•240 Sanquhar Burgh Cross. 



which stood a little to the north of the Post Office. This was a 

 large pump from which the lieges drew their water supplies. It 

 was built of stone with a stone seat beside it. It was driven not 

 vertically but horizontally like the pendulum of a clock. Few 

 there were who could swing its handle except with both hands, 

 and to do so with one was regarded as a proof of great strength. 

 The widening of the street left this pump in the middle of the 

 roadway, and in 1836 it was shifted to the side of the street, its 

 former site being marked by a cross formed of large stones. In 

 1881 it was removed altogether at the instigation, it has been 

 alleged, of certain members of the Water Company, who, 

 perhaps, considered that there might be more users of the private 

 company's supply of water if the public wells were abolished. 



The following extract from the " Dumfries Magazine " of 

 1826 gives a charming glimpse at the customs of 85 years ago: — 



" On Thursday last the common bell-man of Sanquhar made 

 a notification in the following words: ' I am requested to intimate 

 that the baw' o' moosic will meet at the pump well the night at 

 seven o'clock to play 'God Save the King,' and they'll be glad 

 o' the company o' onybody that likes to come and hear them 

 and to tak' a glass wi' them afterwards in a quate discreet kin' o' 

 a way when a' His Majesty's loyal subjects are gaun tae toss the 

 King's Health for the favour he has done tae the lieges o' San- 

 quhar in opening the ports at this prezeese time.'" In conse- 

 quence it is related of the above call upon their loyalty a number 

 of the lieges " assembled and listened to the performance of the 

 King's Anthem and then adjourned from the Pump Well to the 

 Court-House, where they pledged His Majesty's health, long 

 life, and prosperity in brimming bumpers, but from the more 

 potent liquor drawn from John Barleycorn." This reminds us of 

 the " dry " year of 1826, when the corn supply failed in the 

 country, and the King on his own authority suspended the pro- 

 tective laws, and so saved many of the people much unnecessary 

 suffering. Thus the Sanquharians' thankfulness for the oi)ening 

 "of the ports at this prezeese time." After the taking away of 

 the Cross its site remained unmarked for about fifty years, but at 

 a "demonstration" held in Sanquhar on 22nd June, 1860, the 

 180th anniversary, it was resolved to have the spot permanently 

 marked. The project was kept in abeyance for nearly four years, 

 but on the 11th May, 1864, the present monument was unveiled. 



