Skirling).-[Lanark and Syn. (Jedburgh Presb.), Edin. (Bur.) and Test. Reg. (Lan.); Acts of Ass. and Parl., vii.; Wodrow's Hist., Nicoll's Diary.]

1665 RICHARD BROWN, M.A.; trans. from Blantyre, and adm. 1665; trans. to Dumfries Aug. 1685.-[Test. Reg. (Lanark).]

1685  JOHN REID, M.A. (St Andrews, 13th April 1626); min. of Walston 1678; trans. and inst. 23rd Dec. 1685; continued 2nd May 1688, but soon afterwards outed by the rabble. It is highly probable that he became min. of Lochrutton 2nd Dec. 1690; died 2nd Jan. 1727. His first wife was an Inglis, by whom be had a daugh., Helen. He marr. (2) April 1692, Catherine, daugh. of Thomas Rome of Cluden.-[ MS. Acc. of Min., 1689.]

1692 WILLIAM JACK [JACQUE], a min.  In Ireland, compelled to fly to Scotland in 1689 (P. C. Acta, 28th June 1692); formerly min. at Clapham, London; called Dec. 1691; adm. 28th April 1692; trans. to Kelso 24th Jan. 1695.

1696 ROBERT LIVINGSTON, son of Alexander L., min. in 1647; ALA. (Edinburgh 1671); ord. to Libberton 26th June 1689; called 29th Oct. 1695; trans. and adm. 8th April 1696; died 10th May 1733, aged about 82. Marr. Mary Rae (Lanark Sas., xii., 222).-[Wodrow's Anal., iii.]

1732 ROBERT JACK, M.A.; ord. (colleague and successor) 27th Oct. 1732; trans. to Carnwath 27th June 1749.

[WILLIAM HAIG, pres. by the Earl of Wigtown's Trustees 28th and 30th Nov. 1749; called 10th April 1751. The parishioners almost unanimously opposed his settlement, and after long-protracted proceedings in the Church Courts, he was induced to withdraw all claim to the incumbency. An exchange was effected between him

and John Johnston, chaplain of Edinburgh Castle, where he was adm 13th Sept. 1754.-Hunter's Biggar; Scots Mag., xiv.-xvi.]

1754 JOHN JOHNSTON, M.A. (Edinburgh, 27th April 1742); licen. by Presb. of Edinburgh 31st Dec. 1746; ord. to Edinburgh Castle 10th May 1751; pres. by the Wigtown Trustees; trans. and adm. 26th Sept. 1754; died 15th Oct. 1778. He marr. 8th Aug. 1745, Elizabeth (died at Edinburgh, 26th Oct. 1805), daugh. of Capt. Dan. Vere of Stonebyres, and had issue-Helen, born 1st July 1746; Spence, born 14th Jan. 1748; Helen, born 31st July 1756; William, born 6th March 1760; John and Charles, born 31st Dec. 1763; Margaret Anne, born 16th April 1767; Richard, born 20th June 1770. - [Scots Mag., xvi.; Morren's Ann.]

1780 ROBERT PEARSON, pres. by Lady Clementina Fleming, and Charles, Lord Elphinstone, her husband, in March 1779. The call was unsigned, and there was vigorous objection. The Presb. referred the matter to the Assembly, who, 30th May 1780, upheld the presentation by a majority of 85 to 77. P. was ord. 28th Sept. following, under protection of the military, two members of Presb. declining to take part. This forcible obtrusion led to the formation of a Relief congregation in Biggar. He died unmarr., 1st Aug. 1787.-[Hunter's -Biggar; Scots Mag., xlii.]

1787 WILLIAM WATSON, educated at Univ. of Edinburgh; licen. by Presb. of Biggar 26th Sept. 1775; pres. by Dowager Lady Clementina Elphinstone, 20th Aug., and ord. 23rd Nov. 1787; died 31st Oct. 1822, in his 73rd year. He marr. 17th March 1788, Janet (died 22nd March 1804, aged 48), daugh. of Will. Forrester, min. of Carstairs, and had issue -Mary, born 9th Jan. 1789, died 29th March 1805; Isabella, born 18th July 1790, died 7th Sept. 1791; Gillespie, born 27th Sept. 1792; Thomas, min. of Covington; William, born 16th Sept. 1796, died 17th March 1818; Janet, born 22nd Sept. 1798 (marr. Walter Somerville, surgeon, Carnwath). Publication--Account of the Parish