Ploughing Up Our Past: Craigdarroch, New Cumnock

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Craigdarroch, New Cumnock

Location 55 20 01N, 4 09 23W in Afton Glen, New Cumnock. It is still a sheep farm.

Appears on the Blaeu atlas of 1654 as Kraig Darroch

Craigdarroch - Suggested meaning 'craig of the oak'

1648 testament dative 10 / 3 / 1648 ELIZABETH MILLIKEN SPOUSE TO ROBERT MCMICHALL IN CRAIGDOROCHE, PARISH OF CUMNOCKGLASGOW COMMISSARY COURT CC9/7/30

In the Howatson family from 1732 with the birth of Hugh Howatson

Horse Tax 1797-98 Charles Howatson, Craigdarroch, 3 horses.

1950s, Jean McHarg

Craigdarroch - A farmhouse occupied by John Welch senior, herd, the property of Mr John Craig, Polquheys. Scotlands places 1855-7

https://newcumnockheritage.com/2015/02/26/howatson-of-craigdarroch/

Some Births/Baptisms in Craigdarroch

03/02/1708 - Hugh Williamson Parents: Alexander Williamson & Margaret Campbell

24/01/1714 - Elizabeth George Crawford & Jean (Blank)

25/07/1725 - John & Helen (twins) Andrew Howatson & Margaret Campbell

of Craigdarroch

06/04/1729 - Ann Andrew Howatson & Margaret Campbell

of Craigdarroch

08/04/1733 - William James Reid & Mary Gemmell in Craigdarroch

20/05/1810 - birth Thomas lawful son to Andrew Lees & Margaret Begg in Craigdarroch

(The 1841 census (for where? Craigdullart or Craigdullyeart) shows John Campbell a 45yr old grain dealer living in Craigdullart with his mother Joan Campbell 70. The 1851 census for John shows him living in Mansefield as a cheese and grain merchant.)

The 1841 census for Craigdarroch (Craigderroch on freecen) show James Renwick ag lab and his wife Agnes Tait both 30 children Jane and Halbert and two female servants Elizabeth Matthewson 10 and Bell Baird 15

The 1851 census for Craigdarroch shows John Welsh 60 shepherd and his wife Jannett living there. They have a lodger Daniel McMichael who is a surface drainer.

The 1861 census shows 73yr old John Welsh shepherd still occupying Craigdarroch along with his son John 30 who is also a shepherd, Jane McMillan 48 housekeeper, John Smith a 28yr old agricultural labourer who is a boarder and Archibald McMichael lodger who is a surface drainer.

Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald. 4/5/1861

The 1871 census shows son John Welsh 40 shepherd living in Craigdarroch with his wife Margaret (McLatchie) 36 and their children John 6, James 4, Jane 2 and infant Anne. They employ a 14yr old nurse Jane Whitefield.

The 1881 census shows John Welsh 50 shepherd in charge of 2000 acres of hill pasture, his wife Margaret 40, son John 16 shepherd’s assistant and younger children James 14, Jane 12, Annie 9, William 7, Margaret 5 and Agnes 1.

The 1891 census shows that 63yr old John Welsh shepherd is now a widower. Also living in Craigdarroch are his shepherd son James 25, son William 17 a farm servant and Mary Murdoch 34 their housekeeper.

(Mary Murdoch’s parents were Matthew Murdoch & Mary Morrison - Rigg)