The theory of the origin of the name of Stonehouse is, as far as I am aware, propounded here for the first time. It has been my endeavour to trace the Proprietors of the Barony from the earliest' period down to the present time, taking notice of the principal early families who held considerable portions of land in the parish. The Ecclesiastical and Covenanting sketches, and the miscellaneous information in regard to a variety of other matters may be found interesting to a certain class of readers. The extracts from Parochial records tend to throw some light on the characteristic features of a bygone age. The "Avonside Rhymes" are taken (rom the original manuscript, written nearly half a century ago, which has been in the possession of the writer for many years.
