As Jedburgh was exposed to frequent depredations from the incursions of the English, and the greatest proportion of the property and all authority were engrossed by the ecclesiastical dignitaries, it does not appear to have made any progress in the manufactures and commerce, which, previous to the Reformation, began to be cultivated, in a limited degree, by several of the towns and burghs re moved from the scene of rapine. In the estimate of the revenue of the burghs for fixing the assessment of tax for the defence of the borders, in the minority of Queen Mary, Jcdburgh stands perhaps lower in the list than any one of the same population and extent.
After the union of the crowns, when free intercourse was opened between England and Scotland, the town of Jedburgh derived great profit, and attained a considerable degree of commercial prosperity, from the exportation of salt, skins, and malt, into the neighbouring county of Northumberland, and carrying wool to the coast towns, to be thence exported to the continent. This contraband traffic continued for many years after the union of the legislatures, till it was checked by the exaction of the malt tax 1728, and the more unrelaxed vigilance of excise offi cers on the English borders. From this period, the popu lation and industry of the town of Jedburgh underwent a rapid decline. Efforts were made, from time to time, by some of the neighbouring gentlemen, and by the wiser citizens, to set on foot different branches of manufacture. A linen company was established. The manufacture of coarse wools was also attempted, but, from the discon tinuance of these speculations, they appear to have disap pointed the expectations of their patrons. The delusive hope of acquiring indolent independence, as the price of political service, and party contests and divisions, repeat edly occasioned by the return of elections after the union of the legislatures, deadened the spirit of enterprize, and retarded the occupation and improvement of thilse local advantages, which, in later years, have so much redounded to the credit and melioration of the community.t About fifty years ago, a few enterprising individuals be gan to carry on a considerable manufacture of flannels, blankets, and coarser woollen fabrics. Their success roused the emulation of their fellow-citizens. A spirit of industry pervaded all ranks; and a great variety of wool len manufactures were pursued with dexter ity and profit.
During this period of industry, the wages of labourers have been doubled. There has been no want of employ mem for any class of men. Shops have been multiplied, and better furnished ; and the surrounding fields brought to the most perfect state of culture. In the course of ten years preceding the year 1816, several hundreds have been added to the population of the town of Jedburgh, and more money has been expended in building and improvements of every kind than for forty years preceding. t Land in the vicinity of Jedburgh was then seldom purchased at more than 201. per acre, and a few years ago it has been sold for 1001. and 150/. per acre. The rent of the surrounding inclosurcs has been raised from 10s. and 20s. to 51. and, in some instances, to 61. or 71. per acre. This description of the prosperity of Jedburgh must, however, be under stood to refer to a period preceding the year 1816, when, from obvious reasons, which need not be mentioned, every species of manufacture and labour began gradually to slack en, and more than two-thirds of the persons employed arc now laid aside from work. A great proportion of the fields, surrounding the town, had been purchased by the successive heirs of the Lothian family ; but, as these made no part of the entailed estate, they were sold in separate lots, about twenty years ago, to private individuals, who are inhabitants of the town.
After the Reformation, Roxburghshire was consigned to the diocese of the bishop of Glasgow, and Jedburgh was then, and still continues to be, the seat of the presbytery. The parish is of great extent, reaching from the river Teviot to the borders of Northumberland.
The total population of the parish was found, upon the late survey in 1813, to amount to 4927, of which 2827 re side within the royalty of the burgh. The males in the town 1354. Females 1473.
There are, besides the parochial church, three dissent ing meeting houses, all attended by large congregations. The parish church, consisting of the western division of the abbey, was repaired in 1792, and adapted, with great taste and propriety, to the style of the ancient edifice ; and may be considered as one of the most elegant churches in the king dom. The grammar and English schools, the former in the patronage of the heritors, the latter in the patronage of the magistrates, are now united, and conducted with great success by the present incumbent Mr Robison.