(Conjoined with Comrie is old Parish of Tullichettle.)
1585-????—ALEX. CHISHOLME, tr. to Lecropt.
1588-????—JOHN DAVIDSON, A.M., rem. to Muthill.
1598-1607—JOHN MONTEATH, A.M., tr. to Auchterarder.
1607-1614—GEORGE CALLUM or M'CALLUM, rem. to Balquhidder.
1618-1619—ANDREW YOUNG, died.
1635-1660—JAMES GRAHAME, A.M. Suspended 1649-1651 for adhering to the Engagement.
1656-1665—HUGH GORDON, A.M., tr. to Row.
1668-1689—JOHN PHILP, A.M. Ousted at Revolution.
1693-1698—JOHN M'KERCHER, A.M., tr. to Dull.
1702-1709—JOHN M'CALLUM, tr. to Callander.
1711-1719—DUGALD CAMPBELL, tr. to Lismore and Appin.
1721-1722—PATRICK M'ADAM, A.M., died in March.
1723-1731—ANDREW MUSCHET, died.
1733-1742—AENEAS SHAW, tr. to Pettie.
1743-1780—ROBERT MENZIES, A.M., died 12th Nov.
1781-1801—HUGH M'DIARMID, died 4th November.
1802-1829—PATRICK M'ISAAC, died 25th January.
1829-1841—WM. MACKENZIE, tr. to Dunblane. Took active part in Non-Intrusion Controversy. Seceded in 1843. Became minister of North Leith Free Church. Died on voyage home from Australia, and was buried in the Red Sea.
1841-1843—JAMES GARMENT, A.M. Seceded.
1843-1875—JOHN M'DONALD, D.D., died 17th January. "Left Church at Comrie strong and flourishing, and his memory deeply stamped on hearts of people. Possessed of a clear and vigorous intellect, a ready eloquence, and a good knowledge of ecclesiastical law and forms of procedure, he always took an interest in Presbytery business, and was recognised as one of the leaders of the Court."—Pres. tribute.
1875-????—JOHN MACPHERSON. Formerly minister of Gaelic Church, Greenock.
1563-????—THOMAS DRUMMOND.
1592-1636—DAVID DRUMMOND, A.M. Demitted.
1635-????—DAVID DRUMMOND, junr., A.M.; probably deposed. Died in 1676, aged 64.
1658-1682—GILBERT MURRAY, A.M. Demitted.
1682-1689—WILLIAM MURRAY, A.M. Succeeded his father at Revolution; read thanksgiving after Battle of Killiecrankie; was ousted.
1699-1754—JOHN DRUMMOND, died 26th July. A good man, but no scholar. No Dissent in his time except Episcopacy.
1755-1767—THOMAS STEWART, A.M. Deposed for drunkenness.
1771-1813—ROBERT STIRLING, died 16th December.
1815-????—ALEX. M'INTYRE, died 15th November. A disputed settlement, which so affected the minister's health that he died the same year.
1816-1845—WILLIAM LAING, died 16th March. A brother of Dr. David Laing, the well-known antiquarian.
1840-1843—R. HORNE STEVENSON, tr. to St. George's, Edinburgh; afterwards D.D. and Moderator of General Assembly of 1871. Mr Stevenson was assistant and successor to Mr Laing, and after his translation, Mr Laing resumed the full duties of his office until his death.
1845-1887—JOHN CUNNINGHAM, D.D., LL.D., resigned 16th May. Author of "Church History of Scotland" and other works. Moderator of General Assembly of 1886. Resigned on his appointment as Principal of St. Mary's College, St. Andrews. Died September, 1893.
1887-1894—WILLIAM P. PATERSON, B.D., resigned 2nd November on appointment as Professor of Systematic Theology in Aberdeen University.
1895-????—ANDREW CAMPBELL.
(West Church, Crieff, opened for Worship in 1838.)
1839-1843—FINLAY MACALISTER. Seceded.
1843-1848—Chapel closed.
For some years afterwards served by licentiates.
1856-1862—MATTHEW RODGER, tr. to St. Leonard's, St. Andrews. Now D.D.
1862-1878—ARCHIBALD HART, A.M., resigned 6th June.
Crieff West was erected into parishquoad sacraon 20th July, 1864.
1878-????—JOHN HUNTER, M.A.
(St. Fillans Chapel, opened for Worship, 1879.)
1879-1881—JAMES W. BLAKE, tr. to Temple.
1881-????—THOMAS ARMSTRONG.
Erected into parishquoad sacra, called Dundurn, on 15th March, 1895.
(Church dedicated to S. Servanus.)
1562-1564—ANDREW SYMSON, tr. to Dunbar. Became Protestant by reading Sir David Lindsay's Poems.
1568-1594—JOHN HAMYLL. Deposed for baptising an adulterous child.
1586-1607—JOHN EDMISTON.
1610-1651—GEORGE MUSCHIT, A.M., deposed. Member of Glasgow Assembly, 1638.
1652-1668—ANDREW ROLLO, A.M., died in May.
1669-1672—ROBERT HUNTER, A.M., tr. to Bo'ness.
1673-1682—JAMES HUNTER, A.M., tr. to Stirling.
1682-1686—THOMAS CHRYSTIE, A.M., died in January.
1686-1689—DAVID FREEISAIRN, A.M. Ousted at Revolution. Afterwards became Bishop of Scotch Episcopal Church, and latterly Primus. Died 24th December, 1739.
1691-1716—WILLIAM REID, A.M., died 28th January. Preached at Auchterarder on 18th September, 1715, with pistol hanging at his breast, while rebels in possession of town. They afterwards burned Dunning, the minister being just dead. Thorn-tree planted in commemoration.
1716-1725—LAUCHLAN M'INTOSH, A.M., tr. to Errol.
1728-1761—ANDREW SMYTH, died 20th February.
1761-1768—ALEXANDER SMYTH, died 20th February, Son of previous minister.
1769-1782—LEWIS DUNBAR, tr. to Kinnoull.
1783-1812—JOHN BAIRD, died 7th August.
1813-1814—CHARLES WILKIE HARDY, died 6th February. Son of Dr. Hardy, Edinburgh. Waylaid and hung by heels over a bridge, which hastened his death.
1814-1818—JOHN GRIERSON, A.M., tr. to Dunblane.
1818-1860—JAMES RUSSELL, D.D., died 8th October. A man of peculiar temperament.
1848-1860—PATON JAMES GLOAG, tr. to Blantyre. Assistant and successor to Dr. Russell; afterwards D.D., minister of Galashiels, Moderator of General Assembly of 1889. Author of "Commentary on Acts of Apostles," and other works.
1861-1878—JOHN WILSON, D.D., died 1st March. Author of "Index to Acts of Assembly," "Presbytery of Perth," "Register of the Diocese of Dunblane." "A man emi-nently fitted to win affection and respect."
1878-????—PETER THOMSON, B.D. Formerly minister of Kelvinhaugh, Glasgow. Author of "The Greek Tenses in New Testament."
Tullibole was supplied with Readers from 1567, and had as Ministers:—
1576-1578—JOHN EDMONSTOUN, tr. to Crail.
1578-1580-3—THOMAS SWINTON, tr. to Muckhart. Was united to Fossoway about 1614, but had service every third Sabbath till 1729.
1585-1588—ADAM MARSCHELL, removed to Glendevon.
1589-1590—RICHARD WRIGHT, tr. to Clackmannan.
1590-????-ALEX. WALLACE, A.M.
1607-1652—LAURENCE MERCER, A.M., died in October.
1647-1657—LAURENCE MERCER, jun., A.M. Son of previous minister.
1659-1689—ALEX. RELAND, A.M. Deposed for "gross immorality and oppression." In 1691 tried to intrude with malignants on kirk, but was driven back.
1691-1715—WM. SPENCE, A.M., died 19th March. Formerly minister of Glendevon.
1712-1716—ALEX. BARTON, A.M., died 12th June. Ordained assistant and successor to Mr Spence.
1717-1742—ANDREW URE, died 7th April. Got church built for united parish in 1729.
1743-1778—JOHN STORER, died 8th June.
1780-1803—WILLIAM GRAHAM, died 14th February.
1803-1824—GEORGE GRAHAM, A.M., died 4th July. Son of previous minister.
1825-1845—PETER BRYDIE, died 30th October. Seceded in 1843, but came back.
1846-1852—DUNCAN CAMPBELL, tr. to Luss. Latterly D.D. Died March 23, 1896.
1852-1854—ALEX. COSENS, tr. to Broughton.
1854-????—WM. FERGUSON.
Parish disjoined in 1856 to form part of new Presbytery of Kinross.
1567-????—THOMAS MAKGIBBUN.
1574-????—WILLIAM MELROSS.
1576-1578—ANDREW YOUNG.
1586-1592—JAMES BURDOUN, tr. to Strageyth.
1593-1603-7—WM. BUCHANAN, A.M., tr. to Methven.
1607-????—JOHN YOUNG, A.M.
1619-1634—JAMES DRUMMOND, A.M., died in February.
1635-1645—JOHN FYFF. Deposed 11th February. A Royalist.
1646-1675—GEORGE MURRAY, A.M., died 11th April. A Protester, all the other members of Presbytery being Resolutioners.
1674-1689—JOHN DRUMMOND. Ousted at Revolution for continuing to pray for King James and keeping converse with the rebels. Committed to prison. Died 6th February, 1695.
1697-1717—WILLIAM HEPBURNE, A.M., died 12th April. Retired to Stirling "with the ministers about" on the approach of Mar's army in 1715.
1718-1720—ALEX. TURCAN, A.M., died 18th April.
1721-1730—WILLIAM SIMSON, tr. to Dunblane.
1732-1767—ALEX. MURRAY, died 27th December.
1768-1816—JOHN MURRAY, died 10th August.
1817-1851—ALEX. MAXTONE, died 21st June.
1852-????—THOMAS HARDY.
GASK, OR FINDO-GASK
1572-1574—WILLIAM MELROSS, tr. to Fowlis.
1592-1633—ALEX. GALL or GAW.
1624-1635—JOHN FYFF, A.M., tr. to Fowlis.
1635-1649—WM. BANNATYNE, died.
1648-1688—ROBERT FREEBAIRN, A.M., died.
1676-1680—DAVID FREEBAIRN, A.M., tr. to Auchterarder. Son of previous minister. Assistant and successor to father.
1680-1693—LAURENCE MERCER. Deprived 10th February by Privy Council. His father and grandfather were ministers of Fossoway. Died 30th January, 1720.
1703-1712—COLIN CAMPBELL, A.M., died in December. As a merchant, captured at sea, carried to New Spain, barbarously treated; released by purchase.
1715-1740—WILLIAM HUNTER, died 27th July.
1741-1762—JOHN M'CLEISH, 12th March.
1763-1765—ALEX. COLVILL, tr. to Ormiston.
1766-1798—DAVID KEMP, A.M., died 22nd February.
1798-1802—PATRICK M'ISAAC, tr. to Comrie.
1803-1815—CHARLES ANDERSON, tr. to Closeburn.
1815-1822—ROBERT JOHN ROBERTSON, tr. to Forteviot. Father of Right Hon. J. P. B. Robertson, Lord President of Court of Session.
1823-1852—THOMAS YOUNG, died 5th September.
1853-????—JAMES MARTIN.
1588-1589—ADAM MARSCHELL. Deposed 26th August as "ignorant of the Holy Scriptures and without knowledge of the grounds of religion."
1591-1640—ANDREW KIRK, A.M.
1639-1652—ANDREW KIRK, junr., A.M., died in November. Son of previous minister.
1655-1660—JAMES GRAHAME.
1660-1663—MUNGO WEMYSS, A.M., tr. to Aberdalgie.
1664-1679—WILLIAM SPENCE, A.M., deposed by Bishop and Synod for "disowning the present Government." (See pp. 107-108, 195-207.)
1680-1681—ROBERT STIRLING, A.M. Probably resigned on account of Test.
1682-1688—THOMAS HALL, A.M., tr. to St. Madoes.
1688-1689—ALEX. MELDRUM. Ousted at Revolution.
1690-1691—WM. SPENCE, A.M., tr. to Fossoway. Old minister returned.
1694-1709—GILBERT MELVILLE. Resigned on account of indisposition, and also of the improbability of his having any success by his ministry among that people though he were in health.
1710-1718—ALEX. TURCAN, A.M., tr. to Fowlis-Wester.
1720-1751—DAVID STEVENSON, died 6th February.
1751-1756—JAMES REID, A.M., tr. to Trinity-Gask.
1757-1759—DAVID M'GIBBON, A.M., tr. to Buchanan.
1760-1764—JOHN ANDERSON. Deposed 18th October for brawling, immoderate anger, drunkenness, and indecent behaviour. By one vote of the Assembly, 1765, sentence affirmed as against suspension. Died in Stirling in 1794.
1765-1775—Parish vacant. Patrick Crichton was presented, but Presbytery found there was no call. A new call in 1769 was signed neither by heritor, elder, or head of family. Presbytery were ordered by Assembly to proceed with settlement, but ultimately Mr Crichton gave up the presentation.
1775-1789—ROBERT MATHIE, died 29th March.
1790-1838—JOHN BROWN, died 16th November. Was for many years Clerk of Presbytery, and also Clerk to Synod of Perth and Stirling.
1839-1881—JOHN CUNNINGHAM, died 31st March. In his earlier days Mr Cunningham was celebrated as a tent preacher.
1881-????—EBENEZER BROWN SPEIRS, B.D. Translator of Hegel's "Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion: together with a work on the Proofs of the Existence of God."
1595-????—ROBERT SINCLAIR, A.M.
1620-1657—JOHN FREEBAIRN, A.M.
1659-1682—JAMES GRAHAME, A.M.
1681-1689—JAMES GRAHAME, jun., A.M. Ousted at Revolution. Son of previous minister. Requested by Kirk-Session in 1707 to give up Communion cups and tokens.
1701-1736—ANDREW BRUGH, A.M., died 14th July.
1736-1741—Parish vacant. Mr George Blaikie was presented, but had his license taken from him by the Synod for "misrepresenting and impugning the principles of the Church anent Patronage." Reponed by Assembly in 1738. Lord Dupplin was asked to waive his right of presentation "for the relief of the church in this strait," but refused. Ultimately Mr Blaikie got an appointment in America, and the difficulty was solved.
1741-1783—ANDREW RAMSAY, died 19th October.
1784-1816—JAMES RAMSAY, died 3rd October. Son of previous minister. Discovered pit of marl in his glebe; was interdicted by the heritors from working it, but received authority to do so from Court of Session. Constructed also a machine for raising sit-fast stones from the ground.
1817-1829—JOHN EDWARD TOUCH, tr. to Kinnoull.
1830-1890—WILLIAM STODDART, D.D., died 2nd December. Lived to the great age of 97: and preached until within a few weeks of his death.
1891-????—JAMES BROWN, M.A.
1593-????—JOHN CLERK, A.M., tr. to Auchterarder.
1595-1601—PATRICK M'QUEINE. Deprived. "Sustained great trouble from certain broken men and evil-disposed persons who burnt and destroyed his house, gave him divers and sundry bloody wounds to the great effusion of his blood, and leaving him for dead, so that he is now altogether unable to use his ordinary calling of the ministry within the kirk."
1599-????—JOHN CLERK, A.M.
1614-????—DAVID DRUMMOND (probably minister of Crieff, having charge also of Monzie.)
1633-????—JOHN MONTEATH, A.M.
1637-1665—JAMES FORSYTH, A.M., tr. to Kinross.
1666-1689—JAMES DRUMMOND, A.M. Ousted at Revolution. Said to have been a person of great learning.
1691-1705—WILLIAM CHALMER, tr. to Dunkeld. Parishioners used to play football on Sabbath morning. Had great difficulty in inducing them to go to church.
1710-1740—ARCHIBALD BOWIE, died 11th March. Some parishioners joined in Rebellion.
1742-1747—HENRY LUNDIE, tr. to Abercorn.
1749-1761—DONALD MUNRO, A.M., died 26th August.
1762-1785—ROBERT WALKER. Resigned 6th December. Was formerly amanuensis to Ruddiman, the famous grammarian. In 1774, inconsequence of a fama, he left the parish of Monzie under an arrangement with the Presbytery. Parish was served by assistants. Having obtained a living in the Church of England, he resigned. Died 28th February, 1818.
1786-1792—THOMAS BARTY, tr. to Newtyle.
1792-1794—GEORGE ERSKINE, died 26th April.
1794-1808—RALPH TAYLOR, died 6th October.
1809-1836—SAMUEL CAMERON, died 16th September. New church opened by him 24th July, 1831.
1836-1843—JOHN REID OMOND. Seceded. Afterwards D.D.; minister of Gilmerton Free Church. Died 4th July, 1892.
1843-1844—GEORGE BLAIR. Resigned 5th November. Afterwards held important educational appointment in Canada.
1845-1846—GEO. HUTCHISON, tr. to Banchory-Ternan. Afterwards D.D., and Moderator of General Assembly, 1887.
1847-1893—JAMES TAYLOR, A.M., died 23rd January, "An arrowy and acceptable preacher in the prime of his manhood while his bow abode in strength. Genial critic, shrewd diviner of motive, and sagacious counsellor."—Pres. tribute.
1893-????—HUGH M. JAMIESON.
(Monzievaird Church dedicated to S. Servanus; Strowan Church dedicated to S. Ronan. Parishes long united.)
1623-1640—HENRY ANDERSON, A.M.
1642-1646—GEORGE MURRAY, A.M., tr. to Fowlis.
1648-1653—WM. WEMYSS, A.M., tr. to Dron.
1655-1680—JAMES ROW, A.M.; formerly of Muthill; got church built at Enoch for united parishes in 1667.
1680-1685—GEORGE MITCHELL, A.M.
1685-1689—DAVID YOUNG, A.M. Ousted at Revolution.
1692-1720—JOHN CAMPBELL, died 25th March.
1721-1729—WM. DUNCAN, died 27th March.
1730-1780—JAMES PORTEOUS, A.M., died 25th Nov.
1776-1778—WM. THOMSON, resigned 1st October. Mr Thomson was assistant and successor to Mr Porteous. When he resigned he had received, he said, "the offer of an office in the republic of letters." He devoted himself to literary pursuits; ultimately became a bookseller's hack, and wrote a great number of works; became LL.D. of Glasgow in 1783; died 16th March, 1817.
1781-1835—COLIN BAXTER, died 5th January.
1835-1843—JOHN FERGUSON. Seceded. Afterwards Free Church minister of Bridge of Allan.
1843-1864—WM. ROBERTSON, died 9th June. Author of two hymns—"A little child the Saviour came" and "Thee God we praise"—inScottish Hymnal.
1864-1894—JOHN ROBERT CAMPBELL, died in October.
1895-????—ARTHUR GORDON, M.A.
1567-1572—JAMES PATOUN. Promoted to Bishopric of Dunkeld; accused of treason in 1580.
1583-????—THOMAS SWINTOUN.
1585-1591—JAMES COKBURNE. Deposed for non-residence.
1586-????—WILLIAM PATOUN.
1588-1591—ANDREW KIRK, A.M., tr. to Glendevon.
1591-1592—ALEX. SYMSONE, A.M., tr. to Alva.
1594-1620—PATRICK DAVIDSON, A.M., died.
1622-1640—ALEX. FOTHERINGHAM, A.M., died in June.
1640-1642—DAVID DRUMMOND, A.M., tr. to Linlithgow.
1644-1656—JOHN GOVEAN, A.M., died in January. Celebrated for his fine penmanship.
1656-1660—JAMES FORSYTHE, tr. to Airth.
1662-1665—JAMES FORSYTHE, tr. to Bothkennar. Son of minister of Monzie.
1667-1677—DAVID MONCRIEFF, A.M., tr. to Aberdalgie.
1677-1697—ROBERT SHARP, A.M. Deposed for contumacy.
1698-1701—JOHN GIB, A.M., tr. to Cleish.
1703-1717—ANDREW URE, tr. to Fossoway.
1718-1724—DAVID GUTHRIE, died 9th March.
1725-1732—ALEX. WARDROBE, tr. to Whitburn.
1734-1786—ARCHIBALD RENNIE, A.M., died 13th March. A disputed settlement. Ordained by Committee of Commission of Assembly. During his long ministry he preached in church only the first Sunday; never had an elder; never dispensed Lord's Supper; let manse, except dining-room, which he used for service; was tenant of a farm, which he much improved; and bought an estate.
1786-1830—ANDREW GIBSON, died 18th October. Age 90. Gathered again a fair congregation.
1824-1825—ROBERT ALLAN, A.M., tr. to Little Dunkeld.
1831-1832—WILLIAM ROBERTSON, tr. to Logie. Afterwards D.D. and minister of New Greyfriars, Edinburgh.
1832-1843—JAMES THOMSON. Seceded.
1843-????—ALEX. MOORHEAD FERGUSON.
Parish disjoined in 1836 to form part of new Presbytery of Kinross.
1567-1574—ALEX. GALL, tr. to Strageyth.
1576-1585—ALEX. CHEISHOLME, tr. to Comrie.
1590-1607—JOHN DAVIDSON, A.M., died 7th April. Protested against introduction of Episcopacy in 1606. Named as constant Moderator of Presbytery.
1608-1627—JAMES BURDOUN.
1635-1645—JAMES ROW, A.M., deposed 12th February as a Royalist. Afterwards became minister of Monzievaird.
164?-1649—ARCHIBALD DRUMMOND, A.M., deposed for acceding to a divisive supplication; afterwards became minister of Auchterarder.
1656-1686—JAMES DRUMMOND, A.M. Became D.D. in 1682; Bishop of Buchin in 1684; and resigned Muthill in 1686.
1687-????—JAMES IRVINE, tr., probably to Lonmay.
1689-1693—JAMES INGLIS. Intruded by Earl of Perth, and finally ousted by Privy Council for refusing to pray for William and Mary.
1702-????—WM. CHALMERS, minister of Monzie, was for a short time in Muthill, but afterwards returned to Monzie.
1704-1754—WM. HALY, A.M., died 16th July. Riot at his ordination. Afterwards popular. His curling-stones still exist, and are in possession of Royal Caledonian Club.
1755-1766—JAMES SCOTT, died 6th July.
1767-1809—JOHN SCOTT, A.M., died 11th February. Son of previous minister.
1809-1826—JOHN RUSSELL, A.M., died 17th April. Son of Burns' "Black Russell," who had become minister of Stirling. A popular preacher. Present church built for him.
1826-1867—JAMES WALKER, A.M., died 21st December.
1868-????—JAMES RANKIN, D.D. Formerly minister of Old West Church, Greenock. Author of "Character Studies in the Old Testament," "Handbook of the Church of Scotland," "The Creed in Scotland," "The First Saints," and other works.
(Kinkell had Readers, and two Ministers.)
1584-1594—JOHN HAMMYL. Deposed.
1637-1639—JOHN MURRAY, A.M., removed to Trinity-Gask, with which the parish has ever since been united.
1576-1593—ALEX. GALL. Formerly at Muthill and Strageyth.
1596-1608—WILLIAM OSWALD.
1639-1662—JOHN MURRAY, A.M., died in December.
1664-1673—JAMES BRUCE, A.M.
1674-1682—RICHARD DUNCAN, A.M. Hanged at Crieff on a charge of child murder, a reprieve arriving twenty minutes too late. This is supposed to be the historical fact underlying the well-known popular rhyme, erroneously attributed to Little Dunkeld:—
"O what a parish, sic a terrible parish,O what a parish is that o' Kinkell;They hae hangit the minister, drooned the precentor;Dang doon the steeple, an' drucken the bell."
The Churches of Trinity-Gask and Kinkell are on opposite sides of the Earn, and the precentor is supposed to have been drowned in crossing between them. The Church of Kinkell is now a ruin, and has no steeple. Its bell was recently discovered in the possession of a church in East Lothian.
1683-1698—JAMES ROY, A.M., died in that year. He and the minister of Muckart were the only members of Presbytery who continued in their charges after the Revolution.
1700-1718—JOHN MURRAY, A.M., died 22nd November.
1720-1755—PATRICK PROVAND, died 29th November. The parish is popularly known as Tarnty. "Mr Provand, minister of Tarnty," was once ushered into the presence of Lord Kinnoull by an English footman as "Mr Providence, the minister of Eternity."
1756-1769—JAMES REID, A.M., died 24th August.
1770-1776—JOHN KEMP, tr. to New Greyfriars, Edinburgh. Afterwards D.D.; colleague in Tolbooth Church with Dr. Webster, and Secretary to the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, in which capacity he visited most of the Hebrides, founding schools. A man of conciliatory and engaging manners. (See pp. 114-115.)
1777-1793—JOHN WRIGHT, tr. to Scone.
1794-1834—JAMES BRUGH, D.D., died 23rd July. Changed spelling of his name to Burgh.
1836-1866—ALEX. HILL GRAY, died 15th May. Had a narrow escape of being vetoed, but, there being some irregularity in the making up of the roll of heads of families, his appointment was sustained.
1866-????—GEORGE WRIGHT KEMP.
Note.—The Information in above lists is largely derived from Dr. Hew Scott'sFasti Ecclesiae Scoticana. It has, however, been supplemented and brought down to date. G. D. M'N.
????-1657—LAURENCE MERCER, A.M., minister of Fossoway.
????-1677—WILLIAM WHYT. "On May 8th, 1677, David Whyt, son to umql. William Whyt, supplicated the Presbytery anent ye reste of ye fialls of his deceast father as Clerk to ye Presbyterie, is heard, and those who are deficient are ordered to bring payment against ye next day."
1677-1685—DAVID YOUNG, schoolmaster at Gask and Auchterarder, and afterwards minister of Monzievaird.
1685-1693—LAURENCE MERCER, minister of Gask. Writes a fantastic hand very difficult to read. Mr Mercer was ousted in 1693. His last minute is dated 7th September, 1687. Probably for some years no records were kept.
1703-1707—ANDREW URE, minister of Muckart. Resigns 4th November, 1707.
1707-1711—JOHN DRUMMOND, minister of Crieff. Intimates resignation 14th November 1710.
1711-1729—ARCHD. BOWIE, minister of Monzie, appointed 16th January, 1711, by plurality of votes as against Mr Ure, Muckart, and Mr Haly, Muthill. Held office till 24th April, 1729, when Mr Will. Simson was chosen in his place, who, declining to do duty, Mr John M'Leish was appointed to do it.
1729-1741—JOHN M'CLEISH. Mr M'Cleish was a licentiate residing within the bounds. He seems to have resigned Clerkship on his appointment to parish of Gask.
1741-1747—LACHLAN TAYLOR.
1747-1757—JAMES REID, A.M. At time of his appointment a divinity student; was afterwards minister of Glendevon; resigned Clerkship soon after his translation to Trinity-Gask.
1757-1759—DAVID M'GIBBON, minister of Glendevon. Appointed unanimously 24th April, 1757. Resigned 27th September on his translation to Buchanan.
1759-1768—ALEX. SMYTH, minister of Dunning, appointed unanimously 6th November, 1759; died 20th February, 1768. "The salary and occasional perquisites were continued during the Presbytery's pleasure with the sisters of the deceast, and Mr Robert Walker, minister of Monzie, accepted the office on these terms."
1768-1775—ROBERT WALKER, minister of Monzie, appointed 5th April, 1768. Getting into trouble (see p. 22 (xxii), App.) he had to leave the parish of Monzie, and on 23rd November, 1773, resigned the Clerkship. On 1st February, 1774, he requested to be continued, and stated that "one of your number, whose capacity is unquestionable, has generously consented to take charge of your papers and records." The request was granted, and the person referred to, Mr John Kemp, Trinity-Gask, acted as Clerk till 12th September, 1775, when he was thanked for the care and attention with which he had discharged the duties of that office.
1775-1776—DAVID DAVIDSON, assistant at Monzie, appointed 12th September, 1775, "during the pleasure of the Presbytery and his own good behaviour." One of Mr Walker's assistants. Resigned 7th May, 1776, on being admitted as minister of Kippen.
1776-1784—ALEX. COLDSTREAM, schoolmaster of Crieff, appointed unanimously 7th May, 1776. He never seems to have recorded a single minute of Presbytery in the register, but to have left them all in scroll. On 7th August, 1784, a motion was made by a member of Presbytery that, considering the many proofs of indolence and incapacity which their Clerk has given in the above business of Mr Lawson, and other matters belonging to his office, that he be no longer continued therein. Consideration of this motion was delayed till next meeting (2nd Nov., 1784), when it was unanimously agreed to.
1784-1792—ANDREW DUNCAN, minister of Auchterarder, appointed 2nd November, 1784. On 3rd July, 1792, he intimated to the Presbytery that, having now completed the register of the Presbytery, which had been ten years behind the minute-book, and brought it up to the present date, the doing of which was one object of his undertaking the Clerkship, he now begged to resign that office.
1792-1819—JOHN BROWN, minister of Glendevon, appointed 3rd July, 1792. Held office for long period of twenty-seven years. Was also for many years Clerk of Synod. Resigned (8th June, 1819) the Presbytery Clerkship, thanking them for "the support and assistance they had always given him in the execution of his duty as their Clerk." At same time he nominated as his successor, Mr Robert John Robertson, minister of Gask, "a gentleman whose candour, fidelity, and talents much recommend him to the notice of all that know him, and qualify him particularly to the office of Clerk of the Presbytery."
1819-1822—ROBERT JOHN ROBERTSON, minister of Gask, appointed unanimously on 8th June, 1819; resigned 2nd July, 1822, on his translation to Forteviot.
1822-1829—JOHN EDWARD TOUCH, minister of Madderty, appointed unanimously 2nd July, 1822; resigned 1st September, 1829, on his translation to Kinnoull, and was thanked for his "attention, fidelity, diligence, and accuracy."
1829-1833—JOHN MACFARLANE, minister of Ardoch Chapel, appointed by a majority on 1st September, 1829, as against Mr Maxtone, minister of Fowlis. Resigned 5th March, 1833, on his appointment to Collessie.
1833-1843—JAMES THOMSON, minister of Muckart, appointed unanimously 5th March, 1833; resigned 4th April, 1843, when interdict was served on Presbytery prohibitingquoad sacraministers and elders from voting, "whereupon Mr Thomson, the Clerk, resigned his Clerkship, to which resolution he adhered, notwithstanding the earnest remonstrances of several brethren. Mr Stevenson, assistant and successor in the parish of Crieff, was then appointed interim Clerk, and to him Mr Thomson delivered such papers as he was then possessed of, consisting of scroll and rough copy of minutes and a small parcel of documents."
1843—R. HORNE STEVENSON, assistant and successor in the parish of Crieff, appointed in above circumstances; resigned 26th Sep., 1843, on his translation to St. George's, Edinburgh.
1843-1864—WILLIAM ROBERTSON, minister of Monzievaird, appointed unanimously 26th Sept., 1843. Died 9th June, 1864. "He discharged the duties of Presbytery Clerk for a period of upwards of twenty years. For these duties he was peculiarly well qualified by his extensive acquaintance with the laws and constitution of the Church, by his masterly habits of business, and by the urbanity and kindness of his disposition. And these duties he discharged with a zeal and an ability which entitle his memory to the lasting gratitude of the Presbytery."—Pres. tribute.
Note.—Mr Robertson, the Presbytery Clerk, being personally concerned in a case, Mr A. G. Reid, solicitor, Auchterarder, was appointed to act from 16th October, 1850, to 4th November, 1851, as interim Clerk of Presbytery.
1864-1878—JOHN WILSON, D.D., minister of Dunning, appointed unanimously 5th July, 1864. Was also Clerk of Synod. Died 1st March. "His appointment as Clerk of Presbytery fourteen years ago brought him into closer connection with its members, and by his uniform courtesy, his friendliness, his tact in managing business, and his accurate and extensive knowledge of the forms of procedure in ecclesiastical courts, he rendered most valuable service to the Church."—Pres. tribute.
1878-????—GEO. D. MACNAUGHTAN, B.D., minister of Ardoch, appointed unanimously (2nd April, 1878), on motion of Dr Cunningham, minister of Crieff, seconded by Mr Bonallo, minister of Blackford.