesday 20th December 1743 |
| [16] British Newspaper Archive: Caledonian Mercury, Monday 6th February 1744 |
| [17] Scotland’s People: Wills & Testaments, Testament Dative and Inventory, Glasgow Commissary Court, Reference CC9/7/56, Robert Barrie 20th November 1740 |
| [18] New Cumnock Place-Names | Stellhead Rig |
| [19] New Cumnock Place-Names |Park |
| [20] Scotland’s People , Land Tax Roll 1759 | Scotland Exchequer Land (Tax Records) – Land tax rolls – Ayr county – Volume 4 – bailliaries of Cunninghame, Kyle and Carrick, E106/4/4. |
| [21] Scotland’s People, Land Tax Roll 1803 | Scotland Exchequer Land (Tax Records) – Land tax rolls – Ayr county – Volume 5 – bailliaries of Cunninghame, Kyle and Carrick, E106/4/5. |
| [22] Scotland’s People: Land Tax Roll 1803 | Scotland Exchequer Land (Tax Records) – Land tax rolls – Ayr county – Volume 5 – bailliaries of Cunninghame, Kyle and Carrick, E106/4/5. Section 9A – ‘Extract from the Cess Roll of the County of Ayr of Date 1816 |
| [23] Scotland’s People: The Inventory and Disposition & Deed of Settlement| Thomas Hunter of Polquhirter, parish of New Cumnock. 10/05/1836, Ayr Sheriff Court, Ref: Sc6/44/7. |
| [24] British Newspaper Archive: Scottish Guardian (Glasgow) – Tuesday 12 September 1854 |
| [25] British Newspaper Archive: Commonwealth (Glasgow) – Saturday 26 August 1854 |
| [26] Chris Rollie, Robert Burns & New Cumnock (1996) |
| [27] John Muir’s Diary |
| [28] Scotland’s People: Testament Dative and Inventory | John McTurk of Polquhirter 26/03/1796, Glasgow Commisary Court CC9/7/76 |
| [29] British Newspaper Archive: Glasgow Herald – Friday 24 September 1852 |
| [30] British Newspaper Archive: Glasgow Courier – Tuesday 02 August 1853 |
| [31] British Newspaper Archive: Caledonian Mercury – Monday 12 February 1855 |
| [32] Rab Wilson, Collier Laddie, Luath Press (2024) |
| [33] Correspondence with Rab Wilson |
| [34] Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. | burn |
| [35] Sir Herbert Maxwell, Place-Names of Galloway |
| [36] New Cumnock School-Fellow’s Annual Magazine (1898) |
| [37] Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd.| kemp, kemp-stane |
| [38] New Cumnock Place-Names : Duncan’s Burn |
| [39] British Newspaper Archive: Ayrshire Express – Saturday 19 February 1881 |
| [40] British Newspaper Archive: Ayr Observer – Friday 08 April 1881 |
| [41] British Newspaper Archive: Ayrshire Express – Saturday 16 July 1881 |
| [42] New Statistical Account, County of Ayrshire | NSA, Vol. V, 1845 |
| [43] John Smith, Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire (1895) |