Miscellaneous Records for Ayrshire

Kirk Session Book of the parish of Dundonald

The Kirk Session Book of the Parish of Dundonald is one of the earliest and most complete in Scotland. It is particularly assiduous with Witchcraft, slander and fornication. Ayrshire elites provided much of the momentum for Presbyterian principles nationally. They sat on the parliamentary committee that was to govern witchcraft prosecution and were also involved in the attempt to have adultery made a capital crime. The Presbytery records show the balance of national and local politics in the creation of the Godly society in Ayrshire, and the anxiety to preserve its (self-appointed) Elect status.

Session of the 21st of February 1602, confession of fornication, John Roxburgh and Jonat Baird. [ref: Folio 7(b)]
Sessions of the 9th, 16th & 23rd July, 1609. William Baird, flesher, paid his fine and made public repentance for breaking the Sabbath. [Folio 67(a)]
Sesssions of the 23rd & penult May, 6th, 13th & 20th June, 1630. William Baird accused of fighting on the Sabbath. [Folio 100(a)]
The Sessions of the 1st, 19th & 22nd January, and 5th, 12th, &19th of February, 1637. John Baird is accused of absence from the Kirk. [ref Folio 138(a)]
William Baird is suspected of Fornication [ref Folio 169(a)]

Presbytery Book of Ayr, 1642-51

The wife of John Baird confesses the father of her child is Johne Smythe in Craigie [ref Folio 105(a)]
Johne Baird, collier, is accused of Fornication [ref Folio 180(b)]
William Baird, Flesher, ordered to make repentence for violation of the Sabbath [Folio 192(a)]
Andrew Baird is tried for drunkeness on the Sabbath day.[ref Folio 215(b)]
Andrew Baird is sentenced for fighting on the Sabbath day [ref Folio 216(a)]

Court Records for Ayrshire

The following records are from the 19th Century Solemn Database Ref AD14, National Archives Scotland

1828
Precognition against Mary Baird, Isobel McClelland (as witness), Margaret Anderson for the crime of theft Witness: Isobel McClelland, daughter of John McClelland, labourer, Newtongreen Saltworks, Age: 16, George Street, Content, St Evox, formerly Townhead, Ayr Accused Mary Baird, widow of Thomas Baird, Ayrshire, m.s. Frew, George Street, Content, St Evox Accused Margaret Anderson, daughter of William Anderson, weaver, Drygate Street, Glasgow, George Street, Content, St Evox.

1832
Precognition against John Morrison, John Baird, Thomas Griffin, William Muir, William McCulloch, James Smith, Charles Fisher, Thomas Smith, James Neill, John McCulloch, John Craig, Thomas Aird, Alexander Gibson for the crime of mobbing, rioting, assault and malicious mischief . Accused John Baird, Weaver Vennel, Maybole, Ayrshire.

1839
Precognition against James Baird Pathhead, New Cumnock, Ayr, gamekeeper, for the crime of assault by stabbing or cutting.

1839
Precognition against James Kerr, Mark Grier, Alexander Baird for the crime of forgery, using and uttering forged writing. Accused James Kerr, Kilmarnock, prisoner in Ayr Tolbooth, printer Accused Mark Grier, Kilmarnock, prisoner in Ayr Tolbooth, printer Accused Alexander Baird, Kilmarnock, printer.

1873
Precognition against David Baird Cameron for the crime of forgery and uttering, and previous conviction of uttering The accused David Baird Cameron, married, Age: 57, Green Street, Newton upon Ayr, potato dealer.

1890
Precognition against John Storey, Peter Docherty for the crime of theft by housebreaking at St Andrew's Street, Kilmarnock Accused Peter Docherty, widower, Age: 30, 13 New Street, Kilmarnock, miner, Origin: Native of Glasgow Accused John Storey, married, Age: 27, 10 Sandbed Street, Kilmarnock, collier, Origin: Native of Kilwinning, Ayrshire Victim William Baird, St. Andrew's Street, Kilmarnock.

25 Feb 1890
Trial papers relating to Peter Docherty, John Storey for the crime of theft by housebreaking at St Andrew's Street, Kilmarnock. Tried at High Court, Glasgow (Second Court) Accused Peter Docherty, widower, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Imprisonment - 18 months with hard labour Previous convictions: theft by housebreaking - 6 Jan 1887 (Kilmarnock Sheriff Court) Victim William Baird, St. Andrew's Street, Kilmarnock Accused John Storey, married, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Imprisonment - 3 months Previous convictions: theft - 19 May 1879 (Kilmarnock Police Court)

Maybole Councillors 1722-1828
Date of Admission to the Council
1785, October 29 Baird John; Merchant
1820, October 21 Baird Thomas; Shoemaker
1822, October 19 Baird Andrew; Manufacturer

Stent Roll of the Town of Maybole from 1816 to 1820
BAIRD Andrew, Weaver 4/-
BAIRD Hugh, Shoemaker 2/-
BAIRD John, Shoemaker 2/-
BAIRD Thomas, Shoemaker 6/-

Stent Roll of the Town of Maybole 1822 to 1823
BAIRD Andrew, Manufacturer 6/-
BAIRD Hugh, Shoemaker 2/-
BAIRD James, Shoemaker 1/-
BAIRD John,Shoemaker , Schoolvannel 2/-
BAIRD John Jnr., Merchant 5/-
BAIRD John Jnr., Whitehall -/-
BAIRD Thomas, Shoemaker 6/-

1825 to Michaelmas 1826
BAIRD Andrew, Manufacturer 6/-
BAIRD Hugh, Shoemaker 2/-
BAIRD John,Shoemaker, Schoolvennal 2/-
BAIRD John Jnr., Merchant 5/-
BAIRD Thomas Esq. 6/-

1831 to Michaelmas 1832
BAIRD Andrew, Agent 7/6
BAIRD Hugh, Shoemaker 2/-
BAIRD James, Shoemaker 1/-
BAIRD John Jnr., Schoolvennal 1/-
BAIRD John Jnr., Merchant 5/6
BAIRD Thomas, Shoemaker 6/6
BAIRD William, Shoemaker -/-

Subscriptions for Repair of Maybole Old Church 1874-1876
Misses Baird, Main Street 1 0 0
Mrs Baird do. 0 10 0
Mrs C. Baird, School Vennal 0 1 0
James Baird, Back Vennal 0 1 6