LEGERWOOD
There is evidence of the existence of a church at Legerwood in the early part of the twelfth century. John, priest of "Ledgaresude," was one of the witnesses to a charter granted in 1127 by Robert, Bishop of St. Andrews, in favor of the priory of Coldingham. Shortly after this, it appears to have come into the possession of the abbey of Paisley. Walter, son of Alan de Lauder, granted the church of "Legerwode," with its pertinents, to the monks he brought from Shropshire to Paisley. This grant was subsequently confirmed by Malcolm IV. (1153–1165) and his successor, William I. (1165–1214). The church remained under the control of these monks, who served the cure by a vicar until the Reformation. Walter, vicar of Legerwood, swore fealty to Edward I. at Berwick on August 28, 1296. On May 30, 1453, Thomas de Fersith, vicar of Legerwood, obtained from the English king a passport for three years to visit, as a pilgrim, the shrine of the apostles.*
The original edifice, portions of which still remain, was built during the Norman period, likely not later than 1130. It consisted of a nave and a narrower, very short chancel. The nave, about 50 feet long by 27 feet wide externally, has been used as the parish church since the Reformation. However, a series of repairs and alterations—beginning in 1717 with little regard for the building’s original character—have erased most early features except the chancel arch, which, though blocked and otherwise disfigured, remains largely intact.
This arch appears to consist of two semi-circular orders, each square-edged on the side next to the chancel but molded into a wide quarter-hollow and half-round on the nave side. On this side, two bearing shafts are visible in each jamb, with cushion capitals adorned with square abaci chamfered below and decorated with a band of the sunk star ornament. This ornament continues along the wall at each side of the angles and appears in square panels with slight variations on most of the capitals. Notably, the inner pillar of the north jamb displays an engrailed or reversed scalloped ornament. The outer capital of this jamb features a rudimentary knob or volute below the abacus. On the opposite jamb, part of the inner capital has been cut or broken away to accommodate a hat peg. The shafts rise from round bases, convex in profile, resting on square plinths now covered by soil. The width of the arch, measured between the extremities of the jambs, is about 15 feet. The height from the plinths to the imposts is nearly 8 feet, and from the imposts to the crown of the arch, 5 feet.*
The chancel, now exterior and forming the Moristoun burial aisle, is roofless, and its walls have been significantly reduced in height. Many original details remain, including massive projecting shafts in each corner that likely supported the groin ribs of a vaulted stone roof. Traces of two old windows—one in the middle of the north wall and the other in the east elevation—are evident. These windows are narrow, round-headed, and bear indications of intricate artistic design. Additional ornamentation on the walls, all of Norman origin, attests to the genuine antiquity of this part of the structure.
Within the aisle lies the tomb of John Ker of Moristoun and his wife, the heroic Grizel Cochrane. Grizel famously intercepted a postman near Belford to secure the warrant for her father, Sir John Cochrane of Ochiltree's, execution. Sir John, involved with Sir Patrick Home of Polwarth in the political unrest of James VII's reign, was ultimately spared due to her bravery, which delayed his execution long enough for successful intercession.
The tomb is a handsome monument with massive pillars on either side. It features the arms of Ker of Moristoun, the date 1691 in bold characters, and the initials "I. K." on each side.
The inscription on the slab reads as follows:
**"HERE RESTS THE CORPS OF JOHN KER
OF MORISTOUN WHO DEPARTED THIS
LIFE THE 27 OF SEPTEMBER 1691 IN
THE THIRTIETH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
AS ALSO THE CORPS OF
GRISSELL COCHRANE HIS LADY
WHO DIED THE 21 OF MARCH
1748 IN THE 83RD YEAR OF
HER AGE."**
The following, recently re-lettered, appears on the same stone:
**"THE GRISSELL COCHRANE HERE
REFERRED TO IS THE SAME WHO SO
HEROICALLY SUCCEEDED IN SAVING
THE LIFE OF HER FATHER,
THE HONBLE SIR JOHN COCHRANE OF OCHILTREE,
2ND SON OF THE 1ST EARL OF
DUNDONALD, THEN UNDER
SENTENCE OF DEATH AT EDINBURGH
OWING TO HIS CONNECTION WITH
THE POLITICAL TROUBLES
OF 1685."**
On a large, plain horizontal stone lying flat on the ground, the first of the above inscriptions appears in large letters.
Built into the exterior wall of the Moristoun aisle, on the east, is a neat memorial tablet inscribed:
"Here lyes Sibela Hume, spouse to John Moffat of East
Moristoun, who died the 10 of October 1719, aged 71 years."
Another memorial stone, built into the same wall, has its inscription almost completely obliterated.
A very small stone in this wall bears, in illegible characters, the letters:
"B M Y
1767."
The church interior reflects the old-fashioned style. The seats are bare and uncomfortable, and the paved stone passages give the place a feeling of coldness, further emphasized by the dull and monotonous bare walls. However, it is well-lit and lofty. The old Norman arch, already mentioned, is an object of special interest to antiquaries and ecclesiologists.
The exterior of the building is plain. An old stone built into the front wall contains inscriptions so weathered that they are undecipherable. Another stone in one of the walls is inscribed:
"Repaired 1717."
A separate stone in the front wall reads:
"Repaired 1804."
An interesting old sundial is attached to one of the church’s corners, inscribed:
"M
W G
1682."
The communion plate includes an old cup, inscribed:
"THE GIFT OF MRS JEAN TROTTER RELICT OF THE REVD MR
WILLIAM CALDERWOOD, 1717, LATE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT
LEGERWOOD."
In this parish, there existed a lazar-house or hospital, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. It is believed to have been founded by Walter, son of Alan de Lauder, who obtained this manor from Malcolm IV (1153–1165). In 1296, Nicol de Lychardeswode, the chaplain and guardian of the hospital at Lychardeswode, swore fealty to Edward I and likely had his forfeited revenues restored.*
The hospital was situated at "Auldenestun" and belonged to the Abbey of Melrose. A charter relating to it, titled "Carta leprosorum de Moricestun," exists in the Melrose Chartulary, suggesting that the hospital was near Morriston.†
In the churchyard, the most noteworthy stone commemorates the Rev. William Calderwood. It is a handsome stone, richly adorned with elaborate carvings along the sides, and rests on six pedestals about three feet high. The inscription reads:
**"Here lyes that pious and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, the Reverend Mr. William Calderwood, who was admitted minister of this parish of Ligertwood on June 12, 1655, where he labored in the work of the Gospel until he was turned out for not conforming to Prelacy in 1662. He frequently, though privately, visited that parish until the Episcopal minister was turned out, at which time he returned to his work on Sept. 8, 1689, and continued therein until his death, which was on June 19, 1709, being the 81st year of his age and the 54th of his ministry.
This monument was put up by his relict Jean Trotter.
Repaired by some of the Parishioners, 1838."**
Another large and finely decorated horizontal stone is inscribed:
"Here lyes William Montgomery of Makbiehill, who deceased the 9th day of December 1689, his age 63 years.
Repaired by the Right Honble. James Montgomery, Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, the grandson of the above Wm. Montgomery, 1798."
The following appears on a medium-sized stone:
"Hire lays James Graham, late tenant in Thornidick, who died Aprile 26, 1758, aged 66 years. Also Janet Pringle, who died in 1770, aged 61 years. Also Androw and Janet Grahams, their grandchildren."
Over the grave of a very young child is a neat wooden slab with these beautiful lines:
"The Lord He gave, and He will take,
So blessed be His name.
We'll bear it all for Jesus' sake,
The Lamb who once was slain."
The following is a list of the ministers of Legerwood since 1592:
David Forsyth — 1592 to 1593
George Byris, M.A. — 1593 to 1640
Thomas Byris, M.A. (assistant) — 1634 to 1653
William Calderwood, M.A. — 1655 to 1662
Thomas Byres, M.A. (reinstated) — 1666 to 1682
Gideon Broun, M.A. (colleague) — 1666 to 1676
William Layng, M.A. (colleague and successor) — 1677 to 1689
William Calderwood, M.A. (reinstated) — 1689 to 1709
James Campbell, M.A. — 1711 to 1714
Thomas Old, M.A. — 1717 to 1737
Walter Douglass, M.A. — 1738 to 1752
William Gullan — 1753 to 1792
Robert Scott — 1793 to 1795
James Baird — 1795 to 1797
James Young* — 1797 to 1798
Henry Garnock — 1799 to 1811
George Cupples — 1812 to 1833
John Hunter Walker — 1834 to 1844
James Macnair — 1844 to 1853
James Langwill — 1853 to 1859
Archibald Brown — 1859 to 1891
William Kankiri (present incumbent) — 1891
* Young was licensed by the Presbyterian class of South Northumberland in 1782. He was minister of Kirkly and Glanton respectively and admitted to Legerwood in 1797. His settlement here was rescinded by the General Assembly in 1798, as he was not qualified according to the laws of the Church. This decision so affected his spirits that he died of a broken heart at Coldstream, 23rd January, 1799. — Scott's Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae.
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel