David Forrest, General of the Mint, was probably a native of
East-Lothian. His name first occurs in 1546, as entertaining George
Wishart, in his house in the town of Haddington. Knox speaks of him,
when mentioning this circumstance, as "ane man that long hes professed
the truth," (p. 137.) He had retired to England soon afterwards, as Sir
Ralph Sadler, when noticing that Forrest had come to England, along with
William Maitland of Lethington, and Mr. Henry Balnaves, in November
1559, he adds,--"who departed out of England in the beginning of the
reign of Queen Mary for cause of religion, and now retuurneth agayn
because of these troubles in Scotland, as he sayeth."--(Letters, vol. i.
p. 585.)
After the Reformation, when the want of qualified persons for the
ministry was deeply felt, Forrest was one of several laymen, who, from
having previously given proofs of their sincere zeal and piety, were
nominated at the first General Assembly, in December 1560, as "thought
apt and able to minister." On the 3d July 1562, David Forrest was
specially requested by the Assembly "to tak on the ministerie." On the
next day, his answer to that request "was referred to the
Superintendent of Lothian and Kirk of Edinburgh." Again, on the 29th
December 1562, "David Forrest, notwithstanding he objected his owne
inabilitie, was charged by the whole Assemblie, as he would avoide
disobedience to their voices, without farther delay, to addresse himself
to enter in the ministerie, where he salbe appointed, seeing it was
knowen sufficientlie that he was able for that function."--(Booke of the
Universall Kirk, vol. i. pp. 4, 18, 28.)
Although Forrest did not comply with this injunction, he continued to be
a member of Assembly for several years, and was named on committees "for
the decision of questions," and for other matters. His promotion as
General of the Mint may possibly have had its influence in his refusing
to take upon himself the office of the ministry. He appears to have long
been connected with the Mint. In the Treasurer's Accounts, 15 June
1554-5, David Forres is styled "Magister Cone;" but he must have been
superseded, as the office of "Maister Cunzeour," was filled by John
Achesoun, from at least 1559 to 1563. But Forrest again appears in
1564-5; and for several years, (between 1565 and 1572,) we find monthly
payments in the Treasurer's Accounts to the principal Officers of the
Mint, viz., to David Forrest, General of the Cunzie-house, £12, 10s.
Andrew Henderson, Wardane, £4, 3s. 4d. Maister John Balfour, Comptar
Wardane, £3, 6s. 8d., (who, in October 1570, was succeeded by David
Adamesoun, with the same monthly fee or salary of £3, 6s. 8d.) James
Mosman, Assayer, (succeeded in April 1572, by Thomas Achesoun,) £3, 6s.
8d. And James Gray, Sinckar of the Irnis, £5, with an additional sum,
"for brisseling, grynding, neilling, and tempering the Irnis," of £3,
6s. 8d. In the Treasurer's Accounts 1572, we also find that different
sums were allowed us "feis extraordinar" to most of these officials, for
services rendered "in the tyme of troubill."