Location shows High Park originaal farm steading and Laigh Park to the west.
Hugh Gibson started up as farmer of Parks, living in a house at Afton Bridgend, then gradually acquired a farm house called Park. High Park farm, to the east of the Gibson farm,seems to have been left derelict, and a new farmhouse built further up the hill and named High Park. The Kerr family lived at High Park, while the Gibsons lived at West Park, AKA Laigh Park.
West Park became known Laigh Park around 1900* |
| West Park from Afton Water bridge by Billie McCrorie in 2018 From Geograph |
High Park was farmed by the Gibson family
1841 census shows Hugh Gibson age 60 farming West Park with sons William, John, and James and daughters Margaret & Crawford. Servant James Cumming 12.
1851 census show Hugh Gibson 73 widower, farmer of 60 acres employing 1 labourer. Also living there is daughter Margaret 30, son Hugh Gibson 37 farm servant, daughter Crawford 27, grandson Hugh Gibson 4 whose mother is Crawford and 1 male farm servant, John Lee 14.
The 1861 census shows Hugh Gibson 82, widower, farmer of 600 acres (think this is a mistake) employing 5 labourers, son Hugh 49 daughter Margaret 51 grandson Hugh 14 and a female domestic servant, Ann Pearson 16.
Hugh died at West Park in January 1868 and son Hugh takes over.
The 1871 census for West Park, a farm of 60 acres shows Hugh Gibson 62 a single man with his older sister Margaret as housekeeper. His married sister Crawford Hyslop is "dairy" her husband John Hyslop is labourer and there are 4 young nieces and nephews. Hugh died in 1880 and nephew Hugh Gibson the son of Crawford Gibson takes over.
1881 census at West Park shows Hugh Gibson 34 and his wife Agnes (Craig) 33 farming 70 acres arable employing 1 girl. They have five children all under twelve; Jane 12, Hugh 11, William 10, David 7, and Agnes 5. Mary Reid 20 is their general servant.
Hugh died at West Park in January 1868 and son Hugh takes over.
The 1871 census for West Park, a farm of 60 acres shows Hugh Gibson 62 a single man with his older sister Margaret as housekeeper. His married sister Crawford Hyslop is "dairy" her husband John Hyslop is labourer and there are 4 young nieces and nephews. Hugh died in 1880 and nephew Hugh Gibson the son of Crawford Gibson takes over.
1881 census at West Park shows Hugh Gibson 34 and his wife Agnes (Craig) 33 farming 70 acres arable employing 1 girl. They have five children all under twelve; Jane 12, Hugh 11, William 10, David 7, and Agnes 5. Mary Reid 20 is their general servant.
The 1891 census shows Hugh Gibson 44 farming with wife Agnes and sons David & Andrew and daughters Margaret, Agnes & Marion
The 1901 census shows Hugh Gibson 54 and wife Agnes farming at Laigh Park with son Andrew 15 and daughter Marion 10.
*(cannot find West Park on 1901 census, conclusion West Park became known as Laigh Park)
Probate: 28/2/1880 Ayr
Conf of Hugh Gibson sen. sometime farmer thereafter residing at West Park, Parish of New Cumnock testate granted at Ayr to John Picken, farmer, Mansefield Mains New Cumnock and Alexander Tennent, banker, New Cumnock. Executors.
Valuation Rolls
1885 Proprietor Mrs Mary McQueen Thomson Carmichael, tenant Hugh Gibson (House and farm of Park)
1925 prop Mrs Alice Carmichael.
1930 prop Mrs Edith Hamilton.
1940 tenant Hugh Dunn.
