NEWTON-STEWART, a market-town, in the parish of Penninghame,
county of Wigtown, 7^ miles
(N. by W.) from Wigtown, and 26 (E. by N.) from Stranraer;
containing 2172 inhabitants. This pluce derives
its name from its foundation, in the eighteenth century,
by a younger branch of the Stewarts, Earls of Galloway,
proprietors of the lauds of Castle-Stewart, on which they
built the original village. Owing to its advantageous
situation on the river Cree, between the Ferrylown of
Cree and Glenluce, the village rapidly increased in extent
and importance; and on its subsequently becoming the
property of Sir William Douglas, of Carlingwark, it was
erected into a burgh of barony, of which he became superior.
From this circumstance the place assumed the
appellation of Newton-Douglas; and for some time it continued
to flourish under the auspices of its superior, who
introduced various branches of manufacture, which were
pursued with much success, and tended greatly to augment
the population. These branches were, the cotton
manufacture, for which a spacious mill was erected at an
expense of about £25,000; a carpet manufactory; and
several others; but in a few years they began to decline,
and ultimately became extinct; and the place has since
resumed its original name of Newton-Stewart, by which
it is now generally known.
The TOWN is pleasantly situated on the banks of the
river Cree, over which is an elegant bridge of granite of
five arches, connecting it with the village of Creebridge,
in the parish of MinnigafF. It consists chiefly of one
spacious street, extending along the shore, and in the
centre of which is the town-hall. The houses, generally
two stories in height, are neatly built, and roofed with
slate. A public library, and a news and reading room
well supplied with journals and periodical publications,
are supported by subscription, and a horticultural and
an agricultural society hold their annual meetings in the
town. The principal trade is the tanning and currying of
leather, and the buying and selling of wool. The weaving
of cotton is still carried on by hand-loom weavers
at their own dwellings for the Glasgow manufacturers,
though gradually diminishing; and the curing of bacon,
which is of recent introduction, is extensive, producing
annually a return of £6000. Many of the inhabitants
are employed in the usual handicraft trades requisite
for the wants of a district; there are numerous shops
well stored with articles of merchandise, and also an
extensive brewery. Branches of the British Linen
Company and the Edinburgh and Glasgow Bank, as
well as several insurance agencies, have been established.
The post-office has a good delivery; and facility of
communication is maintained by the military road from
Dumfries to Portpatrick, and by the road from Wigtown
to Ayr. Port-Carty, about a mile south of the town, is
accessible to vessels of eighty tons at spring tides. A
market is held on Friday; and there are fairs on the
second Fridays in January, March, April, May, August,
September, and December, for cattle; on the second
Fridays in February, June, and November, for horses;
and on the second Fridays in July and October, for
wool: the October fair is also for hiring servants. The
government of the place is vested in a constable; the
town-hall is a neat building, and there is a small prison
for the temporary confinement of petty offenders. In
the town are the parish church, and places of worship
for members of the United Presbyterian Church, Cameronians,
and Roman Catholics. The parochial school
is also situated here, and the master has an excellent
dwelling-house attached, with a large garden: there are
several other schools, one of which is the Douglas endowed
charity school, described under the head of PenNINGHAME.