CLAN & FAMILY CARRUTHERS: Exploring St Mungo’s Churchyard: A Family Connection

We are always more than happy to publish any well researched and accurate information from within our membership. This excellent piece has been written and submitted by Greg Lawson, a member of our Society on his visit to St Mungo’s Churchyard where many of our family lie. We had the pleasure of meeting Greg and his mother at the Gathering and Inauguration of our Chief in Annan 2024, which they had attended.

The Photographs used are all copyrighted to Greg and posted with his permission.

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St Mungo Churchyard 
by Greg Lawson

Old St Mungo’s Kirkyard

Researching my own connection to the clan had me visit the old St. Mungo Churchyard situated only 2 miles by road from the Ninefold Distillery on Dormont land.

As a parish it lies just South of Lockerbie near Kettleholm. The old parish church lies on a knoll, North of the River Annan. It shares a boundary with Dalton parish to the South, on the East by Hoddom parish, the North by Tundergarth parish and the parish of Dryfesdale on the West.

Not an awful lot remains of the church building itself, which was extensively remodelled in 1754, by the masons Walter Dryden and John Patten assisted by the wrights James Jardine, and Andrew Mundell. As seen in the image here, the east gable of the church still stands. Prior to this, the history of the parish and church goes back to 12^th century, when the area was known as ‘Abermelc’ [Abermilk] (Glasgow inquest c.1120). ‘Aber’ means the confluence of waters, of which the Water of Milk and the River Annan did in the parish.

When the Bruce’s of Annandale fame and name, built a castle on the banks of Milk water in the 12^th century, the area became known as ‘Casthelmilc’ [Castlemilk]. Many memorials dating from around the time that the parish changed its name in the 17th century to St. Mungo, still refer to themselves as “of Castlemilk/in Castlemilk”.

This site holds a treasure trove of memorials from the last 3 centuries, with some headstones surviving from the 17^th century. Alot are made in sandstone, that have stood the test of time and the all-seasons weather the borderers would be so familiar with.

So where does this old parish church and our Carruthers family combine?

The answer to that seems to be several descendants of the cadet line of Dormont, via Brydegill, Breckonhill, Soriesyke/Sorrysick and Guileburn lands.

This is where I was led when I found (in the memorial inscription records created by the Dumfries & Galloway Family History Society) a record of my 4x great grandparents (ggp), Christopher and Mary Carruthers. The list of Carruthers from the memorial inscriptions, separated by their plots, are as follows:

• Andrew Carruthers at Waterside (d. 1933) & wife Janet Irving at Waterside (d. 1937); daughter Jean H. (d.1968).
• Annie Gall Carruthers at Blackford, St. Mungo (d. 1904) & husband James Turnbull at Hartfield St., Annan (d.1925); daughters Marion at Blackford, St. Mungo (d. 1906) & Helen at Calside, Monaivie (d.1927).
• Christopher Carruthers at Littleburn (d.1844) & wife Mary Carruthers (d. 1867); son Joseph at Broomrigg (d. 1874), also Jemima at Broomrigg (d. 1871) daughter of Joseph and two of his unnamed children (who died young).
• George Carruthers Sr. late in Pathhead (d.1825 at Beck) & wife Mary Edwards (d. 1827); son George Jr. at Ecclefechan (d. 1884) & his wife Elizabeth Carlyle at Mauchline, Ayreshire(d. 1873), their daughter Jane at Ecclefechan (d. 1900) and also two unnamed children who died in infancy.
• George Carruthers (d. 1855); his sisters Philis (d. 1886), Jane (d.1892), Elizabeth (d. 1883) & her daughter Susannah (d. 1876) all at Lockerbie.
• James Carruthers at Guileburn (d. 1824) & wife Mary Carlyle (d. 1828); also children who died in infancy, & son William at Lockerbie (d. 1853) & wife Mary Calvert (d. 1861).
• James Carruthers at Redings (d. 1864) & 1^st wife Mary Carlyle at Brocklerig (d. 1823), 2^nd wife Mary Carlyle at Townhead (d. 1845); son Walter (d. 1820), son William (d. 1880), daughter Mary at Threewellbrae (d. 1891) & her son John (d. in infancy); granddaughter Jane at Redings (d. 1870).
• James Carruthers at Pathhead (d. 1895) & wife Phylias Gowanlock at Pathhead (d. 1880); daughter Agnes at Beck (d. 1925).
• Janet Carruthers (d. 1789) & husband Archibald Porteous, a Miller in Linn Miln (d. 1791); son Andrew at Dalton-hooks (d. 1830) & his wife Elizabeth Patterson at Smallholm (d. 1852).
• Jean Carruthers (d. 1831) & husband William Rae at Lockerbie (d. 1814); son John (d. 1839) and daughter Jane (d. 1858).
• Jean Carruthers at Clughheads (d. 1847) & husband John Bell at Clughfits (d. 1875).
• John Carruthers at Croftfoot (d. 1890) & wife Mary Carruthers at Lockerbie (d. 1907); daughter Mary at Glasgow (d. 1889).
• Mary Carruthers (d. 1794) & husband Andrew McNay at Sandbed (d. 1785).
• Philadelphia “Philis” Carruthers (d. 1860) & husband James Gowanlock of Broom (d. 1863); son William at Broom (d. 1876) father-in-law Andrew Gowanlock of Broom (d. 1834), mother-in-law Jannet Holliday (d. 1837), brother-in-law John Gowanlock at Broom (d. 1883).
• Robert Carruthers (d. 1879) & wife Jane Kennedy (d. 1874) both at Ettrick Holm.
• Robert Lawrie Carruthers (d. 1829) son of James Carruthers of Nutholm (*might* be the James listed in burial records – d. 1844 buried at Dalton), erected by Andrew Carruthers of Nutholm.
• William Carruthers in Sorrysick (d. 1791) & daughter Mary (d. 1777).
• William Carruthers, clogger in Ecclefechan (d. 1812) & daughter Jean (d. 1810); Also in same plot is William Bell, son Richard, grandson John, great-grandson William (d. 1744) – notes that “these and other ancestors resided in Holmhead upwards of 800 years and all are interred here.”
• William Carruthers of Soriesyke (d. 1827) & wife Helen Bell (d. 1841); daughter Phyllis (d. 1809).
• William Carruthers at Waterbeck (d. 1853) & wife Mary Norris at Waterbeck (d. 1845); sons George at Dirops (d. 1816), Matthew at Edinburgh (d. 1844), William (d. 1867), Joseph at Waterbeck (d. 1874), John at Waterbeck (d. 1881); & daughter Sarah (d. 1860).

Looking further into St. Mungo’s old parish registers for burials in the parish, also shows more Carruthers buried here, but no memorial headstone was noted/remains nor perhaps, had ever existed. They are:

• Francis Carruthers 3^rd Laird of Whitecroft (d. 1764).
• Francis Carruthers 5^th Laird of Dormont (d. 1773).
  • of JOHN & Mary Bell of Winterhopehead.
    • of JOHN 4^th Laird of Dormont & Helen Carruthers.
      • of JOHN of Dormont & Katherine Herreis.
        • of FRANCIS 3^rd Laird of Dormont & Bell of Winterhopehead.
• James Carruthers of Breckonhill (d. 1729) & wife Agnes Davidson (d. 1763).
  • of GEORGE of Brydegill. [Agnes Davidson – Parents Unknown].
    • of FRANCIS 3^rd Laird of Dormont & Bell of Winterhopehead.
• James Carruthers of Gayleburn/Guilburn (d. 1763).
  • of JOHN of Braidgill & Mary Carruthers.
    • of GEORGE of Brydegill.
      • of FRANCIS 3^rd Laird of Dormont & Bell of Winterhopehead.
• James Carruthers (d. 1819).
  • of JOHN of Howcleugh & Janet Schoolar of Lockerbie.
    • of JAMES of Howcleugh/Breckonhill & Margaret Moffat of Wysebie Hill.
      • of JAMES of Breckonhill & Mary Carruthers.
        • of JAMES of Breckonhill & Margaret Henderson of St. Mungo Manse.
          • of FRANCIS 3^rd Laird of Dormont & Bell of Winterhopehead.
• Janet Carruthers of Howcleugh (d. 1816) wife of John Bell, farmer.
  • of JAMES of Howcleugh/Breckonhill & Margaret Moffat of Wysebie Hill.
    • of JAMES of Breckonhill & Mary Carruthers.
      • of JAMES of Breckonhill & Margaret Henderson of St. Mungo Manse.
        • of FRANCIS 3^rd Laird of Dormont & Bell of Winterhopehead.
• John Carruthers of Howcleugh (d. 1815), eldest of JAMES Carruthersof Breckonhill, who is buried at Dalton.
  • of JAMES of Howcleugh/Breckonhill & Margaret Moffat of Wysebie Hill.
    • of JAMES of Breckonhill & Mary Carruthers.
      • of JAMES of Breckonhill & Margaret Henderson of St. Mungo Manse.
        • of FRANCIS 3^rd Laird of Dormont & Bell of Winterhopehead.
• Mary Carruthers of Northfield, Sorrysyke (d. 1819).
  • of WILLIAM of Sorrysick & Jean McAlister.
    • of WILLIAM of Guileburn & Mary Bell.
      • of JOHN of Braidgill & Mary Carruthers.
        • of GEORGE of Brydegill.
          • of FRANCIS 3^rd Laird of Dormont & Bell of Winterhopehead.
• Susanna [called Margaret in Records of the Carruthers Family] Henderson of Breckonhill (d. 1715), relict of JAMES Carruthers of Breckonhill [son of FRANCIS 3^rd Laird of Dormont & Bell of Winterhopehead].
• Mary Edwards (ex. Wales) of Guileburn (d. 1830) widow of GEORGE Carruthers [son of JOHN of Guileburn & Philadelphia Carruthers].
• Janet Scott of Sorrysyke (d. 1853), widow of late DAVID Carruthers of Sorrysyke who died at Dornock [son of JOHN of Guileburn & Jean Johnston].
• George Carruthers of Broombrush (d. 1850) son of John.
• James Carruthers of Broombrush (d. 1850) son of John.
• Jane Carruthers of Cleugh-head (d. 1847) wife of John Bell.
• Janet Carruthers of Rigghead (d. 1837).
• Janet Corrie of Isles of Longhill, killed by a train (d. 1851), wife of John Carruthers.
• John Carruthers of Middleshaw, formerly of Gaterigg (d. 1817).
• John Carruthers of Cowdens (d. 1841) son of C. Carruthers.
• John Carruthers of Breckon Hill (d. 1820) son of John.
• Joseph Carruthers of Holmhead (d. 1837).
• Martha Carruthers keeper of the church (d. 1853) died suddenly.
• Mary Carruthers of Castle Buildings (d. 1848) wife of W. McDougal.

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As it can be seen, the snap-shot of records from St. Mungo shows a lot of our family in and around the parish over the last few centuries. If the record keeping was more consistent and more had survived the test of time it would be interesting to see how many more generations are interred here. Although their burial locations may not be identified, their history recorded by family historians of the past and present keeps their names, in the very least alive.

There are a fair few of the headstones photographed and uploaded to the FindAGrave website if they are of interest for anyone conducting their own research into their family line.

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Who is Greg Lawson

So, to introduce myself, my name is Gregory Lawson, son of Richard Lawson and Helen Daley. I was born in Kent and raised in Wales and my connection to the Carruthers family comes from my mum’s side. The last to bear the name was a few generations ago with the children of Richard Lupton and Mary Carruthers carrying the name, as their middle name, such as my great-grandfather Christopher Carruthers Lupton.

I am proud of my Scottish links, and according to my own DNA, it forms over a third of my genetic makeup. Finding an interest in the last couple of years in my family history, which my sister had started a decade or so ago, I decided to investigate the line she had found to a John Carruthers of Guileburn (1721-1810) and find out once and for all, with the advancement of online resources, how we connect through to him and beyond into the cadet line of Dormont

What surprised me the most was being able to find the resting places and surviving headstones as I went back, generation after generation. My 4x great grandparents (along with both their parents) are buried at the old St. Mungo Parish Churchyard, and both Christopher & Mary shared the same grandparents. John Carruthers (mentioned above) and his wife Philadelphia Carruthers.

The multiple generations down to my great-grandfather (ggf) were all born in and around Annan, and the neighbouring parishes. After serving in the great war, with his brother for Canada, his brother stayed in Canada and my ggf relocated to Greenock in Renfrewshire where my grandmother was born in 1930, and the last in my family to have the name of Carruthers was her brother, George Carruthers Lupton.

Discovering this, had me looking around for more information, when I found the Clan Carruthers Society International, and the wealth of knowledge, history and work put together it opened the doors to a family history that has had my attention ever since. I’d like to extend my thanks to Laurie Caron, who I reached out to on ancestry to help confirm and correct any errors I hadn’t noticed in my tree, at that point in my research. And my thanks to all those over the years that have worked tirelessly to compile everything into one source of guidance, acceptance and hospitality.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Clan Gathering in Annan in 2024 with my mother, we were both blown away by the expanse of the Clan and those that had travelled from the other side of the world to be there. It truly felt like home and that bizarre sense of knowing all of us at the event, representing Carruthers, were at one point all related to the world of Border Reivers and that of a large family with a history that was far from dull.

Thank you for letting me be part of our ever-growing family and hope you have found the information in this blog, of some interest.

Greg Lawson

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Who was St Mungo

According to undiscovered scotland, Mungo started his missionary work aged 25, amongst the Britons along the Clyde coast. He is the patron saint of Glasgow, which he founded during the 6th century AD.

Born in Fife, his given Celtic name was Kentigern and according to the monk Jocelin of Furness who wrote his biography in 1185, he came from royal stock with his mother being Princess Thenog and his grandfather Loth, King of the Votadini or Gododdin (what is now East Lothian). After an illicit affair with her cousin, Thenog and her unborn child was set adrift in a coracle and cast into sea without oars, only to be washed up unharmed on the beach at Culross in Fife. It was St Serf at the monastery in Culross, who took them in and named him Mungo (Mwyn-gu in Cymric: dear one).

Greatly influenced by his religious upbringing and influenced by St Serf, his fervour for preaching was extensive. Through his ministery in the area, he founded and is the patron saint of Glasgow. He continued his work for 13 years along the Clyde, until he was cast out by the pagan king Morken of Strathclyde in the mid 6th century. Making his way to Wales and spending time with St David, it is further claimed that he also managed a pilgrimage to Rome.

Once Rydderch Hael (not the Rydderch of Caer Rydderch fame who had lived around 400 years earlier) took the throne of Strathclyde, Mungo was welcomed back and made Archbishop of Strathclyde. Initially, from he based himself at Hoddam in Dumfriesshire for around 8 years. It is reported that his evangelizing according to newadvent, mostly covered what is now the districts of Galloway and Cumberland. He eventually returned to the River Clyde in around 581 and concentrated his time in and around the community he set up called Clas-go or ‘dear ones’ in the language of the Britons. Mungo died in AD 614 and is buried close by the church he founded. His burial site is now part of Glasgow cathedral.

St Mungo’s Parish

St Mungo Parish, as previously mentioned was in ancient times called Abermele and sits 3 miles south-south-east of Lockerbie. The name came from its situation at the confluence of the Water of Mele or Milk with the River Annan. It was afterwards named Castle-Milk. This took its name from the famous castle/tower of the Bruces, who were Lords of Annandale at the time, and built here in 1170. The original church was first mentioned in and around 1120 as a possession of the see of Glasgow (see = the official seat, centre of authority, jurisdiction, or office of a bishop), founded by St Mungo, while in 1170 the church of ‘Casthelmilc‘ was confirmed by the bishop of Glasgow himself.

The Church, which lies in what was formerly called the Stewartry of Annandale, was gifted by King Robert Bruce to the Bishop of Glasgow as a mensal church (a church which gives an income stream to the see) in 1174.

It is conjecture that the Bishops of Glasgow once had a residence there.

After the Reformation it took the name of the patron saint of Glasgow i.e St. Mungo, in whose diocese it belonged. St Mungo was the popular form of St. Kentigern, the British saint, to whom the church was dedicated. The parish is in the presbytery of Lochmaben and the synod of Dumfries.

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Our family’s origins and history are part of the fabric and rich tapestry that is Annandale in south-west Scotland. From the earthworks of Caer Rydderch on Birrens Hill, through to the ruins of Mouswald, the names on the headstones and effigies in our kirkyards and the old parishes, towns and villages historically linked to us, Carruthers are deeply anchored to the old West March and Annandale through our own blood sweat and tears.

You can’t’ change history, we were never Clyde people, we were never linked to the warlord Caratacus who came from southern England and most certainly we are not of Royal blood any more than any other human is. What we can do however, is celebrate who we actually are and where we came from, as proud members of the ancient Scottish border clan and family Carruthers.

As such, be aware that you are part of a very exclusive Scottish kinship group, so please enjoy. If you appreciate our work behind the scenes for our international family, kindly support us by joining our society.

Promptus et Fidelis

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