Kirkden (formerly Idvie or Idvies) (Angus)

Introduction

All information on the village of Friockheim has been moved to a new page, Friockheim.

Please also visit the page of general information applicable to all of Angus & Kincardineshire.

Abbreviations

Books & articles

• See also, for history of the parish:
  • The Statistical accounts of Kirkden
  • General histories listed on the page for Books about Angus & Kincardineshire, in particular Warden, vol. 4, pp. 67-86.

Statistical accounts of Kirkden

• Old Statistical Account of the 1790s - vol. 2, p. 505
• New Statistical Account of the 1840s - vol. 11, p. 383

Maps of Kirkden

• 1:25000 Ordnance Survey map - published 1957
• 1:10560 (Six inch) Ordnance Survey map - surveyed 1859, published 1865
• Plan of the Estate of Idvies - 1865

For the full range of maps of Kirkden, see National Library's Maps.

Photographs of places

Geograph.org: Gardyne - recent photographs of Gardyne. National Grid ref. NO5748.

Kirkden parish church

The mediaeval church would seem to have been near Gask, beside a ford on the Vinny Water, near "the foot of the rock called Craignacre", though the exact site is unknown.

The remains of the kirk that replaced it in about 1700, and which was itself rebuilt in 1825, are located at National Grid ref. NO531485.

Above: the remains of the former church of Kirkden of 1825 (or possibly merely some rebuilt walling on or adjacent to the site). The photo shows the burial enclosure of the Lyells of Gardyne, the bell, the 1914-18 war memorial (white, in centre of picture) and the inscription (near the left) recording the rebuilding of the kirk in 1825.

Above, left: the bell of Idvie Kirk, at the above site. The inscription is:

FOR THE CHVRCH OF IDVIE IN ANGVS P: OSTENS GOOT MY [i.e. cast me] A°. 1676

Pieter Ostens (b. 1628 Utrecht, d. 1690 Gorinchem), a bellfounder in Rotterdam, was also responsible for the bells at Carriden WLN (1674) and Kinneff KCD (1679). "Probably not a high-flier in his craft ... a bell he cast in 1671 for Dordrecht had everything wrong with it ... nonetheless, he also sold bells to Scotland" [ref.]

Above, right: Plaque recording the rebuilding of Kirkden Church in 1825:

Parish ministers 1560-1947

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

* Minister of the united charge of Dunnichen, Letham & Kirkden

Ministers of Idvie
Unclear how this is distinct from Kirkden

Ministers of Dumbarrow (Antiburgher)
The church was built by Mr Andrew Arrott of Dumbarrow, sometime min. of Dunnichen, ca. 1742. After 1816, Dumbarrow church was converted into Hillkirk of Dumbarrow farmhouse. The lands of Dumbarrow were a detached part of the parish of Dunnichen until the simplification of parish boundaries in 1891, when they became part of Kirkden parish.

Monumental inscriptions

Monuments in Kirkden Kirkyard (ca. 60 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.)

Andrew Jervise recorded several monuments at Kirkden in his "Epitaphs & Inscriptions", vol. 1, pp. 32-5.

See Inverkeilor MIs for monuments to the Gardynes of Middleton.

A partial listing for Kirkden kirkyard follows. [M1], etc., indicate Mitchell's numbering. Uncertain readings are in parentheses, (); parentheses on the stones are replaced here by braces, {}; square brackets enclose editorial comments.

Erected by THOMAS GOODFELLOW, in memory of his daughter MARY GRANT GOODFELLOW, who died at March of Gardyne Decr 2nd 1875, aged 10 years. Also his wife AGNES GRANT who died 9th April 1911, aged 75 years. The above THOMAS GOODFELLOW, died at Newton of Idvies 2nd Oct. 1926, aged 89 years

1863 Erected by JOHN GRIEVE and sons in memory of his deceased children. ELIZABETH, who died 7th May 1855, aged 2 years and 7 months. ALEXANDER. who died 11th August 1863. aged 12. years. and 9 months. ANN, died 12 July 1867, aged 21. MARY LOWSON, only daughter of DAVID, son of the above JOHN GRIEVE, she died 31st March 1874. aged 10 months. The above JOHN GRIEVE, died 24th June 1887. aged 78 years. GEORGE GRIEVE. who died 31st December 1890. aged 36 years. CLEMENTINA. grandaughter who died 29th March 1900. aged 33 years ELIZABETH GRIEVE, née FYFE, died 25th Sept 1905, aged 92 years.

[M1; table stone; also traces of further inscription] (.)A AH; IS

[M10] RA MB KB; Here lies the bodie of ALEXANDER BROUSTER sometime indwller in ground of Idvie He died y^e 2 day of March 1755 of age 71 years Also MARGRET REID his wife She died the 11 day of March 1732 aged [buried]
[west] (.)B (.)B

[M2, presumably; table stone; no remaining trace of inscription]

[not in Mitchell] This stone was E(recte)d by JAMES (EWEN) and DAVID MON... [buried]
[west] 1753 ...oh... (D)re(.)o...

Erected by ELPSETH KINNEAR, in memory of her husband, ROBERT DOW {farmer Ascurry} who died on the 15 Sept 1866, aged 62 years. Also in memory of her daughter, ANNE, who died at Bowriefauld, on the 29th Sept 1893, aged 42 years The above ELSPETH KINNEAR died at Forfar on the 28th January 1901, aged 84 years.

Erected in loving memory of our father WILLIAM INVERARITY who died 1st August 1900 aged 63 years Also our sister ELIZABETH DUNCAN who died 17th May 1888 aged 18 years and our brother WILLIAM who died 7th March 1876 aged 2 years & 3 months Also our sister DOROTHEA FORBES, wife of WILLIAM ADDISON, who died 28th Nov. 1909, aged 29 years. Also our mother JANE BLAIR died at Woodville Feus 25th Jan 1931 aged 82 years. Also our brother JAMES died 24th April 1960 aged 70. late farmer Wandershill Also our sisters DAVINA died 14th Dec. 1960 aged 83. JOANN MARY INVERARITY died 28th Dec. 1963 aged 76 years.

1871 Erected by GEORGE MITCHELL, in memory of his son, JOHN S. MITCHELL, surgeon, M.B.C.M. who died at Menstry, on the 8th March 1870. in the 32nd year of his age, Also, of his children, AGNES, and GEORGE, who died in infancy. The above GEORGE MITCHELL, died 6th May 1879, aged 70, and his wife ELIZABETH STURROCK, died 16th Decr 1887, aged 81.

[M32] Erected by WILLIAM FAIRWEATHER farmer, Gask in memory of his son WILLIAM who died 24th August 1836 in infancy and his daughter BETSY who died 24th April 1844 aged 13 years. Also in memory of his father-in-law JAMES BARRIE who died 26th February 1844 aged 73 years. And his daughter JANE {Mrs HOOD} who died 17 May 1864 aged 24. Also his wife JEAN BARRIE who died 1 May 1865 aged 62.
[west] Also in memory of WILLIAM FAIRWEATHER first before named who died at Easter Ingliston Kinnettles on 5th June 1888, aged 84 years.

[M31] 1795 This stone was erected by THOMAS HERALD tennent in Bra(cti)lo and JEAN YOUNG his spouse in memory of his father JOHN HERALD late tennent in Bra(ctila) who died the 10 of Novr 1774 aged 65 years. Also ther daughter JEAN HERALD who died the 29 of Novr 1792 aged 2 years and 2 months MARY ANN JOHN ANDREW ISBEAL WILLIAM JANET JEAN HERALDs all surviving at the above deat.
[west] Here also are interred THOMAS HERALD brewer who died at Forfar 20 March 1849, aged 53. Also A(NNE) NICOL his wife who died at Forfar 3 Dec. 1851, aged 49. JEAN died May. 1792. aged 2 years. JANE [died] April. 1855. [aged] 61 [years] MARY [died] Nov. 1848. [aged] 68 [years] ANDREW [died] Sept. 1858. [aged] 73 [years] JANET [died] Aug. 1865. [aged] 73 [years] The man of years the child of youth / Heir undistinguished ly / We plenly see by heav'ns decree / That every age must die.

1879 Erected by ANN OSLER, his niece, as a tribute of respect, to the memory of her uncle, WILLIAM OSLER, late, farmer, Bractullo, Idvies, who died 8th August 1878. aged 68 years.

[M30] Erected by DAVID DORWARD, feuar Drummietermont and JANE CANT, his wife in memory of their children viz. JOHN, died 28th February 1870 aged 40 years DAVID, died 28th August 1843 aged 9 years BELLA, died 8 September 1843 aged 6 years Also of their grandson JAMES DORWARD, who died 5th September 1873 aged 22 years.

In loving memory of JAMES GARDEN farmer Mains of Gardyne - who died 4th Aug. 1907 aged 84 years. Also his widow CHRISTIAN LAING who died 24th Nov. 1921 aged 91 years. Also their son ALEXANDER LOGAN GARDEN farmer Backboath who died 19th Oct. 1959 aged 93 years. Also his widow JANET ANDERSON INVERARITY who died 29th Nov. 1967 aged 84 years. Erected by his widow and family.

[M27] Erected by DAVID SMITH in memory of his wife JANET MALCOLM, who died at Maybank, Letham 12th July 1935 aged 76 years. The above DAVID SMITH died 25th Oct. 1942, aged 76 years.

[M26] 1846 Erected by CATHRINE MILLN, in memory of her husband ALEXANDER MALCOM, who died 17th Januray 1845, aged 68 years, and also her grandson WILLIAM MALCOM, who died 9th March 1846, aged (5) years, CATHERINE MILLN. died 19th Jan 1847 aged 63 years
[west] Inscribed to the memory of WILLIAM MALCOLM who died 8th June 1898 aged 88 years and his wife ANNIE THOMS who died 10th Novr 1901 aged 85 years Also their family BETSY, died 27th March 1848 aged 11 years DAVID, [died] 27th April 1849 [aged] 2 [years] ALEXANDER [died] 30th Novr 1862 [aged] 24 [years] MARY [died] 7th Decr 1863 [aged] 7 [years] FRANK died in America 3rd Novr 1894 [aged] 41 [years] JAMES, died 28th Novr 1924, aged 79 years.

[M25] Erected in memory of FRANK MALCOLM who died at Maryfield Letham 29th Nov. 1951 aged 70 years

In Lyell enclosure [there are some anomalies in the dates, to be resolved]:

[M34] Erected by ELIZABETH GIBB LYELL, in memory of her beloved husband ALEXANDER LYELL Esqr 2nd of Gardyne, who died Nov. 1852, aged 68 years. And of their children, THOMAS, who died Nov. 1821, aged 6 months, CHARLES, [died] June 1825, [aged] 6 weeks, ANDREW, [died] Aug. 1842, [aged] 11 years, JANE, [died] Dec. 1842, [aged] 13 years, Also Dr ROBERT, who unfortunately lost his life on the night of the 3rd July 1857, in the 32nd year of his age, when quelling the insurrection at Patna during the rebellion in India and whose remains lie there. The above ELIZABETH GIBB LYELL, born 1795. died 1861. THOMAS LYELL, born 1823. died at Chefoo 15th March 1885.
[i.e. Elizabeth Gibb or Lyell; Charles was b. 30.5.1825, so was under 6 weeks old]

In memory of ALEXANDER LYELL III of Gardyne, born 4th August 1819, died 2nd[?] February 1887. And of his wife HELEN MARIA ADAMSON or LYELL born 25th September 1831, died 8th September 1910. Erected by their family.

[M35] To the memory of the children of ALEXANDER LYELL 3rd of Gardyne interred here, HELEN, born 20th Oct. 1868, died 5th Nov. 1868. THOMAS, born 1857 died 186(9). MARGARET, born 5th Nov. 1870 died (3)0th July 1874. MARJORY, born 22nd (Dec)[Feb?] 1863, died 21st July 1874. ALEXANDER LYELL, III of Gardyne, born 4th August 181(5)[?]. died 11th[?] February 1887. Erected by ALEXANDER LYELL, 3rd of Gardyne.
[south] To the memory of THOMAS LYELL, 2nd of Gardyne, born 1705, died 1800. MARJORY RENNY of Usan, his wife, born 1705, died 1788. ALEXANDER LYELL, 1st of Gardyne, born 1743[?], died 1783[?]. JEAN RENNY, of Seatown, his first wife, born 1745, died 1767. ELIZABETH RENNY, of Montrose, his second wife, born 1752, died 1812.

[mural] In memory of EDWARD VALENTINE LYELL 8th son of ALEXANDER LYELL 4th of Gardyne and ETHEL ELIZABETH his second wife born 14th Feb 1904 - died 26th April 1962

[M36; mural] In memory of ISOBEL JOAN YEAMAN wife of ALEXANDER LYELL V of Gardyne Born 16th July 1881. Died 24th April 1955 and of ALEXANDER LYELL V of Gardyne Born 23rd Sept 1882. Died 27th Decr 1958 ELIZABETH MARGARET LYELL daughter of the above Born 1st March 1913. Died 13th June 2000

[mural] In memory of JOHN BLAIR LYELL younger son of ALEXANDER LYELL V of Gardyne born 15.11.[19]20 died 8.2.[19]89

[M37; mural] In memory of ALEXANDER LYELL 6th of Gardyne born 13th May 1915 died 8th Feb 1963 and of his wife MARJORY COLVILLE LYELL born 9th Dec 1914 died 28th Aug 1995

Kirkden 1914-18 war memorial
At the site of the former parish kirk

William J. Brown David C. Bruce James Douglas James Edgar David Edwards Robert Lee James C. Mollison Alexander B. Salmond Andrew Smith George R. Smith William Sturrock

Births, Marriages & Deaths, 1855 to present

Indexes and actual records for Statutory Registers of Births, Marriages & Deaths, beginning 1 Jan 1855, are available online, following registration and the purchase of credits, at the official web-site, ScotlandsPeople.

• Births & baptisms

  Additionally, in the National Records:

  • 1855 - 1894 for Church of Scotland [NRS CH2/227/2]

• Banns & Marriages

  Additionally, in the National Records:

  • 1856 - 1863 for Church of Scotland [NRS CH2/227/2]

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.

• Births & baptisms

  • 1650 - 1690
  • 1735 - 1854

• Banns & Marriages

  • 1650 - 1690
  • 1735 - 1854

• Deaths & Burials

  • 1749 - 1752

Church Session Records of Kirkden Parish Church

Land owners

Heritors of the parish of Kirkden in 1783:

• Sir John Wedderburn of Idvies (held idvies 1763-1790)
• James Gardyne of Middleton
• Alexander Lyell of Gardyne
• James Mudie of Pitmuies
• David Watt of Kinneries
• Peggy and Betty Ogilvie of Friock (Miss Eliz. Ogilvy sold Friock at auction in 1792 to David Gardyne)

Heritors of the parish of Kirkden in 1825:

• John Baxter of Idvies (a banker in Dundee, acquired Idvies in 1808)
• Thomas Gardyne of Middleton
• Alexander Lyell of Gardyne
• James Mudie of Pitmuies
• John Watt of Kinneries

Heritors of the parish of Kirkden in 1840:

• Henry Baxter of Idvies (son of the above John)
• Thomas Gardyne of Middleton (died 1841, last of the male line of Gardyne)
• Alexander Lyell of Gardyne
• James Mudie of Pitmuies
• John Watt of Kinneries

There were 5 individuals, and trustees, proprietors of land in the parish in 1902 [Source: 1902 Valuation Roll]. This list excludes all but a handful of houses in the village of Friockheim, q.v.

Estate records

Records of the Gardynes & Bruce-Gardynes of Middleton - NRAS ref. NRAS22 - & in particular NRAS22/3. These are privately held papers.

Farmers / Tenants

Census records

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.

Population statistics

After change of parish boundary:

Testaments & wills

Kirkden was in the Commissariot of St Andrews.

Indexes to all extant pre-1926 testamentary records (wills & inventories of moveable property) can be searched free of charge at ScotlandsPeople. Digital (and paper) copies of the documents can be purchased at that site. See further the introduction to Angus & Kincardineshire at Testaments.

Testaments of Kirkden people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of St Andrews, 1549-1823

Testaments registered at St Andrews that have been lost, for which only entries in the minute books are extant.

Testaments of Kirkden 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.

Testaments of Kirkden people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1514-1600

Testaments of Kirkden people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1601-1700

Clock & watch tax, 1797-8

Images of the original records for Kirkden:

NRS ref. E326/12/2/55

Farm horse tax, 1797-8

Images of the original records for Kirkden:

• NRS ref. E326/10/3/63
• NRS ref. E326/10/9/157

Places of interest

• House of Pitmuies Garden

• Historic Scotland: House of Pitmuies: Garden