weaver poet

Commemorative well erected to the memory of the Kilbarchan silk weaver poet Robert Allan 1774-1841 at "Tounfoot" where he lived in a thriving weaving community (now Church Street)
Like many local weavers he  played a prominent part in Radical demonstrations  in Paisley around 1820s.  He was a friend of Robert Tannahill the Paisley poet both admirers of Robert Burns and he was an honorary member of Paisley Burns Club in appreciation of the quality of his poems, his most famous "The Covenanters Lament". Like many his poetry was not a financial success and he followed many others to America sadly dying in New York within 6 days of arriving