[Concluded from our last.]
A visitation of the kirk of Kilmaurs, 24th Aug., 1649.—The Laird of
Craig an elder complains that they had not gotten the communion 3 years
bygone, and generally complains of the inefficiency of their minister,
Mr Wm. Crooks—other elders agree as to this, and Mr William offers to
allow the Presbytery “to disposit in the matter of stipend” in order to
obtain a colleague. The Elders approve of this, and it is recommended to
proceed therewith. A Presbyterial visitation of Cumbraes ordered, the
minister being often absent from meetings, and no references from that
island, and that it should take place as soon as the men came home from
the fishing.
24th Sep., 1649.—The Presbytery propose that so long as Mr Jas.
Clandening remained at Largs, he shall receive 1,000 merks per annum,
and a person appointed to uplift the stipend for that purpose. The
Presbytery refer the case to the Synod for their judgement, viz., what
should be done with those that make a mock of their repentance daily and
never amend.
19th Oct., 1649.—Mr James Ferguson did produce a letter from the
committee of estates, wherein it was earnestly recommended to the
Presbytery that they would put in execution with all possible diligence
the act of Parliament concerning the poor, and restraining of vagabonds
and sturdy beggars within the bounds of the Presbytery; because many of
the bretheren are absent it is referred to next meeting.
1st Nov., 1649.—The Presbytery direct a list of the poor in every parish
to be lifted. That all sturdy beggars and vagrants remove to their own
parishes and particular places where they were born, betwixt and the
15th Nov., and if they fail they will be put into the hands of the civil
magistrate, _and the resetters_ to pay 5 Lib toties quoties. The
Presbytery approve of the overture of setting up of manufactories within
the burghs of the shyre, and does recommend it to Mr Alex. Nisbet and Mr
Wm. Caldwell to speak to the town of Irvine for setting up ane among
them.—The Presbytery likewise approves the overture of said Committee of
keeping the poor of every parish within themselves, until the time that
the way of their maintenance be agreed upon according to the act of
Parliament.
10th Nov., 1649.—Compeared Craig, younger, a Bailie of the town of
Irvine, and Robert Brown, clerk to the town, shews they are willing to
nominate Mr Alex. Nisbet to the stipend that Mr Hew M‘Kale had, in so
far as concerned the titular. The Presbytery having enquired of them
whether or no they had a purpose to detract any thing off the 900 merks
that were in use of payment to give to the colleague, and of the four
score pounds that Mr Hugh M‘Kaile had by and attour the six chalder
victual and ane half. They answered that they could not answer the
Presbytery in these particulars, whereupon they were appointed to bring
a peremptory answer next day with the particulars. It is further
appointed that the overture agreed upon by the Presbytery shall be
offered to my Lord Eglinton, and to my Lord Montgomerie, concerning
change and alteration to be made in these parishes, that they have
interest in, that if they do assent thereto they give in their answer
this day fifteen days, and if they dissent that they give reasons
thereof, that the Presbytery may cognosce upon them, and after the
hearing of the reasons, the Presbytery will go on to conclude and
determine as _they think equitable and fit_.
18th Dec, 1649.—Lord Eglinton and other heritors of parishes proposed to
be disjoined, objected to it on various grounds, but Lord Eglinton
“agreed to annex Perseton to Irvine, because as his Lordship did allege
it _was annexed_ of old.” Lord Eglinton does further dissent, That any
of his lands within the barony of Eglinton, for the present in
Kilwinning, be annexed to Irvine, because they did not pay tythes in the
time of popery.
25th Dec, 1649.—The report of the brethren who were appointed to speak
to the several titulars and heritors for competence. Lord Eglinton had
answered, He “had gotten no other answer except this:—These kirks are
already in a tolerable condition for maintenance, and that he had bought
his tythes dear, and so could not be bound to give any more.”
Compeared the Provost and Bailie of Irvine, who promised, if Dreghorn
was annexed to Irvine, they would do their utmost for a competence to
the colleague, &c. Lord Eglinton declared, That if the Presbytery would
condescend to the annexation of Perston to Irvine, he would be content
to give the 24 bolls of victual that now he pays to Perston to make up
the competence to Irvine, and if this was not agreed to, he would make
no offer at all.
----------------------------