Ayrshire Hearth Tax 1691

In 1690, in an attempt to pay back monies advanced to them by the Shires and Burghs, and to reduce the arrears of the army, the Parliament of Scotland granted a tax of 14 shillings on each hearth in Scotland, this was a once of tax payable at Candlemas (2nd February 1691). Hospitals and paupers on the parish poor rolls were exempted.

The lists of hearths for the baillary of Carrick was presented to the Exchequer on the 22nd March 1693, Cunninghame on the 14th June 1694 and for Kyle on the 1st of August 1694. It was up to the collectors as to how the lists were drawn up hence, some show settlements and farms, while others are listed under estates ie: Cunninghame. Some lists show occupations while others give very little information. The worst is the Kyle collection where there are no returns for Monkton, Prestwick and St Quivox.
note: the number next to the name represents the number of hearths paid for.

Baillary of CARRICK: Sub Collector John Hamilton

Ballantrae
[149 paid, 106 male heads of households, and 10 female heads, undetermined 4]

Andrew Baird in Holme 1
Thomas Baird in Corraie 1
David Baird in Ballig 1
David Baird in Craigenline 1

Barr
[167 paid, 93 male heads of households, and 3 female heads, undetermined 13]

John Baird in Clachrieskeag and his father 2

Colmonell
[277 paid, 161 male heads of households, and 12 female heads, undetermined 13]

John Baird in Ballaird 1
James Baird in Ballaird 1
Thomas Baird in Danger 2

Dailly
[277 paid, 132 male heads of households, and 8 female heads, undetermined 11]

James Baird 1

Maybole [town]
[723 paid, 340 male heads of households, and 41 female heads, undetermined 20]

John and George Bairds there (Tounhead) 2
John Baird 2
James Baird in Drumorran, Baltersan Estate 3

Straiton
[238 paid, 125 male heads of households, and 14 female heads, undetermined 10]

Dorathie Baird in Clachan 1

Baillary of KYLE: Sub Collector David Craufurd

Ayr
[1198 paid, 287 unpaid 484 male heads of households, and 145 female heads, undetermined 5]

In the 1st quarter of the Burgh of Ayre:
Doriyy Baird 1
In the 2nd quarter of the Burgh of Ayre:
George Baird 1
In the 3rd quarter of the Burgh of Air:
Robert Baird 1
Thomas Baird 3
Joseph Baird 2

Cumnock New and Old
[524 paid, 188 unpaid, 35 poor, 338 male heads of households, and 48 female heads, undetermined 40]

Andrew Baird 1
Heu Baird 1
John Baird 2
Mathew Baird 1
John Baird unpaid 2

Galston and Riccarton
[625 paid, 41 unpaid, 298 male heads of households, and 48 female heads, undetermined 31]

Ane list of the hearths of the lands of Capertoun:
James Baird 1
Adam Baird 1
Alexander Baird 1
Ane list of the hearths of the lands of Trisbanks
Adam Baird 1
Ane list of the hearths belonging to Andrew Brown of Knochmarloch & his tennents
John Baird 1
Ane list of the heaths given up be Lusgatrick for his lands & himselfe in the paroch of Rickertone
John Baird there 1
Cessnocks hearths in Rickertoun
Mathew Baird 1 George Baird 2

Mauchline
[335 paid, 27 unpaid, 30 poor, 189 male heads of households, and 17 female heads, undetermined 10]

John Baird 1

Baillary of CUNNINGHAME: Sub Collector Mathew Frew

Beith
[343 paid, poor 6, 226 male heads of households, and 20 female heads, undetermined 5]

James Baird in Higart 1

Kilmarnock and Fenwick
[1257 paid, 78 poor, 104 male heads of households, and 104 female heads, undetermined 10]

William Baird (Merchant) Brewland quarter 1
George Baird Bridgend quarter 1
John Baird (Flesher) Bridgend quarter 3
William Baird (Flesher) Glybland 6
John Baird Crookedholme 1
Simon Baird Pudland of Raith 1

Loudoun
[354 paid, 216 male heads of households, and 23 female heads, undetermined 2]

Adam Baird Newmyles 1

Note: This list may not be complete, as mentioned above some lists show only the farms with no names, [especially Dalmellington and Mauchline]. On some with a large estate only the hearths are listed with no tenants names. Also the poor are not listed and only a very few are listed that did not pay their tax.
There were no Bairds or like-name listed for the following:-Ardrossan, Auchinleck, Coylton, Delmellington, Dalrymple, Dalry, Dreghorn, Dundonald, Dunlop, Girvan, Irvine, Kilbirnie, Kilmaurs, Kilwinning, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Largs, Muirkirk, Ochiltree, Sorn, Stewarton, Stevenston, Tarbolton and West Kilbride.
Stairs is included with Ochiltree. Craigie and Symington is listed with Riccarton.