Dryfesdale, Dumfriesshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #820

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: After January 1763, irregular entries are on six pages dated 1749–1786. Between 1785 and 1803 the record is extremely irregular with respect to dates, whole families are recorded together. Eighteen entries for 1790–1818 are recorded after 1819 entries. Mother's names are not recorded in regular entries before 1783 and sometimes omitted after that date. Marriages: No entries except two 1818 and 1821, November 1786–February 1834. Deaths: Two transcribed entries, 1783 and 1833, are recorded after the birth entries for 1819. 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.

Lockerbie Anti-burger Associate later United Presbyterian Church
History— There were a number of people in the Annandale area who, at the rise of the Secession, acceded to the Associate Presbytery. They were then known as "The Societies of the South and West." After the accession of the Seceders in Hoddam and neighborhood, by whom the congregation of Ecclefechan came afterwards to be formed, these societies were divided into "The Correspondence of Annandale," and "The Correspondence of Nithsdale." The first meeting–places of the Seceders were at Borlain in 1738, and Cousten and Shaw in 1739. When they were about to call a minister, a dispute arose among the members of the correspondence as to the regular place of meeting. The Presbytery decided that the house for public worship be built at North Croft. The minister was ordained at Ecclefechan two years before a place of worship was provided for the congregation, and he continued to preach there more frequently than elsewhere for a time. In July 1745, a petition was presented to the Presbytery by members of "The Correspondence of Annandale," resident in its northern bounds, craving that Lockerbie be appointed the seat of the congregation. Those of them resident in the southern district were strongly hostile to this proposal; but the Presbytery decided, not withstanding, that the place of worship should be in Lockerbie, and the church was erected there in 1745. Second church built, 1810. 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— Minutes 1744–1751, 1762–1773, 1802–1934 Subscriptions to National Covenant 1748–1810 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/792.

Lockerbie Free Church
History— The minister of the parish, with a large congregation, "came out" in 1843. Church and manse were erected that year. A hall was added at a later date. Membership: 1848, 440; 1900, 397.  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— Session Minutes 1846–1924 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/330.

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