PREFACE

Paul Mothersole's My Paisley

In the following pages I have tried to tell the history of the County of Renfrew in connection with the history of the country.

Use has been made of Crawfurd’s History of the Shire and of the editions of it published by Semple and Robertson; but the contents of the volume and the references placed at the foot of the pages, will shew that the lines on which the present history has been written are different from those followed by Crawfurd, and that other sources, printed and unprinted, have been used.

My thanks are due to my brethren of the Presbytery of Paisley for the free use they have allowed me of their invaluable Records, and to those of the ministers and gentlemen in the shire who have so readily favoured me with information respecting their various parishes.

I have also to express my sincere thanks to Colonel King, the Chairman of the County Council, for permission to make use of the armorial bearings of the County; to James Caldwell, Esq., of Craigielea, for the use of the first volume of the Craigends Papers, which unfortunately reached me too late to be used in the body of the work, but from which extracts are given in the Appendix; to the Rev. Walter Macleod, Edinburgh, for reporting on the two Paisley Regality Books in the Register House; to the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, for permission to reproduce the Ordnance Survey Map of the County; and to the Director General of the Ordnance Survey.

The obligations I am under to my friend the Rev. R. D. MacKenzie, B.D., minister of the parish of Kilbarchan, and author of an excellent history of that parish, are very great, both for the care with which he has read the proofs and for the many and valuable suggestions he has given me.

I can scarcely hope that I have escaped falling into error. In this respect those who have experience of the difficulty of attaining to absolute accuracy in a work where almost every page bristles with names and dates, will, I am sure, be my most lenient censors.

As a rule, I have adopted the spelling of the names of individuals and places which I found in the authorities before me at the time of writing. Hence a name is sometimes spelled in different ways on the same page. The plan has its drawbacks, but it has also its advantages.

W. M. M.

PAISLEY, November, 1905.

Old Photographs Paisley Renfrewshire Scotland
Old photographs of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. The Industrial Revolution based on the textile industry turned Paisley from a small market town to an important industrial town in the late 18th century. Its location attracted English mill owners; immigrants from Ayrshire and the Highlands poured in to a town that offered paying jobs to women and children. By the middle of the19th century weaving had become the town's principal industry. The Paisley weavers' most famous product were the shawls, which bore the Paisley Pattern made fashionable after being worn by a young Queen Victoria. The American Civil War of 1861 to 1865 cut off cotton supplies to the textile mills of Paisley. The mills in 1861 had a stock of cotton in reserve, but by 1862 there was large scale shortages and closures

CONTENTS

Introduction
Geographical extent—coast-line—islands—surface—hills—rivers—lakes—geology— climate—soil—woods—ecclesiastical and civil divisions.

Chapter I.—Early Inhabitants
The Iberians—Goidels—Brythons—mixed population under the Romans—traces of Roman occupation.

Chapter II.—After the Romans
Renfrewshire part of the kingdom of Strathclyde—Strathclyde and King Arthur—. Caw Cawlwydd—Roderick the Liberal—removal of the Cumbrian capital to Dumbarton—wars between the kingdoms of Strathclyde, Dalriada, and Bernicia, etc.—advent of the Northmen—union of Strathclyde with the kingdom of Scotland.

Chapter III.—Religion
Modes of burial among the Iberians and Celts—Celtic deities and priesthood— introduction of Christianity—its decadence and revival—age of the saints— S. Mirin—S. Berchan—S. Fillan—S. Convallanus—S, Winnoc—supposed monasteries in the shire—influence of the saints.

Chapter IV.—The Steward’s Settlement
Walter Fitz Alan’s introduction to David I.—descent of Walter Fitz Alan—his services to David I. and Malcolm IV.—his rewards—feudalization of Scotland— feudalization of Renfrewshire—foundation of the monastery of Paisley—invasion of Somerled (1164)—arrival of monks from Wenlock in Shropshire—election of a prior—removal to Paisley—the endowment of the monastery—death of Walter Fitz Alan—the priory raised to the rank of an abbey—further endowment by Alan Fitz Walter, Walter II., Malcolm Earl of Lennox, and others— influence of the monastery in the shire—Alan the fourth Steward—Walter the Steward—Alexander the Steward—prosperity of the shire and monastery.

Chapter V.—The Ragman Roll
Death of King Alexander III.—James the High Steward appointed one of the Six Guardians of the realm—Sir Robert Bruce—the Turnberry Bond—negotiations for the union of Scotland with England—death of the Maid of Norway—friendship between the Steward and Bruce—the Steward and Balliol—the Steward and Edward I.—some Renfrewshire names on the Ragman Roll.

Chapter VI.—Sir William Wallace
Birth and descent—early years—the Lanark riot, 1297—the Sheriff of Lanark— supposed battle of Biggar—Wallace in the forest of Selkirk—invasion of Scotland by Edward I.—Irvine Moor—Wallace withdraws to the forest of Selkirk— Warrenne and Cressingham—the battle of Stirling—effects of the victory—Wallace writes to the towns of Lubec and Hamburg and invades England— Hexham—fruitless attempt on Carlisle—returns to Scotland—elected Governor of Scotland—the English Government and the Scottish nobles—renewed invasion by the English—Wallace retires before it—Edward appears on the scene—receives reinforcements—advances—is on the point of retiring—the battle of Falkirk—Wallace resigns Governorship of the kingdom—Edward marches to Ayr—Wallace lays waste the conntry before him—in July, 1299, Wallace is reported to be at Peebles—compels the castle of Stirling to surrender —is reported to have gone to France—the efforts made to secure his person— his capture and execution.

Chapter VII.—The Wars of Bruce
The Steward not present at the coronation of Bruce—his support of Wallace—his estates forfeited—his submission to Edward—receives back his estates—he holds aloof from Bruce—Walter, the sixth Steward, at Bannockburn—escorts the Queen and the Princess Marjorie from Carlisle to the Scottish Court— marriage with the Princess—is appointed joint Regent of the kingdom with Douglas—appointed Governor of Berwick and its castle—assisted in its defence by John Crabbe—signs the letter of protest from the barons of Scotland to the Pope—pursues Edward II.—the share of Renfrewshire in the first of the Wars of Independence.

Chapter VIII.—Stuart and Plantagenet
David II.—the Steward and Balliol—Balliol and Edward before Berwick—Halidon Hill—Balliol and his Scottish adherents—Edward’s share of Scotland—rupture between Balliol and his adherents—the Steward takes Dunoon Castle—is joined by Randolph Earl of Moray, and opposes Edward and Balliol—is made joint Guardian of the kingdom with Sir Andrew Moray—Parliament at Dairsie—Edward III. invades Scotland—he relieves Lochindorb Castle—his movements in Scotland—the Steward sole Regent—he seeks assistance from France and takes Perth—Edinburgh Castle taken—return of the King—Neville’s Cross— the Steward again Regent—Scotland again invaded by the English—Scotland included by France in its treaty of peace with England—David II.’s ransom— his intrigues with the English—renewed invasion of Scotland by Edward III.— return of David—fresh intrigues with the English—his jealousy of the Steward, his nephew—the Queen foments it—the Steward and his son imprisoned— death of David II.—Accession of the Steward as Robert II.

Chapter IX.—The Accession of the Stuarts
Causes of the Steward’s success—erection of his estates into a Principality—erection of the barony of Renfrew into a shire—the baron-bailie—the sheriff—sale of the office of sheriff—other officials—the regality of Paisley and its officials—some baronies and lordships in the shire—the baron’s court—ancient divisions of the county—contributions to the King’s ransom.

Chapter X.—Families
Montgomery—Cathcart—Pollok—Maxwell of Nether Pollok—Maxwell of Mearns—Croc of Crookston—Lennox—Spreull of Cowdon—Mure of Caldwell—Ross of Hawkhead—Logan of Raiss—Stewart of Raiss—Whiteford of that ilk—Ralston —Stewart of Cardonald—Knox—Porterfield—Erskine—Wallace of Elderslie—Hall of Fulbar—Cochrane of Cochrane—Crawfurd of Auchinames—Dennistoun —Cunningham of Kilmaurs (Glencairn)—Lyle—Houstoun of Houston—Fleming of Barrochan—Glen of Bar, etc.—Stewart of Blackhall—Semple of Eliotstoun.

Chapter XI.—Feuds
Prevalence of private wars—efforts to suppress them—Montgomery and Cunningham feud—fend between Stewart of Darnley and Boyd of Kilmarnock—the Semple and Lennox feud—the Semple and Glen of Bar—the Semple and Eglinton— the Semple and Muir of Caldwell—the Semple and Cuninghame of Craigends —the feuds of the Mures of Caldwell—other feuds.

Chapter XII.—Royal Visits
Early royal visits to the shire—the Duke of Ross—James IV., May, 14S9—sieges of Crookston and Duchal Castles—James IV. in Paisley, December, 1490—intervenes in the feud between the towns of Renfrew and Paisley—is in the county in November, 1491, and in February, 1497-8—in the month of March following —publishes his forma] revocation of grants made during his minority at Duchal —his gifts in Paisley and Whithorn—visits Duchal, February 22, 1497-8, and on March 16—sails from Newark for Kintyre, and returns to Greenock— probable visit in 1499—in Paisley, August 11, 1502, and in May, 1503—his gifts—his visit in June, 1504—his visit to Lord Semple in 1505—he passes through the shire in April, and again in August, 1506—in July, 1507, the King and Queen twice pass through county—purpose of the visits—the King’s amusements.

Chapter XIII.—Social and Domestic
Population divided into free and unfree—free: vassals, tenants, farmers, husbandmen, cottars—unfree : natives—disappearance of neyfship—burgesses—bailies —kinds of burghs—castles in royal burghs—hospitals—streets in burghs— country roads—houses of burgesses—their furniture—houses of cottars—farmhouses—houses of proprietors—general character—Mearns Tower—Leven Castle—Inverkip Castle—Crookston Castle—Newark Castle—Duchal Castle—Barr Castle—Cathcart Castle—Stanely Castle—other castles—sites chosen for them—castle interiors—furniture—windows—bed-rooms—food—prices of food —beverages—excessive drinking—beverages of poorer classes—food—extravagance in dress—regulation of dress by Act of Parliament—clothes prepared for James IV. at his wedding—female attire—price of silks : of linen : of woollen clothes—inventory of Dame Margaret Ross—an inventory of plate and jewels— relations between landlord and tenant.

Chapter XIV.—Ecclesiastical, Educational, and Religious
The monastery the ecclesiastical centre of the shire—its restoration—benefactors— controversies—Abbots de Lithgow, Henry Crichton, and George Shaw— churches not belonging to the monastery : Inchinnan, Renfrew, Erskine, Eaglesham—churches that belonged to the Abbey: Paisley, Cathcart, Eastwood, Killallan, Houston, Kilbarchan, Kilmacolm, Inverkip, Lochwinnoch, Neilston, Mearns—mother churches belonging to the Abbey but not in the shire—the Collegiate Church of Lochwinnoch or Semple—chapel of S. Conval —other chapels in the shire—Temple-lands—provision for education—ancient schools in the country—compulsory education—school at Renfrew—school at the monastery—school in Paisley—were there any other parochial schools in the . county ?—apparently more provision for worship than for teaching—religious condition of the shire.

Chapter XV.—The Reformation
The Reformation movement in Scotland at first largely political—leaders from Renfrewshire—Arran and the English party—the French party—Beaton and Arran reconciled—Lennox and the English Lords—Lords Maxwell and Sommer-ville imprisoned—Lennox and Glencairn offer battle to Beaton and his party— Glasgow besieged and taken by Arran—return of Abbot Hamilton from France —his influence—made Lord High Treasurer—appointed Bishop of Dunkeld—Arran in Paisley—Finlaystone Castle to be besieged—the Earl of Hertford and his fleet in the Forth—he devastates the country—his arrival saves the lives of Angus and Douglas—their intrigues—Henry VIII. dissatisfied with their conduct—Lennox attempts to secure Dumbarton Castle for Henry—Hamilton appoints Lord Semple his bailie and justiciary—a French fleet appears in the Clyde—Roslyn Moor—the English urged to invade Scotland—murder of Cardinal Beaton—the castle of St. Andrews taken by the French—death of Henry VIII.—Somerset endeavours to arrange peace—battle of Pinkie—Glencairn offers to fortify a strong place on the Clyde for the English—his intrigues —Stewart of Cardonald reports on the movements of Abbot Hamilton— Hamilton in Fife—his intended journey to Berwick—accompanies Mary of Lorraine to the French fleet off Leith—Glencairn and Lennox—Mary of Lorraine supplants Arran in the Regency—influence of the French domination on the spread of the Reformation—Alexander, the new Earl of Glencairn, joins the Reformers—his activity—Abbot Hamilton, now Archbishop of St. Andrews, attempts to reform the Church—Claud Hamilton made Commendator of Paisley—the Granter of Paisley attacked—the year 1560 disastrous to the Catholic party—the Archbishop distressed—the Confession of Faith adopted— penal laws against Catholics—Paisley Abbey restored to the Archbishop—Lord Semple in trouble—his castle besieged and taken—Paisley Abbey “ suppressed” —Renfrewshire and the Reformed Faith—Hamilton says mass in Paisley—his trial before the Lord Justice General—he baptizes James VI.—he is restored to his consistorial rights and is otherwise promoted—the escape of Queen Mary from Lochleven Castle—the battle of Langside—Lord Claud Hamilton accompanies the Queen to England—Archbishop Hamilton forfeited—Paisley Abbey besieged by Lennox—The Archbishop taken, tried, and hanged—his character.

Chapter XVI.—The Presbytery
Paucity of ministers in 1560—Mr. John Willock appointed Superintendent—Paisley regarded as a “ nest of Papistry ”—Mr. John Hay, minister of Renfrew—complaint against him—ministers and readers in the shire—their duties—policy of the Regent Morton—Andrew Hay appointed Superintendent—the Abbey the centre of contention in the shire—Lord Claud Hamilton restored—Lord Semple refuses to give up the Abbey and is compelled—Lord Claud again forfeited— the temporalities of the Abbey leased to Lord Cathcart—William Erskine appointed Commendator—he is forfeited—Lord Claud finally restored, 1587— Paisley Presbytery set up in 1581—the records of the Presbytery—Patrick Adamson, Andrew Polwarth, and Thomas Smeaton successively ministers of Paisley—the difficulties of their position—Mr. Andrew Knox appointed minister —his zeal against Catholics—apprehends Dr. George Ker and obtains the Spanish Blanks—he seizes Ailsa Craig and is charged with the death of Hugh Barclay—actions raised against him by John Maxwell of Stanely and John Gilchrist, reader and schoolmaster in Paisley—constitution and methods of procedure in the Presbytery—its zeal against Catholics, those who failed to communicate, and non-church-goers : John Maxwell of Stanely, the Countess of Glencairn, the Dowager Lady Duchal, John Knox of Ranfurly—other cases —Sunday observance—pipers and dancing greens—the case of Gavin Stewart— the Presbytery deal with Mr. Andrew Knox—his promotion to be Bishop of the Isles—establishment of the High Court of Commission—Episcopacy restored —the Five Articles of Perth—their reception—revival of Catholicism—renewed persecution of Catholics—Mr. Robert Boyd of Trochrig—proceedings against the Dowager Countess of Abercorn and her servants—her death—proceedings against the Earl and Countess of Abercorn—the Goodwife of Ferguslie.

Electric Scotland Note: We believe the chapters have been mis-numbered thus there is no Chapter XVII.

Chapter XVIII.—The Civil Wars
Origin of the Civil War—King’s edict of Revocation—Parliament—Act anent apparel of kirkmen—publication of Canons and Constitution of ~the Church of Scotland— the Service Book—it is read in the High Kirk of St. Giles’, Edinburgh—its reception in Renfrewshire—a supplication presented against it by the Presbytery—the Covenant—Moderator of the Presbytery of Paisley deposed from office—Mr. John Crichton deposed—the General Assembly at Glasgow, 1638— representatives from the Presbytery—Presbytery sides with the Covenanting party—its increased zeal—drilling begun and a war chest formed—chaplains sent to the Covenanting army at Duns Law—Assembly of 1639—Parliament of 1640—the Treaty of June 18—Leslie appointed to command the Covenanters —the affair of Newburn—General Assembly at St. Andrews—the dream of a Presbyterian propaganda—the Solemn League and Covenant—Mr. Henry Guthry and Mr. Matthew Brisbane and the Solemn League and Covenant— loyalty of the Presbytery to the Covenanting party—Scotch troops under Munro ordered to be recalled from Ireland—passage of some of them through the shire —the Marquess of Montrose—demand made upon the Presbytery for chaplains to attend the Scottish army in England—the battle of Kilsyth—Montrose in Glasgow—Malignants in the shire and their treatment by the Presbytery—the Plague in the shire—the Presbytery denounce the Engagement—protest against bringing over the army from Ireland—Sir James Turner in Glasgow— the Earl of Callender and Lieutenant-General Middleton in the shire—Lord Eglinton on the Engagers—the Duke of Hamilton’s defeat at Preston—the Whiggamores—the Marquess of Argyll’s flight—the Act of Classes—Proclamation of Charles II.—military preparations in the shire—landing of Charles II. at Speymouth—Cromwell marches north—the English and Scots army—Cromwell reaches Musselburgh—battle of Dunbar—Leslie followed to Stirling— Edinburgh Castle besieged—Colonels Strahan and Ker—Strahan interviews Cromwell—the Five or Western Shires Association—the Remonstrants—Paisley one of their centres—two ministers sent from the Presbytery to assist them— meeting of Parliament—Ker attacks Lambert and is taken prisoner—the shire supports the King—General Monk despatches Colonel Okey into Renfrewshire —he falls upon the King’s levies and captures the Royal Commissioner and a number of ministers—troops quartered in the shire after the battle of Worcester —Commissioners appointed for Scotland—steps taken for an incorporating union between England and Scotland—how regarded in the country and in the shire and Burgh of Renfrew, and by the Remonstrants—the Remonstrants begin to lose their influence in the shire—arms discovered at Houston Castle and in the Abbey Church of Paisley—the General Assembly turned out by Lilbume and the Presbytery of Paisley by Captain Green—permission given to Paisley to elect a bailie—failure of the proceedings for the incorporating union with England—death of Cromwell.

Chapter XIX.—The Restoration
Accession of Charles II.—appointment of state officials—promise to the Church of Scotland—the Act Rescissory—restoration of Episcopacy—Middleton’s progress through the western shires—Act of Privy Council, October 1, 1662—Act of Indemnity—the committee on the Queensberry claims—the “outed ministers” —effect of their “ outing ”—“ The Bishop’s Drag-Net ”—“ The Five Mile Act ” —the Presbytery of Paisley—the curates—Sir James Turner sent to coerce the West into conformity—his methods—ministers from the shire summoned before the Privy Council—the Court of High Commission—James Hamilton of Aiken-head—Porterfield of Duchal and Mr. Hugh Peebles—arbitrary arrests—Earl Rothes’ progress in the West—conventicles—Presbytery’s report on rebels and conventicles in the shire—Chitterfleet—Lady Caldwell—troops in the shire— charges against Sir James Turner—the First Indulgence—the Laird of Meldrum —the curates of Kilmacolm and Neilston—Archbishop Leighton—his efforts to conciliate—the Second Indulgence—Indulged ministers in the shire—complaints of the curates—conduct of Indulged ministers—commission appointed to suppress conventicles—the Proclamation and Bond—the Highland Host— the Town Council of Paisley charged with reset of rebels—persons in Renfrewshire charged with rebellion—Mr. W. Eccles—Mr. Ezekiel Montgomery— fugitives—marriage of Claverbouse in Paisley—the Secret Committee—Lord Melfort—his measures—the Test and Bond—Melfort leaves Glasgow—his influence in Scotland continues—a second Highland Host—an incident at Duchal—execution of John Park and James Algie—a new Commission issued for the Western Shires—the Earl of Argyll—Muirdykes—capture and death of Argyll—policy of James VII.—the General Meeting of the Presbyterian ministers in Edinburgh—meeting of the curates in Paisley—Presbyterian ministers of the shire—rabbling of the curates.

Chapter XX.—Witchcraft
Early cases of witchcraft in the country—lateness of outbreak in Renfrewshire— “ Auld Dunrod”—first recorded case in the shire—notoriety of Inverkip and Greenock—case of John MacGregor at Inverkip—the curates and witchcraft— increase of cases after the appointment of Mr. Thomas Blackwell as minister of Paisley—an Inverkip charmer—cases at Kilmacolm and Inchinnan—a commission applied for, to try Janet Wodrow—further developments—bewitching of Christian Shaw—a commission appointed for the trial of those whom she accused—the trial—the Presbytery and the accused—the condemned waited on to the fire by the ministers—a fresh case—translation of Mr. Blackwell to Aberdeen—cessation of witchcraft in the shire.

Chapter XXI.—The Revolution
Proclamation of William and Mary in London—assembling of the Convention in Edinburgh—expected descent of the French on the west coast—arrival of Genera] Mackayin Edinburgh—further military preparations by the Convention —the throne declared vacant—the crown offered to William and Mary—Claver-house summoned to the Convention—pursued by General Mackay—troops raised in the shires of Renfrew and Ayr—death of Claverhouse—Montgomery of Skelmorlie’s plot—Queen Mary and the conspirators—the men of Renfrewshire—paucity of ministers—the Presbytery support the Assembly—intolerance of the Presbytery—the Presbytery and the Quakers and other non-conformists—a sign of toleration in the Presbytery—the last private war in the shire—the shire and the Union of 1703—the county and the Rising of 1715—the Loch-lomond Expedition—the Shire and the Rising of 1745—William Cochran of Ferguslie—recruiting for His Majesty’s army and navy—patriotism of the shire during the American and French wars—the Volunteer movement of the eighteenth century in the western part of the shire—forts built at Greenock— the Volunteer movement of the eighteenth century in the Paisley district— riots in the county during the early part of the nineteenth century.

Chapter XXII.—Industries
Farming : the fame of the Cluniac monks as farmers; crops raised in the shire; the mill and multures; regulations in force among the tenants of the Abbey lands; apparent success of fanning industry prior to 1588; decline of industry owing to inclement weather and civil wars; improved prospects; state of industry at the beginning of nineteenth century; the Renfrewshire Agricultural Society— the weaving industry : number of weavers—manufacture of thread—cotton spinning—bleaching—printworks—dyeing—cloth-finishing—tanning—mining and quarrying—shipbuilding—manufacture of boilers, engines, and tools— minor industries.

Chapter XXIII.—Burghs
Burghs in the county—Renfrew : its position; foundation; its lands; landing of Somerled and his army; during the Wars of Independence; after the accession of the Stuarts; receives a charter; a royal residence; Lord Ross appointed governor of the castle; compared with Rutherglen and Glasgow; decline; feud with Paisley; agreement between the burgh and the Earl of Argyll; petitions the Convention of Royal Burghs for assistance; suspected of not husbanding its Common Good; disputes with Dumbarton, Glasgow, Ayr, and Irvine; complains against Dumbarton; obtains renewed permission to levy certain imports; prosecution of “unfree traders”; cleansing of the Clyde; complains against Glasgow; Provost Pollock; Peter Patton and his “ right to pastorage ”; common lands seized by the lairds of Duchal and Hapland (1669); Tucker’s report on the burgh; repair of the Tolbooth; report on the burgh by the Commissioners of the Convention of the Royal Burghs; a new charter; want of prosperity; unfavourable report of the Royal Commissioners of 1835 on the management of the town’s affairs; present prosperity; population— Paisley: original position; probable destruction in 1307; prosperity; feud with Renfrew; delimitation of boundaries with Renfrew; erected into a burgh of barony; renewal of feud with Renfrew; Abbot George Shaw presents the Heyt House to the town to be used as a Tolbooth; the chapel of SS. Mirin and Columba; extension of town; splendour of Abbey; Lord Claud Hamilton appointed Commendator; destruction of the Abbey; Lord Claud restored to his estates; visit of Queen Anne; visit of King James VI.; the lordship of Paisley sold; property acquired by the magistrates; a new charter; Crawfurd’s account of the burgh; silk manufacture; cotton spinning; weaving; the shawl trade; prosperity of town; decline of prosperity; revival; cotton thread industry; other industries; population—Greenock : origin of the burgh; its position; fishing industry; effect of the Union on its trade; fishing and commerce; trade with America; imports and exports; shipbuilding; prosperity—Carts-bum : lands of Cartsburn; village erected into a burgh of barony; Hamilton of Wishaw’s account of the town; united with Greenock—Gourock : the barony of Finnart Stewart; the Stewarts of Castlemilk; Hamilton of Wishaw’s account of the burgh; bay of Gourock; prosperity of the burgh; population and rental value—Wemyss Bay—Porl-Glasgow : origin of the burgh; united to Newark— Newark'! Tucker’s report upon it; Hamilton of Wishaw’s account; Wilson’s; industries; population—Pollokshaws : its erection; charter; Robertson’s description; industries; population; valuation—Eaglesham—Mearns—Kilbarchan —Houston—Kilmacolm—Inverkip—police burghs of Johnstone and Barrhead.

Chapter XXIV.—Parishes
Parishes in the shire—Eaglesham,: its situation, boundaries, and extent; soil; lands of Eaglesham; barony and lordship of Anchinhood; Temple lands; the old and new village; charter for holding fairs and markets; industries; population; annual rental; Robert Pollock; John Law; Patrick Wodrow—Mearns: boundaries and extent; surface and soil; streams and lochs; earliest inhabitants; early proprietors; castle and lands of Mearns; Upper Pollok and Pollok Castle; the lands of Balgray; the barony of Fingalton; Sir Robert Preston; the Temple lands of Capelrig; chief proprietors; the Common of Mearns; Busby; Nether-place; Hazelden; population; annual value—Cathcart: ancient limits; position of Renfrewshire portion; extent; physical features; the lands of Cathcart; of Newlands; other lands in the parish; the Castle of Cathcart; the battle of Langside; Castle of Bogton; Williamwood; antiquities; industries; population and valuation of the parish; valuation of Aikenhead—Eastwood : formerly consisted of two parishes; boundaries and extent; physical features; the lands of Pollok; of Auldhouse; of Nether Pollok; villages in the parish; industries; chief proprietors; Mr. Crawford; Mr. Wodrow; Mr. Geo. Campbell; Sir William Stirling Maxwell; population and valuation—Neilston : boundaries and extent; physical features; the lands of Neilston; of Caldwell; of Cowdon; industries; principal proprietors; population and rental—Paisley : the burgh of Paisley separated from it, and again for certain purposes united to it; boundaries of the Paisley (Abbey) parish; extent and physical features; the lands of Paisley; of Crookston; of Cardonald; the castle and barony of Hawkhead; other ancient estates; the Abbey Rental Roll; rents drawn by the monks in the burgh of Paisley; industries; Stanely and other castles; principal proprietors; population and rental—Renfrew: boundaries and extent; physical features; the lands of Renfrew; of Wester Patrick and Blawarthill; of Scots-toun; of Jordanhill, Abbotsinch, Porterfield, Kirkland, etc.; the Knock; legendary fight there; monument in Renfrew Parish Church; Queen Blear-Eye’s monument; the Butts; chief proprietors; industries; population and annual rental—Inchinnan : boundaries and extent; physical features; lands of Inchinnan; of Barns, Barnhill, Auldlands, and Newlands; of Cruikisfeu; of Wrichtland, Rassele, and others; the Lennox estates; Southbar; the Common of Inchinnan; Temple lands; castle of Cruikisfeu; the Place of Inchinnan; the Lady Acre; the ferry of Inchinnan; charters connected therewith; principal proprietors; population and valuation—Erskine: boundaries and extent; physical features; the barony of Erskine; the lands of Bargarran; of Bishopton; of Drum, Kirkland, Glenshinnoch; of Park, Millbank, Dargavel, Craigton, Fulbar, etc.; chief proprietors; villages; ferries; population and valued rental—Houston and Killallan : when united; situation and extent; physical features; the lands of Kilpeter; barony of Houston; house and barony of Barrochan; lands of Fulwood; of Blackburn; of Boghall; industries; market cross (1713); population and valuation—Kilbarchan : shape, boundaries, and extent; physical features; baronies and burgh in the parish; lands of Craigends; lands and barony of Auchinames; barony of Craiginfeoch; lands of Barr; lands of Selvieland; of Johnstone; of Blackstone; of Burntshields; of Waterston; the burgh of Kilbarchan; Linwood; Bridge of Weir; industries; antiquities; Habbie Simpson; population and annual valuation— Lochwinnoch : boundaries and extent; physical features; a geological feature; the castle of Semple; baronies belonging to the Semples; the MacDowals of Garthland; the lands of Millbank; of Balgreen; of Beltrees; of Gavan and Risk; the barony of Cochran; the lands of Barr; of Glen; of Auchinbotliie Wallace; of Auchinbothie Blair; of Auchingovan Stewart; the castle of Eliotstoun; of Auchenbothie; Barr Castle; Muirdykes; antiquities; Sir James Semple of Beltrees; population and annual rental—Kilmacolm,: boundaries and extent; physical features; barony of Duchal; lands of Cairncurran; barony of Dennistoun; population and annual rental—Greenock: disjoined from Inverkip; boundaries and extent; physical features; lands of Easter and Wester Greenock; of Cartsbum; chief proprietors; population and annual rental— Inverkip : boundaries and extent; physical features; chief proprietor; ancient families; population and valuation.

Renfrewshire
By Frederick Mort (1912)

5 Minutes of Paisley

CONTENTS

Illustrations
County and Shire. The Origin of Renfrewshire
Genera] Characteristics. Position and Relations
Size of County. Boundaries
Surface and General Features
Watershed. Rivers. Lakes
Geology and Soil
Natural History
The Coast Line
Weather and Climate
The People—Race, Language, Population, Agriculture, Industries and Manufactures
Mines, Minerals, Shipping and Trade
History of the County, Antiquities
Architecture
Communications—Past and Present
Administration and Divisions
The Roll of Honour
The Chief Towns and Villages of Renfrewshire

The Abbey of Paisley
From its Foundation to its Dissolution by J. Cameron Lees, D.D. (1878) (pdf)

Inside The Paisley Abbey Like Never Seen Before

William Wallace and the Medieval Drain

The History of Paisley 600 - 1908
By W. M. Metcalfe, D.D., FSA Scot. (1909) (pdf)

The Black Book of Paisley
By David Murray (1885) (pdf)