see also New Cumnock Heritage for details of the Arthur family bequest.
Some births/baptisms at Wellhill from OPRs
Some births/baptisms at Wellhill from OPRs
10/4/1711 - Agnes daughter to William Crosbie and Janet Spark
25/5/1712 - John son to James Hair and Janet Corsbie
19/2/1725 - James son to Quintin McWhinny and Mary Crichton
7/10/1733 - Janet dtr to Andrew Hair and Katherine Russell
20/6/1736 - Jean dtr to Quintin McWhinny and Mary Crichton
6/12/1736 - John son to Andrew Hair and Cathrine Russell
18/3/1739 - Andrew son to Andrew Hair and Cathrine Russell
The 1841 census shows David Arthur 60 farming with his wife Jane (Findlay) 60, son William Arthur 30, also Jane Riddle 20, Isabella Corson 10, and James Begg 5.
Valuation Roll
The 1841 census shows David Arthur 60 farming with his wife Jane (Findlay) 60, son William Arthur 30, also Jane Riddle 20, Isabella Corson 10, and James Begg 5.
The 1851 census shows David Arthur 70 farming in partnership with his son William 41 120 acres employing 2 labourers, David’s wife Jane 71,John Kerr 24, ploughman, James Meikle 16, labourer, Margaret Nisbet 21 house maid, Janet Galt, 28, dairymaid, Margaret McClatchie 12, house servant, and four lodgers, Janet Strathern age 84 a pauper, Neil Elliot 30, peddler, Elisabeth Millar 48, beggar, and William Bowman 8, beggar.
The 1861 census shows son William Arthur 51 and his wife Elizabeth 34 (Houston) farming 120 acres. Mary Houston 25 a farmer’s daughter visiting, Agness Johnston 28, dairymaid, Janet Johnston 17, domestic servant and John McCulloch 15, listed as a domestic servant.
The 1871 census shows William Arthur 61 and wife Elizabeth 44 farming 130 acres arable employing 1 man and 2 women.They have niece Janet Houston 10,Thomas Herbert 20, ploughman, James Boyle 20, general agricultural servant, Mary Currie 21 dairymaid and Mary Houston 19 housemaid.
1881 census shows William Arthur 71 and wife Elizabeth 54 residing at Wellhill farm. Also living there are Mary Houston 80 (Elizabeth’s mother), Janet Houston 20, niece, Mary Houston 20, dairymaid, and Margaret Sloan 21, general servant.
The Arthurs retired to Arthur's Seat, Pathhead, New Cumnock - see probate record below.
The 1891 census shows Adam Mackie 42 farmer and his wife Ellen 32, sons Adam 7 and Andrew 6. Servants are James Collins 18, Agnes Thomson 21, and Jessie Black 17.
The 1901 census shows Adam Mackie 52 farming with his wife Ellen 43, son Adam 17, daughter Maggie 8. Maggie Marshall 20 and Charlotte McDonald 16 are both domestic servants.
Valuation Roll
1855 tenant Hugh Meikle (incl tileworks). William Arthur is listed as being the tenant of Mill Hill and Crook (transcription error)
1865 prop Marquis of Bute, tenant William Arthur.
1885 tenant Adam Mackie.
1905 tenant James Hamilton.
1920 tenant Alexander White.
1925-40 prop Robert Findlay, tenant Thomas Findlay.
Probate: 31/5/1895 Ayr
Probate: 31/5/1895 Ayr
Conf of William Arthur residing at Arthur’s Seat, Pathhead, New Cumnock who died 20/2/1894 at New Cumnock testate granted to Mitchell Arthur otherwise David Mitchell Arthur MD, Cults Aberdeenhus nephew, Robert Shankland 6 MontgomeryTerrace, Ayr, David Mathewson, joiner, New Cumnock, Andrew Stirling retired teacher, Castlehill there and Thomas Kirkland, merchant there - executors
Elizabeth Arthur died 3/8/1885 at Arthur’s Seat, New Cumnock
