1816 directory entry
Newton-douglas, a burgh of
barony, formerly called Newton-stewart, seated on the W. bank of the
Cree; partly in the parish of Minnigaff and partly in that of Penningham;
on the high road from Dumfries to Port-Patrick. It was founded about
1707, by Mr Stewart of Castle Stewart, a
second son of the E. of Galloway; who named it Newton-Stewarts and
encouraged settlers, by building a fine bridge at the N. end of the
town, over the Cree, which connects the counties of Galloway and
Kirkcudbright. By the patriotic exertions of that gentleman, as well as
of the present proprietor, Wm.
Douglas, Esq. of Castle-Douglas (from whom it has its present name,
and who acquired the superiority in 1788), it flourished greatly, and
was erected into a burgh of barony; and, in 1793, contained above 1100
inhabitants. Under the patronage of Mr Douglas and Mr David Dale of
Glasgow, a cotton manufacture has been established; as well as a carpet
manufactory, and several tan-works. A branch of one of the Paisley banks
has also opened a counting-house in it. The Cree is navigable up to
within » m. of it. It lies »6 m. E. by N. of Port-Patrick.
In 1787-88, the architect Robert Adam made a series of finished drawings and designs for a large classical house for Sir William Douglas in Newton Stewart. Unfortunately the house was never built.
 
See
also:Samuel Douglas
Samuel Douglas's Free School
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