Farm Horse Tax Rolls - Wm McCrone, Shielmains - 3 horses - 3 liable for duty
Shield Mains (or Shiel Mains) - Farm steading consisting of dwelling house and out offices in one range of building - one storey slated and in good repair. Property of Alexander Oswald Esq., Auchincruive.
The History of Ochiltree Village & Parish - Dane Love
p332
Shield Mains of Drongan
66 Scotch acres in 1843
1899 Drongan Estate - Henry Cowan
1914 Drongan Estate - Henry Cowan
1925-1965 James Wallace - (1879-1965)
1965-
2003-2013 John C. Ferguson
The 1841 census for Shielmains, Stair shows John Weir 60 farmer, Elizabeth Weir 50 and children Jean 15, John 14 and James 12.
By 1851 Shiel Mains, Stair is being farmed by son John Weir 25 who is farming 65 acres. His father and mother John 71 and Elizabeth 61 are still living there along with his two sisters Janet 30 and Elizabeth 30.
The 1861 census shows that John Weir, farmer of 60 acres, has now taken a wife Agnes 31 (Wallace) whom he had married on 19/7/1860 at Ochiltree. His mother Elizabeth 71 is boarding with them and they are assisted by dairymaid Janet Paterson 16.
The 1871 census shows John Weir now farming 78 acres arable. He and his wife Agnes 41 now have four children - Maggie 9, John 8, James 5 and 6months old daughter Elizabeth. His father-in-law John Wallace 78 lives with them and they are assisted by farm servant Maggie Herbertson 22.
The 1881 census shows John Weir 54 farmer of 72 acres assisted by his wife Agnes 50 and their children Margaret 19, John 18 and Elizabeth 10 who are all employed on the farm.
Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle
John Weir died at Shieldmains on 23rd May 1887,
Probate: Inventory of John Weir, farmer, Shield Mains, Coylton who died 23/5/1887 at Shield Mains aforesaid, intestate, given up at Ayr by James Weir, grocer, 74 Viewfield Road, Newton-on-Ayr, his son, executor dative qua next of kin.
Son John Weir took over the running of the farm after his father's death. The 1891 census shows John is assisted by his 20yr old sister Elizabeth and 76yr old Mary Welsh who is a general servant.
Boundary changes 1889/92 meant that Shield Mains was transferred from the Parish of Stair into the Parish of Ochiltree.
The 1901 census for Shield Mains, Ochiltree shows dairyman Walter Kerr 29 living there with his wife Margaret 34, sons Hugh 3 & William 2, daughter Margaret 5 months, domestic servant Mary McGinn 14 and boarder Thomas Kerr 23 who is a pitheadman.
Valuation Rolls
1855 Lands of Shield Mains, Stair Tenant/Occupier: Logan Weir
1895 House & Farm of Shiel Mains, Ochiltree Proprietor: The Hon. J.M. Yorke
& Spouse
Tenant: Henry Cowan, farmer
1905 House & Farm of Shiel Mains, Ochiltree Prop: The Right Hon. The Earl of
Hardwicke & Spouse
Tenant: Henry Cowan
Inhabitant: Walter Kerr, carter
In 1993 the Coyle Water Fishery was created at Shieldmains Farm. A large lagoon, filled with water, was created in a meander of the water of Coyle, which was stocked with fish. Short piers allowed fishermen to try their luck in catching them. This was later taken over by the Mauchline and Ballochmyle Angling Club.
(The History of Ochiltree Village & Parish - Dane Love pp274, 275)
