Scottish surnames

IG A CONTRIBUTION
4. ChiH-les, 1732.
6. Janet, 1734.
6. Barbara, 1738.
7. James, 1740.
8. Alexander, 1741.
Alexander Cumnghame seems to have been very successful as a
merchant in Kilmarnock, and became one of the bailies. He still
retained the old designation, " in Gaprington." He is so designed
in a sasine, 11th July 1726, " of certain houses and yeards, lying
witliin the toun of Kilmarnock."* He is also mentioned by the
same designation as presenter of a sasine in 1724. He died intes-
tate in 1748. He was succeeded by his eldest sm-viving son,
IV. John Ouninghame of Bridgehouse. He was served heir
to his father, 1st Feb. 1754,t and from the terms of the service,
" theologias studentis," he was then a student of divinity. After
obtaining his license he was ordained minister of Dalmellington in
1756, and of Monlcton 'and Prestwick, 1st July 1762. J Having
purchased the other half of the lands of Bridgehouse fi-om Robert
Paterson, A\Titer in Kihnarnock, he had a CroAvn charter of adjudi-
cation and resignation of Bridgehouse, 6th August 1755. || Pro-
ceeding upon this charter, he had sasine of these lands, 13th Jan.
1756. Mr Cuninghame died unmarried at Kilmarnock, 28t]i May
1774, aged 45. § He was succeeded by liia next brother,
rV. William Cuninghame of Bridgehouse and Lainshaw. He
was brought up to a mercantile life, and went out early to America.
In a letter, written to his third son, William,Tf dated 8th Feb. 1794,
he says, " During the wbole time I was in business, say from 1748
to the 1762 in America, and again from thence to the 1780 in Glas-
gow, when I retii-ed from business. ... I went out an igno-
* Par. Reg. of Sasines, Ayr, 1726.
t Register of Services.
% Tombstone in Monkton Church-yard.
II Great Seal Reg. B. 103, No. 45.
? Tombstone In Monkton Church-yard.
f The late William Cuninghame, Esq. of Lainshaw.