Hoddam, Dumfriesshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #829

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library and family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Irregular entries are frequent about 1794–1810 with whole families often being recorded together. One page of whole families being recorded together for 1768–1816 is entered after the June 1814 entries. Mothers' names are not recorded before 1810. Marriages: There is only one entry dated November. 1807. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
None available

Ecclefechan Associate Session, later United Presbyterian Church
History— Ecclefechan is a village in the parish of Hoddam, Annandale. The parish of Hoddam is bounded on the north by the parish of St. Mungo. In 1735 the parishioners of St. Mungo gave a call a particular man to be their pastor, while the crown, as patron, presented another man to the vacant charge. The case was litigated through the church courts, and finally settled in 1736 by the General Assembly deciding in favor of the patron's presentee. Several of the parishioners refused to submit to the incumbent's ministry, and finding a number of sympathizers in the adjoining parishes, they united with them in a petition to the Associate Presbytery for supply of sermon, which was granted. They were called the "Correspondence of Annandale" and their usual place for meeting was at Ecclefechan, but occasional meetings were held at other places, to which particular reference is made in the history of Lockerbie congregation, with which that of Ecclefechan is identified until 1746. In that year the Presbytery appointed Mr. Murray, who had been ordained over "The Correspondence of Annandale" three years before, but had recently been confining his public ministrations almost wholly to Lockerbie, to preach a few Sabbaths in the summer time in the Ecclefechan district. But this attempt of the Presbytery to reconcile the people proved unavailing. The controversy respecting the Burgess Oath had now begun to agitate the Church, and when the Breach resulting from it took place, the majority of the people in and about Ecclefechan adhered to the Associate Burgher, while the greater portion of those in and about Lockerbie adhered to the General Associate Antiburgher Synod, and thus became separate congregations. Those forming the congregation of Ecclefechan worshiped in the open air until 1766, when they took possession of a church they had built for themselves. A new church was opened in 1864. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records—

 Other: Session Minutes             1868–1906 Manager's Minutes           1851–1915 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/108. See also below.

Ecclefechan, Eskdale Free Church
History— After the Disruption regular supply was arranged for the adherents of the Free Church here, provision for a preacher for a year having been offered by a private family. Some who thought to join the Free Church sought guidance from the parish minister. "The movement is right," he said, "but it goes too far." "Too much of right", they replied "could not be," and they followed their convictions. By the month of October 1843, from 500 to 800 were attending the services. A wooden church was erected. The charge was sanctioned in 1845. A stone church and manse were built. Later, a new church, with vestry and hall, was erected on the site of the second. Membership: 1848, 160; 1900, 103. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details are given in the source.

Records— FHL Film Number Session Minutes           1845–1913                       1484432 item 4–6 Baptismal Register         1843–1848, 1861–1914     1484433 item 1–2 Other: Deacons Court Minutes 1887–1915 School Log Book 1867–1873 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/109.

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