Figure 1 - Plan of the village of Ferry Town of Cree published in November 1815 showing: (1) Bell's Wynd (now Norris Street); (2) Harbour Street.

Bell’s Wynd was a street located in Creetown, Kirkcudbrightshire, which is now called Norris Street. Creetown itself was originally known as Ferrytown of Cree, owing to it being one end of a ferry route crossing the River Cree—popular with pilgrims visiting the shrine of St Ninian at Whithorn.[1]

A notice was published in the Caledonian Mercury on 27 December 1766, declaring the town’s intention to rename.[Figure 2] However, it appears that the name Creetown was in common use before this time—for example, appearing in the Kirkmabreck Kirk Session minutes for 20 May 1759.[Figure 3]

That the Superior and Inhabitants of Ferrytown of Cree in Galloway, have agreed and resolved, That the said town shall in time coming be called CREETOWN, and they have directed that this shall be published in the Edinburgh news-papers, and that advertisements to that purpose shall be fixed up at the neighbouring towns and post offices.
Figure 2 – Notice in the Calendonian Mercury, 27 December 1766, announcing the intention to change the name of Ferrytown of Cree to “Creetown”[2]
Figure 3 – Kirmabreck Kirk Session minutes from 20 May 1759, showing the use of the name “Creetown”, before its official adoption in 1766[3]
Map showing Bell's Wynd (now Norris Street) within the boundary of Creetown, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.

Ancestors

Sources

[1] Creetown. (2024, June 16). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creetown

[2] Caledonian Mercury, 27 December 1766, Page 3. (2024, June 16). Retrieved from British Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000045/17661227/007/0003

[3] Kirkmabreck Kirk Session minutes, 20 May 1759. (2024, June 16). Retrieved from ScotlandsPeople: https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/virtual-volumes/volume-images/volume_data-CH2-673-1/GAZ00729?image_number=45