Longformacus is a parish, consisting of a main body and a detached section, in the north of Berwickshire. Its main body is bounded by Haddingtonshire, and the parishes of Cranshaws, Abbey St Bathans, Duns, Langton, and Lauder. The detached section lies 2 miles east of the nearest point of the main body and is bounded by Abbey St Bathans, Bunkle, and Duns. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Great Dirrington, Little Dirrington, Longformacus
(1) The parish of Abbey St Bathans had two detached parts, one of which lay to the north of the main portion of the parish within the parish of Cockburnspath, while the other was separated from the main portion of the parish by a detached part of the parish of Longformacus. The first of these detached parts was transferred to the parish of Cockburnspath. The second of these detached parts was united with the main portion of the parish of Abbey St Bathans by the transference to that parish of the detached part of Longformacus. See affected properties and landholders. (1892: Boundary of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government Act, 1889, by Hay Shennan)
(2) The parish of Cranshaws had one detached part which was bounded on north and east by the parish of Longformacus. An exchange of territory was effected between these parishes. The detached part of Cranshaws was transferred to Longformacus, while a portion of Longformacus was transferred to Cranshaws. The latter portion may in general terms be described as the portion of Longformacus north of the course of the River Whitadder, from the main portion of Cranshaws parish on the west to Ellem Inn on the east. See affected properties and landholders. (1892: Boundary of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government Act, 1889, by Hay Shennan)
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The parishes of Longformacus and Ellem were united in 1712.
Longformacus. The church of Longformacus was dedicated by Bishop David de Bernham, 11 March 1243. It was rebuilt on the old foundations in 1730, and renovated in 1895. The parish was long united to Mordington, but was disjoined in 1666.
Ellem, or Ellemford. The parish was united to Longformacus by the Commissioners of Teinds, 13 February 1712.
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
Longformacus (QO)
Ellem, or Ellemford (QO)
(1928: Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, by Hew Scott, D. D.)
Parish registers turned over to the Registrar-General, as a result of the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (Scotland) Act of 1854. The letters B. D. and M. indicate Births (or Baptisms), Deaths (or Burials), and Marriages (or Proclamations of Banns) respectively. Numbers indicate separate volumes or books. Note: These records are by no means complete or without damage; consult the Detailed List of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland (1872) to learn more about the condition of the records.
| OPR and RD Numbers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date Range | Name | Number | Type |
| 1654-1854 | Longformacus | 750 | OPR |
| 1855-1960 | Longformacus | 750 | RD |
| 2009 | Scottish Borders, Duns | 785 | RD |
| 2026 | Scottish Borders Council; Lammermuir Community Council | ||
(2009: Parishes and Registration Districts of Scotland - Old and New, National Records of Scotland)
Local community councils (2026) are provided as a potential source of additional information for settlements within the original boundaries of the parish. (Source)
Statistics from informal and official censuses
Allan, Anderson, Bell, Hume, Martin, Rankin, Stobie, Todd, Watson, Young
Note: Names appearing in research materials, other than censuses. Simple names (First name, surname only) have been omitted unless they appear associated with large properties. All women's names, and men's names with occupations, military ranks, or peerage titles are included.
By the Reverend Mr Selby Ord.
"The number of souls is 452; of families, 100; of persons from 16 to 60 years of age 112. The people, accustomed to the pastoral life in their early years, are rather inclined to indolence and ease. Their condition might be improved by the introduction of manufactures."
(This section contains excerpts, at times restructured or paraphrased, from an article appearing in Statistical Account of Scotland, Sir John Sinclair, 1791-1799)
Primary Sources:
Statistical Account of Scotland (1791-1799), Volume 1, p. 69
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 2, Section III, p. 93
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
