The stones of James Kirko or Kirka of Sundaywell, Dunscore. James Kirk , also spelt Kirko, was one of two elders present with Rev John Guthrie of Stirling, who made a petition to Charles II on his restoration in 1660. The second elder, Andrew Hay of Craignethan, escaped , but Kirk and Guthrie were imprisoned […]
Thomas Benet, Martyr. Cursed by Bell, Book, and Candle. Thomas Benet came from Cambridge where he was also educated and graduated Master of Arts from that university. It is thought possible that he may have been a priest at some stage as in later life he disclosed that he had married and it had been […]
The Restoration and after – another phase of persecution. As a consequence of the ejections of ministers in Scotland there was a steady flow of Covenanter ministers across to Ireland. No less than six of the ejected Galloway ministers settled in the Presbytery of Down. Rev Mr Archibald of Wigton followed Mr Ramsay at Bangor; […]
The stones of William Welsh. William Welsh of Kirkpatrick and another Dumfries man, William (also known as John) Grier or Grierson, were captured at the battle of Rullion Green in November 1666. It was decided that some of the prisoners should be sent back to their home towns there to be executed as a salutory […]
The charges brought against Alexander Leighton. On June 4th, 1630, an information was exhibited against Dr. Leighton, in the Star Chamber, by Attorney General Heath, wherein he was charged with having published and dispersed a scandalous book against the king, peers, and prelates, entitled, Sion’s Plea against Prelacy; in which, amongst other things, he sets […]
The Regicides.* These were the people who signed the Death Warrant of Charles I, of whom some forty one of the original fifty nine were still living in 1660. Fifteen of the survivors fled the country at this time with three – John Dixwell, Edmund Whalley and William Goffe, going to New England. Goffe was […]
Dates Relevant to the Translations and use of the Bible in England, and Formularies of Faith .[Reproduced from Appendix to The English Reformation of the sixteenth Century. W H Beckett (1890).] For larger image click on thumbnail. 18/07/2011
Alexander Peden was born about 1626 in the house of Auchincloich in the northern part of the Parish of Sorn, Ayrshire. He was the eldest son and heir to his father a small proprietor of land who by the standards of the day was quite well off. Thus the young Alexander received a good education […]
JOHN DAVIDSON Fasti Vol 1, p 387, Preston 1595 JOHN DAVIDSON was born about 1549, at Dunfermline, where his parents owned property in houses and lands. He entered St Leonard’s College, St Andrews, in 1567, and after graduating, became a regent of the College, pursuing the study of theology. Being introduced to John Knox, he […]
Scottish Bishops from the Reformation, 1661 to ca 1863. Tables reproduced from The Scotichronicon, Rev J.F.S.Gordon DD (1867) Vol 1.[To see a large view click on the thumbnail]
Circuit Courts The Circuit Courts were the continuation of Justice in the shires normally when the Justiciary Court in Edinburgh was in recess. The particular significance of them was that they maintained the momentum of oppression and facilitated persecution of any non conformity, first at local level from allegations received from spies, the curates and […]
A DAY OUT TO CAMPBELTOWN and KINTYRE There is something about the rugged scenery of Western Scotland, broken up as it is by many islands, lochs, estuaries and overlooked by mist shrouded hills. There is always the sound of the sea, a sense of mystery, a taste of danger when storm winds blow. There […]
St Baldred and the Bass Rock. This interesting story of the Bass Rock and its earlier use as a monks cell is reproduced from The Scotichronicon , Rev J.F.S. Gordon DD (1867). [ To see a large view click on the image ]
The Eucharist explained. Differences of interpretation. [Extract from Rev J A Wylie, The History of Protestantism, London, Cassell,1899, vol 2. p 53-55.] The Lord’s Supper began early to be corrupted in the primitive Church. The simple memorial was changed into a mystery. That mystery became, century by century, more awful and inexplicable. It was made […]