CAVERS p. 489

CAVERS.

The church, previous to the Reformation, belonged to the Abbey of Melrose. It was supplied by WILLIAM SLEWMANAN, reader in 1574, by PATRICK DUNBAR from 1576 to 1578, and by WILLIAM SLOWEN 1579, and 1580.

1599. WILLIAM CLERK, A.M., was laureated at the Univ. of Edinburgh 10th Aug. 1595, pres. to the Vicarage by James VI. 8th June 1601, was a member of Assembly in 1602, and trans. to Wilton same year-[Reg. Laur. Univ. Edin., Assig., and Pres., Booke of the Kirk.]

1606. WALTER MAKGILL, A.M., attained his degree at the Univ. of St Andrews in 1593, having Kirktown also in charge, to the Parsonage and Vicarage of which he was pres. by James VI. 24th May 1606, and was coll. to the Parsonage thereof 5th Feb. following, pres. also to the Vicarage of Cavers by James VI. 8th May 1609. He gave xx li towards erecting the Library in the Univ. of Glasgow about 1636, was aged and infirm, and required a helper 15th June 1642, yet he preached at the Presbyterial visitation of his parish 30th July 1645, when it is stated in the margin of the Record (though in a more modern hand) he was aged one hundred and one years old. He died 10th March 1651, in his 107th year. (It is probable; however, his age did not exceed fourscore). Lilias Bartane, his relict, died in July 1671; Mr Walter M'Gill, min. of Wigton, was the nearest of kin.-[Act. Rect. Univ. St. And., Presb., and Test. Reg., Reg. Assig., Sec. Sigill, and Pres., Kirk Pap., Mun. Univ. Glasg. iii., Sinclair’s St. Acc. xv.]

1647. JAMES DOUGLAS, A.M., was laureated at the Univ. of St Andrews 11th May 1637, adm. (assist. and suc. 30th June 1647; continued 6th April 1658.-[Act. Rect. Univ. St And., Presb. Reg.]

1657. JAMES GILLON, A.M., obtained his degree at the Univ. of Edinburgh 15th July 1650; deprived by the Acts of Parliament 11th June, and of Privy Council 1st Oct. 1662. He retired to Edinburgh, and lived privately, till he went to Currie on account of his health, where he was seized by a party of military, and obliged to run to Edinburgh with them at midnight. Being next day taken before the Privy Council he was dismissed, but the harsh treatment he received occasioned his death in two days, 5th Aug. 1668, aged about 39. His Frie geir, dal., amounted to ij^m j^c lij li xiij s iiij d. His sister Elizabeth marr. William Forrest of Norserk. -[Reg. Laur. Univ. Edin., Presb., Test., and Edin. Reg. (Bur.), Kirkton, and Wodrow's Hist.]

1664. ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS, A.M., trans. from Douglas, inst. 22d June; trans. to Newton 6th Aug. 1673.-[New St. Acc. xi., Presb. Reg.]

1675. THOMAS SOMERVELL, A.M., son of James, second son of Sir James S., of Cambusnethan, studied at St Salvator's College, and acquired his degree at the Univ. of St Andrews 28th July 1666, pres. by Robert, Archbishop of Glasgow, jure devoluto, 15th May, and ord. after 17th Sept. 1674, inst. 18th Aug. 1675. It was reported to the Presb. 1st Sept. following, that when they went for that duty " they found the church and churchyard doors fast shutt, quherwpon they sent the Presb. officer to Sir William Dowglas his house to demand the keyes, bot he could not get accesse neither to Sir William nor his lady, only mett with their daughter, whose answer was that no keyes was to be had there, so that the brethren were necessitat, without preaching and ordinar solemnities, to give Mr Thomas institutione at the kirk-stile,