Jenny's Thorn mentioned in scotlandsplaces 1855 and on map is most likely a trysting tree. But who was Jenny? Brockloch has connections with covenantors. See Jardine’s Book of Martyrs for details. Jenny Geddes was a heroine of the day - perhaps the thorn is a tribute to her?
Horse Tax 1797-98 James Stit, Brockloch, 4 horses, 2 taxed.
In the hands of the Sloan family for most of 19th century: Alexander Sloan, then his wife Euphemia Park, then son George, then George's son Hugh
1881 census shows this substantial farm of 1200 acres, 240 of which are arable being run by George Sloan and his sons and daughters. They also employ 13 men and 4 women along with house servants and dairyman, and a ploughman.
1841 Census - Brochloch, New Cumnock
Euphemia Sloan - farmer ( ms Park) + 7 Sloans, 1 agr lab + 2 female servants
(her husband Alexander Sloan died 21/3/1840 at Ochiltree)
1851 Census - Brocloch Euphemia Sloan - farmer of 1000 acres + 5 sons & 1 daughter, 2 farm labourers men, 3 farm servants
1861 Census - Brockloch
George Sloan and wife Jane Murdoch - farmer of 1200 employing 4 men and 4 women
1871 Census - Brockloch
George Sloan, wife Jane - farmer of 900 acres hill & 250 arable emp 1 nurse, 1 shepherd, 1 ploughman, 3 women general servants
1881 Census - Brochlsch Farm
George Sloan - farmer of [1200] acres 240 arable emp 3 men, 4 women, 1 dayman
George died 2/12/1888 at Brockloch
1891 Census - Brockloch Hugh Sloan - farmer
1901 Census - Brockloch Farmhouse
John Stewart - farmer emp 1 dairymaid, 1 nurse, 1 shepherd, 1 housemaid, 1 ploughman
John Stewart died in 1904 as a result of losing his arm in an accident with a threshing mill. (Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald)
Probate: Jane Murdoch or Sloan, Westland Farm, New Cumnock widow of George Sloan farmer Brockloch New Cumnock died 16/3/1914 at Rigg Farm Kirkconnel Dumfriesshire testate. Conf granted at Ayr 7/7/1914 to Jane Sloan or Brown wife of William Brown Westland Farm aforesaid her daughter executrix
Robert Gibb was the farmer in early 20th century
Hillend of Brockloch birthplace of Deborah Walls in 1810
1865 Valuation Rolls Owner - William Allason Cunninghame, tenant George Sloan. 1895 tenant John Stewart. 1915 prop William Hyslop, tenant Robert Gibb. 1925 tenant Andrew Gibb.
