Dumfries Loreburn Street Congregation
Millican, Milligan, Millikan, Milliken, Millikin, Mullican, Mulliken, Mullikin etc.




Dumfries Loreburn Street Congregation


The Loreburn Street Congregation was formed sometime between 1757 and 1760, and its first minister Thomas Herberton was ordained on 21 September 1761. He died on 6 August 1762, leaving the new congregation without a minister. On 5 September 1764, William Inglis was invited to be ordained minister of the congregation. A letter written by the Rev. John Milligan, minister of the Associated Congregation of Urr (Antiburgher) and subscribed by the elders and other members of the congregation of Dumfries and Closburn was accepted by him. He was ordained minister of the congregation on 12 March 1765. The Congregation was linked to the Associated Congregation of Urr, also an Antiburgher in Kirkcudbrightshire. In 1743, the Urr Congregation built their first church having acceded from the establish Church of Scotland and its first minister was John Milligan from Sanquhar South Congregation (Antiburgher). He was ordained on 16 September, 1748, and for over 45 years remained minister of the congregation. He died 26 January 1795.

The earliest records of the Loreburn Kirk session begin on 25 March 1765 and these continue until 27 December 1807. There are baptisms with gaps from 1765 until 1808, and a National Covenant signed by members of the congregation dated 4 November 1774.

The following are extracts:

September 5, 1764
Letter written by �John Mulligan� moderator beginning: We under subscribers, elders and other members of the Associated Congregation of Dumfries and Closeburn, we have succeeded from the established Church and acceded from the several Presbyteries in Scotland and Ireland, and give a call to be minister, called to the Congregation of Dumfries and Closeburn, to William Inglis, probationer, subscribed by 42 members.

Written by John Mulligan moderator of Presbytery of Dumfries and minister of the Gospel in the Associated Congregation of Urr, as Dumfries on 5th Day of September 1764.

June 30, 1766
At the Kirk Session in Dumfries, the following persons were alerted as having acceded to the judicial Act and Testimony, and joined themselves members of the Associated Congregation, including John Mulligan and Ebenezer Nicolson who appear personally.

July 14, 1766
At the Kirk Session in Dumfries, the following person were announced as having acceded to the judicial Act and Testimony, and joined themselves members of the Associated Congregation, including Hannah Mulligan who appear personally.

November 4, 1768
At the Kirk Session in Dumfries, John Mulligan was called for a list to be elected to the session.

November 17, 1768
At the Kirk Session in Dumfries, John Mulligan in Lochin-head (Lochrutton parish) was chosen by the Associated Congregation to an elder.

Note: John Mulligan is mentioned as elder of the session between from then until 1782.

May 30, 1779
Baptism of Mary Colvin daughter of Joseph Colvin, stagemaker in Bridge of Dumfries by the Rev. Mr. William Inglis, minister of Dumfries.

November 3, 1781
At the Kirk Session in Dumfries, John Mulligan was appointed elder to the Presbytery.

July 15, 1781
Baptism at the Back Row now New Church of Robert Mulligan Dalziel lawful son to Mr. Archibald Dalziel by William Inglis, minister of the Gospel in Dumfries.

Note: Archibald Dalziel was an elder in the Congregation.


[National Records of Scotland (NRS), CH3/641/1-3]



Dumfries Index Page