Girthon is a parish in Kirkcudbrightshire. It is bounded on the north by Kells, on the east by Balmaghie and Twynholm, on the south-east by Borgue, and on the west by Fleet Bay and Fleet Water, which divide it from Anwoth, and by Kirkmabreck and Minnigaff. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Drumwall, Gatehouse-of-Fleet, Girthon
Cally
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The church of Girthon belonged before the Reformation to the Bishop of Galloway. In 1818 the church was removed to Gatehouse-of-Fleet.
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 |
| 1699-1854 | Girthon | 866 | OPR |
| 1855-1937 | Girthon | 866 | RD |
| 1938-1971 | Girthon and Anwoth | 866 | RD |
| 1972-2004 | Girthon and Anwoth | 857 | RD |
| 2005-2009 | Dumfries and Galloway, Girthon and Anwoth | 857 | RD |
| 2026 | Dumfries and Galloway Council; Gatehouse of Fleet 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
Campbell, Carson, Fergusson, Gibson, Gordon, Henry, Johnston, Shaw, Walker, 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 William Thorburn.
"The (country part of the) parish at present (1792), contains, 580 souls, of whom 281 are males and 299 are females; the number of souls in the new village of Gatehouse, 1150; total numer of souls, 1730. Six M'Millanites excepted, the tenants and cottagers are all Presbyterians.
There are about 200 farmers, 9 weavers, 1 cooper, 1 miller, 4 dyers and apprentices, and 4 joiners and apprentices. They are candid, sober, and industrious.
The village of Gatehouse of Fleet contains upwards of 160 houses, and 1150 inhabitants. The cotton works, which have swelled it to its present size and population promise soon to give it a rank among the towns distinguished for industry and commerce. It has a tannery and soapery, both carried on to a good extent. But its industry is principally directed to the manufacturing of cotton wool. There is also a cotton factory, in which are woven muslins, and other cottons, of neat patterns and good fabric.
In Gatehouse of Fleet, at Whitsunday 1792, the number and professions of the inhabitants stood as follows: 1150 souls, of whom 549 were males, and 601 were females. There were 2 surgeons, 4 writers, 3 excisemen, 13 shopkeepers, 13 innkeepers and whisky sellers, 5 bakers, 2 carriers, 2 soap-boilers, 3 chaise-drivers, 2 slaters, 2 founders, 1 saddler, 1 glover, 4 butchers, 1 barber, 2 stocking-weavers, 24 masons, 5 turners, 24 joiners, 17 smiths, 19 bricklayers, 4 tanners, 17 shoemakers, 15 tailors, 32 weavers, and above 500 people employed in the cotton works, in general."
(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 11, p. 308
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 4, Section II, p. 291
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
