Hillhead of Sorn Castle, 3rd Oct 1870
To Mr David Thomson,
Laigh Brocklar,
Sorn
Sir I hereby make offer to you & to your heirs & successors the bowing of cows at Garrallan House Farm in the parish of Cumnock & county of Ayr from the Fifteenth day of May Eighteen Hundred & Seventy One to the Eleventh day of November 1872 being the period of one &one half years at the following Rent viz from the said Fifteenth day of May 1871to the 11th day of November in said year the sum of £9 per cow & for the remaining year the sum of £10 per cow two thirds of the first half year's Rent to be paid at Martinmas 1871 the remaining third at Whitsunday following & the full year's Rent to be paid at Martinmas 1872. You agree to pay me the sum of £60 at First April 1871 as security for the said Rent and I agree to pay you Bank Interest on said sum so long as it remains in my possession and the said sum of £60 to be counted up as Rent at Martinmas 1872 if a new agreement is not entered into.
I agree to give you one load of beans made into meal , for every two cows you winter and one acre of turnips and cabbage , say 2000 of the latter. If any changes is wanted with the cows this to be done at Martinmas 1871 and whatever cows you select then you shall be bound to keep on the following year. You are to bring up and give new milk to two calves during the spring of 1872 until they are of an ordinary size for rearing.
You are to be bound to supply the Mansion House at Garrallan with whatever Dairy Produce you have at market prices. You are to have the grass fields I pointed out to you for the cows & the young cattle are to have the run across those fields during the winter months and you are to assist with two people at the winnowing & stacking of the hay. I agree to cut it and I also agree to perform all the cartages for you such as coals, turnips and taking away your cheese. You to shaw the turnips before being carted home.
I also agree to give you land to plant a few potatoes for your own private use & you are to have the Farm Garden at Garrallan to cultivate for yourself. You are also to be bound to take good care of the cattle in your possession , & you are to take them to Changue for the bull. Your acceptance of this offer will be binding on you & your Heirs as well as on me , my Heirs & Successors, & you shall have the whole Dairy utensils given over to you in good condition & you shall be bound to leave them so at your removal
( Signed ) John Stevenson
I accept the above
(Signed) David Thomson
Maggie Thomson continued to keep the cows when the new Garrallan cottages and byre were built c1900.
Her name lived on for the field in front of Garrallan house where the hay was made for her cattle - Maggie's Meadow.
It is field 523 on this map.
