CROSSMICHAEL, a parish, in the stewartry of
Kirkcudbright; containing, with the village of Clarebrand,
13'21 inhabitants, of whom 2'2'2 are in the village
of Crossmichael, 3^ miles (N.) from Castle Douglas.
This place, which is of remote antiquity, derived its
name (in old documents Corse- Michael) from the dedication
of its church, which was granted to the abbey of
Sweetheart in the year 12/5 by Dervorgille, wife of
Allan, Lord of Galloway, and mother of John Baliol,
King of Scotland. The parish is situated nearly in the
centre of the stewartry, and is bounded on the east by
the river Urr, and on the west by the Dee. It is about
four miles and a half in length, and nearly three and a
half in breadth, comprising 9700 acres, which, with the
exception of a small proportion of pasture laud and a
few acres of woodland and plantations, are all arable.
The surface is beautifully diversified. Along the banks
of the Dee the lands form part of an extensive valley in
rich cultivation; but both from the Dee on the west
and the Urr on the east the ground i-ises gradually, towards
the centre, into a ridge whose acclivities are
marked with gentle undulations, all in tillage. Towards
the north-east are several hills affording only pasture for
sheep and cattle, but some of which have been planted
with larch, adding greatly to the beauty of the scenery.
There are three lakes in the parish, of w hich Loch Roan,
situated in the highest district, is about fifty acres in
extent, and of very considerable depth; it is supplied
with water from no visible source but the clouds, and
by two outlets it sends a plentiful supply into Loch Encrogo.
This latter loch, in which are two small islands,
where sea-gulls formerly built their nests, is smaller than
Loch Roan; and if the water were not necessary for
driving a corn-mill, it might easily be drained. Loch
Smaddy is still smaller in extent. All these lakes abound
with trout, perch, pike, and eels.
The SOIL is partly a fertile loam alternated with gravel
and sand, producing favourable crops of grain of all
kinds, with potatoes and turnips; and the pastures are
luxuriantly rich. The system of agriculture is improved,
and some of the lands have been drained, though much
still remains to be done in that respect. The cattle are
generally of the Galloway breed; the cows upon the
dairy-farms are the Ayrshire: large numbers of sheep
are fed, and many small tenants pay a great part of their
rent by feeding pigs, which they sell at Dumfries. The
annual value of real property in the parish is £8327.
The plantations, which are well managed and in a thriving
condition, are chiefly larch. The substrata are
mostly greywacke and slate. In this parish the seats
are, Greenlaw, Mollance, Danevale, Hillowton, CuUgruff,
and Ernespie. Crossmichael village has a post-office
under that of Castle-Douglas; and facility of communication
is afl'orded by good roads, of which those from
Kirkcudbright to Ayr, and from Dumfries to Portpatrick,
pass through the parish. There is a bridge over the Dee
at Glenlochar; also a ferry nearly opposite the manse.
For ecclesiastical purposes the parisli is within the
bounds of the presbytery of Kirkcudbright, synod of
Galloway. The minister's stipend is about £2/0, with
a manse, and a glebe valued at £28 per annum; patron,
Mrs. Gauld. Crossmichael church, situated in the
western portion of the parish, is a plain structure erected
in 1751; it was repaired and enlarged in 1S22, and contains
650 sittings. There is a place of worship for the
United Presbyterian Synod adjoining Castle-Douglas.
Two parochial schools are supported; the master of one
has a salary of £31, with a house and garden, and his
fees average nearly £30. The other school was built,
and endowed with £11 per annum, by William Gordon,
Esq.; the master has also a salary of £10, with a house
and garden, but no fees. Another school is held, to
which the heritors give £10 a year, making, with the
fees charged, but a small income for the teacher. All
these schools are strictly examined once a year by a
committee of presbytery, and prizes given to the most
deserving scholars. A Sabbath-morning school is taught
by the clergyman of the parish and the Ringanwhey
schoolmaster, and prizes given to the scholars twice a
year. There is also a parochial library. The parish
formerly contained numerous tumuli, in which were
found human bones of large size; and there are still
several remains of ancient forts. Roman urns and weapons
have been discovered by the plough; also, the head
of a war-horse in bronze, and other Roman relics. On
a steep crag overhanging Loch Roan, are some remains
of a hill fortress still called the Kirk of Loch Roan.