Scotland > 1837 - Pigot and Co.'s national commercial directory for the whole of Scotland and of the Isle of Man

Pimtoip
DUMFRIES, &c.
Bnmfxit$=^Uxt*
council, &c. and it is supported by a part of the col-
lections from tlie chnrcli doms, huiueroiis bcnffac-
iioiis,doiiaiionsand aiiiuiHl subscriptions. Theiualth,
juonils, and comtort of its poor inmates are studied
with the greatest care. It was founded, in 1753, by
Messrs. J. and W. Moorhead, merchants. Dumfries
also contains a society for promoting education in the
Highlands, a missionary society, a society for pro-
luoting Christianity amongst the Jews, a Bihie society,
a liical Sabbath school society, an infants' scliool, a
ladies' free school, a juvenile society, a biatich of the
Scottish missionary society, and a penny a week Bible
and missionaiy society. — 'ihe Academy. Tiiis elegant
and ustfnl seminary was founded in 1802, on one of
the most delishtful and healthy situations to be found
in the town or neiglibourhnod. The expenses of the
giound, and of building and finishing the fabric, were
entirely defrayed by voluntary subscription. A coni-
niiitee of management having been chosen by a ge-
neral meetingof the subsciibers, the whole operations
were carried into execution under their superinten-
dence, and, in October, 1814, the structure was fnr-
maliy delivered over to the magistrates, as pairons
and guardians of the institution, who, along with other
members of the town council, have the exclusive pri-
vilege of appointing the masters.
Dnmfries and Maxwelltown Astronomical Society.
— This society, which is of recent forniaiion, have
erected, on Corbelly hill, on the Maxwelltown side
of the liver, an observatory, which is regarded as
a highly crnamenial feature in one of the most unique
half-city, half-sylvan binriscapes : it commands an ex-
tensive view (if beantiful and varied sceneiy : the cost
exceeded 1,000 guineas, which was raised in £5. sliares.
The plans were by Mr. Newall, architect, and the
building was completed in little more than twelve
months. It contains four stories, — the lower one lor
the use of the keeper; three others for the accommo-
dation of the subscribers and strangers, which are
furnislied with globes, maihematical instruments,
newspapers, and periodicals ; the upper story is set
apart for a camera obscura and prism. The obsei va-
tory is seen from a great distance : the grounds,
which consist of more than half an acie, are laid out
with much taste, containing flowers and shrubs of
various kinds. The maiiaaement consists of Mr. R.
nesdays. The two principal half yearly markets take
the name of the Candlemas and rood fairs. Until very
lately about 30,000 head of black cattle were sold for
the markets of the south alone, independently of much
inferior stock, which merely passed from tlie Ivcepiug
of one farmer to another; of the heavy stock in good
years the value was nearly £300,000. sterling; but the
trade has declined, and must still decline, as regards
the Norwich and other markets. The facilities afforded
by steam navigation, and the spread of turnip hus-
bandry, induce farmers to feed a portion of their stock
fat, which was formerly sent to Norfolk, and there
fattened for the London markets : independently of
this, great numbers of sheep are fattened on turnips
from Noven)ber till April, a practice very Utile known
previous to 1822. Vast qiianiities of pork are sold in
Dumfries fiom the beginning of December to the end
of February ; the trade is strictly a ready money one,
and repeatedly four, five, and six thousand pounds
have been paid and received for this commodity before
breakfast on a Wednesday morning. The fairs arethe
first Wednesday in February, the third Wednesday iu
.March, the third Wednesday in April, 26th Mayor
Wednesday afterwards, third Wednesday in June.'the
third Wednesday iii July, third Wednesday in August,
third Wednesday in October, 22d or Wednesday after-
wards in Noveinher, and third Wednesday in Novem-
ber, for cat lie (all old style).
Maxwelltown, formerly a village, is now a bnrgh
of barony, in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, and con-
nected with Dumfries by two bridges across the Nitli.
In no instance have the good effects of erecting a vil-
lage into a hurgh of barony been more conspicuous
than in Maxwelltown. The charter was obtained from
the crown in 1810, and since that time, from being a
poor village, notorious for disorderly conduct, — (for-
it was a remark of the late Sir John Fielding, that he
conld trace a rogue over the whole kingdom, but always
lost him at the bridge-tnd of Dumfries, now Max-
welltown, or in the Gorhals of Glasgow), — it has im-
proved in value and extent of houses, and increased
consideiably in the number and respectability of its
inhabitants : it is governed by a provost, two bailies,
and councillors. A new chuich was erected here in
1829 by subscription ; it is a neat edifice, and its site
well chosen. Maxwelltown also possesses warm and
cold baths, as well as two breweries and two iron
founderies.
Thomson, treasurer, and Mr. John Jackson, secretary.
Markets and fairs. — The market days are Wed-
POST OFFICE, Castle-street, Dumfries, Robert Threshie, Post Master.— The London mail,
with letters from the whole of England, arrives every morning at nine, and is despatched every afternoon at
half-past one. — The Edinburgh, Glasgow, Moffat, &c. mail arrives every morning at half-past six, and is
despatched every moining at six. — The Irish, Portpatrick, and the whole of Galloway letters arriv^
every morning at half-past five, and are despatched every morning at nine. — Letters fioni Thornhill, San-
quhar and MiNNiEHiVE arrive every night at half-past eleven, and are despatched every morning at nine. —
Letters from Lochmaben and Torthorwald arrive (by foot post) every moining at six, and are despatched
every morning at nine.— Letters from New Abbey and Kikkbean arrive (by foot post) every evening at seven,
and are despatched every morning at nine.
Office hours—from seven in the morning during summer, and eight in the winter, until eight at night.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND
CLERGY.
Adair Major Jas. Nunfield cottage
Allan Mrs. Sophia, Mill bank, Max-
welltown
Allen John, esq. of Fountainbleau
Anderson Mr. Allen, Allen bank
Babington Rev. Charles Maiiland,
Stakford cottage, Terregles
Babington John, esq. Summerville
Baillie William, esq. (sub-sheriff),
Nunholm [Terregles
Bairlay Major Peter, Newton lodge.
Bell Mrs. Jane, 2 Portland place
Bell Mrs. Jesse, George sr
Bevan Mr. Robert, Nith place
Biggar James, esq. (of Marybolin),
Terregles [Maxwelltown
Blair Miss Janet, 10 Glasg(»w street.
Brown Mrs. Agnes, of Brown hal
Brown Miss Mary, of Maryfield
Brown John, esq. (of Nunwood),
Terregles
Burns Mr. Robert, Burn st
Burnside Mrs. Ann, 12 Buccleughst
Campbell J no, M'Candie,esq.Craigs
45
CarruthersMiss Elizahetb, Castle st
Cavan Mr. Douglas, Nith bank
Clark Miss Christiana, High st
Clark Mrs. Isabella, 26 Castle st
Clark Miss Jane, 13 Buccleugh st
Clark Mr. John, Laurie Know,
Troqiieer
Clyde Rev. James, Loreburn st
Colton Miss Mary, Irish st
Comrie Mrs. Janet, George st
Cowans Rev. Geo. Nith bank [st
Cravvford Mr. Jno. Innis, Buccleugh
Creighton Mrs. Ann, Castle st
Cririe Mrs. Janet, Kerfield
Dalrymple Rev. James, Drutigan's
lodge, Troqueer
Dalzell (Captain, Castle st
Dalzell James, esq. Castle st
Dalzell James Allen, esq. Cargen
Davis Major W. St. Michael st
Dawson Rev. ^neas, Shakspearest
Dickson Mrs. Hannah, 4 Portland
place, Maxwelltown
Dow Rev. David, 21 Irish st
Drummond Mrs. Mary, Castle st
Dugeon Mr. Henry, of Woodhead
Duncan Rev.Thos.M.D. Moat house
Dunlop xVIiss Keith, Albany place
Dunlop Rev. Walter, 26 Buccleugh st
Ferguson Mrs. Nicholas, 10 Buc-
cleugh street [Troqueer
Ferguson Mrs. William, Rotchell,
Forsyth Mrs. Joseph, of Spittlefield
Forsyth Philip, Nithside, Troqueer
Fyfe Rev. Andrew, Loreburn st
Gilchrist Miss, Irish st
Gillespie Mrs. Castle st
Gillett Captain Aurelius, Green-
bead, Troqueer [Troqueer
Goldie Miss Jane, Summer hill,
Goldie Miss Margaret, Castle st
Goldie Mrs. Nairn, 15 Buccleugh st
Gordon Miss, 21 Buccleugh st
Gracie Miss Jane, George st
Grove Major Henry, Shakspearest
Hairstens Mrs. Jane, 15 Galloway
street, Maxwelltown
Hamilton Miss Eliza, Bank st
Hannah John, esq. of Hannafield
Harkness Mrs. Elizabeth, George St
Harlcy Miss Agnes, George st
Howat Mrs. Helen, Castle st
353