Resolis, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Resolis # 79 (formerly Kirkmichael &amp; Cullicudden)

History
The eastern division of this united parish is Kirk Michael. Its Gaelic name is “Kill a’ Mhichail,” of the Cell of St. Michael, but this name is usually given only to the church and burying ground. The district which the ancient parish of Kirmichael comprehended is called “Sgire’ a’ Mhichail,” or the parish of St Michael. Cullicudden forms the western district of the united parish. Its Celtic name is Coull a Chuddinn or Chuddegin, signifying the Cuddie Creek. The united parish of Kirkmichael and Cullcudden, though still so called in old deeds and in the records of presbytery, is better known by its more modern name of Resolis.

The united parish lies partly in the county of Ross, and partly in the county of Cromarty, within the district called an Oilean Dubh, or the Black Isle, on the south side of the Cromarty Firth.

There are no records, either printed or in manuscript, of the history of this parish. Even the scanty, and often not very agreeable information to be derived from the church session records, is wanting; these repositories of past irregularities having been committed to the flames, soon after the induction of the late incumbent.

The only historical event worthy of notice is the plague of 1694, so fatal in the south of Scotland, and which found its way, it is said, the same year to this parish. It raged with unrelenting fury; whole villages were depopulated, and the living were so much wearied with burying the dead that they ceased at last to perform that office at all.

Mr. James Fraser of Brae, the only son of Sir James Fraser of Brae, one of the heritors, and third son of Hugh, seventh Lord Lovat, was born in this parish. This eminent man, from the earliest years almost to the close of his well-spent life, was the object of human malice and persecution, in no ordinary measure. Rev. Hector M’Phail is from this parish and he was the beloved minister of the parish from 1748-1774.

Colin M’Kenzie Esq. of Newhall, is patron of the parish, and proprietor of about half of it. The proprietor of Poyntzfield, is George Gunn Munro, Esq. Other properties in the parish are those of Brealangwell, belonging to Duncan Davidson, Esq. of Tulloch; Drimcudden, is in the hands of the Trustees of the late Donald M’Kenzie, Esq. of Newhall; Kinbeachie, the property of Thomas Urquhart, Esq.; East Culbo, the property of Dr. M’Kenzie; Woodhead, a small farm, the property of Lady M’Kenzie of Avoch; West Culbo property of Sir James W. M’Kenzie of Scatwell, Bart.; and Gordon’s Mill, the property of John M’Leod Esq.

The parish is divided into districts, and an elder appointed to officiate in each district, all of whom give in regular reports to the session. The register of births and marriages has been regularly kept from the year 1748. A register previous to that period evidently did exist, but only a few leaves of it remaining, its contents were carefully transcribed into the present register. The session records have been duly kept only since the induction of the present incumbent in 1822. Previously, and for the space of forty-seven years, there was neither a regularly constituted session, nor any records whatever, as the books containing the minutes of session before that period have been burned. There are no Dissenting of Seceding families in the parish.

This account was written September 1836.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 14.

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: First five pages contain irregular entries 1731–1803. Regular record then begins in 1748, but up to 1756 it is only a copy of the original. Marriages: Only 6 entries July 1769–February 1805. Only 5 marriage entries 1806–1811, after which there are no marriage entries until 1821. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1822–1914 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1191.

Resolis Free Church
History— The minister of Resolis, and most of his people "came out" in 1843. The church and manse were built in the east end of the parish. In 1865 a new church was erected on a more convenient site. The minister and many of the congregation remained outside the Union in 1900. Membership:1848, 54; 1900, 61. 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, including ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.