PRESBYTERY OF LOCHMABEN p. 654

before the Privy Council for a similar offence 11th Aug. 1677.-[Mun. Univ. Glasg. iii., Wodrow's Hist.]

1664. ROBERT MERCHISTONE, A.M., son of Mr David M., min. of Ormiston, graduated at the Univ. of Edinburgh 30th June 1658, licen. by George, Bishop of Edinburgh 13th Feb. 1663; deprived in 1681, for refusing to take the Test. He petitioned the Gen. Assembly to be received into communion, and died 5th Nov. 1697, aged about 60. He marr. 24th Feb. 16 64 Marion daugh. of Mr William Trent, one of the min. of Haddington, she died in May 1694, and had a daugh. Agnes who marr. Mr James Chalmers, min. of Elie, (from whom descended the Rev. Dr Tho. Chalmers, and the Rev. J. A. Honey, min. of Inchture).-[Edin. Grad., Reg. Collat., and Gen. Ass. 1690, Hist. Gen. Ass. 1690, Elie Sess., Haddingt. (Marr.), and Edin. Reg. (Bur.), Hanna's Life of Chalmers, &c.]

1682. ARCHIBALD FERGUSSONE, A.M., trans. from Johnston, ousted by a rabble of men and women in 1689, who attacked him in the manse, beat him on the head and legs, and tore off his clothes in the presence of his wife, who was far gone in pregnancy.-[MS. Account of Min. 1689, Rule's Sec. Vindication.]

1692. THOMAS GOLDIE, A.M., son of John G. schoolmaster of Moffat, was laureated at the Univ. of Edinburgh 24th June 1680, appointed doctor in the High School there by the Town Council 24th June 1681, ord. 8th Dec. 1692; died in April 1734, aged about 72, in 42d min. He left two daugh. Janet and Jean.--[Reg. Laur. Univ. Edin., Edin. Counc., Presb., Sess., Syn., and Test. Reg. (Dumf ), New St. Acc. iv.]

1736. WILLIAM SCOTT, tutor in the family of Sir William Johnston, pres. by George, Marquis of Annandale, in Sept. 1734, ord. 5th Aug. 1736 ; died 29th Aug. 1786, in his 87th year, and 51st min. He marr. 29th March 1753 Grizel Gullan, and had a son who succeeded to the benefice.-[Presb., and Syn. Reg., Tombst., New St. Acc. iv., &c.]

1787. GABRIEL SCOTT, A. M., son of the preceding, took his degree at the Univ. of Edinburgh 1st Nov. 1777, was licen. by the Presb. there 25th June 1783, pres. by the Curator for George, Marquis of Annandale, 4th Dec. 1786, and ord. 26th April following; died 24th Feb. 1799, in 40th age and 12th min.-Publication-Account of the Parish (Sinclair's St. Acc. iv.).[Edin. Grad, Presb., and Syn. Reg., Tombst., New St. Acc. iv.]

1799. WILLIAM SINGER, trans. from Wamphray, pres. by James, Earl of Hopetoun, 27th March, and adm. 25th July; had D.D. from the Univ. of Edinburgh 19th Sept. 1808. Taking a considerable share in the management of Church business, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly 20th May 1830. Shortly before his death he wrote to his old school companion and friend, the Rev. John Cruickshank, Glass, the senior member and leader of the Presb. of Strathbogie, urging submission by him and the other six brethren to the sentence of Suspension by the Commission; but as Mr C. considered himself and his brethren cruelly, unwarrantably, and harshly treated, he refused to listen to the well intended advice of his friend, as unworthy of consideration, and irreconcilable with that respect to which they were entitled in the difficult position in which they found themselves placed. He died 27th Oct. 1840, in his 76th year, and 47th min. In the time of sickness and bereavement, he was ever attentive in supplying the consolations of the Gospel, and was besides singularly useful in the district from his knowledge of the law, being often employed as an arbitrator, and so instrumental in