Morebattle, Roxburghshire, Scotland Genealogy

Morebattle (#801)

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 centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There are no entries February 1739–December 1760 and irregular entries are frequent after 1800. Mothers' names are not recorded until 1776. Marriages: Only transcribed entries of consignation money. No entries March 1736–June 1809. There are, however, references to irregular marriages January 1808–August 1817. Deaths: Transcribed entries of Mortcloth Dues. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
No pre–1855 records.

Morebattle Gateshaw Associate Session Church
History— Disagreement between the heritors, the elders, and the families of the parish as to the appointment of a new minister to the Established Church, caused a number of the congregation to withdraw and apply to the Associate Presbytery for supply of sermon. Their request was eventually granted in February 1736 and Morebattle shared ministry with Stitchel, though it was not until October 1739 that a minister was settled. After the death of the first minister in 1740, Morebattle and Stitchell were disjoined and supplied with sermon as separate congregations. A portion of the congregation, along with the minister, adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod at the Breach in 1747. A church was built at Gateshaw in 1749, a second built at Morebattle in 1780. A third church was built in 1866. 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 Baptisms        1775–1819, 1821–1866, 1900–1907      0889486 Marriages       1775–1783                                         0889486 Other: Marriages                     1804–1826 Minutes                        1775–1808, 1811–1907 Accounts                      1820–1844 Receipts for Stipend     1815–1832 Account Book Containing Receipts for Payment of Rent and for Duty of Place Gateshaw, St. Lawrence Hall, 1753–1933 Congregational and Managers' Minutes 1822–1913 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/520.

Morebattle Free Church
History— The congregation was begun by a small company who adhered to the Free Church in 1842. Occasional supply of sermon was granted by the Presbytery. For a time they worshiped in the open air, at the farmstead of Heughhead. A church was built in 1845, mainly through the efforts of the people themselves, and that year the charge was sanctioned. The congregation suffered through rural depopulation. Membership: 1842, 128; 1900, 159. 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 Baptisms and Marriages      1847–1854          0889486 Other: Minutes                             1847–1951 Deacons’ Court Minutes      1847–1905 Deaths                              1848–1853 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/526.

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