OS1/10/11/52

Continued entries/extra info

[page] 52 Parish of Dumfries. -- [Continued from Page 51]

handsome public buildings which Are well worthy of notice [see description of each]. - The MarKet places are well situated and Commodious The Fair's And Cattle Markets are of great note for the extent of business done. Establishments for education are numerous in Some of which the rudimentary branches of the Classics &c are taught. The principal import trade is that which Supplies the Surrounding district with necessaries. There are Some Manufactories carried on, the principal of which is hosiery much of which is exported to England and other places as also tanneries which of late years have delined. The Navigation of the Nith has been Considerably improved of late at great expense. - There are Commodious Quays Constructed along the river four of which are within the compass of 5 miles.-
The Situation of Dumfries as a border town renders it of note in history As being Connected with the Border Wars And other events. Of its Antiquities the old Bridge is remarKable. Dumfries Castle was of considerable Note but no vestige at present remains of this fortress. - The New WarK which Stood in the Centre of the Town Served in Subsequent times as a Castle or place of Strength. Tradition and History record several Churches and Chapels belonging to this Town of which no vestige remains In the Friars Vennel Stood the Greyfriars Monastery and Church. - on the Site of the present St. Michael's Church Stood the original St. Michael's Chapel on the Site of the present St. Marys stood St. Christopher's Chapel. - A Chapel was also Attached to the Castle. - There was a Chapel familiarly called "St. Allan's on the Brae" which Stood in St. Michael Street somewhere near St. Allan's Wells. - This Chapel is Considered by some to have been a Small Chapel attached to an old house which Stood here until late years and was called the Bishops Lodging from its being the temporary residence of the Bishop of the Diocese in past ages. - There was also a small Chapel attached to a small Nunnery or Convent which Stood Somewhere in the Street called Chapel Street. The Chapel and Convent were dedicated to St. Nicholas. - The Convent as Tradition states was Supported by the Ladies of the house of Lord Herries. There was also "St. Thomas' Chapel in the Deanery" [see descriptive remarK for this]. - Thus within the Burgh or its Suburbs there were seven Chapels or Churches before the reformation. - The Site of two of these Chapels Cannot now be pointed out although tradition records their existence these are St. Allan's and St. Nicholas' together with the Nunnery attached to the latter although every enquiry and effort were made to ascertain their Site. Dumfries unites with Annan, Sanquhar, Lochmaben and KirKcudbright in sending a Member to Parliament.