The parish of Careston, comprising the estates of Careston and Pitforkie (not Pitforthie as stated by Fraser in his History of the Carnegies of Southesk, vol. 1, p. lxxxviii), dates from 17 Nov 1641, when it was disjoined from the parish of Brechin. An earlier form of the name was `Caraldston', probably after a Kerald who was judex (judge) of Angus in 1228. In the 1500s, Careston was held by the Dempsters, whose surname means `judge' [See, further, G.W.S. Barrow, The Kingdom of the Scots, 2nd ed., Edinburgh U.P., 2003, p. 62.]
Note: Distinguish from Cariston/Carriston near Markinch, Fife, a property of a family called Seatoun/Seton.
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 Careston
- General histories listed on the page for Books about Angus & Kincardineshire, in particular Warden, vol. 3, pp. 66-85.
William Forbes Skene (ed.) - Memorials of the Family of Skene of Skene (Aberdeen: New Spalding Club, 1887)
Statistical accounts of Careston
- Old Statistical Account of the 1790s - vol. 2, p. 483
- New Statistical Account of the 1840s - vol. 11, p. 518
- 1:25000 Ordnance Survey map - published 1957 (southern part of the parish)
- 1:10560 (Six inch) Ordnance Survey map - surveyed 1863, published 1865 (part of the parish)
For the full range of maps of Careston in the National Library, see National Library's Maps.
Some plans in the National Records
| Plan | Dates | NRS ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Plan of the farm of Nether Careston | 1775 | RHP780 |
| Plan of the estate of Careston | 1832 | RHP903 |
| Plan of the farms of Nether Balgillo and Muirton, part of the estate of Careston | 1832 | RHP1183 |
| Plan of part of the estate of Careston | 1832 | RHP3720 |
| Estate plan of Careston | 1832 | RHP6439/1 |
| Plan of the farm of Brathinch on the estate of Careston | 1832 | RHP6439/2 |
| Estate plan of Careston | 1832 | RHP6439/3 |
| Plan of the farms of Nether Balgillo and Muirton on the estate of Careston | 1832 | RHP6439/4 |
| Plan of excambion and straightening of marches between estates of Careston and Findowrie and of march between estates of Findowrie and Blackhall | 1856 | RHP44068 |
Listed buildings in Careston parish
See Geograph.org: Careston - recent photographs of Careston. National Grid ref. NO5359.
Located at National Grid ref. NO528603. Built in 1636, restored in 1905.
Above, left: Careston Kirk from SSW; right: from the West
Above, left: arms, above a door of the kirk, of Carnegie of Kinnaird ([Or], an eagle displayed [azure], charged on its breast with a cup) impaled with Blair ([Argent] a chevron [sable] between 3 torteaux, for sir Alexander Carnegie of Balnamoon ("Bonnymoon") and Careston, knight (youngest brother of the 1st earl of Southesk) and his spouse dame Geils Blair, a daughter of Blair of Balthayock. Initials AC to left and right of the shield, [D]GB below the shield. The same arms are on the kirk of Menmuir. Sir Alexander caused Careston kirk to be built at his own expense in 1636.
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
| David Campbell | 1639-1644 | adm. bef. 6 Jun 1639; tr. to St Cyrus aft. 27 Feb 1644 |
| John Ramsay | 1645-1662 | adm. bef. 1 May 1645; tr. to Scoonie FIF 14 Aug 1662 |
| Thomas Skinner | 1663-1665 | adm. aft. 9 Apr 1663; tr. to Dailly AYR 5 Jul 1665 |
| Gilbert Skene | 1663-1679 | b. ca. 1640, 2nd son of Alex. Skene of Dumbreck; ord. 19 Dec 1666; d. 1679; mar. Eliz. Campbell, who survived him; issue: Alex., Agnes, Jean, Eliz. |
| William Carnegie | 1679-1681 | adm. 1679; tr. to Hoddam 1681 |
| John Murray | 1682-1710 | b. ca. 1655; M.A. King's, Aberdeen; d. Apr 1710; mar. Marjory Livingston; issue: James, John, Margaret, Eliz. |
| Alexander Lindsay | 1710 | M.A.; formerly min. at Cortachy & Clova; intruded 1710 and 1715-6 |
| John Gillies | 1716-1753 | b. 1681; schoolmaster of Fern 1716; orf. 18 Sep 1716; d. 1 Mar 1753; mar. 1711 Mary Watson; issue: Dr John, min. of Blackfriars Glasgow; Robert, of Little Keithock; Thomas, Mary, Isobel, Janet, 5 others |
| William Morrice | 1755-1772 | b. 1708, son of John M., baker, Aberdeen; schoolmaster at Skene; ord. 30 Apr 1755; dem. 24 Jun 1772; d. 1779 Kincardine O'Neil ABD |
| Andrew Gray | 1773-1797 | b. 1735; M.A. St Andrews 1762; assistant at Dun; ord. 27 Jan 1773; d. 9 Dec 1797; mar. Kath. Baillie |
| Alexander Burnett | 1798-1800 | b. ca. 1735, son of John B., min. of Cluny ABD; M.A. Marischal Aberdeen 1754; missionary Portsoy BAN 1763; ord. Footdee Aberdeen 1765; dem. 1765; adm. 8 Aug 1798; d. 25 Jan 1800 |
| David Lyell | 1800-1854 | b. 1769, yst son of Stewart Lyell of Dickmontlaw, later of Fernyflatt alias Kinneff, & Janet, dau. of John Gardner of North Tarry; ord. 30 Oct 1800; d. 15 Jul 1854; mar. 1805 hon. Cath., yst dau. of John 7th visc. of Arbuthnott; issue: John G.; Stewart T., HEICS; James L.; Isabella; Hugh A., min. of Auchterhouse |
| Robert Moir | 1854-1858 | ord. 21 Dec 1854; tr. to Rothiemay BAN 7 Jan 1858 |
| George Gordon Milne | 1858-1862 | ord. 13 May 1858; tr. to Cortachy 16 May 1862 |
| William Linton Baxter | 1862-1885 | b. 1836 Brechin, son of Alex. B., shoemaker; M.A. King's Aberdeen 1856; assistant at Crail FIF & Newhills ABD; ord. 31 Jul 1862; d. unmar. 6 Sep 1885 |
| Mercer Hall | 1886-1887 | b. ca. 1855 Galshiels SEL, son of John H.; ord. 18 Mar 1886; tr. to Roberton SEL 24 Feb 1887 |
| Hugh Mackenzie Campbell | 1887-1892 | ord. 13 Jul 1887; res. 16 Jun 1892 on appt as chaplain, Calton Jail, Edinburgh; missionary Arisaig 1902 |
| Donald McMillan | 1892-1905 | ord. 14 Sep 1892; res. on appt to Prestonfield Chapel, Edinburgh |
| Robert Paisley | 1905-1925 | b. 1855 St Ninians STI; assistant St Stephen's Broughty Ferry & East Par. Dundee; ord. East Par. Brechin 28 Jun 1883; tr. & adm. 11 Jan 1905; dem. 17 Nov 1925; d. 5 Jun 1926 Brechin; mar. 1884 Amy, dau. of Thos Taylor, Broughty Ferry; issue: Thos; Cath. H.; Robert N., min. of Ladykirk BEW |
| Robert Matthew Watson | 1926-1937 | b. 9 Feb 1862 Glasgow, son of Archibald Watson, min. of Dundee; M.A. St Andrews 1884; locumtenens Mains & Strathmartine, St Luke's Dundee; ass. Dundee and Edinburgh Newington; ord. 20 Sep 1900 & ind. to Clova; tr. from Clova 17 Mar 1926; dem. Jun 1937; d. 8 Jan 1939 Dundee; unm. |
| George Arthur Sefton* | 1937-? | B.D.; b. 3 Mar 1900 Aberdeen, son of Alfred s., Post Office clerk; from Pitsligo Parish Church, Rosehearty; ind. Oct 1937 d. 1988 Brechin; mar. 1928 Mary C. Reay |
| Henry Reay Sefton* | 1962-? | b. 1931 Pitsligo, son of the above; educ. Brechin High School; M.A.(St Andrews 1954), B.D., S.T.M., Ph.D.; ord. 15 Sep 1957; succ. 1962; Master of Christ's College, Aberdeen 1982; d. 2019 Banchory |
* He was also minister of Fern.
Monuments in Careston Kirkyard bearing pre-1855 information (ca. 15 stones) 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.)
Andrew Jervise recorded some monuments at Careston in his "Epitaphs & Inscriptions", vol. 1, pp. 259-60.
There are only about two dozen monuments in the modern cemetery (or kirkyard extension) immediately to the south of the kirkyard.
On the inside face of the wall of the kirkyard, there are stones, each inscribed with the name of one of the farms in the parish, indicating the corresponding burial places. On the east wall, Nether Careston; on the west, running southwards, Mains of Careston; Waterston; Hillhead; Dyketown; Miln of Careston; Peathill; Bracklaburn.
A complete listing for Careston Kirkyard follows. [M1], etc., indicate Mitchell's numbering. Uncertain readings are in parentheses; square brackets enclose editorial comments and occasional completions. [p1521], etc., indicates that I already have a photo of the monument.
[1; M1?] [very faint traces of an inscription in the lichen, which is largely detached from the stone]
[2; p567] In memory of our very dear son PETER FREDERICK CLEAVER who died on his holidays 8th September 1933 aged 17 years.
[3; p566] In memory of MARGARET JOSEPHINE ADAMSON beloved wife of WILLIAM JOHN CAMPBELL ADAMSON of Careston and Stracathro much missed mother and grandmother born 25th February 1923 died 15th March 1996
[4; p565] In memory of JOHN ADAMSON of Careston died 28th of February 1893 aged 79 and of Captain WILLIAM ADAMSON died 23rd Nov. 1899 aged 88 years. Also of WILLIAM CAMPBELL ADAMSON Captain R.F.C. born 5th Nov. 1888 killed in action near Zandvoorde 5th Sep 1915. NORA JANE CAMPBELL wife of Wm SHAW ADAMSON of Careston died 13th August 1932 aged 74 years. WILLIAM SHAW ADAMSON of Careston J.P. D.L., died 12th March 1936 aged 84 years.
[5; p564] In loving memory of CAROL M. ADAMSON 19th July 1950 - 29th Oct 2002 beloved wife of JAMIE devoted mother to LOUISA and SOPHIE
[6; p563 JOHN ALEXANDER SHAW ADAMSON born 18th June 1885, died 27th Novr 1885. "God took him."
[7] In memory of the Rev. WILLIAM LINTON BAXTER, A.M. born 23rd March 1836, ordained the minister of the parish and church of Careston, 31st July 1862, died 6th September 1885, in the 50th year of his age and 24th of his ministry. "He which testifieth these things saith, surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus." Rev. XXII. 20.
[8; M2; p663] In memory of Mr JOHN GILLIES ... [w]as ordained minester ... Caraldstone Sept. 1716 and departed this life the first of March 1753 aged 72 years. Six of his children are likeways buried here: of which five died in their infancy, and one viz. THOMAS in March 17(3)6 aged 13 years. His spouse MARY WATSON survives him as also five of his children viz. JOHN minister in Glasgow: ROBERT merchant in Brechin and MARY, ISOBEL and JANET GILLIESs Ps. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace. Phil. 1:21 To me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Col. 3:4 When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory.
[9; M3; p662] In memory of the Revd DAVID LYELL who was ordained minister of Careston, A.D. 1800 and died there on the 15th July 1854, in the 86th year of his age. His spouse the honble CATHARINE ARBUTHNOTT, died on the 16th December 1853, aged 65 years. Their son STUART THOMAS LYELL surgeon, H.E.I.C.S. died at Ballary in India, on the 17th July 1853, aged 45 years. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God Hebrews IV Chap 9th verse.
[10; M4] 1853 In memory of JOHN LAING tenant Whiteside who died June 23 1833 aged 49 years. And of his wife AGNES HEWITT who died Nov 26 1846 both of whose mortal remains are here interred .... without dismay ... Erected by JAMES, JOHN, ALEXANDER, ANNE and AGNES LAING, in testimony of the cherished remembrance of their beloved parents.
[11] Erected by HELEN and MARGARET STEWART, in memory of their parents, DONALD STEWART tenant in Hillhead of Careston, who died 9th March 1880, aged 80 years and was interred in Rescobie Churchyard. And his wife MARY SMITH, who died 19th August 1865, aged 49 years. Also of their brother & sisters, ALEXANDER, who died 8th April 1863, aged 11 years. JANE, wife of Wm HUNTER who died 19th Oct. 1868, aged 25 years. MARY ANN, wife of JOHN HUNTER Howmuir, who died 13th July 1877, aged 32 years. And was interred in Aberlemno Churchyard. The said MARGARET STEWART died 19th August 1926, aged 79 years.
[12; heart] In memory of our dear MARY
[13; M5; p562] "Eadhon dean agus na caomhain." 18 AP 72 Sacred to the memory of ALEXANDER PETER, tenant of Parkside, elder, who died, 10th August, 1861, aged 86 years; and his wife, ISABEL McCONACHIE, who died 30th October 1834, aged 59 years. And of their son JOHN, also tenant of Parkside, who died 2nd August, 1879. aged 70 years. His wife MARY COBB, died 12th April, 1881, aged 54 years. Their son JOHN, died 5th April, 1881, aged 22 years. And is interred at Aberlemno. "To us to rest is great gain." 1. Peter, V.4
[14; M6; p665] Erected by JEAN McLEISH in memory of her husband JOHN WOOD, who died 22nd April 1832, aged 64 years and 10 months Also ALEXANDER her son who died 6th Decr 1805, aged 5 years and 3 months
[west] Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
[15; p561, p664] Erected by THOMAS LAWRIE farmer, Hillhead, in memory of his daughter ELIZABETH who died 9th September 1897 aged 23 years. Also his daughter-in-law AGNES BENNET wife of GAVIN LAWRIE who died at Hillhead, 18th November 1904, aged 44 years. And of the above THOMAS LAWRIE who died at Hillhead, 6th December 1904, aged 76 years Also of his wife CATHERINE LEIPER, who died at Hillhead, 15th February 1909, aged 82 years. Also of HELEN WALLACE wife of GAVIN LAWRIE, who died at Hillhead, 1st November 1918, aged 40 years
[16; p560, p666] In memory of ANDREW McFARLANE gamekeeper who died at Careston Cottages, 19th June 1909, aged 53 years. And of his only son ANDREW, who died 6th March 1915 aged 20 years. Also his daughter MARY COCKIE, who died 12th Sept. 1941, aged 51 years. Also of his wife ISABELLA WALLACE who died 11th Jan. 1949, in her 93rd year. "The Spirit hath returned to God who gave it."
[17; at foot of 16] ANDREW and MARY
[18] In affectionate remembrance of JAMES CARCARY who died 9th Nov 1887, aged 65 years "beloved and mourned" Also of his wife ELIZABETH MILNE who died 20th Sep. 1899, aged 77 years.
[19; at foot of 18; metal plate] [blank]
[20] Erected in memory of THOMAS WALKER Mill of Careston who died 22nd Decr 1859, aged 43 years and HELEN KEMLO his wife who died at Montrose 30th July 1871, aged 64 years. Also their two children ALEXr OFFICER and ELIZABETH who died in infancy.
[21; M7; p667] Erected by ISABELLA RICHARD and surviving family in memory of ALEXANDER FYFE late tenant in Whiteside of Careston who died 12th July 1871, aged 62 years. Also of his family WILLIAM who died 22nd March 1852, aged 19 years. ISABELLA who died 24th April 1852, aged 13 years. ALEXANDER who died 27th July 1867, aged 32 years. JAMES and JOHN who died in infancy. Number them with thy saints in glory everlasting. The above ISABELLA RICHARD died at Arbroath 12th Sepr 1893, aged 84 years. And is interred here.
[22; heart] In affectionate remembrance of father & mother L.F.
[23; p668] In loving memory of ANDREW GILCHRIST GARDINER who died at Cowhillock, Careston on 18th May 1913, aged 59 years. And his wife MARGARET ISABEL FLEMING who died at the Cottages Careston, 9th Jan. 1928, in her 73rd year. Also their son ANDREW GILCHRIST GARDINER beloved husband of MINA LAW DAVIDSON who died 8th Sept. 1934, aged 49 years. And the above MINA LAW DAVIDSON who died 6th Jan. 1940. Also CARALDSTONE GARDINER who died 10th April 1941. "I surrender all."
[24; p669] 1864 Erected by ANN MONRO in memory of her husband ALEXANDER BRODIE, shoemaker Whiteside, Careston who died 3rd January 1862, aged 63 years. His daughter ISOBELLA GORDON, who died 27th October 1861, aged 28 years; his two sons who died in infancy and also his father in law ALEXANDER MONRO, who died 21st April 1860, aged 83 years. And of his mother-in-law ISABELLA CUTHBERT, who died 22nd Decr 1864, aged 81 years. Likewise of his son JAMES CUTHBERT BRODIE, who died 23rd Decr 1874, aged 47 years. Buried in Western Cemetery Dundee ANN MONRO widow of ALEXANDER BRODIE and co-erector of this stone died on 31st July 1883, aged 74 years. To her memory as a devoted wife and tender loving mother this is affectionately inscribed by her sorrowing children
[west] Cal[m o]n the bosom of thy God / Sw[eet] the[?] spirit rest thee now / Ev[en] while with us thy footsteps trod / H[is se]al was on thy brow
[25] In memory of WILLIAM CHEYNE who died at Whiteside, Careston, 28th Oct. 1897, aged 46 years and of his wife MARY HELEN KEIR BRODIE who died 17th July 1939, in her 87th year. For ever with the Lord.
[26; small cross] In remembrance of CHARLES STANTON, aged 3 years and 11 months.
[27] Erected by ANN PATERSON in memory of her husband SIMPSON COOK, sometime farmer in Whiteside of Careston, who died at Blackhall, on 3d March 1882, aged 65 years. Also his wife ANN PATERSON, who died at Edzell 11th January 1892, aged 78 years.
[28; M9] In loving remembrance of JOHN COVE who died at Marcus 1(3)th May 1877 in his 74 year Also of his daughter CHRISTINA who died 28th May 1854 aged 6 years.
[29; M8] To the memory of DAVID BUCHAN, who died on the 14th February 1890, aged 77 years; for 45 years tenant of Whiteside Careston. ISABELLA PETER, his wife, who died on 18th March 1878, aged 60 years. Their son JOHN, who died on 27th March 1862, aged 21 years. Their daughter MARY who died on 20th September 1854, aged 7 years.
[30] Erected by JANE CAMERON in loving memory of her husband WILLIAM R. SPALDING who died 25th March 1914, aged 77 years. Also of the above JANE CAMERON who died 30th Nov. 1930, aged 87 years. Also of their daughter MARTHA LECKIE who died 13th August 1932. "I am the resurrection and the life."
[31; p670] Erected by MARY JANE WILLOX in memory of her husband JOHN BIRSE who died 24th March 1915, aged 66 years. Also of their son JOHN who died 3rd May 1895, aged 11 years. And their daughter MARGARET ANN who died 17th Feb. 1919, aged 37 years Also the above MARY JANE WILLOX who died 31st July 1928, aged 76 years.
[32; p558] In loving memory of ANNIE GRAY wife of PETER KEITH, who died 28th April 1915 aged 64 years. Also of the above PETER KEITH who died 20th April 1925, in his 86th year. Also of their eldest daughter ISABELLA GRAY who died 17th Feb. 1946, in her 76th year. Also their grandson JAMES K. KEITH who died 20th Feb. 2007 aged 88 years beloved husband of NORA C. CHRISTIE who died 15th Oct. 2005 aged 84 years Resting together.
[33] In memory of THOMAS CRUICKSHANK ROSE road surveyor for over thirty years of the western division of the Brechin district, who died at Careston, 27th August 1906, in his 76th year, and of his youngest son JOHN who died 21st March 1894, in his 18th year. His son JAMES, minister of Dyke U.F. Church who died 10th December 1920, in his 51st year. Buried at Forres. His wife ELIZABETH JOLLY who died 5th November 1923, in her 88th year. His daughter JANE who died 3rd July 1934, aged 71 years. His daughter ELIZA who died 17th June 1949, in her 84th year. His eldest son ALEXANDER for 10 years Secretary of the Bank of Scotland, who died in Edinburgh 28th December 1951, in his 85th year. Also his son THOMAS who died in England 8th April 1967 in his 96th year. Rest in peace
[34; M10] Erected by ELIZABETH MITCHELL as a tribute of affection to the memory of her father JOHN MITCHELL Haughs of Kinnaird and latterly Montrose who was drowned whilst bathing June 1820, aged 50 years and is buried here. ELIZABETH MITCHELL wife of the above who died at Edinburgh 28th June 1860 aged 78 years ANNE MITCHELL their daughter wife of the Revd JOHN HOUSBY, who died at Portobello, 17th January 1834 aged 17 years and 9 months. JOHN MITCHELL M.D. 1st class staff surgeon, their only son, who perished in the Crimean War from his over exertions amongst the wounded soldiers at the battle of Alma 24th September 1854 aged 45 years. CHRISTINA MITCHELL, their eldest daughter, who died at Aberdeen 28th May 1872 aged 65 years. Loved and lamented
[35; M11] Erected by ALEXANDER MITCHELL tenant Nether Careston in memory of his father ALEXANDER MITCHELL formerly tenant there who died on the 13th day of September 1823 aged 86 years and of his mother ISABEL GUTHRIE who died on the 7th day of February 1826 aged 79 years. Also in memory of his son DAVID who died on the 9th day of March 1821 aged 11 years and of his daughter ELISABETH who died on the 20th day of March 1822 aged 19 years.
[36; M12; p672; marginal inscription] ... stone was erected by GEORGE MITCHELL in memory of his father GEORGE MITC[... buried ... m]other IANET FAIRWEATHER who died 1736 aged 80 ... AGNES GALL wh[o d]ied 1731 aged 35; GMIF [as monogram]; IM TM IM CM AM; AM IM MM EM IM; As our ... that both ... Both have their ...
[37; p557] Erected by JOHN MILNE & SUSAN COX in memory of their daughter ANNIE who died Feb. 28th 1883 aged 10½ years. In loving memory of the above JOHN MILNE who died at Whiteside, Careston on Sept. 13th 1914 in his 79th year. Also of his wife SUSAN COX who died 18th Dec. 1921 in her 86th year. Also of their loving and devoted daughter BETSY STEWART who died at Barns of Airlie 12th Nov. 1931, aged 65 years interred here. Not dead but gone before.
[38] In loving memory of our dear son wee BOBBIE who died at Nether Careston 3rd April 1916 aged 11 months
[39; p671] In loving memory of MARJORY CHRISTIE died July 1st 1912 aged 5 Also her brother GEORGE A. CHRISTIE died Jan. 18th 1978 aged 73
[40; heart, at foot of 39] In memory of MARJORY CHRISTIE died 1st July 1912 aged 5.
[41] In loving memory of JAMES GUTHRIE PETER who died at Muirside Cottage, Careston 5th Sept. 1942 aged 72 years. And of his wife JANE F. GUTHRIE who died 28th May 1945 aged 76 years. Also their son JAMES who died 25th Feb. 1945 aged 37 years.
[42] In loving memory of our dear parents JOAN SIMPSON who died 9th Aug 1933 aged 39 years beloved wife of JAMES CHRISTISON who died 29th June 1964 aged 69 years Also their son-in-law JAMES R. WEIR who died 6th April 2001 aged 79 years beloved husband of ANNIE Sorely missed R.I.P.
Modern cemetery (or kirkyard extension)
The following are among the monuments in the modern cemetery (or kirkyard extension) immediately to the south of the kirkyard:
[p673] In loving memory of my dear husband and our dear father GAVIN LAWRIE, farmer, who died at Hillhead on 10th December 1943, in his 78th year. Also of his wife JANE McAULAY MURRAY who died 18th June 1962, aged 78 years. Remembering in love JAMES WALLACE LAWRIE who died at Waterston 11th August 1964, aged 49 years. Interred in Edinburgh, dear husband of NANCY and son of the above GAVIN LAWRIE.
[p675] To the dear memory of THOMAS LAWRIE farmer Hillhead who died 14th April 1953 aged 40 years beloved husband of MURIEL PHILLIPS Also her mother ELIZABETH EATON FRASER PHILLIPS who died 30th June 1955 aged 73 years Also the above MURIEL PHILLIPS who died 17th January 1996 aged 77 years
[p674] In loving memory of JOHN MILNE who died at Careston Post Office 24th June 1947 aged 69 years. Husband of MARY CHALMERS. Also of ELIZABETH JANE daughter of the late JOHN MILNE Whiteside Careston, who died on 8th March 1949, aged 80. The above MARY CHALMERS who died 14th Sept. 1972, in her 92nd year.
Inside the kirk: Photographs & names.
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.
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Additionally, in the National Records:
- 1855 - 1937 [NRS CH2/55/6]
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.
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- 1714 - 1854
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- 1773 - 1817
- 1821 - 1854
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- 1773 - 1854
Church Session Records of Careston Parish Church
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH2/55/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1733-1753 | 1 |
| do | 1760-1864 | 2 |
| do | 1855-1938 | 3 |
| Cash book | 1716-1733 | 4 |
| Proclamations | 1862-1976 | 5 |
| Baptisms | 1855-1937 | 6 |
There was 1 proprietor of land in the parish in 1842:
- James, 4th earl of Fife - who inherited from his maternal uncle, Alexander Skene of that ilk & Careston
See also Adamson of Careston Castle and Stracathro House
Major George Skene of Careston (d. 1724), 1724-1740 [Angus Archives ref. MS 622]
including rental of estate of Careston, 28 Feb 1727, with details of 40 farms and their tenantsMemorial and abstract for the sale of the estate of Careston, 14 May 1833 [NRS ref. RHP6439/5]
booklet detailing: size; rental and feu duties; salaries of staff; names of feuars
| Farm | Name | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Balnabreich | John Johnston | -1902-; -1926-1943 |
| Careston | William Shaw Adamson of Careston [d. 1936] | -1910-1942- |
| Careston Mains | William Thomson | -1871- |
| Mill of Careston | William Thomson | -1881- |
| Collinshaugh | John Innes | -1861-1891- |
| do | William Innes | -1901-1916- |
| do | John Johnston | -1921- |
| Hillhead of Careston | Alexander Nicol | -1841-1857- |
| do | Donald Stewart [d. 1880] | -1859-1880 |
| do | Thomas [d. 1904] & Gavin Lawrie | -1901-1902- |
| do | Gavin Lawrie [d. 1943] | -1910-1942- |
| do | Thomas Lawrie [d. 1953] | -1953 |
| Nether Careston | Alexander Mitchell [d. 1823] | -1823 |
| do | Alexander Mitchell, jun. | -1841- |
| do | George Mitchell | -1851-1858? |
| do | George Skene Mitchell | -1861-1868- |
| do | Charles Mitchell | -1884- |
| do | John L. Rodger [d. 1903] | -1901-1903 |
| do | James McLaren [d. 1935] | -1910-1935 |
| do | Robert Scott | -1938-1942- |
| Ormond Hill | David Williamson | -1861- |
| do | Andrew Chalmers | -1881- |
| Parkside | Alexander Peter [d. 1861] | -1861 |
| do | John Peter [d. 1879] | -1879 |
| Peathill | David Rickard | -1841- |
| do | Alexander Carnegie | -1851-1861- |
| do | Margaret Petrie | -1901- |
| do | William S. Petrie | -1902- |
| do | John Petrie | -1910-1921- |
| do | Mrs Petrie | -1926-1942- |
| do | John Nicoll Petrie [d. 1951] | -1946-1951 |
| South Drum | Peter Gordon | -1861- |
| do | Walter Boyle | -1881- |
| do | William Spalding | -1901-1921- |
| Waterston | George Paterson | -1902- |
| do | Representatives of George Paterson | -1926-1942- |
| Whiteside of Careston | John Laing [d. 1833] | -1833 |
| do | James Young | -1857 |
| do | David Buchan | -1861-1881?- |
| do | David Cobb | -1861- |
| do | Alexander Fyfe [d. 1871] | -1871 |
| do | Simpson Cook [d. 1882] | -1881-1882 |
| do | David Buchan [d. 1890] | -1890 |
| do | John Milne | -1901-1926- |
| Woodside | John Peter | -1861- |
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 | 269 | Dr Alexander Webster | ||
| 1790 | 132 | 128 | 260 | Old Statistical Account |
| 1801 | 229 | |||
| 1811 | 271 | |||
| 1821 | 110 | 130 | 240 | |
| 1831 | 253 | |||
| 1839 | 216 | |||
| 1841 | 221 | |||
| 1851 | 207 | |||
| 1871 | 108 | 101 | 209 | |
| 1881 | 103 | 91 | 194 | |
| 1891 | 104 | 94 | 198 | |
| 1901 | 109 | 112 | 221 | |
| 1911 | 100 | 113 | 213 | |
| 1921 | 94 | 103 | 197 |
Careston was in the Commissariot of Brechin.
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 Careston 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.
| James Black | lawful son to the deceased Andrew Black, sometime in Hillhead of Carraldstone | 16 Feb 1704 |
| Elizabeth Campbell | See Skeine, Mr Gilbert, minister at Carristoune | |
| Sir Alexander Carnegie of Balnamoone, knight | 10 Dec 1658, 22 May 1672 | |
| James Carnegie of Balnamoon | par. of Carraldstone | 18 Jan, 7 Apr, 11 Sep 1704, 25 Oct 1706, 4 Apr 1707 |
| James Carnegie, late of Balnamoone | 25 Oct 1706, 16 Jun 1710 | |
| Sir John Carnegie of Balnamoon, knight | T 1665, T 1669, T 1672 | |
| Margaret Carnegie | spouse to John Collace, fiar of Pitforkie | 17 Mar 1624 |
| Mr William Chaplain | at the Mill of Carraldstone, and Christian Duncan, his spouse | 2 Mar and 23 Apr 1705 |
| John Collace, fiar of Pitforkie | See Carnegie, Margaret | |
| John Croupe | spouse of Catherine Fyfe, in Nether Carraldstoune | 18 Jan 1580-1 |
| Elspet Deuchar | spouse to Thomas Lyell, in Nether Caraldstone | 18 Nov 1684 |
| Christian Duncan | See Chaplain, Mr William, in the Mill of Carraldstone | |
| Elizabeth Espline | lawful daughter to the deceased John E., in the Hillhead of Caraldstoune | 2 Apr 1718 |
| John Espline | in Hillhead of Caraldstoune | 4 Jul 1710 |
| David Findlayson | in Tenements of Carestoun, and Christian Fraser, his spouse, par. of Brechin | 3 Dec 1632 |
| Isobel Forsythe | in Carestoun. See Willie, John | |
| Christian Fraser | in Carestoun. See Findlayson, David | |
| Catherine Fyfe | in Nether Carraldstoune. See Croupe, John | |
| William Gairdner | in Carraldstoun. See Tyre, Isobel | |
| John Hood | in Dyktone, par. of Carraldstone | T 25 Mar 1670 |
| John Hood | smith, indweller in Dyktoune of Carraldstone. See Thomson, Catherine | |
| Alexander Law | servant to the deceased James Carnegie of Balnamoone | 20 Feb 1706 |
| Janet Low | See Lyell, James, at the Milne of Caraldstone | |
| James Lyell | at the Milne of Caraldstone, and Janet Low, his spouse | 22 Apr 1681 |
| Thomas Lyell | in Nether Caraldstone. See Deuchar, Elspet | |
| Henry Mudie | in Carestoune, par. of Brechin | 27 Apr 1622 |
| Janet Murdo | spouse to David Traill, in Craigend of Pitforkie | 27 Feb 1583-4 |
| Mr Gilbert Skene | minister at Carristoune, and Elizabeth Campbell, his spouse | 29 Jul 1679 |
| Catherine Thomson | relict of John Hood, smith, indweller in Dyktoune, of Carraldstone | T 1671 |
| David Traill | in Craigend of Pitforkie. See Murdo, Janet | |
| Isobel Tyre | spouse of William Gairdner, in Carraldstoun | 4 Jul 1579 |
| James Webster | lawful son to David Webster, sometime intenent of Caraldstoun | 21 Jul 1714 |
| James Webster | weaver in par. of Caraldstone | 3 Apr 1725 |
| John Willie | in Carestoun, and Isobel Forsythe, his spouse, par. of Brechin | 28 Aug 1626 |
Testaments of Careston people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1514-1600
| Bessie Dempstar | sometime spouse to Robert Fyfe, in Burnesyd of Pitforky, in Brechin par. | 30 Oct 1590 |
| Margaret Duncan | spous to Robert Dempster in Carralstoun | 12 Jun 1565 |
| Margaret Gardin | sometime spouse to Robert Dempstar, in Nether-Carrelstoun in Angus | 19 May 1593 |
Images of the original records for Careston:
Images of the original records for Careston: