The parishes of Kilmoir and Buttergill (or Buthergill) were united with Brechin by 1574. The parish of Careston was disjoined from the parish of Brechin in 1641.
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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 Brechin
- General histories listed on the page for Books about Angus & Kincardineshire, in particular Warden, vol. 3, pp. 1-44.
- A family tree for the Carnegies of Cookston.
David Dakers Black - The History of Brechin (Brechin: Alex. Black, 1839) [Black was Town Clerk of Brechin] - 2nd edn is here
Patrick Chalmers of Aldbar & Cosmo Innes (eds) - Registrum Episcopatus Brechinensis (2 vols, Aberdeen: Bannatyne Club, 1856) [The Register of the Diocese of Brechin. Vol. 1 is the Register, vol. 2 is an Appendix of Original Charters]
Walter Coutts - Historical Guide: Brechin and Neighbourhood (Brechin: Black & Johnston, 1889) - here
David Herschell Edwards - Around the Ancient City: Six Circular Tours in Angus and Mearns (2nd edn, Brechin: D. H. Edwards, 1904) - here
Thomas Guthrie; David Kelly Guthrie & Charles John Guthrie - Autobiography of Thomas Guthrie, D.D. and Memoir by his Sons (2 vols, London; vol. 1: W. Isbister, vol. 2: Daldy, Isbister & Co.; 1875) - vol. 2: Memoir
Andrew Jervise - The Inscriptions from the Burial-Grounds of Brechin and Magdalene Chapel (Brechin, 1864)
A Short Account of the Town of Brechin (Edinburgh: 1828)
Photo-books - old photographs of Brechin
- Fiona Scharlau - Old Brechin (Catrine: Stenlake, 2001)
Arms of Arbuthnott of Findowrie
Statistical accounts of Brechin
- Old Statistical Account of the 1790s - vol. 5, p. 457
- New Statistical Account of the 1840s - vol. 11, p. 129
John Wood - Plan of the City of Brechin (Edinburgh, 1822).
The Reform Act plan of Brechin of 1832.
1:500 Plan of the city of Brechin - surveyed 1852, published 1862
1:2500 (approx. 25-inch-to-a-mile) Ordnance Survey map - surveyed 1862, published 1865
1:10560 (Six-inch-to-a-mile) Ordnance Survey map - surveyed 1862-3, published 1865
1:25000 Ordnance Survey map - published 1957 (part of the parish)
Plan of the estate of Eskmount - 1842
For the full range of maps of Brechin, see National Library's Maps.
Copies of the old Ordnance Survey plan of Brechin, dated 1901 & reduced from 25 inches to the mile to about 15 inches to the mile, can be bought from Alan Godfrey Maps. These are not coloured maps.
See also ScotlandsPlaces: Brechin - recent & old photographs of Brechin; also maps, plans & other records.
Above: modern street map of the city of Brechin (© OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA)
Click on the map above to go to OpenStreetMap centred on Brechin
Geograph.org: Brechin - recent photographs of Brechin
Images of Brechin Cathedral and Round Tower
Aerial photos of Brechin & neighbourhood
ScotlandsPlaces: Brechin - recent & old photographs of Brechin; also maps, plans & other records.
Photographs of places and people
Brechin Cathedral is located at National Grid ref. NO596601, in the City & Royal Burgh of Brechin.
Above: Brechin Cathedral: the south-west corner
Further photos and details of Brechin Cathedral
Other churches
Above: the former Maisondieu Church, Witchden Rd, Brechin, built 1891 as replacement for the church in Maisondieu Lane
adm.: admitted, ass.: assistant, bapt.: baptised, consecr.: consecrated, 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
Ministers of the 1st charge 1560-1941
| Sir Robert Abercromby | 1561 | vicar of Buttergill 9 Oct 1561 |
| John Hepburn | 1562-1601 | thought apt & able to act as min. 20 Dec 1560; treasurer of Brechin 1561; appointed to preach in Moray 29 Dec 1562; had Panbride also in his charge 1567; had Auldbar, Farnell, Cuikston (Kinnaird), Buttergill and Kilmoir in charge 1574; had Cuikston (Kinnaird), Buttergill and Kilmoir in charge 1587; had gift of the Chaplaincy of St Leonard in Finavon (Oathlaw) 15 Jan 1587-8; still min. 1601 |
| John Hay | 1563 | reader |
| John Sharp | 1563 | reader |
| David Watt | 1566-1578/9 | vicar |
| Richard Finlayson | 1576 | reader 3 Jun 1576 |
| John Erskine | 1579 | pres. to vicarage 27 Feb 1578-9 on death of David Watt |
| Robert Kinneir | 1576-1608 | vicar 31 Jul 1576; pres. to vicarage, with manse & glebe 26 Nov 1579 on death of John Erskine; d. aft. 15 May 1608; issue: John |
| John Merschell | 1600-1607 | M.A. Edinburgh 1598; adm. bef. 7 Nov 1600; had gift of sub-deanery 13 Jan 1602; still min. 1607; d. bef. 16 Jul 1635; mar. Marjory Smith, who was still living 3 Nov 1659 |
| Alexander Bisset | 1608-1644 | M.A. Kings Aberdeen 1605; pres. to parsonage e& vicarage of Kilmoir 26 Aug 1611 and 10 Feb 1612; gave communion cup 1643; d. 29 Jan 1644, aged ca. 59; mar. (1) Jean Ogilvy; (2) Margaret Fullerton, who survived him; issue: Robert, Margaret |
| James Watt | 1623 | reader 29 Apr 1623 |
| William Rait | 1644-1661 | M.A.; tr. from Marykirk; adm. 3 Dec 1644; gave communion cup 1643; tr. to be principal of King's Coll., Aberdeen 1661; later min. of Dundee |
| David Strachan | 1662-1672 | tr. from Fettercairn; consecr. bishop here 7 May 1662 |
| John Dempster | 1665-1676 | M.A.; adm. (prob. ass. or chaplain to bishop) bef. 23 Mar 1665; tr. to Monifieth 16 Jan 1676 |
| Robert Laurie | 1672-1678 | M.A.; dean of Edinburgh; consecr. bishop here 14 Jul 1672; d. 1678 |
| Henry Lindsay | 1676-1682 | M.A.; appinted ass. or chaplain to bishop bef. 16 Feb 1676; tr. to Farnell bef. 15 Jan 1682 |
| George Haliburton | 1678-1682 | D.D.; tr. from Coupar Angus; consecr. bishop here 13 Jun 1678; tr. to bishopric of Aberdeen 15 Jul 1682 |
| Robert Douglas | 1682-1684 | M.A.; tr. from deanery of Glasgow; consecr. bishop here 25 Jul 1682; tr. to bishopric of Dunblane 10 Aug 1684 |
| Alexander Cairncross | 1684-1684 | tr. from Dumfries; consecr. bishop here 10 Aug 1684; tr. to archbishopric of Glasgow 18 Dec 1684 |
| James Drummond | 1684-1689 | tr. from Muthill PER; consecr. bishop here 25 Dec 1684; deprived at revolution |
| Laurence Skinner | 1689-1691 | eldest son of Laurence S., min. of Navar; M.A. St Andrews 1637; master of Brechin Grammar School May 1642; ord. to Navar 18 May 1648; tr. to 2nd charge here 24 May 1650; tr. & adm. 1689; d. Aug 1691, aged ca. 74; mar. Margaret, dau. of James Guthrie of Pitforthie; issue: John, min. of 2nd charge; Janet; Margaret (mar. James Guthrie, min. of Cambusnethan LKS); Anna; one of the dau. mar. John Kinnear of Bodders, burgess of Brechin |
| John Willison | 1703-1716 | ord. 3 Dec 1703; tr. to 2nd charge Dundee 6 Sep 1716 |
| Robert Gray | 1717-1738 | b. ca. 1685, son of Gilbert G., Elgin; ord. to Cabrach ABD 30 Jan 1711; tr. to Edzell 26 Aug 1714; tr. & adm. 8 May 1717; d. 12 Jul 1738; mar. Anne Swinton; issue: Alexander, surgeon, Sumatra; Robert, Edinburgh apprentice; and others |
| David Blair | 1738-1769 | b. 1701; M.A. St Andrews 1719; chaplain to Col. Patrick Ogilvie; ord. to Lochlee 10 Sep 1729; tr. to 2nd charge 6 Jun 1733; tr. & adm. 11 Oct 1738; d. 20 Apr 1769; mar. (1) 1730 Christian, dau. & heiress of John Doig of Cookston; issue: Christian; Magdalene; Isobell; Symmer; James; John, of Providence, Essequibo; Homer; Cumberland William; David, of Cookston; mar. (2) 1759 Ann, dau. of Charles Hope, bailie of Edinburgh; issue: Mary Murray |
| John Bisset | 1769-1797 | b. 1725, son of John. B., min. of 2nd charge Aberdeen; ord. to Culsalmond ABD 20 Nov 1751; tr. & adm. 9 Nov 1769; d. 9 Oct 1797; mar. 1759 Eliz., dau. of John Angus, min. of Culsalmond; issue: Ann; John, M.A., min. of St John's, New Brunswick 1792, prof. New York; Wm; Agnes; Keith [f.]; Jean |
| James Burns | 1798-1837 | b. 1774 Falkirk, son of John B., surveyor of customs, Bo'ness WLN; M.A. St Andrews 1793; ord. 4 Oct 1798; d. 2 Jan 1837; mar. 1802 Christina, dau. of James Chalmers, printer, Aberdeen; issue: John; Margaret; James Chalmers, D.D., min. of Free Kirk; Anne (mar. Thomas Guthrie, D.D., min. of Arbirlot, later of Free St John's Edinburgh); David, editor, "Brechin Advertiser"; Cath.; Walter Wm; Christina Eliz. |
| James McCosh | 1839-1843 | b. 1 Apr 1811, son of Andw McC., farmer, Straiton AYR; M.A. Edinburgh 1833; ord. to Abbey Ch., Arbroath 17 Dec 1835; tr. & adm. 24 Jan 1839; joined Free Kirk 1843; min. of Free Kirk, Brechin 1843-51; prof. of logic, Queen's, Belfast 14 Nov 1851; president of Princeton, N.J. 1868-88; LL.D. Aberdeen 1850 Harvard 1868; D.D. Brown 1868 Washington & Jefferson 1868; D.Litt. Queen's Ireland 1882; d. 16 Nov 1894 Princeton; mar. 1845 Isabella, dau. of Alexr Guthrie, surgeon, Brechin; issue: Mary Jane; Andw; Alexr Guthrie; Margaret Sarah; Andw James; see also this article |
| Nathaniel Morren | 1843-1847 | b. 3 Feb 1798 Aberdeen, son of Geo. M.; M.A. Marischal 1814; teacher near Fort George INV, later at Caen, France; ord. to N. Blackhall St, Greenock RFW 20 Jun 1823; tr. & adm. 28 Sep 1843; d. 28 Mar 1847; mar. 1825 Mary, dau. of Alexr Shand, advocate in Aberdeen |
| Andrew Halkett | 1847-1874 | b. 2 Nov 1810 Edinburgh, son of Samuel H., commission agent; ass. St George's Edinburgh; ord. to St Andrew's Ch., St John's, New Brunswick 7 Sep 1843; tr. & adm. 23 Sep 1847; d. 1 Sep 1874 St Andrews; mar. 1844 Frances Ann, dau. of Wm Taylor, New Brunswick; issue: James Brooke; Sarah Taylor; Wm; Andw; Frances Ann; Andw, naturalist, Canada; Ellen Eliza; Wm; Robt Moir; Chas Sam. |
| James Mackay | 1875-1891 | b. 20 Jan 1835 Tough ABD, son of Wm M.; ass. Aberdeen West; ord. to St Clement's Dundee 22 Dec 1864; tr, & adm. 26 Aug 1875; res. 5 Nov 1891; d. 17 May 1899 St Andrews; mar. 1869 Isabella, dau. of David Nicoll, mill-spinner, Dundee; issue: Helen Boyle; Wm; Alice; Robt Henry, min. of Boarhills FIF; Lizzie Herd; David Nicoll, attorney, Oregon; James; Harry; Caroline Luise (mar. James Leask, banker); Douglas Reay, R.N.A.S. |
| John Alexander Clark | 1892-1900 | b. 29 Aug 1859 Glasgow, son of Laurence C.; M.A. 1880 B.D. 1883 Glasgow; ass. Monigaff and St Enoch's Dundee; ord. to Coltness Memorial 23 Apr 1886; tr. & adm. 11 May 1892; d. 29 Oct 1900; mar. 1890 Margaret Eliza Anna, dau. of Peter McIntyre; issue: Elspeth Eadie; Nancy Stewart; Janet Mary; Barbara Macmillan; Dorothy Campbell; Edith Margaret |
| Walter William Coats | 1901-1941 | b. 18 Jun 1856 Glasgow, son of John Coats of Dykehead, M.D.; M.A. 1875 B.D. 1878 Glasgow; ass. Galashiels SEL and Barony LKS; ord. to Girthon KKD 1 Jul 1880; tr. & adm. 16 May 1901; D.D. Glasgow 1904; d. 21 Jun 1941; mar. 1888 Margaret Janet, dau. of Dundas Hamilton, Glasgow; issue: Margaret Jane; lieut. John Dundas Orr, B.A. (Oxon), 5th Black Watch |
Ministers of the 2nd charge 1631-1942
The 1st and 2nd charges were united 10 Feb 1942
| David Carnegie | 1631-1633 | adm. 1631; tr. to Farnell 1633 |
| William Marshall | 1633-1639 | M.A.; schoolmaster and min. here 1633; tr. to Saline FIF bef. 2 Apr 1639 |
| Robert Norrie | 1639-1642 | M.A.; schoolmaster and min. here 3 Oct 1639; tr. to Lethnot 1642 |
| Laurence Skinner | 1650-1689 | M.A.; tr. from Navar; adm. 24 May 1650; tr. to 1st charge 1689 |
| John Skinner | 1687-1697 | bapt. 27 Jan 1662, son of above; ord. 9 May 1685; ass. 1687; refused to take oath of allegiance & abandoned charge, which was declared vacant 1 Aug 1697; intruded 1700; dep. 14 Sep 1700 but continued to act as min.; prosecuted & imprisoned; d. ca. 1725 Edinburgh; mar. (1) Margaret Little; (2) Jean Guild; issue: Margaret |
| John Johnston | 1710-1732 | ord. 18 May 1710; d. 3 Nov 1732; mar. (1) Marjory Marshall; (2) Jean Dow |
| David Blair | 1733-1738 | M.A.; tr. from Lochlee; adm. 6 Jun 1733; tr. to 1st charge 11 Oct 1738 |
| William Shank(s) | 1740-1744 | bapt. 20 Jun 1714, son of Alexr S., min. of Drumoak ABD; M.A. Kings Aberdeen 1730; ord. 16 Jan 1740; d. 11 Apr 1744 |
| James Fordyce | 1745-1753 | ord. 28 Aug 1745; tr. to Alloa CLK 12 Oct 1753 |
| Thomas Mathison | 1754-1760 | writer in Edinburgh; lic. 1 Nov 1748; held appointment in N. England; ord. to Inverkeilor 27 Sep 1750; tr. & adm. 11 Jul 1754; d. 19 Jun 1760; mar. 1752 Margaret Whyte; issue: Anne; Margaret; Mary |
| Andrew Bruce | 1760-1801 | b. 1722, son of John B.; ord. (ass.) Pitsligo ABD 21 Sep 1757; ass. Montrose; adm. 13 Nov 1760; d. 23 Sep 1801; mar. 1757 Rebecca Forbes; issue: John, min. of Forfar; Rebecca; Margaret; Sophia; Isabell; Wm |
| Robert Coutts | 1798-1803 | b. 27 Aug 1771 Largo FIF, son of Ebenezer C., factor to David earl of Leven; ass. to prof. Vilant, St Andrews; ass. here; ord. (ass. & suc.) 27 Dec 1798; d. 18 Jun 1803 Forfar; mar. 1801 Janet, dau. of Robert McCulloch, D.D., min. of Dairsie FIF; issue: Ebenezer; Robina (mar. Dr James Spence, Cupar FIF) |
| George Whitson of Parkhill | 1804-1835 | b. 1775, bro. & co-heir of taillie of Alexr W. of P., Rattray PER; ord. 15 Mar 1804; d. 23 Nov 1835; mar. 1806 Mary, dau. of John Molison, provost of Brechin |
| Alexander Leith Ross Foote | 1834-1843 | b. 6 Feb 1805, son of Robt F., min. of Fettercairn; M.A. Marischal 1821; ord. (ass. & suc.) 18 Sep 1834; joined Free Kirk 1843; min. of West Free Kirk, Brechin 1843-78; D.D. Edinburgh 1870; d. 6 Sep 1878; mar. (1) 1835 Margaret, dau. of William Dingwall Fordyce, yr of Culsh; mar. (2) 1847 Jessie, dau. of Andrew Murray of Murrayshall; issue: Robt James; Alexr; Jessie; mar. (3) 1859 Alison Keir, dau. of Maj.-gen. John Cunningham of Newton of Huntingtower, H.E.I.C.S.; issue: Alice Marjory Cunningham (mar. [2, apparently] Augustus John William Henry Kennedy-Erskine, 19th of Dun); Archd |
| Alexander Gardner of Esbie | 1843-1893 | b. 8 Jul 1812, 3rd son of Matthew G., farmer, Cambusnethan LKS; M.A. Glasgow 1834; ass. Annan DFS, Lanark, Roberton LKS and here; ord. to Lethnot & Navar 12 Aug 1842; tr. & adm. 31 Aug 1843; d. 12 Apr 1893; mar. 1851 Jemima Marnie of Deuchar, yst dau. & heir portioner of James Marnie of Deuchar, Fern; issue: James Alexr, M.A., advocate |
| Adam Duncan Tait Hutchison | 1893-1942 | b. 20 May 1868 Kirkliston WLN, son of Robert Hutchison of Carlowrie; M.A. Edinburgh 1888; ass. Aberdeen West and Barony LKS; ord. 15 Nov 1893; dem. 10 Feb 1942; d. 8 Jan 1949; mar. 1895 Margaret, dau. of Andrew Menzies of Balornock, LKS; issue: Maj. Cecil Tait, M.C., R.F.A.; Lowrie Menzies |
Ministers of the united charge 1942-1985
| James Anderson | 1942-1964 | |
| Peter M. Gordon | 1965-1985 |
Other ministers of the established church
Ministers of Brechin East quoad sacra
A chapel was built on the east side of City Road in 1836; the East Parish was disjoined from Brechin on 6 Jul 1874
| Mungo Fairlie Parker | 1837-1843 | b. 1807, 2nd son of John P. merchant, Kilmarnock AYR; ord. 24 Aug 1837; joined Free Kirk 1843; min. of East Free Kirk, Brechin 1843-51; retired to Ruthrieston, Aberdeen, where he carried on a mission; d. 1 Apr 1867 |
| Daniel McLean | 1859-1862 | ord. 18 Aug 1859; res. on appointment to presb. church, St Vincent, West Indies 16 Feb 1862 |
| John Cumming Grant | 1862-1864 | b. ca. 1830, son of Robt G., ground officer, Duthil; M.A. Marischal 1854; schoolmaster Daviot ABD 1854 and Meldrum; ord. 18 Sep 1862; d. 19 Jul 1864 |
| John Young Scott | 1867-1871 | ord. 17 Oct 1867; tr. to Invertiel 24 Aug 1871 |
| Andrew Russell | 1871-1874 | ord. 7 Dec 1871; tr. to Stirling North 17 Sep 1874 |
| David Miller | 1874-1883 | b. 14 May 1836 Galashiels SEL, son of James M.; M.A. St Andrews 1867; B.D. Aberdeen 1875; ass. missionary Blackburn WLN; ord. first min. of the parish 31 Dec 1874; tr. to Ardclach NAI 2 Feb 1883; d. 23 Feb 1920 Nairn; mar. 1879 Rebecca, dau. of Charles Will, solicitor; issue: James Webster, M.B., C.M.; Maud Mary (mar. Wm Wilton Johns, M.D.) |
| Robert Paisley | 1883-1905 | ord. 28 Jun 1883; tr. to Careston 11 Jan 1905 |
| Henry Chalmers Cargill | 1905-1921 | b. 24 Mar 1874 Anstruther Wester FIF, son of John C.; ass. Prestonpans ELN, St Enoch's Dundee and Tolbooth Edinburgh; ord. 12 Jul 1905; provost of Brechin, Nov 1920; res. charge & status 1 Feb 1921; d. 1958 Inverallan; mar. 1906 Agnes Wood McQueen, only dau. of Alexr Inglis, Prestonpans; had issue |
| Reginald Frederick Whiteley | 1921-1927 | b. 12 Jan 1895 Edinburgh, son fo Fredk W.; M.A. 1915 B.D. 1920 Edinburgh; ass. Dunnottar; ord. 11 May 1921; tr. to Thornliebank 7 Jun 1927; d. 1971 Strathaven; mar. 1921 Gwendolen, dau. of Walter Breach |
| John Meikle Gray | 1927-1937 | M.A. Glasgow; b. 1887 Glasgow; formerly of Georgetown Brit. Guiana and (in 1922) Elderslie; adm. 5 Oct 1927; dem. 10 Jan 1937; adm. to Fetlar SHI 4 May 1938; tr. to Bressay SHI 4 Sep 1942; dem. 21 Oct 1946; adm. to Lauder West BEW 11 Dec 1947; d. 1954 Inverness; mar.; had issue |
Ministers of Gardner Memorial quoad sacra
The church, erected in memory of the Rev. Alexander Gardner of Esbie, minister of the 2nd charge here, was dedicated on 8 Nov 1898. The parish was disjoined from Brechin on 14 Jul 1899.
| Alexander Middleton | 1899-1937 | b. 26 Sep 1858 Birse ABD, son of Hugh M.; M.A. Aberdeen 1880; B,D, Edinburgh 1884; ass. Barony LKS; ord. to St Margaret's Arbroath 12 Jul 1892; tr. & adm. first min. of the parish 27 Sep 1899; dem. 1937; d. 9 Nov 1942; mar. 1893 Margaret Stevenson, dau. of Andrew Gillespie, Helensburgh |
Ministers of other denominations
Ministers of Brechin Free Church [? East Free - unclear which church this is]
| James McCosh | 1843-1851 | see above ministers of 1st charge |
| Donaldson Rose | ?-1863-1881-? | bapt. 19 Jul 1818 St Nicholas, Aberdeen, son of Donaldson R.; mar. 1848 Margaret Anne Pringle; issue: Donaldson; Wm James; Geo. Pringle; Alexr Simpson; Chas Robt; Margaret Ann (mar. Thomas Leitch Ritchie, Free Kirk min. here); Mary Grace |
Ministers of Brechin East Free Church; later, United Free Church, at corner of Panmure & Southesk Streets
| Mungo Fairlie Parker | 1843-1851 | see above ministers of East Parish |
| Donaldson Rose | ?-1892-? | ord. 1843 [same man as above ?] |
| Thomas Leitch Ritchie | ?-1892-1896-? | M.A.; b. ca. 1853; from Edinburgh; ord. Aug 1880 as colleague & succ. to Mr Rose; d. 1919 Edinburgh; mar. Margaret Ann, dau. of the above Rev. Donaldson Rose; issue: Edith Grace |
| Edmund Thomas Thomson | 1900-1909-? | ord. 1891; from Abington; ind. Jan 1900 |
Ministers of Brechin West Free Church; later, West U.F. Church, Church Street
Demolished; it was on the north side of Church Street, opposite Church Lane; now a car park
| Alexander Leith Ross Foote | 1843-1878 | see above ministers of 2nd charge |
| John Fraser | ?-1892-1907-? | ord. 1865 |
Ministers of City Road Church, Brechin (Antiburgher)
Services were at South Port Church (see below), from 1855 until 1859, when a new City Road Church was opened.
| John Gray | 1768-1802 | from Edinburgh (Nicolson Street); ord. 22 Dec 1768; d. 8 Sep 1802 |
| James Gray | 1794-1821 | b. ca. 1771, son of above; lic. Jul 1792; ord. 16 Apr 1794 as colleague; refused to accept the Union of 1820 & thus loosed May 1821; moved with those opposed to Union to a new church in South Port, Brechin, 1822; d. 5 Jul 1848 |
| John Craig | 1823-1833 | min. at Kinkell, which he res. 1821; inducted 28 Aug 1823; res. 4 Jun 1833; preacher at Pell Street, London in 1838, forming his own congregation; d. 28 Jul 1847 Glasgow; mar. (1) dau. of the Rev. James Pringle, Kinclaven; (2) dau. of the Rev. John Thomson, Belford, Northumberland; issue: Catherine Pringle |
| James Boyd | 1835-1845 | b. ca. 1809; M.A.; from Glasgow (Wellington Church); ord. 26 Aug 1835; dem. 12 Aug 1845; became min. of Free Church 23 Aug 1845; inducted 23 Sep 1846 Polmont STI; d. 14 Apr 1885 London |
| William Sinclair Heddle | 1847-1850 | b. 1819 Kirkwall OKI; ord. 27 Jan 1847; retired through ill health 12 Mar 1850; inducted Nov 1851 Rosehill, Jamaica; 1854 moved elsewhere in Jamaica; returned to live in Kirkwall; d. 15 Feb 1881 Kirkwall |
| Samuel Huston | 1851-1853 | b. ca. 1811, Larne, Ireland; student of the English Presbyterian Church; ord. 22 Jul 1851; res. 12 Apr 1853; settled in Newcastle as proprietor of Elswick Academy; missionary and chaplain to soldiers, Alderney 1877; d. 31 Jul 1899 Belfast |
| Hugh Aird | 1855-1895 | b. ca. 1824 Glasgow; M.A.; from Glasgow (Greyfriars); ord. 31 Jan 1855; D.D. Glasgow 1889; d. 18 Jul 1895; an elder brother, John, was a missionary in Jamaica; mar. 1861 Eliza Mitchell; issue: Jane; John; Chas Mitchell; James Leckie; Isabella Hendry; Anna Maria |
| David McEwan Morgan | 1895-1904-? | b. 19 May 1858 Edinburgh, son of John Bookless M., comm. traveller; M.A.; student of theology 1881; min. at Partick (Newton Place) by 1883; ind. 24 Dec 1895; no longer min. here in 1907 |
Ministers of South Port Church, Brechin (Antiburgher; opposed Union of 1820)
Formed from anti-Union faction at City Road; reunited with City Road 29 Aug 1854; the building is marked as a temperance hall on the 1:500 plan of 1862.
| James Gray | 1822-1848 | see above entry for him at City Road |
| David Simpson | 1851-1852 | ord. 1.1.1851; with his congregation, joined Free Church 1852; called to Laurencekirk 1854 |
Ministers of Maisondieu Lane (Maisondieu from 1892), Brechin (Burgher); later, Maisondieu U.P., later U.F. Church
The original building was on the south side of Maisondieu Lane; congregation moved to the new church in Witchden Road in 1892.
| David Blackadder | 1804-1843 | b. ca. 1771 Blackadderton, Edrom BEW; from Blair-Drummond; ord. 4 Apr 1804; d. unmar. 4 Aug 1843 |
| William Thomson Rankine | 1844-1860 | b. ca. 1818; from Galashiels (East) SEL; ord. 2 Sep 1844; d. 24 Jun 1860 |
| Alexander Hutton Drysdale | 1861-1867 | M.A., D.D. (Edin); b. ca. 1837 Bridge of Allan; ord. 23 Jun 1861; tr. to United Trinity Church, Rochdale, Lancashire 4 Jun 1867; tr. to St George's Presbyterian Church, Morpeth, Northumberland 1883; moderator of the Presbyterian Church of England 1903; d. 2 Jan 1924 Morpeth; mar. 1867 Roberta ("Robina") Beveridge; issue: James A., Ethel, John Geo., Margaret |
| Thomas Kirk | 1868-1873 | from Stirling (Erskine Church); ord. 22 Apr 1868; tr. to Edinburgh (Haymarket) 26 Mar 1873 |
| George Morrison | 1874-1874 | b. ca. 1841; M.A.; res. Gourock 1871; inducted 18 Mar 1874; d. 12/13 Nov 1874 Coupar Angus |
| James Landreth | 1876-1884 | b. 8 Aug 1850 Cupar FIF, son of Peter L., late min. of secession kirk, Aberchirder; M.A. Edinburgh 1874; ord. 26 Jan 1876; adm. to Ch. of S. 2 Jun 1884; adm. to Logie Pert (ass. & suc.) 18 Sep 1884; d. 22 Feb 1934; mar. (1) 1889 Eliz. dau. of Thos Stewart, farmer, Little Dunkeld; mar. (2) 1914 Janet Patton, dau. of David Gorrie, farmer, Logie Pert; had issue |
| William Gray | 1885-1896 | M.A.; from Stonehouse LKS; ord. 22 Apr 1885; tr. to Cambuslang LKS 7 Dec 1896 |
| John T. Allan | 1897-1907-? | from Edinburgh (Broughton Place); ord. 26 May 1897 |
Ministers of Bank Street, Brechin (Relief); later, Bank Street U.F. Church
The congregation originally met in a former Episcopal Chapel in the High Street [? error for Maisondieu Lane]. The Bank Street church was opened 22 Sep 1875.
| James Goodwin | 1831-1847 | b. 1799 Kilsyth STI; from Kilsyth; ord. 21 Dec 1831; d. 4 Jul 1847 |
| James Gibson | 1848-1856 | min. at Dunfermline FIF; inducted 14 Mar 1848; dem. 9 Apr 1856; moved to Canada and inducted to Sydenham, Owen Sound there; moved to New York; d. 7 Apr 1860 New York; issue: Rev. Dr John Monro |
| Peter Davidson | 1856-1862 | b. ca. 1822 Tarves ABD; from Craigdam; ord. 24 Dec 1856; dem. 7 Feb 1862; moved to Adelaide, South Africa; retired there 1893; d. 31 Dec 1895; mar. 1857 Cath. Webster; issue: Helen Argo; Cath. Harvey |
| Robert Workman Orr | 1863-1930 | b. 5 Nov 1837 Fenwick AYR, son of the Rev. William Orr; ord. 22 Dec 1863; d. 2 May 1930 Brechin; mar. 1869 Helen Barclay Scott; issue: Wm; Mary A.M.; Robt W.; Frances B. |
Ministers of the Evangelical Union, Southesk Street, Brechin
| Alexander Mitchell | ?-1881-1907-? | b. ca. 1849 Coatbridge LKS; ord. 1880 |
Ministers of the Congregational Church in Brechin
See Congregational ministers in Brechin.
Ministers of St Andrew's Episcopal Church, Brechin
St Andrew's episcopal chapel was on the south side of Maisondieu Lane in 1862.
The present building, of 1888, in Argyll Street: St Andrew's Episcopal Church
| Alexander Davidson | ?-? | also episc. min. of Menmuir; d. 29 Jun 1782; bur. Menmuir; mar. Margt Stewart; issue: Alexr, writer |
| George Straton | ?-? | b. ca. 1743; d. 2 Jan 1820; mar. 1776 Margt, dau. of capt. John Graham of Duchray; issue: Christy, Mary, Jean |
| John Moir | ?-1851-1861-? | b. 20 Aug 1814 Brechin, son of David M., bishop of Brechin; 1871 in Jedburgh; dean of Glasgow & Galloway; d. 5 Dec 1889 Newport-on-Tay; mar. 1851 Jane Guthrie; issue: Isabella J.; Jane E.; Alice. M.; Alexr P. D.; James Wm; Emily G.; Francis J. |
| James Crabb | ?-1871-1891 | b. 22 May 1830 Brechin, son of James C., draper; 1861 in Pittenweem FIF; dean of Brechin; d. 24 Aug 1891 Brechin; mar. 1854 Mary Sophia, dau. of John James; issue: Eliz. P.; Cath. S.; Mary S.; Alice E.; James D. O. |
| David Hepburn Brown | ?-1894-1896-? | b. 26 Aug 1859 Linlithgow, eldest son of David B., W.S.; M.A.(Oxon.); 1891 in Derbyshire; ord. 1892; d. 30 Jan 1913 Mapleton, Hull; mar. (1) 1884 Jessie Eliz. Robertson; issue: David H.; Kenneth H.; mar. (2) 1890 Helen Mary Veitch; issue: Quintin H. |
| Ernest Beresford Cooke | ?-1897-1907-? | b. 1860 Haughton, Lancashire, son of John T. C., hatter; ord. 1896; d. 7 Jul 1936; mar. Kate Wonnacott; issue: Ernest B.; Hilda C. B. |
Bishops of Brechin, 1454-1638 and 1662-1689
See: Robert Keith - An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops down to the Year 1688 (new edn, Edinburgh: Bell & Bradfute, 1824)
and also Black's History of Brechin, 2nd ed., pp. 298-326, for bishops of Brechin down to 1847.
(1) Before the Reformation
| Bishop | Appointed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | George Shoreswood | 1454 | |
| 20 | Patrick Graham | 1463 | |
| 21 | John Balfour | 1470 | |
| 22 | William Meldrum | 1494 | |
| 23 | John Hepburn | 1517 | |
| -- | Donald Campbell | 1558 | Abbot of Coupar; d. 1562 |
| 24 | John Sinclair | 1563 |
(2) After the Reformation; Bishops of the Church of Scotland, 1566-1638
| Bishop | Appointed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Alexander Campbell of Carco & Monboy | 1566 | b. ca. 1550, son of Sir John Campbell of Ardkinglass; alienated many lands of bishopric to his relative, the earl of Argyll; d. Feb 1608 Kinclaven |
| 26 | Andrew Lamb of South Tarrie | 1610 | formerly min. of 2nd charge, South Leith MLN; tr. to see of Galloway 1619 |
| 27 | David Lindsay | 1619 | M.A.; formerly min. of Dundee; tr. to see of Edinburgh 1634 |
| 28 | Thomas Sydserff | 1634 | M.A.; formerly dean of Edinburgh; tr. to see of Galloway 1635 |
| 29 | Walter Whitford | 1635 | son of Adam Whitford of Milton; formerly min. of Moffat DFS; dep. 13 Dec 1638; d. 1647 England |
(3) Bishops of the Church of Scotland, 1662-1689
| Bishop | Appointed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | David Strachan | 1662 | b. ca. 1601, yst son of James Strachan of Monboddo; M.A. Edinburgh 1622; formerly minister, Fettercairn |
| 31 | Robert Laurie | 1672 | b. ca. 1606, son of Joseph Lawrie, min. of Perth; M.A. St Andrews 1636; formerly dean of Edinburgh; d. Mar 1678 |
| 32 | George Haliburton | 1678 | b. 1635; M.A. 1652 St Andrews; formerly minister, Coupar Angus; tr. to see of Aberdeen 1682 |
| 33 | Robert Douglas | 1682 | formerly dean of Glasgow; tr. to see of Dunblane 1684 |
| 34 | Alexander Cairncross | 1684 | formerly min. of Dumfries; tr. to see of Glasgow Dec 1684 |
| 35 | James Drummond | 1684 | b. 1629, 3rd son of James Drummond of Deanston, min. of Fowlis Wester; M.A. St Andrews 1645; formerly min. of Auchterarder PER, later Muthill PER; dep. 1689; d. 13 Apr 1695 Cruden |
(4) Bishops of Brechin of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, 1689-
| Bishop | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | James Rait | 1742-1777 | son of Mr William Rait of Pitforthie, minister of Monikie |
| 42 | John Strachan | 1788-1808 | b. ca. 1719 Redford, Garvock, son of John S., tenant farmer [probably!]; d. unmar. 28 Jan or 1 Feb or 2 Feb 1810 Dundee, depending on the source; buried 8 Feb 1810 Howff, Dundee; see also Strachan family connexions |
| 43 | George Gleig | 1810-1837 | d. Stirling |
| 44 | David Moir | 1837-1847 | b. 2 Oct 1777 Fordoun, son of John M., mason; d. 21 Aug 1847 Brechin; mar. 1813 Janet Jolly; issue: John, min. here; Chas; Margt; David; Wm Y.; Robt; Jean; Helen; Anne; Peter; Mary |
| 45 | Alexander Penrose Forbes | 1847-1875 | b. 1817; D.C.L.; d. 8 Oct 1875 Dundee |
| 47 | Walter John Forbes Robberds | 1904-1914-? | b. 1863; primus 1914; d. 1944 |
Early clergy
For bishops, deans, archdeacons, precentors, commissaries and other officials of the diocese of Brechin from ca. 1150 to 1638, see D.E.R. Watt & A.L. Murray (eds) - Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae Medii Aevi ad Annum 1638 (revised edn, Edinburgh: Scottish Record Soc., 2003), pp. 53-77. Only the book's title is in Latin.
Clergy of the Episcopal Church in Scotland since 1689
For bishops, deans, archdeacons and other clergy of the diocese of Brechin since 1689, see David M. Bertie - Scottish Episcopal Clergy, 1689-2000 (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 2000) [Google Books preview].
Monuments in the Kirkyard of Brechin Cathedral (ca. 450 stones), in Brechin New Cemetery (ca. 20 stones) and in the kirkyard of the Magdalen Chapel at Arrat (9 stones) bearing pre-1855 information are listed in Alison Mitchell (ed.), "Pre-1855 Monumental Inscriptions in Angus, Vol. 1: Strathmore" (Edinburgh: Scottish Genealogy Soc., 1993), which can be bought from the Scottish Genealogy Society. (It's listed as "Angus MI - Vol. 1. Pre-1855 Strathmore" in their online shop.)
See also Andrew Jervise's The Inscriptions from the Burial-Grounds of Brechin and Magdalene Chapel (Brechin, 1864).
Surname index to monuments in Brechin Cathedral Kirkyard [Angus Archives ref. 21:929.3]
Inscriptions on monuments in Brechin Cathedral Kirkyard recorded by Sydney Cramer in 1959 are available on microfilm [NRS RH41/4/4]
The following are three of the inscriptions in Brechin Cathedral Kirkyard. [M1], etc., indicate Mitchell's numbering:
In memory of JOHANNA BELFORD wife of JAMES LINDSAY shoemaker, Brechin, born 17th September 1800, died 27th July 1865. Also of the said JAMES LINDSAY, who died 30th November 1876, in the 84th year of his age. Also of their son JOHN, who died 19th January 1889, in the 59th year of his age. And of his wife CHRISTINA SCOTT who died 26th May 1906, in the 86th year of her age. Also their daughter MARGARET DUTHIE who died 8th April 1871, in the 13th year of her age. Erected by the family 1869
[M86] 1824 Erected by ROBERT ADAMSON, tenant in Middledrums in memory of his late spouse ANN GUTHRIE, who died 14th February 1824, aged 70 years. Also of his father JAMES ADAMSON, and of his mother HELEN GUTHRIE, all of whom died at Middledrums and are interred here. Also in memory of ROBERT ADAMSON, late tenant in Middledrums, who died 11th July 1848, in the 81st year of his age. And his second spouse MARY THOMSON, who died 24th October 1862, aged 75 years.
[M174; west] Erected 1825 In affectionate remembrance of Rev. THOMAS GUTHRIE, D.D. (7th son of DAVID GUTHRIE, Provost of Brechin) Born in Brechin 1803; interred in the Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh, 1873. Also in memory of Major CHARLES GUTHRIE, 46th Regiment H.E.I.C.S. (8th son of the above mentioned Provost DAVID GUTHRIE) who died in India, from wounds received in action. Born 1804. Died 1843.
[In fact, 8th and 7th sons, respectively; Charles was born in 1801, not 1804]
Brechin War Memorial, including the 1914-19 Brechin Roll of Honour
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.
-
Additionally, in the National Records:
- 1832 - 1863 for High Street & Bank Street Relief Church [NRS CH3/439/15]
- 1864 - 1914 for High Street & Bank Street Relief Church [NRS CH3/439/16]
- 1896 - 1914 for City Road UP Church [NRS CH3/440/6]
-
Additionally, in Angus Archives:
- Surname index to burial records, Brechin Cathedral, 1782-1953 [Angus Archives ref. 21:929.3]
Online access to Brechin Cemetery records is at Deceased Online - payment required to see actual records
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.
-
- 1612 - 1854
Additionally, in the National Records:
- 1832 - 1863 for High Street & Bank Street Relief Church [NRS CH3/439/15]
-
- 1700 - 1854
Additionally, in Angus Archives:
- Surname index to Proclamations of Banns, Brechin Cathedral, 1615-1697 [Angus Archives ref. 21:352.1]
Additionally, in the National Records:
- 1834 - 1856 for High Street & Bank Street Relief Church [NRS CH3/439/15]
-
- None in OPRs
Additionally, in Angus Archives:
- Surname index to burial records, Brechin Cathedral, 1782-1953 [Angus Archives ref. 21:929.3]
| Date | Type | Parties | NRS ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ca 5 May 1623 | - | Andrew Scot, son of John Scot, braboner, Meikle Mill of Brechin & Jonet Robertson, dau. to umqll John Robertson, indweller in Brechin and Margaret Mair, his relict | CC3/9/6 |
| 18 Apr 1678 | antenuptial | William Kynneir, son of John Kynneir, portioner of Bothels & Margaret Innes, dau. of dec. John Innes, physician in Brechine | RH9/7/102 |
Church Session Records of Brechin East Parish Church
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH2/41/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1838-1909 | 1 |
| do | 1874-1897 | 2 |
| do | 1897-1924 | 3 |
| do | 1924-1937 | 4 |
| Managers' minutes | 1837-1844 | 5 |
| Trustees' & congregational minutes | 1912-1936 | 6 |
| Baptisms | 1892-1935 | 7 |
| Proclamation certificates | 1875-1894 | 8 |
| Proclamations | 1894-1915 | 9 |
| Communion roll | 1933-1936 | 10 |
| Record of deeds & securities | 1874 | 11 |
Church Session Records of Gardner Memorial Church
The church was dedicated in 1898, and the parish was erected quoad sacra in 1899. United with Brechin East in 1937; later, Southesk; later, again, Gardner Memorial
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH2/1520/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1899-1936 | 1 |
| Scroll minute page | n.d. | 2 |
| Minutes | 1937-1964 | 3 |
| Church Extension Chimes | 1970 | 4 |
| Minutes | 1965-1974 | 5 |
| do | 1974-1984 | 6 |
| do | 1984-1990 | 7 |
| Managers' minutes | 1899-1937 | 8 |
| do | 1937-1945 | 9 |
| Congregational board minutes | 1937-1945 | 9 |
| Parish supplement | 1949 | 9A |
| Congregational board minutes | 1946-1967 | 10 |
| do | 1967-1974 | 11 |
| Abstract of accounts | 1974 | 12 |
| Committee on church extension in Brechin minutes | 1887-1889 | 13 |
| Baptismal register | 1899-1936 | 14 |
| do | 1937-1974 | 15 |
| Copy correspondence | 1888-1889 | 16 |
| Basis and plan of temporary linking between Brechin Gardner Memorial and Brechin West and St Columbas | 1971 | 17 |
Church Session Records of Brechin Relief Session
High Street Relief Church; later Bank Street U.P.; Bank Street U.F.; united with City Road U.F. as St Ninian's U.F.; St Ninian's Ch. of S.; congregation dissolved in 1963
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH3/439/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1832-1856 | 1 |
| do | 1857-1876 | 2 |
| do | 1876-1896 | 3 |
| do | 1896-1910 | 4 |
| do | 1910-1914 | 5 |
| do | 1914-1935 | 6 |
| do | 1935-1960 | 7 |
| do | 1961-1963 | 8 |
| Managers' minutes | 1830-1843 | 9 |
| do | 1843-1875 | 10 |
| do | 1875-1901 | 11 |
| do | 1901-1914 | 12 |
| do | 1914-1946 | 13 |
| do | 1946-1963 | 14 |
| Baptismal register | 1832-1863? (or 1856?) | 15 |
| Marriages | 1834-1856 | 15 |
| Baptismal register | 1864-1914 | 16 |
| do | 1914-1962 | 17 |
| Proclamation register | 1932-1963 | 18 |
| Communion roll | 1830-1854 | 19 |
| Register of death | 1857 | 19 |
Church Session Records of Brechin Associate Session (Antiburgher)
later, City Road U.P.; City Road U.F.
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH3/440/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1764-1852 | 1 |
| do | 1855-1905 | 2 |
| do | 1905-1914 | 3 |
| Managers' minutes | 1764-1894 | 4 |
| do | 1894-1914 | 5 |
| Baptismal register | 1896-1914 | 6 |
Church Session Records of Maison Dieu Lane (Burgher)
later, United Presbyterian; United Free
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH3/590/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1869-1889 | 1 |
| Managers' minutes | 1800-1818 | 2 |
| do | 1819-1845 | 3 |
| Managers' minutes and congregational minutes | 1844-1860 | 4 |
| do | 1860-1876 | 5 |
| Minutes | 1889-1911 | 6 |
| Managers' and congregational minutes | 1876-1906 | 7 |
Records of the Presbytery of Brechin
(Church of Scotland)
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH2/40/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1639-1661 | 1 |
| do | 1698-1700 | 2 |
| do | 1701-1702 | 3 |
| do | 1702-1706 | 4 |
| do | 1706-1710 | 5 |
| do | 1710-1717 | 6 |
| do | 1717-1721 | 7 |
| do | 1721-1729 | 8 |
| do | 1729-1738 | 9 |
| do | 1738-1749 | 10 |
| do | 1749-1771 | 11 |
| do | 1771-1803 | 12 |
| do | 1803-1829 | 13 |
| do | 1830-1841 | 14 |
| do | 1841-1855 | 15 |
| do | 1856-1865 | 16 |
| do | 1865-1875 | 17 |
Records of the diocese of Brechin, 1774-1995, including synod minutes, are among the Brechin Diocesan Library Manuscripts at Dundee University Archives [ref. BrMS 4].
A collections book, 1800-1807, for Brechin Chapel is among the Brechin Diocesan Library Manuscripts at Dundee University Archives [ref. BrMS 5].
Records of St Andrew's Episcopal Church, Brechin, 1812-2007, including registers, 1812-1994, are among the Brechin Diocesan Library Manuscripts at Dundee University Archives [ref. BrMS 16].
Surname and subject index to Brechin Episcopal Documents, 1309-1698 [Angus Archives ref. 21:274.1]
Information, maps & photographs of Brechin Almshouse.
The chief proprietors of land in the parish in 1833:
- Sir James Carnegie of Southesk, bart.
- lord Panmure
- earl of Fife
- Patrick Chalmers of Auldbar (1802-1854)
- Hunter of Eskmount
- Cruikshank of Keithock
- Speid of Ardovie
The chief proprietors of land in the parish in 1867:
- earl of Southesk
- earl of Dalhousie
- earl of Fife
- John Inglis Chalmers of Aldbar (1809-1868)
- Henry Speid of Ardovie
- Thomas Macpherson Grant of Craigo, Pitforthie & Newton, W.S. (1815-1881)
- Francis Aberdein of Keithock
- Mrs Elizabeth Smith of Cairnbank
- George Robertson Chaplin of Cookston
- Alexander Collie of Murlingden
Papers of Molison family, Brechin, 1764-1812 [Angus Archives ref. MS 417]
Speid of Ardovie papers, 1689-1861 [Angus Archives ref. MS 413: Repertory]
| Farm | Name | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Arrat | Representatives of Hugh Alexander | -1902- |
| do | James Carnegie [d. 1916] | -1891-1916 |
| do | Robert Carnegie | -1918-1942- |
| Arratsmill | Hugh Alexander [d. 1900] | -1881-1900 |
| do | Patrick J. Abbot | -1906- |
| do | John W. Soutar | -1914- |
| do | F.W. Munro | -1924- |
| do | Henry Elder Spence | -1933- |
| do | Mrs Spence | -1938-1942- |
| Balnabreich | John Johnston | -1902-1942- |
| do | William McLaren Crichton | -1952- |
| Barrelwell | David Hume [d. 1908] | -1891-1908 |
| do | Trustees of David Hume | -1910-1924- |
| do | Mrs Hume | -1928-1931- |
| do | James Kerr | -1934-1943- |
| Broomfield | Alexander Bell | -1881- |
| do | Mrs M.F. Wells | -1906-1928- |
| do | S. Smith | -1931-1942- |
| Burghill | Mary A. Goodlet | -1891- |
| do | William McG. Philip | -1902-1914- |
| Burn & Stoney Briggs | William Calder [d. 1914] | -1891-1914 |
| do | William Calder | -1914-1942-- |
| do | James B. Calder | -1953- |
| Cairnbank | Robert Fraser | -1881- |
| do | Francis Ballone Paton | -1891- |
| do | David Milne | -1902-1906- |
| Caldcots | William Addison | -1881- |
| do | William Lewins | -1891- |
| do | William F. Brown | -1902-1906- |
| do | David D. Mitchell | -1910-1921- |
| do | A. & W. Wood | -1924-1931- |
| do | William Wood | -1935-1942- |
| Cookston | John Stevenson | -1881- |
| do | Andrew Stevenson [d. 1896] | -1896 |
| do | James Greig | -1902-1906- |
| do | David Lamb | -1910-1924- |
| do | William Haughs | -1928-1942- |
| Craigend of Careston | James Grant | 1893-1926 |
| do | J. Morrison | -1931-1942- |
| Dalgety [Delgaty] | James Vallentine | -1881- |
| do | John Vallentine | -1891-1921- |
| do | Gowans & McIntyre | -1924- |
| do | Chivers & Sons, Ltd | -1928-1942- |
| Drumachlie | David Milne [d. 1908] | -1881-1908 |
| do | Robert R. Milne | -1910-1931- |
| do | W.B. Philip | -1935-1942- |
| Drummond Park | William Sheratt | -1910-1921- |
| Dubton | Agnes Webster | -1881- |
| do | Archibald Allison | -1891-1921- |
| do | Brechin United Coop. Soc. Ltd | -1924-1942- |
| East Drums | David Sharpe [d. 1908] | -1881-1891- |
| do | David Finlay Sharpe | -1902-1952- |
| East Kintrockat | David Hume | -1902- |
| do | D. Aitken | -1921-1931- |
| East Mains of Keithock | David C. Soutar | -1881- |
| do | David Lyall | -1902- |
| do | G. Stewart | -1906-1924- |
| do | John Wylie Couper [d. 1932] | -1928-1932 |
| do | Alexander Milne | -1935-1942- |
| East Pitforthie & Leighton Hill | David Arnot | -1902- |
| do | David R. Arnot | -1906- |
| East Pitforthie | David R. Arnot | -1910-1931- |
| East Pitforthie | Robert Milne | -1938-1942- |
| East Pittendreich | James Scott | -1881-1891- |
| do | James Risk [d. 1914] | -1902-1914 |
| do | William Binny | -1918-1931- |
| do | T.J. Binny | -1935-1942- |
| Grosefield | George Stevenson [d. 1906] | -1902-1906 |
| do | John Wilson | -1910-1921- |
| do | Bought by George Guild | Jul 1922 |
| do | Robert Buchan | -1922-1924- |
| do | Guild Bros | -1928-1931- |
| do | Andrew N. Guild | 1932-1955- |
| Haughmuir | Representatives of James Wallace | -1902-1906- |
| do | Mrs Wallace | -1910-1928- |
| do | Hugh Wallace | -1924-1955- |
| Hillhead of Burghill | William Bowick | -1881- |
| do | James Watt | -1902-1906- |
| do | George Easton [d. 1925] | -?- |
| do | R. Easton | -1910-1928- |
| do | W. Davidson | -1931-1942- |
| Keithock | William McNab of Keithock | -1906- |
| Kincraig | Ann Henderson | -1881- |
| do | James Henderson | -1891-1902- |
| do | Robert C. Henderson | -1906-1928- |
| do | Mrs Henderson | -1931-1935- |
| do | John Sim | -1938-1942- |
| Leightonhill | Robert Milne | -1935-1942- |
| Leuchland | Robert Lyall Mustard [d. 1898] | -1881- |
| do | Alexander Mustard [d. 1886] | -?- |
| do | John Soutar [d. 1912] | -1902-1910- |
| do | Stewart Leighton Soutar [d. 1931] | -1914-1931 |
| do | Chivers & Sons Ltd. | -1937-1951- |
| Limefield | James Scott & Sons | -1906- |
| do | David Scott | -1910-1914- |
| do | William Haughs | -1918-1924- |
| do | W. Gordon | -1928- |
| Little Brechin | William Sherrat | -1906- |
| Little Haughmuir | David Silver | -1902- |
| do | Mrs Smith | -1906-1924- |
| Little Keithock | John Hall [d. 1866] | -1866 |
| do | David Bruce | -1902-1928- |
| do | William T. Bruce | -1928-1942- |
| Mains of Ardovie | George Doig | -1863- |
| do | James D. Winton [d. 1938] | -1881-1902- |
| do | David Hood | -1906-1935- |
| do | James Gardiner | -1938-1942- |
| Mains of Findowrie | James Smith | -1881-1902- |
| do | Alexander Smith [d. 1907] | -1906-1907 |
| do | Thomas B. Hamilton | -1909-1914- |
| do | R. Barron | -1918-1921- |
| do | James Barron | -1924- |
| do | James Runcieman Barron | -1928-1942- |
| Mains of Pitforthie | William Ross | -1902-1921- |
| do | D.C. Lamond | -1921-1931- |
| do | William Melvin | -1933-1942- |
| Maisondieu | David G.C. Scott | -1881- |
| do | Mrs & David G.C. Scott | -1902- |
| do | David G. Scott | -1906- |
| do | James Todd | -1910-1928- |
| do | William Mather | -1931-1942- |
| Maulesden | John B. Don | -1906-1931- |
| Mavisbank | William Smollet | -1881- |
| do | Alexander Brimer | -1891-1910- |
| do | Hugh Smith | -1914-1928- |
| do | James Stott | -1930 |
| do | To Let | Jun 1930 |
| do | J. Leslie | -1935-1942- |
| Middle Drums | Robert Adamson [d. 1848] | -1824- |
| do | James Adamson | -1851 |
| do | David Jack | -1862 |
| do | Andrew Doig [d. 1902] | -1881-1902 |
| do | George Doig | -1906-1931- |
| do | D.F. Sharp | -1935-1942- |
| Montboy | James Kinnear | -1891-1931- |
| do | Robert Allison | -1935- |
| do | Misses Barron | -1938-1942- |
| Muirside of Aldbar | George Davidson | -1881-1924- |
| do | George Davidson, jun. | -1928-1931- |
| do | William McGregor | -1935-1942- |
| Muirton of Ardovie | To Let | Jan 1863 |
| do | Joseph Hodge | -1881- |
| do | Joseph Thomson | -1903 |
| do | Charles Mollison | -1902- |
| do | John Amos [d. 1908] | -1906-1908 |
| do | Alexander Carnegie | -1910-1931- |
| do | John Carnegie | -1934- |
| do | Messrs Carnegie | -1935- |
| do | James Robertson | -1938-1942- |
| do | For sale by roup | Oct 1953 |
| Murlingden | David Inglis | -1891- |
| Stannochy | Joseph Mitchell | -1881- |
| do | Mrs Margaret Mitchell | -1891- |
| do | Representatives of Joseph Mitchell | -1902-1906- |
| do | John Wilson [d. 1919] | -1910-1919 |
| do | Mrs Wilson | -1924- |
| do | A. Middleton | -1928-1931- |
| do | A. Middleton & Sons | -1935-1942- |
| Stoneybriggs | David Grieve | -1881- |
| Templewood | George T. Henderson of Templewood | -1906-1928- |
| do | David R. Arnot | -1933-1942- |
| Three Laws of Ardovie | James Robertson | 1896- |
| do | James Birse | -?- |
| do | Representatives of James Birse | -1923 |
| do | To Let, 55 acres | May 1923 |
| do | David Allan | -1943 |
| do | James A. Riddler | -1946-1953- |
| do | For sale by roup | Oct 1953 |
| Tillygloom | Hendry Peter ("Tilly") [d. 1927] | -1881-1927 |
| do | C. Christie | -1931-1942- |
| do | R.T. Thorns | -1951- |
| Unthank | David Sheriff [d. 1923] | -1891-1923 |
| do | Hendry Sheriff | -1928-1942- |
| Wards of Pitforthie | Farmers' Mart Co. Ltd | -1906-1942- |
| West Drums | William Smith | -1881- |
| do | John Robertson [d. 1915] | -1902-1915 |
| do | Robert Bruce Robertson [d. 1948] | -1917-1942- |
| West Kintrockat | Charles Mitchell [d. 1894] | 1874-1893 |
| do | Andrew Couper, jun. | -1902-1931- |
| do | W.A. Reid, jun. | -1935-1942- |
| West Mains of Keithock | D. Black | -1928-1942- |
| West Muir of Brechin | William Black [d. 1902] | -1902 |
| do | John B. Black | -1906- |
| do | David Inglis | -1914-1921- |
| do | Mrs Robertson | -1924-1942- |
| West Pittendreich | William Duncan [d. 1913] | -1881-1913 |
| do | Mrs Duncan | -1918-1921- |
| do | Archibald Allison | -1924-1931- |
| do | J. Cameron | -1935-1942- |
| Windyedge | John Officer [d. 1931] | -1902-1921- |
| do | John Gordon Officer [d. 1932] | -1924-1932 |
| do | John Officer | -1935-1942- |
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 | 3181 | Dr Alexander Webster | ||
| 1790 | 5000 | Old Statistical Account | ||
| 1801 | 5466 | |||
| 1811 | 5559 | |||
| 1821 | 2651 | 3255 | 5906 | |
| 1831 | 6508* | |||
| 1841 | ||||
| 1851 | 8210 | |||
| 1871 | 4132 | 5382 | 9514 | |
| 1881 | 4627 | 5872 | 10499 | |
| 1891 | 4537 | 5916 | 10453 | |
| 1901 | 4570 | 5874 | 10444 | |
| 1911 | 4285 | 5551 | 9836 | |
| 1921 | 3804 | 4977 | 8781 |
* of whom, about 5000 were in the burgh, the rest in the landward part of the parish
These include: Local Almanac and Obituary Notices of Public Men; names of Public officials, School teachers, etc.
Brechin was in the Commissariot of Brechin.
List of pre-1824 testaments for Brechin people
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.
Royal burgh of Brechin: records in the NRS
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Register of sasines, 1st series | 1648-1809 | B8/1/1 to B8/1/8 |
| Register of sasines, 2nd series | 1810-1946 | B8/2/1 to B8/2/21 |
| Minute books of register of sasines | 1748-1946 | B8/3/1 to B8/3/6 |
| Register of probative writs | 1747-1826 | B8/4/1 to B8/4/5 |
| Register of deeds, protests, etc. (old series) | 1740-1809 | B8/5/1 to B8/5/8 |
| Register of deeds, protests, etc. (new series) | 1810-1907 | B8/6/1 to B8/6/4 |
| Minute books of the burgh court | 1822-1895 | B8/7/1 to B8/7/2 |
Royal burgh of Brechin: burgh records in Angus Archives
Angus Archives' page Catalogues - Burgh Records provides this file listing burgh records of Brechin held by Angus Archives. Earliest document is dated 1309.
Provosts of Brechin, to 1975
See also Black's History of Brechin, 2nd ed., pp. 334-360, for members of Brechin Town Council, 1672-1864; there were 13 members of the council: the provost, 2 bailies, the town treasurer, the dean of guild, the hospital master, 5 merchant councillors, 2 trades councillors.
| Name | In office | Born | Died | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James lord Ogilvy | 1560-? | |||
| Thomas Lyell | ?-1611-? | |||
| John Ochterlony | ?-1641-?, ?-1649-? | bef. 21 Apr 1674 | ||
| John Skinner | ?-1650-? | bef. 1676 | ||
| ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| Alexander Young | 1696-1699 | |||
| John Doig | 1700-1702 | bef. 4 Mar 1727 | merchant in Brechin; see The Doig Family Society for more about him | |
| David Gray | 1702-1705 | |||
| Alexander Young | 1706-1708 | |||
| John Doig | 1709-1715 & 1716-1726 | bef. 4 Mar 1727 | merchant in Brechin; see The Doig Family Society for more about him | |
| Robert Whyte | 1726-1728 | bef. 7 Jul 1730 | ||
| John Knox | 1728-1733 | ca. 1670 | 7 Jun 1754 | |
| David Doig of Cookston | 1733-1741 | Jul 1699 Brechin | 5 Aug 1763 Montrose | later, provost of Montrose son & heir of above John D.; see The Doig Family Society for more about him |
| John Knox | 1741-1745 | ca. 1670 | 7 Jun 1754 | |
| ---- | 1745-1747 | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| John Molison elder | 1747-1766 | |||
| John Molison younger | 1766-1789 | 21 Jun 1791 | son of John M., elder | |
| John Smith | 1789-1800 | bef. 23 Feb 1800 | ||
| Thomas Molison | 1800-1815 | 27 Jul 1815 | son of John M., younger | |
| David Guthrie (I) | 1815-1820 | 1761 Menmuir | 12 Mar 1824 | 3rd son of John Guthrie, tenant in Knowehead, Menmuir |
| Colin Gillies of Murlingden | 1820-1823 | ca. 1750 Brechin | flour & corn merchant; bankrupt 1811[?] bro. of John Gillies, Historiographer for Scotland son of Robert Gillies of Little Keithock, merchant in Brechin | |
| James Speid of Forneth | 1823-1836 | Nov 1780 Fearn | 1872 Clunie PER | solicitor in Brechin |
| David Guthrie (II) | 1836-1854 | 29 Oct 1786 Brechin | 28 May 1854 | 3rd son of David (I) |
| David Guthrie (III) | 1854-1864 | 15 Sep 1813 Brechin | 19 Nov 1883 Panbride | nephew of David (II) |
| Alexander Guthrie | 1864-1867 | 13 May 1792 Brechin | 22 Aug 1869 | surgeon; 4th son of David (I) |
| David Craig | ?-1870 | ca. 1803 | 16 May 1871 | |
| David Scott | 1870-1871 | 9 Nov 1812 Brechin | 7 Jan 1890 Brechin | linen manufacturer |
| John Guthrie, M.D. | 1871-1874 | 6 Feb 1830 Brechin | 1887 | 3rd son of the above Alexr |
| William Duncan | 1874-1876 | ca. 1805 Brechin | 1892 | grocer, wine & spirit merchant |
| Charles Will | 1876-1878 | 3 Dec 1878 Brechin | ||
| John Lamb of Glencadam | 1878-1888 | 26 Jan 1831 Brechin | 24 Jan 1916 Brechin | manufacturer |
| Charles Mitchell | 1888-1891 | 8 Jan 1826 Fettercairn | 25 Apr 1894 Brechin | farmer at West Kintrockat; son of Benjamin M. |
| William McInroy Vallentine | 1891-1897 | 1 Dec 1846 Fettercairn | 22 Feb 1903 Brechin | bank agent; Photo; son of James, tenant, Arnhall, Fettercairn |
| George Alexander Scott | 1897-1900 | 1 Nov 1839 Brechin | 20 Sep 1915 Montrose | linen manufacturer; eldest son of above David S. |
| Alexander Annandale | 1900-1903 | ca. 1831 Fordoun | 21 Jun 1912 Brechin | nurseryman & seedsman, Den Nursery |
| Thomas Maule Guthrie | 1903-1909 | 11 Jun 1870 Brechin | 30 Mar 1943 Brechin | son of James, who was 2nd son of the Rev. Dr Thomas, who was 8th son of David (I) |
| Murdoch Beaton | 1909-1911 | ca. 1844 Dundee | 31 Jan 1923 Brechin | draper |
| William Ferguson | 1911-1914 | |||
| George Henderson | 1914-1920 | |||
| Rev. Henry Chalmers Cargill | 1920-1921 | 1874 Anstruther Wester | 1959 Inverallan | minister of Brechin East Church, q.v. |
| James Williamson Addison | 1921-1923 | 1865 Marykirk | 20 Dec 1948 Brechin | |
| Alan Reid | 1923-1929 | Feb 1929 London | ||
| James Barrie | 1929-1931 | |||
| Archibald Whyte Duke | 1931-1934 | 1893 Brechin | 10 Sep 1956 Brechin | resided at Bearehill |
| John McLeod Dunn | 1934-1937 | 1863 Glenbervie | 1944 Brechin | photographer; Article + photo |
| Henry Greig Mitchell, O.B.E. | 1937-1942 | ca. 1878 Montrose[?] | 6 Jan 1962 Brechin | accountant |
| Alexander Ogilvie | 1942-1944 | Feb 1957 | engine driver | |
| Walter Scott | 1944-1947 | ca. 1900 | 8 Jun 1957 Perth Prison | solicitor; found guilty of embezzlement 1956 |
| James Stafford Kinghorn | 1947-1951 | 1906 Edinburgh | 1989 Brechin | solicitor |
| William Eddie | 1951-1957 | |||
| John Hart, B.A. | 1957-1960 | chemist | ||
| Alexander Buchan | 1966-1975 | ca. 1923 Brechin | Aug 2010 Montrose |
Bailies (Magistrates) of Brechin, to 1974
| In office | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|
| 1690-1694 | Francis Mollison | Alexander Young |
| 1694-1695 | James Cowie | William Baillie |
| 1695-1696 | Alexander Young | William Baillie |
| 1696-1697 | William Baillie | James Cowie |
| 1697-1698 | David Liddell | David Gray |
| 1698-1699 | David Gray | J. Doig |
| 1699-1700 | Alexander Fairweather | David Young |
| 1700-1701 | William Baillie | Alexander Fairweather |
| 1701-1702 | David Gray | Alexander Fairweather |
| 1702-1703 | William Baillie | Alexander Fairweather |
| 1703-1704 | Alexander Fairweather | James Spence |
| 1704-1706 | Francis Molison | James Spence |
| 1706-1707 | David Young | David Robertson |
| 1707-1708 | James Cowie | David Young |
| 1708-1709 | David Young | James Spence |
| 1709-1710 | James Spence | Andrew Doig |
| 1710-1712 | Andrew Doig | William Clark |
| 1712-1716 | James Spence | Andrew Doig |
| 1716-1718 | Andrew Doig | Robert Whyte |
| 1718-1721 | Andrew Doig | James Cowie |
| 1721-1723 | Andrew Doig | John Knox |
| 1723-1726 | Andrew Doig | David Doig |
| 1726-1728 | James Cowie | David Windrem |
| 1728-1729 | Robert Allardie | David Windrem |
| 1729-1731 | Robert Allardice | Charles Gordon |
| 1731-1733 | John Molison | Charles Gordon |
| 1733-1736 | John Molison | Edward Leslie |
| 1736-1740 | John Molison | David Mather |
| 1740-1741 | Edward Leslie | Homer Grierson |
| 1741-1746 | John Molison | David Mather |
| 1746-1747 | ---- | ---- |
| 1747-1751 | John Low | David Allardice |
| 1751-1752 | Edward Leslie | David Allardice |
| 1752-1762 | Edward Leslie | J. Molison yr |
| 1762-1765 | Edward Leslie | David Molison |
| 1765-1771 | David Allardice | David Molison |
| 1771-1784 | David Allardice, elder | John Clark |
| 1784-1788 | John Clark | John Smith |
| 1788-1789 | John Smith | William Cay |
| 1789-1799 | William Cay | Thomas Molison |
| 1799-1800 | Thomas Molison | David Guthrie |
| 1800-1803 | David Guthrie | James Smith |
| 1803-1815 | David Guthrie | Alexander Mitchell |
| 1815-1818 | Alexander Mitchell | David Don |
| 1818-1819 | David Don | James Speid |
| 1819-1820 | James Speid | David Reid |
| 1820-1823 | James Speid | John Guthrie |
| 1823-1826 | John Guthrie | Alexander Mitchell |
| 1826-1828 | John Guthrie | David Ogilvy |
| 1828-1830 | David Ogilvy | David Guthrie |
| 1830-1833 | David Guthrie | John Smith |
| 1833-1835 | David Dakers | William Sharpe |
| 1835-1836 | David Guthrie | William Sharpe |
| 1836-1837 | David Lamb | William Sharpe |
| 1837-1839 | James Millar | Robert Welsh |
| 1839-1843 | James Hood | Robert Welsh |
| 1843-1846 | James Hood | William Duncan |
| 1846-1849 | William Duncan | David Craig |
| 1849-1854 | David Craig | George Reid |
| 1854-1855 | William Duncan | George Reid |
| 1855-1859 | William Duncan | William Anderson |
| 1859-1862 | William Duncan | John Don |
| 1862-1863 | Charles Will | William Davidson |
| 1863-1864 | William Whitson | William Davidson |
| 1900 | David Murray | Gregor Cumming |
| 1914 | George Henderson | Henry Chalmers Cargill |
| 1941 | -- Ogilvie | -- Gibb |
| 1957 | F. C. Cooper | James Millar |
Town treasurers of Brechin, to 1974
| Name | In office | Born | Died | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Guthrie | 1825-1826 | |||
| David Craig | 1845-1846 | |||
| George Reid | 1846-1847 | |||
| J. L. Aird | 1900 | |||
| David Fleming | 1914 | |||
| D. W. Stevens | 1951 | |||
| --- Mitchell | 1957 |
Deans of Guild of Brechin, to 1974
| Name | In office | Born | Died | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Thom | 1700-1701 | |||
| William Baillie | 1701-1702 | |||
| Francis Molison | 1702-1704 | |||
| A. Fairweather | 1704-1706 | |||
| James Cowie | 1706-1707 | |||
| James Spence | 1707-1708 | |||
| William Clark | 1708-1710 | |||
| James Spence | 1710-1712 | |||
| William Clark | 1712-1715 | |||
| David Young | 1715-1716 | |||
| David Robertson | 1716-1718 | |||
| James Doig | 1718-1721 | |||
| David Doig | 1721-1723 | |||
| Alexander Moug | 1723-1727 | |||
| Alexander Baillie | 1727-1732 | |||
| Edward Leslie | 1732-1733 | |||
| David Mather | 1733-1736 | |||
| Edward Leslie | 1736-1737 | |||
| Homer Grierson | 1737-1740 | |||
| William Shepherd | 1740-1741 | |||
| John Low | 1741-1745 | |||
| ---- | 1745-1747 | |||
| John Lyon elder | 1747-1757 | |||
| David Molison | 1757-1762 | |||
| J. Molison yr | 1762-1766 | |||
| Alexander Low | 1766-1783 | |||
| A. Durie elder | 1783-1792 | |||
| A. Durie yr | 1792-1813 | |||
| David Don | 1813-1815 | |||
| Colin Gillies | 1815-1820 | |||
| William Baillie | 1820-1822 | |||
| Colin Rickard | 1822-1824 | |||
| David McKenzie | 1824-1826 | |||
| Alexander McKinlay | 1826-1828 | |||
| James Watson yr | 1829-1830 | |||
| David Dakers | 1830-1832 | |||
| David Lamb | 1832-1833 | |||
| Thomas Ogilvy | 1833-1835 | |||
| David Lamb | 1835-1836 | |||
| James Baxter | 1836-1839 | |||
| William Duncan | 1839-1843 | |||
| James Scott | 1843-1848 | |||
| David Guthrie yr | 1848-1855 | |||
| James P. Jack | 1855-1856 | |||
| William Davidson | 1856-1862 | |||
| James L. Gordon | 1862-1864 | |||
| Alexander Annandale | 1892 | |||
| John S. Baxter | 1900 | |||
| John Lamb | 1909 | |||
| David G. Shiell | 1910 | |||
| Thomas Moir | 1914 | |||
| William Young | 1951 | |||
| James S. Kinghorn | 1955 | |||
| --- Kennedy | 1957 |
See also The Guildry of Brechin
| Name | In office | Born | Died | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Schellane | ? | bef. 14 Oct 1642 | ||
| John Spence | ?-1668-1689 | 29 Oct 1689 | ||
| George Spence | 1681-1717 | bef. 13 Jun 1752 | son of above John; conjunct t/c with his father to 1689 | |
| John Spence | 1717-1773 | ca. 1696 | 10 Nov 1773 | son of above George; appointed ass. & suc. 1713 |
| John Spence | 1748-1790 | ca. 1722 | 1 May 1790 | son of above John; conjunct t/c with his father to 1773 |
| John Spence | ? | Dec 1814 [1817?] | ||
| Alexander Ritchie | 1796-1826 | Nov 1826 | clerk depute from 1790; conjunct t/c with his father-in-law from 16 Jun 1796 | |
| David Dakers Black | 1825-1864 | ca. 1797 Brechin | 22 Oct 1875 Brechin | conjunct t/c with Ritchie from Nov 1825 |
| James Loudon Gordon | 1864-1893 | 1823 Brechin | 3 Sep 1893 Brechin | |
| James Craig | 1893-1909 | ca. 1831 Brechin | 21 May 1909 Brechin | |
| Thomas Maule Guthrie | 1909-1920 | 11 Jun 1870 Brechin | 30 Mar 1943 Brechin | formerly provost 1903-9 |
| Frederick Anerley Ferguson | 1920-1946 | 1881 Brechin | 1960 | collections, notes, papers & correspondence 1925-59/60, re history of Brechin: see Angus Archives ref. MS59 |
| Alexander O. Small | 1946-1958-? | 1907 Brechin | 1971 Brechin | son of David Small |
| Raymond Thom | ?-1971-1974-? | ca. 1939 |
Surname index to Burgesses prior to 1698 (compiled from Brechin Episcopal Documents) [Angus Archives ref. 21:941]
Brechin burgess roll, 1710-1930 [Angus Archives refs B1/5/10 to B1/5/14]
Surname index to Brechin burgess roll, 1710-1974 [Angus Archives ref. 21:941; also held in Brechin Library]
Surname index to Brechin Guildry, 1660-1820 (index to merchants and other trades) [Angus Archives: a database]
Papers of Brechin Bakers' Incorporation, 1602-1888 [Angus Archives ref. MS 493]
Surname index to Brechin Hammermen's Book, 1600-1762 [Angus Archives ref. 21:366]. See also
David G. Adams - The Brechin Hammermen's Incorporation 1600-1762 & later Fine Metal Craftsmen to c 1850 (Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot., 130, 773-793, 2000)
Surname index to Brechin Shoemakers Incorporation, 1671-1783 [Angus Archives ref. 21:366]
Papers of Brechin Old Wrights Society, 1625-1885 [Angus Archives ref. MS 44]
Surname index to Brechin Guildry, 1660-1820 (index to merchants and other trades) [Angus Archives: a database]
Brechin Commissary Court records, 1576-1823
See the Summary of the Records of Brechin Commissary Court on the page for court records.
The records include Act Books and Registers of Deeds, as well as Testaments. Lists of the parties mentioned in some of the early 17th century Act Books and Registers of Deeds can be reached from the Summary of the Records of Brechin Commissary Court.
Valuation roll of properties in the Burgh of Brechin, 1855-1856, is held by Angus Archives, ref. MS 483.
Valuation rolls of properties in the Burgh of Brechin, 1900-1901, 1932/33; 1939/40 - 1940/41; 1942/43 - 1946/47; 1950/51; 1952/53; 1954/55; 1957/58 - 1960/61, are held in Brechin Library
Valuation rolls of properties in the County of Angus, for the years 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1920, 1925 and 1930 only, can be seen at ScotlandsPeople.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Adam, junr | shoemaker | Brechin | ||
| John Adamson | shoemaker | Brechin | ||
| John Aikenhead | merchant | Brechin | ||
| James Aiton | mason | Nether Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| John Aiton | - | Kincraig | ||
| Robert Allan | son to Thomas Allan | Keithock | ||
| James Allardice | tenant | Drums | ||
| Charles Anderson | shoemaker | Brechin | ||
| David Anderson | workman | Brechin | ||
| David Arsil | - | Kincraig | ||
| James Bowman | residenter | Brechin | ||
| David Bruce | butcher | Brechin | ||
| George Bruce | butcher | Brechin | ||
| James Bruce | son to above George Bruce | Brechin | ||
| John Bruce | butcher | Brechin | ||
| James Carnegy of Findowrie | - | Findaury [Findowrie] | ||
| James Carnegy | surgeon | Brechin | ||
| James Carnegy | mason | Brechin | ||
| Robert Carnegy | weaver | Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| John Davidson | servant | Brechin | ||
| William Dear | meal monger | Brechin | ||
| James Dease | merchant | Brechin | ||
| John Duncan | merchant & stamp master | Brechin | ||
| Alexander Duthie | smith | Brechin | ||
| John Edgar, yr of Keithock | - | Keithock | ||
| Peter Fairweather | baker's servant | Brechin | ||
| David Ferrier | merchant | Brechin | ||
| John Firzel | mason | Nether Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| James Fotheringham | fishmonger | Upper Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| James Hood, junr | smith | Brechin | ||
| Adam Hunter | excise expectant | Brechin | ||
| David Inverarity | meal monger | Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| David Inverarity | shoemaker | Brechin | ||
| Thomas Keill | servant to James Ferrier | Kintrockat | ||
| John Leith | brother to Wm Leith | Brechin | ||
| William Leith | residenter | Brechin | ||
| David Littlejohn | servant to William Robb | Burkhill [Burghill] | ||
| Alexander Low | merchant | Brechin | ||
| William Low | chapman | Brechin | ||
| Robert Mackie | servant to Alexr Low | Brechin | ||
| Alexander Mather | brewer | Brechin | ||
| James Mather | merchant | Brechin | ||
| David Mathers | baker; son to David M. | Brechin | ||
| George Mathers | baker; son to David M. | Brechin | ||
| David Miller, junr | shoemaker | Brechin | ||
| Alexander Ramsay | shoemaker | Brechin | ||
| Alexander Reid | servant to George Smith | Brechin | ||
| George Reid | cottarman | Drums | ||
| Robert Reid, junr | shoemaker | Brechin | ||
| Peter Richie | servant | Leuchland | ||
| William Ritchie | chapman | Burn of Arrot [Arrat] | ||
| Andrew Sandyman | workman | Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| John Scott | cooper | Brechin | ||
| John Sheepherd | merchant | Brechin | ||
| Walter Smart | workman | Keithock | ||
| George Smith | wright | Nether Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| John Smith | smith | Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| George Speed | servant | Kintrockat | ||
| John Strachan | servant | Bridge End of Brechin | ||
| John Strachan | butcher | Nether Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| Colin Tindal | - | Nether Pitforthy | ||
| David Tindal | tenant | Nether Pitforthy | ||
| George Wade | workman | Brechin | ||
| James Warden | drummer | Brechin | ||
| William Webster | chapman | Brechin | ||
| Charles Willox | mason | Upper Tenements of Caldhame | ||
| Robert Young | tenant | Leuchland |
Images of the original records for Brechin:
Images of the original records for Brechin:
For the royal burgh of Brechin, 1753-1798 [NRS ref. E326/1/137]
- Brechin Advertiser
Holdings of Brechin Library
(No indexes available)Newspaper Years held
(bound volumes)Years held
(microfilm)Brechin Advertiser 1951-1991 1848-present Brechin Herald Feb 1890 - May 1892 Brechin & District News Oct 1952 - Jan 1953 Brechin Advertiser & Angus & Mearns Intelligence 1850-1851 Montrose, Arbroath & Brechin Review 1840
Maison Dieu Chapel - remains of a mediaeval chapel in Brechin
Round Tower - beside Brechin Cathedral
Brechin Castle: Garden, with map
ScotlandsPlaces: Brechin - recent & old photographs of Brechin; also maps, plans & other records.
Brechin Jail in 1818 - as described by Joseph John Gurney
David Waterson (1870-1954) - Brechin artist
Brechin High School: photo of teaching staff [1902 x 1912]
Portraits
- Rev. Dr Thomas Guthrie (1803-1873)
- Rev. Dr Thomas Guthrie (1803-1873) - photograph by David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson