Moffat Parish
Millican, Milligan, Millikan, Milliken, Millikin, Mullican, Mulliken, Mullikin etc.
Moffat Parish Church Records
The parish of Moffat is bounded on the north by South Lanarkshire, and on the south by the parishes of Kirkpatrick-Juxta and Wamphray. There are baptismal registers dating from 1723, marriages from 1709, and burials from 1709-35 and 1825-53. George Milligan, M.A., was minister of Moffat between 1695 and 1721.
George MILLIGAN (also spelt Milligen), 1st enrolled at the University of Glasgow in 1666 and was a fellow student with James Douglas son of Archibald, earl of Douglas; Robert Stewart son of James Stewart, earl of Galloway; and Robert Grierson, son of 1st Tutor of Lag, William Grierson of Barquhar. He studied 2nd at the University of Edinburgh for a Master of Arts and graduated in 1670. He took orders as a deacon under Episcopacy and later received the Presbyterian communion. He received a call to Bowden Church in November 1691, which he accepted and was ordained on 7 January 1692. He married Elizabeth Hume in the parish of Edinburgh on 2 June, 1693. He transferred to Moffat on 24 April, 1695, where he served the parish of Moffat until his death on 19 January 1721; he died aged about 71 years. George and Elizabeth had two know children:
- George MILLIGAN, born 1694; m. Sophia Johnstone daughter of the laird of Corhead. The details of their family are given below.
- Elizabeth MILLIGAN, born (?); m. Gabrial Gullan, minister of Whamphry, and son of William Gullan, minister of Ladykirk. They had Grizell, William, Margaret, Janet, George and Thomas.
On 22 June, 1697, a letter was to be written from the Presbytery of Dumfries to George Mulligan, minister of Moffat, in order to speed up answers into the affairs of Hugh Clanny, minister of Kirkbean, who had been accused of adultery with Elspeth Dickson from the parish of Tongland, nurse maid, who had a child with Clanny. The affair had been reported to the Presbytery in 1696, when she was accused of adultery. Clanny was married to Rachel, daughter of John McMichen of Barcaple in 1688.
[Minutes of the Presbytery of Dumfries 1695-1701, CH2/1284/3]
Note: Hugh Clanny or Clannie was minister of Kirkbean from 1688 until deposed in 1713. He became embroiled in a complex struggle argued between the Episcopalians and Hebronites, and the Presbyterian Synod of Dumfries in 1697.
Baptisms 1723-1854, Marriage 1709-1854
November 17, 1717
Proclamation of Elizabeth Milligen to Gabriel Gullan, minister of the Gospel at Wamphray three Sabbath times.
January 15, 1721
Payd in by Mrs. Milligen for ye mortcloth to her husband deceased viz. Mr. George Milligen minister here ...... �1:16:00.
March 7, 1725
Irregular Marriage of George Milligen to Sophia Johnstone daughter of the laird of Corhead who were rebuke by the Kirk session this day.
January 28, 1733
Baptism of Elizabeth Milligen daughter of George Milligen Surgeon in Moffat and Sophia Johnston.
June 17, 1733
Paid in by Mr. Milligen for the new Mortcloth to his son .......... �3 9s 9d.
June 3, 1734
Baptism of Jean Milligen daughter of George Milligen and Sophia Johnston in Moffat.
September 1, 1735
Baptism of William Milligen son of George Milligen Surgeon in Moffat and Sophia Johnston.
October 5, 1735
Mr. Milligen Surgeon and Simon Halliday in oldtown paid in baptismal money 2 shillings.
December 21, 1735
Proclamation of John Milligen to Janet Ferguson three Sabbath times.
November 7, 1736
Baptism of Mary Milligen daughter of John Milligen and Janet Ferguson in Moffat.
February 19, 1738
Baptism of James Milligen son of John Milligen and Janet Ferguson in Moffat.
August 31, 1740
Baptism of Jean Milligen daughter of John Milligen and Janet Ferguson in Moffat.
[Sources: Moffat OPR 838/1-3]
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