PRESBYTERY OF SELKIRK p. 558

10th May, and adm. 15th Aug.; died 24th July 1803, in his 90th year and 48th min. He marr. 28th Oct. 1755 a lady who died 6th Jan. 1802. Publication-Account of the Parish (Sinclair's St. Acc. iii.)-[Presb. Reg., Tombst., &c]

1804. JOHN HAINING, trans. from Dunsyre, pres. by Sir Alex. Don, of Newton, Bart., 9th Dec. 1803, and adm. 16th Aug. thereafter; died 26th April 1809, in 10th min. He marr. 2nd Oct. 1810 Wilhelmina Wilson, who died 12th Jan. 1841.-[Presb. Reg., &c.]

1810. JOHN THOMSON, licen. by the Presb. of Dalkeith 2nd July 1799, pres. by Sir Alex. Don, of Newton, Bart., 20th Sept. 1809, and ord. 19th July following; elected joint Presb. Clerk l0th May 1831, and also afterwards Synod Clerk; and died 6th June 1865, in his 90th year and 55th min. He marr. 22nd Feb. 1816 Helen eldest daugh. of the Rev. Dr. Douglas, Galashiels, and had Robert Douglas T., wine merchant, Edinburgh, and two daugh. Beatrix and Barbara. Publication-Account of the Parish (New St. Acc. iii.)- [Presb. Reg., &c.]

MELROSE.

The church was dedicated to St. Mary, and previous to the Reformation belonged to the Abbey of Melrose. It was supplied by THOMAS HALYWELL, reader, from 1574 to 1586.

1562. JAMES PONT, or KYNPONT, younger son of John P. of Shyres-mill, studied at St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews, from 1550 to 1554, appointed by the Gen. Assembly 2nd July 1562 to minister the Word and Sacraments till next Assembly, when he was appointed 30th Dec. same year min. for Lord Erskine, afterwards Earl of Mar and Regent. The brethren appointed by the Assembly Oct. 1581 in establishing Presbyteries were appointed to take his advice, with others, in establishing those connected with the Diocese of Dunblane. On 26th June 1595 the Assembly nominated him, with others, "to sitt in Striveling, and call before them the brethren that has delapidat thair benefices within the bounds of Strivelingshyre, Stratherne, Cliddisdaill, Dumbartane, Ranfrew, Lennox, Kyle, Carrick, Cunighame, Galloway, and Nithesdaill." He held the office of Commissary of Dunblane 11th July 1598 to 2nd July 1602, dying in the latter month, and leaving Abigail Strang, widow. His brother Mr Robert Pont, min. of St. Cuthberts, was served heir 8th Sept. 1602.-[Wodrow's Biog. i., Booke of the Kirk, Calderwood, and Keith's Hist., Test. Reg. (Dunbl.), Inq. Ret. Gen. 113, Milne, and Bower's Descrip., Reg. of Deeds cix.]

1584. JOHN KNOX, A.M., trans. from Lauder; he declined subscribing the Articles written by Secretary Maitland in 1585, was a member of at least twelve out of the twenty-six Assemblies during his incumbency. He was Moderator of the Synod Oct. 1586, when they declared there was no diference in opinion amongst them regarding the policy of the Church. He was one of the commissioners named by the Privy Council 6th March 1589 for the preservation of true religion in the sheriffdom of Edinburgh. In 1596 be was one of the commissioners for the South appointed to meet daily with the Presb. of Edinburgh, and consult respecting the means necessary for opposing the measures of the excommunicated Popish Earls and their supporters. Because they feared his learning he was discharged from the Assembly 7th March 1597. In