Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland Genealogy

Jedburgh (#92)

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library and family history center. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: The second page of volume 1 is almost entirely destroyed. All the leaves of the record 1664–1670 have been more or less wasted by mice, many entries being entirely destroyed. There is a duplicate record 1758–1782. Mothers' names not recorded until 1758. Marriages: The first page is almost wholly destroyed by mice. There are no entries September 1739–November 1758. After June 1765 there is only one entry 1772, until 1821. Deaths: Burials; two pages wasted by mice and no entries 1648–1822. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes                                     1672–1676, 1678–1681, 1684–1688, 1698–1744, 1747–1768, 1815–1885 Scroll Minutes                             1838–1842 Accounts                                    1707–1730, 1737–1778, 1809–1847, 1845–1886 Church Collections                       1787–1833 Robson Mortifications Accounts    1761–1776 Poors’ Fund Accounts                  1760–1775, 1778–1823 Testimonials                                1727–1759 - with gaps Communion Rolls                         1839–1925 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/552.

Blackbriars Associate Session Burgher Church
History— A number of the parishioners of Jedburgh withdrew from the Established Church and united in a formal accession to the Associate Presbytery. The persons who had thus seceded were joined to the congregation of Gateshaw, now Morebattle, then forming. In 1739, the whole together presented a petition praying for supply of sermon at Jedburgh. The Presbytery did so a short time later and supply of sermon was continued thereafter upon an average of once a month, until a minister was settled over the congregation. The first minister adhered with the great majority of his congregation to the Associate Burgher Synod at "The Breach" in 1747. There were 120 children belonging to seceders resident in Jedburgh district, baptized by Secession ministers between the years 1738 and 1746. This gives an average of 15 a year, the average of a congregation of about 300 members. When the second minister represented to his session in 1791 his inability to overtake the duties of his charge; stating that the congregation consisted of more than 800 members, and that all of them resided in the country with the exception of 180. The first church was built in 1746, the second built 1801 and a third was built in 1818. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source.

Records— FHL Film Number Baptismal Register 1737–1858 0559522 Other: Congregational and Managers’ Minutes 1761–1877 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/350.

Castle Street General Associate Anti-burgher Church, extinct
History— At the Breach in 1747, one elder and eighteen members of the first Secession congregation, Jedburgh, adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod, while all the rest adhered to the other branch of the Secession. Those adhering to the Anti–burger party, attended public ordinances at Gateshaw, now Morebattle, until 1752, when encouraged by the settlement of several other General Associate Seceders in the locality, they applied to the Presbytery of Edinburgh, to be disjoined from Gateshaw, and formed into a separate congregation, which was granted. The church was built in 1765. After the last minister’s resignation in 1853, the congregation became extinct, most of the remaining members connecting themselves with the other United Presbyterian congregations in the town. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source.

Records— Extent of records is unknown.

High Street Relief Presbyterian Church
History— In 1755, the elders of the parish of Jedburgh, anticipating the settlement by patronage of another, unacceptable, minister among them, entered into a written compact in which they "unanimously agreed and resolved to stand or fall together in the election or choice of a minister for the parish." Immediately after, they proceeded to procure votes in favor of Mr. Thomas Boston, minister of Oxnam. The congregation, having separated from the Established Church for the purpose of obtaining Mr. Boston, formed the "Presbytery of Relief" along with the Rev. Messrs Gillespie of Dunfermline, and Colier of Colinsburgh, in 1761. A church building was built by the end of 1757. It was superseded by another in 1818. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source.

Records— FHL Film Number Baptismal Register 1840–1861 0559522 Other: Session Minutes 1841–1883 Account Book 1816–1851 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/351.

Jedburgh Free Church
History— Dr. John Purves, minister of the parish, and a large congregation, "came out" in 1843. For about three months, while the church was being built, they worshiped in the assembly room of the Spread Eagle Hotel. The manse was erected in 1850; and a school was provided. While a new church was in process of erection in 1854, the congregation enjoyed the hospitality of the High Street United Presbyterian congregation. Emigration to some extent adversely affected the congregation. Membership: 1848, 526; 1900, 384. 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. Records— FHL Film Number Baptismal Register 1844–1854 1068241 Presbytery Minutes 1843–1858 1562918 item 4

Jedburgh Congregational Evangelical Union Church
History— The history of this congregation was brief. It was formed in 1841 by members of Denholm Church, of which Ebenezer Cornwall became pastor in 1843. It was admitted to the Evangelical Union in 1875. It ceased as a church in July 1886, and thereafter became a mission station. It was ultimately closed in November 1886. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960; FHL British Book 941 K2es.

A list of ministers is found in: The Scottish Congregational Ministry, 1794–1993, by Rev. Dr. William D. McNaughton, pub. by the Congregation Union in 1993; FHL British Book 941 K2mwd.

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

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