Whitsome
Whitsome is comprised of the two ancient parishes of Whitsome and Hilton. In 1735, they were united, and Hilton ceased to have a separate parochial existence. The existence of the church of Whitsome can be traced back to 1296, when Rauf de Hawden, parson of the church of Whitsome, along with other "reverend traitors," swore fealty to Edward I at Berwick. It undoubtedly existed considerably earlier, though it does not appear in the list of churches dedicated by Bishop de Bernham in the mid-13th century. Whitsome appears to have been a rectory up until the Reformation.
There are now no remains of the old church of Whitsome, which stood in the center of the churchyard still in use. The writer of the Old Statistical Account (written towards the latter part of the 18th century) describes it as follows:
"The church was in my remembrance a miserable thatched building, which, though now slated, is still very ill-seated, narrow, and incommodious."
The famous Reverend Thomas Boston once officiated in this old church while it was still thatched. Such a multitude of people flocked from all quarters that many, in their eagerness to hear him, climbed onto the roof of the humble edifice, tore off portions of the straw, and thus managed to gratify both eye and ear.
The present church, located about 200 paces from the churchyard, was built in 1803. It is small and unpretentious in style but offers a comfortable interior.
The communion plate consists of two silver cups engraved as follows:
"Gifted by A. A. Countess of Home to the Kirk of Whitsome 1704."
The cups also bear the Home family arms.
Some old and very interesting stones can be found in the churchyard, which is situated on an elevated position overlooking a picturesque countryside. It offers an extensive view in almost all directions.
On a small plain stone:
"I H
1690."
On a long, narrow stone:
"Here lies the body of John Dickson, who departed this life
the 26th of November 1724, his age 74. Also Margret Loden, his
spouse, who died in 1740, aged 70."
On a very small stone:
"Here lyeth the corpse of George Aid, who left this life the 2nd of June ...93."
(The above date was probably 1693.)
A similar stone bears:
"Here lies Isbel Dickson, spouse to John Shiel, who lived in Stowood, and who died March 24, 1755, aged 60 years."
Hilton
A large, plain stone, with the figure of a sword rudely carved on its surface, has these initials and dates:
"W P 1664, G P 1620, G A 1650."
On a large stone with a very much defaced inscription:
"David Innerwick 24 ...1618(?). Here lyeth the corpse of William Innerwick, son to George Innerwick, sometime portioner of Whitsome, who departed this life on the 7th of March in the year of God 1628, and of his age the 18 years."
The church at Hilton is first mentioned in 1243 when it was dedicated by Bishop de Bernham. It was, at one time, a rectory. In 1296, David, the parson of Hilton, swore fealty to Edward I. at Berwick. In 1464, there was a suit concerning the church of Hilton brought to the court of Rome.
Only a small fragment of the old church fabric remains, alongside low mounds almost entirely overgrown with grass, indicating the building’s original long and narrow layout. The site, located on a grassy knoll near the farm steading of Hilton, is about a mile east of Whitsome.
Hilton's bell, which had been rung by hand, is still preserved and bears the inscription:
"For Hiltoun, 1718."
The churchyard contains only about twenty tombstones, scattered haphazardly. Many stones are sinking below the ground, while others are broken into fragments. The entire site is in a neglected and shameful condition, unworthy of its sacred traditions.
On a small stone:
"Here lyeth the body of Thomas Purves, son to William Purves in Crosrige, who died January 1, 1729. His age 17."
A large horizontal stone bears several almost illegible dates, including 1645.
On a very large, plain stone:
"Here lies the body of Mr. Daniel Douglas, minister of the Gospel at Hiltoun, who departed this life on the 24th of July, anno 1705. His age 86."
This stone was renewed by subscription in 1836.
On a very small stone:
"G. A. 1661, A. G. 1666, A. A. 1664."
On a similar stone:
"G. M. 1668, ...1666."
On another small stone:
"A. M. 1642."
On a medium-sized stone:
"Here lies the body of Will Mason, who died March 3, 1771, aged 2 years."
A small stone bears these words:
"Here lie the corpses of Margrat Qarie, who departed on the 30th of October 1696."
On a similar stone:
"Here lies James Swine, 1677."
The following inscription appeared on a stone
here, but it is now quite illegible : —
" Heire lyes Christian Forret daughter of James Forret of
that Ilk in Fyffe, her mother being daughter to the laird of
Lethiday in Angus, married William Somervil of Moshat
Girfilman in Clidisdail, with whom she lived a year and being
delivered of one daughter, christianly and comfortably past from
her pilgrimage to her home and husband Christ Junii 18, 1645.
What Graces, gifts, parts, perfections rare,
Among all other women scattered are,
Unitely, fully, cleirly shined in that star."
The following is a list of the ministers of Hilton
from 1585 till the time of its union with Whitsome
in 1735 :—
Andrew Winchester— 1585 to 1598.
James Home— 1609 to .
Daniel Douglas, M. A. — 1650 to 1662.
George Hollwell, M. A. —1662 to 1664.
John Hepburne, M. A. —1664 to 1673.
William Methven, M. A.— 1675 to 1682.
Simon Wyld— 1683 to 1684.
John Home— 1689 to 1690.
Daniel Douglas, M.A.* (reinstated)— 1690 to 1705.
*Douglas was a minister during a period of intense persecution. A popular tradition recounts that, during public worship, an individual of the dominant party, offended by certain words spoken by the preacher, violently seized him and dragged him from the pulpit. A slight effusion of blood resulted from the assault, prompting the maltreated pastor to predict, in the hearing of the congregation, that the assailant’s blood would one day stain the floor of the sanctuary and be licked by dogs. Not long afterward, the attacker received a mortal wound from an enemy. As his attendants carried the corpse homeward, they were overtaken by a storm and sought shelter in the kirk of Hilton. While beneath the sacred roof, the dead man's wound reopened, blood seeped through the bandages, and some hounds accompanying the procession licked the blood. While the veracity of this tradition cannot be confirmed, it remains a striking tale.
After the Revolution, Mr. Douglas, who had previously sought refuge in Holland, returned to Hilton, where he continued to exercise his pastoral duties until his death at the age of 86.* — New Statistical Account.
List of Ministers of Whitsome Since 1585
Thomas Ogilvy — 1585 to [date unspecified]
Robert Hislope — 1588 to 1607
Alexander Kinneir, M.A. — 1608 to 1654
Andrew Patersone, M.A. — 1658 to 1667
George Davidson, M.A. — 1668 to 1685
Adam Waddel, M.A. — 1685 to 1713
John Vetch — 1715 to 1722
James Golden — 1723 to 1754
John Waugh — 1755 to 1800
George Drummond — 1800 to 1820
Adam Landela — 1821 to 1838
Robert Cowe, M.A.* — 1839 to 1843
John Robertson — 1843 to 1866
John Alexander Robertson (present incumbent) — 1866
Cowe was among those who left the Established Church during the Disruption.
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel