POLLOCKSHAWS, a town (incorporated), in the
parish of Eastwood, Upper ward of the county of Renfrew,
3 miles (S. W.) from Glasgow; containing nearly
6000 inhabitants. This place, which is conveniently
situated on the river Cart, and on the high road from
Glasgow to Ayrshire, &c., was originally a small village
distinguished only as the residence of the ancient family
of Pollock, from whom it derived its name. The advantages
of its position in the centre of a populous district,
and its proximity to Glasgow, Paisley, and other large
towns, together with the abundance of coal which is
worked in the parish, have made PoUockshaws a place
of considerable business; while the introduction of the
cotton trade and the various branches connected with
it, has also contributed greatly to its increase, and given
it importance as a manufacturing town. A number of
large tenements have been lately erected; a gas company
was formed about fifteen years ago, and the place at
present is in a thriving condition. About 200 persons
are engaged in the spinning of cotton, and nearly 400 in
weaving with power-looms, for which mills have been
erected; whilst upwards of 400 of the inhabitants are
constantly occupied in hand-loom weaving for the manufacturers
of Glasgow and Paisley. The number of handloom
weavers in 1826 was 906, but owing to the depressed
state of this trade, the numbers have been reduced to less
than half. About 400 of the inhabitants are employed in
bleachfields and dye-works, and the freestone-quarries in
the parish give employment to nearly 200 men. In 1S45
an act was passed for the construction of a railway from
Glasgow by PoUockshaws and Barrhead to Neilston: the
line is open as far as Barrhead. A post-office under Glasgow
has some years been established, and the town has
also a branch of the Western Bank of Scotland, and an office
for stamps and taxes. There is no regular market: a
pleasure-fair is held annually on the last Friday and Saturday
in May, at which horse-racing and other amusements
take place. PoUockshaws was erected into a burgh of
barony in the year 1S13, when the inhabitants received
a charter of incorporation, by which the government
was vested in a provost, bailie, treasurer, and six councillors.
The provost and bailie remain in office two years,
the treasurer and councillors one year: the town-clerk
is appointed by the magistrates and council, and acts as
£issessor. The burgesses are admitted by the magistrates
and council; and the requisite qualifications are,
residence, and possession of property of the value of £4
per annum. All persons carrying on business, either as
manufacturers or tradesmen, are compelled to become
burgesses, the fees for which are, for a stranger £1. 1.,
and for the son of a burgess half a guinea. The corporation
by their charter are empowered to hold courts for
the trial both of civil actions and criminal offences. A
circuit sheriff court is held every alternate month, and a
justice-of-peace court once a month. A handsome and
substantial gaol was erected by the County Prison Board
in 1845. About forty or fifty years ago there were only
two churches in the town; at present there are si.x, two
in connexion with the Established Church, two with the
Synod of United Original Seceders, one with the Free
Church, and one with the United Presbyterian Synod.
There is also a small congregation of Independent Baptists.
The parochial school is well attended; there are
five private schools, and several friendly societies.