Patna

   PATNA, a village, in the parish of Straiton, district of Carrick, in the county of Ayr, 7 miles (N. E. by N.) from the village of Straiton; containing 231 inhabitants. This village, which is pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Doon, and has been wholly rebuilt within the last century, appears to have arisen from the opening of collieries and lime-quarries in its immediate neighbourhood. It consists partly of several neat and well-built houses inhabited by persons engaged in the various trades requisite for the wants of this portion of the very extensive parish in which it is situated, and partly of numerous cottages for those employed in the collieries and quarries. In these about forty persons are constantly occupied; and the average annual produce of the pits and quarries is estimated at £1200. The coal occurs in seams of different quality, varying in thickness from three and a half to about eight feet. The old road leading to the village, having become impassable, has been abandoned, and a more convenient road formed; but a still shorter road is highly requisite for the greater facility of conveying the produce of the lime and coal works to various parts of the parish. Coal which may be purchased at Patna for three shillings and sixpence per ton, cannot be delivered in the village of Straiton for less than eight shillings. A chapel in connexion with the Established Church has been recently erected for the accommodation of the inhabitants of this distant portion of the parish, on a spot of ground given for that purpose, in 1836, by Mrs. Leslie Cumming. The building, erected by subscription, is substantial, and adapted at present for a congregation of 600 persons; and has been so arranged as to admit of subsequent enlargement by the addition of galleries, when circumstances may render it expedient. The members of the Free Church have a place of worship. A school, which affords a liberal course of instruction to sixty children, has also been established here; and the proprietor of the estate grants to the master a salary of £11 per annum, with a house and garden, in addition to the fees, which average £25. About thirty-five children also attend a Sabbath school.