Knockbain, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Parish #73 (formerly Kilmuir-Wester &amp; Suddy)

History
Kilmuir signifies in Gaelic “a church dedicated to Mary;” and Suddy, “a good place to settle in.” The parish is now commonly called Knockbain, from the name of the spot on which the kirk and manse are built. It is bounded on the south by the Moray Firth; on the north-west by part of the parish of Killearnan.

There are no market-towns in this parish; but Inverness is near. There are two villages, one at Munlochy, the other on the coast, laid out by the late Kilcoy, opposite the north entrance of the Caledonian Canal.

It is generally understood that a battle took place in this parish, in the thirteenth century, between the Macdonalds and the inhabitants of Inverness. The field on which it happened is called Blair-na-coi; and still bears the vestiges of many cairns placed there as a monument of the event.

Among the distinguished men born in this parish, is the late General John Randall Mackenzie, the son of Mackenzie of Suddy, a very old family in this county.

The parish of Kilmuir Wester and Suddy comprises part of the lands of these proprietors, Belmaduthy, Knockbain, Muirends, Munlochy, Wester Kessock, and Drumderfit, belong to Colin Mackenzie, Esq. Allangrange belongs to George F. Mackenzie, Esq. Easter Kessock belonging to the Trustees of the late Sir William Fetts, Bart. Drynie, belongs to George Graham, and Suddie belongs to Sir James W. Mackenzie, Bart.

The population in the parish in 1811 was 1766 people, and in 1831 it increased to 2139. There is no nobility that reside within the parish boundaries, but there are several persons of independent fortune, besides the heritors, who own the large farms, and the good habitable houses, and commodious squares built at the expense of the proprietor, Mr. Mackenzie of Kilcoy.

The number of imperial acres in cultivation in 3050, on which are grown wheat, barley, oats, peas, grass, turnips, and potatoes. The farmer’s stock consists of cows and horses. No sheep are kept but for the gentlemen’s use for their own tables.

There is no Government church in this parish, and neither missionaries, seceding chapels, nor Roman Catholics. There is one Episcopal chapel attended by 130 persons belonging to this parish, and as many more from the neighboring parishes. The minister is supported by the seat rents.

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

Also available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under ‘For non-subscribers,’ then search for the parish report.

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:There are nine entries for 1749–1751 and no entries 1751–1782, except six for 1764–1766. There are only a few entries 1782–1787 after which the record appears to be regular. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1750–1762, 1836–1934 Minutes and Accounts 1789–1847 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/913.

Knockbain Munlochy Free Church
History— The minister and congregation of Knockbain, although the membership only numbered 83, "came out" in 1843. No site in the parish could be obtained, so the church and manse were built in the neighboring parish of Killearnan. The congregation split into two nearly equal parts over the building of a new church in 1886 at Munlochy. The part remaining in the original church became the congregation of Knockbain, West. Emigration and migration to the larger towns greatly reduced the population. Membership: 1855, 900; 1900, 81. 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— Minutes 1844–1930 Register of Births 1843–1854 Register of Marriages 1843–1850 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1200.

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