Hi Michele
It was the name Hewitson which caught my eye. My partners family are Hewitsons from Balmaclellan, KBT and I wondered if there is any connection.
I managed to find an article in the Wigtown Free Press on 29/07/1880 Page 4 Column F about the death of Hugh Hewitson.
Hugh Hewitson aged 24, employed by T & W Holme, woolmerchants, was found drowned on Monday morning in a pool near where the bridge crosses the river Fleet at Fleet Street, Gatehouse. He was last seen alive on Sunday morning about one o'clock near the Free Church. It is supposed that he sat on the parapet of the bridge, fell asleep, overbalanced and fell into the river underneath, meeting an untimely end.
On Francis Hewitson there are two articles in the Dumfries and Galloway Standard, although she is not named.
The first is on 5/04/1884 Page 4 Column D
On Monday afternoon the alarm was raised about a little girl, aged about 3, who had gone missing. She is the daughter of John Hewitson, woodcutter of Boatgreen, Gatehouse. A search was made without success. It is believed that the child had fallen into the river and been carried off by the tide. Much sympathy is felt for the parents.
The second is on 3/05/1884 page 4 Column F
the body of a little girl, daughter of John Hewitson, Boatgreen, who went missing on 31 March was discovered on the Merse side of the river, opposite the harbour, last Saturday.
Hope this is of some use to you.
Regards Lesley