88 CuNUEliNING THE MAKKET CKoSS. 



the roof to the extent of eight or ten feet above this back shop, 

 had appended on both sides spars of timber and slated to nigh 

 four feet of tha causeway or street." Whether the roof was of 

 simple .saddleback form or one more ornate, such as the top of the 

 Midsteeple, is perhaps not very certain ; but otiierwise the descrip- 

 tion is sufhciently clear, accords with the town's rental book, and 

 leaves no doubt that this centre shop, arched with stone and 

 having a second storey entering on the stone floor above, was at 

 least the basement of the ancient Market Cross of Dumfries. 



About the way in which the place came to the parties in 

 possession Edgar makes the following statement : " There were," 

 he says, '* three sons of — . M'Gowan, minister of Mouswald, in the 

 old Presbyterian time before 1600, Avhose father or themselves, for 

 some trifle of money or small consideration, being' probably in the 

 Council, bought or wadsett the four shops. Their names were 

 Thomas, Alexander, and Mr John. Thomas had the south shop, 

 Alexander the north, and Mr John the mid shop and the back 

 shop above the arch. Thomas being tutor or guardian for Margt,, 

 the daughter of Alexander and doer for Mr John, and himself 

 being a wordley man, thought if he built up the Cross on both 

 sides there would be two new shops on the back thereof. To that 

 end petitioned the Admrs. that he might build up the Cross in a 

 scjuare building and cover the wings with lead above the north 

 and south high shops, provided the town would grant him two 

 feet of ground on each side to extend the building, which he 

 obtained and performed," &c. This appears a somewhat extra- 

 ordinary way of putting the matter, but it is little more than a 

 reflex of the terms of the Council's minute relating 1o the grant 

 of additional ground in the year 1690. 



With permission of Mr Grierson, Town Clerk, I made search 

 in the Council books of that year, and with difficulty discovered 

 the minute, which is closely written in a small and peculiar hand 

 not easily decipherable. It is conclusive of the situation of the 

 Cross, affords substantial and reliable information regarding the 

 curious position of parties' claims thereto, and is besides commend- 

 able as guarding with great care the town's interest. I conclude 

 by giving the minute, which speaks for itself, in full : 



" Convened within the Tolbuith of Drumfries Friday the 

 twenty two day of Augt 16U0 years William Craik 

 provost " &c. 



