COLLESSIE PARISH

POPULATION,- It appears from the account of this parish, published in the former Statistical Account, that in the year 1791, the population was 949 souls. By the last census of 1831, the population amounted to 1162, viz. 559 males, and 603 females. The increase is to be referred to the steadily advancing prosperity and improvement of the country. Besides the village of Collessie, which contains 180 inhabitants, there are several other villages and hamlets in the parish. Three of these are of recent erection, viz.Gifferton, Edenston, and Monkston. The houses of which they are formed are well arranged, neat, and comfortable. That a greater increase of the population has not taken place in consequence of the recent erection of these villages, is accounted for by the almost entire removal of the village of Kinloch, which, not many years ago, was the largest in the parish, containing 191 inhabitants. A considerable number of the families formerly residing there now occupy Monkston. This village consists of twenty four houses forming one line, with an interval of twelve feet between every four houses, so that the whole is divided into six squares. The place originally called Monks-moss takes its name from the district where it is situated, having been granted to the monks of St Mary's at Lindores Abbey to supply them with heather and moss for fuel.

MANUFACTURES.-There are no manufactories or public works in this parish. Yet more than a hundred families are supported by Handloom weaving, the materials being supplied by agents, and the manufactured goods transmitted by them to Glasgow, Dundee, and Aberdeen. It requires great industry to enable a weaver to make 9s. a week. Females are also employed in this occupation, whose earnings are scarcely so good.