1891  JOHN COWAN HAMILTON, born Braefoot, Saltcoats, 24th Feb. 1859, son of Angus H. and Martha Cowan; educated at Ardrossan Public School and Glasgow Univ.; licen. by Presb. of Irvine 1899; assistant at Kilbride, Arran, and  Cambusnethan; ord. (assistant and successor) 19th Sept. 1891. Marr. 15th April 1897, Jessie Burns, daugh. of Andrew Baxter Shearer and Jane Smith, Wishaw, and has issue-Arnold Angus, born 7th Feb. 1898; Leslie Baillie Shearer, born 13th Feb. 1905.

COVINGTON.

[The church was dedicated to St Michael. In 1601 it was held with Dunsyre.]

1567 JAMES FISHER, reader.

1567-73 THOMAS SIMSON, reader.

1576 ROBERT FISHER, formerly of Dalziel; Pettinain and Thankerton were also under his care. Continued in 1594. - [Reg. Assig., Wodrow’s Miscell. Test, Reg.]

1576 JAMES LINDSAY, reader.

1597 ROBERT FRENCH, son of John F., in the Canongate, Edinburgh, bad a gift, 16th July 1574, from James VI. of the prebend and chaplaincy of St Andrew, in the College Kirk of  Field, for seven years, that he might study in the Grammar School of Canongate; he graduated M.A. at the Univ. of Glasgow in 1583, and was still min. in 1599.-[Mun. Univ. Glasg., iii,; Reg. Assig.]

1605  JOHN LEVERANCE [LAWRANCE], old and infirm in 1605 (Reg. of Deeds, cciii., 340), probably the J. L. of

Coulter and Douglas.

1605  GEORGE CLEGHORN, M.A., app. fellow-helper, with consent of the patron, John Lindsay of Covington, 1605 (Reg. of Deeds, cciii., 340); continued 1609, when his stipend was

raised (Reg. of Deeds, cciii., 342); still min. in 1612 (Reg. of Deeds, ccix., 211).

1608 HEW LINDSAY, who had a son Patrick (P. C. Reg., viii., 138).

1621 GEORGE OGSTOUN, min. in 1621, but may have been helper only; died 12th March 1653. He marr. Abigail, daugh. of James Baillie, min. of Lamington. He left his books to his son, Andrew, apprenticed to John Hill, bookseller, Edinburgh, 17th Dec. 1651. He had also Francis, apprentice to John Reid, baker, 9th Aug. 1648; and Mary. His wife's name is unknown. - [Test. Reg. (Lanark).]

1652 ARCHIBALD PORTEOUS, son of  James P., min. of Lasswade; M.A. (St Andrews 1647); was on the exercise there, 1st May 1650; adm. 7th Dec. 1652; deprived 9th May 1661 for his active share in the doings of the Protesting party in the church. He was one of the tutors to the widow and children of Samuel Rutherford. He became indulged min. of Cumbrae along with John Rae in 1672.-[Test. Reg. (Lan. and St And.), Act. Rect. Univ. St And.; Wodrow's Hist., i.]

1662 CHARLES LINDSAY, son of Thomas L., min. of Walston; min. in 1662. During his incumbency a curious circumstance occurred. Sir William Lindsay of Covington had been seized with illness, and was thought dead. When be was stretched on the bier, his long beard was seen wagging, and restoratives being applied, he recovered, was able to talk with his family, and told by them the arrangements which had been made for his funeral. "Keep it secret," said he, "and let the company come." When all were assembled, after a little detention the door opened, and to their astonishment and terror, in stepped the knight himself, deadly pale, dressed in a sable suit, and supported by his kinsman, the minister. An explanation was given, and the latter called on to offer prayer and thanksgiving for the laird's escape from being buried alive, Sir