FIRST STATISTICAL ACCOUNT - 1793
By the Rev Mr George Donaldson

I expect you are wondering "why 1793" ? Around that time a national survey of Scotland was commissioned, known now as the First Statistical Account. An individual from each parish, usually the minister, was required to describe various aspects of the parish and the way of life of the people under designated headings. Luckily the description of Kennethmont is very comprehensive and informative, unlike many parishes across Scotland . This is a transcript of the Kennethmont entry.


Name, Situation, Extent, Soil, Surface and Climate.
There is some difference of opinion respecting the derivation of the name Kenethmont. Mr Gordon, my predecessor, conceived an idea, probably from a tombstone, to be mentioned afterward, that one of the Kings of Scotland of the name Kenneth had been buried on the mount, where the church is built; and that from him, the parish was called Kennethmont. Others, write Kinnethmont; which, persons skilled in the Gaelic, derive from two original words, the one signifying, "Head", and the other "Moss". Nor does this derivation appear perfectly satisfactory, as the eminence on which the church stands, is towards the foot of the moss.

The parish is about 6 miles long from E. to W. and 3 broad from N. to S. (Note 1) It is six miles from Huntly, the nearest post town, 30 from Aberdeen, and 24 from Banff, and the other towns on the Murray Firth, to the mouth of the Spey. The parish may contain about 6500 acres Scots, and in the following proportions nearly:

The soil in general is a light loam; and, when properly cultivated, produces luxurient crops. The surface is diversified with hills and eminences, some of them planted with trees of various sorts, which in a short time will beautify the country. Of these the hill of Christ's Kirk is not the least beautiful. It is of considerable altitude, and has two green tops, which have a pretty effect at a distance. The parish is well watered. It abounds in springs, rills, and streams sufficient for meal mills. Some of these proceed in an Eastern direction from one channel to another, till they reach the Don, which falls into the sea at Aberdeen; others turn to the West, lose themselves in the Bogie, which communicates with the Deveron, and along with it, runs into the Murray Firth at Banff.

From the high situation of Kenethmont, it is natural to conclude, that the air is good, and the climate healthy; and experience confirms the conclusion. In winter, the air is frequently piercing, and the snow sometimes deep; but in winter, as well as in summer, the people in general enjoy good health, and many attain to old age. They are not subject to epidemic diseases. The influenza, which, not many years ago, prevailed over the greatest part of Britain , was unknown here. And equally fortunate have they been since the above period, In escaping putrid sore throats, and dangerous fevers, which broke out in the neighbourhood, and proved fatal to many. Of uncommon longevity, I can produce no instance. It may, however, be mentioned, that Mess. Garrioch and Gordon, my predecessors, both died of old age. The former officiated 10 years at Forbes, and 50 years at Kenethmont; and the latter, 7 years at Cabrach, and 40 years at Kenethmont. And during my incumbency, which lasted above 11 years, there died 16 or 17 persons above 80 years of age.

Heritors, Agriculture, Etc.
There are 4 heritors or proprietors of land; the Duke of Gordon, Colonel Hay of Rannes, Mr Gordon of Wardhouse, and Mr Weymss of Craighall. The three last generally reside, and direct their attention to the improvement of agriculture, rearing of cattle, or plantations. Some of the heritors have introduced the modern improvements of agriculture, and raise excellent crops of grain and grow grass. They have their fields divided into convenient enclosures, and kept in high cultivation. But their example has not been hitherto imitated by their tenants, who in general persevere in the old method of farming.

The part of the farm fit for cropping consists of infield and outfield. The former has its name from being kept under continual culture; and the latter, from being allowed to go to ley or pasture, after bearing a certain number of crops. Of the infield, one-third is annually prepared for bear, and two-thirds are laid down with oats. The third intended for bear receives a fallowing in autumn, and remains in that state till spring, when it is harrowed, manured, and gets the seed furrow. After reaping the bear, this field is understood to be in a state of culture, capable of yielding two crops of oats successively. Each of the other two-thirds, in its turn, undergoes a similar preparation, and is expected to make the same returns. Of the outfield, there are two sorts, a better and a worse. One half of each is generally in ley, and the other under tillage. The better sort usually remains in a state of rest for 5 years, and is prepared for cropping, by watering, liming, folding, or pasturing; adding to this last method, if it can be spared, a little manure of any kind. With this preparation, it is judged fit for breaking up and bearing 4 or 5 crops of oats in succession. Instead of the common Scotch oats, when a field has been limed or watered, it is not unusual to sow it with barley oats, which are reckoned 10 days or a fortnight earlier, The worse sort of outfield receives a ploughing early in summer, and remains in that state till towards seed-time, when it gets a second ploughing, and is sown with a small black hairy oat. This is a bad unproductive grain, not much used; and, with proper culture, might easily be dispensed with, and totally extirpated. By the above mode of cultivation, the average produce of the bear may be 5 returns, of the common and barley oats 4, and of the small black oats 3. Turnips and potatoes have, for many years, been cultivated by the heritors with great success, and the tenants raise a few of each sort for family use only. The soil is well adapted for flax, but the cultivation of it is ill understood, and seldom or never attempted, except by the Heritors, and that on a small scale, though there are two lint mills in neighbourhood. The Scotch plough, somewhat improved, is in pretty general use; as it is well adapted for removing obstructions in ill cultivated fields, the preference in its favour in such circumstances cannot be condemned. Many, however, of late, begin to use ploughs of the English construction, and acknowledge the superiority in ease and neatness, in turning the furrow. The advantages of carts are so many and so well understood, in all the operations of farming, that they are in universal use.

The crops usually raised here have been stated above, and the extent of the sowing and produce may be nearly as follows: Bear. Bolls 300 bolls of barley, at 5 returns, 1500

1300 bolls of oats, at 4 returns, 5200 Total,--8700 bolls. (Note 2)

If we add to the above, 40 acres of turnips, 10 of potatoes and 40 laid down with grass seeds, we shall not be far from the truth. The produce of the parish, in ordinary seasons, is more than sufficient for the consumption of the inhabitants. The overplus, if there be no demand in the neighbouring parishes, is carried to the Huntly or Aberdeen market. The valued rent is £1817:13:4 Scots; but as the rents are all paid in money and meal, the real rent must vary with the price of grain. It may be £900, and perhaps never exceeds £1000 Sterling. (Note 3)

Services
On Colonel Hay's estate, no services are required, except in hay-harvest, and these are of so trifling a nature, as to be scarce worth mentioning. Two or three of the farmers indeed, most contiguous to the moss of Kirkhill, have been in the custom of paying a few leets (Note 4) of peats yearly, for which they are allowed a certain deduction of rent. The other heritors have not thought proper to dispense with the usual services; but as they are universally esteemed a grievance, they might, doubtless, be commuted to the satisfaction and advantage of both parties. It ought, however, in candour and justice be observed, that were landlords to dispense with services and customs of every denomination, which their good sense and public spirit will in time certainly induce them to do, this would only extenuate not eradicate the evil. Every tenant has a certain number of cottagers, to the amount sometimes of 6 or 8, whom he binds to relieve him, not only of part of his services to the heritor, but also to give him a certain number of days in seed-time, moss-time, and harvest. Now, substantial redress of this grievance will not be easily obtained, unless heritors were to disallow cottagers altogether, which would depopulate their lands; or, which would be better policy, to break their farms and put the cottagers in the envied state of small but independent tenants. This latter kind of servitude, although less attended to, is as extensive, and more severely felt than the former. The proprietor, unless his estate be very small, requires only a part, never the full extent of the services due by the tenant, whereas the tenant seldom dispenses with the smallest service for which the cottager is bound.

Manufacture.
Though no manufacture has hitherto been established, a number of families of all ages are employed by the Huntly and Aberdeen manufacturers to knit woollen stockings, and spin flax. The knitters, on an average, work 60 dozen, at 12s the dozen, every month; while the spinsters, who are but few in number, earn only about £4 or £5 monthly. The annual income from both branches may be fairly estimated at £500.

Roads.
The roads in the parish were made and are kept in repair by the statute labour. For want of gravel, they are frequently deep, but never impassable. The military road through the Cairn-o'-Mount, leading by Huntly to Fort George passes through its western extremity; and, as it seems for many years to have been neglected by Government, is kept in the same state of repair as the other roads.

Stipend, School, Poor, Etc.
The church is old and has been frequently repaired. The stipend is £38:17:9 10/12, including £5:11:1 4/12 for communion-elements, and 41 bolls of oat-meal and 7 of bear. The glebes are at present disjoined, and the extent of both is from 8 to 9 acres of good land. A plan for a new manse and offices, with a contiguous glebe, has received the approbation of the presbytery, and is to be executed the ensuing summer. Colonel Hay of Rannes is patron.

About 15 or 16 years ago, (1775-6) the heritors built a convenient school-house in a healthy situation. The schoolmasters salary is £ 5:11:11/4d, and his other perquisites are £ 1:16:8 for officiating as precentor and session-clerk; 1s.11/3d for publishing a purpose of marriage; 61/4d for registering a baptism, and 3d for a certificate; to which add the school-fees for teaching English, 1s.6d; arithmetic, 2s; and latin, 2s.6d quarterly, and his income may be from £10 to £15.

The poor subsist by begging, and upon occasional supplies from the parochial fund. This fund amounts to £40 nearly, which has been saved within 50 years from the weekly collections, the use of a pall or mortcloth, and bell belonging to the session, and fines from delinquents. The collections and other contingencies generally amount from £8 to £10 yearly. This sum, after paying £1:16:8 to the session clerk, and l2s.Od to the church-officer, is distributed quarterly by the session among the persons on the poors roll, who since 1782 have been from 12 to 18.

Population.
According to Dr Webster's report, the population at that period was 791. About 50 years ago, Mr Gordon, in a process of augmentation of stipend, stated the number of inhabitants at 1100. If Mr Gordon did not take a round number instead of the real, the population is considerably diminished since the above period, as will appear by the following abstract;

Average number for the above 10 years, 808

That the number of females so much surpasses that of the males, is owing to the mosses. Many widows and old maids take houses in the vicinity, for the convenience of fuel.

The scarcity in 1782 induced me to take down the numbers in the different families with accuracy; but I did not think of noting the deaths till February 1785. The following abstract is taken from the register of baptisms, and my own note of the deaths, till the time of my transfer from the parish in October 1791:

Baptisms:

And by a note from the Rev Dr Minty, the present incumbent; In June 1792 the population, including children, was: 830.

(The table overleaf (below) appears in the original statistical account after the table of baptisms, but carries no heading or text to signify the date or completeness of the data. It is assumed that it belongs to Rev Donaldson rather than Rev Minty, and therefore probably dates from 1791. On this basis working on a population of 810, the following observations may be made:

1 The 'number of families' figure of 204 must include those 103 which are further defined as comprising 1,2 or 3 individuals.

2 The remaining families, numbering 101, have an average size of 5.84 individuals. (this does not necessarily mean 3.84 children, as it may include grandparents or other relatives.)

3 The second short list of married men and others who have families totals 216 individuals, thus confirming that some of the 204 families in the first list are multiple units.

4 The long list of occupations only represents 71 individuals out of a potential working population (between 14 and 70 years old) which probably numbered about 500. Apart from the heritors and their families the males would have worked the land and the females, in general, would knit or spin, occupations which could be executed whilst looking after children).

(Note 5)

Minerals and Mineral Springs.
On the lands of Leith-hall, there is a marble quarry; on those of Craighall, freestone, and marl and limestone on Cults; but the want of stock or of industry has hitherto prevented the tenants from availing themselves of this last source of opulence. There are two mineral springs on Colonel Hay's estate, one of them on a farm named Earlsfield, is of late fallen into disrepute. The other in the moss of the Melshach, of the chalybeate kind, is still in great reputation among the common people. (Note 6)

Fuel.
The fuel in general use is peats; but as the mosses are wearing out, some of the heritors carry coals from Aberdeen to save them, and to have their principal apartments more comfortably warmed in winter. In former ages, the moss of Kirkhill has been covered with wood; for so late as 30 years ago, trees in abundance were found by digging a few feet below the surface. And, among other kinds, mention is made of an oak about 40 feet long, and thick in proportion. Fir, juniper, hazel, alder, oak, were all blended together in this spot.

Antiquities.
There is a barrow, or cairn of stones, which has never been opened, on Old Glanderston, a farm belonging to Mr Gordon; a Druidical temple on Ardlair, a farm of Colonel Hay's, another less complete on Cults, and two or three stones in a leaning position on the lands of Craighall, said to be recorded in the presbytery books of Alford. The only other article is the stone aluded to above, commonly called Kenneth's grave-stone. The tradition of the parish is, that this stone, which in shape resembles a coffin, was removed from the church-yard gate, (the grave of one of the Kenneths), into the church, where it now lies, by a family of the name of Gordon. (Note 7)

Fairs.
The proprietor of Rannes has a title to two annual fairs, one at Kirkhill in October for cattle, timber, and merchant goods, and the other at Christ's Kirk in the month of May. This fair was kept on the Green, and in the night; hence it was by the people called Sleepy-market. About 35 or 36 years ago (1756), the proprietor changed it from night to day; but so strong was the prepossession of the people in favour of the old custom, that rather than comply with the alteration, they chose to neglect it altogether. (Note 8)

Character of the People, Etc.
They are temperate, industrious, and frugal, moderate in their principles, and regular in their attendance on public worship and the other ordinances of religion. They are all of the Established Church, except 5 or 6 who occasionally attend Episcopal meetings. The dress of both sexes is considerably improved of late, especially among the young. In all places of public resort they appear in their best clothes, with a chearful countenance and contented mind. Their houses in general are bad, and have not that appearance of cleanliness and neatness which is always commendable. But as the heritors are disposed to give every reasonable encouragement to the sober and industrious, we may soon hope to see a spirit of improvement prevailing in their houses similar to that which they have already begun to show in their dress.

Advantages and Disadvantages.
The only disadvantages are short leases, services, and the distance from manure and from market. Most of these are capable of redress. It has already been mentioned, that one gentleman, who is proprietor of more than half the parish, has dispensed with the usual services; and it may be added, that he is disposed to grant long leases on equal terms, with every other encouragement that has a tendency to make his tenents prosper. If the other heritors were to convert their services and customs, they would promote their own interests, and confer a signal favour on their tenants. In good policy these ought to be abolished, and long leases given, with sufficient encouragement to open up and employ such sources of manure as the parish affords. In the mean time, the industrious tenant may betake himself to other resources. Several of the farms have the command of water. Lime may be had at Huntly, but whether in sufficient quantity for the purposes of agriculture, is doubtful. At the limekilns, however, it may be purchased in any quantity, and at a cheaper rate, but at a greater distance. The heritors have been long in the custom of using it on those fields which were laid down with grass-seeds.

Their fuel, as the mosses are near, is easily procured; and, comparatively speaking, with little trouble and expense. In summer there are many annual fairs at a convenient distance for selling their cattle and sheep. Huntly affords a good weekly market for cheese, butter, beef, mutton, fowls, and most other articles which the farmer can spare. Bear finds ready vent at the numerous stills in the neighbourhood. And when the demand for meal ceases at Huntly, it may be carried to Aberdeen, where there is a ready market and good prices. The distance is much greater, but the price generally compensates it.

The accomodation is good, and the road, since the bridge was built over the Don at Inverury, perfectly safe. Besides Aberdeen has this advantage over Huntly, that all those things which are either convenient or useful to the farmer, may be bought in it on the best of terms, and in any quantity; and therefore his small stock of necessaries is generally purchased there. (Note 9) It may, in the opinion of some, be no small recommendation of the parish to furnish objects of amusement, as well as of profit. By repairing to the Bogie, which abounds with trout, the angler may find entertainment at leisure hours; and the sportsman, who delights in more active diversion, can traverse hills and dales with his dog and his gun in search of hares, plover, ducks, rails, grouse, partridges, snipes, etc, in their season.

Notes.
1 Parish Boundary - Kennethmont has a parish in whole, or part, annexed to it, named Christ's Kirk. At what period this annexation took place, I have not been able to discover. But that it was once a separate parish, admits of no doubt. For the burial-ground is still in use, the ruins of the kirk remain, and the incumbent of Kennethmont is in poesession of the glebe. But the name of Christ's Kirk as a parish, is at present never used, being applied solely to the farm, which surrounds the glebe and burial-ground. It is in the east end of the parish, at the distance of about 4 English miles from the present church.

2 Seed-time and Harvest - The time of sowing depends on the season. Oats are generally sown in March and April; lintseed and potatoes in the begining of April or end of March; bear in May, and turnips from the 1st to the 20th of June. Harvest begins about the end of August or begining of September, and the crop is for the most part got in by the end of October. In 1782, sowing did not begin till the middle of April, and, as the summer was cold, and the snow early, the grain was not gathered in before Christmas. The crop was remarkably deficient, and many would have suffered in the north of Scotland, had not the aid of Government, and the exertions of the opulent and humane afforded a seasonable supply to the needy. By the failure of the crop in this parish, the circumstances of most people were reduced, but none suffered for want. In times of general calamity, it is pleasant to record acts of generosity. The heritors in general were very indulgent to their tenants, and accepted less than their due. One gentleman whose rents, according to the custom of the country, were payable in money and meal, charged the deficient meal, to the extent of several hundred bolls, at half the current price, which was £1 the boll. These lenient measures, in addition to the aid of Government, rendered the situation of this parish tolerably comfortable.

3 Price Of Grain and Provisions, Etc. - Bear, in 1792, sold at 15s and meal 12s the boll; beef and mutton, 3d the pound; a duck, 10d; a hen, 6d; eggs, 2d a dozen; butter, from 6d to 8d the pound, at 24 ounces Averdupois. - The usual wages to men servants employed in husbandry, are from £6 to £7; maid servants, from £2 to £3 a year; a day-labourer earns from 10d to 1s; a mason, from 1s.3d to 1s.8d and a house carpenter, 1s and furnish their own provisions; a tailor gains 6d and his maintenance; and persons employed in the mosses, hoeing, or other farm-work in summer, have the same allowance.

4 Definition of a leet - A leet of peats is a stack 12 feet long, 12 broad, and high in proportion.

5 Prices of Livestock - Horses sell from £3 to £5; oxen and cows, from £3 to £8; wedders and ewes and lambs, from 4s to 8s. The only swine raised for sale, are a few about the mills, which bring from £1 to £3.

6 Melshach Well - They use it both internally and externally in the summer season, particularly in the month of May. Its sanative qualities are not confined to man, they are supposed to extend even to brutes. As this spring probably obtained vogue at first in days of ignorance and superstition, it would appear that it became customary to leave at the well part of the clothes of the sick and diseased, and harness of the cattle, as an offering of gratitude to the divinity who bestowed healing virtues on its waters. And now, even though the superstitious principle no longer exists, the accustomed offerings are still presented.

7 Kenneth's Grave-stone - Its dimensions are, length 6 feet 2 inches; breadth at the head, 22 inches, and depth 15 inches. There is a shield on it, on one quarter of which a boars head is visible. Under the shield are the initials E.G. in large capitals; and under them a mort-head, sand-glass, bones, and coffin. Then there is a cross with I.H.S.; and below all, the date 1685.

8 Fair at Christ's Kirk - The name of this place naturally enough brings to recollection, the celebrated ballad of Christ's Kirk on the Green, commonly ascribed to James I, King of Scotland. The scene of it never has been ascertained with any degree of precision. Christ's Kirk, in my apprehension, has no small claim to that honour. It is well known, that James visited the most distant parts of his kingdom, to hear complaints and redress grievances. And it is not impossible, nor even very improbable, that, in his progress, he may have seen or heard of Christ's Kirk. Now, what place more likely to strike the fancy of this Monarch, than one distinguished by so singular a custom. The circumstances of the market at midnight, may be supposed to fall in with his humour, and give birth to such scenes as he has described. Even the name of this performance is descriptive of the place; for the Green still encircles the ruins of the Kirk, and it is besides the only one in Scotland that I am aquainted with, to which the name of the ballad is applicable.

9 Livestock Farming - Though the tenants rear a considerable number of cattle, they seldom think of feeding any. Without green crops, feeding cannot be advantageous, nor will the cultivation of green crops, in all probability, become general, till winter herding be introduced. The cattle and sheep are of a small breed, and, when properly fed, bring good prices; because they are reckoned sweet and well flavoured. The farm of Leith-hall, where Colonel Hay resides, is superior to most. It has a southerly exposure, fertile soil, and is well sheltered. It is equally adapted for rearing cattle, and producing grain. The plantations afford shelter in winter, and the southern exposure raises early grass in spring; and in summer the richness of its pasture can hardly be exceeded.


I am most grateful to Peter Rawlings, Kennethmont who transcribed this Account from the original Old Scots version.