Muiravonside Parish

Maddiston (along with the rest of the parish of Muiravonside) was originally in the Parish of Falkirk although according to a Papal mandate dated 1454 "the chapel at this place (Manuell) has from time immemorial had cemetery, baptistry, chrism vase, burial place and priest ". The mandate gave the people of the district the right to elect a clerk-minister to assist the priest, but whether he was assisting the priest at the chapel in the castle of Haining or at the nunnery at Manuell is not clear.

The Nunnery at Manuell (The church of the Cistercian Nunnery of Emanuell) was founded by David 1 (1124-53) but the name seems to point to an earlier foundation.

The last prioress was Jean Livingston, around 1560, the most part of the building and the cemetery was washed away in a flood in 1783.

The original parish church of Muiravonside was founded in 1648 and the present church seems to be built on the site of the former, the Old Statistical Account describes as "old" a church building standing in the old kirkyard. No ruins or foundations of a former church have been found anywhere in the Parish. The belfry and bell (with the inscription "For the Kirk of Muiravonside John Meikle Me Fecit / Edinburgh 1699) on the present church (built in 1806) predate it and almost certainly belong to the earlier one.

In 1947, it was found that wood-worm and dry-rot had so badly infested the building that com[lete internal restoration was necessary.A new vestibule was added at the east end of the vestry and session house, the old session house which stood at the gateway to the church being demolished. A carved stone cross, again of earlier origin than the session house which it surmounted was places above the east wing of the church.

In 1980, the Double manual Trayser Harmonium, gifted by Mrs. Brown of Vellore was replaces by an Omegan electronic organ.

The church is almost barn like in construction and before being refurbished in 1955 the pulpit was situated in the centre of the South side wall, with the pews on three sides and a semi-circular gallery on the East-North and West side.

Now the church has an aisle running East West with the pulpit and chancel placed at the West end gable which also houses a decorative window giving the date of renovation.

A most attractive feature of the church is the stained glass windows commemorating the ministry of the Rev. George Keith, M.A.,B.D. 1871-1884.

After the building of Cairneymount the morning service was held here, Sandy Spence calling the faithful to worship every Sunday morning at 11 by ringing that bell which had been calling their forebears since 1699.

The interior after alterations in 1955

The Ministry

CHURCH REGISTER

THE MINISTRY

Unknown...................................................................................................................1648-1690

Rev. Donald Campbell, M.A......................................................................................1691-1695

Rev.Andrew Bennett..................................................................................................1696-1720

Rev. Robert Boyd M.A..............................................................................................1721-1767

Rev. John Bertram......................................................................................................1768-1802

Rev. William McCall...................................................................................................1803-1833

Rev. James McFarlan..................................................................................................1834-1870

Rev. George Keith, M.A.,B.D.....................................................................................1871-1884

Rev. Oswald Bell........................................................................................................1885-1896

Rev.David Bayne, B.D................................................................................................1897-1940

Rev. James Hamilton...................................................................................................1940-1952

Rev.James C. Downie, M.A.,B.D...............................................................................1952-1966

Rev. Duncan G. McPherson........................................................................................1967-1975

Rev. Richard A. Goodman..........................................................................................1976-

Session Clerks / Kirk Session

SESSION CLERKS

Mathew Henderson.....................................................................................................1861-1904

Archibald Campbell.....................................................................................................1904-1905

Alexander Hunter........................................................................................................1905-1929

Cornelius Bryce...........................................................................................................1929-1967

Henry Cockburn..........................................................................................................1967-1979

Andrew McDermott.....................................................................................................1979

KIRK SESSION 1955

Charles Aitkenhead......................................................................................................David Donald

Walter Airkenhead.......................................................................................................James Horne

William Bryce..............................................................................................................Henry Hunter

Daniel Binnie...............................................................................................................James Halkett

John Binnie..................................................................................................................John Marshall

Cornelius Bryce..........................................................................................................Thomas Moverly

Henry Cockburn.........................................................................................................Andrew McEwan

Maxwell Craig............................................................................................................Robert Paterson

James Clelland...........................................................................................................William Rendall

Henry Cowie..............................................................................................................James Robertson

Archibald Cruikshanks...............................................................................................William Younger

Session Clerk - Cornelius Bryce

Treasurer - Robert Paterson

KIRK SESSION 1981

Mr. Walter Aitkenhead................................................................................................Mr. James Harrower

Mr. Charles Aitkenhead*.............................................................................................Mr. John Jack

Mr. David Allan...........................................................................................................Mr. Andrew McDermott

Mr. John W. Baxter.....................................................................................................Mr. Alexander Mitchell

Mr. John Brodie...........................................................................................................Mr. Lindsay P. Moverly

Mr. Thomas Craig........................................................................................................Mr. Artchibald Orr

Mrs. Mary A. Corbett.................................................................................................Mr. Crawford L. Page

Mr. Henry Cockburn...................................................................................................Mr. James R. Nimmo

Mr. Peter Duncan........................................................................................................Mr. John Napier

Mr. William S. Dougall................................................................................................Mrs. Isabella Sneddon

Mr. David G. Donald*................................................................................................Mr. James Smith

Mr. Kenneth Mc.Fraser..............................................................................................Mr. Samuel F. Small

Mr. John Fleming........................................................................................................Mr. William Small*

Mr. Alexander Gow....................................................................................................Mr.Thomas H. Wilson

Mr. James Horne........................................................................................................Mr. James Williamson

Mr. James Halkett*.....................................................................................................Mrs. Alice E. Waddell

Mr. Harry Hill.............................................................................................................Mr.Andrew Waugh

Session Clerk - Andrew McDermott

Treasurer - Alexander Gow

* non active elders.

Communion Silver

The Kirkyaird

Some of the more interesting gravestones in the old kirkyard.

If I remember correctly the following comes from a book called "Monumental incriptions of East Stirlingshire"

MUIRAVONSIDE CHURCHYARD

Index of Surnames

Aickman 44 Fortye 83 Pettigrew 117

Aitken 24 Frew 43 Pollock 129

Alexander 129

Allen 9, 94 Gardner 84 Ramsay 49

Anderson 35,132,133,134 Gartshore 24 Rankin 67

Gibson 59 Reid 21,75,83

Baird 18,37,53,55, 73, Gillespie 112 Robert 102

Bartholomew 123,125,126 Gray 94 Roberts 17

Bell 87,92,96 Greenhill 35 Robertson 5,8,30,49,

Binnie 51,77,81 Grinton 62 92,107,110,115,124

Black 101,125,132 Robeson 109

Blair 2 Hardie83, 134 Ronald 21

Boak 91 Hasti 92 Russell 16,120

Bowie 8,30 Hayne 103 Ryrie 118,119

Boyd 100 Hogg 103

Braes 43 Salmond 1

Brice 85 Inglis 37,122 Sawyers 127

Bronn(der) 111 Ingram 99 Scot 45,46

Broom 48,121 Scott 39,122,130

Brown 96, 106,123 Johnston 13, 28,33, Shanks 13,34,75,125

Brownlee 120 44,93 Shaw 32,106

Bryce 86,87 Sime 121

Bryson 83 Learmonth 36,80 Smellie 136

Bwchan 41 Littlejohn 98 Smith 33,136

Stirling 20

Calder 86,92A McAuley 5

Cochrane 36 McCall 72 Tayler 60,61

Cockburn 93 Macdonald 4 Taylor 7,23,34,64,

Convoy 3 McFarlane 53 67,68,78,110,116

Crawford 15 McKay 5 Taylour 60,76

Crummie 1 McKenzie 113 Turner 103

McLaren 115

Dale 17 McMillan 6 Veitch 129

Danskine 48 Malcolm 93

Dick 50 Marshall 31,32,131 Walker 82

Dogowhaugh 88 Marshel 76 Wallace 19

Donald 46 Marshell 22 Waugh 101,192

Dowgal 41 Melvin 6 White 100

Dun 126 Morton 20,84 Whyte 46

Duncan 103 Wilson 18,99,124

Nimmo 14,41 Wilsone 69

Ferguson 62,133 Wright 43

Fisher 14 Oor 105

Forgie 10,40,42, Young 100

112,118,119 Pearson 97,98 Yull 4

Pender 10, 39

MB 20 | | AH KA 88 | | | J- AB 87

Pre – 1855 inscriptions Surveyed October 1967

Sketch plan indicating position of some stones

Please note my additions within [------] brackets, David E Leask

1 John Crumlie & Margaret Salmond, six children John, Elisabeth, Jean, Mary, John, M….. ; (on top) 1798

2 1825; John Blair farmer in Br…..

3 John & Sarah Convoy, da[ughter] Mary Jane

4 1831; by Ja[me]s Macdonald, mo[ther] in law Mary Yull 18.5.1810 [age] 41

5 Tho[ma]s Robertson 29.2.1876 [age] 75, w[ife] Bridget McKay 27.10.1876 [age] 70, g[rand]s[on] John McAuley 14.9.187(8or9) [age] 25

6 (ob) Reverend H.L. McMillan minister here, w[ife] Ruth Melvin 21.12.79 (Small i. 695; he died 26.12.1898)

7 …………(W)eir, wife Mary Taylor 20.10.1850 [age] 35

8 Rob[er]t Bowie farmer Linlithgow 28.8,1882 [age] 75, w[ife] Helen Robertson 13.2.1890 [age] 82, by s[on] W[illia]m of Parkhead

9 And[rew] Allen; Cath Hay; (on top) 1823

10 And[rew] Forgie; Marion Pender; 3 lairs; T.H. Marion Forgie (1892)

11 (FS) HT AD AT CT ST PF AR 1782

12 AY IH ; (on top) 1777

13 1850; ………. Shanks & …….. (J)onston, children

14 JN (cherub) Ja[me]s Nimmo of Wardlaw meason, w[ife] Jean Fisher JF he d[ied] 27.12,1732 [age] 80; (west side) (3 castles on shield, square & compasses, for mason)

15 Crawford

16 Ja[me]s Russell of Blackbraes 1822

17 Ja[me]s Roberts & Jane Dale, ch[ildre]n

18 1817; Ja[me]s Wilson; Helen Baird; 2 lairs

19 1817; John Wallace; MB; 3 lairs

20 Ja[me]s Morton 12.8.185(3) [age] 61, w[ife] Isabella Stirling (10). 4. 18-9.[age] 55; Ja[me]s M[orton] Jun[ior] (7). 12.18—[age] 22; John M[orton] 22.2.18—6 [age] 21; Rob[er]t M[orton] 28.9.1860 [age] 24; Arch[ibal]d M[orton] 5.12.18(63) [age] 20

21 Alex[ander] Ronald; Eliz[abeth] Reid; (on top) 1817

22 AM MM; Alex[ander] Marshell tenant of Nicoll, da[ughter]s Agnes 16.4.175(6) 1(3or7) & Marion 2(7).9.1745 (16); (west side emblems)

23 (flaked) W[illia]m Taylor farmer

24 1840; John Gartshore; David G[artshore] ;Ja[me]s Aitken

25 (small) (west side) K McK M Mc(C)

26 (eroded) Ja….. on 18.7.18— [age]61

27 Wm……. & heirs; (on top) 17-7

28 JJ E (J) JJ JM; Elisabeth Johnston 15.8.1797 [age] 1

29 (west side) (cherub) 1732

30 Rob[er]t Bowie, w[ife] Agnes Robertson, s[on] W[illia]m 9.5.1821; (on top) 181(8)

31 (west side) Tho[ma]s Marshall

32 Tho[ma]s Marshall, the third generation of the family proprietors of Boxton. 12.1745 67, w[ife] Margaret Shaw 1738

33 … Johnston. 10.17.7, late w[ife] of …..Smith tenant in ……Och(hig)

34 (flaked) Tho[ma]s Shanks, w[ife] ……. Taylor

35 by Edmond Anderson, fa[ther] in law Tho[ma]s Greenhill late schoolmaster here [age] 70, ch[ildren] Edmond A[nderson]. [age] 2m[onths]

36 (headstone fallen backwards) 1858; John Learmonth 28.8.1876 [age] 81, w[ife] Eliz[abeth] Cochrane 20.2.1870 [age] 69, s[on] And[rew] 5.7.1850 [age] 13, da[ughter] Janet 23.8.1854 [age] 22, s[on] Ja[me]s Robert 22.2.1857 [age] 12, s[on]John 1.4.1857 [age] 22

37 1857; Ja[me]s Inglis farmer Stockbridge 5.7.1856 [age] 78, two s[on]s in youth, w[ife] Sarah Baird 12.8.1859 [age] 77, s[on] W[illia]m 22.3.1862 [age] 43

38 DS MP 1798

39 (under yew) Walter Scott (&) Janet Pender tenant in Whitecross; (on top) 1798

40 JF AF; John Forgie 4.10.1799 [age] 48

41 GN MD 1711; Alex[ander] Nimmo & Chr Bwchan; Geo[rge] N[immo] & Mary Dowgal, ch[ildre]n (carvings)

42 RF JF JE 1773; John & Rob[er]t Forgie; 2 lairs

43 (on top) 1787 (west side) WB MC SB TN; (east side) Stephen Braes 16.9.1899, w[ife] Marg[are]t Frew 3.1.1893 g[ran]d[aughte]r Mary Wright 27.11.1891

44 W[illia]m Johnston; Agnes Aickman; (on top) 1795

45 (both sides) JS JR; John Scot last tenant in Manuel 20.8.1854 [age] 31, s[on] John.3.1755 [age] 10m[onths] (carvings serpents etc)

46 JS JD; Jams Scot tenant easter Myrehead, fa[ther] John, mo[ther] Janet Donald, w[ife] Isobel Whyte; the said James’ fa[ther] d[ied] 15.4.1754 [age] 83, his mo[ther] 20.2.175(5) [age] 6(0 or9); (west side) JS IW (carved)

47 D (I or J) JB 1782 3 lairs

48 John Broom in Burnbridge, w[ife] Jean Danskine 6.11.1828 [age] 74; (on top) 1829

49 Alex[ander] Ramsay & Agnes Robertson; (on top) 1806

50 RD; Rob[er]t Dick …….. Eliz[abeth] …….. 7.6.1744; (west side) WD EB (emblems)

51 IB SB; Tho[ma]s Binnie 4.6.1815 [age] 38; (on top) 1815

52 JD BB JD EM; (on top) 1846; (west side) (scissors and ? )

53 1817; Duncan McFarlane; Mary Baird; 2 lairs

54 (monogram of WL IC?)… 51^st year of her age 22.11.17(3)5 WL MH; (west side) 1703 WL IC (compasses square, etc) WL MH AR ML (Ancient Monuments p.154, Muiravonside churchyard “headstone – on front – WL MH with WL IC in Monogram at the top; on back is a small panel inscribed WL IC/1705 above an assemblage of mason’s insignia and flanked by the initials WL MH AR ML; - see notes)

55 (lowTS) John Baird of Manuel 21.5.1757---3.2.1824; very rev Geo[rge] Husband B. DD of Forneth & Manuel sometime minister of Dunkeld & of New Greyfriars the New Kirk & of the High Church in Edinburgh professor of oriental languages in the University of Edinburgh for 47y[ears] principal of that university 13.7.1761---14.1.1840. 1 s[on?] Thomas Elder B[aird]. adv 30.9.1795---18.1.1876 (Fasti i. 68; The Scottish Nation p 196)

56 (low TS; illegible)

57 Stephen Mitchell; the Mitchells were tenants of Waukmilton from 1568 to about 1723 (in Stirling commissariot testaments “Stephen Mitchell in Waukmilton 2.10.1657”)

58 (carved; illegible; (west side), a text)

59 1761 AB AG;; ……..B….s & Agnes (Gibson) d[ied] 17(5 or 6)7; (west side) (two children each blowing a looped trumpet AB AT

60 (on top) 1736; (west side), text, emblems); (east side) (two columns of inscriptions) (left column) Alex Taylor tenant inWester Myrehead 9.4.17(3 or 5)9 [age] 40 (then new line in later script, perhaps continuation from right hand column) who died (right hand column) ….Tayler 25.5.17(34) [age] 8(3 or 5) ……his spouse……

61 JT A(J); John Tayler

62 Alex[ander] Grinton & Mary Ferguson; (on top) 1817

63 (under yew) (initials) __ __ __ __ R_ AT MY PT M_ JT

64 AT MG 17(31); Alex[ander] Tayl[o]r 14.1.1734; Henry Taylor

65 (east side illegible); (west side) 1733 (monogram of JD AC?)

66 (nil)

67 Daniel Rankin 21.9.1846 [age] 40, w[ife] Agnes Taylor 29.12.1887 [age] 84

68 Arch[ibal]d Taylor. 3.1729; A……; (west side) (crown & hammer)

69 W[illia]m Wilsone mer[chan]t London, wid[ow] Charlotte W[ilsone] of Greenknowes 26.4.1829 [age] 83, g[rand]s[on] Arch[ibal]d John W[ilsone] surgeon 23.12.1837 [age] 27 (s[on] of John W[ilsone]) da[ughter] Cath[erine] 23.11.1850 [age] 74, da[ughter] Lillias 14.1.1862 [age] 84

70 AG AG JG IW; two ch[ildre]n; (west side) (emblems, two figures)

71 W (looks like a reversed “D” for D?) MF

72 (marble tablet on wall of church) rev[erend] W[illia]m Mccall 30.12.1833 for 30 y[ears] minister here (Fasti 223)

73 WB BM AB ER; W[illia]m Baird taylor Madistoun 2 24.11.1740 [age] 82, w[ife] Bathioa Mirrie 20.7.1739 aged 69: (west side, taylor’s goose and scissors)

74 AB TA; AB ST; Alex[ander] Baird (builder) in (Overmill) 3.(5).1754; (west side) (three castles, square & comasses, for mason; emblems)

75 by David Shanks in Coatbridge, fa[ther] David 16.8.1861 [age] 72, mo[ther] Agnes Reid 16.3.1846 [age] 62; (on top) 1803

76 IM AT JB; john Marshel tenant Dreffan, w[ife] Anna Taylour 22.7. 1745 [age] 42

77 (mostly illegible) (John) Binnie EF; (west side) (two children blowing looped trumpets as in 59 ante

78 (split down the middle) PBM

H I T

(west side, two children as in 77) JB EF …….Taylo[r?] d[ied] 1782

79 (under hawthorn) (two children as in previous); (east side, illegible)

80 (FS, flaked) …..ton in North Muirside 2.2.1729 [age]75, w[ife] Cath[erine] Learmonth. 1.17.-7

81 ------Binnie & Agnes Goodwin

82 Peter Walker 4.5.1852 [age] 81, w[ife] Janet Baird 17.10.1856 [age] 76, nephew John W[alker] 25.2.1866 [age] 9 by Ja[me]s W[alker] in Candiehead

83 (ob) Henry Reid farmer Haining Valley 17.6.1853 [age] 64 w[ife] Mary Fortye 27.3.1822 [age] 22, s[on] Peter 25.12.1867 [age 47], sis[ter] Ann R[eid] 1.1.1862 [age] 80, w[ife] Janet Hardie 14.12.1879 [age] 85, s[on] John 29.6.1847 [age] 23, s[on] Henry 13.9.1830 [age] 4; Ja[me]s Bryson R[eid] 2.12.1870 [age] 3; Tho[ma]s Keir Reid 25.12.1870 [age] 6; Helen Cockburn Bryson 17.12.1912 [age] 86, w[ife] of Peter R[eid]

84 1819 GG IR; John Gardner; Jean Morton

85 CB JR Cornelius Brice 25.2.1777 [age] 53, s[on] Corn? [age] 13 m[onths], da[ughter] Marg[are]t [age] 12

86 (grey granite) Bryce; Allan B[ryce] in Blackston 13.5.1852, w[ife] Marg[are]t Calder 23.4.1884, ch[ildre]n Eliz[abeth] 7.2.1840, Marg[are]t 23.2.1879, Cornelius 22.5.1890, And[rew] 23.12.1859

87 restored by W[illia]m Bryce engine driver N.B. railway (on top); (east side) 1732; fa[ther] W[illia]m B[ryce] 2.2.1878, mo[ther] Margaret Bell 23.1.1880 [age]77 J- AB;

(west) side GB MB

88 (FS) LH ED; here lyes the dust of (Tho[ma]s) Dogowhaugh ……. 1720; AH KA

89 (small) (R)B ----1738

90 (FS) this is the burying ground of the deseased ch[ildren] of James …… in Faln….

91 JB 1802 MM; John Boak late tacksman of the burgh mills Linlithgow

92 (FS) W[illia]m Robertson portioner of Windyeyate & Agnes Hasti who both d[ied] 18.12.175- both 80 ; Tho[ma]s R[obertson] portioner of same 16.3.1781 [age] 76, s[on] Tho[ma]s 20 2.1827 [age] 87 (w[ife] Janet Bell 22.7.1793 [age] 51) g[rand]s[on] John R[obertson] (in) cairbeth 1.7.1875 [age] 68 b[urie]d Necropolis Glasgow

92A Pat[ric]k Calder 21.9.1718 [age] 72 (west side) PC GM

93 (grey granite) Alex[ander Malcolm 11.4.1896 [age] 86, w[ife] Eliz[abeth] Cockburn 30.11.1867 [age] 47, two da[ughter]s inf[ants], two g[rand]ch[ildren] Jessie Johnston 13.12.1881 [age] 10m[onths] & Janet J[ohnston] 24.12.1892 [age] 5m[onths]

94 1743 WG; W[illia]m Gray portioner of Windieyeat er, s[on] W[illia]m (wid[ow] Beatrix Allen 22.5.1743); Goe[rge] Gray in Windyyett 19.1.1881 [age] 63, w[ife] Isabella Rennie, (west side) da[ughter]s b[urie]d in new cemetery Alice Helen G[ray] 12.10.1879 8.2.1947 & Isabella Rennie G[ray] 3.11.1871 24.8.1942; above Isabella Rennie 14.3.1920 [age] 81

95 WG (CorG)M (miner’s pick & a man handling a pick?)

96 1838; Rob[er]t Brown & E. Bell

97 & 98 (in enclosure) Hugh Pearson esq of Myrecairnie commander RN d[ied] Vellore in this parish 19.11.1838, two da[ughter]s Marg[are]t-Anne 28.8.1836 [age] 10 & Mary 31.1.1835 [age] 4 both at Vellore, w[ife] Helen Littlejohn d[ied] Edinburgh 18.1.1869 [age]72, s[on] Hugh lieutenant RN d[ied] Australia 17.6.1856 [age] 27, 2 d[aughter]s Jane Campbell P[earson] 1.5.1902

99 John Wilson farmer, w[ife] Jean ingram 20.4.1809 [age] 42, da[ughter] Elisabeth 4.2.1822 [age] 25

100 Geo[rge] White, w[ife] Johanna Downie 7.7.1870 [age] 27, s[on] Rob[er]t 6.7.1870 [age] 3; (west side) Geo[rge] Boyd 5.7.1839 [age] 66, w[ife] Isabella Young

101 1820; W[illia]m Black; Margaret Waugh

102 WR I-O; Ja[me]s Robert & Agnes Waugh

103 1854; Tho[ma]s Duncan 31.3.1862 [age] 64; Cath[erine] Hayne 16.3.1889 [age] 98; Peter D[uncan] 4.3.1892 [age] 62, w[ife] Marg[are]t Turner, s[on] Tho[ma]s 9.8.1882 [age]19

104 Alex[ander] B(a)ird .7.17(3)6 [age] 57; (on top) 1774

105 1724; John Oor & Agnes Hog

106 Rob[er]t Shaw & Marg[are]t Brown; (on top) 180(0 or 9)

107 1820; Tho[ma]s Robertson & Marg[are]t Dunlop

108 Alex[ander] Baird of Quarrelhead, fa[ther] Tho[ma]s 15.12.1787 [age] 59; (west side) TB JM (three stylised castles,square & compasses, hammer, chisel, for mason; see Testaments infra)

109 RR AS; …… Robeson, da[ughter] Janet R[obeson] 29.10.1833 [age] 23

110 1861; And[rew] Robertson farmer Myreside 7.1.1834, w[ife] Agnes Taylor 30.10.1850, s[on] W[illia]m 1.1.1849, s[on] Rob[er]t 4.3.1851, da[ughter] Marion 3.2.1874, da[ughter] Janet 4/3/1874, s[on] Ja[me]s 16.9.1883, da[ughter] Agnes 20.10.1892

111 (H)B (JB); (John) (Bronn).der

112 1867; John Gillespie 2(0 or 9).6.1851 [age] 67, w[ife] Agnes Forgie 27.10.1831 (48), by s[on] Ja[me]s

113 (next north wall) W[illiam] Colville Learmonth McKenzie of Craigend 28.7.1861 [age] 81, w[ife] Gloriana M. 26.11.1847

114 (flaked) JH …… John …… MAR……; (on top) 1806

115 by Ja[mes] McLaren & Agnes Robertson & ch[ildre]n to his parents

116 1824; Robert Taylor & mary T[aylor}

117 Arch[ibal]d Pettigrew …… & EG to s[on] Rob[er]t 23.4.1847

118 Ja[me]s Ryrie & Eliz[abeth] Forgie (sis[ter] Mary F[orgie] 9.12.1847)

119 Ja[me]s Ryrie 30.2.1883, w[ife] Eliz[abeth] Forgie 12.4.1874 [age] 74

120 Ja[me]s Russell, w[ife] Janet Brownlee, s[on] Ja[me]s 2.11.1854 [age] 26

121 By Geo[rge] Broom to Cath[erine] Sime 5.3.1848 [age] 54

122 David Inglis 10.5.1862 [age] 87, w[ife] Janet Scott 5.8.1849; (on top) 1860

123 Ja[me]s Batholomew 22.6.1849 [age] 44, w[ife] Ann Brown 3.7.1890 [age]89, s[on] Bland 18.2.1859 [age] 29, by s[on]s John, Ja[me]s & Peter

124 W[illia]m Robertson sen[ior] 7.3.1869 [age] 73, w[ife] Isabella Wilson 5.2.1862 [age] 66, s[on] Walter 27.7.1862 [age]35, s[on] W[illia]m 24.4.1873 [age] 37; Mary R[obertson] [age] 8 m[onths]; W[illia]m R[orertson] 1831 [age] 13

125 by Ja[me]s Black of Hillend to Agnes Bartholomew 26.1.1838 [age] 2 y[ears] 18d[ays] (da[ughter] of Alex[ander] Bartholomew & Jean Shanks)

126 (ob) Alex[ander] Bartholomew .12.1849 [age] 74, w[ife] Marg[are]t Dunn 19.7.1854 [age] 70, da[ughter] Eliz[abeth] 29.1.1865 [age] 59 (w[ife] of Ja[me]s Baird 2.7.1865 [age] 63) by family of Ja[me]s Baird

127 JM; Ja[me]s Monteith & Elizebeath Sawyers; (on top) 1795

128 (small) AW SS

129 By Geo[rge] Veitch, w[ife] Agnes Alexander 21.4.1846 [age] 36, s[on] Alex[ander] 28.10.1850 [age]19, s[on] David inf[ant], da[ughter] Alexandrina inf[ant], mo[ther] in law Janet Pollock 27.2.1847 [age] 71

130 W[illia]m Scott & AR (small)

131 And[rew] Marshall 18.7.1843 [age] 23

132 by W[illia]m Anderson, w[ife] Janet Black 12.2.1861 [age] 44, ch[ildre]n Matthew 17.6.1852 [age] 11, Marg[are]t 28.11.1852 [age] 3; (on top) 1846

133 Mattew Anderson sen[ior] & Eliz[abeth] Ferguson; (on top) 1851

134 (next north wall) by W[illia]m Anderson, w[ife] Marg[are]t Hardie 31.1.1877 [age] 69

135 (small) TS MS

136 Ann Smith 13.5.1846 [age] 73, by s[on]s Tho[ma]s and John Smellie

137 (small) JL MD

Notes

Fasti iv 221 & viii 46, Muiravonside, or Manuel – ministers from 1591.

Small I 695, Avonbridge – ministers 1804 to 1899.

Ewing – nil.

Church records in Scottish Record Office (CH 2 or 3) – nil.

Heritor’s records in Scottish Record Office - HR 122, Muiravonside – minutes 1835 – 1931; accounts 1882 – 1931; correspondence 1881 – 1929; ecclesiastical buildings 1894 –1915; tranfer of property 1927-30; plans RHP 7229-7230.

Old Parochial Registers with the Registrar General – 486 Muiravonside – births 1689-1854 (after p for 1819, one page of entries of ch[ildre]n of seceeders, 1761-62); marriages 1692-1854; deaths 1783-97 (only one from 1795 to 1797), 1850-51 (12 only).

Ancient Monuments – p 154, Muiravonside Churchyard, has inscription 54, q.v. p 142 ante; see also next page. No. 421 Gilmeadowland Farm (arms) TL EN (for Tho[ma]s Livingston of Almond & Eliz[abeth] Nicoll, married before 1852); ii p 353, no. 316 at Muiravonside House – 1604 IR MG on a panel; the early 17^th century lands of uiravonside belonged to Lord Ross (Scots Peerage viii 253) and “IR” is perhaps for a member of this family.

Mason’s insignia – the three castles of the mason’s insignia with square & compasses etc,. appears in inscriptions 14,74 and 108. “ English Churchyard memorials” by Frederick Burgess, 1963 p 240 has – generic emblems of stonemasons, three castles charged between a chevron charged with an open pair of comasses (square; level; chisels; “drags” used to comb or mark the surface of stone; “lewis” to grip ashlar when being hoisted.)

Testaments; the name of this parish appears variously as Muiravonside, Morrowingside, Morrownsyde,Morrounsyde, Morronsyde and Morrouringside.

The following is a selection of the names of persons –

Alex Baird in Quarellhead mason Maddingstone

John Haird mason Quarellhead 1753 (see 108 above)

Marcus Baird in Nether Gillandersland 1638

Marcus Baird in Gillandersland – see Janet Kerse

Alex Bryce flescher Madistone 1704

Alex Bryce portioner Madestone 1716

Archd Bryce in Hillhead & w Margt Mairshall 1685

Archd Bryce in Easter Hillhead 1744

Magt Bryce w of John Dick in Hill of Madistoun 1666

Robt Dick in Hillside of Morringsyde, wid Magt Storrie 1632

Mr. Andrew Bennet minister here 1721

Jas Broun smith Cromerland 1637

Kath Broun w of John Williamson collier Muddistoun 1663

Robt Broun smith Bowhouse

Agnes Dick, w of Alex Mairshell in Craigend 1664

David Dick in Sykehead of Canday 1666

Jas Dick in Candihead & w Marjory Calder 1675

John Dick of Banckhead 1637

Robt Dick in Madistoune 1637

Wm Dick of Bankhead 1686, & his w Janet Forrest 1642

Helen Fleck w of Wm Duncan in Flockshill 1669

Alex Grintoun flescher Compstoun portioner Muirsyde 1720

Janet Grintoun w of Wm Learmond in Hemishoill 1642

John Grintoun of Hungrihall 1640

Robt Grintoun portioner Comstoune 1630

John in Muirsyde, w Margt Robertson 1663

Jeilles Grintoun w of Robt Broun smith Muirsyde

John Fisher of Thatchridge & w Mary Watt 1753

Robt Fisher miller 1663

Archd Glen portioner of Gilandersland 1700

John Glen. W Janet Broun 1663

Robt Glen of Glenspleace 1667

Wm Glen of Glengoshland 1623

Janet Hamilton w of Wm Shaw in Ballenbreich 1665

Janet Hart w of Robt Rob at Mylne of Bambreiche 1611

Isobel Hart w of Robt Binnie in Whyttrige 1667

Wm Hendrie in Manowall-rigg 1698 & w Janet Ross 1668

Wm Hendrie sometime in Manualrige & last in Drum, parish Falkirk 1701

Jas Houston & w Agnes Paterson 1663

Patk Houston in Myrehead 1616, & wid Marion Young 1618

Alex Ingram wobster Courthill 1633

Alex Ingram in Almond 1688

John Ingrm s of deceased Alex in Court-hills 1666

Janet Kerse w of Marcus Baird in Gillandirsland 1617

Wm Kerse in Gillandersland 1617

David Robertson in Windzieyet ,w Janet Hardie 1663

Eliz Robertson da of deceased John R. in Thummerthill 1741

John Robertson in Windiegate * w janet Shaw 1684

John Ross in Hemishoill 1531

Jas Taylor of Woodside 1748

Jean Taylor wid of Alex Miller portioner Cockshill 1752

John Taylor in Hillhead 1707

Peter Taylor in Myrehead 1677.

War Memorial

The War Memorial and inscriptions pertaining to Maddiston and Rumford.

Cairneymount Church

£2000 and a parcel of land (part of which was occupied by a small row of houses called Cairneymount) was bequeathed to the Heritors of Muiravonside Parish by John G Urquart of Vellore in 1902, for the building of a church on the hill above Maddiston. Mr. Urquart felt that Muiravonside Kirk was too far for the people of Maddiston to travel; the church was finished in 1904.

The architect was Mr. J.D. Strang of Falkirk.

A memorial stone was laid by the Rev. John Mc Murtie D.D, Moderator of the General Assembly and in the cavity behind the stone were placed; some coins of the realm, a record of the bequest and the building of the church, copies of the Scotsman, Falkirk Herald, Peoples Journal and the Magazine Life and Work for July 1904.

Cairneymount was a busy church in the thirties, the evening service was held here every Sunday at six o'clock, the people being called to worship by the bell rung by Jim Bryce.

The Sunday school was held here between three and four o'clock.

On the day before the school holidays the children came up the hill for the school service.

In 1973 the church was much altered and became a church hall as well as a church, in 1980 a small hall and toilets were added at the back.

David Leask's Maddiston Pages

Maddiston & Rumford, the way it was.

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