TWEEDSMUIR PARISH HISTORY.
Dr. William S. Crockett DD.
William Shillinglaw Crockett was born 24-06-1866 and died 25-06-1945. His wife Mary Ross died 05-01-1944. He was the Minister of Tweedsmuir Kirk from 1894 until his death in 1945.
Dr. Crocket wrote many pamphlets, articles etc on religious subjects. He also wrote several books mainly on the subject if Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford and the Border Country. List of these books below.
in 1912 he was the driving force into trying to conserve the railway built for the Talla dam construction to be retained as a public service. However his efforts were in vain and the trackway was lifted for scrap in 1912.
The impressive War Memorial in the foyer of the present Kirk was largely due to his efforts. The wood coming from an oak tree at Abbotsford. The memorial was inauguareted in 1920. He had died before the additions for WW2 were added. The craftmenship again of a very high standard.
He was the General Editor of Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae 1915-1928.
The Dr. oviously walked a lot in the Tweedsmuir area and we are indebted to him for noting the remains of the Fruid castle of the Frasers at the head of the Fruid valley and recording the fact. see page Fruid Castle site of.
He had also visited the source of the River Tweed and commented on this site quoting from Dr Rab Brown "great round-backed, kindly, solemn hills, and glistening like a bright eye among the surrounding greenery, Tweed first catches the light of day. A lonely Well - caller, clear inspiring - without shelter of wall or tree, open to the sun and all the winds, ever the same, self-contained, all-sufficient; needing no outward help from stream or shower, but fed from its own unseen, unfailing spring." (1).
There are two commemorative wall plaques in Tweedsmuir Kirk -
With Thanksgiving to God in Commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Ordination and Induction of the Reverend William S. Crocket D.D. as Minister of Tweedsmuir 31st July 1894 - 31st July 1944. A Token of Appreciation and Gratitude from his Friends.
With Thanksgiving to God. To the Dear memory of Mary Ross. For duration of Fifty years been helpful wife of the Reverend W.S. Crocket D.D. Minister of this Parish. Born October 4th 1866, Wedded Ostober 23rd 1894, Passed to Higher Service January 5th 1944. A Truly Great and Gracious Women.
List of books by Dr. Crockett.
Minsterly of the Merse 1893.
In Praise of Tweed 1899.
Biggar, Historical, Traditional and Descriptive 1900, (His father was born in Biggar)
The Scott Country 1902
Sir Walter Scott 1903
Abbotsford 1905
In the Border Country 1906
The Scott Originals 1910.
Footsteps of Scott.
Berwickshire and Roxburghshire 1926
References.
!) Crockett, William, S, Dr; The Scott Country, A&C Black, London, 1930, sixth edition p107.