CREETOWN, a port and burgh of barony, in the
parish of Kirkmabreck, stewartry of Kirkcudbright,
6 ,miles (S. E.) from Newton-Stewart; containing 9S4
inhabitants. This place, which takes its name from its
situation on the river Cree, is of some antiquity, and
under the name of " Creth " was the rendezvous of the
English army in 1300. It appears to have been of considerable
extent, and, from a ferry over the river, obtained
subsequently the name of the Ferry-Town of Cree. It is
probable that the ancient villSge had fallen into decay
before the erection of the present town, which was commenced
in 178.5, and in 1/92 contained only fifty houses.
The town is situated at the mouth of the river, on the
eastern shore of Wigtown bay, and consists of several
streets, irregularly formed, but containing well-built
houses; the surrounding scenery in every direction is
beautifully picturesque, and enlivened with handsome
mansions and pleasing villas. A cotton-factory, a tannery,
and a mill for making patent-shot, were for some
years in active operation, but they have been long discontinued;
the manufacture of carpets, affording employment
to about thirty persons, is carried on in the buildings
of the old cotton-factory, and the shot-mill has been
lately adapted to the purpose of a cast-iron foundry.
The trade of the port is mainly in the shipping of granite
for Liverpool, in which several schooners are employed;
there is a small coasting-trade, chiefly with Whitehaven,
and foreign vessels occasionally land cargoes of timber
and tar. A few fishing-wherries belong to the port.
There is no harbour, and the vessels are moored upon
the beach. Crcetown was erected into a burgh of barony
by charter granted to its proprietor, John Mc Cullocb,
Esq., of Barholm, in 1791, and is governed by a bailie
and four councillors, elected triennially by the tenants.
A town-hall with a small prison has been lately built.
There is a post-office, and every facility of communication
is afforded by good roads, and by the ferry across
the Cree to Wigtown.