Montrose (Angus)

Local societies

• Montrose Natural History & Antiquarian Society
• Montrose Basin Heritage Society

Montrose parish church

Located at National Grid ref. NO714577. Rebuilt 1791; steeple by James Gillespie Graham added 1842. The mediaeval kirk was dedicated to St John the Evangelist.

See Montrose Parish Church for exterior and interior photographs and also Photos of Montrose Parish Church.

Above: the former Free Kirk (later, United Free Kirk), just inside the parish boundary at Denhead, near Hillside. It was known as the Den Kirk, and would seem to have been the Free Kirk of Logie Pert.

Parish ministers of Montrose

adm.: admitted, app.: appointed; 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

Ministers of 1st charge 1560-1968

Ministers of 2nd charge 1563-1930
United with the 1st charge on 23 May 1931

Other ministers of the established church

Ministers of Hillside quoad sacra
Disjoined from Montrose 17 Mar 1879

Ministers of Melville quoad sacra
Disjoined from Montrose 27 Jun 1855; named after the reformer, Andrew Melville, b. at Baldovie in Craig parish

Ministers of St John's Chapel 1829-1843
Opened 4 Jan 1829; retained by the Free Kirk after 1843

Ministers of other denominations

Ministers of St Luke's Church, Montrose (Antiburgher)

Ministers of John Street Church, Montrose (Burgher); from 1900, Trinity U.F. Church

Ministers of Knox's United Presbyterian Church, later United Free Church, Montrose

Ministers of St George's Free Church, George Street, Montrose

Ministers of St John's Free Church, Montrose

Ministers of the South United Free Church, Montrose

Ministers of the Evangelical Union, Montrose

Ministers of the Baptist Church, Montrose

Ministers of the Methodist Church, Montrose

Ministers of the Congregational Church, Baltic Street, Montrose
Formed in 1800 by the Rev. George Cowie

See also Congregational ministers in Montrose.

Ministers of St Mary's Scottish Episcopal Church, Montrose
Ministers of this church and those of St Peter's, below, still to be clarified

Ministers of St Peter's English Episcopal Church, Montrose
Built in 1724; rebuilt 1858. St Mary's Scottish Episcopal Church was united with it after 1880. See St Mary's and St Peter's Episcopal Church for exterior and interior views.

Monumental inscriptions

Monuments in Montrose Parish Kirkyard (ca. 510 stones), St Peter's Episcopal Kirkyard (ca. 110 stones), Rosehill Cemetery (ca. 630 stones) and at the Howff of Kinnaber (16 stones) bearing pre-1855 information are listed in Alison Mitchell (ed.), "Pre-1855 Monumental Inscriptions in Angus, Vol. 2: Seacoast" (Edinburgh: Scottish Genealogy Soc., 1996), which can be bought from the Scottish Genealogy Society. (It's listed as "Angus MI - Vol. 2. Pre-1855 Sea-coast" in their online shop.)

Several early monuments in Montrose Kirkyard were recorded by Robert Monteith; see An Theater of Mortality, pp. 211-232.

See also Montrose's Sleepyhillock Cemetery, which is in the parish of Dun, on the north side of Montrose Basin.

Some monuments in Montrose Churchyard follow - east faces only at present. [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.

South side of the path [M1 to M287]

[M18] In memory of GEORGE SHEPHERD seedsman Montrose died 30th April 1841 aged 76. And of his wife MARY WALKER died 9th August 1846 aged 78. And also of their children JANE died 5th December 1819 aged 18. GEORGE died 30th October 1831 aged 33. JOHN [die]d 28th December 1835 aged 29.

[M27] In memory of JAMES MATHER died 5th April 1816. JANE ANDERSON his wife died 7th Nov. 1846. Their children MARY, died 14th Feb. 1810. JAMES, [died] 27th Feb. 1822. JANE, [died] 27th Jan. 1828. JESSIE, {Mrs BURN} [died] 25th Jan. 1875. Her family JESSIE, died 26th Mar. 1845. ROBERT, [died] 28th Jan. 1847. MARGARET, [died] 4th Oct. 1859. JAMES, [died] 12th Oct. 1862. ALEXANDER, [died] 22nd Jan. 1865. GEORGE, [died] 26th Dec. 1917. WILLIAM, [died] 6th Dec. 1925. JESSIE, [died] 27th June 1926.

[M95; one-masted ship] 1816 Erected by MARGARET SHEPHERD in memory of her husband ROBERT ALLAN ship master in Montrose who departed this life 7th August 1816 aged 47 years. Likewise his sister JANET who died 11th December 1803 aged 28 years. His mother JEAN ALLAN who died 21st February 1806 aged 66 years. And his father ROBERT ALLAN who died 22nd February 1807 aged 77 years. WILLIAM ALLAN late ship-master died 9th March 1880, aged 75 Mrs MARY ALLAN YOUNGSON died 11th March 1880 aged 73

[M97] 1821 Erected by JOHN BUIK of the Exise in memory of three children who died in 1820 & 1821.

[M101] 1827 GEORGE NAPIER mariner Montrose in meory [sic] memory of his spouse ELIZABETH WISE died 7th September 1826 aged 40 years

[M102] 1834 Erected by ROBERT WATSON brewer Montrose to the memory of his daughter ANN who died the 7th November 1834, aged 5 years and 7 months. The above designated ROBERT WATSON died February 14th 1836, aged 35 years. MARY his daughter died 15th April 1837, aged 18 months. Also his spouse ANN LINDSAY who died 26th July 1854 aged 51 years.

[M118] Sacred to the memory of WILLIAM BURNES painter in Montrose who died upon the 6th Decr 1806, aged 49 years: & of his children viz, BETSY & MARY, who died in infancy.

[M121] 1825 Erected to the memory of DAVID CHRISTIE, merchant in Montrose, who died on the 22nd of April 1825, in the 74th year of his age. And to his wife ANN JAFFRAY, who died on the 20th of April 1824, in the 83rd year of her age. Also his son JAMES CHRISTIE, merchant in Montrose, who died on the 9th of November 1849, in the 76th year of his age. And his wife ANN WEBSTER, who died on the 23rd of January 1850, in the 77th year of her age.

[M129] ... in memory of ROBERT WALKER watch maker who died 17th July 1800 aged 32 years. JOHN WALKER his nephew died 17th March 1858.

[M131; ship, partly defaced] 18(.)4 Erected by WILLIAM BARCLAY ship master in Montrose and CHRISTIAN LAW his spouse in memory of their children ROBERT MARY MARGARET and GEORGE who all died in [infancy]

[M142] 1824 Erected by ALEXANDER MASTERTON flesher in Montrose in memory of his parents viz. JANET LAW his mother who died 18th November 1814 aged 54 years. Also his father ALEXANDER MASTERTON who died 11th May 1820 aged 60 years. And three of their children died in infancy and is interred here.

[M150; ship being built] 1818 Erected by ROBERT STRACHAN ship-builder in Montrose, as a testimony of esteem to the remains of his parents, viz MARY COBB who died 3rd November 1809, aged 43 years. Also JAMES STRACHAN who died 10th June 1810 aged 41 years. Kind reader here I beg a tear, / To those who gave me birth, / My loving parents, once held dear / Here mingle with the earth.

[M161] Sacred to the memory of WILLIAM DORWARD, Esqre, merchant in Montrose, who died 10th April, 1848, aged 83. Donations and bequests to the poor of Montrose, amounting to not less than £30,000, will perpetuate his remembrance to future generations.

[M168] 1806 Erected by WILLIAM ADAMSON slater in Montrose in memory of MARGARET ALLAN his spouse who died 22nd Feby 1805 aged 47 years. Also his mother ELISABETH HUSBAND who died January 1794 aged 75 years. And his son WILLIAM who died in infancy. Is interred here also sister MARGARET who died Jany 19th 1822 aged 77 years. And also his daughter ISABELLA who died 1st March 1835 aged 35 years.

[M169] 182(0) Erected by HENRY FARQUHARSON, brewer in Montrose, in memory of his spouse MARJORY TULLOH, who departed this life the 20th July 1823 in the 43rd year of her age. Also his mother JEAN SKINNER, who died the 9th December 1819, aged 72 years. Likewise his mother in law, JANET McCULLOCH, who died the 6th May 1817, aged 70 ye[ars]

[M172] 1834 Erected by ANDREW LESLIE, baker, and ANN THOMSON, his spouse; In memory of their children, viz. GEORGE, died 26th Oct. 1834 aged 3 years JANE CANT, died 27th Oct. 1834 aged 17 months. ANDREW LESLIE died the 31st January, 1840, aged 34 years

[M185] In affectionate remembrance of JAMES BROWN, shipmaster, who died at Newcastle-on-Tyne, 22nd Oct. 1841, aged 42 years. And ELIZABETH DONALDSON his relict, who die 24th Nov. 1860, aged 56 years. Also their sons DAVID D. BROWN, shipmaster, who died at sea, on board the Forfarshire of London, on 28th Feb. 1888, aged 56. JOHN THOMAS died in Glasgow 23rd Jan. 1890 aged 52 JAMES who died at Bendigo, Australia, on 17th April 1899, aged 64. And ROBERT MILNE died at Bothwell 3rd Dec. 1919, aged 82

[M197] 1827 Erected by WILLIAM PEART ship-master Montrose in memory of his spouse MARGARET LAW, who died 19th July 1826 aged 63 years Also their son GEORGE who died 9th April 1879 aged 77 years

[M198] 1796 Erected by DAVID LOW and JEAN CRAW his spouse in memory of their daughter JEAN who died 5th Feby 1795 aged 4 months KATHARINE died 21st July 1804 aged 2 years 8 months ALEXANDER died April 5th 1808 aged 17 years 2 months

[M203] 1823 Erected by ANN SUTTON in memory of her husband, ROBERT DOUGLASS carter, Montrose who departed this life Decemr 3rd 1823, aged 62 years. Also their son ROBERT who died in infancy. Also ANN SUTTON his spouse who died the 17th Augt 1827 aged 46 years.

[M210; anchor] 1806 Erected by WILLIAM MEARNS ship master in Montrose and MARGARET BLUES his spouse in memory of their children viz ELISABETH, WILLIAM, ROBERT & MARGARET who all died in infancy The above named Wm MEARNS died at sea 25th Decr 1806 aged 50 years & along with him his son ANDREW MEARNS died aged 22 years. Also JOHN who died June 10th 1823 aged 30 years and 9 months, and is interred here.

[M213] 1848 In memory of ROBERT LAW carter who died November 1838, aged 75. Also of his spouse MARY DOW who died October 1830, aged 53. And of their son JOHN who died May 1836, aged 40. And of his spouse MARY GREIG who died June 1831, aged 39. And of MARGARET daughter of said ROBERT LAW who died November 1842, aged 38. Also of ROBERT LAW, mason son of the said ROBERT LAW, who died 6th Sep. 1850, aged 50. And WILLIAM LAW who died 10th Oct. 1859, aged 53 years. JEAN died 10th June 1866, aged 55 years ELIZABETH died 12th April 1869, aged 74 years ISOBEL LYALL wife of the said ROBERT LAW, mason died 20th October 1880, aged 80 years JANET died 18th February 1889 aged 78 years. J.L. 1830.

[M214] 1837 Erected by WILLIAM CARTER, flax dresser in Montrose, in memory of his mother BARBARY EMSLIE, who died 15th March 1837.

[M215] 1818 Erected by SILVESTER FRASER in memory of CHRISTIAN THOMSON his mother who died April 16th 1780 aged 36 years And also to the memory of JOHN FRASER his father who departed this life the 13th December 1823 aged 90 years.

[M216] 1798 Erected by COLIN HENRY shoe-maker in Montrose and MARY LEWCHARS his spouse in memory of his parents viz ROBERT HENRY flax-dresser Montrose who died 11th July 1761 aged 38 years & MARY CHRISTIE who died the 6th April 1797 aged 66 years. Also of their daught[er] SUSAN who died the 14th Janry [1]807 aged 5 years. [He]re is also interred the above named MARY LEWCHARS who died 27th [buried]

[M229] 1827 ROBt LEIGHTON wright Montrose

[M232] Sacred to the memory of GEORGE INNES captain in the Forfar Militia who died 24th March 1828. And of ELIZABETH CROLL his wife who died 22nd Novr 1825. Both sincere Christians. And sacred to the memory of their family ALEXr INNES, who died at Guernsey, an infant. GEORGE INNES, Lt 13th Regt died at Malta, 1804. JOHN W. INNES, Lt & Adjt 42nd Royal Highlanders, fell at the battle of Orthes, 27th Feby 1814. ELIZABETH INNES, died at Montrose, 16th Jany 1867. All of them beloved & respected. Also SUSANNA INNES died 8th July, 1874.

[M237] 1827 JOHN BELL ship-master

[M242] Erected in memory of DAVID HUTCHEON, mason, Montrose, who died July 1852, aged 84 years. And of his spouse ELISABETH CAMERON, who died June 1847, aged 73 years.

[M243] Erected by JAs BOWER in memory of his mother MARGARET SOUTER aged 72 years - and of his first wife MARY PEDGRIFT aged 35 years Also his second wife MARGt GRIEG aged 78 years. JAMES BOWER, died 8 Feby 1827, aged 87 years Also MARGARET BAIRD his third wife died 18th Feby 1837 aged 63 years. HELEN BAIRD, died 18th Feby 1845, aged 73.

[M244] Revised by WILLIAM LESSLE [sic] carter Montrose in memory of his father ALEXANDER LESSLIE who died 11th September 1837, aged 67 years. [broken] his mother ISOBEL GREIG [w]ho died 10th May 1838, [aged] (.)4 years

[M255] 1838 Erected by THOMAS MITCHEL shoe-maker Montrose.

[M256] In memory of JOHN SHAND, cutler who died 27th June 1855, aged 59. His wife MARGARET GREIG who died 1st May 1869, aged 72.

[M265] 1840 Erected by ALEXANDER JACK, mason, in memory, of his father, JOHN JACK, who died, 17th May 1842, aged 84 years. Also of his spouse, ANN NICOLL, who died, 7th March 1853, aged 89 years.

[M268] 1831 Erected by JAMES FARGUSON mariner, in memory of his son JAMES BARCLAY who died 24th Decr 1830, aged 4½ months.

[M276] 1840 Erected by ROBERT DUNCAN flax dresser Montrose in memory of his mother in law ANN COWIE who died 21st April 1839 aged 71 years.

[M281] Erected by Pr TAIT in memory of JOHN MILNE late corporal in the Forfar Militia who died in June 1831. PETER TAIT, died 25th May 1842, aged 52 years Also his spouse ELIZABETH WHITE who died 18 Decr 1851 aged 86 years

North side of the path [M288 to M447]

[M289] Erected in memory of THOMAS DRIMMIE, weaver North Links Montrose who died 3rd Novr 1826 aged 83 years And ANN RAE his wife who died 3rd Septr 1830 aged 87 years by their son ALEXr DRIMMIE Also their son in law JOHN PITHIE who died 13th September 1848 [defaced] HELEN [defaced]

[M290] 1821 Erected by ROBERT GIBB millwright Montrose, in memory of his spouse ISOBEL STEWART who departed this life Octr 16th, 1819 aged 47 years. ROBERT GIBB died June 14th, 1840 aged 70 years. Of their children JAMES drowned at Cronstadt July 29th 1826 aged 16 years and interred there. JANE died Octr 9th 1843 aged 36 years. JOHN died July 23rd 1844 aged 39 years. ROBERT died Jany 3rd 1854 aged 52 years.

[M292] Erected to the memory of ELIZABETH COBB, wife of DAVID FARFOR, fishcurer, who died, November 1844, aged 34 years. Also of the above DAVID FARFOR, who died 1st April, 1879, aged 79 years.

[M294] 1808 Erected by DAVID MURRAY ship-master in Montrose and JEAN CREAGIE his spouse in memory of their daughter ISABELL who died the 2nd March 1805 in the fourth year of her a[ge]

[M300] 1827 In memory of WILLIAM NICOL ship-master Montrose, died 15th Decr 1816 aged 41 years

[M320; chest] Sacred to the memory of JAMES DICKSON merchant in Montrose who died 10th August 1826, aged 78 years.

[M303] Erected in memory of the daughters of the late JOHN OUCHTERLONY Esquire and MARY RUPERTA SKINNER, his wife viz. ELIZABETH who died 25th Aug. 1825, MARGARET who died 11th Nov. 1848, ANNE who died 8th Aug. 1850 HENRIETTA who died 1st Sep. 1853.
[Note: Mary Ruperta (b. 1737 Rotterdam, d. 1830 Montrose) was the eldest dau. of James Skinner, governor of Fort James, the Gambia.]

[M305?; partly defaced] [18](.)2 [Erec]ted by ... HENRY ... Montrose ... of his children viz ... 1799 aged ... two months and ...

[M308] 1834 Erected to the memory of DAVID CANT, late merchant in Montrose, who departed this life on the 30th June, 1834, in the fifty ninth year of his age. Also of his children, by MARTHA KINNEAR, JOHN, AGNES, LAVINIA, and ELIZA, who died in infancy. And of JAMES, who died at sea, on the 4th of August, 1833, aged twenty nine years.

[M309] 1823 Erected by DAVID TURNBULL builder in Montrose in memory of his spouse JEAN MILNE who departed this life 17th Novr 1821 aged 52 years. Here is also interred the mortal remains of DAVID TURNBULL ...

[M318] 1812 Erected by ROBERT MERNS [sic] ship-master in Montrose in memory of his spouse ISOBEL MEARNS who departed this life 8th March 1811 aged 32 years. Also his daughter JESSIE who died at Liverpool 1st Augt 1836, aged 31 years. Also the above ROBERT MEARNS who died 12th Febuy 1841 aged 72 years And of his son ROBERT MEARNS ship master in Montrose who died 21st December 1852 aged 44 years. Also of his grandchild JAMES ... (MEARN)S who died (15)th ...

[M319; flaking; two-masted ship] 1800 Erected by ANDREW MEARNS ship-master in Montrose in memory of his spouse MARGARET [LA]W who died 20th Feby 1800 ...

[M322] Sacred to the memory of MARY McLAGGAN daughter of JAMES McLAGGAN merchant in Montrose who died 8th Septr 1807, aged 19 months. Also his daughter MARJORY who died in infancy, 5th Novr 1814. And JAMES McLAGGAN who died 24th Novr 1824 aged 57 years. This monument is erected by SARAH BURNESS his spouse and surviving family. Here also is interred SARAH BURNESS who departed this life (3)1st Nov. 1853 aged 79 years. And their daughter JEAN who died 2nd July 1873, aged 65 years Also their son JAMES who died 1st July 1874, aged 75 years

[M334] 1828 This stone was erected by WILLIAM HODGE ship-master in Montrose, and MARGARET ANDERSON his spouse, in memory of their daughter MARY who died 17th Septemr 1826 aged 10 months. Also in memory of their daughter HELEN who died 1(6)th March 1831 aged 14 years And of the said Mrs MARGARET ANDERSON who died 26th January 1855 aged 68 years. Also of the said WILLIAM HODGE who died 20th July 1858 aged 70 years. Also their daughter CHRISTINA who died 24th Decr 1902.

[M337; shuttle] 1812 Erected by JAMES SMITH weaver in Montrose and ELISABETH WILSON his spouse in memory of their son WILLIAM SMITH who departed this life (12)th [defaced]

[M350; one-masted ship] 1830 Erected by DAVID ROBERTS ship-master Montrose in memory of his son & three daughters who died in infancy. Also his mother MARJERY BUICK who died 1st Oct 182(9) aged ... [years] ... HELEN ROBERTS or INNES who died 22nd [buried]

[M353; cross] Sacred to the memory of ALEXANDER THOMSON writer in Montrose who died 29th October 1848 in the 63rd year of his age And MARGARET SHARP, his spouse who died 24th February 1865 in the 76th year of her age And of their children MARGARET who died 12th February 1822 aged 5 years and 6 months JAMES who died 18th March 1822, aged 7 years HELEN who died 2nd April 1835 in the 22nd year of her age.

[M358] 1822 Erected by ROBERT & ALEXANDER GIBB mariners in Montrose, to the memory of their father DANIEL GIBB, ship carpenter in Montrose who died on the 21st Janry 1816 aged 70 years; Also of their mother JANNET MYERS, who died on the 19th of Septr 1822 aged 73 years. ROBERT GIBB died on the (9)th of January 1832 aged 55 years.

[M360; garb, baker's peels] 1802 Erected by KATHARINE MYERS in memory of her husband ALEXr LAING, baker & burges in Montrose who died 22nd Dec... [defaced]

[M371] WG AB 1763 Here lies interred the body of WILLIAM GRAY brewer burgess & gild-brother of this burgh, who died y^e 7 of November 1762 aged 41 years.
[i.e. William Gray & Agnes Brymer]

[M376] 1838 Erected by DANIEL McKINNON hair dresser in Montrose in memory of his son DANIEL who died Septr 2nd 1837 in the 10th year of his age

[M386; anchor & 3 stars; hourglass, skull, cross-bones] RB JN 1760

[M394; anchor] This stone was erected by ELISABETH MILL, in memory of her husband JAMES WATSON shipmaster in Montrose. They were married on the 7 day of Decr 1751 He died on the 25d of March 1781 in the 52nd year of his age. Tho Boreas blasts and Neptunes waves / Has toss'd me to and fro / Yet to an anchor I am come / ...y here [defaced]

[M398] Sacred to the memory of JAMES HAY, for 47 years teacher, Montrose Academy, born 6th May, 1795, died 2nd March 1876. Also HELEN JAPP, his wife, born 26th December 1792, died 19th November 1869. Also of their sons, WILLIAM, born 3rd September, 1827, died aged 22 months. ALEXANDER born 15th November 1834, died in New Zealand, aged 25 years. And also of their son-in-law, ALEXANDER MATTHEW, who died 3rd June, 1859, aged 32 years.

[M402] Erected by ARCHd McDOGAL tide wtr mar cuimhneachan air MARIE nicht CUILCHAN bhean gradhach dheug 17ug Dfheolach 1839 agus gu bhi da gineal na ait a dha mhic Said ARCHIBALD McDOUGALL died 23rd Jany 1848, aged 63 years, after a lingering illness and much lamented by his affectionate family Plesant are the end of true believers ... was his end Also his son ... BUCHANAN McDOUGALL who died 17th Septr 184(9) in the 22d year of his age.
[tide waiter; as a memorial to Mary McQuilkan his wife who died 17 Jan 1839 ... and his two sons (?)]

[M404] The burying place of ROBERT NEILSON's family, Links, Montrose. This stone was placed here by his son, WILLIAM NEILSON ship-master.

[M407] In memory of MARY MACADAM who departed this life the 18th January 1813 in the 8th year of her age. Sinite puerulos venire ad me et prohibete eos ne; enim taluim est regnum dei.

[M408] 1821 Erected by JOHN McANDREW in memory of his spouse ELISABETH McGREGOR who died the 6th March 1820 aged 61 years. And his son JOHN who died in infancy.

[M410; anchor] 1799 Erected by ALEXr WATT ship-master in Montrose in memory of his spouse ANN BLOUSE who departed this life 26th June 1798 aged 32 years JEAN born 27th Octr 1791 JOHN born 17th Agut 1794 MARGt born 12 Marh 1796

[M414] Erected by RODRIECK McGREGOR shoe maker Montrose in memory of his wife MARGARET SMITH who died 6th Feby 1833 aged 61 years. Also of five children who died in infancy JOHN ALEXr MARGt WILLm and DAVID who survives at this date.

[M417] Erected by JAMES MUSTARD in memory of his father JOHN MUSTARD who died 15th April 1858, aged 61 years. Also of his mother HELEN FALKNOR who died 11th Novr 1842, aged 45 years.

[M427] Erected by JAMES BOOTH surgeon R.N. in memory of his grand-father JAMES BOOTH who died August 1799 aged 84 His sister ISABELLA born 19th July 1804 died 5th July 1805 His father JAMES BOOTH forty years superintendent of the Montrose Royal Asylum who died 20th May 1839 aged 90 His daughter WILLIAMINA SUSAN born 30th Sep 1849 died 8th Sep 1853 His mother JANET BIRSE died 2nd April 1854 aged 89

[M438] 1832 Sacred to the memory of JOHN SMITH who died Septr 1799 aged 38 years. MARGARET RITCHIE his spouse who died Septr 24th 1823 aged 63 years. And also of their children JANE SMITH who died Augt 13th 1791 aged 2 years. ISABELLA who died Augt 19th 1800 aged 2 years. MARGARET who died Augt 8th 1801 aged 6 years. CHRISTINIA who died May 5th 1811 aged 23 years. JOHN their only son who died April 22d 1831 aged 33 years. This monument was erected as a mark of respect to their memory by ANN ...

[M440] 1835 Erected by MARY and ANN MALCOLM in memory of their sister HELEN who died Novr 11th 1831 aged 32 and is interred here. And also their brother ALEXANDER who died at Glasgow Novr 1832 aged 29 and lies there

1833 Erected by JEAN SMITH in memory of her husband JAMES DUKE manufacturer Montrose who died the 19th August 1832 in the 72nd year of his age And also of their daughter MARY who died in infancy The said JANE SMITH died 7th July 1866 aged (..)

In memory of JAMES FINDLAY, grain merchant, Montrose, who died on 12th June, 1876, aged 78 years. CHARLOTTE JULIA CORSAN RENWICK his wife, who died on 24th Nov. 1865, aged 52 years. Their children, BARBARA RENWICK, who died 24th July, 1844, aged 2 years. JOHN JAMIE, who died 24th May, 1855, aged 2 years.

In vault under Guildhall extension

[M452; chest] The family vault of the late THOMAS STEWART Esq. of Montrose
[Note: he was town clerk here]

[M454; mural] To the memory of a beloved and virtuous wife, an affectionate mother, and a sincere friend, this tablet is erected. ELIZA BRODIE daughter of the late THOMAS and ELIZABETH STEWART* and wife of HENRY WESTMACOTT died on the 6th day of April 1826, in the 39th year of her age.
[* i.e. Elizabeth Guise]

Montrose war memorials

Montrose War Memorial

1914-1919 1914 H. F. T. Renny-Tailyour A. J. Dickson 1915 R. Stewart W. Ross 1916 G. Mowat J. Stewart A. Milne H. Milne 1917 W. J. Gage D. Shields W. M. Brown J. Dalgetty F. Mitchell J. Wright 1918 R. Bell A. May A. Macintosh J. C. Murray W. Milne 1919 E. Shields E. R. Milne

1939-1945 A. Brown F. L. Coleman J. Currie J. Durward W. Fenton R. G. Gove W. Gove W. Pert G. Simpson Korea A. Renny-Tailyour

Above: Hillside War Memorial

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:

  • 1856 - 1927 for Church of Scotland [NRS CH2/943/37]
  • 1877 - 1923 for John Street UP Church [NRS CH3/858/14]
  • 1847 - 1957 for St Georges Free Church (later, St George & Trinity Church of Scotland) [NRS CH3/1179/13]
  • 1883 - 1923 (with gaps) for St John Free Church [NRS CH3/1178/20]

• Deaths & Burials

  Additionally, in Angus Archives:

  • 1860 - 1875 Burial register [M1/10/1]

  Online access to Sleepyhillock 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.

• Births & baptisms

  • 1615 - 1854

  Additionally, in the National Records:

  • 1811 - 1819, 1838 - 1839 for Church of Scotland [NRS CH2/943/29]
  • 1842 - 1850 (with gaps) for John Street UP Church [NRS CH3/858/13]
  • 1745 - 1799 (with gaps), 1807 (1 event), 1828 - 1831 (3 events) for Mill Street (antiburgher) UP Church [NRS CH3/1177/10]
  • 1847 - 1957 for St Georges Free Church (later, St George & Trinity Church of Scotland) [NRS CH3/1179/13]

• Banns & Marriages

  • 1633 - 1854

  Additionally, in the National Records:

  • 1811 - 1828 for Church of Scotland [NRS CH2/943/28]
  • 1760 - 1789 for Mill Street (antiburgher) UP Church [NRS CH3/1177/10]
  • 1833 - 1849 for St John Free Church - private register [NRS CH3/1178/23]

• Deaths & Burials

  • 1634 - 1645
  • 1670 - 1854

  Additionally, in the National Records:

  • 1634 - 1645 mortcloth accounts, for Church of Scotland [NRS CH2/943/1]

Marriage contracts

Church Session Records of Montrose parish church

Church Session Records of St John's Chapel of Ease, Montrose
Opened in 1829; St John's Free from 1843; later, St John's United Free; later, united with St Luke's

Church Session Records of Montrose Melville
united with Montrose South in 1951

Church Session Records of Second United Associate Congregation (John Street) (Burgher)
later, United Presbyterian; Trinity United Free; united with St George's U.F. in 1923

Church Session Records of First United Associate congregation (Antiburgher)
later, Mill Street United Presbyterian; St Luke's U.P.; United Free; Ch. of S.

Church Session Records of St John's Free Church
later, United Free; Ch. of S.; St Luke's and St John's Ch. of S. from 1953

Church Session Records of St George's Free Church
later, United Free; united with Trinity in 1923; St George's and Trinity Ch. of S.

Church Session Records of St Paul's Free Church
later, United Free; united with Knox's Church as South U.F. church in 1916; Ch. of S.; united with Melville in 1951

Montrose Heritors' records

Land owners

The principal proprietors of land in the parish in 1835:

• George Fullerton Carnegy of Charleton & Kinnaber
• Alexander Renny Tailyour of Borrowfield & Newmanswalls
• John Duncan of Rosemount
• James Cruickshank of Newbigging
• George Robertson Scott of Hedderwick

Estate & family records

• Records of the Scotts of Benholm, and Hedderwick, Montrose, 1189-1905 - NRS ref. GD4

On a lintel of the old House of Hedderwick, now demolished, was the inscription

for John Scott of Hedderwick & Helen Barclay, his spouse, who were married before 26.7.1735. He was second son of James Scott of Benholm, who was deceased by 26.7.1735.

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.

There are rolls of male heads of families, 1834-1842, in the Kirk Session records [NRS CH2/943/32].

Population statistics

After change of parish boundary:

* excludes ca. 750 sailors

Street and trade directories

These include: Local Almanac and Obituary Notices of Public Men, Registers of Municipal and Parliamentary Voters, etc.

• Pigot's Directory, 1837

• The Montrose Year-Book and Directory, 1907

• The Montrose Year-Book and Directory, 1909

Testaments & wills

Montrose was in the Commissariot of Brechin.

List of pre-1824 testaments for Montrose 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.

Valuation rolls

Valuation rolls of properties in the Burgh of Montrose and properties in the County of Angus, 1855-1902, are held on microfilm in Montrose 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.

Clock & watch tax, 1797-8

Images of the original records for Montrose:

NRS ref. E326/12/2/49

Farm horse tax, 1797-8

Images of the original records for Montrose:

• NRS ref. E326/10/3/1
• NRS ref. E326/10/9/95

Window tax records

For the royal burgh of Montrose, 1753-1798 [NRS ref. E326/1/197]

Royal burgh of Montrose: burgh records in the NRS [ref. B51/...]

Royal burgh of Montrose: burgh records in Angus Archives

Earliest document is (apparently) dated 1617.

Notaries' protocol books (for town clerks of Montrose)

Provosts of Montrose, to 1974 (not yet in order; still subject to correction)

Bailies (Magistrates) of Montrose, to 1974

Town treasurers of Montrose, to 1974

Deans of Guild of Montrose, to 1974

Town clerks of Montrose

Newspapers

• Montrose Review - web-site of the current newspaper

• Holdings of Montrose Library
  (No indexes available)

  Bound volumes: Montrose Review, 1811-1859 (1825 missing)

  Microfilm:

  Newspaper	Years held
  Montrose Standard	1853-1970
  Montrose Chronicle	7 Aug 1895 - 30 Dec 1896
  Montrose & Brechin Chronicle	6 Jan 1897 - 20 Jul 1898
  Montrose, Arbroath & Brechin Review	17 Apr 1818 - 18 Oct 1839, 1844-1875, 1884-1919 (1848 missing)
  Montrose Review	1920-1998
  Scottish Nation	8 May 1923 - 25 Dec 1923

Libraries

Montrose Library

Places of interest

• Montrose Basin Nature Reserve
• Montrose Museum
• ScotlandsPlaces: Montrose - an extensive collection of photographs, maps and records
• Montrose Jail in 1818 - as described by Joseph John Gurney
• Wikipedia: Montrose
• Wikiwand: Montrose Academy
• Wikipedia: Sunnyside Hospital

Portraits

• Mrs Susan Carnegie of Charleton & Pitarrow (1744-1821), founder of Montrose Lunatic Asylum
• Sir James Duke, bart. (1792-1873), born in Montrose; lord mayor of London
• John Ewen - born in Montrose; merchant in Aberdeen
• Joseph Hume (1777-1855) - M.P. for Montrose Burghs 1818-30 and 1842-55