In the year 1783, the population of Campsie amounted to 1607. If the registers of baptisms and marriages may be dedeuced on, the number of the inhabitants must have diminished between the period of the Revolution,and the above-mentioned year. Betweert A. D. 1783 and 1793, the population was augmented from 1621 to 2517. This wonderful increase of inhabitants was occasioned by the introduction at that time of the manufactures which since have been so much extended in this parish,.both the Lennox Mill and the Kincaid Printfields having been established during the ten years mentioned above. In 1831, the inhabitants of Campsie were 5109. In April 1836, the number had increased to 5653, and at present, I believe, they considerably exceed 6000. The majority of the people are employed in manufactures, in the various printfields, the alum-works, &c and a considerable number in weaving. The increase of the population has arisen entirely from the extension of manufactures; for here, as elsewhere, the agricultural portion of the people seems to have been more numerous 150 years ago than they are now. The great majority of the inhabitants are collected in villages, especially in Lennoxtown, which itself contains nearly one-half of the whole population.
The exact number of births annually cannot be ascertained. Those registered in the parish books, in the year 1836, amounted to 127. In 1840, they were only 99. The proclamations in order to marriage, in 1836, were 51. In 1840 they were 43.
Character of the People.- The people of this parish, so far as I can observe, have little to distinguish them from persons similarly circumstanced elsewhere. The agricultural population, living, many of them, in elevated and secluded situations, retain perhaps, more of the primitive simplicity than in most other districts. The migratory habits or many of the calico-printers are highly unfavourable to the formation of regular habits. It is right to add, that a great proportion of the manufacturing population manifest a very commendable love of knowledge, and mental improvement, and zealously avail themselves of any opportunities of acquiring these within their reach. The great improvements in education also which have been effected in this parish, by the liberality of the more wealthy inhabitants, cannot fail to work a decided amelioration in the course of a few years. Indeed, tokens of improvement are beginning to appear already.