RUTHERFORD, a hamlet, in the parish of Maxton,
district of Melrose, county of RoxbuRgH, li
mile (E. by N.) from the village of Maxton; containing
71 inhabitants. This, though now a small and unimportant
place, was anciently considerable, and had a
church and hospital. The patronage at one time belonged
to the Earls of Douglas, and was granted, previously
to the year 1483, to James Rutherford of that
ilk; but the church being afterwards suffered to go to
decay, the ])arish was united to that of Maxton, and the
advowson fell into oblivion. The hospital was dedicated
to St. Mary Magdalen, and was appropriated for the
reception of strangers and the maintenance of poor and
infirm [jcrsous. The family of Rutherford had the title
of baron from this place.