The Hallidays & Meikle Kirkland

Meikle Kirkland

Current Occupier: W G Halliday & Sons

Address:
Meikle Kirkland Farm
Crocketford Road
Dumfries
DG2 8QN

Website: www.meiklekirkland.com

Map: View the location on a map CLICK HERE

Meaning of Name:
Meikle adj is Scots for great, large, etc. It has many spellings, e.g. muckle, mukle, meikill, etc
Kirk n is Scots for church
Land n means Land, Fields, Countryside, etc

Meikle Kirkland changed it's name to Sunfield at one point, but was changed back to Meikle Kirkland. I don't know anything about this name change, other than it says "Meikle Kirkland now called Sunfield" in one of the farm documents dated 1831. I also don't know when it was changed back to Meikle Kirkland, but that is the only time Sunfield is mentioned in any documents that I know of - every other time the farm name is mentioned, it is referred to as Meikle Kirkland.

Notes: Meikle Kirkland has a long history, but where it begins, I do not know, so I will tell you what I do know. Something to bear in mind is that there was probably more than just this farm named Meikle Kirkland, so it is possible that some of the information I have found relates to another farm. Usually where there is a 'Meikle' there is a 'Little' version nearby, e.g. Meikle Barfil & Little Barfil (now known as Barfil) - but there is no Little Kirkland nearby - it is possible that there never was, or that the farm may have changed it's name at some point. Perhaps the owner had a 'Little Kirkland' elsewhere - I will probably never know. I will try and place the information in order of date.

The Church

The following extract is from the Haugh of Urr Church website:

"Originally there were two churches in the Parish, both erected in the twelfth century. One was at Meikle Kirkland and dedicated to St.Constantine, a sixth century King of Cornwall who preached in Galloway; the other was at Blaiket and known as the Church of St.Bride, the dedication being to the Irish saint, St.Bridget."

So there was a church built on Meikle Kirkland about 900 years ago. There are no ruins left of the church, and unless you knew there used to be one there, then you would be none the wiser. There is a flat, rocky knowe that would be a natural place to build a church, that is in the right location, but there are no loose stones lying around - any archealogists out there?!! Whatever the exact spot the church was on, it had lovely views looking over towards Dalbeattie, with Skreel hill visible in the distance.

The church site & graveyard are marked on old ordnance survey maps, but not on new ones, as far as I know. My grandfather believed that some of the stones from the church (I don't know if it was from foundations or walls) were used to help build some of the nearby dry stane dykes. I have had a look, but didn't find anything obvious, but then I wasn't really sure what I was looking for. Stones tend to be shaped for dykes, so they might be unrecognisable anyway.

I tried to research St. Constantine, but found too many contrasting stories - there appears to be two St. Constantines - one of Cornwall, and the other of Strathclyde. I don't know which one was associated with the church - if the Haugh of Urr Church website is accurate, then it was the Cornish Saint. If anyone happens to know more about this, then please let me know!

The following extracts were found at the RCAHMS website, then I used the Canmore database in the website to find the information.

"The site of St. Constantine's Church, which belonged to Holyrood Abbey is in a field at Meikle Kirkland." - E M'Kerlie 1916

"Several years ago, some human bones and a quantity of molten lead were found here, from which it is supposed that the building was burnt down soon after the Reformation (NSA 1843). Its foundation was removed about 50 years ago." - Name Book 1850; H Scott 1917

"Nothing seen at this site which was under crop at time of visit, but according to the farmer there are no remains. No further information." - Visited by OS (WDJ) 8 July 1969.

The comment about the lead is interesting, even though it was found 200 years ago....the cottage at Meikle Kirkland is rented, and one of the previous residents, Jack Wilson, went out in the field with the church, with his metal detector. He found a pile of lead approx. 7kg, buried about 18" in the ground....I'm thinking that this lead may have come from the church - possibly roofing - or drainage? The fact that it belonged to the church does seem possible. There have been other people that have come to the farm with their metal detectors, but have found nothing - so who knows what is down there! I do know there is something else down there, as Jack's metal detector had went off nearby to where he found the lead, but he didn't dig it up.

If anyone out there knows anything about how a church was constructed in the centuries after the 1100's, then I would like to hear from you - I have no idea if they were built from stone or wood, or anything at all, really.

The People

In this section I will be investigating all the people who have been involved with Meikle Kirkland - such as owners, residents, people passing through, etc. I have made up a table to show more clearly the timeline of who was at the farm, who was involved with it, what events occured and when, etc.

Date Names
Mentioned Event Source

1767 John Roddick John Roddick was born in 1767 in Meikle Kirkland, Urr, Kircudbright, Scotland. He died on 17 Jan 1855 in Rice Lake Plains, Hamilton Twp, Ontario, Canada. He was buried about 19 Jan 1855. He married Isabella Davidson on 11 Jul 1797 in Dalton, Dumfries, Scotland. Simon Guthrie
Genealogy File

1775 Isabella Davidson Isabella Davidson was born about 1775 in Meikle Kirkland, Urr, Kircudbright, Scotland. She died on 14 Feb 1846 in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. Simon Guthrie
Genealogy File

1799 Unknown Map of Meikle Kirkland, showing field names and boundaries, land use, old road routes, etc. Map of Meikle Kirkland

1816 James Stothert, William Stothert Writs 3. Extract Registered Disposition by Thomas Cockburn and the Honble William Robertson, the surviving Trustees of James Stothert sometime of Cargen, in favour of the said William Stothert of (inter alia) (line missing) Books of Council and Session on 4th December 1816. Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Property of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland

1816 William Stothert Writs 1. Crown Charter of Resignation in favour of William Stothert of Cargen of (inter alia) the said lands dated 20th and written to the Seal registered and sealed 31st December 1816. Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland

1818 William Stothert Writs 2. Instrument of Sasine following thereon in favour of the said William Stothert dated 29th June and recorded in the General Register of Sasines, etc, at Edinburgh on 2nd July 1818. Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland

1831 William Stothert Writs 4. Instrument of Sasine following thereon in favour of the said William Stothert dated and recorded in the Particular Register of Sasines, Reversions, etc, then kept at Dumfries for the shire thereof and Stewarties of Kirkcudbright and annandale on 13th May 1831. Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Property of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland

1831 William Stothert Writs 5. Charter of Confirmation by the said William Stothert as Superior in favour of himself of the above Writs numbers three and four dated 13th May 1831. Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Property of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland

1831 William Stothert Writs 6. Procuratory of Registration ad remanentiam (sp) by the said William Stothert as vassal (sp) in favour of himself as Superior dated 13th May 1831. Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Consolidated Property and Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland

1831 William Stothert Writs 7. Instrument of Resignation ad remanentiam following thereon in favour of the said William Stothert dated and recorded in the said Particular Register of Sasines, Reversions, etc, on 13th May 1831. Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Consolidated Property and Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland

1831 William Stothert,
John McNeillie,
William McNeillie,
David McNeillie Writs 8. Disposition by the said William Stothert with consent therein mentioned in favour of John, William and David McNeillie all of Wigan in the County of Lancaster, Drapers, dated and ratified 19th May 1831. Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Consolidated Property and Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland

I found the following information from a genealogy file produced by Simon Guthrie from Canada:

"104. John Roddick was born in 1767 in Meikle Kirkland, Urr, Kircudbright, Scotland. He died on 17 Jan 1855 in Rice Lake Plains, Hamilton Twp, Ontario, Canada. He was buried about 19 Jan 1855. He married Isabella Davidson on 11 Jul 1797 in Dalton, Dumfries, Scotland.
105. Isabella Davidson was born about 1775 in Meikle Kirkland, Urr, Kircudbright, Scotland. She died on 14 Feb 1846 in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada.

I would have to assume that the Meikle Kirkland he is talking about is the same as my Meikle Kirkland. This means that in 1767 there was a John Roddick living on the farm, and in 1775 there was an Isabella Davidson living there - and they ended up getting married. I have no idea what their relationship was before they got married - were their familes owners? Or farm managers? Or were they farm workers? I did email Simon Guthrie, and he replied, but he didn't know that much about them, other than what is mentioned above.

Meikle Kirkland was home to the McNeillies in the mid to late 1800's and they still owned it in the early 1900's, although they were residing at Castlehill, Troqueer. I believe they kept a farm manager at the farm until it was sold to my Hallidays in the early 1900's. It was my own home for the first 25 years of my life, and has been the home of many other Hallidays.

Censuses:

1841 Census

Residence
Name Occupants Relation
To Head Age Occupation Where Born No. Of
Windows

Mickle Kirkland Alexander McNeillie 50 Farmer Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton Unknown

Janet McNeillie 35 Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton

Jane McNeillie 30 Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton

John McNeillie 40 Kirkcudbrightshire,
Scotland

Robert Dempster 50 Agricultural Labourer Kirkcudbrightshire,
Crossmichael

James Gilchrist 25 Agricultural Labourer Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton

Mary Carslile 20 Farm Servant Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kirkgunzeon

John Burbie 15 Dumfriesshire,
Dumfries

Ann Sproat 15 Farm Servant Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton

1851 Census

Residence
Name Occupants Relation
To Head Age Occupation Where Born No. Of
Windows

M Kirklann Alexander McNeillie Head 68 Farmer of 185 acres
Employs 5 labourers Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton Unknown

Janet McNeillie Sister 66 Farmer (sister of) Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton

Jane McNeillie Sister 64 Farmer (sister of) Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton

Henry Birkby Nephew 18 Farmer Dumfriesshire,
Dumfries

Robert Dempster Household of
Alexander McNeillie 60 Farm Labourer Kirkcudbrightshire,
Crossmichael

Ann Sproat Household of
Alexander McNeillie 25 House Servant Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton

David Geddes Household of
Alexander McNeillie 23 Farm Labourer Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kelton

Ann Crosbie Household of
Alexander McNeillie 19 House Servant Kirkcudbrightshire,
Kirkgunzeon

William Dixon Household of
Alexander McNeillie 17 Farm Labourer Dumfriesshire,
Dumfries

1861 Census

Residence
Name Occupants Relation
To Head Age Occupation Where Born No. Of
Windows

Meikle
Kirkland Alexander McNeillie Head 80 Proprietor of 187 acres
Employs 2 labourers Kirkcudbrightshire,
Low Arkland 6

Janet McNeillie Sister 78 Housekeeper Kirkcudbrightshire,
Low Arkland

Henry Birkby Nephew 28 Shepherd Dumfriesshire,
Dumfries

Jane Muir Birkby Niece 38 Lady Visitor Kirkcudbrightshire,
Castle Douglas

Agnes McMinn (sp) Servant 19 Domestic Servant Kirkcudbrightshire,
(illegible)

Katherine (sp) Stewart Servant 20 Dairymaid Kirkcudbrightshire,
Borgue

Peter McGeorge Servant 16 Agricultural
Labourer Kirkcudbrightshire,
Crocketford

Jane Mc(illegible) Lodger 70 Mendicant Ireland,
N.K (?)

Margaret McClymont (sp) Lodger 28 Mendicant Lanarkshire,
Bothwell Bridge (sp)

Mary McClymont (sp) Lodger 23 Mendicant Lanarkshire,
Addison

1881 Census

Residence
Name Occupants Relation
To Head Age Occupation Where Born No. Of
Windows

Kirkland John Wright Head 32 Shepherd Lochmaben,
Dumfriesshire Unknown

Jane Wright Wife 34 Shepherds Wife Keir,
Dumfriesshire

Janet Wright Daughter 9 Scholar Troqueer,
Kirkcudbrightshire

Mary Wright Daughter 7 Scholar Urr,
Kirkcudbrightshire

William Wright Son 4 Urr,
Kirkcudbrightshire

Thomas Wright Son 1 Urr,
Kirkcudbrightshire

1891 Census

Residence
Name Occupants Relation
To Head Age Occupation Where Born No. Of
Windows

Kirkland John Wright Head 42 Farm Manager Lochmaben,
Dumfries 6

Jane Wright Wife 44 (Illegible),
Dumfries

William Wright Son 14 Scholar Urr,
Kirkcudbright

Thomas Wright Son 11 Scholar Urr,
Kirkcudbright

Helen Wright Daughter 9 Scholar Urr,
Kirkcudbright

John Wright Son 6 Scholar Urr,
Kirkcudbright

1901 Census

Residence
Name Occupants Relation
To Head Age Occupation Where Born No. Of
Windows

Meikle
Kirkland John Wright Head 52 Farm Manager Dumfriesshire,
Lochmaben 6

Jane Wright Wife 54 Farm Manager Wife Dumfriesshire,
Keir (sp)

William Wright Son 24 Ploughman Kirkcudbrightshire,
Urr

Helen Wright Daughter 19 Kirkcudbrightshire,
Urr

Click here to return back to the top

Date	Names Mentioned	Event	Source
1767	John Roddick	John Roddick was born in 1767 in Meikle Kirkland, Urr, Kircudbright, Scotland. He died on 17 Jan 1855 in Rice Lake Plains, Hamilton Twp, Ontario, Canada. He was buried about 19 Jan 1855. He married Isabella Davidson on 11 Jul 1797 in Dalton, Dumfries, Scotland.	Simon Guthrie Genealogy File
1775	Isabella Davidson	Isabella Davidson was born about 1775 in Meikle Kirkland, Urr, Kircudbright, Scotland. She died on 14 Feb 1846 in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada.	Simon Guthrie Genealogy File
1799	Unknown	Map of Meikle Kirkland, showing field names and boundaries, land use, old road routes, etc.	Map of Meikle Kirkland
1816	James Stothert, William Stothert	Writs 3. Extract Registered Disposition by Thomas Cockburn and the Honble William Robertson, the surviving Trustees of James Stothert sometime of Cargen, in favour of the said William Stothert of (inter alia) (line missing) Books of Council and Session on 4th December 1816.	Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Property of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland
1816	William Stothert	Writs 1. Crown Charter of Resignation in favour of William Stothert of Cargen of (inter alia) the said lands dated 20th and written to the Seal registered and sealed 31st December 1816.	Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland
1818	William Stothert	Writs 2. Instrument of Sasine following thereon in favour of the said William Stothert dated 29th June and recorded in the General Register of Sasines, etc, at Edinburgh on 2nd July 1818.	Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland
1831	William Stothert	Writs 4. Instrument of Sasine following thereon in favour of the said William Stothert dated and recorded in the Particular Register of Sasines, Reversions, etc, then kept at Dumfries for the shire thereof and Stewarties of Kirkcudbright and annandale on 13th May 1831.	Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Property of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland
1831	William Stothert	Writs 5. Charter of Confirmation by the said William Stothert as Superior in favour of himself of the above Writs numbers three and four dated 13th May 1831.	Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Property of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland
1831	William Stothert	Writs 6. Procuratory of Registration ad remanentiam (sp) by the said William Stothert as vassal (sp) in favour of himself as Superior dated 13th May 1831.	Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Consolidated Property and Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland
1831	William Stothert	Writs 7. Instrument of Resignation ad remanentiam following thereon in favour of the said William Stothert dated and recorded in the said Particular Register of Sasines, Reversions, etc, on 13th May 1831.	Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Consolidated Property and Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland
1831	William Stothert, John McNeillie, William McNeillie, David McNeillie	Writs 8. Disposition by the said William Stothert with consent therein mentioned in favour of John, William and David McNeillie all of Wigan in the County of Lancaster, Drapers, dated and ratified 19th May 1831.	Disposition of the trustees of the late William McNeillie in favour of John Halliday - Inventory of Writs - Titles of the Consolidated Property and Superiority of the Lands of Meikle Kirkland

Residence Name	Occupants	Relation To Head	Age	Occupation	Where Born	No. Of Windows
Mickle Kirkland	Alexander McNeillie		50	Farmer	Kirkcudbrightshire, Kelton	Unknown
	Janet McNeillie		35		Kirkcudbrightshire, Kelton
	Jane McNeillie		30		Kirkcudbrightshire, Kelton
	John McNeillie		40		Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland
	Robert Dempster		50	Agricultural Labourer	Kirkcudbrightshire, Crossmichael
	James Gilchrist		25	Agricultural Labourer	Kirkcudbrightshire, Kelton
	Mary Carslile		20	Farm Servant	Kirkcudbrightshire, Kirkgunzeon
	John Burbie		15		Dumfriesshire, Dumfries
	Ann Sproat		15	Farm Servant	Kirkcudbrightshire, Kelton