Eccles, Scottish Borders

Eccles is a village and agricultural parish in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders. It is thought the name has Celtic or Welsh origins. [ Oman, Donald, "The Borders Book", Edinburgh, 1995, p.179, ISBN 1-874744-50-5 ]

Early history

It is said that there was a Christian enclave at Eccles in the sixth century or possibly before, and Gospatric, Earl of Dunbar (or his wife) founded St. Mary's Cistercian convent at Eccles in 1156. It was burnt by the Earl of Hertford's forces in 1545, then laicised to the Home family. Only two barrel-vaulted cells of the east range at the west end of the churchyard survive as well as architectural fragments built into later garden walls, although the parish church, rebuilt in 1774, may include some mediaeval stones. [ Strang, Charles Alexander, "Berwick and Borders", Edinburgh, 1994, p.62, ISBN 1-873190-10-7 ] [ Oman (1995) p.56 and 122 ] Patrick I, Earl of Dunbar who died on the last day of 1232 was interred in the convent at Eccles.

Lairds

The principal landed proprietors in the vicinity of Eccles in 1696 appears to have been George Home of Kames (which is situated towards Birgham) who had 9 hearths, Purves Hall, then occupied by Marjory Flemming, had twelve hearths, and Simon Marjoribanks of Stainrig who had six. (Purveshall and Stainrig are closer to Leithholm than Eccles). [ Ewan, Elspeth, editor, "Eccles, Leitholm & Birgham - Berwickshire Monumental Inscriptions 5", Borders Family History Society, 1998, ISBN 1-874232-010 p.2 - 7, 1696 Hearth Tax.] In 1843 it was James Greig who resided at Eccles House, which abuts the village. [ Findlay, James, "Directory to Gentleman's Seats, Villages, &c., in Scotland", Edinburgh, 1843, p.52]

Possibly the district's most famous son is Henry Home, Lord Kames.

Kirk

The Church of Scotland Parish Church, rebuilt in 1774, is a large 5-bay building with some stained glass windows (notably the 'War Memorial Window') in 'Gothick' glazing-patterned sashes in round-headed openings. There is a vernacular bell-tower at the east end holding a bell dated 1659. The last additions and internal alterations were carried out in 1930. [ Strang (1994) p.62] The earliest Presbyterian Minister appears to be Robert French, who was at Eccles from 1567-1574. [ Ewan (1998) p.8] The Reverend John Lauder, who had previously been the incumbent at Lilliesleaf, was ordained into Eccles May 28, 1691, when objectors opposed to him interrupted the ceremony. Two of these were Richard Edgar of Newtoun, (an Episcopalian and opposed to the government of William & Mary), and Henry Home of Kames. [ "Genealogical Collections Concerning The Scottish House of Edgar", The Grampian Club, London, 1873, p.9] Reverend Lauder from Eccles was a member of the General Assembly in 1692. On Sunday March 31, 1695 Mr.Lauder was not present at Eccles to take the service he "being sent to preach in the north as is ordered by the last Assembly that every Presbytery should send so many quarterly there." [ Kelsall, Keith & Helen, "An Album of Scottish Families 1694-96", Aberdeen University Press, 1990.] He was succeeded at Eccles by the Reverend Matthew Dysart MA, on September 9, 1729, Lauder having died in July that year. [ Anderson, Rev. John, editor, "Calendar of the Laing Charters, 854-1837", Edinburgh, 1899, page 716, number 3114.] Dysart remained the incumbent at Eccles for a staggering forty three years. [ Ewan (1998) p.8]

Today Eccles is conjoined with the parishes of Birgham and Leitholm. [ Ewan (1998)]

Notes