Bower, Caithness, Scotland Genealogy

Caithness # 34

History
The name of the parish is supposed to be derived from a Danish word signifying a valley.

The estates of Tister, formerly written Thuspisteer, and Northfield, in this parish, connected with Durran, in the parish of Olrick, had belonged to the family of Mr. Sinclair Worth of Durran. Both of these estates are now the property of the Earl of Caithness. The property of Lyth, in this parish, belongs to Mr. Sinclair of Barrack. The estate of Scarmclet, on the south-west side of this parish, has been acquired by Sir Ralph Anstruther, and through his efforts improvements have been made, and a school-house built. The estate of Brabsterdorran, once said to have belonged to the earldom of Caithness, now belongs to David Henderson.

The population in the census of 1801 showed that there were 1572 persons in the parish, and in the census of 1831 there were a total of 1615 living there.

There are only six Dissenting or Seceeding families in the parish. There is no mention of any church or any church registers kept in the parish.

This account was written October 1840.

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 on computer at the Family History Library under “Databases on the Network.” Births: There is one entry dated 1727 on page 4 and one dated 1729 on page 23. Page 24 contains irregular entries for 1769-1793. The regular record is interrupted between June 1774 and March 1776. There are no entries April 1777September 1778. The greater portion of the page which contained the entries for February-June 1781 is destroyed. There are no entries from October 1786-March 1788 and August 1788-March 1789. After the May 1789 record, there is a duplicate of the October 1783-October 1786 records. Marriages: There are no entries from January 1773September 1775 and June 1777May 1789. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
There are no pre-1855 records.

Nonconformist Church Records
The Statistical Account of Scotland for Caithness for 1840 states that there were six Dissenting or Seceding families in the parish, but no chapels at that time.

Bower Free Church
History— Although the minister of Bower remained with the Established Church, most of his Congregation joined the Free Church in 1843. Because of emigration and land Conditions; by 1870 the population in the area began to decrease. 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—  There are no known pre-1855 records.

Keiss Free Church
History— In 1843 the minister of Keiss and many of the congregation left the Established Church. When they could not build a church, the minister left and only a preaching station remained until1860, when it did become an official congregation. Until 1864, the congregation increased, but with the decline of the fishing industry at that time, there was a decline in the congregation. Membership: 1866, 320 including adherents; 1900, 83. 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— There are no known pre-1855 records.

Keiss Baptist Church
History— In 1750, Sir William Sinclair, baronet of Dunbeath and Keiss estates, began Baptist services and soon attracted a small following which met at his castle. He was the first pastor and collected a book of hymns containing 60 hymns he had written. In 1856 the congregation built a chapel. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. George Yuille, pub. 1926; FHL book 941 K2hi. Source includes lists of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to: The Baptist Union of Scotland 12 Aytoun Road Glasgow G41 5RT Scotland