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the Troqueer Kirk Session database >>>
This project to create an index-cum-synopsis of the contents of the Troqueer
Kirk Session Minutes has been undertaken by Ian Anderson, one of the Friends of
the Archives of Dumfries and Galloway. The period covered is 1698 to 1771.
The Kirk Session was made up of the minister and elders of the Presbyterian
Church - the established church of Scotland - and its task was to maintain
Christian standards of behaviour within the parish. In fact, virtually all
aspects of the life of the community fell within its remit so these records
form a rich source for social, economic and local history as well as a goldmine
for genealogists.
Charitable works and the promotion of a virtuous life were the main concerns of
the kirk session. It oversaw the care of the poor, maintaining the parish
mortifications (charitable benefactions) and licensing beggars. With regard to
morality, it hunted out those suspected of fornication or adultery, those
irregularly married (ie without the banns having been called in their own
parish churches), swearers, blasphemers, slanderers, drunkards and those guilty
of prophaning the Sabbath, punishing them with fines and public penitence .
The parish of Troqueer lies on what was formerly the Kirkcudbrightshire side of
the river Nith, directly opposite the burgh of Dumfries which, of course, was
on the Dumfriesshire side. In 1810, the community around Troqueer parish church
was created into a separate burgh with its own council and court. The burgh of
Maxwelltown survived until 1929 when it was formally joined to the burgh of
Dumfries under a single administration.
NOTE:
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The date given for an entry is that of its first mention. If the subject
referred to was discussed by the kirk session on subsequent days, these
additional dates are not given but the page numbers of all the relevant pages
in the volume are listed instead.
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These records belong to the Church of Scotland and we hold them under Charge
and Superintence from the Keeper of the Records of Scotland (acting on behalf
of the Church). The reference numbers of the volumes are those allocated by the
National Archives of Scotland.
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