Thomas Burns, Nephew of Scotland's Bard, Rabbie Burns!

[jaybelnz]

This is not my relative, but I thought may be useful for anybody researching Thomas Burns, or Robert Burns the Poet!  An interesting part of Otago's history!


http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1b52/burns-thomas

Cheers
Jeanne! 😄

[spades]

Not mentioned in the Rev. BURNS's biography is the fact that his Visitation Book, covering the years 1848-1858 and listing his visits to his parishioners, is held at Dunedin's Toitū Early Settlers Museum.

As their website makes clear, this indexed resource is the closest thing to a census of the population of greater Dunedin through the first decade of organised European settlement.

http://www.dunedinfamilyhistory.co.nz/toitu-otago-settlers-museum/

Spades

[Janette]

His entry on the Presbyterian website

http://www.archives.presbyterian.org.nz/Page152.htm

Cheers Janette

[spades]

In case anyone is interested in the type of entries made in the Visitation Book, here are the entries for the family of James and Jean (nee CUTHBERTSON) CALLANDER, who were fellow passengers with Rev. Burns on the Philip Laing in 1847.

Visitation Diary of Rev. Thomas BURNS.

P2 Barracks No.2 Sept 1848 13 families.
b. Jas CALLANDER com. Jean CUTHBERTSON wife com. Jas 15 at service with DUTHY, Jno 12, Alex 9, Rebecca 3.  4 ch.

P22 1849 10 Dec McLagan St.
31. Jas CALLANDER com. Jean CUTHBERTSON, not com. Jas 16 at Saddle Hill, Brickwork. Jno 13, Alex 11, Rebekah 4, Adam 1  5 ch.

P47 1850 Rattray St Town District 26th Dec.
31. Jas CALLANDER com. Jean not,. Alex 12, Rebekah 5, Adam 2    3ch

P83 1851 Town District No 2 Rattray St McLagan St.
37. Jas CALLANDER com. Jean CUTHBERTSON not h.w. Alex 13, Rebekah 6, Adam 3, Jean inft    4 ch

P106 1851 Tokomariro 24th Dec.
9. CHALMERS 2 brothers, son of Jas CALLANDER

P120 1852 Town District No 2 Rattray St McLagan St 15th Dec.
33. Jas CALLANDER com. Jean CUTHBERTSON not h.w. Jas 19 at Mr. Arwch ANDERSON, sheep station at Clutha, Jno 16 with Wm JAFFRAY, Saddlehill, Alex 14, Rebekah 7 Adam 4 Jean 1     6 ch.

P167 1854 Nov 13 Town No 2 Rattray St McLagan St.
21 Jas CALLANDER com. Jean CUTHBERTSON not h.w. {Jas 21, Jno 18 at Clutha} Alex 16, Rebekah 9, Adam 6, Jean 3, Geo inft   5 ch

P190 1855 Town No 2 Rattray St McLagan St.
26. Jas CALLANDER com. Jean CUTHBERTSON not h.w. {Jas 22, Jno 19 at Clutha}, Alex 17, Rebekah 10 dying, Adam 7, Jean 4, Geo 1.    5 ch.

I don't know what 'com' means, possibly, 'communion', nor the meaning of 'not h.w.', although it has been suggested to me that the latter might mean, 'not home with', e.g. she wasn't present during Rev. Burns's visits.

If anyone can elucidate I'd be very grateful.

Spades

[jaybelnz]

What a great resource!  So wish he'd been there between 1861 and 1872 for my Wiiliam McA 

Wonder who took over from Rev. Burns!! LOL

Actually Spades,  I think your communion theory seems very logical!

Jeanne😄

[SignalHill]

Hi Spades,

I am sure "com." does mean "served with Communion elements" 
The Presbyterian Church kept fairly rigorous Rolls of Members who received the prescribed Quarterly Communion - which was probably the main way members would be judged to be in good standing.  Members in good standing have the right to receive the Churches Sacraments and services from the Ordained Minister and Elders.   As well as receiving Communion, members would be entitled to have their children baptised and be married and have Funeral Services conducted by the Minister.

Almost certainly "h.w." and "not h.w." refers to being present during the visit.   The visitation book would be reviewed by the Session (Committee of Ordained Elders) who with the Minister were responsible for the pastoral and spiritual oversight of the whole Church Congregation in the Parish.   The Visitation Book is therefore in modern terms the proof of the minister doing that part of his job which was not visible in Public Worship Services.   There was also an obligation on Elders to visit Members families in their "district" usually at least quarterly as well as the visiting done by the Minister.

The Saddlehill Brickworks may have been the same Brickworks in more recent times on the north side of Fairfield (northern slopes of Saddle Hill) where there was a good supply of coal and clay.

Signal