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Parish of Kirkpatrick-Fleming County of Dumfries

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Turnpike Road traverses from the West side to the S.E. [South East] side of Parish and from which two lines diverge N.E. [North East] and S.W. [South West]. Freestone and Limestone are extensively wrought throughout the district. Though well populated throughout there is neither town nor village - Kirkpatrick in the Sn. [Southern] district wherein is situate the Ph. [Parish] Church and School being merely a clachan or hamlet. There is in the Parish a Ph. [Parish] Church two Ph. [Parish] Schools also a Free Church and School connected therewith. The principal Proprietors are Sir John Heron Maxwell of Springhill Bart. [Baronet] and Col. [Colonel] Graham of Mossknow. Population of the Parish at the last census 1829.
The Roman Road leading to Clydesdale traverses the route of Turnpike Road from Carlisle to Glasgow and may be distinctly traced at intervals by a raised way or embankment, in which large pavement stones are found. - Large Cairns or Tumuli occur on the opening of several of which ancient relics have been found. Vestiges of a Fort said in the district to be of British origin may still be distinctly traced in the northern district. Numerous Peels seem to have existed here the Sites and remains of which have been shewn. Redhall Castle the principal stronghold of the Flemings in the 13th and 14th Centuries [note in pencil "NOT SO"]was in one of Edward's later incursions into Scotland in favor of Baliol attacked when only 30 fighting men were within its walls by a whole english army and so resolute were its defenders that they kept their assailants in play for three days and then rather than surrender they gave both it and themselves to the flames. Woodhouse Tower the remains of which still exist is said to have been the first house in Scotland entered by Robert Bruce when fleeing from Edward Longshanks. A little to the North of the last mentioned Tower stands Merkland Cross an octagonal and slightly tapering stone 9 feet high upon a socket of 21/2 feet supposed to have been erected 1483 in memory of a Master of Maxwell warden of the marches who after a victorious skirmish with the Duke of Albany and the Earl of Douglas was assassinated in the spot. This district is noted for its pathetic associations with Fair Helen of Kirkconnel Lee several memorials of which Lady and her sad fate etc. have been shewn. Kirkpatrick- Fleming comprehends the ancient Parishes of Kirkpatrick, Kirkconnel, and Irvin. Vestiges are yet extant of Kirkconnel Church at the west side of the Parish the graveyard thereof being still in use. The Parish of Kirkconnel says Chalmers forming the Northern part of the present Parish was united to Kirkpatrick in 1609
[dated] April 1858

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