Creich, Sutherland, Scotland Genealogy

Creich # 46

History
This large parish extends from the parish of Dornoch on the east to the parish of Assynt on the west, a distance of thirty five miles. It is bounded on the north by the parishes of Dornoch and Lairg; and on the Firth of Dornoch and its continuation, the river Oykell, forms its southern boundary.

There are no market-towns in the parish, the nearest is in Dornoch. The first and most useful means of communication in the parish is the bridge of Bonar, between Sutherland and Ross-shire. A village and cotton manufactory were established at Spinningdale, by Mr. Dempster of Dunnichen, in the latter part of the last century; but the factory was destroyed by fire in 1809, and that led to the decay of the village.

In the 11th or 12th century a contest of the inhabitants with the Danes is recorded to have occurred at Drinleah, near Bonar Bridge, whence the invaders were driven back with great loss to their ships at Portnacoulter, now the Meikle Ferry. The extraordinary number of graves on the scene of the action, and the greatness of the slaughter, one cannot fail to wonder at the great numbers who must have been engaged, and the consequent density of the population at that remote time in history.

The land-owners of this parish are: George Dempser, Esq. of Skibo, Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland, Sir Charles Ross, Bart., Right Honorable Lady Ashburton, and Dugald Gilchrist, Esq. of Ospisdale.

The population of this parish in 1801 was counted to be at 1974 persons, and in the 1831 census the count was at 2562.

The parish church is situated near the shore, about nine miles from the east end of the parish, and upwards of thirty miles from the west end. It is convenient for the greater part of the population from the river Shin in the west, to Ospisdale in the east. It accommodates 500 persons, and there are no free seats, except the communion forms occupied by the poor. There are no Dissenters or Seeders of any description in this parish.

There is no mention of any church registers recording birth, and marriages.

This account was written September 1834.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 15.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: No record prior to January 1809, except ten transcribed entries for 1785–1804, certified by the sheriff. Separate record for the western district of Creich, 1810–19. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1838–1855 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/865.

Creich Free Church
History— Services were provided by the Presbytery for the people adhering to the Free Church in this parish until the settlement of a minister in August 1843. In this year the church was built and the manse in 1849. A new church was erected in 1881. Membership: 1855, 630; 1900, 392. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers. Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Rosehall Free Church
History— John D. Kennedy, minister of Rosehall, with a considerable congregation, "came out" at the Disruption. Soon afterwards the church and manse were built. There was after a rapid decrease in the population. Membership: 1855, 400; 1900, 55. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.