Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland Genealogy

Lesmahagow (#649)

= History =

The New Statistical Account of Scotland (pub. 1834-45) offers uniquely rich and detailed parish reports for the whole of Scotland, covering a vast range of topics including history, agriculture, education, trades, religion and social customs. The reports, written by the parish ministers, are available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Click on ‘Browse scanned pages’ then search the parish reports for Lesmahagow. Also available at the Family History Library.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: 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 only three entries, one incomplete, September 1697–August 1699 and five entries November 1743–November 1746. Mothers’ names are not recorded until June 1696. Marriages: There are no entries November 1743–November 1746. The fact of marriages is often not added to the entries 1703–1763 and from April 1804–November 1811 bookings for proclamations only are recorded. Deaths: Burials; there are no entries April 1807–January 1812. 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 Some Accounts 1651–1657, 1683–1727, 1768–1811 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/239.

Lesmahagow Free Church
History— At the Disruption there were two churches in Lesmahagow and both ministers adhered to the Free Church. One was the Burgher congregation which had joined the Church of Scotland in 1839. When their minister was called away in 1843 this congregation at once transferred themselves and their property to the Reformed Presbyterian Church but did not survive until the Union of 1876. With Dr. Parker, minister of the parish, about eight hundred members “came out”. Church, manse and school were erected in 1844. This congregation became the mother of several new congregations in the surrounding district, parting with many of its members for the purpose. Membership: 1848, 750; 1900, 499. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— No pre–1855 records.

Lesmahagow Relief, later United Presbyterian Church
History— The Relief Presbytery of Hamilton began providing supply of sermon for individuals living in the Lesmahagow area in July 1836. A congregation of 70 members was organized in October of the following year. They took possession of their own place of worship in 1838. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including name of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Crossford United Presbyterian Church
History— On account of the travel distance, individuals from this area who had been attending the Secession Congregation in Lanark were formed into a separate congregation in 1830. A church was built that year. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including name of ministers.

Records— No pre–1855 records.

Lesmahagow Original Burgher, later Reformed Presbyterian Church
History— Originally an offshoot from the original Burgher Congregation of Carluke, this congregation received separate supply of sermon from the Presbytery of Edinburgh in 1814, and was erected in 1816. The first minister was settled in 1820. With the Synod it entered the Church of Scotland in 1839, and in 1843 it adhered to the Free Church. On the departure of the then minister in the same year, a portion of the members refused to unite with a neighboring Free Church and applied to the Reformed Presbytery for supply of Sermon. Their request was granted and the individuals were recommended in the meantime to worship with the Douglas Water congregation. Lesmahagow was finally erected into a separate congregation at a meeting of the Presbytery in March 1844 and in May elders were elected. A minister was finally settled in December 1846, with 76 members and 15 adherents signing his call. The congregation struggled for more than twenty years. In 1868, deeply in debt, it was disbanded and the church and manse were assigned to the minister as compensation for arrears. The members dispersed to other congregations. Source: The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland, by W.J. Couper, pub. 1925. FHL Book 941 K2c.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Return to the Lanarkshire parish list.