Applecross, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Church Records

Parish # 58

History
This parish includes Shieldaig and Kishorn.The parish of Applecross in Gaelic is called Comaraich, and is divided into three districts. The Applecross district was formerly occupied by a body of Roman Catholic priests, whose residence afforded an asylum, from the motives of piety, or to escape from punishment for criminal actions. Hence the name Comaraich, which means a place of safety.

The modern name Applecross was given to the parish by the gentleman who was proprietor of the Comaraich estate, at the time it was built. In commemoration of this event, five apple trees were planted crossways in the proprietor’s garden.

There is no market-town in the parish, nor within many miles of it.

The landowners, are Thomas Mackenzie, Esq. of Applecross; J.A. Stewart Mackenzie, Esq. of Seaforth; and Sir F. A. Mackenzie of Gairloch, Bart.

In the year 1790, the population was 1734, and according to the census in 1831, the number was 2892.

There are some registers of baptisms and marriages, commencing in 1779, but they have not been regularly kept. The parish church was built in 1817, and is in good repair. It is large enough to accommodate upwards of 600 sitters, and there is no seat rents.

The parish church is very ill situated, having very few inhabitants near it, and lying on the north side of a river, without a bridge over it, which frequently prevents the people from attending public worship. They often, however, wade the water, and sit in church during service with wet feet and wet clothes, which no doubt makes for some serious complaints among them.

This account was written September 1836.

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. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Not carefully kept. Birth records are intermixed with marriage records. Marriages: Marriages are intermixed with births. Separate records 1797–1811. 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 1779–1862 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/914.

Applecross Free Church
History— Almost all of the population in this district adhered to the Free Church in 1843. A church was built in 1845, but a minister was not settled until 1859. Membership: 1861, 400; 1900, 23. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

Shieldaig and Torridon Free Church
History— The minister of Shieldaig, and almost all of the people adhered to the Free Church in 1843. The Assembly of 1864 recognized Shieldaig as a Disruption charge. A minister was settled in 1872. The church and manse were erected in 1877. Torridon was severed from Shieldaig in 1890 and placed under the minister of Applecross. In 1892 most of the Shieldaig residents became Free Presbyterians. In 1894 Torridon and the congregation at Shieldaig were reunited. A section did not enter the Union in 1900. Membership: 1866, 600; 1900, 34. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

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