AYRSHIRE-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: Fenwick Weaver's Society - The Fowlds Members
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2000 14:31:24 EST

The title would perhaps indicate only mention of his family, but many more
are mentioned in these excerpts. I love these 18th century spellings,
different spelling of the same word in every sentence. :)

"…November 22, 1763. This present day David Foulds lawfull son to Allan
Foulds, Smith in Crilehough (a small holding or croft…stood behind and above
Spoutmouth) ) in finnwick now Deceased has entered with the Society of
Weavers in finnick for paying the sum of two shillings being prentice with
Sammuell Wallace weaver at finnick Kirk…admission of the uncle and father of
Matthew…Nov. 18th 1778. This present day George foulds laful son to Matthou
foulds messon and right in Grey Ston knou Grashard parish of finnick and
aprintes with John Burns weaver in finnick toun having Entered with the
Socity of weavers in finnick for paying 2/…Novr. 25 1779. This present Day
Mattheu foulds Laful son to Matthou foulds Mason and wright in Grashard
parish of finnick and a prentis with John Wilson weaver in finnick town have
entered with the society of weavers in finwick for paying 2/…forced
settlement of Rev. William Boyd in the Parish Church occurred in
1780…Seceding congregation...first meeting house built in 1784, and Mr.
(James) Dewar, the first minister, was ordained in 1787…November 12th, 1783.
This present day John Fowlds, son to John Fowlds in Fenwick town and
apprentice to John Wilson weaver in Fenwick town hath entered with the
Society of Weavers for paying 2/…Novr. 21st 1788. This present day Matthew
Fowlds who has entered as an Apprentice before is now come up to join the
Society as a Master of our Trade and being examined by the Trade of his
sufficiency in working and being found faithful in what he pretends we have
admitted him into the Benefit of our Society by paying into our Society's
Public Funds agreable to our foresaid Articles the sum of 0/2/6. Signed
Wiliam Bunton, John Wilson, Matthew Fowlds…Nov. 28, 1793. This present day
Andrew Fowlds Apprentice with Alex Armour and Thomas Taylor Apprentice with
Matthew Fowlds in Grassyards lawful son of Willm. Taylor in Warnockland the
former the lawful son of the deceased Allan Fowlds formerly in Burnhead (was
a small farm now included in Arness, 1910, by the banks of a small tributary
of the Fenwick water) both places in the Parish of Fenwick entered with our
Society as Apprentices for paying each of them the Sum of two shillings ster.
August 15, 1796. Present Day Andreu Foulds being examined on his ability as a
weaver by John Burns & James kent was admitted into our Society as a full
member on paying 2/6. Signed Andrew Foulds, John Burns, James Kent…Juen 8th
1826. The Society meet in John Wilsons and made Choice of William Wilson
Press Thamas Walker Master, Jasper Houat Fiscal, Matheu Foulds Officer, John
Wilson Clerk and keaps reads, John Steele Lodge Master, Matthew Foulds son to
Matthew Foulds weaver in Grassyards was examinsed by two of our number and
fowned sufficient in what he professet as a weaver was entered by paying 6d.
Signed John Gemmell, Willaim Wilson, Matthew Fowlds…
digress a little…to refer to some of the activities of Matthew Fowlds prior
to that of the weaving shop. From the age to seven to eleven he attended
Crougar School, losing one winter, however, due to illness. John Brown, the
schoolmaster, declared that he never had a scholar like him. The years
1817-19 were devoted to "herding" for Mr. Allan Gemmill at the farm of
Muirside….This enviable and healthful calling, however, vanished as the march
of improvement came over the land, providing hedges…One winter was spent in
selling milk in Kilmarnock for Mr. Thomas White of the Raws…On September 24,
1820, his father died, and less than three weeks later his youngest brother,
David Smith, was born. Five others, of whom Matthew, now aged 14, was the
eldest, had to be provided for…Matthew's apprenticeship was begun under
Alexander Dickie…
When new members were no longer coming to join the Society…give to the
representative of deceased members their full share of the capital stock…in
1832, John Wilson's share 2/14/3 ½…He died…age of 93. In 1851 his son's
share (alp John Wilson)…2/7/3 ½. He died at the age of 78….the following
year...David Walker's share…age of 89…the following year John Taylor's…2
pounds, to his daughter Margaret...March 13 Jasper Howat died at the age of
79…Novr. 24th 1784. This present day Jasper Howat lawful son to Robt. Howat
farmer in Tannacrieff parish of Fenwick and apprentice to John Burns weaver
in Fenwick Town hath entered with our Society for paying 2/0. Augt. 24th
1792. Present Day, Jasper Howat and John Taylor formerly entered as
Apprentices, and William Wilson Lawful son to John Wilson a full member of
the Society, were all of them examined on their ability as Weavers, and
admitted into our number as full members, on paying into our Society's funds,
agreable to our Articles, the sum of 2s 6d for each of the two former, and 6d
for the latter a free man's son, in all 0/5/6. Signed John Burns, William
Buntin, John Wilson, Jasper Howat, John Taylor, William Wilson…Jasper
Howat...family and descendants achieved honourable positions in Glasgow,
Kilmarnock, and in distant parts of the Empire."

Jim Bundy

This thread:

• Fenwick Weaver's Society by <>

  • Fenwick Weaver's Society - The Fowlds Members by <>

  • Fenwick Weaver's Society, Plans, Achievements, and Dissolution by <>