Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire, Scotland Genealogy

Kirkmahoe (#835)

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 of the records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There are no entries November 1748–August 1753; June 1759–February 1762. After 1763 no regular record appears to have been kept until September 1797; but at that part there are eleven pages containing irregular entries of whole families registered together dated 1771–1818. Marriages: There are no entries November 1748–March 1753; June 1759–February 1762. Entries for February 1757–December 1763 are among the births for the same time period. Except two entries for 1811 and one for 1817 there is no record after December 1763. Deaths: Record is Mortcloth Dues until 1747. There are no death entries 1747–January 1800 and none for December 1803–January 1818, except one for 1811. The record ends December 1818. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1748–1941 Poors’ Accounts 1795–1858 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/431.

Quarrelwood Reformed, later Kirkmahoe Free Church
History— A congregation existed in the area from very early. At the division of the whole Cameronian Church into the Northern and Southern congregations in 1763, it formed an original part of the latter. In 1781 the district was divided into two separate congregations and this was part of the eastern section. In 1798, a church was built in the village of Quarrelwood, which was considered the center of the congregation until 1832. At that time the center of the congregation was moved to Dumfries and the Quarrelwood church was used as a preaching station. (See Dumfries parish.) At the Disruption in 1843, a probationer, non–ordained minister, secured the use of the old church at Quarrelwood. Here he conducted services for adherents of the Free Church from the parishes of Torthorwald, Tinwald, and Kirkmahoe. The charge was sanctioned in February 1844. The new church was built in 1845 and reconstructed in 1864–1865. A hall was added in 1891. The church was again renovated in 1894. Declining population told seriously on the membership. Membership: 1848, 186; 1900, 158. Source: The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland, by W.J. Couper, pub. 1925. FHL book 941 K2c. Also, 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 sources including ministers.

Records— Minutes 1844–1927 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/356.

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