DUMFRIES-GALLOWAY-L Archives

Archiver > DUMFRIES-GALLOWAY > 2001-08 > 0996967344


From: mervin rowan <>
Subject: [D-G LIST] Re: DUMFRIES-GALLOWAY-D Digest V01 #242
Date: Sat, 04 Aug 2001 19:22:24 -0400
References: <200108041600.f74G0Zr22436@lists2.rootsweb.com>


> Subject: Re: [D-G LIST] Birtwhistle2 - Gatehouse of Fleet
> Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 15:08:35 +0100
> From: "Pat Jeffs" <>
> To:
> Graham
> I think I have an answer for you.
> >From the reprint of Pigot & Slater's Directories I have found, in the first directory dated 1825-26: John Birtwhistle, esq, Ardnall, Anwoth as one of the "resident gentry and clergy". In the description of the town: "the chief business and manufacture is cotton spinning, extensively carried on here in the mills, formerly built by Messrs Birtwhistle and Sons, now repaired and worked with much spirit by Mr. Cliffe."
> Mr Cliffe was Wastel Cliff of Nelson Street.
> >From the second directory in the book
> "The chief business is the spinning and manufacture of cotton goods, extensively carried on here, in the mills formerly buildt by Messrs Birtwhistle and Sons, now reparied and worked with much spirit by Messrs Davidson and Co., who have much enlarged the premises. Many families are employed in the weaving of muslin, which goes to the Carlisle and Glasgow
> markets."
> At this point Mr Birtwhistle has disappeared from the gentry, but I have found James Kirkpatrick, stamp distributer and collector of taxes, Front Street. He was also a ship owner.
> The cotton mills in Gatehouse are now a museum which I visited several years ago. The history of them was very well documented in the exhibition. Since Anwoth is now a separate parish from Girthon, you may find more details for the Birtwhistles there.
> /cheers
> Pat

This thread: