Temple, Midlothian, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #700

History
The name of this parish comes from the Templars, or Red Friars, founded by King David 1 of Scotland. The first gunpowder manufactory in Scotland was built at Stobsmills in 1794 by Hitchener and Hunter. The Parochial registers begin the 14th of November 1688, but are not in good condition. They are now preserved with accuracy. Clerkingtown and Muirfut were united to Tempill, but are now separated. The population in 1801 was 801 and in 1831 it was 1255. The villages in the parish are Temple and Gorebridge, and the nearest market town is Dalkeith. Edinburgh is 11 miles away. There are 100 families in the parish that belong to the Established Church. There is also a Dissenting chapel at Gorebridge which belongs to the United Secession. There are a few Anabaptists in Stobhill.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under and family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: One entry is pasted at the top of the page at 1779–1780. Marriages: There are no entries January–October 1718 and July 1780–April 1781. Deaths: Deaths and burials; there are no entries March 1740–December 1751, November 1757–April 1758, December 1765–December 1772, June 1773–July 1774, and October 1778–June 1780. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1697–1866 Communion Roll 1840–1874 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/353.

Gorebridge Burgher, later United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated in 1810 with members of the first Secession Congregation of Dalkeith, resident in the village and neighborhood of Gorebridge. A petition to the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Edinburgh was granted. A church was built and opened in 1812. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1810–1921 Communion Roll 1849–1897 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/295.

Temple and Carrington Free Church
History— At Temple (the church of the Knights Templar) neither of the ministers “came out” in 1843. The people adhering to the Free Church in the district were organized as a congregation in November 1843. The church and hall were erected 1843–1844. In 1895 the mining village of Rosewell was put under the charge of the minister of Temple. From 1843 the population of the parish steadily declined. Membership: 1848, 180; 1900, 70. Source: Annals of The Free Church Of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Deacons Court Minutes 1843–1931 Session Minutes 1844–1935 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/295.

Stobhill Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Records— FHL Film Number Record of Members 1848–1867 0104155

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