Please also visit the page of general information applicable to all of Angus & Kincardineshire.
Abbreviations
| NLS | National Library of Scotland |
|---|---|
| NRS | National Records of Scotland, formerly called the National Archives of Scotland [NAS] and, before that, the Scottish Record Office [SRO] HM General Register House, Edinburgh EH1 3YY (Tel: +44-131-535-1314) |
| OPR | Old Parish Registers of Births/baptisms, Banns/marriages & Deaths/burials (pre-1855) |
- See also, for history of the parish:
- The Statistical accounts of Benholm
- General histories listed on the page for Books about Angus & Kincardineshire
Statistical accounts of Benholm
Images of the original printing of the Old and New Statistical Accounts, with articles on each parish written in most cases by the parish minister:
- Old Statistical Account of the 1790s - vol. 15, p. 217
- New Statistical Account of the 1840s - vol. 11, p. 51
- 1:25000 Ordnance Survey map - published 1957 (southern part of the parish, including Johnshaven)
- 1:10560 (Six inch) Ordnance Survey map - surveyed 1864, published 1868 (part of the parish)
For the full range of maps of Benholm, see National Library's Maps.
See Geograph.org: Johnshaven - recent photographs of Johnshaven. National Grid ref. NO7967.
Located at National Grid ref. NO805693. Built early 19th C. No longer in use, but open to visitors.
Above: Benholm Kirk
St John's Chapel of Ease, Johnshaven
A gift of Hercules Scott of Brotherton in 1851. Destroyed by fire on 18 Mar 2011. See St John's Chapel of Ease, Johnshaven and also Johnshaven "Chaplie" destroyed and a photo taken in 2009. The chapel is now [Aug 2013] being re-roofed.
adm.: admitted, ass.: assistant, bapt.: baptised, contr.: contract, dem.: demitted, dep.: deposed, ind.: inducted, lic.: licensed, mar.: married, min.: minister, ord.: ordained, pres.: presented, rel.: related, res.: resigned, suc.: successor, test.: testament, tr.: translated
| William Elder | 1563 | reader; called vicar 15 Apr 1568 and reader 1573 |
| John Gudefallo (John Goodfellow) | 1563-1572? | canon, St Andrews Priory; min. in 1563; also had St Cyrus in his charge; d. bef. May 1572 |
| James Thornton [John?] | 1566 | parson |
| Alexander Allardice | 1572-1572 | adm. May 1572; moved to St Cyrus 1572 |
| William Douglas of Glenbervie | 1577 | pres. to parsonage and vicarage 27 Dec 1577 on death of John Thornton |
| William Morrison | 1577-1587 | M.A.; pres. 24 Feb 1577-8 on death of John Thornton; d. 19 Nov 1587; mar. a dau. of James Melvill of Dysart; issue: Isobel |
| John Erskine | 1587 | M.A.; pres. to vicarage 20 Nov 1587 on death of Morrison |
| Alexander Keith | 1588-1594 | min. of Garvock 1568; also min. of Kinneff, Catterline, Bervie, Arbuthnott; tr. to Dunnottar 1579; tr. & adm. 1588; slain 5 Jun 1594; mar. (1) Agnes Wishart, (2) Isabel Lundy who survived him; issue: Geo., Robt, Alexr, Wm, Isabel, Christian |
| James Sibbald of Kair & Mondynes | 1595-1649 | 2nd son of David Sibbald of Kair; regent Kings Aberdeen; d. bef. 16 Mar 1649; mar. Isabel Gordon; issue: Donald; James, probably min. of Torryburn; Robt; John; dau. (mar. Robt Douglas); Jean (mar. James Melvill, min. here); dau. (mar. James Pedie) |
| James Melvill | 1648-1684 | M.A. Kings Aberdeen 1636; licentiate 1641 Brechin; adm. bef. 26 Apr 1648; d. Apr 1684 aged ca. 68; mar. (1) Jean Sibbald, dau. of above James S., (2) Isobel, dau. of Alexander Straton of that ilk, widow of Arthur Straton of Snadoun |
| Alexander Mylne | 1684-1709 | b. ca. 1646 Montrose; M.A. Kings Aberdeen 1667; min. of 2nd charge Montrose 1672; adm. 23 Jul 1684; d. Dec 1709; mar. Janet Miln; issue: Robt, John, Alexr, Janet |
| William Trail | 1710-1743 | b. 13 Oct 1683 nr Lifford, Ireland, 2nd son of Wm Trail, min. of Borthwick MLN; M.A. Edinburgh 1701; ord. (to be min. of this parish) 6 Dec 1710 in old tower of Brechin; d. early 1743; mar. (1) Isobel, dau. of John Haldane of Myrton, (2) Marion, dau. of Alexander Hamilton of Kinkell; issue: William, min. of St Monans FIF; Robert, D.D., professor, Glasgow |
| Andrew Skene | 1715 | intruded here, conducted episcopal services at Brotherston |
| William Bell | 1744-1748 | ord. Jan 1744; tr. to Arbroath 1 Dec 1748 |
| Robert Young | 1749-1788 | b. ca. 1716, 2nd son of Robert Young, min of Inverarity; ord. 23 Feb 1749; d. 27 Sep 1788; mar. 1750 Christina Campbell; issue: Robt, David, John |
| James Scott | 1788-1825 | M.A. Kings Aberdeen 1781; ord. (ass. & suc.) 3 Dec 1788; d. 7 Aug 1825; mar. 1790 Isobel, dau. of Henry Ogilvie, min. of Lunan; issue: Margaret; Amelia (mar. Andrew Brown); Hercaules, LL.D., professor, Kings Aberdeen; Robert Ogilvy; John, physician; Ann (mar. John Glegg, min. of Bervie); Helen (mar. Prof. Dr Samuel Trail, Kings Aberdeen) |
| James Glen | 1826-1843 | b. 21 Jan 1792, son of Wm G., farmer, Lochwinnoch; bro. of Andrew Glen, Free Kirk min, Glenbervie; M.A. 1809 Edinburgh; ord. 23 Mar 1826; joined Free Kirk 1843; min. of Free Kirk, Benholm 1843-66; d. 11 Dec 1866; mar. 1833 Janet, dau. of William Boyd, min. of Fenwick; issue: Eliz., Ann Elliot, Wm, Margt |
| Alexander Smart Myers | 1843-1884 | b. 1812 Hillside, Montrose, son of John M., merchant; M.A. Kings Aberdeen 1834; ord. 21 Sep 1843; d. 10 Feb 1884; mar. Elizabeth, 2nd dau. of James Drummond, min. of Glenbervie; issue: Helen Forrest, Jane, Eliza, Diana Couper, Jemima Drummond |
| John Nicoll | 1884-1924 | b. 1858, son of John Nicoll; M.A. 1879 B.D. 1882 Edinburgh; ass. Inverness High School; ord. 5 Aug 1884; d. 10 Feb 1924 Edinburgh; mar. 1885 Frances Ann, yst dau. of col. John Patrick Stuart, Inverness; issue: Gertrude Stuart; Francis John, lieut., HLI |
| George Murray Davidson Short | 1919-1922 | b. 1890 Beith AYR, son of John S.; M.A. Glasgow 1912; ass. Cambuslang; ord. 1916 Alexandria, Egypt; adm. (ass. & suc.) 12 Nov 1919; tr. to Barrhead 1922; dem. there on being appointed Indian chaplain 17 Nov 1924; mar. 1919 Janet Anderson, dau. of John Thomson; issue |
| John Barclay Davie | 1923-1927 | b. 1891 Aberdeen, son of Andrew D., merchant; M.A. Aberdeen 1912; ass. West Church Aberdeen, Grange Edinburgh, West Church Greenock; ord. (ass. & suc.) 1 Feb 1923; tr. to Kerse, Grangemouth 18 May 1927; tr. to St Nicholas Leith 1935; tr. to Coldingham BEW 1942; mar. 2 Jun 1923 |
| George Arthur Everett Walker | 1927-1947 | tr. from Corgarff 7 Sep 1927; dem. 6 Jul 1947; mar. (1) Edith Donaldson; (2) Annie Webster Japp Henderson |
Ministers of Braehead Free Kirk, later West U.F. Kirk, Benholm
| James Glen | 1843-1866 | see above list of parish ministers |
| James Roger | ?-1871-1901-? | b. ca. 1839 Edinburgh; d. 1906; min. here for 35 years; mar. 1868 Ann Peter Winton; issue: Jane Winton Meldrum; Annie Winton; Janet Meldrum; David; Isabella; Margaret; James |
Ministers of Johnshaven United Presbyterian Church
| John McNab | ?-1861-1889 | b. ca. 1824 Alyth; d. 12 Apr 1889 Johnshaven; mar. Ann Laws; issue: Eliz. Ann |
Monuments in Benholm Kirkyard bearing pre-1855 information (ca. 100 stones) are listed in Alison Mitchell (ed.), "Pre-1855 Monumental Inscriptions in Kincardineshire" (Edinburgh: Scottish Genealogy Soc., 1999), which can be bought from the Scottish Genealogy Society. (It's listed as "Kincardineshire MI - The Mearns" in their online shop.)
There is a plan of the kirkyard, dated 1892, in the kirk.
See also Benholm Churchyard.
Above: part of the monument to Dame Mary Keith in Benholm Kirk. She died on 14 Oct 1620, in her 5th year, the daughter of George Keith, 4th (NOT 5th) earl Marischal, lord Keith & Altrie (who died in 1623) and his second wife, Dame Margaret Ogilvy. A further part of the monument is in the kirkyard. See Davidson for a full description of both parts of the monument.
Photo of the war memorial at Johnshaven.
See Scottish War Memorials Project: Benholm (Johnshaven) for more photographs and details.
Births, Marriages & Deaths, 1855 to present
Indexes and actual records for Statutory Registers of Births, Marriages & Deaths, beginning 1 Jan 1855, are available online, following registration and the purchase of credits, at the official web-site, ScotlandsPeople.
Births, Marriages & Deaths, before 1855
Indexes and actual records for all extant Old Parish Registers (OPRs) (pre-1855) of the Established Church of Scotland are available online, following registration and the purchase of credits, at the official web-site, ScotlandsPeople.
Burial records for Benholm and for Johnshaven are held by the Registrar in Stonehaven. See Kincardine and Mearns Burial Grounds.
Church Session Records of Benholm Parish Church
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH2/33/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1711-1755 | 1 |
| do | 1756-1832 | 2 |
| Session register | 1761-1782 | 3 |
| Cash book | 1810-1858 | 4 |
| Minutes & book of discipline | 1833-1925 | 5 |
| Proclamations | 1855-1947 | 6 |
| Baptisms | 1883-1947 | 7 |
| Communion roll | 1870-1875 | 8 |
| A receipt | 1925 | 9 |
| Poor fund book | 1782-1809 | 10 |
| Poor fund of parish of Johnshaven | 1806-1808 | 11 |
| Communion roll | 1884-1895 | 12 |
| Minute re food shortage | 1796 | 13 |
| Letter re church discipline | 1844 | 13 |
| Property inspection report | 2000 | 14 |
| Misc. papers re church closure | 2004-2006 | 15 |
Church Session Records of Benholm Free Church
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH3/1556/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1843-1902 | 1 |
| Deacons' Court minutes | 1843-1867 | 2 |
| do | 1869-1903 | 3 |
Church Session Records of Johnshaven Original Secession Church
later United Associate Congregation; Johnshaven United Presbyterian; St John's United Free;
Johnshaven United Free; Johnshaven Ch. of S.
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH3/1553/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes (Associate Session) | 1769-1817 | 1 |
| do | 1821-1846 | 2 |
| do (U.P.) | 1846-1896 | 3 |
| do (U.P.) | 1897-1903 | 4 |
| do (Ch. of S.) | 1930-1947 | 5 |
| Managers'/Congregational Board minutes (U.F.) | 1903-1915 | 6 |
| Congregational meeting minutes (U.P.) | 1889-1902 | 7 |
| Congregational board minutes (U.F.) | 1915-1946 | 8 |
There were 3 proprietors of land in the parish in 1837:
- James Scott of Brotherton
- Mrs R. Scott of Benholm
- James Fitzmaurice Scott of Knox
Records of the Scotts of Benholm (and Hedderwick, Montrose), 1189-1905 - NRS ref. GD4
The following records are some of those held by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives:
| Nature of record | Dates | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Benholm School: Log Book | 1873 - 1920 | ED/KC5/103/1/1 |
| do | 1920 - 1968 | ED/KC5/103/1/2 |
| Benholm School: Admission Register | 1873 - 1888 | ED/KC5/103/2/1 |
| do | 1888 - 1910 | ED/KC5/103/2/2 |
| do | 1910 - 1933 | ED/KC5/103/2/3 |
| do | 1933 - 1954 | ED/KC5/103/2/4 |
| do | 1955 - 1968 | ED/KC5/103/2/5 |
| Johnshaven School: Log Books | 1873 - 1944 | ED/GR6S/K23/1 |
| Johnshaven School: Admission Registers | 1887 - 1951 | ED/GR6S/K23/2 |
Records of the official censuses of the parish in 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1921 are held in Register House, Edinburgh and are open to the public on payment of a fee.
Indexes to all the original census records, and the records themselves, can be accessed online at modest charge at ScotlandsPeople.
Microfilm copies are also widely available in libraries. The 1881 census is available on CD-ROM.
The early censuses of 1801-31 do not name individuals.
| Year | male | female | total | ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1755 | 1367 | Dr Alexander Webster | ||
| 1793 | 1557 (538, 1019)* | Old Statistical Account | ||
| 1801 | ||||
| 1811 | ||||
| 1821 | 619 | 787 | 1406 | |
| 1831 | 1484 (457, 1027)* | |||
| 1841 | ||||
| 1851 | ||||
| 1871 | 738 | 831 | 1569 | |
| 1881 | 747 | 780 | 1527 | |
| 1891 | 754 | 798 | 1552 | |
| 1901 | 678 | 748 | 1426 | |
| 1911 | 600 | 676 | 1276 | |
| 1921 | 563 | 607 | 1170 |
* the first number in brackets is for the landward area, the second number for Johnshaven
Benholm was in the Commissariot of St Andrews.
Indexes to all extant pre-1926 testamentary records (wills & inventories of moveable property) can be searched free of charge at ScotlandsPeople. Digital (and paper) copies of the documents can be purchased at that site. See further the introduction to Angus & Kincardineshire at Testaments.
Testaments of Benholm people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of St Andrews, 1549-1823
| Isobel Adam | grandchild to John Adam, in the par. of Benholm (see Robert Adam) | 22 Jun 1757 |
| Robert Adam | son to John Adam, in the par. of Benholm, and sailor on board the "Leopard" man-of-war, Lord Colvill, commander, and Isobel Adam, grandchild to the said John Adam, par. of Garvock | 22 Jun 1757 |
| Robert Anderson | travelling chapman in Kincardineshire, lawful son to Robert Anderson, at the Burn of Benholm, par. of Benholm | 22 Mar 1753 |
| Mary Baird | in Johnshaven | 26 Oct 1815 |
| David Beattie | late tenant in Johnshaven, par. of Benholm | 1 Oct 1754 |
| Patrick Beattie | in Stain of Benholme, par. of Benholme | 5 May 1617 |
| George Charles | in Hairmure, par. of Benholm | 26 Jul 1686 |
| John Clerk | in Benholme | 4 Apr 1626 |
| David Cloudsley | farmer at Moathill of Benholm | 13 & 20 May 1822 |
| Jean Duncan | lawful daughter of the deceased Robert Duncan, sometime tenant at Miln of Craigie, par. of Benholm | 2 May 1753 |
| Gelis Garvie | spouse to David Andrew, at the Kirk of Benholm | 5 May 1617 |
| Alexander Hog | gardener at Benholm | 24 Jun 1719 |
| George Largie | shipmaster in Johnshaven, par. of Benholm | 8 Mar 1776 |
| John Largie | skipper in Johnshaven, par. of Benholm | 21 Feb 1750 |
| William Law | fisher in Johnshaven, par. of Benholm | 1 Jun 1748 |
| Andrew Lundie | in Knokie of Benholme, par. of Benholme | 8 Jul 1635 |
| David Mearns | mariner in Johnshaven | 25 Apr 1820 |
| Mr James Melville | late parson at Benholm | 26 Jul 1686 |
| James Mylne | in Nether Benholme, par. of Benholm | 18 Mar 1689 |
| Margaret Napier | spouse to George Burnet, at the Kirk of Benholm | 28 Oct 1674 |
| Hercules Scott of Brothertoun | par. of Benholm | 12 Mar 1690 |
| Hercules Scott of Brotherton | par. of Benholm | 5 May 1747 |
| Robert Scott of Benholm | par. of Benholm | 3 Jul 1772 |
| Bessie Smith | spouse to William Cant, in Stone of Benholme | 31 May 1686 |
| Catherine Smith | spouse to Andrew Robertson, alias Soutter, in Forgie, par. of Benholm | 23 Aug 1620 |
| Elizabeth Straton | residenter in Johnshaven, relict of Alexander Simpson | 22 & 23 May 1815 |
| John Taylor | in Arbirnie, par. of Benholm | 2 Apr 1628 |
| Barbara Thomson | spouse to Thomas Mill, in Knox, par. of Benholm | 13 Oct 1683 |
| George Thomson | in Hairmuir of Benholm | 30 Aug 1648 |
| Andrew Wallace | in Tulloch of Benholme, par. of Benholm | 25 Aug 1614 |
Testaments registered at St Andrews that have been lost, for which only entries in the minute books are extant.
| Alexander Camle | in Joneshaven, par. of Benholm | 21 Aug 1728 |
| James Dickie | shipmaster in Joneshaven, par. of Benholm | 27 Jul 1726 |
| David Law | in Temple of Benholm | 10 Jul 1734 |
| Robert Scott of Benholm | 28 Apr 1742 | |
| Mr William Traill | minister at Benholm | 22 Feb 1744 |
| William Welsh | at Burnhead of Benholm | 8 Jun 1733 |
Testaments of Benholm people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Brechin, 1576-1800
'T' before the date indicates that the copy in the register is lost, but the original testament is extant.
| Robert Burnet | in Staine of Benholme, and Elspet Barclay, his spouse | T. 7 Apr 1658 |
| Elspeth Straton | relict of Robert Wallace, sometime at the Kirk of Benholm, indweller in Montrose | T. 31 Aug 1646 |
| Anna Symmer | spouse to Patrick Livingstone of Benholme | 12 Nov 1656 |
| Barbara Tulloch | spouse to David Watt, at the Kirk of Benholm | 30 Sep 1657 |
Testaments of Benholm people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1514-1600
| Jonet Allardice | sometime spouse to Thomas Wallace, in the Tullo of Benholme in the Mearns | 6 Mar 1588-9 |
| Helen Barclay | sometime spouse to Robert Falconer, of Ballandro, par. of Benholme, sher. of Kincardine | 5 Jan 1600 |
| Elspeth Carnegie | sometime spouse to Alexander Eldar, in Stane of Benholme, sher. of Kincardine | 11 Aug 1597 |
| Alexander Elder | in Stane of Benholme in the Mearns | 17 Dec 1576 |
| Christiane Elder | sometime spouse to Adam Young, in Muretoun of Brethirtoun, par. of Benholme, sher. of Kincardine | 14 Jan 1600 |
| Katherine Elder | relict of Gilbert Young, in the Stane of Benholme | 26 Feb 1576-7 |
| Marjorie Elder | pupil, lawful daughter to Alexander Eldar, in Stane of Benholme in the Mearns | 11 Jul 1597 |
| William Elder | in Stane of Benholme | 27 Mar 1577 |
| Isobel Guthrie | last spouse to Robert Falconer, of Ballandro, par. of Benholme, sher. of Kincardine | 5 Jan 1600 |
| Christiane Jellie | spouse to umquhile Alexander Eldar, in the Stane of Benholme in the Mearns | 17 Dec 1576 |
| Alexander Keith | parson and minister at Benholme in the Mearns | 16 Jun 1598 |
| Isobel Leiper | sometime spouse to Robert Young, in Bervie, par. of Benholme, sher. of Kincardine | 27 Jan 1595-6 |
| Isobel Lindsay | sometime spouse to Andro Stratoun, in Arbirney, par. of Benholme, in the Mearns | 19 Nov 1590 |
| Andro Lundie | in Nether-Knokis of Benholme in the Mearns | 29 Aug 1590 |
| Marjorie Lundie | sometime spouse to Alexander Eldar, in Stane of Benholme in the Mearns | 9 Jul 1597 |
| William Lundie | at the Mylne of Benholme | 14 Jun 1565 |
| Isobel Morison | only lawful bairn of umquhile Mr William Morison, minister and parson of Benholme in the Mearns | 20 Nov 1589 |
| Mr William Morison | minister and parson of Benholme in the Mearns | 8 Aug 1588 |
| David Purves | in Johnshavin, par. of Benholme in the Mearns | 21 Oct 1588 |
| Andro Ramsay | in Ardbirney, par. of Benholme in the Mearns | 27 Nov 1588 |
| William Wallace | in the Kirktoun of Benholme in the Mearns | 4 Jan 1588-9 |
| Alexander Young | in Muretoun of Benholme | 27 Mar 1577 |
| Gilbert Young | in the Stane of Benholme in the Mearns | 26 Feb 1576-7 |
| John Young | in the Stane of Benholme in the Mearns | 22 Nov 1591 |
| Margaret Young | sometime spouse to Paul Young, in Stane of Benholme in the Mearns | 29 Jul 1588 |
Testaments of Benholm people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1601-1700
| Stevin Cowie | in Coittoun in Inchemedden, par. of Benholme, in the Mearns | 16 Feb 1609 |
| Elspeth Falconer | relict of Robert Falconer, of Ballandrow, par. of Benholme, in the Mearns | 30 Mar 1603 |
| Isobel Keith | sometime spouse to John Young, in Benholme, in the Mearns | 3 Mar 1606 |
Jacobite rebels - 1745 rebellion
From: A List of Persons concerned in the Rebellion (Edinburgh, Scottish History Soc., vol. 8, 1890)
| Names | Designations | Abode | Acts of rebellion & circumstances | Where at present |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Anderson | - | Johnshaven | ||
| William Anderson | - | do | ||
| David Bumoss [Burness?] | - | do | ||
| Robert Crookshanks | - | do | ||
| James Gray | - | Temple | ||
| John Mitchell | came from Fetterneer in Aberdeenshire | Johnshaven | ||
| Robert Mitchell | brewer & malster | do | ||
| William Robertson alias Bickers | - | do | ||
| William Wisehart | residing in | do |
Images of the original records for Benholm:
Images of the original records for Benholm: