Merton
Mertoun is a parish in the extreme south-west of Berwickshire. It projects from the rest of the county, and is bounded on the north by Earlston, and on all other sides by Roxburghshire. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Bemersyde, Clintmains, Horncliffe, Merton or Mertoun
Bemersyde
The parish of Mertoun had a part detached or nearly detached situated east of Dryburgh Abbey. This part was transferred to the parish of St Boswells and to the county of Roxburgh. 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:
Previous to the Reformation the church, which was dedicated to St Ninian in 1241, belonged to the Abbey of Dryburgh, in the parish. It was rebuilt in 1658, and has been restored of recent years. In 1296 there was a hospital at Mertoun.
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
(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 |
| 1729-1854 | Mertoun | 751 | OPR |
| 1855-1971 | Mertoun | 751 | RD |
| 1972-1976 | Mertoun | 793 | RD |
| 2009 | Scottish Borders, Melrose | 820 | RD |
| 2026 | Scottish Borders Council; Maxton and Mertoun 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
Brown, Goodfellow, Hendry, Hogarth, Hogg, Oliver, Scott, Turnbull, Wood, 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 James Duncan.
"The population, according to the most exact information that can be procured, is considerably diminished. About 60 years ago, there were 4 populous villages, 2 of which are now extinct, and the remaining 2 gradually disappearing. At the same time, it is certain, that the return to Dr Webster in 1755 is stated only at 502 souls. The numbers as taken in 1791 are 557, of whom 145 are under 12 years of age. There are 104 families, 4 bachelors, 4 widowers, and 7 widows. There are 16 farmers, 10 pendiclers, 4 smiths, 4 wrights, 4 weavers, 1 clothier, and 2 egglers.
The inhabitants in general are remarkably industrious, sober, and contented. From time immemorial, they have been distinguished for their moderation, both in civil and religious matters; and no instance has been known of any being guilty of those enormous crimes which are the sin and reproach of a nation."
(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 14, p. 586
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 2, Section III, p. 26
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
