114 Kirkcudbright Old Clock. 



" Att Kirkcudbright, the ffourt day of January, the yeir of 

 God JmVIC, ffourtie twa years (1642). The qlk day the Proveist, 

 BailHes and Counsell of the Burgh of Kirkcudbryt, with advyse 

 and consent of the remanent burgess and coramunitie of the said 

 burgh. Having takin to thair serious consideracun the los and 

 want of thaii- ' knok ' throw the fait of ane steiple and bel hous to 

 put thair knok and bellis in (the auld tolbuith qlk of befor keepit 

 thair knok and bel being now ruinous and decaiyit), and of haveing 

 takin to thair considerauu the uecessitie of ane steiple and bel 

 hous to keip their knok and bel, qlk is ane speciall ornament 

 belanging to every burgh ; and qlk they are bund be the antient 

 lawes of the burrows of this kingdoine to mantein and uphauld 

 and lykewayes they takeiug to thair serious consideraun the decay 

 of thair comon guid and that it is superspendit upon the comon 

 effaires of this burgh. Thairfoir the said Proveist, Baillies and 

 Counsell of the said burgh with advyse and consent of the 

 remanent burgess and comunitie of the said burgh. Have all in 

 ane voice cheirfullie and voluntarily offered theimselff is to be 

 stentit in their guids for buying of aue piece of grund qr it may 

 be maist and best convenientlie had for biggin of the said bell 

 hous and steiple and for fournishing of materialls and paying of 

 workmen to big the saym and for that effect they by yir pnts do 

 nominate and appoynt certain members of the Uouusell, or the 

 maist pairt of theme to convene wt the magrats of the said burgh 

 qu soevir they should be requyi't for setting of the foresaid stent. 

 Quha being couveint and haveing acceptit the foirsaid charge 

 upon them. Have all in ane voyce (qa war pret) maid and set 

 down the stent efter. Spcit to be payit by the haill burgess and 

 inhabitants to the said burgh to William Halliday and Geo. 

 Callander or any ane of thame. Collectors appoyntit for uplifting 

 of the said stent and qa ar obleigt to be comptable thairfoir to 

 the Proveist, Baillies and Counsell of the said burgh in manir efter 

 mentionat." 



The steeple was shortly afterwards built, and the " knok " 

 and bells placed thereui, where its single hand continued to point 

 out the fleeting hours till i72o, in which year a serious fire 

 occurred in the steeple, by which much damage was done to the 

 clock and bells. In those days there was no watch or clock maker 

 resident in Kirkcudbright, and the clock was sent to Ringford, to 

 a blacksmith named Law, who was noted for his ability in the art 



