THANKERTON.

[The church was dedicated to St John the Evangelist (its site is still known as St John's Kirk); annexed to Presb. of Biggar, 5th Dec. 1617; disjoined and united to Covington, 30th Jan. 1650.]

1567 ROBERT FISHER, reader, trans' to Covington as min.-[Reg. Min.]

1601 DAVID FORREST, reader at Carluke 1574-6.-[Reg. Assig.]

1607 ROBERT SCOTT, mentioned as min. in 1608.-[Reg. Assig.]

DOLPHINTON.

[The charge was held in conjunction with Walston from 1574 to 1608.]

1561 JOHN COCKBURN, "parson of D." and "rector" in 1565 (vide Skirling). -[Book of Assig.]

1576 WILLIAM ROBESON, reader.-[Reg. Min.]

1618 ALEXANDER SOMERVELL, M.A. (Edinburgh, 22nd Feb. 1602); was an unsuccessful candidate for a regency there in the following year; a member of the Assemblies of 1638, 1639, and 1641 (when he was on the leet for Moderator), 1645, and 1647, and also of the Commission 19th Aug. 1643 for visiting the Univ. of Glasgow. Through his influence the Presb. of Biggar was erected, 26th June 1644, which he opened with a sermon from 1st Peter ii. 9; pres. to Lanark 1641, but continued here 17th May 1648; died in the year following, aged about 67. He marr. (1) Elizabeth Cunningham, and had issue-James; John; Agnes; Jean: (2) Margaret, daugh. of John Cockburn of Newholme, min. of Skirling, widow of John Geddes, portioner of Kirkurd, and had issue-William; Lilias (G. R. Sas., xxxi., 239); Margaret (marr. Alex. Bertram, min. of Kilbucho: G. R. Sas., lvii., 406) (3) Margaret Tweedie (G. R.. Inhib., 3rd Dec.

1623).-[Test. Reg. (Lan.); Baillie's Lett., i.; Craufurd's Univ.; Evid. on the Univ., ii.; Acts of Ass., Livingston's Charac., Stevenson's Hist., Peterkin's Records.]

1650 JAMES DONALDSON, _M.A. (St Andrews 1640); called 11th Jan., and adm. 1st April 1650; joined the Protesters 1651; suspended by the Synod, May 1661, for having done so, which was recalled 28th Nov. following. Deprived by the Act of Parliament 11th June, and of Privy Council 1st Oct. 1662. In 1664 he was cited to appear before the Court of High Commission for being present at a communion contrary to law; indulged at Dreghorn 3rd Sept. 1672, but declined; returned in 1687. - [Wodrow's Hist.; Acts Parl., vii.]

1665 WILLIAM DEWCATS [DUGUID], M.A., formerly of Uphall 1655; inst. 1665; died Aug. 1672, aged about 46. Barbara Cairncross, his widow, died in Edinburgh, 16th Feb. 1713, aged 102. - [Test. (Lan.) and Edin. Reg. (Bur.).]

1675 ALEXANDER DOUGLAS, M.A.; pres. by James, Marquess of Douglas, and inst. 28th Sept. 1675; trans. to Douglas in 1678.

1679 ANDREW HAMILTON, M.A.; pres. by James, Marquess of Douglas, and inst. 24th April 1679; probably trans. to Middlebie in 1684.

1684 JAMES CRUICKSHANKS, inst. 17th May 1684; deprived by Act of Parliament 25th April 1690; took up his residence at Monktonhall, and was dep. by Presb. of Dalkeith 16th July 1702, for "prophane swearing," etc.-[Inveresk Sess. Reg.; MS. Acc. of Min., 1689.]

1687  JAMES DONALDSON, M.A., above mentioned; returned previous to 6th July 1687; restored by Act of Parliament 25th April 1690; died before 1692, aged about 70. He marr. (name unknown), and had issue-James; Marion (P. C. Decreta, 23rd March 1692).-[Test. Reg. (St And.); MS. Acc. of Min., 1689; Kirkton's Hist., Morrison's Digest.]