Avoch, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Avoch, Ross &amp; Cromarty, Scotland (#59)

History
Avoch (a name which in the opinion of an ingenious etymolgist, signifies "shallow waters.")

The celebrated Scots historian, priest and Lord of Session, Chambers of Ormond, was born in this parish about the year 1530. He was proprietor of Castleton and Ormond Hill, which gave title to Douglas, Earl of Ormond. Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh resided in this parish, and had very extensive possessions in it and its vicinity.

The nearest market-town to Avoch in the royal burgh of Fortrose, about a mile and three-quarters distant.

There are three land-owners: Sir James W. Mackenzie of Scatwell, Baronet, Lord Lieutenant of the county; Alexander Mackenzie, Esq. of Avoch; and John Matheson, Esq. of Bennetsfield.

The parish church is very conveniently situated on the southern side of the parish, close to the village, in which nearly one-half of the whole population reside. It was built in 1670, new roofed and enlarged in 1792, the ceiling was lathed and plastered in 1833. It affords accommodation for more that 600; some of the seats are the property of private individuals, the remainder in general belong to farms on the estates of the heritors, for which no payment in required.

There is a parochial register regularly kept. The earliest entry in the oldest register of this parish, which was by no means regularly kept, is dated 1727.

The amount of the population of this parish in 1831 was 1956; males 906, females 1050. The amount of population this year (1839) in 1936. (Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, written February 1840; FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol 14.)

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 “Databases on the Network.” Births: Entries irregular around 1770. There is only one entry September 1784–October 1787. There is a separate record of dissenters' children from 1820. Marriages:Nearly every entry prior to 1737 was signed by the session–clerk. There are only two entries, 1746, November 1744–April 1767. No entries September 1767–June 1771 and September 1773–November 1787. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1728–1891 Cash Book, Poor Funds 1787–1847, 1867–1874 Baptisms 1856–1883 Communion Rolls 1865–1886 Heads of Families 1835–1838 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/794.

Avoch Free Church
History— The minister of Avoch did not "come out" in 1843. In 1846 a church was erected. The Assembly sanctioned the charge in 1850 and a minister was settled in 1851. A new church was built in1872. Nearly all of the people of this fishing village belonged to the Congregational Church. The Free Church drew its members from the surrounding district in which the population decreased. Membership: 1855, 220; 1900, 47. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.

Records— There are no pre-1855 records.

Avoch Congregational Church
History— This congregation was formed early in 1808 as the result of the evangelistic labors of Alexander Dewar. He became the first pastor of the church and was the means of gathering a large and prosperous congregation that was still active 150 years later. In addition to his pastoral labors Dewar was a zealous evangelist and for many years an itinerant preacher in many parts of Ross and Sutherland. A church was built in 1819. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, published Glasgow, 1960. FHL 941 K2es

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For availability of records, write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland