Chalmers Genealogy Cork
Statistical Account
Parish
of Alvah,
(COUNTY OF BANFF.)
By the Rev. Mr. GEORGE
SANGSTER.
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Introduction
The statistical account was an overall
description taken of every parish in Scotland, however it was not uniform
throughout Scotland. The compilers were generally the minister of the parish
who was often beholden to the landowners and therefore were often influenced by
this fact. There were three statistical accounts written at different periods.
1. 1790s called Sir John Sinclair's
Account
2. 1830s-1840s called New Statistical
Account
3. 1944 called the Third Statistical
Account
This Account was the first in 1791. I
have left the spelling as it was written eg. "s" in middle of word is
"f " .
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Contents |
Coldhome Farmtoun Alvah 1995 Very early home of my Chalmers ancestors |
Situation, Surface
The parifh of Alvah is fituated in the
prefbytery of Turriff, and Synod of Aberdeen. Its form is irregular extending
in length about 6 Englifh miles, and at its greateft breadth to nearly the fame
diftance, but in other places to only 3 or 2. On the N. and N. W. it is bounded
by the parifh of Banff, on the S. W. by Marnoch; on the S. by Forglen; on the
S. E. by Turriff; and on the E. and N.E. by King Edward and Gamery. The river
Dovern enters this parifh about a mile below Forglen, the feat of Lord Banff, and
after many beautiful windings through a very fertile valley, leaves it about 2
miles from the fea. It abounds with falmon, trout, and eel, and is frequented
by wild ducks, widgeons, teals, herons, &c. On the E. bank lie the eftates
of Dunlugas and Inrichney, feparated by the intervention of a part of the
parifh of King E dward; and on the W. the lands of Mountblairie, Auchinbadie,
Sandlaw, and a fmall part of the barony of Alvah. About half a mile below the
church, the river is contracted by a fteep and rugged precipices, which are
commonly denominated the Craigs of Alvah, where it meafures about 50 feet in
depth. The fcenery, which is naturally bold and picturefque, has been greatly
embellifhed by its noble proprietor, the Earl of Fife, by thriving plantations,
and a magnificent arch, which unites both fides of the river, and forms an eafy
communication between the oppofite parts of his Lordfhfip's extenfive park. The
fruitful haughs along the banks of the river are fubject to frequent
inundations, which, in fummer and harveft, make dreadful depredations among the
corns. This inconvenience is more efpecially felt in the neighbourhood of the
rocks of Alvah, which, during a flood, check the rapidity of the ftream, and
make the water flow backward for nearly 2 miles, and fpread more than a quarter
of a mile over the adjacent fields. As we recede from the river toward the W.
the country becomes more hilly and barren. Of thefe eminences, one of the moft
confpicuous is the Hill of Alvah, which rifes from the bed of the river to a
very great height, and ferves as a common landmark to mariners, on their
approach to the coaft. The majeftic appearance of this mountain, which is
fomewhat increafed by the view of the church, manfe, fchool, and a farm-ftead
on its E. brow, is thus defcribed by an indigenous poet.
Erigit ad nubes
hic fe mons Alvius ingens, Oftentatque procul confpicienda juga.
Hic quoque
Templa Deum furgunt in monte locata Sublimi; furgit Pieridumque domus.
Agriculture, &c.-The air
of this parifh is in general dry and healthy. Its foil, along both fides of the
river, is very fertile; deep on the haughs, and more fhallow on the
declivities. Nor are there wanting fruitful fields on the uppper grounds,
interfperfed amongft the rough paflures and heath, which ftill occupy a very
confiderable part. The crops which are commonly cultivated are oats, barley,
and peas; and on fome of the richer and more fheltered fpots, wheat has been
tried with fuccefs. Turnip, for 20 years paft, has been fown in the fields; and
clover and rye~grafs have become a conftant part of the rotation. Feeding for
the butcher is carried on by a few ; but rearing young cattle has of late years
been found a more lucrative branch, and by confequence more generally practifed.
As farms are not commonly let by the acre, it cannot be faid with accuracy what
value is put upon each. The beft arable ground may rent about L.1, or perhaps
fome what higher; a ftill greater quantity about 15s. and much more about 12s .
or to 10s. and even below that value. There are only a few farms inclofed, nor
does that mode of melioration keep pace with the other fpecies of improvement.
Hedges do not thrive, unlefs in places which are fheltered1 as well
as fertile. Feal or earthen fences have been found of fhort duration, and ftone
fences are expenfive. But, though inclofures are not fo frequent as might be
wifhed, the practice of herding in winter is general; fo that the turnip and
fown graffes fuftain little detriment from ftraggling cattle. Several of the
farms are already brought to a very high degree of cultivation, and others are
advancing by gradual progrefs to a like ftate of improvement. About the year
1747, the minifter began to bring home his peats in carts, valued each at 4s.
6d. Before that period the fuel was carried in creels, and the corns in
curracks; two impleplments of huibandry which, in this corner, are entirely
difufed. The ftraw brechem is now fupplanted by the leather collar, the rafhen
theets by the iron traces ; and more is now expended on a fingle cart, than
would then have purchafed both cart and horfe. The fize of farms is increafing,
and of confequence their number diminifhes. We account one of from L.30 to L.50
rent, a middle fized farm. There are a few above that rent, but many more below
it. -This parifh, unlefs in very bad years, produces much more grain than is
neceffary for the fubfiftence of its inhabitants. Befides the farm-victual,
which amounts to a very confiderable part of the rent, there are large
quantities, both of meal and barley, annually fold by the farmers for the
fupply of the neighbouring town of Banff, and for exportation. In 1782 the crop
was fo defective, that, according to the computation of infpectors, there was
not grain within the parifh fufficient to fupply it beyond the month of April.
By the attention and generofity of the heritors, and the bounty of Government,
with L.40 from the funds of the parifh, the poorer fort were fupplied. The moft
curious fact relating to that alarming period was, that the oats on the earlier
grounds, which ripened, were plump, and were found on trial to yield abundance
of excellent meal, did not vegetate when fown next year; whereas the oats on
late grounds, which were green, and neither filled nor ripened, fprang up with
vigour. As this was not found out till too late, it proved of the greateft
detriment to the fucceeding crop. The feed, which had been bought up at an
enormous expence, mifgave; what might have greatly contributed to the fupport
of families, was unprofitably caft into the ground; and what might have been
profitably fown, was fent to the mill, where it made but a fcanty return.
Population.-The numbers
returned to Dr Webfter were 1161. As there are no parifh regifters previous to
the year 1720, the ancient ftate of its population cannot be
afcertained. From the records fince that period, it fhould feem that population
is upon the decline.
Births, Marriages and Burials, for three
different periods,
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Births, 214 |
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7 years, fucceeding 1ft Jan. 1720. |
Mar. 32 |
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Bur. (not regift) |
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Births, 137 |
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1 ft Jan 1750 |
Mar. 44 |
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Bur. 52 |
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Births, 113 |
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1ft Jan. 1780 |
Mar, 43 |
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Bur. 62 |
The marriages are reftricted to thofe
where the hufband was a refidenter ; from the idea, that girls married out of
the parifh do not contribute to its population: But left this fhould be deemed
erroneous, it may be proper to notify, that the average of all, who were
married during the firft period, was 7 1/7, during the fecond, 9 3/7; and
during the third, 9 4/7. In the year 1782, the number of parifhioners, on an
exact furvey, was found to amount to 1070 ; which is very nearly the prefent
flate of it. Some years before it was rather greater. One principal caufe of
depopulation in this parifh is, the eagernefs of fome improvers to take all
their land under their own management; by which means mechanics, and even
day-labourers are deprived of their crofts ; and, as there are no villages
within the parifh, betake themfelves to other places, where they can find
accommodation. Why the fame number of marriages doth not produce an equal
number of births as in former times, is left to more intelligent heads to
explain? There have been no extraordinary inftances of longevity of late. Only
one man has reached 100, and a few are on the verge of 90 years. The
inhabitants are rnoftly employed in agriculture. There are feveral weavers and
wrights, a few fmiths and tailors, and often not one fhoemaker. They are regular
attenders of the Eftablifhed Church nor do the Diffenters, of what-ever
denomination, exceed 8 or 10.
Property,Heritors,
Stipend, Poor, &.-The property of the parifh belongs at prefent to 5 heritors, of whom
only 1 refides. The manfe was built in 1764. The church is very old, and in bad
repair. The ftipend is 58 bolls 2 firlots 2 pecks oat-meal; 5 bolls 2 firlots
bear; L.6oo Scots, with 50 merks for communion-elements. The glebe confifts of
between 6 and 7 acres, of which the rough meadow ground has been drained and
cultivated by the prefent incumbent, and the whole inclofed.-The yearly
collections amount to about L.15 or L.16, which, with the intereft of
L.120, and L.1, 10s. the rent of fome feats in the area of the church,
conftitute the whole funds for the maintenance of the poor.
Wages and Prices.-The wages of fervants and
mechanics, and the price of provifions have rifen rapidly within thefe few
years. The yearly wages of a man fervant may be rated at L.5, or L.5, 10s.; and
of a woman at L.2. A labourer earns 8d. a-day. The price of beef, mutton,
poultry, &c. is regulated entirely by the weekly market in Banff, of which
an account will be given in the report from that parifh.
Roads and Bridges.-The principal roads were
made by the ftatute-work, and are kept in repair by the fame means. It is
commonly exacted in kind; but when communtations in money are more convenient
for the people, they are accepted. Of late years, bridges have been built over
the moft dangerous paffes, to the great accommodation and fafety of travellers
, and it is hoped, that, as foon as the funds can afford, more will be erected.
Turnpikes are unknown in this corner of the country, and would undoubtedly be
unacceptable at firft; though the experience of their advantages might in time
reconcile us. It muft indeed be allowed, that, as the refort on our roads is
but little, they are not fo neceffary as on thofe that are more frequented.
Antiquities.-There are few or no antiquities in this parifh
worthy of a place in hiftorical records. At the farm of Bog of
Mounthblaire are the remains of an old caftle, fituated in a
fwamp now overgrown with alder, and faid to have been built by the Earl of
Buchan and on an eminence above it, the ruins of a chapel, adjoining to
which is a well, famed of old for its fovereign charms, but now fallen into
difrepute. Within thefe few years there was an iron laddie; and many ftill
alive remember to have feen the impending boughs adorned with rags of linen and
woollen garments, and the ciftern enriched with farthings and boddles, the
offerings and teftimonies of grateful votaries, who came from afar to this
fountain of health. At the foot of the hill of Alvah, towards the north, is
another fpring, which paffes by the name of Com's or Colm's well, in honour, very
probably, of the renowned Saint of Icolumkil.