Hugh Douglas (of Garallane) and Margaret Crauford (of Camlarg, Dalmellington) 1691
It is not the marriage date as they were married about 1684.
From Robert Guthrie in New Cumnock History
Another later date-stone associated with Hugh Douglas survives to this day, not in Old Cumnock but in New Cumnock in the gable end of the byre at Knockshinnoch farm, retrieved no doubt at some time from the nearby ruins of the Knockshinnoch Tower. The stone bears the initials of Hugh Douglas and his wife Margaret Crawford along with their heraldic symbols the heart and mullet (spur) for Douglas and stag’s head for Crawford – perhaps the heraldic pun ‘heart and hart’ at play. It also included the date 1691 the significance of which is unclear. It is not the marriage date since the couple were married on or before 1684. Perhaps Hugh Douglas took up residence in Knockshinnoch Tower that year, leaving his heir at Garrallan, however by 1708 Knockshinnoch was acquired by Thomas Logan the spouse of Jean Thomson, widow of William Campbell of Wellwood.
The land tax rolls for Ayrshire of 1705 and 1708 each include the two following entries.
Knockshinnoch now Garaland
Garaland, Boig and Leanmark (i.e. Lanemark in New Cumnock)
Together Hugh and Margaret had three sons – John, Hugh and Alexander. Eldest son John died at Panama during the ill-fated short-lived Darien Scheme of the late 17th century and it was middle son Hugh that succeeded to the lands of Garrallan and Boig.
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| June Rorison |
Horse Tax 1797-98 John Logan, Knockshinnoch, 3 horses duty 6s
OPR 1812 Baptism Alexander Wilson born the 28th April lawful son of William Wilson in Knockshinnock and Margaret Sloan was baptised 5 Jul 1812
William McKerrow married Barbara Craig 6/1/1837 in Old Cumnock
The 1851 census for Knockshinnoch shows William McKerrow 36 farmer of 136 acres employing 5 labourers. He is assisted by his wife Barbara 35 (Craig), daughter Isabella 12 (who was born in the West Indies), daughter Margaret 10, son John 8, sons William 6 & James 5, daughter Agnes 3 & Jane 1, 1 male farm labourer, 1 dairymaid, 1 house servant and 1 female farm servant.
The 1861 census shows Barbara McKerrow farmer of 136 acres employing 1 man and 1 woman. She is assisted by her daughter Margaret 20, son John 18, son William 16 who is a student, son James 15, daughter Agnes 13, daughter Jane 11, daughter Jannette 9, daughter Barbara 5, daughter Elizabeth C 7, daughter Andriana 4, son Robert 1 and 1 female domestic servant.
The 1881 census shows Jane Wilson now a widow 74 farming 170 acres arable employing 2 men and 2 women with her widower son John 51 who is a farm servant , unmarried daughter Catherine 41 who is a general domestic servant, son George 15 who is also a farm servant, grand-daughter Margaret Wilson 18 who is a general domestic servant. They have a boarder Adam Cunningham an agricultural labourer and a visitor 16yr old James Wilson a railway clerk.
The 1891 census now shows William Taylor 40 now farming there with his mother Isabella Taylor 76, brother Robert Taylor 30, 1 female domestic servant and 1 male farm servant.
The 1901 census shows William Taylor 54 still farming Knockshinnoch. His mother Isabella is now 88 and he is assisted by his sister Jane 46, nephew James P Pollock 22 and servant Janet Malcolm 36.
VR 1875 tenant William Wilson.
1885 tenant Kenneth MacKenzie.
1895 prop Horatio Ross MacCrae.
Probate 1926 Ayr - William Kerr retired Knockshinnoch, Parish of New Cumnock died 20/11/1925 at New Cumnock testate. Conf. to Alexander Kerr & John Kerr his sons, executors.
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| Robert Guthrie |
