On Sunday September 2 we drove to the twin communities of Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm to have lunch and to attend a church service at the Kirk in Kirk Yetholm. Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm are separated by the Bowmont Water, which flows out of the Cheviots. Yetholm is on the border between Scotland and England and it is therefore fitting that it's name is derived from the old Scots word 'yett' meaning a gate, and 'holm' or 'ham'; the Anglo-Saxon word for a settlement. Yetholm is probably best known today as the northern terminus for the Pennine Way walk. It is also on St. Cuthbert's Way, which is on the route between Melrose, the location of St. Cuthbert's early monastic life, to Lindisfarne (Holy Island), the area of St. Cuthbert's later ministry and death. Yetholm was once also the center of Gypsy culture in the Borders. A memorial has been erected in their honor on the green in Kirk Yetholm.
After strolling around Town Yetholm for a while in the late morning many reunion attendees congregated in Wauchope Hall (until 1914 the United Presbyterian Church) for a box lunch and to view displays on the history of Yetholm that had been set up for us to view. After a leisurely lunch and discussions with local people about their communities history it was time to head across the bridge to the service in Kirk Yetholm.
The established Church of Scotland church in Kirk Yetholm is an impressive building of black basalt construction, which replaced an old thatched roof church on the same site in 1836, just prior to the settlers departing in 1837. The original church dating from the 12th century was a low building with a roof thatched with reeds and a floor below ground level. Many Harvey settler descendants have many ancestors who worshipped on this site. Specific close familial connections to the church that stood on this site include:
Thomas Herbert, grandfather of Thomas Herbert who migrated aboard the Cornelius to found Harvey Settlement in 1837, married Christian Crozer here in 1758.
George Cleghorn Sr., father of George Cleghorn who emigrated to Harvey Settlement in 1853, married Jane Dickson here on 27 Feb 1803.
We unfortunately could not see the present church in all its glory as it was undergoing renovation, to 'ensure that the building can last a few more generations' and thus covered with scaffolding when we visited. However, even through the scaffolding we could see that the Kirk was an impressive edifice.
Although our ancestors left soon after the new church was consecrated there is a familial connection to the present church. On page 212 of the 2006 book 'Bygone Yetholm: Portrait of a Border Village (ISBN 0--9554149-0-3 and ISBN 978-0-9554149-0-9' published by the Yetholm History Society, which many reunion attendees purchased there is a reference to the construction of the church:
'Built of local whinstone quarried from 'Staerough', the hill behind
the village, the stones all hand cut and built by Mr (Andrew) Herbert the
local mason and builder at the time. He also built the bridge over the Bowmont between the villages.'
The bridge has been said to be a testament of Andrew Herbert's skill as it survived the devastating floods of 1948, which washed away many other bridges in the area. Andrew Herbert (1803-), a cousin of the Thomas Herbert who emigrated with the rest of the Cornelius party in 1837.
More detailed information on the churches that have stood on this site may be found at:
http://www.yetholm.bordernet.co.uk/history/church.html
The service began with a very nice piano introit by Yoshi Nowlin. After a warm welcome by the local Anglican Priest, the Reverand Ian Clark, who was standing in for the ailing Church of Scotland minister, the Rev. Robin McHaffie, the service was taken over by settler descendant the Rev. Barney Robison and assisted by settler descendant Rev. Bradley Little. It was a moving experience for many to worship on the site where many of our ancestors worshipped so long ago. Several psalms were sung that would have been familiar to the first settlers, although as Presbyterians they would not have been accustomed to musical accompaniment. Several Harvey settler descendents participated in the 'pick-up' choir ably directed by Colleen Whelan. Choir members included Brad Little, Megan Nowlin, Tim Patterson, Nancy Robison, Wendy Robison and Tom Smith.
Title of Barney Robison's Sermon: "He Sought a Country"
Passage: Hebrews 11:8-16
Key Verse: Hebrews 11:14
Summary: Barney's message compared the Harvey Settlers with the patriarch, Abraham, both of whom left their place of birth and traveled to an unknown land. The Harvey Settlers trusted in the Land Company, Abraham in God. The Bible said that Abraham desired a heavenly home whose builder and maker is God. As pilgrims like Abraham we all desire a heavenly home when our earthly pilgrimage is over. Abraham died in faith and was not disappointed. Similarly those who die in Christ will not be disappointed.
Ewen Herbert through Ian Herbert has reported that the text that Barney chose was by coincidence the same as that delivered at Otterburn Chapel on the death of Barney's 4th great grandfather Robert Herbert in 1846:
'The Christian Pilgrim' A Sermon preached in Otterburn Chapel, after
the death of an Elder, by the Rev. Anthony L. Christie, Otterburn.
This sermon was also based on Hebrews chapter 11 verses 13 & 16 although to get the full meaning of the text one should read the whole of chapter 11.
Following the service some people tarried a while and chatted outside the church prior to heading back to Ford Castle.
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| Regional map showing position of Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm at the northwestern edge of Norhumberland Nationat Partk in the Cheviot Hills. Relative position of many communities where Harvey Settlers once lived are also featured. Source: Google Maps, 20 Jan 2008. |
Regional satellite image showing position of Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm at the northwestern edge of Norhumberland Nationat Partk in the Cheviot Hills. Relative position of many communities where Harvey Settlers once lived are also featured. Source: Google Maps, 20 Jan 2008. |
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Street maps of Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm, separated by Bowmont Water. Source: Google Maps, 20 Jan 2008.
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| Harvey reunionists gather in Wauchope Hall, Town Yetholm for lunch, Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
Harvey reunionists gather in Wauchope Hall, Town Yetholm for lunch, Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
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| Helen Roe and Anne Robison ponder thier lunch while Dave Robison confers with Bob Wilson. Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
A quaint whitewashed cottage complete with thatched roof in Kirk Yetholm. Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
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| Kirk Yetholm Parish Church (Church of Scotland). This magnificent church is built of an unusual black granite. The church was built in 1837, replacing an old thatched church. Thomas Herbert, grandfather of Thomas (1796), married Christian Crozer in the old church that stood on this site in 1758. This older image is included here so that the church cold be seen without the scaffolding that was in place around the steeple when the reunion service was held. Source: IanHerbert, June, 2003. |
A plaque just inside the entry to Kirk Yetholm Parish Church (Church of Scotland) listing all 20 ministers who have served here since 1578, following the reformation. Since a church has stood on this site since the 12th century the list of all ministers and priests would be very long indeed. Source: Tim Patterson, 26 Aug 2007. |
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| The Rev. Ian Clark, a Church of England priest from the local parish stood in for the ailing Robin McHaffie to welcome the Harvey Settler Descendants to this special church service. Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
Yoshi Nowlln listens attentatively while the Rev. Ian Clark welcomes the Harvey Settler Descendants to this special church service. Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Aug 2007. |
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| The Reverend Barney Robison, a Harvey settler descendant delivers the sermon at the special service at Kirk Yetholm Church. Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
The Reverend Brad Little, a Harvey settler descendant leads the congregation in benediction at the special service at Kirk Yetholm Church. Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
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Several Harvey settler descendents made up the choir under the direction of Colleen Whelan at the special service at Kirk Yethom Church. Choir members included: back row L-R Brad Little, Tom Smith, Tim Patterson. Front row L-R Wendy Robison, Nancy Robison, Megan Nowlin, Colleen Whelan. Click on the icon or text above to see a 13 second clip from their rendition of Amazing Grace. Source of image and video clip: Helen Roe, 2 Sep 2007. |
Another view of the choir, featuring a particularly expressive Tom Smith singing Amazing Grace at the special service at Kirk Yetholm.
Source: Lynn Lewis, 2 Sep 2007.
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| Tim Patterson poses in front of Kirk Yetholm Parish Church at the conclusion of the special settler reunion church service. Scaffolding is in place as the church was undergoing renovation. Source: Helen Roe, 2. Sep 2007. |
Harvey settler descendants mingle at the conclusion of the special service at the Kirk Yetholm Parish Church. Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
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| View of a portion of the church yard at Kirk Yetholm Parish Church. As this church and its predessor have stood here for over 900 years this site contains thousands of burials. Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
View of the Harvey settler descendants mingling at the conclusion of the special service at the Kirk Yetholm Parish Church. View from the church yard. Source: Tim Patterson, 2 Sep 2007. |
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History
