Queensberry Estate Resources to Download

A large part of north-west Dumfriesshire has been owned by the Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry for hundreds of years. Many of those interested in family history will have had ancestors who were farm tenants on the 90,000 acre Queensberry estate. I have transcribed a number of annual 18th century Queensberry estate rentals which are held in the Duke’s private collection at Drumlanrig Castle. These show many farm tenants in the parishes of Closeburn, Durisdeer, Keir, Kirkconnel, Morton, Penpont, Sanquhar and Tynron and indeed most of the population of Thornhill. Hopefully, they may help you in your family search. Some of these resources are available free of charge. There is a small Paypal charge for others. Here is a list of the farms covered as per the 1794-1795 rental roll.

Downloads

Nithsdale Hearth Tax Lists 1690-1692 List of householders for all Nithsdale parishes in 1690-1692. Excludes those deemed to be poor. Includes parishes of Closeburn, Dunscore, Durisdeer, Glencairn, Holywood, Keir, Kirkmahoe, Morton, Penpont, Sanquhar & Kirkconnel and Tynron.


Barony of Drumlanrig Rental 1818 Includes around 200 farm tenants across the parishes of Durisdeer, Morton, Closeburn, Penpont, Tynron, Keir & Dunscore


Barony of Drumlanrig Rental 1794-1795 Includes hundreds of tenants across the parishes of Closeburn, Durisdeer, Keir, Morton, Penpont and Tynron and all the householders in the village of Thornhill.


Barony of Drumlanrig Rental 1769-1770 Includes hundreds of tenants across the parishes of Closeburn, Durisdeer, Keir, Morton, Penpont and Tynron and all the householders in the village of Thornhill.


Barony of Drumlanrig Rental 1763-1764 Includes hundreds of tenants across the parishes of Closeburn, Durisdeer, Keir, Morton, Penpont and Tynron and all the householders in the village of Thornhill.


Barony of Drumlanrig Rental 1710 Includes hundreds of tenants across the parishes of Closeburn, Durisdeer, Morton, Penpont, Tynron and the ancient parish of Kirkbryde (now Durisdeer). This rental precedes the establishment of the village of Thornhill.


Barony of Sanquhar Rental 1794-1795 Includes all Buccleuch tenants in the parishes of Sanquhar and Kirkconnell.


Barony of Sanquhar Rental 1818 Includes all Buccleuch tenants in the parishes of Sanquhar and Kirkconnell.


Here’s a list of the surnames of some of the tenants as recorded in the estate records of 1794-1795):

Barker, Black, Boyes, Brown, Corson, Dalgliesh, Dalyell, Edgar, Forsyth, Gall, Gracie, Haining, Hairstains, Harper, Hislop, Howatson, Hunter, Jardine, Kellock, Kennedy, Ker, Kirkpatrick, Laidlaw, Lorimer, McCaig, McMorine, Milligan, Nivens, Shankieland, Shaw, Stodart, Thomson, Wallace, Whigham, Wilson, Yorston.