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PRESBYTERY OF TURRIFF, SYNOD
OF ABERDEEN.
THE REV. GEORGE R. DAVIDSON, MINISTER.
I.—Topography and Natural
History.
Name.—The ancient name of
this parish seems to have been Drumblait, which signifies in Gaelic, hills
or braes covered or fledged. The modern name is written Drumblade.
Boundaries, &c.—It is
bounded, on the north and east, by the parish of Forgue; on the south, by
Insch and Gartly, in a glen called Foudlin, in which, though of small
extent, no fewer than five parishes meet; on the west, it is bounded by
the river Bogie, which in that point separates it both from Huntly and
Gartly.
Extent, &c.—The parish is
considerably diversified by small hills, mostly cultivated, and gently
sloping valleys, with one flat on the north and west of large extent, so
level, that the draining of it hitherto has not been very complete, from
the want of proper fall for the water. This flat is still called the
Knightland Moss, though it has long ceased to possess that character,
being now either under the plough or in pasture. The length of the parish
from north-east to south-west may be 7 miles; greatest breadth between 5
and 6 miles; in some places, however, the breadth is less than 2 miles.
Meteorology.—The
temperature in general may be described as moderate, and the atmosphere
wholesome, and the draining through the parish being now very extensive,
and for the most part effectual, the climate must in consequence be
greatly superior to what it had been in former years. The north-west wind
is perhaps the most prevalent.
Hydrography.— The only
stream of any consequence in the parish is the Bogie, which divides it on
the west from the town and parish of Huntly. There are other insignificant
streamlets or burns in the parish, and dividing it in part from
neighbouring parishes. Of these, the burn which on the east divides the
lower part of the parish from Forgue, is to be mentioned,—and the
Knightland Burn, which again divides part of the north district of the
parish from Kinore, once a separate parish, but which is now united to the
other old parish of Dumbennan,—they forming together the more modern
parish of Strathbogie, or, as it is more generally designed, Huntly.
There are some mineral
wells in the parish—none, however, of note. Their quality is chalybeate.
There are others that are called saints' wells, and which are still
distinguished by the saint's particular name, or a corruption of the
same—as one at Burnside, in the neighbourhood of the church, called
Teller's Well, an evident corruption of St Hilary's. The time has been
when peculiar virtues were attributed to these, not from any mineral
properties which they were supposed to possess, but from the blessing of
the saint whose name they bear; but these and other similar superstitions
have, from the greater enlightenment of these Protestant times, now very
properly died away.
There are no lakes or lochs
in the parish. A few years ago there remained a small specimen of such at
Silverhillock, the waters of which, it has been affirmed, ebbed and flowed
like the tide, but, as may be supposed, on no kind of evidence that can be
substantiated. Within these few years, by the application of proper
draining, it has disappeared, and hardly any trace of it can now be
observed.
Geology and
Mineralogy.—There is nothing very remarkable to state under this head.
Besides blocks of common whinstone (greenstone) that are found in many
parts of the parish, there are likewise rocks both of limestone and
granite—the former, however, of a description so inferior, as not to be
used for its mineralogical property. The granite, again, of which there is
a considerable quarry on the farm of Corvichen, within a short distance of
Huntly, is of good quality, and not inferior, it is believed, to the
well-known granite so extensively worked in the vicinity of Aberdeen, and
equally beautiful. When newly dissevered from the parent rock, it is
softer, and much more workable than after it lies for a time exposed to
the action of the air—which renders it peculiarly adapted for building
purposes, where durability is of first rate consequence. The granite rock
in this place is covered almost exclusively with small gravel of a
granular kind—consisting, in fact, in a great measure, of the same
elements with the granite itself beneath, though of a yellower and
somewhat dirtier colour, showing that it is the same in a state of
decomposition. The subsoil throughout, in this part of the parish, is of a
gravelly kind, consisting of yellow sand and round stones, of a colour
that would indicate the presence and action of iron or other metallic
influence.
Fossil Organic Remains.— It
may be mentioned, that hazel-nuts, in a state of great preservation as to
external appearance, have been found deeply imbedded in moss, with roots
and branches of the parent trees from which they sprung. In the moss of
Thomastown, in particular, now under cultivation, when drains were cut to
the extent of several feet, these were found in considerable quantity, and
in such preservation without, as to indicate almost the possibility of
some remaining freshness within them.
On the farm of Cocklarachy,
in the year 1833 or 1834, an oak of large dimensions was discovered about
five feet below the surface, imbedded also in moss—about 100 yards above
the bridge that crosses the Bogie toward the Huntly and Rhynie turnpike,
about the same distance from this river, and not much above its level. It
was nearly black, and the bark for the most part rotted off. Being very
heavy, the thick part of the trunk was raised in two pieces—one about 10
feet long and the other 12—the average girth was about 7 feet, and the two
pieces contained from 60 to 70 cubic feet of timber. The top of the tree
was not raised, so that its full size was not ascertained. These solid
parts were sent to Gordon Castle, where, after having been left for a time
to dry gradually, they were cut up for cabinet purposes. The extremities
of several such oaks may still be seen sticking out from the bank of the
burn, a little below the church and glebe of Drum-blade, on the farm of
Baggry Mill, parish of Forgue.
Soil, &c.—The soil in this
parish, though presenting considerable variety, may be said in general to
be of a superior kind, consisting, for the most part, of a deep rich loam,
capable in favourable seasons of yielding abundant crops, and if the
climate (still susceptible of great improvement, were more attention paid
to hedging and planting), were equal to the soil, it would, it is
believed, be found particularly adapted for wheat culture, which has begun
of late years to be somewhat attended to. There is at the same time in
many places a coldness of subsoil, which is not very encouraging, arising,
perhaps for the most part, from a still imperfect drainage, which the
ordinary system practised does not seem fully to overcome, not only from
the soil being unusually stiff and retentive, but from a hard crust often
found beneath, which, it is hoped, the trench, or subsoil plough, now
begun to be introduced, may do much to remove. While the greater part of
the parish consists of this stiff heavy soil, there is yet a very
considerable difference between the western district, to the south and
west of the Aberdeen and Huntly turnpike, and the other districts. The
former being of a lighter and sharper description, with a subsoil
consisting generally of loose sand and gravel, and somewhat earlier than
the other parts.
II.—Civil History.
Historical Events.—The most
interesting event that falls to be noticed under this head, is the
circumstance of King Robert Bruce having lain encamped here during a time
of severe sickness, while he kept in check at the same time Commyn, Earl
of Buchan, who had followed him hither, and who was then and long before
one of the most powerful of the Scottish barons. This seems to have been
just before the battle of Barra, which was fought between the same parties
in the year 1307.
History and tradition have
pretty uniformly pointed to Sliach in this parish as the place so
distinguished,—a certain height upon which is called Robin or Robin's
Height at this day. Indeed, this point seems never to have been disputed
until within the last few years, when Mr Tytler, in general, the most
accurate and philosophical historian of our country that has yet appeared,
has been pleased to transfer this honour from Sliach in Drumblade, to
Slains, a bleak and rocky district on the Buchan coast, but without
stating any authority for the change.
It is certain that
tradition, universally prevalent here, as well as what can be gathered
from the metrical historian Barbour, are both against him. For although
the name given by the latter (Slanach) is not the same as either, yet
there are circumstances detailed in his narrative that render it not only
extremely improbable, but quite inconsistent, that Slains should be the
place referred to. King Robert, that historian relates, had come over the
"Mounth" to Inverury:—at Inverury he was taken sick. It was not judged
expedient by his adherents to meet the enemy while he lay in this
condition, and, instead of continuing, therefore, exposed in the plain,
they resolve to betake themselves to some place of strength, and for this
reason the Slenach is preferred. Experiencing there, however, some want of
provision, and having daily to encounter the archers of Earl Buchan in
their endeavours to supply it, they determine to carry the king in a
litter to Strathbogie, (now Huntly), which, in spite of all opposition,
they accomplished accordingly.
Now, taking Mr Tytler's
account, there is not only the improbability to contend against of the
king's being carried so far in a litter as from Slains to Strathbogie in
his present infirm condition, but Earl Buchan, as appears, seeing the
intrepidity of the king's party at their very outset, lost courage, and
"went back to Buchan," which leads to this farther inconsistency, that,
had Slains been the place, he and his men were in Buchan already.
[Vide Barbour's Bruce by
Jamieson, Vol. i. pp. 169-70-71, where the above view seems to be
confirmed.
The traditions current here
are completely accordant with this account by Barbour, who, it is to be
remembered, wrote his history of "The Bruce," at no distant period after
the event took place, and whose work Fordun describes as perspicuous and
elegant. The hill on Sliach, as stated above, is still called Robin or
Robin's Height. The king's sickness was flux, as local tradition has it,
and a well in the vicinity is still pointed out, the water of which is
represented as having been instrumental towards his recovery.]
Antiquities.— On the same
height above-mentioned, there were some years ago entrenchments to be
seen, said to have been the remains of a Roman camp. The probability is,
however, that these remains were connected with Bruce's encampment above
referred to, or with the strength or fortress which probably then existed
upon it. Immense masses of large stones lie at the foot of this hill, and
some have been found, it is said, with inscriptions upon them, none of
which, however, are now to be seen.
In the same vicinity, stand
three tumuli, the largest at the base of Robin's Height, called
Meethillock, and the other two at no great distance, and on the same level
ground below. It is conjectured that these tumuli were raised by Bruce's
army as posts of communication for his soldiers. None of them have been
opened. So far as the plough can yield information, there is every
appearance of their being artificial. From the examination of one of them,
the second in size, called Tarry Duncan, on the farm of Cairnhill,
excepting about four inches of black mould in the surface, the soil
beneath appears quite soft, and without any stones. From observing that
the ridge on which it stands has little on its surface but clay, it would
seem that the mould from it had been cleared away to form this tumulus.
The third mentioned is
indeed beyond the boundary of the parish, but still so near the others,
that they have all evidently been connected in their origin. It is on the
farm of Causeway End, Kinore,—this farm being so called, it is said,
because here terminated a Roman causeway, which, running through the old
moss called Knightland moss, connected this place with Sliach.
Another tumulus, at one
time, stood at the north-east end of the same range of high ground that
forms at the west extremity, Robin Height, and nearly two miles distant
from it. Many still remember it. When opened, a number of great stones,
placed in a circular form, were found within; but it is not reported that
any of them bore inscriptions. The stones were used for fencing the
plantation which now covers this ridge, and all trace of the tumulus seems
to be removed. A little way below this, and between the properties of
Newton Garry and Lessendrum, the head of a spear or javelin, of large
size, was found some time ago, as have likewise been smaller ones, like
arrow-heads, in other parts of the parish.
There is another hill in
the parish, and not far from Huntly, denominated the "Battle Hill," that
deserves notice as the scene of a conflict said to have taken place at a
later period between the Cummins and Gordons. Hardly any thing connected
with it has been handed down beyond the name. It stands not far from
Corvichen, a farm on the Gordon property, once a separate domain, where a
strong house or castle appears once to have stood. Some remains of its
foundation are still to be traced. On the opposite side of the hollow, and
standing over against the Battle Hill, Corvichen, is the Ba Hill, taking
its name very probably from a game once common, that of foot-ball, at
which large parties would often meet, and eagerly contend together for the
palm of victory.
[Among the family papers at
Lessendrum, there is still extant an old and curious deed of surrender, by
which Walter Byset makes over his whole lands to the Pope's Legate, to be
held by the Holy See. It is drawn up by Willermus Lenix, clerk of the
diocese of Brechin, and runs as follows:—"In ye name of ye Lord, Amen - In
ye year after ye incarnation 1379, on the 14th day of July, in ye 2d of ye
indiction, and in ye 1st year of ye Pontificate of ye most holy Father in
Christ, Clement, by Divine Providence, Pope 7th of that name. In the
presence of my notary," &c. &c. The original is in Latin, and written on
vellum.
N. B. At the date of this
instrument there were two Popes, Urban and Clement; the former was
acknowledged by England, but the latter by Scotland.]
Parochial Registers.—The
oldest parochial register commences 1702, and ends 1738. It is simply a
register of births and bap-tisms, containing no details. The second,
commencing 1743, is much fuller, and contains, along with such register, a
record of the session's discipline and diligence down to 1790. From that
time to 1821 the record had again passed into a simple register, with
session's collections and disbursements for the poor, and the names merely
of those subjecting themselves to discipline, set over against the
money-penalties which had been exacted from them. With the exception of
deaths and burials, of which there has been no register kept, the record
has lately been much more full, and contains now a general entry of all
that is ordinarily transacted in the session.
There are four silver
communion-cups, two of them gifted by George Chalmer, a minister of the
parish in the times of Episcopacy; the other two by Mr Abel, also
minister, who died in 1794. There is also a hand-bell of considerable
antiquity, with the name George Biset upon it, 1504.
There have been in all
eight ministers of this parish, from the period of the Revolution, or
rather from the death of the last Episcopalian incumbent, to the present
time. The first Presbyterian, Mr John Turing, ordained and admitted 16th
March 1703, died 1st February 1733; Mr John Stuart, translated from
Longbride, and admitted at Drumblade 1st February 1734, died January 1743;
Mr George Gordon, translated from Bourtie, and admitted at Drumblade, 19th
October 1743, died 8th December 1763; Mr William Bisset, translated from
Foot-Dee, and admitted at Drumblade, July 11th 1764, translated to Dundee
22d May 1765; Mr George Abel, ordained and admitted April 2d 1766, died
September 1794; Mr Robert Gordon, ordained and admitted May 1795, died
27th November 1820; Dr Robert J. Brown, ordained and admitted 25th
September 1821, translated to the Greek chair, Marischal College,
Aberdeen, in Decern-ber 1827; Mr George Ramsay Davidson, the present
minister, was ordained and admitted 8th May 1828.
At one time, there was
evidently a chapel or religious house in the parish besides the church.
There are now no remains of the building; but the form of a burying-ground
is still seen, now fenced and planted, and a well called the Chapel Well.
Land-owners.—There are
altogether five heritors, viz. the Duke of Richmond, who now inherits the
Gordon property, and possesses exactly half the valued rent of the parish;
William Bisset, Esq. of Lessendrum; Archibald Duff, Esq. of Drummuir,
(lands of Dummuies); John Humphrey, Esq. of Comalleggie; and John Lawson,
Esq. of Chapelton.
Modern Buildings.—The only
mansion-house in the parish is that of Lessendrum, William Bisset, Esq.
who is the only residing heritor. It is partly an old and partly a modern
building, it having recently undergone a very extensive addition and
repair at the hands of the present proprietor.
III.—Population.
Number of illegitimate
births in the course of the last three years has been 16, making an
average of 5 1/3 in the year; 4 of these have been antenuptial cases, and
2 of them adultery.
There is an insane person
belonging to the parish; 3 fatuous, two males and a female; 4 deaf and
dumb.
Character of the
People.—The people are, for the most part, open, frank, and intelligent.
They are hospitable in their manners; and their chanty, not always
discriminating in regard to wandering poor, seems to be dictated pretty
much by a simple feeling of humanity. Though not inferior, it is believed,
to the other districts around, the standard of religion and morality
cannot be rated very high. Impurity and intemperance, though both, it is
hoped, are on the decline, are still not unfrequently to be met with. In
the class of farm-servants, the former vice particularly has been very
prevailing. The ordinances of religion, and the services of the sanctuary,
are generally well attended, as also those of a more private or local
kind, on week-days.
The practice of advertising
sales, &c. by proclamation at the church-doors, after divine service, is
now abolished, as also all fines or penalties formerly levied by the
session in cases of discipline,—this being left to the civil magistrate.
IV.—Industry.
The inhabitants of this
parish, with very few exceptions, are employed in agriculture, as farmers,
crofters, labourers, or farm-servants. The only considerable works of a
public kind carried on in the parish are a distillery, bleachfield, and
two potato-flour manufactories. At the distillery there are 13 persons
employed, and there are annually sent from it upwards of 40,000 gallons of
superior spirit, made from malt only, and thus yielding to Government
about L. 10,000 a-year in duty. There are also two meal-mills, a
barley-mill, a lint-mill, and two wool-mills in the parish. Mills had at
one period been more numerous, as the names of several farms still denote
where no mills now exist.
Of handicraftsmen, &c.
there are only 2 masons, 1 square-wright, 1 cooper, 1 weaver, no tailor, 5
shoemakers, (including 3 workmen,) 3 blacksmiths, (including 1 workman,) 1
baker, 4 merchants or shop-keepers, one of whom retails spirits; 4
publicans and 1 maltster. There are thus not more than from 60 to 80
individuals, reckoning both parents and children, that are not either
directly employed in agriculture, or have their dependence chiefly upon
it—and of those even here set down as artisans, many of these cultivate a
small croft besides attending to their other business.
Agriculture and Rural
Economy.—The superficial extent of the parish may be estimated at 6400
acres (Scots,) 5000 of which are arable, 1000 unimproved, and about 400
under plantation, consisting for the most part of larch and Scotch fir,
with occasionally an intermixture of spruce and beech. Of the unimproved
ground, there may not be above 100 acres now remaining, that, with any
profitable application of capital, could be added to the cultivated land.
Rent of Land.—The average
rent of land may be stated at L. 1 an acre. For one description and
another, it may be said to range from 5s. to L. 2, and some smaller
portions upwards. Some few possessions might, perhaps, be pointed out as
decidedly too high, while others, again, may be somewhat under a fair
average rent. The difference between value and actual rent that may
occasionally occur, is attributed by some to surveyors from a distance
being employed as the valuators, as often as farms come into the market,
unassisted by practical farmers personally acquainted with the district.
Such instances, however, cannot be by any means many—but the evil that
operates most extensively in causing at any time a high rent is, that when
a possession vacates, a competition arises among offerers themselves,
occurring more particularly in the case of crofts and smaller possessions,
which, from this cause, are almost invariably dearer than large.
Under the valuation system
now commonly introduced, it cannot be said, unless in very peculiar
circumstances, that lands here have often changed hands.
The valued rent of the
parish is only L. 3066, 13s. 4d. Scots, while the real rent must be about
L. 5000 Sterling.
Wages, &c.— The rate of
labour for an ordinary farm-servant may average about L.12 for the year,
exclusive of board; expense including both may, therefore, be L. 20 and
upwards. They are seldom engaged for more than half a year at a time, and
as they do not in general renew their engagements except in a feeing-mar-ket,—a
system by no means favourable to morals,—there is hence a great deal of
shifting about among them at every term. Besides the direct temptations to
which they are exposed in these markets, when they appear there, it
follows that they are not so dependent on character for a new engagement
as, on an improved system, they would and ought to be. The wages of
out-door female servants, of whom there are not a few, vary from L.2, 10s.
to L. 3 for the summer half year, and from L.1, 7s. to L.1, 15s. in
winter. A mason will ordinarily earn from 16s. to 18s. a-week; a wright,
16s. It is very common for young people from ten to sixteen years of age
to be employed in herding, for which they earn for themselves or parents
from L. 2 to L. 3, and maintenance during the summer months. This system,
though a considerable help for a poor man's family, is not favourable, one
would think, to the promoting of active habits, and is a material drawback
upon their education; however were it not for the trifle so gained at this
part of the season, they might, perhaps, from want of means, be deprived
of it, to a still greater extent.
The principal crops raised
in the parish are oats, viz. potato, early Angus, and what are called
sandy oats:—these last, which are neither so late nor so tender as the
potato, and produce, besides, a greater bulk, it is said, of straw for
fodder, and a good mealing oat, seem now to be much in favour. There is
also the Hopetoun oat, which, however, does not appear to have taken here,
though still sown partially; and bear or bigg, of which there is generally
a proportion after green crop, and a few parcels of wheat, which it wants
climate only to bring into more extensive culture.
Prices of Provisions.—These
are not high. Fresh butter from 5d. to 6d. the imperial pound; eggs 3d. to
4˝d. a dozen; fowls 1s. 8d. to 2s. a pair; chickens 8d. to 10d.; beef and
mutton 5d. and 5˝d. a pound; veal seldom to be had either in the parish or
neighbourhood.
Husbandry.—The ordinary
husbandry pursued is the five and seven-shift course, particularly the
latter, being three grasses and two white crops for the seven, and two
grasses and one white crop for the five,—which in dry land is found to
answer very well, while in wet or clay land, the third year's grass
becomes inferior.
Live-Stock.—This being very
much a rearing district for cattle, these fall particularly to be
mentioned. The breed is for the most part Aberdeenshire, mixed with
highland. Some few of the short-horned have lately been introduced. As
they have not yet been long or extensively tried, they cannot be so
decisively pronounced upon. They seem, however, to promise well, giving
greater strength of bone, which was much wanted, and shewing a tendency to
feed sooner. The returns arising from cattle may not be stated at less
than from L.3000 to L.3500 annually within the parish; and the amount
arising from dairy and poultry produce may be stated at something between
L.1700 and L.2000.
Improvements.—During the
last thirty years, the improvements that have taken place in reclaiming
waste lands have been very considerable, almost doubling, perhaps, in that
time the whole cultivation, and, at all events, the produce of former
years. They have been accomplished for the most part by draining and
liming, carried on chiefly by the occupiers themselves, and at an expense
on their part of not less, it is considered, than L. 12,000. These seem to
have been begun by tenants taking advantage of the march ditches formed by
the proprietors, by directing division ditches, &c. into them, and which
giving good promise of utility if carried to a larger extent, the people
began generally to adopt the practice, and have certainly, without much
encouragement otherwise, evinced very considerable industry and judgment
in carrying forward, in almost all cases at their own expense, the work of
improvement, and with undoubted benefit both to themselves and the
proprietors. By one farmer alone there have been 150 acres improved, for
which the Highland Society awarded him their gold medal some years
ago,—and by another there have been improved about 100 acres.
In 1817, another gold medal
was awarded by the Society of Arts and Manufactures, to a proprietor in
this parish, for planting forest trees (to the extent of 235 acres, on a
property consisting altogether of 571 acres.) This gentleman deserves
credit also for other improvements, and for the enlightened encouragement
he gave to his tenants at a time when such stimulus was much wanted. He
began by casting drains with the view of improving his property ; for
those on the boundaries he charged his tenants nothing, but for the drains
through the fields he charged them 5 per cent., by which they were
considerable gainers, and were enabled to pay their rents more easily,
while the property at the same time was much improved. The drains proving
effectual, the advantage of liming soon became apparent, but the times
being then very backward for tenants in general, he advanced money for
that purpose to those having leases, at 5 per cent.; and to those just
entering he agreed to furnish a certain quantity, taking the value likely
to be received into consideration, and charging it accordingly, all which
proved most beneficial to proprietor and tenant. The improvement of a
property in some such way as this, and the dealing with tenants on fair
and reasonable terms, where especially any difficulties on their part are
experienced, is in many respects preferable, one may easily suppose, to
the plan adopted sometimes by other proprietors, from a principle equally
laudable, of giving discounts in less favourable seasons, and serves more
effectually to keep up that proper spirit of independence which is so
important and praiseworthy in every condition of life.
Produce.—The average gross
amount of grain now raised in the parish, as nearly as can be ascertained,
may be put down at 10,000 quarters, with a due proportion of green crop,
according to the husbandry, consisting of potatoes and turnips, for cattle
and for domestic uses. Of the grain there may be 6000 quarters exported.
The ordinary duration of
leases is nineteen years, and the rents are paid generally in money, or
with a small proportion, perhaps, in meal. The paying of rent by the fiar
prices, with a maximum and minimum, which many think would be the fairest
plan, has not yet been introduced here.
Farms vary in extent from
250 to 20 acres; but there is a number of crofts, besides, considerably
smaller, and this variety does not seem to work unfavourably.
Farm-Buildings.-—-The
farm-houses and offices (and the former more especially) are not in
general in proper keeping with the value of the farms to which they are
attached, nor with the amount of capital of which the occupants must
necessarily be possessed in order to carry them on, owing to the very
limited encouragement generally given for this purpose.
It may be mentioned that
the system usually practised is, that the whole burden of the houses falls
upon the occupant, for which he is allowed a certain return at the end of
his lease, provided they shall then be declared of that value, and
whatever additional buildings in the course of his lease his growing
industry may require, he may erect the same if he please, but it is
entirely at his own risk and responsibility, the landlord holding himself
bound to no more than the certain modified sum originally specified,
whatever now may be their additional value. Here it is evident the terms
are unequal. Should dilapidation ensue the tenant may get less than the
sum agreed upon at entry, but should the value be never so much increased
by additional or improved accommodation, that allowance becomes no more.
The tenant's interest in the buildings accordingly being thus limited to
the duration of his lease, with the exception of the small sum above
referred to, which seldom, it is believed, nearly covers his outlay, he
has no encouragement either to make them substantial, or even to build
them to an extent equal to his requirements; and thus, in fact, there is a
constant building and patchwork going on, of the most inferior and
unsubstantial kind. There is a twofold evil manifestly arising out of this
system. 1st, The general inferiority of the farmer's accommodations; and
2d, The circumstance that a certain portion of his capital should, through
the full currency of his lease, be made to lie thus wholly unproductive,
which, were the necessary accommodations afforded by the landlord, (whose
interests in the property are permanent), and a moderate percentage merely
charged upon them, he would have had freely in hand, to lay out in
improving and enriching his farm. In other words, the practice, while
straitening to the tenant from the very outset, appears to be favourable
in the end neither to him nor to the landlord; and here, without doubt,
the entail system operates in a way that is by no means favourable to the
march of improvement.
Enclosures.—
Notwithstanding the extensive improvements which have taken place in
cultivation, there is still much wanted in the way both of plantation and
enclosures. Belts of the former more generally interspersed, and hedges,
with ditches, would be both ornamental, and would increase greatly both
convenience and shelter; and were due encouragement given by proprietors
to this end, much would undoubtedly be done, and many corners now lying
waste would be profitably and ornamentally occupied.
V.—Parochial Economy.
Market-Town.—There is no
market-town nor village in this parish. The nearest town, and that on
which the inhabitants are mostly dependent both for post and market, is
Huntly, which is four miles distant from the church, but considerably
nearer to the great bulk of the parishioners. There is no post or regular
course of conveyance from the post-office in Huntly to this parish, if we
may except an individual who passes on foot once a-week to Forgue,
carrying letters and newspapers to those in his immediate line of road at
a moderate charge.
Means of Communication.—A
regular post conveyance or runner from Huntly to Turriff, with
receiving-houses at different stages, would be a vast convenience to the
inhabitants of that large and in many respects important inland district,
a great part of which is at present very badly situate in this respect.
Letters from this to Turriff and neighbourhood, a distance of twelve mile
put in at Huntly, usually go round all the way by Aberdeen, (above seventy
miles), before they reach their destination. The other towns with which
this parish maintains considerable communication, are Banff, Macduff, and
Portsoy, eighteen and nineteen miles distant, and Inverury, which is about
twenty. These particularly the two first, are the towns to which the grain
is chiefly carried for export. There is considerable extent of turnpike
road within this parish, say ten miles, six of which consist of the
Aberdeen and Huntly or Inverness great post-road, and four the Huntly and
Banff turnpike.
There are three coaches,
the Mail, the North Defiance, and Duchess of Gordon, that pass through the
parish north and south daily.
Ecclesiastical State.—The
division of this and the neighbouring parishes is as preposterous as can
well be imagined. The church is placed within a few yards of the boundary
on one side, though four and five miles from the opposite point, while the
people resident there, in order to attend their parish church, have to
travel three or four miles farther, than they would have to attend one in
a neighbouring parish—nay, have actually to pass the one at a very short
distance, to get at the other, with which they are parochially connected.
The consequence is, that the strictly parochial system is broken in upon,
and that beautiful reciprocity of interest and of feeling which ought ever
to subsist between a minister and his own people to a certain extent
impaired. Besides the west end of the parish, which has already been
stated as five miles distant from the parish church, there are other
points three and four miles distant, and nearly two-fifths of the
population are at a distance of two miles and upwards. Were an arrangement
entered into of giving and taking, with some of the parishes adjoining, a
very important improvement to all would be effected; indeed, were a
general revision of parishes to take place, and some great Legislative
measure founded upon it to be introduced, the benefit resulting therefrom
would be almost universal.
The church was built in
1773, and received some improvements in 1829, and certain additional
sitting's have been made out since. There is accommodation for between 500
and 600 persons. The sittings for the most part are portioned out to the
occupiers of the land, who pay something for them at entry on a lease, to
the outgoing tenant. They may all be said, therefore, in a sense to be
paid for, though the payment, it is believed, is not large. It would be of
some consequence at any general re-letting of farms on a property, that
the right and extent of church room attached to each should be revised,
and a new arrangement made where necessary; both as considerable changes
are from time to time occurring in the disposal of families, and because
the leaving of this important matter to private settlement between
outgoing and incoming tenants, has frequently led to great irregularities
in this respect. In some instances seats have been improperly transferred
altogether from the farms with which they originally stood connected, and
a general indistinctness and confusion prevail otherwise upon the subject.
The session let upwards of 100 sittings at from 1s. to 1s.3d. each, and
there are some lately erected to which they admit gratis. These consist of
forms wherever there was space to admit them, and may accommodate upwards
of twenty persons. They are chiefly occupied by old people and children
attending the Sabbath school. There are no seats unlet that are set apart
for letting, and these and others are in general fully occupied.
Mortifications.—Two
benefactions of L.100 each are upon record, one in the year 1793, by the
Rev. George Abel, some time minister of the parish, and another by his
widow, several years subsequent; also a share in common with the other
parishes in the synod, of what is called Burnet's Mortification. L. 20 has
been the portion hitherto received by this parish, and as it goes from
presbytery to presbytery in turn, it comes to be paid in each parish once
in a number of years.
The manse was built in
1824, is quite near to the church, and in good repair. The glebe, one-half
of which is beside the manse, the other at some distance, consists of
nearly 10 acres, and is all arable.
The stipend of Drumblade
amounts in all to 8-4 bolls, 1˝ lippy of oatmeal; 9 bolls, 3 firlots, 2
pecks, 3 lippies of bear, mostly paid in kind; and L. 41, 17s. 7d. in
money, paid by the heritors from the teinds of the parish; and L.51, 9s.
11d. paid by the Exchequer, to augment the same to the annual value of
L.150.
There is no other place of
worship, either Chapel of Ease or Dissenting, within the parish, besides
the parish church. There are, however, a few preaching stations occupied
by the parish minister for week-day services, and which continue to be
well attended.
There are in all 171
families or householders, male and female, in the parish, 152 of which
belong to the Established Church, and 19in all to the various classes of
Dissenters. Reckoning the whole population at 970, which, though somewhat
less than the return made at the last Government census, is all that have
been found at this date, there are belonging to the Established Church,
856; Episcopalians, 50; United Secession, 20; Independents, 40; Roman
Catholics, 4. The average number of communicants (parishioners) in the
parish church is from 340 to 350, and, including non-parishioners, may be
about 60 more. The sacrament of the Lord's supper is now dispensed twice
a-year, and all communicants who request such privilege here for the first
time, however frequently they may have communicated before in other
parishes, are strictly examined anew when they bring their testimonials,
previous to their admission— which practice has been found to be attended
with most beneficial effect.
There is an association
instituted for religious purposes—denominated the Drumblade Bible and
Missionary Association, the contributions to which have hitherto been
gradually increasing, and the sum now raised annually is from L. 24 to L.
25. This sum has been divided among the home and foreign objects now
carried forward by the Church of Scotland; the Edinburgh Bible, and the
Scottish Missionary, Societies.
Library.—There is also a
parish library, the contributions to which are likewise on the increase;
and, though yet of no great extent, it is still in a promising condition.
The books appear to be pretty extensively read, and the institution
appreciated.
There are usually three
Sabbath schools in the parish,—one taught by the parish minister, and
three assistant teachers under his superintendence, and two in other parts
of the parish, taught by respectable Dissenters.
Education.—There may
scarcely be said to be any school within the parish but the parochial—one
female teaches a few children sewing and knitting. The numbers attending
the parish school vary from 46 to 72—the former being about the number in
summer, the latter in winter. The branches taught are, reading, writing,
English Grammar, arithmetic, geography, Latin, and mathematics, including
mensuration. The schoolmaster's salary amounts to L.30; probable amount of
school fees, L.24, 10s.; emoluments arising from the Dick Bequest, in
common with the other parochial teachers in Aberdeen, Banff, and
Morayshires, session-clerkship, &c. may be stated at L.35. The school fees
are by no means expensive, and the advantages of education are generally
secured more or less by all classes of the community. There are none
brought up in the parish who cannot read, and few of the rising generation
under fifteen years who cannot both write and account. Persons have
occasionally been met with from other parishes unable to read, and, with
some exception, these have not been found in general much disposed to
undergo the labour of overcoming that deficiency. There are many parts of
the parish inconveniently distant from the parish school, yet this is in
general so far supplied by their proximity to others without the bounds. A
respectable female or girls' school for branches not exclusively
elementary, would be an important improvement. The improved methods of
education have been generally introduced, and, whatever may be the result
in point of morals or otherwise, nothing can be more apparent than that
the youth of all classes now enjoy advantages and facilities for acquiring
information, intellectual and spiritual, far beyond what was common in
former times.
Poor and Parochial
Funds.—The average number of paupers actually on the roll does not exceed
five or six, though as many others, perhaps, as poor householders, are in
the way of receiving occasional supplies. The maintaining of a lunatic,
however, in the asylum at Aberdeen, has of late been a considerable burden
upon the funds. The ordinary mode of keeping up the fund is by church
collections, the average amount of which for the last five years has been
about L.27; the rest is made up from certain sums lying at interest, and
from church seats let by the session, and, were jt not for the heavy
charge above-mentioned, would be amply sufficient for maintaining the
small number, both of the ordinary and occasional poor.
The reluctance to fall upon
a parish fund is not, perhaps, what it once was; yet, on the whole, that
laudable spirit of independence may not be said to be lost in this
quarter; and it is certain, that, looking back to former records, the
number of poor receiving relief had been considerably greater than now.
Fair:—There is scarce any
market or fair now held in the parish, if we except one which has not
hitherto gained much notice, on the Saddlehill, in place of Sliach Market,
formerly well known and much frequented. The new station not appearing to
take well with the country, one has been got up in Huntly at the same
time, to which the business formerly transacted at Sliach has been for the
most part transferred, and from the additional accommodations and
conveniences there afforded, the change, it is believed, is not felt to be
any grievance to the public.
Inns.—The number of inns or
other places for the sale of spirituous liquors in the parish is
unquestionably too great,—there being no fewer than five.
Fuel.—Fuel is not abundant
in the parish. There is a very small extent of peat moss, and that mostly
of an inferior description. Neither is turf extensive. The tenants,
however, in Lessendrum have a servitude, or right of casting peats over
some part of the extensive moss of Foudlin, in the parish of Forgue, where
they have an abundant supply. English coal carted from the port of Banff
or Macduff is also a good deal used.
Miscellaneous Observations.
Looking to this parish as a
whole, and marking the many changes which have taken place in it since the
date of the former Statistical Account, it may safely be said, that it has
not been behind others in the march of general improvement. Agriculture,
in particular, has made wonderful progress, and that, not more, perhaps,
in the greater extent of ground cultivated, than in the superior
management and direction, exhibited in every department of farming
details. Many bars to husbandry have been removed—new roads have been
cut—mill multures, at one time very heavy, amounting to one-seventeenth
part when work was done, and to one-twenty-first independent of any work,
have now for the most part been extinguished. The standard of comfort
among the people has become elevated, their ideas less contracted, their
knowledge and information more extensive, and their manners and habits
more refined; and it is hoped that, in matters still more important and
sacred, improvements also have taken place.
January 1840. |
