Upper Beoch is in Dalmellington parish
Only the rubble remains of Nether Beoch, but the outline of the enclosure can still be seen, surrounded by forestry. These two farms straddle the parish boundary between New Cumnock and Dalmellington, and for the whole of the records found so far are run by the same Smith family, and owned by the MacAdam (Cathcart) family.
The Smiths seem to be living at Upper Beoch, see Canmore note below
Scotlands Places of 1855/57 already describes Nether Beoch as a ruin, annexed to Upper Beoch, both in New Cumnock parish.
Census
1841 census Andrew Smith 60 wife Jane(Craig) 42, children John 13, Mary 9, Elspeth 6, Jane 1, and 4 servants, James Rowan 24, Robert Williamson 18, Thomas Wilson 15, and Ann Dempster 17.
1851 Andrew Smith 70 farmer of 200 acres (should be 2000?). Wife Jean 53, son John 23, and daughters Mary 19, Elspeth 15, and Jane 10. Jane has a governess, Sarah Hewitson 27, from Dalmellington, Servants James Walls 17, shepherd, and Mary Craig 16, housemaid, and lodgers. They are the McLaughlin family staying for the night, George 44, Mary 46, son George 5 and daughter Mary 4 months.
1861 Andrew Smith 80 farmer Of 1634 Acres. Jean 63 and daughter Elspeth 25, son John 33. They have visitors, James Lees 52, shoemaker, with wife Mary 52 and daughter Jne 11. Agness Hamilton 16, is a domestic, Archibald Dickson 16, shepherd, and John McClymont 16, agricultural labourer.
Andrew Smith died in 1866 and his son John took charge
1871 John Smith 43 Farmers Of 1634 Acres Margaret (Murdoch) 33, 4 children, Andrew 7, Barbara Rae 5, James Murdoch 3, and Adam 1. 2 servants, John Paulin 25, and Agness Campbell 15.
1881 John Smith 53 wife Margaret 43, three more daughters Jean 9, Margaret 7, and Mary 4. Margaret Moffat 14, is a general servant.
1891 John Smith 63, widower, and six of his family are helping him run the farm. They are Andrew 27, Barbara, James, Adam, Jean, and Mary 14.
1901 John Smith 73, 3 of his children, James 33, Adam 31, and Mary 24. Two servants James Hewatson 19, and Jean Paulin 15.
John Smith died at Beoch in 1910
His son James Murdoch Smith took over until his death at North Beoch in 1936
Valuation Roll
There are numerous entries in the newspaper archive where their Blackface sheep are sold, shepherds required in the situations vacant, and a housekeeper required - able to milk?
1855 prop Col. MacAdam, tenant John Smith.
1865 prop Mrs Jean MacAdam Cathcart, tenant Andrew Smith.
1895 prop Alexander Frederic MacAdam, tenant John Smith (subsequently described as of Two Beochs).
1905 prop Mrs Charlotte Tilke or MacAdam (plus a substantial number of houses, presumably related to the opening of the Beoch pit).
1920 prop James Smith.
1935 prop Robert Smith.
There are numerous entries in the newspaper archive where their Blackface sheep are sold, shepherds required in the situations vacant, and a housekeeper required - able to milk?
 |
| Dumfries and Galloway Standard 1942 |
Sale in 1919 on Canmore, part of the The Craigengillan Estate
1940 death of Matilda Smith (née Rankine) widow of James Murdoch Smith farmer Beoch
