Penpont, Dumfriesshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #845

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: Early registers were burned in a fire. May 1730 there are two pages of irregular entries, two families 1771–1804 and the whole record after March 1797 is extremely irregular in respect of dates. After 1819 there are seven entries for 1740–1748, on one page. Marriages: After the 1819 page of births there is one page containing marriage entries for 1739. Except for the above mentioned entry for 1739 and the one for 1845, there are no records until October 1851. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1833 2 Communion Rolls - date unknown 3 Cash Books - date unknown Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/1205.

Burnhead United Presbyterian Church
History— Burnhead is a hamlet in the parish of Penpont. The congregation of Burnhead originated in the settlement of an unpopular minister in the parish of Penpont. On the 26th of November 1798, "a presentation of grievances" was laid before the Relief Presbytery of Dumfries by a respectable body of men in the parish, accompanied by a petition requesting supply of sermon. A minister preached to them, by appointment of the Presbytery, on the third Sabbath of December following, and a large congregation was almost immediately formed. A number of parishioners in other parishes, dissatisfied with their ministers, also found the formation of this congregation a relief to them and speedily connected with it. A church was built in 1800 and another one rebuilt in 1839. Membership: 1834, 347 persons 79 families. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source

Records— Minutes 1847–1911 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/1211.

Penpont Reformed, later West Free Church
History— This congregation, locally known as Scaurbridge, originally formed part of the Reformed congregation of Newton Stewart. The congregation was divided into two in 1796. A church was built in 1791. The congregation of Douglas Water was disjoined from this in 1807. In 1826 there arose a difference of opinion about the boundary between Penpont and Quarrelwood which continued for some time. In spite of some difficulties, this congregation became the second largest in the denomination. The congregation united with the Free Church in 1876. The membership was then 140, for although they were situated in the center of a great covenanting district, the area was agricultural and pastoral, with a decreasing population. Membership: 1834, 235 persons of 48 families; 1877, 142; 1900, 119. 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— The extent of pre–1855 records is unknown.

Penpont Free Church
History— This congregation originated at the Disruption, and was drawn from six neighboring parishes. During the summer and autumn of 1843, public worship was frequently conducted in the open air. At first no site could be obtained, owing to the influence of the Duke of Buccleuch; but a poor weaver, Janet Douglas Fraser, voluntarily bequeathed her small freehold to the congregation. Here the church was built, supported underneath by strong stone pillars, between which were stalls for thirty horses. The church was opened in 1844. A property of 3 acres on the opposite side of the road was purchased for the congregation, and there a manse was built in 1847. The church was remodeled in 1886. A school was bought in Thornhill, and altered into a church hall. The congregation suffered owing to the great decline of population in the surrounding parishes. Membership: 1848, 630; 1900, 400. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

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