James Milliken Esquire

  General Notes:

from 1907 History of the Families Millingas and Millanges;
Robert John Milliken1 (M) Last Edited=22 Mar 2003
The name Milliken is of Saxon origin dating back to the 13th century. The Saxons, being the most warlike and adventurous of the Tutonic race, settled in many lands and, be degress, their original names were altered to blend with the tongue of their new domiciles. Thus the original "Millingas" was altered during passing years. In France, It became Millingas and Millinges; in Scotland Milliken, in Ireland, Milligan; in England Millikin and Millican; much later in America, also Millikan and Mullican. Refrewshire, Scotland, retains lasting record of the name. The manor made historically famous by James Milliken, Esq. is still known by his name and nearby railway station commemorates it in the title of Milliken Park. He died June 6th, 1776 and was succeeded by his grandson, Robert Napier, son of his eldest daughter Jean, this branch of the family becoming extinct in the male line. A sugar plantation on the Island of St. Kitts, in the British West Indies, presently owned by the Napier family is called the Milliken plantation. Robert is the first known Milliken in Scotland, and moved to Ireland when still a young man.1

Based on Robert D Mackenzie's Parish History of Kilbarchan (1902), Kilbarchan has seen mixed fortunes over the centuries. Before 1560 the monks of Paisley Abbey owned much of the parish and agriculture was the main industry. At the time of the 1695 Poll Tax, agriculture still dominated, but other trades of masonry, carpentry, weaving, tailors and smithies were apparent. Before 1750 rents were paid largely in kind to the land proprietors. Cattle were milked, there were few pigs, and only gentlemen kept sheep for their own tables. Horses were used for ploughing,two or three per plough with a driver and ploughman.
There were corn mills at Glentyan, Locher, Mill of Cart and Johnstone (Milliken) in 1794. A system of thirlage was often used for paying the miller for grinding the oats grown on thirled land. Thirlage was paid in kind and all grain apart from oats was free.
In 1695 there were 30 or 40 weavers but the 18th century brought rapid expansion due to the introduction of improved methods of weaving and bleaching. John Barbour built a factory, probably at Stack Yard, in 1739 making thick linen,and this was followed by a bleaching factory using water from the burn. There was also a candle factory and John Houston owned a brewery in 1782. In 1742 Allan Speirs started manufacturing higher class goods (lawns, cambrics etc) mainly for the Dublin market, since transport by sea was easier than by land. In 1782 Alexander Speir, John and Humphrey Barbour in company, John How, John Barbour Jr., and John Houston employed 360 weaving looms. Muslin and gingham were the early home-made products, then the hand looms were used for tartan weaving. With the advent of competition from power looms they turned to the production of decorative and plain ponchos for South America. In the latter half of the century extensive trade with England and Ireland was developed, but business declined towards the end of the century and many of the merchants ventured elsewhere in Scotland, England and abroad to start new enterprises.
Cotton spinning became important by the end of the 18th century. Carlisle and Rorison owned the old Red Mill, built before 1792. In 1793 the Glasgow yarn merchant John Freeland built Gryffe Mill at nearby Bridge of Weir, which at the time was one of the largest cotton factories in the country with 2120 spindles capable of employing 70, mainly women and children. The Mill at Linwood, "the most splendid establishment in the cotton spinning business perhaps in Britain" was built around 1794, and could employ 1,800 people on 25,000 spindles. However due to poor trade it only had 75 employees. Power was supplied by two water wheels, one badly situated so it often stopped working due to tail water.
The parish had 7 coal mines, and lime and freestone resources. In 1713 Thomas Kennedy of Pennel was mining coal and lime, William Cunninghame of Craigends [1742-65] mined coal, with water being removed by a water engine, and in 1755 there were coal pits in the lands of Kaimhill. James Milliken, owner of the Milliken Estate, used waste from his coal pits at Barrhill to improve his roads. Around 1794 Kilbarchan coal was only used for burning lime, with household coal, costing 6d per cwt, coming from Paisley.

James married Jean McDowell, daughter of Alexander McDowell and Unknown, on 21 Apr 1734 in Edinburgh Parish, Midlothian, Scotland.

  Marriage Notes:

1729-1743 Extracted Marriage Records, Film 1066689 at FHC in Salt Lake City, Utah;