PRESBYTERY OF BIGGAR

[Disjoined from the Presbs. of Lanark and Peebles and erected by the General Assembly, 12th Aug. 1643 and 3rd June 16.14. It was not acknowledged under Episcopacy, the parishes being subject to their former judicatories during that period. The Records begin 26th June 1644, the only blanks being from 23rd Oct. 1650 to 10th May 1660, and from 16th Jan. 1662 to 22nd March 1688.]

BIGGAR.

[The church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was made collegiate by Malcolm, Lord Fleming, 10th Jan. 1545.]

1567 WILLIAM MILLAR, reader.

1571 WILLIAM HAMILTON, reader.

1573 DAVID MAKKIE, reader.

1573 NINIAN HALL, trans. from Invergowrie and adm. 1573; Lamington, Hartside, Coulter, Kilbucho, Symington, and Thankerton were also under his care.-[Reg. Assig., Wodrow Miscell.]

1576 WALTER HALDEN, min. in 1576; trans. to Wiston 1586 or 1588.[Reg. Assig., Booke of the Kirk, Test. Reg.]

1586 JOHN PETILLOCH, reader.

1586 ALEXANDER SPITTAL, M.A.; on the exercise at Edinburgh 3rd Dec. 1586, and adm. same month; trans. to Libberton 1590.-[Act. Rect. Univ. St And., Reg. Assig., Edin. Presb. Reg.]

[There is no trace of a min. for nine years in the Presb. Record.]

1599  THOMAS CAMPBELL, M.A. (Glasgow 1589); min. of Coulter 1596; trans.

and adm. 1599; died between 6th May 1646 and 24th April 1655, leaving a son, Thomas, M.A., at Snafield in England, who was served heir at the latter date.[Reg. Assig., Test. Reg. (Lan.); Inq. Ret. Gen, 4011; Hunter's Biggar.]

1605 [WILLIAM FLEMING is mentioned as “parson and vicar of Biggar” in 1605, and JAMES DUNCAN, prebendary, in 1616 (Wigtown Inventory, Scot. Rec. Soc., Nos. 383 and 602).]

1647  ALEXANDER LIVINGSTON, probably cousin of Alexander L., min. of Colinton; M.A. (?Glasgow 1633); chaplain to Sir John Auchmutie of Scougall and Aldhame, and tutor to his son; adm. min. of Carmichael 3rd June 1639; pres. by John, Earl of Wigtown, and trans. and adm. (assistant and successor) 3rd Feb. 1647; member of the Commissions of Assembly 1647, 1648; with most of his co-presbyters he joined the Protesters in 1651; was nominated by the Protector one of those in the provinces of Lothian, Merse, and Teviotdale, for visiting the Universities, and authorising "godly and able men " to enjoy their livings, 17th Oct. 1655; suspended, May 1661, for joining the Protesters; called before the Privy Council 23rd July 1661; confined in Edinburgh, and ordered to wait on Alexander, Archbishop of Glasgow, and give satisfaction as to his behaviour and carriage. There is no mention of him after 1662. He marr. Helen Ramsay, who died .June 1692, and had issue -Robert, min. of Libberton and of Biggar; and a daugh. (marr. John Greig, min. of