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FERGUSHILL,
the surname of an old family, now extinct, who possessed the lands of
Fergushill, Ayrshire. John Fergushill, an eminent minister of the 17th
century, a life of whom was left in manuscript by Wodrow, was the son of
David Fergushill, merchant and for some time provost of Ayr, and received
the first part of his academical education at the university of Edinburgh,
but in consequence of the plague he went for a time to France. His name
occurs twice in the register of matriculations of the university of
Glasgow; first in March1605, and again in 1611. Licensed to preach about
the end of 1616, he afterwards became minister of Ochiltree. In March 1620
he was cited before the court of high commission at Glasgow, for
nonconformity to the Perth articles. As he declined the jurisdiction of
the court, he was suspended and sentenced to confinement within the town
of Perth, but by the good offices of Robert Boyd of Trochrig, who was his
relation, and Mr. John Chalmers, the last part of his sentence was
modified, and he was allowed to return to his parish, under certain
restrictions. Appointed minister of Ayr, Aug. 1639, in Nov. 1643 he
presided at the administration of the solemn league and covenant to his
people. He died 11th June 1644. |
