Last of the Westland Whigs

In the late 17th century, the 'Westland Whigs' were the radical descendants of earlier Covenanters who had defied the absolutist rule of Stuart kings in south west Scotland.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Wigtownshire Hearth Tax Lists 1695

Just a quick note - have found a Glasgow University thesis from 2009 which is a study and listing of the 1695 Hearth tax records from Wigtownshire. It can be downloaded as a pdf from here.

All the names and places have been transcribed so there is a lot of detailed information. There is a bit of confusion over the 'kilns' which are recorded along with hearths. The author  assumes these were lime kilns, but is more likely that they were grain drying kilns.

There is analysis (including percentage by parish) of  the Gaelic surnames found and a discussion about significance in relation to decline of Gaelic in Galloway.

Unfortunately there is no mention of the 1684 Wigtownshire and Minnigaff 'census' - which has a more detailed record of the inhabitants and which could have been used as a comparison.

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