SYNOD OF DUMFRIES p. 567

The Records begin 14th April 1691, and are contained in Seven Volumes.

PRESBYTERY OF DUMFRIES.

Proposed to be erected by the General Assembly April 1581, and was in existence 21st Aug. 1593-8th July 1595; but it is recorded there was no Presb. in Nithsdale 20th and 27th May 1601. The Register begins 5th April 1647, and is contained in twenty-two volumes, there being a chasm, during the establishment of Episcopacy from 6th Aug. 1661 to 9th Nov. 1687.

DUMFRIES.

The Church was dedicated to St Michael, and previous to the Reformation belonged to the Abbey of Kelso.

1567. NINIAN DALZELL, having a stipend of xl. R. He removed to Caerlaverock before 1574.-[Reg. Min.]

1574. PETER WATSOUN, trans. from Markinch; Terreglis, Troqueir, and Newabbey being also in the charge, with j° li. of stipend. He was a member of several Assemblies, and appointed by that of March 1574 commissioner for visiting Nithsdale and Annandale. This appointment was several years renewed. In Aug. 1575 he complained that the Town on Zule last, “seeing neither he nor the Reader would read nor use doctrine, brought a Reader ôf their own, with tabron and whissle, and caused him read the prayers, which exercise they used all the days of Zule." Having disobeyed the Acts " prohibiting privat celebration of marriage, by marrying the laird of Garlies in a privat house," he was ordained by the Assembly, Oct. 1577, "to pass to the parish kirk of Disdeir, where the said parties should have been married, and upon a Sunday, in presence of the congregation, confess his offence in transgressing of the said Act, which he shall read in presence of the people, and to report a testimonial to the next Assemblie of the performance of this ordinance;" trans. to Flisk about 1580.-[Reg. Assig., Wodrow Miscell., Booke of the Kirk, Calderwood's Hist.]