Fearn, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Fearn # 64

History
The name of the parish is the Gaelic word Fearnn, signifying the alder tree. This parish is bounded on the south, by the parish of Nigg; on the west, by Loggie (Easter); on the north, by Tain; and on the east and south-east, by Tarbat and the Murray Firth.

The chief landowners are, Robert Bruce Eneas Macleod of Cadboll; Hugh Ross of Cromarty; Representatives of the late William Baillie Rose of Rhine; David Monro of Allan; William Murray of Pittkeire and Meikle Rhine; Sir Charles Ross of Balnagown; George M.R. Ross of Polfoil; and Eneas Barclay of Mounteagle.

The population of this parish in 1801 was 1528, and by 1831, it was 1695.

No part of the parish could be cultivated with a profitable application of capital.

There is but one parochial register, that of baptisms and marriages, and it begins in 1749. The entries have been very irregularly made down until the year 1800. The number of families in the parish belonging to the Established Church, is 394; of Dissenting or Seceding families, 27.

This account was written February 1840.

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 on computer at the Family History Library under “Databases on the Network.” Births:There are only twenty nine birth entries prior to 1768. There are irregular and incomplete records 1773–1781. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes and Accounts 1771–1781 Poor Accounts 1781–1809, 1812–1845 Minutes 1784–1797 - with gaps, 1802–1822 - with gaps Mortcloth Accounts 1790–1809 Minutes and Roll of Communicants July 31, 1837 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/995.

Fearn Free Church
History— The elders of the parish adhered to the Free Church at the Disruption. A congregation was formed and a minister settled in December 1843. The church was erected in 1844. The manse was provided years later. A new church was begun in 1896 and the building was completed and opened in 1897. The manse was renovated in 1898–1899. Membership: 1848, 195; 1900, 175. 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— There are no pre-1855 records.