Episcopal Congregation in Muthill Perthshire circa 1750/1760 – Places and People
I believe that when tracing one’s ancestors , you should not overlook the many sources that do exist but are seldom internet accessible . These often include such gems as electoral rolls and poor law lists . Over the last few years I have added to this web site a number of the Perthshire 1832 rolls which I trust plugs the gap a trifle !
I have now looked at the records of the Muthill Episcopal Church for the period 1750 / 1760. This is additional to the information covered in the excellent transcription of the Muthill Episcopal Register of Baptisms produced by the Rev AW Cornelius Hallen in 1887 and currently available on CD and paperback from a number of sources . I have split my findings into two parts . The first analysis the geographical distribution of the congregation .The “ old religion ”( Episcopalianism ) was very much the power in both the village and the parish even after the “ Glorious Revolution ” of 1690 which confirmed the Presbyterian Kirk as the established Church in Scotland . What is interesting is that the period covered is immediately after the ’45 Rising . The majority of the landowners including of course the Drummonds from nearby Drummond Castle were Episcopalian and Jacobite in tendencies as were their tenants. Regretably I have been unable to co -relate the places listed below to the members of the congregation . This would have been a real genealogical wind fall ! What is fascinating is that those worshipping as Episcopalians in Muthill came from all over the Strath including 28 from Crieff !
Places listed by the then incumbent rector , William Erskine ( 1750/1760 )
Muthill ( 43 persons ), Pitkellony( 2 ) , Balquharrie ( 3) , Machany ( 4) , Ledmachaany ( 2) , North Mains ( 7 ) , Crofthead ( 3) , Easter Drumawhance ( 4) , Cairn ( 4 ) , Middleton (11) , Knowhead ( 1) , Wester Drummawhance ( 6 ) , Howiesfold ( 5) , Tulliebardine ( 5) , Kinkell ( 4) , Gask ( 13 ) , Newton ( 4) , Garvock ( 2 ) , Kippen ( 5) , Keltie ( 2) , |Gleneagles (1) , Auchterarder ( 2) , Drumduie ( 4) , Lochlane (2) , Dargil ( 3) , Dollerie ( 3 ) , Gibbenston (1) , Allans ( 1) , Blairinroar ( 6) ,Straid ( 1) , Roads (1) , Crieff ( 28 ) , Inchbrakie ( 3 ) , Fowlis (1) , Millness (1) , Orchill (2) , Ardoch ( 8 ) , Lairex (5 ) , Milnab ( 4), Forr ( 6 ) , Dalchurla(1), Cultiecheldoch ( 2 ) , Balloch (2) , Cultballoch ( 2) , Craighead (5) , Borland ( 6 ) , Craigneish ( 4 ) , Benebeg ( 2 ) , Abercairney ( 2) . A total of 240 persons scattered over a wide area of Strathearn including most of the neighbouring parishes to Muthill.
Persons listed in the Pew Rentals (seat holders ) for period probably 1750/1760
- Mrs Drummond , Ann Gray , Mart. M’Gruther
- Wm Drummond and daughter
- Eliz. Brydie , John Haggart , Mrs Leslie
- Patrick Lawson and wife , John Drummond
- James Davidson and brother
- Lewis Gibson , Mrs Gibson and family
- James Matthew, Lewis Drummond , Alex. Bayne
- Mrs Stewart , Duncan M’Gruther and family .
- Andrew Moir ,jr , Alex. Moir and son .
- John Lawson and family , Isobel M’Niven
- Inchbrakie
- Wm Lawson and family
- Alex. M’Gruther , Duncan M’Gruther and family
- Mrs Erskine and family
- Orchil
- Abercairney
- Lady Strathallan
- Cultoquhey
- Mrs Campbell
- Sir William Stirling and family
- Mrs M’Glashan
- Mrs Lindsay and daughters
- Mrs Gentle , Anne Bayne and niece
- Mrs Murray and daughter
- Wm Crawford and family
- John Lawson , Arch. Wright , James Faichney
- Wm Maltman , John Maltman
- James Moir , wm M’Lauchlan and family
- James M’Leish , Jean Taylor
- James Browster and family
- Margt. Moir and family
- John Richard , daughter and family
- Col. Carmichael , Andrew Gloag, Pat. M’Culloch and brother
- John Haley and family, Mary Richard
- Andrew Richards’s family
- John M’Culloch , Mary Taylor ,Thos. M’Currich
- David M’Leish , James M’Leish
- John Gow and wife, Mary M’Leish
- Robt. Goold , Janet M’Currich
- James Richard and brother
- James Gloag
- Andrew Moir, sen., and family
- James Gloag and family
- Wm. Robin and family
- Donald Robinson and family , Mary Millar
- Wm Maltman, daughter and family
- John Faichney , Jas. Faichney , David Wright
- Patrick Drysdale , Lewis Lawson , James Goold.