RENTON P. 431

1694. JOHN DYSART, A.M., trans. from Langton, elected by the Presb Jure devoluto 1st May, and adm. 24th July. The great body of the parishioners being of the Episcopal persuasion it was found necessary to call a military force to prevent a riot at the settlement, and such was his dread of opposition that, for a time, he was obliged to carry pistols with him to the pulpit, which he laid down openly on each side of him. He died in 1732, aged about 72, in 46th min., leaving ij^c li to the poor of the parish. He was a man of bold and determined character, ever ready to defend the Presbyterian cause, and zealous in maintaining what he considered the interests of the Church. He marr. 1st, 31st Dec. 1703 Elizabeth Bishop, and had two sons, and a daugh. Elizabeth who marr. his successor; 2dly, Mary Sandilands, Lady Culdares, and had a son Matthew, min. of Eccles. Mrs. D. gave to the Kirk Session 7th April 1726 a silver cup and a pewter bason.-[Presb., Edin., (Marr.), and Sess. Reg., Boston's Mem., Carr's Hist.; Murray's Biog. Ann.]

1725. ROBERT BRYDONE, A.M., was laureated at the Univ. of Edinburgh 21st April 1709, and licen. by the Presb. there 3d June 1719, was elected by the Town Council of that city as conjunct preacher at Skinner's Hall (chapel of ease) in Dec. following, called to this par. 15th Sept. 1724, pres. by George I. in April, and ord. (colleague and suc.) 6th May 1725; died 17th March 1761, in his 75th year, and 36th min. He marr. Elizabeth Dysart, daugh. of his predecessor; she died 20th May 1764, and had seven children, of whom Patrick, author of a Tour through Sicily and Malta, was the most distinguished, and was father of Mary, Countess of Minto.-[Reg. Laur. Univ. Edin., Presb., and Edin. Presb. Reg., Tombst., Carr's Hist,., Murray's Biog. Ann.]

1761. JOHN JOLLY, trans. from Simprim, pres. by George III. in June, and adm. 17th Sept.; died 9th Nov. 1792, in 61st age, and 36th min. Alter the death of his first wife, he marr. 18th Sept. 1787, Elizabeth Paxton, who died at Lochcarron 18th Dec. 1829, aged 73. [Presb. Reg., Tombst., &c.]

1793. JAMES LANDELL, licen. by the Northumberland Class in 1781, and ord. by them 8th March 1787 as min. to the Presbyterian congregation at Widdrington, pres. to this par. by in April and adm. 13th Aug. 1793; killed by his horse 18th April 1827, in his 71st year, and 41st min. He marr. Janet Herriot, who died 15th Aug. 1840, and had William, supervisor of Excise, George Richardson, lieutenant of Marines, James, lieutenant in the 60th foot, and others.-(Presb. Reg., Tombst., &c.1

1827. JAMES HOME ROBERTSON, licen. by the Presb. l0th Aug. 1824, pres. by George IV 28th May, and ord. 20th Sept. 1827; died 6th July 1847, in 20th min. He marr. 17th Feb 1829, Jane, eldest daughter of John Dickson, Esq. of Peelwalls,; she died 20th Dec., 1843 aged 38.-Publication-Account of the Parish (New St. Acc. ii.).- [Presb. Reg., &c.]

RENTON.

Erected into a Chapel-of-Ease by the Presbytery 14th, and opened 26th Jan. 1794.

1794. JOSEPH BETHUNE, licen. by the Presb. of Edinburgh 25th Aug. 1790, became tutor and chaplain in the family of Sir John Stirling of Glorat, Bart., called 6th Feb., and ord 11th Sept. 1794; , demitted, with a view of going as a missionary to Jamaica, under the