420 Incorporated Trades of Dumfries. 



Dincow, Kirkton, Carzield, in Kirkmahoe; Dalquharne, in Iron- 

 gray; Lowghruton, Xewabay ; "Thorall," Dunscore, Glencairn, 

 and Tynron parishes; Bruntshiells, in Tinwald; Brantinsylle, in 

 the parish of Reveill; Xymbelly, which I take to be in Kirkbean. 

 The terms of enrolment sometimes are that these men are to be 

 "free of the said trade in the country only;" sometimes that 

 they are to be free " to bring and take out work," to the town that 

 is ; but the variations in form do not seem to indicate anv sub- 

 stantial distinction. In the case of John Aikine, one of the 

 weavers resident at " Ackencreth," the permission to bring in and 

 take out work is limited to four hours each market day ; and 

 it is expressly stipulated in this entry that he shall make the work 

 " good and sufficient, at the ordinar and common prices, without 

 less or more, and that he shall inform of all unfree traders." 

 It is a pleasing picture which is brought before us of little in- 

 dustrial colonies dotted all over the district, and carrying on 

 commerce with the town, albeit under restrictions which are not 

 in consonance with modern ideas. 



I will quote in extenso a minute of date 3d April, 1702, 

 because it points to the establishment — or contemplated estab- 

 lishment — of some new departments of the weaver's trade in 

 Dumfries, and also because it illustrates the detailed regulations 

 and restrictive methods of the period, in limiting the number of 

 persons employed and forbidding even freemen to practice any 

 but their own particular branch of the craft. 



" On the petition of Chas. Bowman, weaver in Air, to be 

 freeman with the corporation of weavers in weaving of plush, 

 damask, Dornick [that is linen cloth used in Scotland for the 

 table], and flowr'd work, for which end he has resolved to come 

 and make his residence within this burgh, and to submit to qt. 

 composition [what payment] the Deacon and Masters shall exact 

 of him. The Deacon and Masters after consideration thereof 

 and for the petitioner's encouragement do unanimously admit 

 and receive the said Charles to the freedom and privilege of 

 their trade and incorporation for his working and weaving 

 allenerly [only] of plush, demass, Dornick, and flowr'd work, 

 with power to him to set up and use and practice his trade and 

 vocation ; declaring that after two years succeeding his settle- 

 ment he may take prentice and journeymen according to the 

 custom of trade. Yet that it shall be leisom to him immediately 



