History of the Town of Greenock

Introduction

IN presenting this first "History of the Town of Greenock" to the notice of the public, the Author is perfectly aware that many motives may be assigned for so doing. But what led to this attempt, was the fact that many places, less entitled to notice than this flourishing sea-port town, had their rise and progress set before the public, while here we were comparatively unknown. Whether this brief sketch will find its way to any thing like a favourable reception from the public, remains to be seen; and the Author is perfectly aware that there are many individuals in the community more qualified to do justice to the task than he who has drawn up its pages. But what is "writ is writ." To those gentlemen who favoured him with communications to the queries sent abroad, it is but too little to return his most sincere thanks. To William Macfie, Esq., of Langhouse as also to John Speirs, Esq., M. D.; James Leitch, Esq.; John Mennons, Esq.; Robert Carswell, Esq.; Mr. Wi!ham Heron, and Mr. Cohn Buchanan; it is but justice to state, that their information on various subjects was of the greatest use, and consequently made available in this compilation. Various sources of information have been gone carefully over; and this work has been in in no small degree indebted to ''Crawford's Renfrewshire;'' "Woodrow's Church History;'' "Chalmers' Caledonia;" ''History of Scotland;'' and ''Sir John Sinclair's Statistical Account." If any thing is to be regretted, it is the seeming want of arrangement which may appear iii the work ; and this has arisen, in a great measure, from information coming in when the book itself was in progress through the press. In regard to errors, it is hardly to be expected that a first attempt at history can be entirely free; but whoever may be called upon to write a second edition, either soon or at a more distant period, can avail himself of such information as the present volume contains, and on this a fabric may be reared more worthy of public support. To the numerous friends who came forward to patronize this effort, more than mere gratitude is due ; and they may rest assured, that the feeling which the Author entertains of their kindness is not likely to be soon effaced. It is not to be expected that this rallying round an individual should disarm Ihir and honourable criticism. The book is put forth with the consciousness of its containing many faults ; and if any other person . had come forward willing to engage in the task, every information and aid would have been given, and a more perfect record might have been produced of the history of a town, which has risen in importance and greatness scarcely equalled by any place in the neighbourhood.

D. W.

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Part 1 of a 15 part series

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