The Ayrshire Crossroads
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Glasgow
Contents |
The Ayrshire Crossroads
Early History and Kilwinning Abbey
Founded between 1162 and 1188 by Richard de Morville, **Kilwinning Abbey** quickly became a major religious and economic hub in western Scotland, tied closely to the Tironensian monastic order originating in France. As a sanctuary for the Benedictine monks of the Tironensian order, it became a cornerstone of spiritual enlightenment in the region. Its influence extended across numerous parishes, holding significant land, including the Granges of Beith and Kilmarnock, and revenues from up to 16 churches in the region. The monks engaged in various economic activities, including agriculture and coal mining for salt production. The monks were heavily involved in managing these estates and generated considerable wealth, equivalent to over £2 million in today’s terms. This wealth made Kilwinning Abbey attractive to the nobility, leading to attempts by figures like the Earls of Glencairn and Angus to control it, as seen in 1512 when Abbot William Bunche was pressured to resign.
Among the approximately 50 religious houses in Scotland, Kilwinning Abbey is one of the most poorly documented. Its cartulary (original charter) has not survived in any form, and historians speculate that any existing records might be located in the Sorbonne or the Scots College at Douai.
The saga of the Glasgow family intricately weaves through the historical tapestries of both Kilwinning and Kilbirnie, two towns nestled closely in the heart of Ayrshire, separated by a mere 10 miles. Their narrative commences in the 12th century with the erection of Kilwinning Abbey by the de Morville family. The Glasgow family’s association with Kilwinning and Kilbirnie is deeply intertwined with the Abbey's history. Figures such as John de Glasgu and later members of the family held prominent religious and social roles connected to the Abbey’s influence.
The first recorded appearance of the Glasgow surname was **John de Glasgu** in 1258, chaplain to Bishop Gamelin.
- In 1329, amid a period marked by war and poverty, Pope John XXII penned a letter shedding light on the adversities faced by Kilwinning Abbey. To alleviate the conditions, Bishop Robert of Glasgow allocated the vicarages of Kilmarnock and Beith to the Abbey, supporting both the monks and the impoverished locals.
- By 1384, Walter Wan from the diocese of Glasgow received authorization to hold a benefice under the patronage of the abbot and convent of Kilwinning, despite having the chapel of St. Mary in Glasgow. This event is corroborated by entries in the papal registers. In 1394, William [Wau/Wan/Walteri] de Glasgu, a priest, was bestowed with the abbot and convent of Kilwinning & Kelso.
- Kilwinning Abbey's wealth and establishment made it an attractive target for aristocracy. Notably, in 1512, the Earls of Glencairn and Angus attempted to force Abbot William Bunche to resign, demonstrating the aristocratic engagements with the abbey.
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| The Glasgow Family Memorials at Kilwinning Abbey |
The Abbey's wealth also made it a target during the Protestant Reformation of 1560. Like many monastic institutions, Kilwinning Abbey was severely impacted during this period. The Abbey’s records were scattered, and many of its possessions were lost. However, remnants of its grandeur still stand today, with parts of the abbey, like the south transept, remaining nearly intact. Despite the destruction, its spiritual and historical significance remains evident in local legends, such as those involving St. Winning, and in the roles it played in Scotland’s broader religious and political landscape.
Kilwinning Abbey and Kelso Abbey are underscored as significant in the Glasgow surname's history. John de Glasgu (1258 x 1258) is believed to have hailed from Kelso, and the Glasgow family remained notable figures in Kilwinning until the late 18th century. The Glasgow family memorials are among the few remnants still intact at the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey.
The Ministers of Kilbirnie
During the 16th century, Jhone Glasgow M.A (about 1568-) served as the Minister of Kilbirnie from 1614 to 1629. In 1583, Robert Glasgow married Jonet Conynghame, marking the beginning of the intertwining of the Glasgow and Cunynghame families.
As the 17th century dawned, John Glasgow, after marrying Jean (Cunynghame) Glasgow, served as the Minister of Kilbirnie in the Presbytery of Irvine from 1688 until his demise in 1721, a tenure that underscored the Glasgow family’s escalating influence in the region's religious and societal domains.
The Glasgows were actively engaged in pivotal historical occurrences, including the National Covenant in 1638, the Bishops' Wars, and the turbulent period known as "The Killing Time" from 1679 to 1688. Some Glasgow kin, identified as Covenanters, opposed Charles's impositions on the church, seeking refuge from persecution in Ireland, Edinburgh, and the American Plantations.
An intriguing note surfaces from MacClean (p.229) regarding a John Glasgow born circa 1640, from Cavers, Merse & Teviotdale, who was among the 50 survivors of the Moul Head wreck. However, this John Glasgow, potentially banished to America post the 1679 incident, diverges from the John Glasgow appointed as minister at Kilbirnie on 16th April 1694, as documented in session xiii, General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The oath of loyalty from 1712 casts a shadow on any Covenanter affiliation, painting a complex tapestry of historical and familial narratives across the Glasgow lineage, each thread weaving through the social, religious, and political fabric of Kilwinning and Kilbirnie.
In 1653, John Glasgow, bearing the title of Provost of Irvine#Kilbirnie, sired a lineage of notable descendants like Rev. John Glasgow (1653-1721) & Jeane Cunynghame. The annals of 1674 recorded Joannes Glasgouensis, with Rev. John Glasgow reprising his ministerial role in Kilbirnie from 1688 to 1721.
The narrative of the Glasgows continued into the 18th century with Sir Robert Glasgow of Mountgreenan (1747-1827) and his spouse Rachel Dunlop. Their estate, passed down through generations, symbolized the family's enduring legacy. Dr. Robert Glasgow, a notable physician, served as a Chamberlain to the Viscount of Garnock and as a surgeon in Kilbirnie, further cementing the Glasgow family’s significant imprint on the historical and societal tapestry of the area.
The Glasgow family memorials at Kilwinning Abbey bear testament to their historical connection to the area. For instance, a memorial dedicated to Louisa Grace, the wife of Robert Glasgow of Montgreenan, is present at Kilwinning Abbey, underscoring a familial linkage that spanned centuries. The Abbey's history reflects a rich and tumultuous narrative, with its fortunes closely interlinked with the local aristocracy and religious transformations over the centuries. During the Reformation, Kilwinning Abbey, like many religious establishments of the time, faced destructive forces which led to its ruin, although parts of it were repurposed for local constructions including a new parish church on the grounds.
The period of the Reformation and thereafter saw a shift in religious and socio-political dynamics within Kilwinning and broader Scotland. This period also witnessed the intertwining of the Glasgow family with other influential families, such as the Cunynghame family, and their active participation in significant historical events like the National Covenant in 1638 and the Bishops' Wars.
The entry from Volume 53 of the register of marriages for the parish of Edinburgh documents a marriage that took place on 12 June 1763. According to the record, a merchant named John from Old Grayfriar's parish married Miss Jean. Miss Jean is identified as the daughter of the late Mr. John Glasgow, who previously served as the minister of Kilbirnie. At the time when this marriage record was documented, it is noted that Jean or her family was associated with West Kirk parish, suggesting a possible relocation or change in parish affiliation for Jean or her family from Kilbirnie to West Kirk.[1]
toSort
Areas
- Kilbirnie
- Kilwinning
- Irvine
- Stevenson
Abbot Records
Kilwinning Abbey
- HEW 24-05-1676 HEW GLASGOW/MARGARET LACHLAND FR34 (FR34) Kilwinning 599/ M
- ROBERT 01-12-1678 HEW GLASGOW/ Kilwinning 599/ M
- JON 06-07-1679 JON GLASGOW/BARBARA ALASON FR44 (FR44) Kilwinning 599/ M
- AGNES 21-09-1679 GORGE GLASGOW/JEAN GARDINER FR45 (FR45) Kilwinning 599/ F
- JOHN 16-09-1683 GORG GLASGOW/JEAN GARDINER FR57 (FR57) Kilwinning 599/ M
- JON 16-09-1683 GORGE GLASGOW/JONET YOUNG FR57 (FR57) Kilwinning 599/ M
- GEORGE 20-11-1687 JOHN GLASGOW/AGNES SPARK FR66 (FR66) Kilwinning 599/ M
- MARGARET 03-06-1688 JOHN GLASGOW/BESSIE SMITH FR70 (FR70) Kilwinning 599/ F
- MARIE 29-07-1688 GEORGE GLASGOW/JANNET WILLIE FR71 (FR71) Kilwinning 599/ F
- MARGARET 23-09-1688 GEORGE GLASGOW/FANNE SMITH FR72 (FR72) Kilwinning 599/ F
- JANNET 01-02-1689 JOHN GLASGOW/ ALLASON FR75 (FR75) Kilwinning 599/ F
- JAMES 14-07-1689 JAMES GLASGOW/MARGATE PARK FR78 (FR78) Kilwinning 599/ M
- George Glasgow (1622-)
Kilbirnie
- JOHN 09-12-1690 JOHN GLASGOW/JEANE CUNYINGHAME FR18 (FR18) Kilbirnie 596/ M
- ELIZABETH 17-04-1692 JOHN GLASGOW/JEANE CUNYNGHAME FR20 (FR20) Kilbirnie 596/ F
- MARGARET 17-04-1692 JOHN GLASGOW/JEANE CUNYNGHAME FR20 (FR20) Kilbirnie 596/ F
- ROBERT 17-10-1693 JOHN GLASGOW/JEANE CUNYNGHAME FR22 (FR22) Kilbirnie 596/ M
- ALEXANDER 15-07-1695 JOHN GLASGOW/JEANE CUNYNGHAME FR23 (FR23) Kilbirnie 596/ M
- JEANE 16-04-1697 JOHN GLASGOW/JEANE CUNYNGHAME FR24 (FR24) Kilbirnie 596/ F
- JAMES 17-03-1700 JOHN GLASGOW/MARGARET SCOT FR27 (FR27) Kilbirnie 596/ M
Kelso
Kilwaughter
Kilwinning Abbey and Its Significance
Sometime in the 12th century, the construction of Kilwinning Abbey was commissioned by the Anglo-Norman de Morville family. Unfortunately, the abbey's charter or cartulary has been lost, leaving the exact date uncertain. Some historians suggest it was as early as 1140, while others propose 1191. Even the identity of the original founder is disputed, with historians debating whether it was Hugh or Richard de Morville, Lord of Cunningham.
The Abbot of Kilwinning—later known as the Commendator of Kilwinning—served as the head of the Tironensian monastic community and oversaw the lands of Kilwinning Abbey in Cunningham, now part of North Ayrshire.
Founded in the 12th century, Kilwinning Abbey became a major religious center in western Scotland. As a Tironensian monastery, it had close ties to both the Glasgow diocese and the Tironensian order originating from France. Similarly, Kelso Abbey, established in 1128, was another Tironensian institution that significantly influenced the religious life of the Scottish Borders. The frequent association of the Glasgow surname with Kilwinning and Kelso suggests a strong connection between the family and these important Tironensian establishments.
Among the approximately 50 religious houses in Scotland, Kilwinning Abbey is one of the most poorly documented. Its cartulary (original charter) has not survived in any form, and historians speculate that any existing records might be located in the Sorbonne or the Scots College at Douai.
I have searched the book *The Abbey of Kilwinning* for references to Glasgow and found the following: "A telling instance of how unsettled these times were, though there may be some degree of exaggeration, is a letter of 1329 from Pope John XXII to the Apostolic See in Scotland, 'bearing that Robert, Bishop of Glasgow, considering the state of the monastery of St. Mary and St. Wynnin of Kilwinning, on account of losses by frequent inroads of enemies, and that the churches of the monastery were destroyed and their possessions and rents diminished, the abbot and convent reduced to such a state of want and poverty that they had not sufficient rents to maintain them in a suitable manner: And the said Bishop taking compassion on their case granted them forever the vicarages of Kilmarnock and Beith, gifting them to the said abbot and convent, for their maintenance and that of the poor living there.'" These appeals were part of a series of communications with the Popes, then residing in Avignon, France, from 1309 to 1377, effectively confirming that the Papacy approved of what was being done.
The Earls of Glencairn, heads of the Cunninghame family, had a well-documented, long-standing feud with the Earls of Eglinton (Montgomeries).
The Glasgow surname continued to thrive in both Kilwinning and Kelso. For more details, refer to the The Cunninghame Alliance section.
Kilwinning Abbey and Kelso Abbey are underscored as significant in the Glasgow surname's history. John de Glasgu (1258 x 1258) is believed to have hailed from Kelso, and the Glasgow family remained notable figures in Kilwinning until the late 18th century. The Glasgow family memorials are among the few remnants still intact at the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey.
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