DUNCOW, a village, in the parish of Kirkmahoe,
county of Dumfries, l^ mile (N.) from Kirkmahoe;
containing 1'21 inhabitants. It is seated between the
Nith and Lochar rivers, and on a small stream, bearing
its own name, that falls into the former a short distance
from the village of Kirkmahoe. The barony of Duncow
once belonged to the family of Cumin, but was forfeited
by them on the accession of Bruce, and bestowed upon
the Boyds; it subsequently passed to the Maxwell family
of Nithsdale, and remained with the Maxwells until
about fifty or sixty years ago, when it was divided
among various purchasers. The village is one of five,
and the largest, in the parish. At Duncow there has
lately been erected a manufactory for coarse woollencloth,
worked both by water and steam. One of the
parochial schools is situated here; the master has a
free-rent dwelling, and besides his salary and fees, an
annual payment of £5, arising from a bequest by the
late Mr. Allen, of Newlands, for teaching fatherless
children.