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PRESBYTERY OF KINCARDINE O'NEIL, SYNOD OF ABERDEEN.
THE REV. JOHN FRASER, MINISTER. THE REV. D. CAMPBELL, Assistant.
I.—Topography and Natural History.
Name.—The word Cluny in Gaelic signifies
meadows interspersed with rising grounds. It is descriptive of
the surface of this parish and district.
Boundaries, &c.— The parish is bounded on the
north, by Mo-nymusk and Kemnay; on the south, by Midmar and Echt; on the
east, by Skene; on the west, by Tough. It is about 10 miles long from
west to east, and about 2 broad.
The soil, in general, is warm and dry, and the
climate salubrious.
II. —Civil
History.
Parochial Registers — There is a register of
baptisms, which commences in 1761, but it has been irregularly kept.
There is also one of marriages, commencing in 1772, which has been kept
regularly; from that date the minutes of kirk-session have been
recorded.
Land-owners.—These are, Colonel Gordon of Cluny;
Colonel Fraser of Fraser Castle; Mrs Davidson of Kebatty; Mrs Brebner of
Lairney; and Mr Burnet of Kemnay.
III.—Population.
Amount of population in 1801, 821
1811, 823
1821, 867
1831. 939
1841, 959
Illegitimate births within the last three years, 16.
IV. —Industry.
Agriculture.—The average rent of land per acre is 13s. The
improvements of land have kept pace with those of the neighbouring
parishes.
V.— Parochial
Economy.
Ecclesiastical State.— There are six Dissenting
families in the parish, three Episcopalian, and two Roman Catholic. The
stipend somewhat exceeds the minimum. The glebe is of rather more than
the usual value and extent. The manse is very old, and in indifferent
condition.
Education—There are two schools in the
parish,—one the parochial, the other for girls, supported by the
Castlefraser family, The parochial teacher's salary is the maximum. He
participates in the Dick Bequest.
Poor.—Average number of poor, 22; average annual
amount of contributions for their relief, about L.50.
August 1842. |
