Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Stewarton, Ayr, Scotland (#616)

History
This account was written in 1842. The nearest town is Stewarton. The name is evidently formed from the Surname Stewart, first used as a family distinction by Walter II in 1204. David Dale was the son of a grocer, and born, in January 1739, in a two story thatched house at the cross of Stewarton. His charity was extensive, and there are individuals living here who still partake of his bounty.

The major land owners were William Cuninghame, Esq. of Lainshaw; Alexander Kerr, Esq. of Robertland; and C. S. M’Alister, Esq. of Kennox. The land was primarily used for, potatoes, dairy, oats, rye-grass, cattle, horses, sheep, and swine

The population in 1793 was 3000 and in 1841 was 4654. The registers have been preserved since 1693, though not regularly kept until 1794. Very few of the Dissenters register, and great are the inconveniences often felt from this omission. The religious attendance of the parishioners is  Relief 4, Reformed Presbytery, 5, Papists, 13, Church of England, 2, Methodists, 2, United Secession Church, 213, Original Burghers, now of the Establishment, 76, Congregationalists, 48, and Established Church communicants 1316.

source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol.5)