a lot of its land has gone to housing, as can be seen using the slider on the geo referenced map above
15yr old Margaret Wyllie, daughter of William Wyllie of Watson died of smallpox on 30th December 1790.
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| Edinburgh Evening Courant 1st Aug 1862 |
15yr old Margaret Wyllie, daughter of William Wyllie of Watson died of smallpox on 30th December 1790.
(The History of Ochiltree Village & Parish - Dane Love - p30)
The History of Ochiltree Village & Parish - Dane Love
1841 census
Watston, Ochiltree
Robert Baird 40 and new wife Helen (McKerrow) 20 and one girl
1851 census
Robert Baird 49 farmer Of 57 Acres Employing 2 Labourers
with Helen 5 children 2 male labourer and a female servant
1861 census
Watston, Ochiltree
Robert Baird 59 Farmer Of 63 Acres Employing 1 Boy (and 2 female servants)
1871 census
Robert 69 Farmer Of 80 Acres
son William 23 and 3 servants
The History of Ochiltree Village & Parish - Dane Love
p337
Watston
57 acres in 1851. 63 acres in 1861. 85 acres in 1862.
William Wyllie (d1792)
1797 William Wyllie
1841-1857 Alexander Ross heirs - Robert Baird
1867-1875 Dumfries House Estate - Robert Baird
-1884 Dumfries House Estate - William Baird (1848-1884)
1899-1919 Dumfries House Estate - Robert Baird
1919-1943 Robert Baird (d1943)
1943-
1841 census
Watston, Ochiltree
Robert Baird 40 and new wife Helen (McKerrow) 20 and one girl
1851 census
Robert Baird 49 farmer Of 57 Acres Employing 2 Labourers
with Helen 5 children 2 male labourer and a female servant
1861 census
Watston, Ochiltree
Robert Baird 59 Farmer Of 63 Acres Employing 1 Boy (and 2 female servants)
1871 census
Robert 69 Farmer Of 80 Acres
son William 23 and 3 servants
Robert died in August 1871 and son William carried on with the farm, his other surviving sons being drapers in England.
The 1881 census for Ochiltree shows Robert's son William Baird 33, wife Margaret (Miller) 25 and four children under eight. They are farming 80 acres arable employing 1 man and 1 girl.
The 1881 census for Ochiltree shows Robert's son William Baird 33, wife Margaret (Miller) 25 and four children under eight. They are farming 80 acres arable employing 1 man and 1 girl.
Only three years later, William Baird died. He must have been 36.
1891 census
William's widow Margaret is running the farm with her children, son in law Robert Orr and her younger brother living with them. Her sons were Robert 16, John 10, and William 6, and daughter Ellen was 13. Daughter Margaret had married Robert Orr and they had one daughter Margaret 1. Margaret Brown was a niece age 4 staying at the time of the 1891 census. Tragically, Margaret died by her own hand in 1898.
In 1901 Robert Baird 26 and brother John 20 and sister Helen 23 are farming Watston. They have cousin Maggie Brown and servant Elizabeth King.
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| Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald 23rd May 1884 |
William's widow Margaret is running the farm with her children, son in law Robert Orr and her younger brother living with them. Her sons were Robert 16, John 10, and William 6, and daughter Ellen was 13. Daughter Margaret had married Robert Orr and they had one daughter Margaret 1. Margaret Brown was a niece age 4 staying at the time of the 1891 census. Tragically, Margaret died by her own hand in 1898.
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| Edinburgh Evening News 9th July 1898 |
'In June 1939 plans were passed for the erection of new council houses on land at Watston farm'.
(The History of Ochiltree Village & Parish - Dane Love - p59)
In 1943 there is an announcement in the Daily Record of the settling up of the estate of deceased Robert Baird of Watston. He must have been around 68 years old. He was Proprietor of the house and farm of Watston, as well as the house of Pool, woodlands and shootings
Valuation Rolls
1895 Margaret was the tenant
1915 Proprietor The Marquis of Bute, Tenant Robert Baird
Robert Baird then became the Proprietor/ occupier of Watston and associated lands.
