Notes on the probable origin of the name Gemmill or Gemmell

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homestead at Muirside. Later on he took also the farm of
Haughyett, near Mauchline, which he held for some years,
and then changed to the farm of West Hillhead, Mauchline,
which he occupied till his death. He continued to hold on
the farm of Muirside until his son, Cuthbert Gemmill, my
father, grew up, and then it was made over to him.
Thomas Gemmill, my grandfather, was tall, with light
brown hair, and well built, "a braw, handsome youth," as
an old friend of the family has described him to me, but he
had inflammation of the lungs while at Hillhousehill, and
after that he was thinner, and never the same. He died on
8th January, 1850, seven years before I was born, so I never
saw him, but, for long years the respect with which old
folks in the district used to speak of him, indicated that he
must have been a man greatly beloved and affectionately
remembered. He was an Elder of the Church of Scotland,
and seems to have had a singularly sympathetic and kindly
manner, which made him a welcome visitor at many a sick
bed. He had a most retentive memory, and could in the
evening repeat verbatim the sermons which he had heard
during the day. The farm of Hillhead, where he latterly
resided, is on the estate of Netherplace, which then
belonged to Mrs. Campbell. After she was far advanced
in years, and unable to attend church, she asked my grand-
father, Thomas Gemmill, to come each Sabbath afternoon
to Netherplace and repeat to her the sermon. He did so
for a number of years, and as a mark of friendship and