How Annan Built a Bridge. 321 



Stewartry of Annandale, and patron of the Church of 

 Annan, as well as Provost of the burgh. It might be conceived, 

 considering the time and energy absorbed by the numerous im- 

 portant State offices he held, that the Earl's provostship would 

 be of an honorary nature. The records prove the case to be 

 otherwise. This most active and forceful nobleman dominated 

 everything — the elections, and all the affairs and business of the 

 town, acting himself or through his chamberlain. Frequently 

 the election of the Council was deferred on his account, as in 

 the following instance: — "The bailies, treasurer, dean, and 

 Council are continued as formerly till such time as My Lord 

 Annandale, Provost, be present at a new election or appoint one 

 under His Lordship's hand when a new election should be, and 

 no new Councillor be added without His Lordship's advice." 

 In regard to other business, there are enactments that " the 

 customs are to be uplifted by the bailies and treasurer till My 

 Lord Annandale, Provost, ordains the said customs to be rouped, 

 or be present himself, or his advice be taken thereanent ; that the 

 income from the common good is not to be disposed upon except 

 My Lord Annandale, Provost, his consent be given and precepts 

 under His Lordship's hand before disposing thereupon ; and 

 that persons who have had the common goods in time by past, 

 with the Magistrates and their clerk, are to attend the Provost 

 at Lochwood when called, and account therefor." The Earl, 

 it should be explained, subsequently by a bond acquired the 

 right of dealing with the customs of the burgh. William Whyte, 

 who resided at Poldean, near Moffat, is the Earl's chamberlain. 

 Second to the Provost is " Mr Matthias Partis of Tallentyre, 

 Esquire, eldest bailie," an Englishman from Cumberland. Ad- 

 mitted a burgess of the burgh of Annan ist October, 1694, and 

 designated "merchant in Tallentyre," he was elected a Coun- 

 cillor 28th May, 1697, and advanced the same day to be senior 

 bailie. With him was another Englishman, " Master John 

 Woosley, merchant of London," who was admitted burgess 26th 

 May, 1698, added to the Council 29th October the same year, 

 and elected junior bailie 5th October, 1700. In partnership 

 these gentlemen started a mercantile business, chiefly as im- 

 porters of tobacco, at Annan, and appear to have been considered 

 men of substance. John Johnstone of Gallabanks and John 

 Irving of Gulliland, well-known Annan men, are bailies, and 

 James Bryden is treasurer. 



Passing to the history of the bridge, the minute of the Burgh 

 Court of 12th May, 1700, already mentioned, has reference to 

 the registration in the Court books of a contract, of which the 

 tenor, abbreviated, follows : — 



" It is contracted and agreed betwixt a noble and potent 

 Earl, William Earl of Annandale and Hartfell, etc.. Provost of 

 Annan, with express advice and consent of the bailies, whole 



