Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Mauchline, Ayr, Scotland (#604)

History

This account was written in 1837.

The name of this parish was formerly spelled Machlein, or Machlene, or Machlin, and means the lake field or meadow.

Haugh and Auchmillan are the nearest towns.

Robert Burns resided here for nearly nine years.

The major land owners were Claud Alexander, Esq. of Ballochmyle; His Grace the Duke of Portland; Lord Glenlee; and Sir James Boswell of Auchinleck, Bart. The land was primarily used for, potatoes, cabbages, turnips, carrots, hay, sheep, and cattle. The population in 1755 was 1169. The population in 1831 was 2232.

The ancient parochial records are now lost. Sometime before the reformation, the Popish clergy perceived their interest declining, To prepare for the worst, they sold their lands in small parcels for ready money, and then departed, carrying with them all their money and effects, and the books and registers. The date of the earliest parish register is 17th January 1670. Till 80 years ago, they were most irregularly kept, being written mostly on detached leaves, so that they are almost useless.

Families belonging to the Established Church is 353. Families belonging to the Associate Synod is 83. There are three Roman Catholics in the parish.

source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol. 5)