Lands of Sevenacres  The Lands of Sevenacres known locally as Snacres were originally part of the holdings of Kilwinning Abbey in North Ayrshire, Scotland. The Laird of Sevenacres's residence once stood at what became known as Little Sevenacres on the high ground above the farm of Sevenacres Mains, a short distance from Sevenacres Mill. The name 'Sevenacres' may have derived from the size of the land holding of the mill itself. In March 1558 the Montgomerie family purchased the feu of £3 2s 8d the lands of Sevenacres from the abbot of Kilwinning Abbey. Prior to this time the family had only rented the property. Holding the feu gave the Montgomerie family rights to the minerals beneath the land, a hereditary possession, a fixed feu duty, etc. The Bannoch Burn rises near Sevenacres and runs down from here to enter the River Garnock at Bridgend in Kilwinning. In 1558 Patrick Montgomery is the first recorded holder of the Lands of Sevenacres following the selling of the feu by the abbot of Kilwinning and by the end of the century he was a fairly well off 'Bonnet Laird'. A 'Bonnet Laird' was a petty landowner who wore a hat or bonnet like the humble working labourers. William Montgomerie of Sevenaikers (sic) is recorded in 1562, but had died before 1612, for Thomas Montgomerie became heir to his father on 26 June 1673. The property appears to have passed from the family by sale or through marriage soon afterwards. The Montgomeries of Sevenacres are thought to have been descended from the Montgomeries of Smithston and through them they would have been related to the Earls of Eglinton. Roy's map of circa 1747 shows the name Sevenacres applied to the site on the hill above what is now Sevenacres Mains. This elevated site had a roundel with a path running to it, a shelter belt and a substantial dwelling house with associated outbuildings. A small building is shown on the other side of the road. The dwelling later became known as Little Sevenacres. The house stood on what was then a direct route to Kilwinning and this road led directly to what is now Sevenacres Mains. A limekiln is shown above Little Sevenacres on the 1856 map.