Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #848

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: Irregular entries for 1775–1804 are on two pages after December 1762. There are only two entries December 1762–April 1765. From 1781–1785, and 1799–1802, entries are extremely irregular. Marriages: Chiefly proclamations with no entries except two 1786–1807, December 1777–July 1812. There are six entries 1816–1823 on the page at December 1777. Deaths: Nine entries of burials for 1768 and one for 1777. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
No known pre–1855 records.

Sanquhar South United Presbyterian Church
History— The Rev. John Hepburn, incumbent of the parish of Urr, was one of very few clergymen who in his time, early 1700s preached Evangelical doctrine in the south of Scotland. He kept alive the cause, then in danger of dying out in Galloway, Dumfries, and Ayr, to which he chiefly confined his ministerial visits. After Mr. Hepburn's death, a number of his adherents joined the Old Dissenters, but most of them abstained from any ecclesiastical connection until the rise of the Secession, ten years afterwards, when they formally acceded to the Associate Presbytery. They were joined with the other Seceders in the district and recognized by their previous designation of "The Societies of the South and West," which comprehended associations in Ayrshire, Nithsdale, Annandale, and Galloway. The principal preaching stations were in Kirkconnel, a village 4 miles north–west, Wanlockhead, 8 1/2 north–east, and Closeburn, 14 1/2 miles south–east of Sanquhar. When a site for a place of worship came to be chosen, the town of Sanquhar was preferred, but supply of sermon continued to be given at the other places also, which ultimately led to the formation of the congregation of Moniaive and Thornhill. First church built, 1742, second built in 1841. The agitation respecting the Burgess Oath commenced while the congregation of Sanquhar was in a state of vacancy, and when the Breach took place in the Secession 1747, they almost unanimously adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod. In 1835 there were 164 persons attending Secession chapels in the parish. This would include a few Baptists. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

Sanquhar North United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation was formed by persons connected with the Associate Burgher Synod, who had come to reside in the district. Supply of sermon was afforded them, upon petition, by the Presbytery of Annan and Carlisle, 1815. Church built, 1818; enlarged, 1830. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

Sanquhar Free Church
History— In the movement that led to the Disruption, the minister of Sanquhar adhered to the protesting party; but he did not "come out" in 1843. There was, however, a large exodus of his people, who formed the Free Church congregation. Persecution and difficulties of various kinds had to be faced; but before the end of 1844 the church was built. The closing of Crawick Carpet Mills greatly reduced the number of members. The top of the old cross of Sanquhar (1680), where the famous declarations were read, one by Richard Cameron on June 22, 1680 (founder of the Reformed Church), the other by James Renwick on May 29, 1685, was placed on the apex of the roof of the church porch. Membership: 1848, 440; 1900, 203. 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.

Wanlockhead Free Church
History— Thomas Hastings, minister of Wanlockhead, and a large proportion of his congregation, "came" in 1843. For ten years the Duke of Buccleuch absolutely refused a site. The minister's family was compelled to live for eight years in Dumfries, 30 miles distant. In this, the highest inhabited district in Scotland, the people worshiped in the open, and often under a storm swept sky, or in the scattered cottages. At length, in 1853, church and manse were built. Until 1897 the charge appears in the Blue Book as Wanlockhead and Leadhills. Membership: 1848, 230; 1900, 169. 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.

Sanquhar Baptist Church
History— An Independent movement began in the parish about 1805, influenced by the teachings of the Haldane brothers. When they converted to Baptist views, so did most of the members of the Sanquhar Church in 1809. The cause soon died out but was revived by 1830 and a chapel was built. The congregation at first thrived under its first minister who was with them until about 1860, then the membership slowly dropped until the meetings were ended and the chapel was sold about 1890. There is a Baptist church in Sanquhar today, but its beginnings were Presbyterian and it did not become Baptist until the 1980s. Source: The Baptists in Scotland, by D.W. Bebbington, pub. 1988. FHL book 941 K2bs.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. Write to: The Baptist Union of Scotland, 12 Aytoun Road, Glasgow G41 5RT, Scotland

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