Kilmodan, Argyl, Scotland

Parish #522

History:
After the introduction of Christianity nto the country, the place of worship was consecrated to St. Modan and called Kilmadan. This parish gave birth, in 1698 to a very able mathematician, Colin Maclaurin. The major land owners were: Angus Fletcher, Esq. of Dunans; Archiball Campbell, Esq. of Glendaruell; Donald M’Chananich Esq. of Auchadachiranbeg; and Mungo N. Campbell, Esq. of Ballimore. The land was primarily used for, Moorland pasture, sheep, salmon and trout fishing, and potatoes. The population in 1801 was 502. The population in 1841 was 578. The registers of births and baptisms commences in 1737; marriages in 1737; church collections in 1745. In the parish 48 families belong to the Established Church, and 41 are Dissenters. This account was written in 1844.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol 7) 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 Records—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library and the family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Inex. Births: There are no entries December 1738–May 1744, July 1744–July 1745, August 1749–June 1760, and January 1767–July 1768. The page at 1775 is imperfect. No entries appear February 1781–June 1782. After December 1786, irregular entries on three pages are dated 1777–1819. One family, 1767–1783, is recorded after July 1789 and four families, 1786–1821, are recorded on two pages after August 1810. The record is incomplete 1811–1813. Marriages: There is only one entry (1742) July 1742–February 1744 and one entry March 1745–January 1747. Except one entry for 1768, the record is blank February 1750–January 1770. After June 1790, except one entry of marriage for 1792, the record is one of "Consignations," the name of the bride being generally omitted until January 1793. Only two entries appear April 1805–February 1807. Deaths: The record consists of mortcloth dues, and dates are often omitted. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1745–1749, 1752–1755, 1767–1904 Communion Roll 1835–1875 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/949.

Kilmodan and Southall Free Church
History— The minister of the parish and a great body of the people, including all the elders, left the Established Church in 1843. They were refused the use of all facilities for the erection of a place of worship. Finally, one of the elders donated a small property in Glendaruel, where a church was built in the autumn of 1843. Mr. Campbell of Southhall, at the southern extremity of the parish, provided a temporary house for the minister, and placed at the latter's disposal a small church which had been built for the convenience of his tenant. There he gathered a second congregation. The minister was formally inducted in 1844 and the congregations of Kilmodan and Southhall were united under his charge. The Established Church authorities attempted to deprive the congregation of the use of the Southhall church but the attempt was frustrated. A manse was erected at a point between the two churches, which are 10 miles apart. Membership: 1848, 54; 1900, 75. 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— Minutes 1844–1854 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1409.

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