Stair, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Stair, Ayr, Scotland (#614)

History
Stair was first erected into a parish in 1673 for the accommodation of the noble family of Dalrymple of Stair, whose residence was a great distance from Ochiltree, their parish church. In 1709 several lands were disjoined from, and others untied to the parish. Ayr and Tarbolton are the nearest towns. The Stair family is so well known to history, as to render superfluous here any account of their eminence, civil, military, and literary, or of the influence (almost unparalleled in the history of any other family in Scotland), which they possessed during a long and most interesting period. Sir William Miller, Bart. Of Barskimming; smith, Esq. of Drongan; John Hamilton, Esq.; the Earl of Stair; and Mrs.Reid of Keyshill were the major land owners. The land was primarily used for, horses, milk cows, cattle, sheep, oats, peas, barley, potatoes, turnips, and beans. The population in 1755 was 369 and in 1840 was 739. The earliest parochial register is of date 1736; the early part not very correctly kept. A register of births and marriages has been kept since 1805, and one of deaths since 1815. The number of families in the parish is 144, ten of which belong to the Associate Synod, two are Roman Catholics, the rest belong to the Established Church.

This account was written in the year 1841.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2)

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under “Databases on the Network.” Births: September 1803–July 1804 are irregular entries of eleven children dated 1790–1805. Marriages: Proclamations only prior to December 1816. Fact of marriage is recorded after June 1817. Deaths: One entry only for 1804, which is recorded on page 68 of the register of births. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1805–1901 Proclamations 1855–1862 Certificates 1816–1831 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/815.

Stair Free Church
History— This congregation was formed at the Disruption, and worshiped for three months in the open air on the farm of Burn, then at Schaw farm, and after that in a workshop at Bogside. The new church was opened in March 1844. The manse and a stable for the convenience of farmers driving to church were built in 1848. An iron hall for Sunday school, etc., was erected in 1897. In December 1843, Tarbolton was associated with Stair Congregation. It was disjoined in 1861. Owing to rural depopulation the membership declined until about 1885, when coal pits were opened in the neighborhood. It fell off again when these were closed. Membership: 1848, 130; 1900, 146. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including a list of ministers.

Records— Minutes 1844–1923 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/775.