Torthorwald is a parish in the debatable district between Lower Nithsdale and Lower Annandale, Dumfriesshire. It is bounded by Tinwald, Lochmaben, Mouswald, Caerlaverock, and Dumfries. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Collin, Elizafield, Kempland, Racks, Roucan, Torthorwald
Queensberry
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
Previous to the Reformation the church belonged to the Ministry of Fail, Ayrshire.
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 |
| 1696-1854 | Torthorwald | 850 | OPR |
| 1855-1968 | Torthorwald | 850 | RD |
| 2009 | Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfries | 834 | RD |
| 2026 | Dumfries & Galloway Council; Torthorwald 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
Anderson, Bell, Bryden, Fergusson, Hamilton, Hutchison, Kerr, Kirkpatrick, Wells, Wilson
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 M'Millan.
"The population in 1790 was 660, of whom 103 were below 8 years of age, and 30 were Seceders. There were 313 males, 347 females, and 248 persons under 18 years of age. There were 22 Antiburgher Seceders, 4 Cameronians, and 4 of the Presbytery of Relief.
In the village of Torthorwald there were 135 individuals, 34 families, 13 farmers, 13 tradesmen, 1 blacksmith, 2 wrights, 1 miller, 1 shoemaker, 4 weavers, 1 tailor, 1 slater, 1 clogger and cooper, 4 male servants, 5 female servants, 4 labourers, and 6 cottagers.
In the village of Roucan there were 143 individuals, 41 families, 1 surgeon, 11 farmers, 14 tradesmen, 1 blacksmith, 1 mason, 2 wrights, 5 shoemakers, 4 weavers, 3 male servants, 9 female servants, and 13 cottagers.
In the country part of the parish were 382 individuals, 77 families, 44 farmers, 9 tradesmen, 1 blacksmith, 1 wright, 2 shoemakers, 4 weavers, 2 tailors, 2 chapmen, 21 male servants, 19 female servants, 9 labourers, and 26 cottagers.
The inhabitants of this parish are generally very sober, honest, and industrious; and live comfortably at an easy rate. They feed much on potatoes and on pork. A few of the men are six feet high, and some above that stature; a considerable number are greatly above the common size; and their complexion is tolerable. None enlist in the army; but several enter into the navy. In 1750, five farmers emigrated from this parish to the Isle of Bute, where they engaged in farms, but about 10 years afterwards, 3 of them returned to Torthorwald and the neighbourhood. Many young men have gone abroad in different lines, several of whom have been successful, and have done honour to the place of their nativity."
(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 2, p. 1
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 4, Section I, p. 29
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
