1662.—MR. ROBERT
KAY, Minister of the First Charge in Dunfermline Church,
conformed to Episcopacy, and was ‘outed.”
(Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 415.)
SIR CHARLES
HALKET, KNT, OF PITFIRRANCE, Created a Baronet.—James
Halket was the first of Pitfirrane
family who was created a baronet. “He received two diplomas or
royal patents of this honour from
Charles II.; first a baronetship of
Nova Scotia of date 25th January, 1662; a second on
25th January, 1671.” (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.
i. p. 296.)
MR. WILLIAM
OLIPHANT, for upwards of 17 years minister of the Second Charge
of the Church of Dunfermline, died July, 1622. (Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. p. 415.) At page 582
of the same volume it is noted that his death occurred in 1695.
Perhaps he publicly announced himself in 1622 as a Nonconformist
to Prelacy, was ejected from his charge and left the district;
restored in 1688, and died in 1695.
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Peter Walker elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
1663.—THE
KING’S BIRTHDAY to be held in Dunfermline.—In Dunfermline Kirk
Session Records, of date 14th May, 1663, there is a
minute, noting that “intimation was made for
keiping the King’s birthday, and his
restoring to his kingdoms, on fryday
nixt the 29th of May”
(which was done.) This is the first notice we have seen in any
of the Dunfermline Records for keeping a King’s birthday. The
keeping of it appears to have been held yearly after this year,
with demonstrations of joy. The last of these “old
demonstrations” ceased in 1820, on the death of George III.
CROWN LEASE OF
DUNFERMLINE LORDSHIP, &c., granted to Charles, 2nd
Earl of Dunfermline, for three nineteen years commencing in
1639. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vi; p; 557;
see also An. Dunf. dates 1611, 1637.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Peter Walker re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
1664.—THE BURGH
TO BE STENTED HENCEFORTH YEARLY.—29TH Jan. 1664
(Peter Walker, provost, presiding). “This day the
provest declares the
toun is
threatned to get a charge of horning for payment of 200
merks as the touns
parte of the
Collig minister’s vacand
steipend crop 1660 three which with
the vacand
steipend of certain oyr
paroshes ar
ordained be the secret Counsall to
be payit to . . . .
Hannay and
remanentdue the hours of umqll
Doctor Hannay
lait Dean of Edinburgh for so much yr of as will
pey to them two hundredth
pund Sterling
grantit to the sd den church
be act of parliament for payment of the which
stepend the sd
provest,
baillies and counsall
statuts and ordains in respect of
the waikness of the common
guid and the
burdings lying yr on that now and in all
tym heireft
yearlie the
toun be Stentit and first
zeir payment of the
sd yeirlie
stepend now charged , ordains two
moneths stent
to be collectit, and to
yteffect the roll to
belaid of new and nominates and
appoints as stenters Wm. Walker,
David Jerman, James
Mudie, Jon
Stevensone, Jon Peirsone,
Harrie James, James Anderson, Andrew
Mudie.” (Burgh Records.) This Act
of Council appears to be the first notice in the Burgh Records
regarding Stenting and “ye
Stent Roll,” which after this date
is yearly mentioned in the Records of the Council.
OATH OF
ALLEGIANCE.—The ceremony of tendering the oath of allegiance
appears to date from 16th Feb. 1664, viz., “which day
the provest,
baillies and counsall, in
obedience of the several missives sent to them direct
ffrae the lords of
privie counsall
Injoyning them to
signe and subscribe the declaration
ordained be act of parliament to be taken be all persons in
public trust, have all subt the
sd declaration with yr hands: And
ordains and appoints Robert Walwood,
baillie, to go over to Edinburgh
give the sd declaration to the
sd secret
counsall to be recordit
conform tp the desire of yr
lordship.” (Burgh Rec. Feb. 16, 1664.) In 1675 the Provost
resigned his office rather than sign this “declaration.” (See
An. Dunf. date Jan. 8th 1675.)
JAMES BRUGH AND
JOHN HORNE, the Drummer and the Piper of Dunfermline “were
delated for nyt
walking, drinking, and swearing.” They were appointed to be
cited before the Session. The drummer got into a second scrape
“and ran out of the toun.” (Dunf.
Kirk Ses.
Rec.)
ROBERT, 2nd
Earl of Elgin, was created “Earl of
Ailesbury,” in Buckinghamshire. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.
i. p. 289.)
GEORGE
BELFRAGE, Minister of Carnock,
deposed for nonconformity to Prelacy, and was ordered to confine
himself within the bounds of Carnock
Parish. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i.
p. 582.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFEMRLINE—Captian George
Durie of
Craigluscar, elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.)
THE MARQUIS OF
MONTROSE and Dunfermline Abbey Property.—“The Marquis of
Montrose ravaged with his army over the whole barony of
Campbell, and burned every cottage in the parishes of Dollar and
Muckart, excepting one near the
former village, which was saved upon the supposition that it
belonged to the Abbey of Dunfermline.” (Mercer’s Hist. Dunf. p.
290.)
Note.—This
house that was “saved” is supposed to have been the house of the
vicar, which, according to tradition, stood a little to the west
of the present “upper brig” of Dollar. It has also been thought
that that “house” here referred to as being “saved,” was the old
house or castle of Cowdens, near
Muckart.
1665.—THANKSGIVING DAY for the Naval Victory over the Dutch.—In
Dunf. Kirk Session Records, dated 9th July, 1665,
there is the following minute regarding “the great and glorious
victory” of our fleet over the Dutch, viz., “This day, before
noone, a printed paper was red out
of the pulpit, ordaining in the King’s name a
publict
thankgiving to be keipt on
Thursday next the 13th July instant, for the
victorie gotten be King’s
navie over the Hollanders, which was
solemnlie keipt.”
This victory was gained on June 3rd. (For account of
it, see Pepy’s Diary, p. 242,
Temb’s edit.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Captain George Durie of
Craigluscar, re-elected Provost.
(Burgh Rec.)
MR. ROBERT KAY,
Minister of Dunfermline, demitted office in November, 1665, and
was admitted minister of Stow, 4th March, 1666.
(Dunf. Kirk Ses.
Records and Stow Register.)
THE EARL OF
TWEEDDALE AND HERITABLE OFFICES of the Lordship of
Dunfermline.—“john, Earl (afterwards Marquis) of
Tweeddale, in consequence of a debt
due him by the Earl of Dunfermline, obtained a right (by a
decreet of apprising) to the Offices
of Heritable Bailie, as also to a Lease of the
Feu Duties and Teinds of the
Lordship of Dunfermline.” (Fernie’s Hist. Dunf. pp. 32-33;
Dunf. Kirk Ses.
Records, &c.)
1666.—MR.
WILLIAM PEIRSON (translated from Paisley) was admitted to the
First Charge of Dunfermline Church on 17th January,
1666; and “Mr. Walter
bruce, minister, of
Innerkeithing, preached at this admission.” (Kirk
Ses.
Rec.; also An. Dunf. date 1676.)
“LINTEL
DATE-AND-INITIAL HOUSES.”—Atiquarians
now take notice of such houses in their works. “Dunfermline, in
the olden tyme,” had a great many
lintel-date houses, very few of which now exist of an early
date. There is a small house of one storey, a little to the
south of St. Leonard’s Works, which has on its “lintel-stane”—
16 *
DC * IM * 66
Tradition says
that “most part of this house was built from stones taken from
the ruins of St. Leonard’s Hospital and Chapel.”
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—William Walker elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)0
MR. THOMAS
KINYNMONT was “translated from Kilmany
to the Churhc of Dunfermline on 18th
July.” (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i.
p. 415.)
THE SIN OF
NUT-GATHERING ON THE SABBATH.—“On 2d Sept.
Andro Watson and Wm belfrage,
having been summoned to appear before the Session,
compeird and
confest they went and sought nutts
on the Sabbath, and delated those
who were with ym viz., Peter and
James booth Jon neish, rot white,
James shorties, Wm
belfrage, James Jon
stoun, Patrick
spens,” who are appointed to be cited. On Sept. 25 the
whole batch appeared before the Session, when they were ordered
“to sit down on yr knees, before the Session to
seik pardon of God of yr fault,
which they did, promising not to doe the
lyk in tyme coming, and then
they were dismissed and sharplie
admonished,”!! (Dunf. Kirk
Ses. Rec.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—William Walker re-elected Provost. (Burgh
Records.)
WITHCES AND
WARLOCKS.—These harmless persons
continue to trouble the minds of the clergy in the district, and
“ye whole bodie of ye
Sesione,
especalie at Dunfermling and torie
burne, whilk
causes thaim
alarme.” (Kirk
Ses. Records of the West of Fife, &c.)
ROYAL
ASSESSMENT.—Dunfermline was assessed to the extent £102 Scots,
in order to liquidate “the voluntary offer to his Majesty of
£7200 Scots monthly for the space of 12 months.” (Murray’s Laws
and acts of Parl.)
1668.—THE
TOWN’S PEATS.—“21st May, 1668: This day the
councell, considering the great
abuse committed be the haill
nightbors In holding and casting to
the touns moss in many parts and
sua abuseing
the same yt
throu of tyme it will tend
greatlie to the
touns prejudice ffor
remeid yr off and
yt better order be kept in casting
yrin, Statuts
and ordains yt no person presume to
cast any petts
yrin or brek the ground
yroff in any sort in
tym coming, but be taking a direct
face before ym in casting the
sd mose.
And yt
the face of the mose being taken up
and wrought by those that needs and casts the
peats yrin
in such places of the sd
mose and by such order and course as
sall be desyrit
and appoyntit by the visitors
yrof. And
yrfor nominat the persons as
follows to be visitors yrof, viz.,
Thomas elder, Wm. smart, Petter
bust, Nieall Henderson.” (Burgh
Records.) This appears to be the first notice of
peats in these Records.
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—William Walker re-elected Provost. (Burgh
Records.)
MR. THOMAS
KINYNMOUNT, Minister of the First Charge of the Church of
Dunfermline, was translated to and ordained Minister of
Auchterderran, 11th
November, 1668. (Kirk
Ses. Rec. Dunf.)
1669.—LORDSHIP,
&C., OF DUNFERMLINE.—John, Marquis of
Tweeddale, had his office of Heritable Bailie, &c., of
the lordship of Dunfermline confirmed by an absolute charter
under the Great Seal, dated 12th February, 1669.
(Fernie’s Hist. Dunf. p. 81: also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.
i. p. 257.)
DAVID
JERMAN.—There is a “Jermin’s
Mortification” in Dunfermline, of which Dr. Chalmers, in his
History of Dunfermline, says that “the donor and original amount
of this bequest seem at present equally unknown.” The writer
adds the following paragraph, cut from a newspaper, which may
help to find out at least who the donor was: “5th
August, 1669: Discharge by David Jerman,
burgess of Dunfermline, to David Bruce, younger of
Kennet, of the sum of £42, money of
Scotland, as the assured rent of £700, like money, due at the
term of Lammas, 1669, in bond by the
said David Bruce and his said father to the said David
Jerman, Dunfermline.” (Alloa
Adver. 24th June, 1865;
see also Dunf. Par. Rec.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Peter Walker elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
THE BELLS IN
THE KIRK STEEPLE.—“In Pretorio,
Dunfermline, 25th Sept. 1669: This day
qnsidering that the Bells in the
Stipill of the Kirk being rung
cowping wayes
doe oft becom louse in the Stokes
and sua are in danger of getting
predjudiced and yet rang and
soundet better
formerlie with mair ease and
less predjudice
qn they rang be the tung;
Therefor the
prouost, baillies and
counsall ordains the
sd bells in tym
coming to be rung be the tung
wtall yt
they also be maid fast in the Stokes yt
they may also ring cowping
wayes if they
pleis.” (Burgh Records, 25th Sept., 1669.)
1670.—SEVERE
WINTER.—This was the most severe
winter of snow and frost within the memory of the then “oldest
inhabitants” of Scotland. In Dunfermline and district the
winter, according to tradition, “raged in all its fury for a
space of three months.” (MSS.)
MANUAL OR HAND
SEAL of the City of Dunfermline.—Under date 1589, the matrix or
double seal of the city is described, and representations of it
given. The double seal being too large for ordinary use, a new
one, much smaller in size, was ordered from Holland this Year
(1670), which seal continues to be used for common purposes.
The following figure represents the face of this common seal.
In the Burgh
Records there is a minute regarding it, viz.:--“23 May, 1670: In
Pretorio Dunfermline
Petrum Walker
propositum, &c.; Appoints the
thesaurer to pay to the Clerk 50 gilders
debursed by him for cutting the
town’s seal is 1 ¼ inches in diameter, same size of the
engraving.
It will be seen
that this seal is a miniature representation of one of the sides
of the large matrix seal of 1589, with part of the same legend,
viz.:--
SIGILLVM *
CIVITATIS * FERMILODVNI
That is, “Seal of
the citizens of Dunfermline,” or “City of Dunfermline” the “Esto
Rupes,” &c., on the matrix seal
being omitted o the small one. (See An. Dunf. date 1589.)
KING’S
BIRTH-DAY AND BONFIRES.—“29 May: The
Solemntie of the King’s day being to be
keped, and falling on the
nixt Sabbath, being the lord’s day,
appoints only two fyrs to be put on
at the toun end.” (Burgh Records,
23rd May, 1670.) The town’s end refers to the
locality of the East Port. The town’s end is noticed in
Henryson’s Poems, circa 1490-1500.
CONVENTICLE
MEETING ON HILL-OF-BEATH.—In the middle of June, 1670, a
conventicler, or field meeting, was held on the Hill-of-Beath,
four miles north-east of Dunfermline. The preacher was the
celebrated and pious Mr. John Blackadder,
the ejected minister of Troqueer,
which produced a profound sensation in the parish; great numbers
assembled from places 12 to 20 miles around. About 2000 are
supposed to have been present at “the gathering.” Shortly after
public worship had begun, on the Lord’s day,
some officers of militia rode up, as if to disturb and disperse
them. These officers were promptly met by the men on watch,
armed for self-defence. The prudent
interference of Mr. Blackadder
prevented an “outbreak,” and worship under the canopy of heaven
was continued without further molestation. There was a
remarkable manifestation of spiritual influence in the sacred
services of that day, long held in remembrance.
The news of
“this horrid insult,” as the treatment of these military
officers was called, having reached Edinburgh, Archbishop Sharp
caused a rigorous inquiry to be made as to who were there; so
that many country gentlemen who were at the meeting were put
to much trouble and expense in
consequence. Among others, Robert Wellwood
of Touch, one mile and a half east of Dunfermline, confessed
before the constituted Council that he had been present, and was
fined in 500 merks (£27 15s.6d. sterling), and ordered to lie in
prison till he paid it, and to engage in a bond of 2000 merks to
frequent no more such meetings. This was “the first armed
conventicler after the Restoration.” In one way, this Prelatic
“Persecution” between 1670 and 1688, was as bad as the Roman
Catholic “Persecution” between 1538 and 1559. (Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. p.
278, and Hist. Scot.)
THE AULD KIRK
AND RUINS OF THE CHOIR, 1670.—The
annexed view of the Auld Kirk and Choir ruins is compiled from
several old
prints
and drawings. Shortly after this period (1672), “the aspect was
changed by the fall of part of the eastern wall of the Choir.”
The point from which this view is supposed to be taken is “the
Friar’s Yard,” about 50 yards NNE. of
St. Margaret’s tomb. The houses shown to the right of the
steeple are the tall constabulary houses, along with Queen Anne
of Denmark’s house. The “lantern tower” is partly taken from a
representation of it on one of the Abbey Seals of the latter end
of the 15th century. The tall windows of the Choir
are taken from a drawing of them, made in 1819, before they were
removed. (See also Frontispiece View of “Extracts from
“Extracts from Dunf. Kirk Session Records,” published by E.
Henderson in 1865.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Peter Walker re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
SIR HENRY
WARDLAW and the Masterton-Seat in
Dunfermline Kirk.—The following
minute,extracted from the Kirk Session Records of
Dunfermline, refers to the ”Maistertoun-seat,”
and also to the great tomb of William Shaw, “Master of the
King’s Wark,” &c.:-- “3 October
[1670]. Qhlk day , Mr. William
Peirson, minister, in name, and at
the desire of the ryt
honoll Sir
Henrie Wardlaw of Pitreavie,
preponed to the elders and Kirk Session being yr convened
with him, that the rowme or
dask in the ye
kirk which pertainth to
Robert Kellok
portioner of maistertoun,
situate on the north side wall of the kirk
beside the north eist
dore yrof,
betwixt Sir William Shaw’s tomb on ye west, and
jon potters
wyfes seat on the east, should be appropriate an belong
to the said Sir henrie
wardlaw of
pitreavie and his heirseftir
in respect yt he
hes bought the lands of
mrtoun which belonged to the said
Robt.” &c.
The grand old
tomb of the Master of the King’s Wark
stood against the north wall of the “Auld Kirk,” immediately
behind where the pulpit stood. (See An. Dunf. date 1793.)
COALS.—“10th
Oct. 1670. This day theh
provest
baillies and
counsall being informed
yt the Earls of Dunfermline and
tweeddale were satisfied the
Coill in the
touns muire be wrought be the
toun, and the
yeirlie profit to be devydit
equallie betwixt the said Earls and
the toun:
Thairfoir resolve to agrie
yranent, and the
toun to deburse
200 lib. to be
payed to ym again in yr
awin ahnd
with the profit of the Coill.”
(Burgh Records.) This appears to be the first notice of “the
touns coil” in the Burgh Records.
1671.—SIR
CHARLES HALKET, Knight, of Pitfirrane, was by Charles II,
created a Baronet of the United Kingdom, on January 25th,
1671.
LORD KEEPER OF
THE PRIVY SEAL.—Charles, Earl of Dunfermline, chosen to fill
that office. (Sib. Hist. of Fife, p. 262.)
COLLIER’S
WAGES.—May 20th, 1671: “This day report is maid
yt the
men yt work mining the
coall ar
agried as follows,
Robt.
hogan to have 10s,
thomas
ffalconer and Jon Drummond 8s, and the rest each 6s per
diem, and David thomsone being
principle workman is referred for his work and pains till
afterwards.” (Burgh Rec.) This is the first notice of
colliers’ wages in the Burgh Records.
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Peter Walker re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
1672.—FIRE AT
CUPAR—Contribution.—In the Kirk
Ses. Records, it is noted
that, on Frb. 27, 1672, the Session
appointed to “intimate a collection the next Sabbath to be
collectit the Sabbath
yraftir, for the
toun of Coupar
qhrn many
hous’s were brunt, which
wes done.” March 17th.—Collected
by the collectors for the toun of
Cupar, 20lib. or
yrby.”
HOUSE OF
CORRECTION ordered to be built in Dunfermline for the reception
of “idle beggars and vagabonds.” (Murray’s Laws and Acts of
Parl.)
POOR
“SCHOLLARS.”—“14th March. Report is made be
adam
Anderson, that he and the rest of the collectors had
collectit 18lib.
or yrby for the
poore scholars, the roll of
thaim are appointed to be brought
in.” (Dunf. Kirk Ses.
Rec.)
ROLL OF POOR
SCHOLARS.—Payment of Teachers.—In the same Record, it is
notified on 25th June, that “all on the roll of the
poor schollers being
broughten the money
collectit for
ym was distribute in peying
of yr quarters to yr teachers.”
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Peter Walker re-elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.0
THE WALLS OF
THE ABBEY CHOIR.—“The eastern part of the walls of the Choir and
Ladye Chapel, which had long been in
a dilapidated state, fell at the end of the year 1672, caused by
a great wind.” (MSS.)
1673.—DUNFERMLINE BURGH RECORDS.—The
5th volume of the Burgh Records begins with the year
1673, and ends with the year 1687, from which we obtain several
entries.
ST.
MARGARET.—Pope Clement X. in May, 1673, allowed the Festival of
St. Margaret, (the titular saint of Dunfermline) to be
celebrated on the 10th June annually.
MR. ALEX. MONRO
(afterwards Dr. Monro) admitted to
the second charge of Dunfermline Church, on 7th
April, 1673. The second charge had been vacant since 1668.
(Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 415.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Peter Walker elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
1674.—CHURCH OF
DUNFERMLINE ACT anent Brides and Bridegrooms.—“3d May: It is
ordained anent brides and bridegrooms
yt if they shall not come on
the dya of yr marriage into the
Krik before the first
psalme be closed, they shall
pey 12s. or
maore, as the
minsr shall please, to be publictly
intimate, which was done.” (Kirk Session Records.)
CONVENTICLE
MEETING and Rovert
Ged of Baldridge.—“Mr. Robert
Ged of Baldridge, in Dunfermline
parish, was this year fined in the fourth part of his yearly
rent for attending a field meeting.” (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.
i. p. 279.)
CARNOCK.—A
new pulpit was erected in Carnock
Church. On it was the date 1674, with the motto, “Sermonem
vitæ præbentes,”
viz., “Holding for the word of life.” The church bell bears the
date 1638. (Mercer’s Hist. Dunf. p. 270.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Peter Walker re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
1675.—CAPTIVES
IN TURKEY.—Contribution.—“Jany. 10,
1675: This day intimatin was made
of a contribution to be collectit
for the ransom of two captives with the
turks, named
walter
gibbieson and jon
reid, men of Inverkeithing.”
THE LAIRD OF
“PITREAVIE’S HOSPITAL” FOUNDED.—In
the year 1675, Sir Henry Wardlaw, of Pitreavie, “founded and
built an Hospital at Masterton” (a
little to the east of Pitreavie, three miles south-east of
Dunfermline), in favour of four widows. “women of honest fame,
relicts of honest men, who live on the lands of Pitreavie, or
other land belonging to him and his successors, to whom the
patronage of the hospital is declared by the charter to belong;
and failing widows of the before-mentioned description, then to
be in favour of such other honest women as the patrons shall
please to prefer. Each of the widows is to have a chamber or
house, and six bolls of meal yearly, or six bolls of oats and
three bolls of bear, at the option of the patrons.” The eighth
part of the lands of Masterton,
which the founder acquired from Robert
Kellock, is burdened with the payment of the widows’
provision. (Fernie’s’ Hist. Dunf. pp. 47, 48.) Pitreavie House
was probably built between the years 1615-1631
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Charles Wardlaw, of
Logie, elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
REPAIRS OF DUNFERMLINE CHURCH.—The
north wall of the Church, near the porch-door, showed symptoms
or decay and a new buttress was built on the outside to support
it. The date 1675 is on the north buttress next the
porch-door. (MSS., &c.)
1676.—RESIGNATION OF THE PROVOST.—8th Jan. 1676.
This day “Mr. Charles Wardlaw, not being
cler to signe
declaratione, declares he will
exerces his office no longer, but
demitts and
thair foir wills and
requyrs the
baillies and Counsall to
appoint and proceid to
ane new
electionof ane
provest.”
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Robert Walwood,
on 17th January, 1676, was, “by a plurality of
voices, made Provost.” (Burgh Records,
date January, 1676. See also “ Oath
of Allegiance,” under date 16th February, 1664, An.
of Dunf.)
DR. ALEX. MONRO, Minister of the Second Charge of Dunfermline
Church, demitted office, and was translated to the Church of
Weems, 22nd March, 1676.
(Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 415;
also An. Dunf. date 1673.)
LEGACY TO THE POOR.—John Drysdale,
in the Netherton, bequeathed 500
merks to the Poor of the Parish.—Regarding this, is the
following entry in the Kirk Session Records, viz.—“8th
August: This day the Session having seen Jon
Drysdaill’s confirmed testament
brought in to ym be
Jonet burn, his relict,
Qlk mentions thus, viz., that the
said Jon leaves to the toun and
burgh of Dunfermline, for the use of the common good
yrof, the soume
of 400 merks Scotts money,
restand be James Mercer of Kirkland
be band, and the soume of 100 merks
for sd restand
to him be george
stirk, weaver in
whitefield of Pittencrieff be band;
The said toun or burgh always
peying dewly
to the Kirk Session of Dunfermline the
ordinar annuel rent of the
said two soumes
yeirlie, and the annuel rent
to be employed and laid forth be ym
for mentainence and holding of
poore Schollers
at Schooles.” (See Annals Dunf.
date 1678.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Robert Walwood,
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.)
MR. WILLIAM PEIRSON, Minister of the First Charge of Dunfermline
Church, demitted office in October, 1676, was translated to
Stirling in November, 1676, and died in 1679
MR. ALEXANDER DUNBAR was admitted Minister of the First Charge
of Dunfermline Church on the 19th October, 1676.
MR. JOHN BALNEVE was admitted minister of the First
Charde of Dunfermline Church on 8th
November, 1676. (Epis.
Cler.)
1677.—THE SIN OF MASKING AND STIRRING THE POT ON
SUNDAYS.—Regarding this, the following curious minute is to be
found in the Kirk Session Records—“10 April (1677)
: This day report was made of agnes
drysdaill for masking on the
Sabbath, and Wm burley an andro
hannan, for
steiring the pat to her, who are appointed to be cited
before the Session. They appeared, and
agnes boldly affirmed that she
did mask on the Sabbath, and thought it no sin. She was
referred to the Presbytery. Wm. burley, who
confest his fault in steering the
pat, evidenced his repentance on his knees
yrfore before the Session, and was
sharplie admonishit, he
promising not till doe the like again.” What became of
Andro Hannan,
it is not said.
CONVENTICLE MEETINGS, FINES, &C.—Conventicle
or field meeting, for religious services, still continued rife
in the parish. In 1677 Sir Alexander Bruce of
Broomhall, in Dunfermline parish,
was fined in £1200 Scots for not obliging his servants to sign
the Bond of Conformity and to refrain from attending
conventicles. (Chal. Hist. Dunf.
vol. i. p. 279.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—John Walwood,
elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.)
1678.—ST. MARGARET’S FESTIVAL DAY.—The
festival day of St. Margaret, “the Titular Saint of
Dunfermline,” which had in 1673 been altered to June 10th,
was again altered this year. “In the year 1678 Innocent XI.
Allowed the festival to be celebrated on June 8th.
(Lord Hailes’ An. Scot.; Bishop Geddes’
Life of St. Margaret, &c.)
MR. ALEXANDER DUNBAR, minister of the First Charge of
Dunfermline Church, died on 22nd March, 1678. (Kirk
Sts. Records.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Sir Charles Halket,
of Pitfirrane, elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.)
DRYSDALE’S “BEQUEATHMENT.”—Early in the year 1676 John
Drysdale, in the
Netherton, bequeathed to the Kirk
Session of Dunfermline the sum of 500 merks for the support of
poor scholars at school. These merks were resting in the hands
of two persons at the time. The Kirk Session this year, having
received security for the payment of this sum, notifies it by
the following minute in their Records—“1st Dec. 1678
: The Session having receivand
security in peyment of 500 merks
left be Jon Drysaill, viz., James
Lindsay of Cavil having givin in his
band for 200 merks yrof, which was
put into the boxe and James mercer
of Kirkland having now peyit be rot
stirk, makand
ytby 300 mks,
was lent forth be consent of the Session to James
Moutrry of
Roscobie, who, with his sone,
gave yr band yrof, which was put
into the boxe.”
THE KIRK SESSION mortified into the hand of the Town Council of
Dunfermline the sum of 1000 merks Scots, or £55 11s.11/3d.
for the use of the Doctor of the
Grammar School. They (the Session) by a bond from the Town
Council—dated 14th September, 1678—acquired an equal
right of patronage with themselves in presenting the Doctor,
&c. (Fernie’s Hist. Dunf. p. 41.)
“MR. ROBERT NORIE was ordained minister of the First Charge of
the Krik of Dunfermline be Mr.
Dauid Lauther,
minister of Inverkeithing, on 18th September, 1678,
who yn preached.” (Kirk
Ses.
Records.)
CHOOSING OF DEACONS.—The Incorporation of Fleshers
meet in the Auld Kirk regarding the
Choosing of a Deaocn, &c.—The writer
has in his possession an old MS. which appears to have belonged
to the Incororation of Fleshers.
The following is a copy of the first few lines of the ancient
document—“Dunfermline, 24th September, 1678: Which
day the heall
breethern of the fleshers of the burgh of Dunfermline
being convened in the Church of Dunfermline anent the
Choisen of the Deacon, and
Considering the Great abuse Committed by some of the
breethern of the said trade in abuse
blowing their flesh, each man of their said trade, for mending
of the said abuse, gave their oaths freely each before others
that they should blow none flesh, lambs excepted, in
anie time hereafter. Sic
subscribit—William
Steuart, James Causing, William
Hodge, Thomas Elder, Andrew Smart, Thomas Locke, William
Belfrage, John Locke, William
Wallwood.” (See also Annals Dunf.
date 1703, &c.)
