Old Moffat Cemetery.

[Southpaw]

Thanks for that.

When were the earliest burials in there?

[Johnner Kid]

Thanks for that.
When were the earliest burials in there?

That is a tricky question.  I can't recall the date but I know that the level of this old graveyard was raised and burials were added at the new level.  There used to be a plaque on the gate with this detail on it.  Consequently the grave markers we see today are not likely to record the earliest burial.  The OPRs are also problematic.  DGFHS looked at them with a view to publishing but have not done so as yet.  The Moffat burials recorded in the OPR start in 1709 and run till 1735 when there is a gap. They start again in January 1825 and go on till June 1826. There is only one entry in 1842 and one in 1853.
They are difficult to look up because they are written as an integral part of the Kirk Session Minutes.
In addition to that there are many records of mort cloth payments which generally record the name of who made the payment not necessarily the deceased.
What should we make of this? There are two cases where someone paid for his ‘good’ mother or ‘good’ father. I take this to mean ‘mother-in-law’ etc.
Sy
 

[mark forrest]

Hi ,
I came across these names listed on an assignation for Limetree cottage eastgate, moffat where they lived . I will make further enquiries for you regarding these people but it is possible they were buried in the old section of the cemetry used today for burials . You have got me interested now .

[Southpaw]

Mark,

The names I have for 80 Eastgate are from the 1861 Census :

Alexander McKnight 51 Labourer
Janet (wife) 51
Peter (son) 18 Saddler (app)
John (son) 16

I believe this family will be related to my ancestors.

It is James McKnight and Mary Bell I'm looking for.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[purplekat]

Hi Mark

Cousins of my grandfather lived in Limetree Cottage named Blyth, I never new my grandfather or anything about his family until I started my family history.  One day, by chance, I met a lady in the Moffat Library called Mrs Forrest, a local historian.  She was able to tell me loads about my family and due to her info I ended up in contact with a fourth cousin who had loads of old family photos.  Are you related to her? 

Jean 

[mark forrest]

Hi,
I,ve been doing a little research . Jessie Lachlan mcknight of limetree cottage moffat was born 1827 and died 2nd april 1916 .She was the wife of James mcknight . They are buried in the cemetry of Eastern Necropolis , Gallowgate, Glasgow .Plot section 14 lair 49 .
Presumably it is the parents james mcknight and mary bell you are keen to trace , this would make them kicking around in the 1700 s where records are much scarcer . I,ll see what I can come up with .
Yes I remember miss lucy and maggie blyth of moffat , I was a child at the time when they lived in Eastgate.

[Southpaw]

Yes Mark,

Very accurate information.  James and Jessie (Lachlan) are my great great grandparents.

Jessie Lachlan was living with Mary Bell at Boghall, Moffat in 1841.  Mary was 25 and Jessie 14.  There was also a child at that address, John McGregor aged 4 months.

So it looks like my gg grandmother and ggg grandmother were staying in the same house.