The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 91 



The first postmaster in Maxwelltown was a Mr Clark, and 

 the office was located in the shop at No. 1 Glasgow Street,' pre- 

 sently occupied by Mr M'Courtie. Mr Clark held office for only 

 a brief period, and was succeeded bv Mr John Bell. In 1853 

 the office was at the shop in Galloway Street now occupied by Mr 

 Beattie, grocer. Mr Bell was succeeded bv Mr John Davidson 

 in May, 1855, and the office was then transferred to the shop now 

 occupied by Mr Kirk, tobacconist, at 45 Gallowav Street. On his 

 death in February, 1878, Mr Davidson was succeeded in office 

 by^a relative (probably his son), Mr John Davidson, in April, 

 1878. The second Mr David.son was in turn succeeded by Mr 

 John Moodie in December, 1884, and the latter again removed 

 the office to the shop No. 32, further up the same street, pre- 

 sently occupied by Mr Tait, cycle agent. On Mr Moodie's 

 resignation in July, 1886, the control of the office again passed, in 

 August of the same year, to a member of the Davidson family 

 VIZ., Mr James Davidson. Thereafter the office was located iri 

 the premises presently occupied by the Misses Aitken, confec- 

 tioners, at 42 Galloway Street. 



On the Head Office being established in Buccleuch Street 

 the Maxwelltown Receiving Office was abohshed, and Mr James 

 Davidson was appointed to take charge of a new "Receiving 

 Office " located in the shop No. 63 English Street, Dumfries. 

 Mr Davidson was succeeded by Mrs E. Johnston in May, 1890, 

 and she removed the office to her place of business at No. 9 

 English Street. On Mrs Johnston's retiral in June, 1906, she was 

 succeeded as sub-postmistress by Miss Jeanie T. Fergusson, the 

 present holder. Miss Fergusson removed the office, now known 

 as English Street T.S.O. (i.e.. Town Sub Office), to the building 

 previously occupied as the Head Office, at 10 Queen Street. 



At the present time the office transacts the usual postal 

 duties, including Money Order, Savings Bank, Annuity and 

 Insurance Business. It is also a collecting office for telegrams, 

 a telephone installed in May, 1907, being utilised for trans- 

 mitting the messages to the Head Office. The hours of business 

 are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is no Sunday attendance. 



The St. Michael Street Receiving Office was established in 

 November, 1889, and Mrs Margaret Gibson was appointed Sub- 

 postmistress. The office was located in the shop now occupied 



