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PRESBYTERY OF GARIOCH, SYNOD
OF ABERDEEN.
THE REV. ALEXANDER CUSHNY, MINISTER.
I.—Topography and Natural
History.
Name.—The name Rayne was
sometimes written Raine in the records of the seventeenth century, but
more frequently Rain, the orthography which is still retained in Old Rain,
the post-town. It was probably derived from a Gaelic word of similar
sound, Raon, signifying a field of good ground,—a term sufficiently
appropriate to this parish, which consists of open and continuous fields,
generally of good soil, and under productive tillage.
Extent, &c.—This is a
landward parish, of moderate extent and compact form, being about 3 1/3
miles in each direction, and containing 11 square miles. Its figure is not
perfectly regular, but approaching to a square : it is bounded on the
south side by the parish of Oyne, and divided from it by the water of Ury;
on the west, by that of Culsamond; on the east, by parts of Daviot, and
Chapel of Garioch; and on the north, by parts of Fyvie and Auchterless. It
forms the northern boundary of an inland district of Aberdeenshire called
the Garioch, which is divided from that of Formartine, by the hill of
Rothmaise in Rayne, about 850 feet above the level of the sea. With the
exception of this hill, the parish consists of undulating fields, and
gentle acclivities, with a long tract of peat-moss or bog, towards the
north side, reaching from the west boundary to the east, where Daviot
begins.
Climate, &c.—The
temperature is of a moderate range, and on the whole remarkably equal, the
mean height of the thermometer being in 1837.
The atmosphere is
comparatively dry, from the circumstance of there being no mountains of
sufficient magnitude to attract the clouds and vapours, which are drawn
towards the higher ridges of Bennachee on the south-west, and Foudland on
the north-west; so that while the summits of these are frequently
enveloped in dense mists, and copious showers of rain and snow are
precipitated along the sides of them, little of the falling moisture,
comparatively, reaches this lower level; and sometimes the air continues
quite clear and dry.
Hydrography.—The springs of
water are perennial, but not very abundant; there are no lakes within the
parish, nor any considerable mountain streams, the Ury only bounding it
for two miles on the south side.
Geology and Mineralogy.—
The stones which prevail here are of the species usually called whinstone,
of a deep blue colour, hard texture, and great weight. They are found of
various sizes and qualities, according to their situations, sometimes
detached and near the surface, and sometimes in large and continuous
masses under ground; which last, being split by means of gunpowder and
wedges, and squared with the hammer, form the chief material of the
country buildings, and are very durable. There is no granite here,
although it is abundant both in quarries and outlayers on Bennachee, a
mountain three miles southward; neither have slates been discovered in the
bounds, though they are found in a hill three miles northward; but it is
probable that there is slate in the hill of Rothmaise, which appears to be
a continuation of the Foudland and Culsamond hills, in which are many
bush-quarries of valuable slates. The chief alluvial deposit is that of
peat moss, of which there is an extensive flat, already mentioned, above
three miles in length, varying in breadth and depth, and comprising above
500 imperial acres. In one part of this flat, peats were found about sixty
years ago, containing a large portion of adipose or fatty matter, and
having a white and unctuous appearance on the surface, and which when
ignited emitted a flame and light as bright as those of a tallow candle.
On this account they were commonly called "creeshy clods," i.e. greasy
small peats; and were burned sparingly, as a cheap sort of light, in the
winter evenings by all who could procure them. But the quantity of this
peculiar kind of peat appears to have been small, and has been long
exhausted. The chief remains now found in the moss are pieces of hazel,
birch, oak, &c. which indicate that this tract had once been covered with
natural wood, and trees of goodly size.
The soil of the best fields
is loam on a bottom of clay, more or less mixed with gravel, and which,
with good culture, bears abundant crops; the residue is a poorer soil, of
less depth, and on a harder bottom, in some parts of till, and in others
of rotten rock, here called chad. But this ground also, when manured,
produces grain of fair quality, though in much smaller quantity than the
former; and the green crops and herbage raised on it are found to be less
succulent and nutritious than those which grow on the rich infield
grounds.
The soil and climate cannot
be called favourable to the larger species of fruit, being neither a carse,
nor a mountain-sheltered strath; and few fruit trees are planted here,
except in the gardens of proprietors; but a taste for growing
gooseberries, and currants for preserving, is gradually advancing among
the tenantry; and these small fruits are produced of very good quality.
There arc no rare species of wild plants in this locality, nor any forests
of natural wood; but there are a few enclosures of moderate compass
planted with larch and Scots fir, which last grows rapidly in the early
stages, but begins to show symptoms of decay after the fortieth year. Ash
and elm, beech and plane trees, which are here planted in belts and rows,
and around gardens, grow to a goodly size, and yield timber of excellent
quality.
II.—Civil History.
Eminent Men.— One native
may be mentioned on account of the eminence which he attained abroad, viz.
William Leslie, second son to William, the fifth laird of Warthill, in
this place. Born in 1657, he got a classical education in the parochial
school, and, having completed his academical studies at one of the
universities in Aberdeen, became schoolmaster in the parish of Chapel of
Garioch for some years; but, being there persuaded by Count Leslie, a
member of the Balquhane family, and his own cousin-german, to embrace the
Romish faith, he went to Rome with the Count in 1684; and there became so
noted for his learning and piety, that, at the age of thirty-three years
he was chosen to be Professor of Theology in the College of Padua, and was
afterwards made Bishop of Laybach in Carniola, and a Prince of the German
empire, which honour, along with others, he retained through life: he died
at his see in 1727. During his long residence abroad, he faithfully
corresponded with his brother Alexander, the sixth laird of Warthill, and
sent him at one time an original portrait of himself, esteemed a good
picture, and which, with many of his letters, is still in possession of
William Leslie, Esq. the present proprietor of the family estate.
Land-owners.—In 1674, there
were fifteen land-owners in this parish ; but in less than a century
after, they had decreased in number to seven, afterwards to five, and now
there are six, viz. Sir Robert Dalrymple Horn Elphinstone, of Old Rain and
Logie-Elphinstone, Baronet; Sir Alexander Leith, of Freefield and
Cushiestown, K. C. B.; William Leslie of Warthill and Tocher, Esq. ;
Alexander Gordon, of Meiklewarthill and Loanhead, Esq.; Alexander Forbes,
of Rothmaise and Blackford, Esq.; John Gordon, of Kirktown and Lentush,
Esq.
Parochial Registers.—The
Session records commence in 1672, and amount to ten volumes, comprising
accounts of the poor's funds, church discipline, and register of births
and marriages, but none of deaths. The baptismal record has been regularly
kept during the last twenty years; and that it was not so previously, was
owing to the negligence of the parents.
Antiquities.—In the
south-east part of the parish is a conical hill, called a law, on which,
according to tradition, trials were held of old, and doom pronounced, and
at times, perhaps, summarily executed. This little hill, of which the top
is now covered with fir trees and furze, has given the name of Lawesk (now
Louesk) to the adjoining farms, extending to several hundred acres. About
a mile westward from it was a well, called St Lawrence Well; and, at the
distance of another mile west, is the village of Old Rain, where is held
an annual market, named Lawrence Fair. On a small rising-ground in the
middle of this village, and which was surrounded by a moat, there was once
a house of residence for the Bishop of Aberdeen, who, upon the union of
the Episcopal sees of Mortlach and Aberdeen in 1137, received from King
David, in grant to himself and his successors, the lands of Old Aberdeen,
Sclattie, Clatt, Kildrummie, Daviot, and Raine, by which the see was
greatly enriched. It is recorded, "that Alexander Kinninmonth, who was
made bishop in 1329, passed the winter in Mortlach, the spring in
Aberdeen, and the summer and harvest at Fetternear and Raine, that he
might the more commodiously discharge his office in every part of his
diocese." And he it probably was, that built the residence referred to,
the foundation of which was discernible in the last century, but has since
been effaced, and the ground brought under tillage. Here also is a
market-cross, consisting of an upright pillar of hewn granite, raised on a
pedestal of circular steps, and measuring nearly 12 feet from the ground
to the top. Above the middle of this pillar is an iron staple with links,
the remains of the jougs, in which offenders were wont to be exposed to
public shame; and half of the iron collar which clasped the neck of the
delinquent remained attached to the chain about half a century ago, but is
now gone. This cross was probably erected in 'the end of the seventeenth
century, when John Horn of Westhall, superior of Old Rain, was empowered
by charter to constitute it a burgh of barony, with regular markets and
bailie courts,—which last were held accordingly in the eighteenth century.
Four hundred yards eastward
from this village, is a Druidical circle or temple; and at the like
distance from this to the northeast, in the line of the church road, is
part of an ancient cairn, called Drum's Cairn, said to mark the spot where
Irvine of Drum was slain, while pursuing Donald, Lord of the Isles, after
the battle of Harlaw, 1411. Another tradition bears that he was slain
nearer to the field of action, about four miles to the southeast, and
buried at Drum on Deeside, the seat of that ancient family; a discrepancy
which may be reconciled, by supposing that he was wounded near Harlaw, but
able to pursue the enemy to this place, where, from exhaustion, or fresh
wounds, he fell. The cairn was opened and partly removed eight years ago,
on the road being widened at the place; but nothing was found confirmatory
of the above tradition; and though a field in the near vicinity is named
"Drum Fauld" it may have acquired that name from its round and convex
form, various other places of the like appearance being also called Drums.
Half a mile eastward from Drum's Cairn is another small one, in the Moor
of Rayne, called Tillydaff's Cairn, as marking the place where Tillydaff,
laird of Mains of Warthill, was killed in 1530. Having assaulted a
neighbouring land-owner, Leslie of Warthill, second son of Wardhouse, in
Lawrence fair, he was pursued by Wardhouse and his other sons for several
miles, and fell by their hands at this spot: now a small green mound,
which does not appear to have been opened. A third cairn, of larger
dimensions than either of the former, is found near the summit of the hill
of Rothmaise, now called the Black Cairn; but of the origin or intention
of which there is no tradition extant. About fifty years ago, it was
partially opened, and removed by the then proprietor, when a stone-coffin
was found, and a key of rude workmanship. Another Druidical circle is seen
on the east side of the same hill; and on the top of it are two large
stones, not far apart, called the Crighton Stone, and the Fede-raught
Stone, which are probably commemorative of some feud, or fatal encounter
betwixt the Crightons of Frendraught in For-gue, and the family of
Federaught in Deer. The west of this hill looks to one about a mile
distant, in the neighbouring parish of Culsamond, called Cairnhill,
whereon are several cairns or barrows; by which passed a Roman road,
leading, as is supposed, from the large encampment south of the river Dec,
to the camp of Glenmellan near the Ythan, (castra ad Ithunum,) and with
this latter the Black Cairn may have been in some way connected. At
Freefield, a mile southward from Cairnhill, is an artificial grassy mound
of 60 yards in circumference, and 18 feet in height, probably a signal
post, having relation to the supposed Roman way, above-mentioned. Near the
church is a large flat-headed rock, called Bowman Stone, where archers may
have met in ruder times to practise with the bow; as at the Bowbutts in
other places. Half a mile east from this, is a rising ground named Saint
Andrew's Hill, on which fetes may have formerly been held in honour of the
patron saint; and a mile eastward from that, is a round knoll or eminence
on the lands of Meikle Wart-hill, called the Earl of Marr's Reive or Ree.
Modern Buildings.—The
church is a plain structure, erected in 1789 for L.350 Sterling. The
mansion-houses are those of Free-field and Rothmaise, built in the last
century; and that of Wart-hill, in the present century. Freefield is
surrounded with ash, beech, larch, and pine trees, of great height and
beauty, and also with some Spanish chestnut trees, which blossom but do
not bear fruit. There are five meal-mills in the parish, of which three
are slated; and forty-four thrashing-mills for grain, of which ten are
moved by water, and the rest by horses.
III.—Population.
There are two villages or
rather hamlets in the parish, namely, Old Rain, already mentioned,
containing 23 dwelling-houses and 96 persons; and Meiklewarthill,
containing 40 dwelling-houses and 152 persons.
One old woman has been
insane for five years, and an old man has been blind above twenty years;
but there are none deaf and dumb. Within the last fifteen years, a man
died aged 97 years, and his wife aged 95: a husband and wife, with his
sister, lived in one house, until their united ages amounted to 250 years,
each of them being above 83 : and the like instance of longevity was
witnessed in another house.
Only two of the heritors
are resident within the bounds, both gentlemen of good family and fortune;
and the others have property and domiciles in different parishes.
The people appear to enjoy
the comforts and benefits of society, without extravagance. They are not
addicted to poaching, smuggling, or such like demoralizing pursuits, but
are generally of industrious and peaceable habits, and, with very few
exceptions, attentive to their moral and religious duties.
IV.—Industry.
Agriculture.—
The valued rent of the
whole lands is L. 2544 Scots. The real rent, consisting partly of grain,
commuted at the county fiars, is variable; but that of the best ground or
old infield may average per imperial acre L. 2 Sterling; and that for
outfield, varying according to the quality, from 12s. to L. 1, 4s. per
imperial acre; and the latter, comprising about four-fifths of the land in
tillage, while the former is only one-fifth, reduces the average rent to
something less than L. 1 Sterling per arable acre; and makes the gross
rental of the whole, L. 5650. There are no grass fields let in the parish
; and the rates of grazing cannot be correctly stated.
Wages.—The farm-servants
are engaged for six months, and, being chiefly unmarried, they lodge and
eat in their masters' houses, and receive, besides, in money-wages
half-yearly, for ploughmen, L. 5 to L. 7; for lads, L.3 to L. 4; and boys
for herding cattle, &c. L. 1, 10s. to L. 2, 10s.; women servants receive
in winter, L. 2, in summer, L. 3; labourers working by the day, earn 2s.
or 1s. 6d. with meat; masons earn 3s. per day; carpenters, 2s. 8d.; and
all other tradesmen charge by the piece of work done.
Live-Stock.—A great many
black-cattle are reared here, as in all the inland districts of
Aberdeenshire, principally of the country breeds, horned and bald ; but
some breeders are crossing this kind with the Teeswater or short-horned
cattle, and thereby adding greatly to the size and weight of the carcase,
when fed, but not, it is thought, to the fineness of the quality and grain
of the meat. The number of milk-cows, kept by the crofters solely for
dairy produce, and by the farmers for that and breeding, exceeds 500; and
that of other cattle of all different ages, from calves to oxen of four
years growth, 1300. Very few oxen are here yoked in the plough, though in
the end of the last century it was the general custom to have ten of these
ploughing on each of the principal farms. Most of them are now fed at
three and four years' old, and sold to the butchers and exporters,
weighing from 6 to 9 cwt. Our horses, though much larger than those of the
country breed of former times, cannot be called heavy; but they are hardy
and actives and fit both for ploughing in pairs, and carrying the grain to
market in single carts, at the rate of four quarters to each horse. Of
these the number used solely for husbandry is 220 ; as pleasure horses and
ponies, 20; young horses bred for sale or use, 40; making of this kind,
280. There being no extensive range of hill or moorland pasture, the
number of sheep kept is very limited, not exceeding in all 440; viz, of
the Scots black-faced breed for feeding, 200; and of a large cross-breed,
for wool for home use, and raising lambs, kept in small lots, 240.
The system of agriculture
pursued in this parish, and generally through the district of Garioch, may
be reckoned good, when viewed, as it ought to be, in relation to the soil
and climate, the distance from sea ports and grain markets, and other
local circumstances. One peculiarity to be noticed is the great variety in
the size of the farms, from that of two horses labour to that of six
horses; besides which, are numerous small crofts for tradesmen keeping a
cow, and other possessions, of eight, twelve, and twenty acres, occupied
in lease by industrious tenants, labouring with their own hands, and
usually tilling with a horse and ox yoked together. These multiplied
subdivisions of the ground, into portions so small, may no doubt be
adverse to the adopting of new and improved modes of culture, on a large
and uniform scale; but this disadvantage has long appeared to the writer,
to be counterbalanced by the powerful encouragement thereby afforded to
the practice of honest industry and prudence, among the labouring classes
of the community. In counties that are under a different management, and
which have no gradation of possessions betwixt the cottar's acre and the
grain farm of 100 acres, or the sheep farm of 1000 acres, the man who
begins life as a farm-servant, day-labourer, or tradesman, how diligent
and economical so ever he may be, is almost precluded from the hope of
bettering his condition, by the occupancy of a small farm, suited to his
means and industry, and must limit his views to the cottar's croft,
realizing, in most instances, the English adage, "once a hind, always a
hind." But in Aberdeenshire, which has been sometimes called "the poor
man's country," a farm-servant or labourer, after having established his
character by activity, temperance, and economy, has little difficulty in
getting a possession proportioned to the amount of his savings, on which,
by exertion and foresight, he may live comfortably, and bring up a family,
in the like industrious, peaceable, and independent way. And, in proof of
the efficiency of this stimulus there are at present within the bounds of
this small parish, many instances of persons, who, from very humble
beginnings, have gradually risen, by their own exertions, to be thriving
and intelligent agriculturists. And though the small possessions are
proportionally higher rented than the large ones, they have always more
competitors for occupying them; and if there be less capital invested, in
cumulo, for carrying on expensive improvements, (which is doubtful), there
are more of the necessary sinews of industry employed in comparison, and
much more caution, sobriety, and contentment, exercised in bad seasons,
which tend to secure equal and regularly paid rents to the land-owners;
consequently, on well-managed estates in this place, arrears of rent are
of rare occurrence, and small amount.
The leases are usually
granted for nineteen years; and as wheat is not much cultivated, the
turnip husbandry, with oats and bear, hay and pasture, is generally
followed, under the various rotations of five, seven, and six years. Of
these, the last may be considered the best, for keeping the ground both
rich and clean, and also producing most luxuriant crops; having
three-sixths of the whole possession in grass, two-sixths in grain, and
one-sixth in turnips, which are uniformly drilled and hoed. The manure
chiefly employed is animal dung, with the addition of bone dust when
required; and it is now very customary to give the outfield lands a
top-dressing, (with a compost of earth and lime, or earth and dung,) on
the pasture grass, before ploughing it for a crop of oats.
The farm-houses are plain
substantial buildings, mostly of one floor, and thatch-roofed; but a few
of them lately erected have two floors and slate roofs, and as there are
slate quarries in the neighbouring parish, it may be hoped that both the
dwelling-houses and offices hereafter built on the principal farms will be
slated. Very few of the fields are enclosed, either with hedges or dikes;
from the difficulty of watering the enclosures sufficiently for grazing
cattle, and of procuring good stones for dikes at a moderate distance and
expense. The only uncultivated ground likely to repay the cost of
improvement, is the area of the moss that has been exhausted of peat, and
which, on being dried and tilled, bears luxuriant crops in ordinary
seasons ; and of this kind of ground lying along the sides of the moss,
400 acres have been brought into cultivation since the beginning of the
present century, adding so much to the dimensions and value of the
respective estates.
Produce.—It is not easy to
give a correct statement of the amount or value of the whole yearly
produce, as that of many small possessions is in great part consumed by
the occupiers and their families, and no account thereof regularly kept.
But, computing the annual returns of oats and bear (big) to be 6½ quarters
from each acre of infield land in crop, and 4 quarters from each acre of
outfield in crop, (which are fair estimates for ordinary seasons,) the
gross yearly produce of these crops is 10470 quarters, yielding at the
average of L. 1 each, L. 10,470 Sterling; cattle reared and sold from the
parish, viz. oxen of three and four years old, 400 at L. 10, L. 4000;
butter, cheese, and eggs, &c. sold, L. 1500; total, L. 15,970. Of the corn
produced, there are required yearly for seed, 1800 quarters; for food to
1500 persons, at 80 stones of meal to each, 3200 quarters; leaving for
malt, horse-corn, sale, and all other purposes, 5470 quarters, = 10,470
quarters. From the gross value of cattle sold, a deduction should be made
for grass parks rented by the tenants annually, amounting to about L. 400.
But this outlay is much more than compensated by hay sold, and potatoes
and other farm and dairy produce consumed at home, but of which the value
cannot be ascertained.
The cheese made here is
mostly from skim-milk, and does not bring a higher price in the market
than from 3s. to 4s. per imperial stone. But butter is made in great
abundance and of good quality by the fanners, and also by the crofters,
who have little other produce to spare for the market. It is bought up by
the country merchants at 7d. to 9d. per imperial pound ; salted in casks
and sold in Aberdeen, for city consumpt, or exportation. The annual value
of butter, cheese, and eggs, sold from the rural parts of this county, was
estimated some years since at L.90,000 Sterling; of which considerable
revenue it may be affirmed that Rayne, with its numerous small
possessions, drew an adequate share; it being ascertained, that, on farms
of L. 80 rent, the yearly value of dairy produce sold has been L. 20, or
one-fourth thereof.
The corns throughout this
whole county are now cut down with the scythe, which is found to be much
more expeditious for oats and bear than the sickle, and consequently, more
profitable, by preventing the hazard from over-ripening and shaking. The
thrashing, on all farms of two horses' labour and upwards, is accomplished
by machinery, or thrashing-mills, which are now very numerous. Formerly,
the oats were milled, and the meal sold in the Aberdeen market; but now
the greater part is sold in grain and carted to lnverury, whence it is
conveyed by the canal barges to Aberdeen for being milled or exported.
Manufactures.—Almost the
only manufacture carried on here, is the knitting of woollen stockings,
&c. with wires, as mentioned in the Statistical Account of 1794. All the
women and some old men were employed in knitting coarse stockings for the
Dutch market, and thereby brought into the parish about L. 400 Sterling
yearly. This easy and lucrative manufacture was for a time interrupted,
and nearly annihilated, by the war with France, and Holland under its
sway; but through the persevering enterprise of a few eminent capitalists
in Aberdeen, it was succeeded by one of a similar kind, viz. the knitting
of coarse worsted vests or under-jackets, for seafaring persons, and of
blue woollen bonnets, commonly worn by labouring men and boys, which are
also knitted with wires, and afterwards milled. This is the common
employment of all the aged, and many of the young women in the district of
Garioch; and at the rate of 3d. to 4d. for knitting a jacket, and 1d. to
2d. for a bonnet, it will yield, with some coarse stockings, to those of
this parish alone, about L. 600 per annum.
V.—Parochial Economy.
Market-Town.—There is no
market-town within the parish, and the one nearest to it is Inverury, a
small royal burgh about eight miles distant, on the turnpike road to
Aberdeen.
Means of
Communication.—There is a post-office in Old Rain, two miles from the
church, and the Royal Mail from Aberdeen to Inverness passes and repasses
near to it every twenty-four hours, as does also another daily coach, on
the same road, so that travellers are well accommodated. A new line of
turnpike was lately opened, from the Huntly road at Garden's mill, to Old
Mel-drum, joining the line from that to the port of Newburgh. This
turnpike is made through Rayne, about three miles from west to east, and
though not yet much frequented, it may, from its vicinity to the slate
quarries, become very beneficial to the country.
Ecclesiastical State.—The
church is situated most conveniently for the parishioners, being nearly in
the centre of the parish, and not more than two miles distant from the
extremities of it. It was built in 1789, and made to contain in the area
and two galleries 500 hearers, a number too limited when the population
exceeded 1100; and though by the addition of two other galleries, the
sittings have since been augmented to 700, they are still too few for the
parishioners, now above 1500, besides about 30 persons annexed quoad sacra
from the large adjoining parish of Fyvie. All the seats in the area being
divided among the land-owners, in proportion to their valued rents, are by
them apportioned to their tenants, free of charge, according to their real
rents; and a few sittings are set apart, for the poor gratis. Three of the
galleries, having been erected by the curators for the poor, are annually
let by them to the parishioners, at the very moderate rate of 1s. each
sitting, and yield above L.14 Sterling yearly to the poor's funds, besides
affording some free sittings to those who require them.
The manse was built in 1751
for L.1000 Scots, and was last repaired and enlarged in 1826. The arable
glebe contains six imperial acres of good ground, and there are above two
acres of grass glebe, with 18s. Sterling in lieu of the residue of grass.
The stipend was last augmented in 1823, when the heritors surrendered
their whole teinds, amounting in Sterling money to L. 167, 11s. 8d.; meal,
at 10 imperial stones to the boll, 65 bolls, 3 pecks, 2 1/5 lippies; bear,
in Aberdeenshire measure, 12 bolls, 3 pecks, Of lippies, the victual of
both kinds being made payable, with consent of the present-incumbent, at
the highest fiar prices of the county.
There are no Chapels of
Ease, Government churches, missionaries, or catechists, nor any
Episcopalian, Catholic, Seceding, or other Dissenting chapels within these
bounds; but in the parish of Fyvie, and about three miles from hence,
there is an Episcopal chapel, with a numerous and respectable
congregation. Thirty-four families in Rayne, comprising 100 persons of all
ages, attend there; 14 persons grown up attend various Dissenting meetings
at a distance; and all the other families, amounting to 276, and
comprising about 1400 persons, attend the Established Church, where the
average number of the congregation is 700 persons, and of the
communicants, 750. The amount of annual collections for the poor on the
roll has risen to about L.48, 10s.; and of extraordinary collections for
the Aberdeen Infirmary, the Pauper Lunatic Fund, and the General
Assembly's Schemes, about L.14 yearly. It is but justice to add, that the
church contributions of the householders form only a small proportion of
their alms, as they are daily bestowing meal and provisions on their
indigent neighbours, and also on many wandering mendicants.
Education.— Besides the
parochial school near the church, there is one in Meiklewarthill unendowed,
and another in Old Rain, unendowed, and presently taught by a Dissenter.
In the latter two, the ordinary branches of reading, writing, and
arithmetic are taught, which yield of yearly emolument to each of the
teachers scarcely L.20. In the parochial school, Latin, Greek, and
mathematics are taught, when required, in addition to the ordinary
branches, and for which the teacher has the minimum salary of L.25, 13s.
4d.; school fees and other dues, L. 30; allowance from Mr Dick's Trustees,
L.28; total, L.83, 13s. 4d.; also a house with the legal accommodation,
and an enclosed garden of one-fourth of a Scots acre.
The quarter fees, payable
at entry, are very moderate, viz. for reading and writing, 2s. 6d.; with
arithmetic, 3s. 6d.; Latin, Greek, or mathematics, 5s. The parents are
generally anxious to give their offspring an education suitable to their
station; so that there are few young person's above sis years who have not
had an opportunity of learning to read, write, and cypher. None are
precluded by distance from attending the parochial school; but as it was
built thirty years ago, and for only eighty scholars, it could not
accommodate the number of youth who now apply to education during the
winter months, or from the close of harvest to the seed-time, being above
200, or one-seventh of the population: hence the success of the two
unendowed schools in the villages, each of them about two miles distant
from the parish school, and equally well filled with it.
There is no parish library,
strictly so called ; but a reading society was formed about eight years
ago, by thirty members, which affords the means of instructive and
religious reading, at a very trivial expense, to all who desire it; and
may tend also to increase the number of readers in the rising generation.
Friendly Societies.—Of
several Friendly Societies formed here, only one remains, called The
Freefield Ploughmen Lodge, which remodelled its rules agreeably to the Act
of Parliament, and seems to flourish.
Savings Bank.—A District
Savings Bank, on the security of the national funds, was opened in
Inverury at Whitsunday last; and the industrious classes in this and other
surrounding parishes have availed themselves of the means of providing for
the wants of age; the deposits in six months, chiefly by male and female
servants, being about L.1500, and in two years amounting to nearly L.6000.
Poor and Parochial
Funds.—Of poor persons on the parish roll, the average is 40, and the
amount distributed quarterly in sums from 8s. to 15s. according to their
relative circumstances, is L.20 or L.80 per annum. The yearly amount of
church collections is L. 48, 10s.; rents drawn for seats of three
galleries, L. 14, 5s.; interest of poor's funds lent, L. 7, 10s.;
donations, legacies, and other casual supplies, L.12; total, L.82, 5s.
There is one fund for the poor of all the parishes in the county and
synod, (except those in Fordyce, and two others which have assessments,)
which deserves to be recorded, in memory of the benevolent donor, the late
John Burnett, of Dens, Esq. a citizen of Aberdeen, who bequeathed a
considerable part of his residuary estate for this charitable purpose.
This having been realized and invested in land, yields an annual rent of
L.400, which is managed by the provincial synod, and distributed through
the several presbyteries in rotation, in sums from L.20 to L.50 to each
parish, according to the relative numbers and necessities of their poor.
And from this fund the poor of Rayne have received three distributions
during the last twenty-three years, amounting in all to L.82.
The first applications for
relief from the poor's funds are generally made with reluctance; but aid
being granted chiefly to the aged and infirm who have no relations able to
support them, and widows with helpless children, the feeling of shame is
in them gradually overcome by the fear of want.
Fairs.—The principal fairs
in the parish are the Tryst of Wart-hill, a large cattle-market held
annually about Whitsunday N.S.; Lawrence fair, at Old Rain, also a
considerable market, held yearly at Lammas; a new market in the same place
in October; and Andersmas fair at Kirktown, after Martinmas O.S., besides
two feeing markets for servants, held near Old Rain, before Whitsunday and
Martinmas respectively.
Alehouses.—There are at
present four alehouses licensed to sell spirits; a number much greater
than is requisite for the accommodation of the parishioners and lawful
travellers.
Fuel.—The fuel most used is
peat, dug from the extensive bog or moss already mentioned, about
Whitsunday, dried there for six weeks, and carted home and built in stacks
in July.
Miscellaneous Observations.
The chief variations
betwixt the present state of the parish, and that in 1794, are 1. The
increase of population from 1173 to 1510 ; 2. The rise of rent from L.1300
to L. 5650.
Better parish roads,
leading to the several turnpikes, would be a valuable means of improvement
here.
October 1840. |
