MAIN/ MITCHELL families in Slamannan and Falkirk

[jimmain]

My most distant ancestor, James Main married Mary Mitchell around 1775; they lived and farmed at Balmitchell, just east of Slamannan. They had two sons, John (my ancestor) and James, who also lived there. It appears that Mary’s parents were James and Janet Main, but I have no further information on them.
John’s son, also John, married Helen Mitchell; her parents were William Mitchell and Isabella Crawford.  I have been trying to get more information on the Mitchell’s as there seems to have been some connection with the Mains. 
I have discovered in another database that James might have been the son of John Main who married Catherine Russell about 1734 in Drumbeck.  In another database, I have John also married to Margaret Morrison, abt 1740, Lanark, so he was married twice. John was the son of David Main, b. abt 1686 in Lanarkshire; David married Beatrice Ritchie. David’s father was Thomas, who married Janet Hill. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has researched either line to help me unravel some of this.

[mosstrooper]

Hi,
      Here is the Slamannan 1881 Census from the Tom Patterson web site, which shows the Main family still in charge.

http://www.tompaterson.co.uk/census/Slamannan/Slam1881Page1075.html

I live not far from the Farm and can get a photo for you if you would like that.

I will keep looking for info too.

James.

[mosstrooper]

Here is a quotation from the Tom Patterson site which mentions the Mitchell family.

Ecclesiastical State. -The church was rebuilt in the year 1810, and its site is nearly central for the parish in general, and for the accommodation of the annexation. It contains upwards of 700 sitters. The manse is old, and bears the mark of being at least 150 years old. It received an addition about forty-five years ago. The glebe consists of upwards of 13 acres arable, and 2 grass. The stipend amounts to L.247, 18s. and L.8, 6s. 8d. for communion elements. Mr Waddell of Balquhatston, and Mr Ralston of Ellrig presented, three years ago, two very handsome communion cups for the use of the parish, in addition to two which were given by Messrs Mitchell of Balmitchell 130 years ago. There are no other places of worship in the parish. The population is a church-going people, with very few Dissenters

James.

[jimmain]

James: Thanks for this information. It would be awesome to have a photo of the farm. I just discovered that  James died at Heights Farm, just south of Balmitchell, so I'm trying to find out why he moved. I also discovered that his son John farmed at Easter Glen, and that this is now a B&B - Easter Glentore Farm B&B.

[mosstrooper]

Hi,
      I was born at Crossroads outside Avonbridge, only a couple of miles from these farms and know them
well. Although Easter Glentore is a B&B I think it is still a working farm. If you are wondering about why they moved around, the ground in this area is very much a Bog and hard to scratch a living from.

James.

[mosstrooper]

I have photos of all three Farms, too many to plaster all over the forum, send me a PM with your email and I will forward them to you.

James. 

[ballenbreich]

hi i also have traced my family tree back to main/Mitchell my mothers maiden name is main all information would be appreciated i live in westfield

[jimmain]

Attempts to contact you were not successful. Please post again with more info in how I can contact you. I would appreciate sharing information. Jim Main