I have a booklet purchased in Scotland called "Craigie Churchyard Monumental Inscriptions." It begins with a description of the Parish written for the Statistical Account of Scotland, 1791 to 1799. It was written by Rev. Dr. Andrew Shaw who was the minister for the Parish when the Statistical Account was being compiled. I won't copy the entire Statistical Account, but will quote extensively areas that appear important or interesting for Scotch Settlement researchers. I will also list what appear to be relevant inscriptions (i.e. those that contain familiar surnames) from the gravestones.

"Visitors to the Churchyard at Craigie will find, near the southwest corner of the church, a large table stone in memory of the Rev. Dr. Andrew Shaw who, during his ministry, wrote a description of the parish for the Statistical Account of Scotland 1791-1799. Here are excerpts from the document:

The name Craigie appears to have been given to this parish from several craigs or rocks, which are situated near the church.This parish and that of Riccarton, were formerly united, but were disjoined in 1647. It appears from records, that there were, at that time, in the two parishes, above 2000 communicants, which far exceeds the number in both at present. A considerable part of a small parish, called Barnwell, which was suppressed in the year 1673, when that of Stair was erected, is now annexed to Craigie.

The soil in general is rather light and gravelly. Some parts of it consist of a thin poor clay, but there are many fields of a deep strong clay, which, when properly cultivated, produce, in favourable seasons, very rich crops. The greatest part of the parish is arable, and inclosed with hedge and ditch, but some parts are surrounded with stone dykes. There are likewise some good fields of meadow ground. The hills are covered with verdure, and afford excellent pasture for cattle.

The air, in general, is pure, and there are no distempers peculiar to the parish. Many of the inhabitants arrive at the age of 80, some that of 90 years. They live neither in towns nor villages; they are employed chiefly in the open air, and are active, sober and industrious; they are of late much improved in their dress and manner of living, and dwell in houses more neat and cleanly than formerly; circumstances which must contribute to health.

Produce and Cattle: The grain chiefly cultivated in this parish, is oats. Pease, beans, and barley, are also raised, but in much smaller quantities. Potatoes are planted by almost every family for their own sustenance. Considerable quantities of rye-grass and clover seeds, are also sown. No turnips, cabbages or hemp, are raised, and little flax, excepting some for private use. More grain is sent to the markets of Ayr and Kilmarnock, and even to Paisley and Glasgow. Great attention is now given to the improvement of the breed of cows and horses, which have risen greatly in value within these few years. The number of horses, young and old, may be 246, and of cows 738. There are only a few sheep.

Population: Upon comparing the present amount of annual baptisms, with that of any particular period, for a considerable time past, the state of this parish, with respect to population, does not appear to have been materially altered. Owing to the enlargement of farms, to the demolition of cottages, and to the increase of manufactures in the neighborhood (to which persons of all ages resort), its population might, perhaps, be supposed on the decline. Yet it is a fact,that the return to Dr. Webster amounted only to 551; and, at present, the numbers of parishioners, young and old, are not under 700. They are mostly farmers, some are lime quarriers, some day-labourers, and there are a few of those tradesmen, who are essentially necessary in every country parish. At an average for the last 5 years, there have been six marriages, 14 baptisms, and 9 burials, annually.

The church: The church was built anno 1776, is a neat and commodious place for worship, and may contain about 600 people. The manse was built anno 1745, and has since been at different times repaired. The stipend consists partly of victual (food or supplies), and partly money; and, including the glebe, may amount to L.96. The right of patronage belongs to William Campbell, Esq; of Craigie.

The kirk of Craigie is said to have been formerly called "the kirk in the forest", which name was probably given it, from its being surrounded by woods; but few trees are now to be seen near it.

(Editors note: The right of patronage is a set of rights and obligations of someone, known as the patron in connection with a gift of land. It is a grant made by the Church out of gratitude towards a benefactor. A glebe is land belonging to a patron, or by default to a minister. Glebe is land, in addition to or including a parsonage house and grounds, assigned to support the minister. William Campbell probably owned the land upon which the church was built.)

In The Second Statistical Account of Scotland, published in 1845, Rev. John Sterling gives the following account of the Craigie Parish:

Topography And Natural History.

Boundaries: This parish is bounded on the north by Riccarton and Galston; on the east by Mauchline; on the south by Tarbolton, on the west by Monkton and Symington.

Topographical Appearances: The hills near the church, with the exception of a craggy rock jutting out here and there, are covered with verdure to the very summit, and although comparatively low, being only about 500 feet above the level of the sea, the view from them is both extensive and beautiful. The parish contains apart of the suppressed parish of Barnweill, the greater part of the stipend of Barnweill being transferred to the support of the minister of Stair. The parish is, in a direct line, about seven miles long, and one and a-half miles broad on an average.

Civil History

Parochial Registers— These are:

Land Owners

Mansion Houses

Caimhill, which consists of two parts separated by an area or small space between. The oldest part is a tower that has already stood the storms of several centuries, and is still in good repair and habitable, and, like other ancient edifices, has been strongly built. The other part is comparatively modern.

Antiquities

Craigie Castle, a very ancient building, was at one time the residence of the Wallaces of Craigie, but is now in a state of dilapidation. The castle has been surrounded with a moat enclosing about four acres of land; and the entrance into it was at the south-west side by a drawbridge.

There still exist some artificial mounds, (named law-hills) on which, in former times, persons guilty of crimes, real or supposed, are said to have been tried; but some of them appear to have been military encampments, especially the one on Barnweill hill, and another near Campcastle.

Industry

There are three limestone quarries, and there is one tile-work, lately erected, which produces good tiles, and is of great advantage to the farmers.

The parish contains coal of different kinds, both what is termed dross and cannel coal. The coal has been wrought in several places, and at different times, and at one of the works very lately, but the working is now discontinued as unprofitable.

The parish contains about 6300 imperial acres, all fit for cultivation, except about thirty acres of hills. There are also about forty acres of meadow, on which water is kept during winter for the use of corn-mills. Part of the hilly ground might be cultivated, but whether profitably or not, is doubtful. About thirty years ago, the uncultivated hilly land was double of what it is now.

There is only one corn-mill, viz. Heughmill. The loch attached to this covers about twenty acres of the meadow-land. There are other two lochs, viz. Fail loch, partly in this parish, and partly in Torbolton ; the mill driven by the water of this loch is in Torbolton parish. Loch Brown is partly in three parishes, viz. Craigie, Mauchline, and Torbolton. The mill driven by its water is in the parish of Mauchline. This loch covers nearly a hundred acres, and is not dry in summer: and perhaps more than the half of it is in this parish.

The length of lease is generally nineteen years. A general improvement in agriculture has taken place; ploughing is neatly executed, and the corners of the fields, and sometimes the borders of the hedges delved where the plough cannot reach; many of the grass-fields are cleared of thistles and other weeds, and the hedges generally are well kept. But the greatest improvement is that of furrow-draining. One of the proprietors, in order to have the draining on his property thoroughly executed, pays the whole expense of draining, except the carting of the tiles, and charges his tenants about four per cent, per annum on his expenditure; another pays the tiles at the kilns, charging the tenants Is. per thousand tiles, which comes to nearly five per cent, per annum; other proprietors assist a little, but the greater part of the draining is at the expense of the tenants.

The farm-houses are substantial and commodious About a half of the farm-houses are now slated, anil three of them are of two stories.

The average size of the farms is about 90 imperial acres. The above is exclusive of the turnpike and parish roads, and of that part of Loch Brown that is flooded in summer, so that the whole contents of this parish are above ten square miles. The produce of the oats per acre is from thirty-two to sixty-four imperial bushels, average forty-eight bushels per acre. The average produce of beans is twenty-four bushels per acre. Potatoes average about eight tons per acre; turnips average about sixteen tons per acre: ryegrass weighs about twenty-six cwt. of 11*2 lbs. each; and meadow hay weighs about twenty-eight cwt per imperial acre on an average. Pease are included along with the beans. Perhaps there may be live or six acres of pease. The barley is mostly sown for family use. Little flax is sown, and few field-cab-, bages are raised, perhaps not more than an acre of each.

Live-Stock: The live-stock is as follows: 148 horses and mares fit for work; 25 bulls, 759 milk cows; 437young cows, including queys, stirks, and calves to be reared; 293 sheep, mostly of a mixed breed; and 145 swine. The milk of the cows is for the most part manufactured into sweet milk cheese, and the yearly produce of each cow is from 2 \ cwt. to 3£ cwt.; the average is 3 cwt. The whey is mostly used in feeding swine.

Ecclesiastical State: The church was built in 1776, and the manse in 1808 and is in good repair. The stipend consists of sixteen chalders of grain, one-half oatmeal, and the other half barley, paid by the fiars price of the county, and L 10 to provide communion elements. The glebe contains about five acres, and is worth L. 10 per annum. The patronage belongs to James Campbell, Esq. of Craigie.

One hundred and twenty-eight families belong to the Established Church; 3 families belong to the United Secession; and of other 9 families, part go to the Established Church, and part to the Secession.

Education: There are two schools in the parish, the parochial school, and one in the south-west end of the parish, at Underhills, near Barnweill, and no additional schools are required, as the east end of this parish has the advantage of schools in the vicinity, one in the parish of Galston, and another in the parish of Mauchline. The school-room at Underhills is given free of rent by the proprietor, and the teacher is supported by the school-fees. The parochial school-house was built in 1807. The schoolmaster's salary is the maximum; and the average amount of school fees per annum for ten years is about L. 20 Sterling, making the schoolmaster's income about L. 54 per annum, exclusive of house and garden.

Poor: The average number of persons receiving parochial aid is 12, who are paid monthly from the poor's funds. A few others receive aid occasionally. The average sum paid to each of these twelve is L.4, 2s. 5d. per annum. Three of these have about L. 6 each; the rest have considerably less than the average. The annual average amount of contributions for relief of the poor for the last nine years is L. 51, 19s. Id., viz.

"In memory of Robert Hopkin died at Maintree 3 February 1912, aged 61. Also his wife Elizabeth Symington died at Barwheys 17 October 1933, aged 71. Also their second son Robert Hopkin died 28 July 1969, aged 73, dearly beloved husband of Isobel Rose Marie Bell.

Erected by James Hopkin of Maintree in memory of his daughter Janet, who died 19 January 1859 aged 12 months. Also of William Ried his father-in-law died 11 January 1872 aged 80. Also Janet Glover relict (?) of William Reid who died 22 May 1880 aged 84. Also of James Hopkin who died at Maintree 17 April 1889 aged 69. And Janet Ried his wife who died at Maintree 28 March 1890 aged 71.

Erected in the memory of John Stirling late Wright at Catcraig who died 6 November 1849 aged 70. Margaret Steven his wife died 29 November 1851 aged 66. Mary Ann their daughter, wife of Daniel Shearer died at Edinburgh 25 October 1849 aged 41. John their son died 27 November 1842 aged 18. William their son died 6 April 1856 aged 7. John Marr their son in law died 24 June 1864 aged 57. Margaret Stirling, wife of John Marr died 24 June 1871 aged 61. Helen Marr died 28 November 1874 aged 26 interred in the Ayr Newton Cemetery. Also their daughter Helen died 4 December 1882 aged 62.

Reverse (side of above): Jane Stirling wife of William Wallace farmer at Highland died 12 September 1888 aged 76 interred at Mauchline. Also their son in law John Lithgow who died 10 March 1889 aged 79. Their daughter Janet Stirling wife of John Lithgow died 23 March 1897 aged 82.

Erected by Elizabeth Cochrane in memory of her husband David Latta late farmer in Laigh Langside who died 28 March 1826 aged 42. Also Elisabeth his daughter died 6 December 1833 aged 21. Also David Latta her son who died 14 January 1838 aged 17. And of Mathew Young her son who died 17 June 1858 Aged 3. Also her husband John Young who died 7 March 1851 aged 50. Also Elisabeth Cochrane wife of David Latta who died 6 December 1864 aged 50.

Erected by James Wallace of Dollarshill in memory of his son Robert who died 12 December 1861 aged 22. James Wallace died 27 July 1887, aged 84. Also Margaret Wait relict of the above James Wallace who died 2 March 1901 aged 85.

Erected by Thomas Stevenson in loving memory of his wife Isabella Brown, who died 10 January 1886 aged 50. Also of their child Marion who died 20 July 1886 aged 34 (Interred in Ayr). Catherine Milne who died 25 March 1893 aged 28. The above Thomas Stevenson who died 12 January 1899, aged 73. Annie who died 12 July 1910, aged 60. Jeanie Brown who died 27 March aged 45. John who died 18 March 1919, aged 65. William Brown, who died 9 November 1920, aged 73. Samuel Hutchison who died 27 October 1923 aged 61. Isabella Stevenson who died 4 May 1932 aged 76.

James Cochrane Engineer erected this in memory of his beloved wife Agness Latta who died 1 August 1830, aged 27. Also in memory of his son John Young who died 26 December 1844 aged 20 months. Also in memory of his daughter Isabella Georgeana Hutchison who died 29 March 1835 aged 7.

S.t.t.m. of the late John Cochrane, Cattle Dealer Craigie and Agnes Gemme,, his spouse who after a happy married life of 25 years, died...much and justly regretted here in the ? year of his age on 25th, and she in the 48th year of her age. on 28 April 1822 and both consigned to the grave in one day. S.t.t.m. also of James their son who died 9 May 1807 aged 11 whose remains are interred at Tarbolton. And of their daughters Martha who died 2 March 1811 aged 5 months, and Janet who died 17 February 1820 in the 15th year of her age. Erected by John Cochrane.

On the reverse side: Sac. t. t. m. of Alexander Cochrane who died 1 July 1834 aged 21. And John Cochrane late farmer in Hairlaw who died 24 January 1857 aged 53. Also Mary daughter of the above John Cochrane who died 19 May 1857 aged 5 months.

Erected by Charles Wilson in memory of his daughter Sarah who died at High Wardneuk 8 January 1893 aged 18. Also his son Robert who died 20 June 1905 aged 26. And his wife Jessie Fergusson who died 3 April 1906 aged 68. The above Charles Wilson died 31 December 1906 aged 81. His son Charles who died 6 November 1908 aged 38. Also his daughter in law Janet Roberts beloved wife of Alex Wilson who died at High Wardneuk 7 August 1924 aged 58. The above Alexander Wilson died 26 February 1945 aged 78.

Erected by Robert Borland Five-ways in memory of his wife Agnes Morrision who died Alpril 17 1899 aged 64. Also his eldest daughter Agnes (wife of John Smith)who died at sea April 24 1884 aged 28. Also his 3rd daughter Elizabeth who died February 17 1879 aged 9 and a half. Also his 4th daughter Mary Ann who died July 7 1914 aged 39. Also his 4th son Robert who died 19 August 1916 aged 52. The above Robert Borland died at Fiveways 10 June 1917 in his 88th year.

Erected by James Anderson in memory of our dear son Robert Anderson who died 10 June 1942 aged 33. Also his niece Margaret Cumisky Todd who died 24 March 1848 aged 17. Also Margaret Cumisky who died 14 November 1950 aged 70 beloved wife of James Anderson who died 25 October 1987 aged 99.

Erected in memory of James Taylor, Farmer, Littlehill, who died 15 February 1870 aged 60. Also his wife James Helen Shaw who died 28 February 1870 aged 69. Their daughter Janet taylor who died 16 July 1884 aged 52. Their son James Taylor who died 1 December 1896 aged 72. Their son William Taylor who died at Littlehill 30 June 1917 aged 75.

Erected in memory of David Allan farmer Burnside who died 23 February 1851 aged 62. And his wife Agnes Humphrey who died 25 October 1856, aged 65.

Sac t. t. m. of Walter Ferrier Hamilton, Westport and Cairnhill at Cathlaw House died 8 April 1872 and here interred. And Barbara Agnes his wife who died at Cairnhill 2 Oct 1897. Also Francis Sandilands their 2nd son who died at Coolgardie, Western Australia 4 May 1897. Also John Wallace Hamilton of Cairnhill and Westport who died at Glasgow 6 February 1902 and here interred. Also John Eric Findlay-Hamilton of Westport and Carnell killed at Givenchy France 16 June 1915. Also Georgina Julia Findlay-Hamilton of Westport and Carnell M.B.E eldest daughter of Charles Vereker hamilton-Campbell of Netherplace died at Carnell 4 August 1923 and is here interred. And of her beloved husband George Douglas Findlay-Hamilton who died at Carnell 12 March 1941 in his 81st year.

In memory of our dear son Robert Judge who died 3 July, 1930 aged 29. Robert Drummond died at Townend 19 August 1932 in his 70th year. His wife Mary Drummond died at Townend Craigie 17 January 1938, aged 57. Also their daughter Jean Drummond Cochrane who died 22 October 1985 aged 78.

Manors and Estates in the Parish of Craigie

One of the great research aids that we can use from the above inscriptions is the names of the manors or farms where these people lived. The Hopkin family, for example, is associated with a farm called Maintree. Further down this page, I included notes from the Scottish Postal Service Directories; these also list the manors or estates where the owners got mail. I will add comments about manors and estates as I do the research.

The Scottish Post Office Directories are available on line for each Parish. This is very valuable information for the researcher, especially since it contains the names of manors and estates (listed above). Below are the land owners names followed by the name of the estate.

Scottish Post Office Directories
for Craigie, Ayrshire, 1851 to 1852