Reverend Hugh Doig, Son of Christopher and Christiana Doig. Born in Liverpool on 10th July 1848. Educated at a private school near Parkgate, entered St. Aiden’s College, 1871. He was made Deacon in Dec., 1873, and ordained Priest in Dec., 1874, by Charles Baring, Bishop of Durham. Esh, Co. Durham, was his first Curacy; then St. George’s, Bolton-le-moors, from 1873-1876. Curate in at Eccleston, 1876 to 1883; also for a short time at Royton. Presented to the living of Saddleworth by Bishop Fraser, and instituted in July, 1883. (Parish Registers 1891 Radcliffe pp545).

Incumbent 1883 until 1911. A commemorative plaque can be found inside church, indicating that he died 27th March 1918.

From the Electoral Lists for 1899, the record highlights the ever changing boundary of governance for Saddleworth. A snippet below, references the Township of Saddleworth describing the boundary line in detail, a line commencing at the junction of Colt Hill Lane with Dry Clough Lane, thence along Dry Clough Lane to Ladcastle Lane …

Rev Doig and his family lived at the Vicarage, they are said to have been the last Clergy to do so, (This property is now designated the Old Vicarage)

The 1891 Census, just says Vicarage, Uppermill of Saddleworth. Aged 42, born (?) Liverpool. His Wife Sarah A, also aged 42 born Leigh. Their children, Florence 15, Ada B 8, Jessie N 6, Ellis G S 4, Ernest J 2, Hugh N 1.

As hinted in other stories, the separation of Township and Church, numerous attempts were made prior to Rev. Doig incumbency, it would be 25th March 1889 that there was consensus to change. An extract from History of the Chapelry and Church of Saddleworth and the Township of Quick (1915) pp 147 – 150 provides a little more information of the ongoing and lengthy saga.

Margaret Kay has kindly submitted a newspaper clipping titled Vicar Comes ‘Home’ To Be Buried. The article, identifies Rev Hugh Norman Doig, as the last person to be born in Saddleworth Church Vicarage, coming home to the Church on the Hill. He died at the age of 67 as Rector of Brington with Molesworth and Weston, Huntingdonshire, and Rural Dean of Kimbolton. He was the youngest son of the Rev. Huh Doig, the second son to enter into dedication of the Church. The service was conducted by his brother Rev. Ernest T Doig of Cambridge, former vicar of Bradshaw, near Halifax. (coincidentally the area in which I lived as a child).

He was buried in the New Yard, in a new grave. Along with his wife Nora Grace, and son David Hugh.