Monkton, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Monkton, Ayr, Scotland (#606)

History
The parish of Monkton received its name form its association with the Paisley monastery. Monkton, Prestwick and Prestwick Toll are the nearest towns. The Churches of Monkton and Prestwick are both very old, having been built as far back as 1440. The major land owners were: Robert Reid, Esq. of Adamton; R.A. Oswald, Esq. Auchencruive; W. G. Campbell, Esq. of Fairfield; and A. Murdoch, Esq. of Whiteside. The population in 1755 was 400. The population in 1837 was 1818. The earliest entry in the registers is 1702, earlier volumes having been lost. They are now regularly kept. There are about 200 Dissenters in the parish, 60 of whom are Roman Catholic.

This account was written in 1837

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

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library and family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Frequently the entries are out of order of time after 1800. Mothers' names are not recorded until 1769. Marriages: Proclamations are included with the marriages. Source:Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes and Accounts 1615–1922 Baptismal 1850–1854 Communion Roll 1834–1843 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/809.

Prestwick Free Church
History— Dr. Thomas Burns, nephew of the poet, minister of the parish, and the majority of the congregation, "came out" in 1843. They worshiped in the open air during the summer of 1843, on the farm of Orangfield, near Monkton. The first church was built in Monkton and opened in December 1843. A church was built in Prestwick in 1874, the church at Monkton being then used as a church hall. Membership: 1848, 330; 1900, 313. 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— Records for 1843–1900 are deposited at the Aryshire Archive Centre, Craigie Estate, Ayr, Scotland, but their extent is not known.