D1: Andrew Stirling (Teacher)

 Inscription

ANDREW STIRLING
IN MEMORY OF
HIS WIFE
MARGARET ROWAN
WHO DIED 1ST JUNE 1891
AGED 74
THE ABOVE
ANDREW STIRLING
TEACHER IN NEW CUMNOCK
FOR 44 YEARS
DIED AT CASTLEHILL
12TH JULY 1900
AGED 74

I. Andrew Stirling ( b. 1827 d.1900) & Margaret Rowan (b.1817 d.1891)

• married Ochiltree 1850

Children: Hugh (b.1851), David (b, 1853), Andrew (b.1855), John (b.1858)

In what was known as ‘The Disruption’ of 1843 many ministers throughout Scotland broke away from the established Church of Scotland to form the Free Church of Scotland. New churches quickly appeared and these often were accompanied with their own schools. The Free Church in New Cumnock and its manse were built on the castlehill with the school and schoolhouse alongside.

In 1846, 19 year-old Andrew Stirling from Mauchline was appointed the first teacher of the Free School. He married Margaret Rowan from Ochiltree soon after and together they had four sons – Hugh, David, Andrew and John.

Known affectionately as ‘The Maister’ many of the classes were held outdoors with memorable trips to Corsencon hill or up Glen Afton or some other places of interest. He would teach his pupils how to fly kites, swim in the Nith, and to sow and grow of flowers. ‘He identified himself with all and by doing so he was loved by all’.

Compulsory education was introduced in Scotland in 1872 and the following year two new public schools were built in the parish, New Cumnock Public School (known as ‘The Toon School’) and the other the Bank Public School.

Andrew Stirling was appointed the Second Master of New Cumnock Public School and on moving he and his wife were presented with gold watches inscribed –

 “Presented, with £160 and a gold watch for Mrs Stirling, to Andrew Stirling, for upwards of 26 years teacher of the F.C. School, New Cumnock, by former and present pupils, as an expression of their gratitude and esteem. New Cumnock, 3^rd April, 1874”

Andrew was also in charge of the Free Church Sunday School , pressed for the first public library, represented the ratepayers on the Parochial Board, was a trustee of the ‘Arthur Trust’ and was always in demand as a public speaker. In 1905 the Parish Council discussed a proposal to erect a monument to him; however this was not followed through. Hopefully, this tribute goes some way to honouring his memory.

New Cumnock Public School continued to serve the community ever since and in later years it was New Cumnock Junior Secondary School and then in 1970 it was renamed the Castle Primary School.  In 2012, after undergoing a £9.6 million refurbishment it is now the fantastic new New Cumnock Primary School, home to the pupils of the former Castle Primary and Cairnhill Primary School.

Gallery

Andrew Stirling’s tombstone with the spire of the Arthur Memorial church the ruins of the schoolhouse in the background (both church and schoolhouse now demolished)

Correspondence addressed Andrew Stirling

Auld Kirkyard Map

Genealogy Notes

• Andrew Stirling, born Mauchline 03 Jun 1827 died New Cumnock 12 Jul 1900
• Son of Hugh Stirling , Railway Surfaceman, Tile Maker and Marion Young

• Margaret Rowan, b. Ochiltree? 1814 died New Cumnock 01 Jun 1891
• Daughter of David Rowan, Master Slater and Elizabeth Smith

Acknowledgements

• Ordnance Survey 25 inch to the mile, 1st edition 1855-1882
• Ayr Sheet XLII.6 (New Cumnock)
• Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland