1623. - THE HILL-HOUSE FOUNDED. - The Hill-House, a stately mansion, about
half a mile south of Broad Street, Netherton, was this year founded by
William Monteith, of Randieford, who, in 1621, purchased the estate.  Round
the top of the staircase bartizan, outside, in large open letters, are the
following word in Latin:-

NI DEVS AEDIFICET DOMVM.

That is , "Except the Lord build the house."  (Ps. cxxvii. i.)

On a stone connecting two long chimney-stalks, within the bartizan, there
are the following two insciptions, cut in elegantly-formed Hebrew and Roman
characters:-

ECC C 2 22 (21).              ECC C 2 EE (21).

                              HOC QVOQVE VAN
                              ITAS EST ET MA
                              LVM MAGNVM.

Namely, "This is also vanity, and a great evil."

Over the dining-room windows are the effigies of two men - one cut on the
stone over each window - supposed to be King David and King James VI.; the
one sitting harp in hand, and the other - rather more than a half-length
figure - in the costume of his time, with ruffs.  And on a stone panel
between these windows there are, cut in relievo, the following Hebrew
words:-

That is, "The Lord hath chosen them that fear him."

Underneath the first window of the staircase, at the main entrance fronting
south - but not at present visible from the ground, by reason of a flat
roof over the porch - is the date "1623,"  with the following words, in
Hebrew and Latin, cut on two small stone panels:-

                              VAE AEDIFI
                              CANTI DOM
                              VM SVAM INI
                              VSTITIA.

That is, "Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness."
(Jeremiah xxii. 13.)

This window has at its top the initials "W.M.," surmounted by a
fleur-de-lis.  These are evidently the initials of William Monteith,  who
acquired the lands of the "Hill" in 1621.  (Vide also Chal. Hist. Dunf.
vol. i. p. 326.)

ADAM BLACKWOOD, and eminent native of Dunfermline, died at Paris in 1623,
aged 84.  He resided the greater part of his life in France.  He was a
senator in the Parliament of Poictiers, and Professor of Law in the
University of that city.  He was the author of several works; one of which,
entitled "Apologia pro Regibus," published in 1588, went through two
editions.  He was "a rampant defender" of the unfortunate Queen Mary.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE - Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie.

1624. - FREE BURGESSES. - Two free burgesses "were maid" on the day before
the great fire, viz., "24 die May, 1624 - Johne Henrisone of fordell beward
of Court and votting of ye haill nigtbor's convenit wes entreid burgess and
freeman of this brugh gratis, and maid the nythors aith."  Same day, "24
die May, 1624 - George durie of Craigluscar lykwys entered burges and
frieman of ye said bruth gratis, and maid ye nytbrs aith" (the burgess
oath).  (Burgh Records, 24th May, 1624.)  The next meeting of the
magistrates and Council of the burgh was on May 27th, two days after the
great fire, and although the houses were still smouldering, no notice is
taken of the calamity, neither is it afterwards alluded to in the Burgh
Records.  This is so extraordinary that it would appear to have been
designed.  (See Annals, date 27th May, 1624, and following page.)

GREAT FIRE OF DUNFERMLINE, 25th May, 1624. - The Burgh Records of a great
many towns in Scotland refer to this fire; but singular it is that there is
not the slightest notice taken of the calamity in the Burgh Records of
Dunfermline.  This fire was accidental, and was caused by some burning
wadding or tow "from a fired gun" falling on the heather of thatched roof
of a house near the Rotten Row, which was set on fire, and from thence it
spread to other houses, until about three-fourths of the town was
destroyed.  The 25th May, 1624, was Wappinshaw-day in Dunfermline, and,
consequently a day for drill.  A bailie's son was the culprit who fired the
gun which caused the calamity.

COMPLAINT TO THE PROVOST regarding a Malt Barn, Kiln, Coble, &c. - This is
the first entry on the Burgh Records two days after the great fire, and it
will be seen that no notice is taken of the smoking houses around.  Similar
notices succeed, but nothing to indicate that a great fire had occurred:-

"27th die May, 1624. - The qlk day qmperit Jane Phillan, and gave in ye
qmplaint to the provst and baillies, purchest at ye instance of David
Phillan against M. Thomas Wardlaw of Logie.  Archey douglas and Janet
phillan his spouse Berrand yt they wer lawfl warnit to this day to heer and
see thame declarit to have done wrang in not removing fra the malt barn,
kiln cobell, corn barns yaird caill of land (for Keavle's lot or portion)
adjacent zrto and half aiker of land gontenit in ye precpt at ye last term
of witsunday last bypast."  (Burgh Records, 27th May, 1624.)

Such is the first entry in these Records, two days after the fire, and is
inserted here merely that it may be joined to the two entries in a previous
page. (24th May, 1624.)

PUBLIC NOTICES, &C., REGARDING THE GREAT FIRE. - The following are the
public notices regarding the Great Fire of Dunfermline:-

"The Lords of the Privy Council to King James VI.

"MOST SACRED SOUERANE, - Thair hes of lait fallin oute, within the burgh of
Dunfermlyne vpoun the xxv day of Maij last, ane most lamentable and
fearefull accident, by ane suddane and terrible fyre, whilk araise within
the same, and continewed so violent for the space of foure houris, as no
foirsight nor strength of man wes able to resist it, sua that the poore
inhabitantis who, with mutche stryveing and extreame hasaird of thair
lyveis, opposed thame selffis agains the violence of the fyre, were
constrayned in the end to yield to necessitie, and to be spectatowris of
this feareful visitatioun, wherein the whole body of the toun, whilk
consisted of elevin scoir of tenementis, and fouretene scoir and sevin
famileis, wes within the space foirsaid, brynt and consumed, with the whole
plennessing of the houssis and the barnis about the towne, wherein thair
wes fyve hundredth bollis of victuall, saxtene scoir of bairnis, of whom
the eldest is not past yeiris of aige, is totalie ruyned and undone, and
the poore inhabitantis, who wer a companie of industruous and verteous
people, and paynefullie and cairfullie labourit for thair leving, ar
reducit to that extreame point of miserye, that nothing is left thame bot
the cloathis vpoun thair backis, without a house or holde to repoise their
languishering bodyis in, as some of us, who has seene the desolatioun of
this poore toune, cna beare record.  We haif beene verie solist and
cairfull for a supplie to this poor toune, and hes begun oure selffis to
gif good example to otheris, and by oure letters we haif recommendit thame
to the whole body of this estate: And whereas this gentleman, your
Majesties auld seruand, hes, at the earnist desyre of the poore toune,
undertane to represent unto your Majestie the desolat estate and conditioun
thairof, they have petitioned ws that be him we wald gif notice vnto your
Majestie of the treuthe of this mater, whilk, in a mater of this kynd, we
could not weel deny.  In the meantyme, we sall haif a cair that the moneyis
quhilkis salbe contributed for this earand salbe providently managed and
rightlie distributit, according to the qualitie and necessitie of the
pairtyes interested, and in every other thing whilk may procure the
comforte and releiff of that poore toun, no thing salbe inlaiking in we
whiche to oure charge and placeis apperteynis: And so, with oure humble
prayeris vnto God, recommending your Majestie, and all your royall and
princelie advis, to the protectioun of the Almightie, we rest for ever. -
Your Majesteis, most humble and obedyent subjectis and seruitouris,

"GEORGE HAY.        LINLITHGOW.
JA. GLASGOW.        MELROS.
WIGTOUNE.           GLENCAIRNE.
A. MAR.             BUCCLEUCHE."

"Haliruidhous, 16 Junij 1624.
To the King his most sacred and excellent
Majestie."

(Melrose Papers, vol. ii. p. 565, No. 329.)  A similar notice was sent "to
the Prince his Highness" (Prince Charles), "because the towne is your
Highnes owne."

It would appear from the foregoing document that some of the Lords of the
Privy Council had visited Dunfermline shortly after the fire, to see the
extent of the calamity, so that his Majesty and others might have
trustworthy information on the subject.

The following are a few interesting notices regarding the fire:- From
Johnston's unplublished (MS.) Hist. Scot. in the Advocates' Library,
Edinburgh: "On tueday 25th of May, At Dunfermline while a wappinshaw was
going on, William Anderson, son til John Anderson, a bailff of the said
town, and Charles Richeson, his servant, being shooting a shot with some of
their friends in a certain place of the town, a little piece of the lunt
flieth upon a thack-house, which easily kindled; the fire increased with
the violence of the wind, and did flie from house to house, and sometimes
wald flie over ane house without doing it any harm, but wald burn the next
house, till the great admiration of all men.  So that this fire burnt so
meikle of the town, that, excepted the Abbey and the Kirk thereof, the
tenth part were not free of it.  This, by the judgement of all beholders,
was thought til have been some divinity, or some witchcraft, rather nor
this foresaid accidental fire."  From this account it would appear that
William Anderson, son of Bailie Anderson, and Charles Richeson were those
who fired the unlucky shot, and that about nine-tenths of the houses in the
town were on fire and destroyed.

Calderwood in his History of the Kirk of Scotland gives the time and the
continuance of the fire:- "Dunfermeline burnt upon the 25th May, (1624).  A
young boy in Dunfermeline shooting a gunne, a little piece of the lunt
(lint) flieth upon a thacke house, which easlie kindled, the fire increased
with the violence of the wind, which wa verrie vehement.  The fire began at
twelf houres, and burnt the whole toun.  Some few sclat houses excepted
before foure afternoone; good and gear within houses, malt and victuall in
malt kills and barns were consumed with the fire." (Calderwood's Hist.
Kirk. Scot., vol. vii. p. 607.

According to Calderwood, the fire began at twelve o'clock noon, and
continued until four o'clock afternoon, a fierce storm of wind blowing all
this while from the north-west.  The Chronicles of Perth notices this fire
as follows: "Thair wes ane great fyre in Dunfermling, that brunt almaist
the haill toun in four houris space.  Thaireafter, upone thair
supplecation, voluntar contribution wes grantit thame throchout the
kingdom.  Thair wes collectit (in Perth) above lxx. merkis."  Mur. Chron.
Perth, vol. i. pp. 24, 25. Balfour in his Annals of Scotland notes, that
the toun of Dunfermline consisted at this time of 220 houses, containing
287 families.

The Aberdeen Records has the following minute on Dunfermline fire:- "Anno,
1624 - Dunfermline, the town of, destroyed by accidental fire, 25th May,
consumed 220 tenements, occupied by 287 families, their whole plenishing,
with 500 bolls of grain in barns.  The town, containing 700 communicants,
and 320 children under six years of age, said to be completely ruined.
Voluntary contribution for their relief, ordered by the head court of
Aberdeen, convened for the purpose; 1600 merks, collected by voluntary
contribution as the town's benevolence, paid to the commissioner appointed
for receiving it, for which he granted a receipt."  (Inventory of the
Records of Aberdeen, vol. li. pp. 123, 124, and 133; also Fernie's History
of Dunfermline, p. 134, &c.)

The following minute is extracted from the Burgh Records of Edinburgh, 16th
July, 1624:- "The quhilk day, Alexander Clerk, provost, Mungo Makcall, and
Peter Somerville, baillies, &c., being convenit, for sua meikle as the
collectors appointed for collecting and ingathering of the voluntar
contribution appointed to be collectat through this burgh, for re-edificing
of the said burgh of Dunfermeling, late brunt be sudden fyre, as at mair
length is conteynit in the act of counsall maid theranent, of the dait the
second day of June last, is fund to extend to the soume of four thousand
fyve hundreth pundis eicht shillingis seven pennyes (Scots); thairfore, the
provost, baillies, and counsall, ordainis the said collectors to pay the
said somis to Mr. Robert Drimond of Woodcokdaill, and James Reid, zor.
burges of dumfermeling, appointet ressavers of the same." (Edin. Burgh
Records; Chal. Hist. Dunf., vol. i. p. 571, &c.)

From these notices it would appear that about nine-tenths of the town were
destroyed during the brief space of four hours, on the disastrous 25th May,
1624.  The ravages of the fire appear to have been confined principally to
the area of the town lying on the north side of the High Street, viz., the
Collier Row (Bruce Street); the Rotten Row (West Queen Anne Street); North
Chapel Street; the Cross Wynd; all the north and part of the south side of
the High Street; the upper part of New Row, and the north side of Maygate.
The houses on the south side of the High Street were only partially
destroyed; the violent storm of wind at the time carried the flames and
sparks in some places across the street, and thus set fire to and consumed
many of them.  The under parts of the houses in the town were generally
built of stone, the storey or storeys above were chiefly of timber, and
three-fourths of them were thatched with straw, heather, and, in some
instances, with "turf-sods," which accounts for so many houses being
destroyed in the short space of four hours.

The sketch on preceding page, showing the locus of the fire and the
direction of its "blasts of flame," is taken from an old plan in the
writer's possession.

This plan shows the extent of Dunfermline in 1624.  The arrow-heads
indicate the direction of the wind during the fire (north-west); the long
dark streaks that of the smoke and flames driven by the violence of the
wind over the town according to old traditional accounts.  Thus are
exhibited the extent and direction of the Great Fire.

The documents which have been quoted show that there were 320 children in
the town under six years of age in 1624, or about one-fifth of the
population; the town would then have about 1600 inhabitants; there were 220
tenements.  In these days dwellings were more crowded than now; at present
about 6 souls are allowed to each house; in 1624 the number would be about
7 1/4 to a house; thus 220 X 7 = 1540 inhabitants.  They may be classified
as follows:-  Children under six years of age, 320; on the communicant's
roll, 700; not on communicant's roll (in which number may be reckoned
persons between the years of six and sixteen, and also those who had a
scruple to become communicants, 580; total, 1600 souls in Dunfermline in
1624.

TRADITION. - A curious but absurd tradition may be noticed here, viz.:- "A
week or so before the Great Fire, "a regiment of rats" were seen making
their way up the Rotten Row, the van being led by two rats leading a blind
one by means of a straw between them!"  This dispersion of the animals, it
is said, was taken as an instance of their sagacity and foresight as to the
coming fire.  The narrow street used by the rats in their flight was
afterwards named the "Rotten Row;" but this tradition comes to grief when
it is recollected that the said street was called the Ratton Row, or Rotten
Row, as early as the year 1487! (See An. Dunf. date 1487.)  Rotten Row is
derived from Ratton, viz., unwrought timber, the houses being erected
wholly of rough undressed planks of timber; no stone used.

REBUILDING OF DUNFERMLINE - Garvock Wood, &c. - Some old MSS. notify that
those of the inhabitants whose "finances permitted them" began to rebuild
and repair their houses immediately after the fire had ceased; while the
great bulk of the people had to wait until the "inbringing of the public
benevolence contributions;" and that, during the latter end of 1624, "the
sound of the mallet, hammer, and saw, were heard in every quarter of the
town," there being "large flocks of tradesmen at work."  At this calamitous
period the burgesses of Dunfermline had a right to cut wood on the estate
of Garvock, about a mile east of the town; and they made such good use of
their rights, that they left that estate nearly denuded of its trees.
These they had sawn into planks, deals, &c., for rebuilding the second and
third storeys of their houses, the ground apartments being in general built
of stone.  The mansion-house of Garvock, which crowned Garvock Hill, being
thus shorn of much of its natural beauty, the proprietor, Mr. Wellwood,
afterwards removed his residence to Pitliver, besides losing Garvock Wood.

Towards the end of 1624 there are several minutes in the Burgh Records of
parties, by the dozen, who had been summoned for paltry debts before the
Burgh Court, for stanes, lime, and driving.  One extract will suffice: "9
Dec., 1624 - James henrison compeard for awing David Blair for work, and
for stanes and lime, 4lib."  He is ordered to pay the 4lib.  There is no
entry in the Records of the large sums which the town must have received
before Dec., 1624, or the least hint how the moneys received were
distributed.  "Had a liberal distribution been made, perhaps this '4lib' of
James Henrison's to David Blair would not have been on the books."

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - James Reid.

"PUBLIC BENEVOLENCE" CONTRIBUTIONS. - The magistrates of Dunfermline,
shortly after the fire, had sent out to every town and parish in Scotland
petitions for "public benevolence" contributions, in which, as has been
shown in the response of a few quoted, they got seasonable relief:
Edinburgh sent œ4500 8s 7d. (Scots); Aberdeen, 1600 merks; Perth, 70 merks,
&c., and no doubt every town and parish contributed.  It is highly probable
that a very considerable sum would come to Dunfermline for the relief of
"the poor inhabitants,"  but how much, there is nothing on record to show.
The King had been solicited for aid.  His bounty on the occasion is not
known; but Prince Charles (afterwards King Charles I.)  who was solicited
for pecuniary aid, gave œ500 Scots, "Dunfermling being his ain toun."

THE HOUSE IN EAST HIGH STREET with Date of the Fire on it. - After the town
was rebuilt, a great many of the pious inhabitants placed on the front
walls of their houses, above doors and windows, stones having on them the
date of the fire, and mottoes taken from the Scriptures.  These "sermons in
stones" have since then, in the course of "improvements," been nearly all
removed or destroyed.  Only two remained in 1877; one in the High Street
(east end, north side); the others on the house-top of Cross Wynd.  The
house near the east of the High Street (north side), within a few yards of
the side of the East Port, according to tradition, was the eastmost house
in that direction which had been overtaken by the flames and only partially
destroyed.  It would likely be looked upon by its proprietor as a
"supernatural gift."  Hence, "Praise God for all his gifts" was an
appropriate motto for his memorial stone over the door.  The engraving on
the preceding page is a representation of the stone.

The stone, it will be seen, is a triangular one, having cut on it in alto
relievo the day and the year of the fire, "1624.25 Maii."  Below are the
initials, no doubt, of the proprietors and heir in 1624.

PRAIS GOD FOR

is now all that appears in connection with it.  It is probable, however,
that the stone would originally rest on a "lintel stane," which would have
on it the concluding words of the motto, viz.:-

ALL HIS GIFTS,

or perhaps "All Hys Gyftes."  As the motto now stands, it gives out "an
uncertain sound,"  and appears to give the praise to the proprietor.  It
will be remembered that a stone on Pittencrieff House had on it a similar
motto. (See An. Dunf. date 1610.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Thos. Wardlaw, of Logie.  (Burgh Rec.)  According
to another notice - Alexander Clerk of Pittencrieff.

1625. - GRAMMER SCHOOL BUILT. - The Grammar School of the burgh, which had
been erected soon after the destruction of the Abbey, by GED, was enveloped
in the flames of the great fire of 25th May, 1624, and reduced to a ruin.
In 1625 a new school was erected on the same site.  The school of 1625
stood until 1817, in the S.E. corner of the play-ground of the present
school.  It was a small building, devoid of architectural adornment - about
40 feet in length, 25 in breadth, and 16 in height.  The preceding view of
it was taken by the writer from a much larger one in possession of Mr.
Ramsay, London, a son of the teacher who held the school early in the
present century.

The view is taken from the south-west, apparently on the street, opposite
Queen Ann Street manse gate.  The school consisted of two storeys, three
small windows on the ground apartment, and three large ones above, facing
the street, where the business of the school was conducted, the entrance
into which was by an outside stair built to the east gable.  Above the door
there was a large stone, having cut into it the Latin words -

FAVE MIHI MI DEUS 1625

That is - "Favour me, O my God."  Above were the town's arms - a tower with
rampant lion supporters, and 1625, the date of erection.  On the triangular
stones, on the east and west, above the upper windows there were
inscriptions; the stone above the middle window was embellished with a
large thistle.  On the stone above the west window were the Latin words, -

SEP:
DOCE ET
CASTIGA VT
VIVAT PVER

That is , "Often teach and chastise, that the boy may live."  And on the
stone above the east window were, also in Latin, the words, -

X
DISCE
ET PATE=
RE SIC TE BEAB=
IT DEUS TUUS.

That is, "Learn and suffer.  Thus thy God shall bless thee."  The first
inscription is a general supplication for Divine aid; the second gives
advice to the teacher to give proper instruction and due chastisement; the
third gives advice to the scholars to learn with diligence and submit to
punishment, and thus shall they receive the blessing of God.

This school of 1625 was long felt to be too small for the increasing
population of the burgh; it was removed in 1817, whilst the present more
handsome edifice was being erected.  Mr. Archibald Haxton, a most excellent
teacher and disciplinarian, was the last of the many teachers who, during
191 years, had done service in it.  The writer was a pupil for a short
period before its removal.  (See Annals, date 1816-17.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie.

1626. - MARKET CROSS. - The first notice of a Market Cross in Dunfermline
is to be found under date 1499; but, although not mentioned, there would be
one as early as 1395, if not much earlier, for the tron and customes are
noticed under date 1383.  The original Market Cross was probably a tall
stone pillar, erected on the top of a few pyramidal steps (similar to the
Cross re-erected in 1869).  In 1620 the original Cross appears to have
become so "dilapited" that it became dangerous, and was removed.  Then a
new one, resembling the Crosses of Edinburgh, Aberdeen &c., was erected in
the "Hie-Gate," opposite the foot of "Croce Wynde."  This new Cross of 1620
was an elegant structure.  The above representation of it is taken, in its
then "rude and dilapidated state," from an old drawing of date 1747, by "J.
S."

This structure appears to have been about 10 feet in diameter, as
ascertained by the "wheel-radii" of stones formed in the causeway in the
place where it stood.  The small house was octagonal, 12 feet in diameter
and about 10 feet in height.  From the centre arose the "pillar-stone,"
supporting a unicorn.  The whole height of the Cross, including the pillar,
would be about 20 feet.  Round the inside of the small building, at the
height of a few feet, there was a stone pavement, which was reached by a
few steps.  This stone pavement was the place whereon the town's officers
stood to read public proclamations, &c; and on the "proclaiming the advent
of a new Sovereign" the Provost, Magistrates, &c., ascended to this paved
place and made the proclamation.  On "the King's birth-days the Magistrates
and Council stood all round the pavement and drank the King's health, and
then often threw their glasses into the air!"  The door faced the east.
Round the top of the octagon house there were carved stones.  Only one, so
far as the writer knows, exists - viz., the stone above the door-way -
having on it the burgh arms.  It is in the possession of the writer.  The
stone is well authenticated, having come through two hands only when he
received it as a gift.  The following is a sketch of the stone.

In order to preserve this stone, the writer intends to have it sunk into
some one of the steps in front of the recently re-erected Cross.  (See the
several notices of the Cross in the Annals between 1620 and 1868.)

THE CROSS WYND "FIRE-STANE" INSCRIPTIONS. - This house, already alluded to,
occupies the north-west angle of the Cross Wynd, and stood "contiguous to
the Cross Wynd Port."  The previous house, which stood on the same site,
was destroyed by the great fire, May 25, 1624.

The present building appears to have been erected or completed in 1626, as
indicated by an old stone which was once on the west wall of the house.  On
the east wall of this house, in the Cross Wynd, and about ten feet above
the pavement of the street, there is to be seen a dilapidated stone, about
four feet square, having on it several references from Scripture regarding
the great fire.  Perhaps no other town in Scotland possesses so full and so
interesting a memorial of an incident of other days.  Many of the letters
on this unique stone are so "time-worn" that it is impossible now to make
them out.  In a few years, none of those left will be readable.  The
proprietor should adopt measures to preserve them.  The following engraving
represents the present appearance of the stone, with the exception of the
restoration of some of the worn-out words and letters on it:-

SI TANTUM POTUIT IGNIS HORAE MAII
25 1624 FLAMMAE FLAMEN INIS SEVERE
TAS O PYRAS HORRENDAS QVAS
SPIRITUS JEHOVAE QUASI TORRENTE SUL
PHURIS AETERNUM INCENDENT ESAE 30 33

M       NISI DOMINUS
        FRUSTRA
R D     PSAL 127.

SI DENUO QUVAE VIDES COMMORANDI TABER
NACULA LARGIRI VOLVIT BENIGNITAS O
CIVITATEM FVNDATISSIMAM CUIUS ARTI
FEX ET CONDITOR ET DEUS  Heb 11 10
VIDE QVESSO SEVERITATEM ET BENICNE
TATEM DEI  Rom 11 22.

Of which the following is a free translation:- "Seeing that in so brief a
space, on the 25th May, 1624, so much desolation was caused by a fire and
the fury of the flaming blast, then O consider the dreadful blazing pyres
which the breath of Jehovah, as if with a torrent of brimstone, will for
ever keep in flames." (Isaiah xxx. 33.)  The initial letters, "M.R.D.," on
the left, appear to refer to Master Robert Dury.  He was an M.A., and
consequently, as was customary at this period, prefixed his initials with
an "M."

In the centre of the stone is a shield, having cut on it in the centre, in
alto relievo, a Tree and Three Arrows or Darts, "on the wing" - two on the
right-hand side of it, and one on the left side.  Whether the tree is an
emblem of "the Tree of Life," and the darts, "the fiery darts of the wicked
one," does not appear clear, but it is likely they will have a scriptural
solution.

"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it."
(Psalm cxxvii. i.)

Under the shield the Latin words may be thus rendered:- "Since new
tabernacles to dwell in have, by a bountiful Providence, as you see, been
bestowed upon us, O seek the city which has sure foundations, whose Builder
and Maker is God."  (Heb. xi. 10.)

The last admonition may be rendered: "I beseech you, behold (in this dire
calamity) the goodness and the severity of God." (Rom. xi. ii.)

These inscriptions are in bas-relief (cut into the stone); the Shield, the
Tree, and the Arrows are in alto.

It was once supposed that the centre of the Shield was occupied by a Quiver
full of Arrows, which, along with the three in flight, was thought to have
some connection with the 127th Psalm.

About 25 or 30 years ago, during the process of some alterations being made
on this house, three triangular stones were removed from its west wall.
No. 1 Stone had cut on it a circle floriated, with bar across the centre.
Above the bar were two arrows; below it, one arrow, with all heads pointing
downwards, the initials "I.D." mutilated, were in the lower corner angles
(John Dury?).  No. 2 Stone had on it 1626, and the Latin words -

SVSTINE ABSTINE
1626

viz., Bear and Forbear, showing by the date, "1626," that the house would
be finished in this year.  No. 3 Stone has on it -

M.W.D. : A FVNDAMENTO DENVO EXTRVXIT

viz., Mr. W.D. built (this house) anew from the foundation.

These stones, along with many other "Dunfermline sculptured stones," were
long in the possession of the late Mr. Joseph Paton, Wooer's Alley,
Dunfermline.  They are now to be seen at the west end of the Nave of the
Abbey Church.

Note. - In the year 1858, while the writer was collecting materials for an
account of "The Great Fire" for the Dunfermline Journal, he caused search
to be made for all date-and-motto stones referring to 1624-1628 on houses
in Dunfermline, directing particular attention to the "Cross Wynd Stane."
The inscriptions were then copied for him.  Since no notice is taken of
this interesting Stone in any "History," it would seem that the writer was
the first who brought it before the public.

THE ANCIENT "PRAETORIA," OR TOLBOOTH OF THE BURGH. - This building was
probably burnt in 1624.  The Burgh Records do not inform us as to whether
or not the Town-house of this period was burnt; but that will be no
surprise to those next to it, on the south, and which was connected with
the prison, was destroyed.  This house belonged to John Anderson, and it
was rebuilt two years after the first.  In 1769, part of Anderson's
premises were removed to make way for the new Town-house then erecting.
The "lintel-stane" was used in the new building.  This "stane" was found in
the lower part of the west wall, or gable, of the last Town-house, in 1876,
when it was being removed.  The following is a copy ofthe letters and date
on this stone:-

I A 1626

The date belongs to "the re-building of the burgh."

"AULD KIRK" REPAIRS. - Erection of Lafts, Bucht, &c. - This year, it was
found that the south-west end of the Church was much out of repair, as also
the roof of the aisle there.  The faults were repaired, and the date,
"1626" left in a small circular stone in the centre of the aisle-roof.  At
the same time, the Scholar's and Sailors' Lafts appear to have been
erected, and several family buchts, in other parts of the kirk.  (See Dunf.
Parish Rec. &c.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE - Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie. (Burgh Records.)

SLANDERERS OF DUNFERMLINE TO BE PUNISHED. - On the 7th of May, this year,
the Town Council of Dunfermline passed an Act for punishing of those who
"cursed and slandered the town," wishing it to be burned again.  (See
Annals Dunf. date 1651.)

1627. - WITCHES AND WARLOCKS! - An old MS. extract in the writer's
possession, notifies that "the wast o' fife, specially Dunfermlin and
torryburn, began to be infested be witches and warlocks."  (See An. Dunf.
date 1643.)

PENNY WEDDINGS. - According to an old note, Penny Weddings began to be very
"uproris in Dunfermling" (about 1627 and 1628), and "Sandie Dempster, the
wading fidler," took an active part at them with "payin' and kickin' up and
dancing."  (See also Annals Dunf. date 1648.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie.  (Burgh Rec.)

1628. - DUNFERMLINE REBUILT. - It would appear, from several MS. notes,
that "Dunfermline had, by the year 1628, in a great measure recovered
itself from the great disaster of 1624;" and that "many of the new
erections were a great improvement on those destroyed."  Also, it is noted,
that "many of the newly-built houses were decorated with motto-and-date
stanes."  A few years ago, on making some alterations on the house of Mr.
Young, saddler, on the south side of East High Street, "a fire-motto-date
stane" was discovered, of which the above is a representation.  The date on
this stone (1628) refers to the fourth year after the great fire of May
25th, 1624, when the greater part of the town had been rebuilt.

1629. - BURNTISLAND, and the Communion Expenses. - "1629 24th May,
Dumfarling.  This day sent a discharge to Dunfarmling for the landwart of
the elements celebrat in our kirk the 5 and 12 of Appryll this year."
(Burntisland Kirk Session Records.)

THE WRIGHTS' LAFT in the Church of Dunfermline. - The incorporation of
Wrights erected, in 1629, a seat between the two eastmost pillars, south
side of the kirk.  This seat had a fine old oak carved front, with arms,
and the motto -

GOD BLESS THE JOINERS OF DUNF.

This oak front was long in the possession of the late Mr. Paton, and was
sold at his sale in November, 1874.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie. (See Burgh Records.)

1630. - WILLIAM SCHAW and the Mason Craft. - William (son of Willaim Schaw,
Master of Works to James VI.), and himself Master of Works to Charles I.,
granted a charter to the general lodge, recognising Sir William Sinclair of
Roslin as patron and protector from age to age of their craft.  This
charter is attested by names of deacons and masters of the lodges of
several of the Royal burghs in 1630.  Among the signatures appears that of
Robert Alisone, one of the Masters of the Lodge of Dunfermline.  (Chal.
Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 156.)

JOHN HENRYSONE, Notrious Assruit, who appears to have been the writer of
these charters, was, most likely, the son of John Henrysone, public notary
and schoolmaster of Dunfermline.  (See Annals Dunf. date 1573.)  John
Burne, one of the Masters of the Dunfermline lodge, subscribes his name to
this charter - the pen being led by John Henrysone, viz., - "I, Jon Burne,
ane of the mrs of Dumfermline, wt my hand at ye pen, led be ye notar vnder
subscrywand for me at my comand, because I can not writ myselff. - J.
Henrysone, notrious assruit."  (Vide Lyon's Hist. Lodge, Edin. p. 61; also
An. Dunf. date 1598.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Thomas Wardlaw was re-elected Provost. (Burgh
Records.)

1631. - HENRY WARDLAW, of Pitreavie (eldest son of Queen Anne's
Chamberlain), was created a Nova Scotia Baronet by King Charles I. in 1631.
(Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 304.  See also Annals, Appen. S.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE - Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie.  (See Burgh Records.)

1633. - KING CHARLES I. IN DUNFERMLINE - Creation of Earl and Five Knights.
- King Charles I. during his sojourn in Scotland this year, on July 4th and
5th, visited Dunfermline, when he, "with great solemnitie," created Sir
Robert Kerr Earl of Ancrum, Lord Kerr of Nisbet, &c., which was proclaimed
by the heralds at the open windows of the "the great chamber"  of the
palace.  Afterwards, the King dubbed five of his favourites.  The King left
Dunfermline on 5th July.  (Balf. An. Scot. vol. i.; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.
i. p. 271.)  It has been supposed that Alexander Clark, of Pittencrieff,
was one of this list of knights.

LORD KINLOSS CREATED EARL OF ELGIN. - Thomas Bruce, third Lord Kinloss, was
this year created Earl of Elgin by King Charles I. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.
i. p. 289.)

KING CHARLES I. and the Lordship of Dunfermline, Revocations, &c. - The
following extract is from one of the Acts of the Scottish Parliament, held
at Edinburgh, 28th January (cap. 9):- "Item: His Majesty, with consent of
the saids Estaits, revokes, cansils, annuls, retracts, and rescinds all and
sundrie infeftments, grants, dispositions, confirmations, and other rights
whatsoever, made by his Majestie induring his minority, and lessage to
whatsoever person, or persones, in fee, frank, tenement or otherwise, of
the landes, kirks, teinds, patronages, offices, and others pertaining to
the Lordship of Dunfermline; to the which his Majestie succeded as only
sone and heire to his Majesties umquhile, dearest mother Queene Anna, who
was heritably infeft in the said lordship of Dunfermling, and siclyke
gifts: revokes all gifts, alienations, dispositions, and other rightes
whatsoever, made by his Majestie, or his said dearest mother, unlawfully
and against the lawes of the kingdome, of the said lordship, or any landes,
teinds, offices, kirks, patronages, and others perteining to the said
lordship at any time preceeding the date hereof: the same being so found
and verified before the ordinary judge," &c. (Vide Act termed the "King's
General Revocation," Parliament of Charles I., Edinburgh, June 28, 1633,
cap. 9; Murray's Laws and Acts of Par. vol. i. p. 533.)

JAMES HALKET OF PITFIRRANE KNIGHTED. - James Halket, of Pitfirrane, was
knighted this year by Charles I., at Dalkeith, on 24th June. (Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. p. 295.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE - Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie. (See Burgh Records.)

1634. - KING CHARLES I. "Disappoints and Affronts the Earl Rothes and Lord
Lindsay, bailie of the regality of St. Andrews, understanden that it was
the intention of the King to pass through Dunfermline, collected their
friends there, to the number of nearly 2000, on horseback, and in their
best style of equipage, to testify their loyalty to him," &c.  The King,
however, affronted them much by intentionally changing his route.  But
conduct of this nature was not uncommon to Charles. (Aitk. Hist. Scot. vol.
iii. p. 403.)

AULD KIRK PULPIT - An Elegant New one Erected. - A new pulpit, of oak, was
erected in the Auld Kirk this year.  It was very neatly carved with
devices.  An iron rod projected from the side near the Pulpit Book-board,
and ended in an ornamental iron cup, which held an hour-glass (a common
appendage of these times).  On the back of the pulpit were the words -

"WHO IS SUFFICIENT FOR THESE THINGS?"

The pulpit was fixed to the middle morth pillar in the Kirk.  The two
projecting iron rods that secured the sounding-board are still to be seen.
The pulpit is now at Abbotsford; it was presented by the heritors to Sir
Walter Scott in 1822. (See An. Dunf. date 1822.)

AULD KIRK SEATING. - A great many new seats and cradels were added to the
Kirk during 1634, and the "Musicians' Isle" was then repaired.  (Kirk Ses.
Rec.)

1635. - THE WEATHER. - According to an old MS., the "Januar of 1635 set in
with grate severitie, with sleet and snaw-storms, whilk continuit mair or
les until Febuer;" and it seems that the streets were in some places
"breist high in snaw."  (MS. by "D. W.")

POPULATION OF THE BURGH IN 1635. - The burgh having recovered from the
disastrous fire of 1624, a census appears to have been taken in 1635, when
it was estimated that there were about 1850 souls in the town and suburbs.
(MS. by "J.S.")

FEVER. - A "malignant fever" raged for some months in the town and
different parts of the parish, "whilk carryet of not a few."  (MS. Advoc.
Lib. 1635.)

ASPECT OF THE STREETS IN 1635. - "Wooden fronts above the first stone
storey, many of them projecting; outside stairs, extending to near the
middle of the street; no pavements, and only part of the 'Hie-gate'
causeway'd." (MS.)

1636. - THE PARISH OF ROSYTH was united to the parish of Inverkeithing
early this year. (Inverkeithing Par. Rec.)

SCULPTURED STONE, 1636. - This stone is to be seen on the west wall of a
house, "in the open" of the first close east of Randolph Street (Bardner's
Close, now called "Brown's Close).  A now nearly worn-out tradition informs
us, that there formerly stood on the same site the town-mansion of Lord
Callender; that his mansion was destroyed by the great fire of 25th May,
1624; that the locality lay long heaped up with debris, and that on the
site being sold in 1634, the present house was built.  It will be observed
that the stone is triangular, the top angle terminating in a human face,
under which is the date 1636, and below the date there is a plain shield,
which is devided perpendicularly by a bar into equal halves; on the
right-hand half there are three fleur-de-lis - two above, and one below a
cheveron.  On the left-hand side are three five-pointed stars, with a
stag's head and horns below them.  On each side of the lower part (the
outside) of the Shield are initial letters - viz., "I. R. : M. B." - the
whole being enclosed within a waved ornamental border, formed out of the
two sides of the triangular stone.  It is now not known to whom these
initials and armorial bearings refer; but seeing he, the proprietor and
builder of 1636, had a Shield of Arms, he must have been a man of position.
By referring to the "heart-shaped stone" on page 264 (which is over the
arch, at the north end of the same close) the initials "I. R." will be seen
on it.  Perhaps this stone of 1607 and that of 1637 may have been set up by
the same person.

1637. - THE HERITABLE OFFICES of the Lordship, &c., of Dunfermline
conferred on the Earl of Dunfermline. - Charles, the second Earl of
Dunfermline, obtained a Charter under the Great Seal from King Charles I.,
for himself, and as Lord of the Lordship and Regality, conferring upon him
the offices of "Bailary and Justiciary of our Lordship and Regality, on
both sides of the river and water of Forth excepting what belonged to the
bailiary of Musselburgh."  24th April, 1633. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p.
257.)

ASSISTANT MINISTERS OF DUNFERMLINE. - At this period, and for some short
time afterwards, there were two assistant ministers in the Kirk of
Dunfermline - viz., Johne Stanehouse and Samuel Row. (Par. Rec.)

1638. - THE NATIONAL COVENANT Signed at Dunfermline. - During the months of
March and April, 1638, the National Covenant, as drawn up by Alexander
Henderson and Johnstone of Warriston, was subscribed this year at
Dunfermline by the nobility, gentlemen, burgesses, and community. Among the
signatures are those of the Earl of Dunfermline; Sir Robert Halkett, of
Pitferrane; James Durie, of Craigluscar; Robert Ged (senior and junior), of
Baldridge; Henry Wardlaw, of Pitreavie; William Wardlaw, of Balmule; also
the then two assistant ministers of Dunfermline, Johne Stanehouse, Mr.
Samuel Row, &c; and upwards of 200 other signatures.

We have had in our possession for several weeks (May, 1878) this National
Covenant document, kindly lent to us by the Kirk Session of Queen Ann
Street Congregation, in whose custody it has been since 1740.  The document
consists of a large sheet of parchment 37 1/4 inches by 34 3/4, on which is
written, in beautiful caligraphy, 74 lines of preliminary and explanatory
remarks.  Five of these preliminary lines are as follow:-

"The Confession of Faith Subscribed at Dunfermline First by the King's
Majestie and his Household, in the zeire of GOD 1580, Thairefter by persons
of all ranks In the zeire of GOD 1581 by ordinance of the Lords of Secret
Counsall and Acts of generall Assemblies, Subscribed again be all Sortes of
persons In the zeire of GOD 1590 by a new Ordinance of Counsall at the
desire of the Generall Assemblie with ane general band for mentainence of
the trew religion and the King's person, And now subscribed in the zeire of
GOD 1638 By we Noblemen, Barronnes, Gentlemen, Burgesses, and Community
under subscribed be and Togidder with our resolution and promise For the
cause eftir specified, To the Mentainence of the trew Religion and the
King's Majestie, According to the Confession foirsaid, and actes of
parliament, the tenor quhairof follows."

The "tenor" consists of 69 closely-written lines, each 35 1/8 inches in
length, and which, were they printed along with the signatures below them,
would occupy about 40 pages quarto (same size as our pages).  We must
therefore refer the reader to the original document for further particulars
regarding the tenor and the large number of signatures appended to it
(about 250 in number).

This "Confession of Faith" was, it is said, first in the possession of the
Earl of Dunfermline, or his factor, William Walker, Provost of the burgh.
Afterwards it came into the possession of his descendant, William Walker,
of Rhodes, Clerk of the Regality, who presented it to the Rev. Ralph
Erskine shortly after he became junior minister of the parish, who is
understood to have presented it to the Session of his newly-formed
Secession Church, Queen Ann Street, about 1740.  It is also said that it
became the property - after the Rev. Ralph Erskine's death, in 1752 - of
his son, who gifted it to the Rev. Mr. Fisher, Glasgow, who bequeathed it a
second time to the Queen Ann Street Congregation.  (See Chal. Hist. Dunf.
vol. i. p. 273.)

The document, now time-worn, is enclosed within an oak frame 47 1/4 inches
by 44, and is surrounded by a "gilded flat strip border,"  and glazed.
This is an interesting document, and ought to be photographed for sale.

PRESBYTERY OF DUNFERMLINE, &C. - In the year 1638 the Synod of Fife was
divided into four Presbyteries - viz., St. Andrews, Cupar, Kirkcaldy, and
Dunfermline, which still continue. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 575.)

MR. SAMUEL ROW was this year appointed an assistant to Mr. Harry Makgill.
(Parish Records.)  Mr. Row was an Irishman, and assisted Mr. Makgill for
some considerable length of time.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE - James Reid. (Burgh Records, 1638.)  The Provost
was an elder, and was the representative of the Dunfermline Presbytery in
"the famous General Assembly" held at Glasgow in 1638.

THE OFFICE OF READER of Dunfermline Church abolished. (Burgh Records, &c.)
For the duties of the office of "Reader," see Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i.
pp.541, 542, &c.)

REPAIRING OF ROSYTH CASTLE. - On the stone-bars of windows in the Castle
are the following initials and date:-

T. *S. - M. *N. 1639.

TWENTY-FIVE DUNFERMLINE MEN to be Selected for the Wars. - "4th May, 1639.
- The whilk day the proveist, baillies, and counseill, having receavit
instructions from the Committee of Warre anent the levying of twentie fyve
men furth of said burghe for going to the Southe in this presint
expeditione, And for furnishing of thame during the space aftirspect, Have
for fulfilling thairof appointit the said Twentie fyve men to be leavit and
chosen out of the inhabitants of the said burghe for merching and going to
the border at the Southe as for suplie to the armie prsntlie thairat in
this prsnt expeditione upon twentie four hours' advertisement.  And ordains
the saids twentie fyve men to be furnishit and enterteined upon the town's
charges during the space Ten days after thair removall furth of the said
burghe.  And for choising and electing of the said Twentie fyve men, the
counseill have electit Mr. Harie Mackgill, minister, James Reid, provost,
Peter Law, baillie, Mr. Patrick Auchinleck, John bennet, Robert Steinsone,
wha are ordainit to report thair nominatione and choising of the said
twentie fyve men to the nixt counsall day." (Burgh Records.)

1639. - MARGARET MOWTRAY ORDERED TO BE PLACED IN THE JUGGS AT THE TRON for
deprecating "ane horrible Judgement." - "4th May, 1639: This day the
proveist, baillies, and counsall convicts Margaret Mowtray in ane outlaw of
aught punds for calumniating of the armie that went to Bruntiland, and for
deprecating ane horrible judgement to befall thaim.  Or othirwayes to stand
on the trone, inclosit in Jogis fra this prsnt moment till aught hours at
nicht." (Burgh Records, May, 1639.)

A LEVY OF FOUR HUNDRED POUNDS ON THE BURGH. - "The proveist, baillies, and
counsall, considering how the comon guid of the sd burghe is far within and
will not extend to the Sommes of money alreadie disbursit be thame to the
Souldiers alreadie sent furthe in this expeditione to the northe, and of
the leavie that is going to the Southe, Have thairfore for suplie thairof
appointit and ordainit ane taxt and stent for four hundredth punds to be
payit be ye inhabitants of ye said burghe, accordinglie as they sall be
stentit to the Stent Masters appoyntit for that effect, and ordains the
taxt roll yrof to be prsntlie drawn up."  (Burgh Records, May, 1639.)

TOWN COUNCIL ACT Relative to Unmannerly Councillors. - "6 May, 1639, the
Provost Presiding: The whilk day, for the represing of the unmannerlie and
indecent formes used be sum of the counselloris of this burghe, wha, aftir
they are set and inclosed in the counsell hous to use and exerces thair
office anent the deciding and concluding of all matters belonging to their
place and functions, with thair garrulitie and much loquacitie, trouble and
molest the said counsell unrequirit, that it seemeth rayther ane barbaric
court then ane counsell, not befeting men of such ane grave office, It is
Statute and Ordainit, whatsoever counsellor of the said burghe sall speak,
reason, or give his voice and voit in Counsell frae this tyme forth coming
sall pay at that time xiis. for ilk failzure, toties quoties."  (Burgh
Records, May, 1639.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - James Reid, re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)

1640. - HANGMAN AND WITCH-BURNER. - The person who held this "official
situation" in Dunfermline at this period, and for long after it, was the
"notorious Pat Mayne."  Many worthy perons were "manipulated" by him.

HELEN AND MARGARET WILLIAMSON. - "Blasphemous Speech: 29th Sept: This day
helen williamson and margtt had being before warnit, and not comperrand,
this day were ordainit to be warnit againe publicklie out of the pulpitt
for yr blasphemous speeches an cursing of ye toune after a most scandalous
manner, wishing ye same to be brunt ouer again.  And ordains ye act against
such blasphemers and cursers to be extended upon them, and to be publishit
out of pulpett the next Sabbat for a warning to all others, qlk wes done."
(Dunf. Kirk Session Records.)

APPRENTICE WEAVER. - The following minute has been extracted from the
"Dunfermline Weavers' Minute Book" of this date, to show the conditions on
which early apprentices to the trade were received: "In the yeare of God
1640 It is agreed betwixt George Davidsone and Robert Collear that the sd
Robert shall serve the sd George as an apprentice for the space of three
years, and a year for meate and fille." (See also Annals, dates 1596, 1725,
and 1732.)

KIRK SESSION RECORDS OF DUNFERMLINE. - These Records consist of 11 folio
volumes (1842).  The first regular entry is dated 30th June, 1640.  About
12 years ago the writer copied a great many of the more curious of the
entries in vol. i. 1640, and shortly afterwards published them in 12mo (See
Annals, date 1865), from which small volume several entries will be
transferred to the Annals of Dunf.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Peter Law, late oldest bailie, elected Provost.
(Burgh Records.)

THE Provincial Synod of Fife assembled in the Abbey Church of Dunfermline
6th October, 1640. (Hist. Scot., &c.)

LAURENCE WILSON'S HOUSE BURNT, with all his Plenishing - Collection made
for him. - "James legat and thomas elder collected at the Kirk doore 9lbs.;
James readdie and jon bennet at the Kirk style 21lbs.; total, 30lbs., qlk
was deliveret to ye said jon wilson for his present releefe." (Dunf. Kirk
Ses. Records.)

AGAINST YULE FEASTING AND RIOTING. - "Dec. 15th: This day the Act of the
Presbyterie ordaining all persons to leave of zair feastening, playing,
ryotous and wild living on yulle day, wes red be the minister." (Dunf. Kirk
Ses. Rec.)

1641. - THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE - Act Ratifying his Offices of the
Lordship, &c., of Dunfermline. - In the year 1639 the Earl had the offices
of Lord of the Lordship of Dunfermline and Regality thereof conferred upon
him by Charles I.  These offices were ratified by the Scottish Parliament
in 1641.

REPAIRING CARNOCK KIRK, &C. - It would appear from a MS. in the writer's
possession that "the little Kirk of Carnick being out of repaire, was
helpit, and a newe ruife laid on it at the expens of Sir George Bruce."
(Vide also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 289, and An. Dunf. date 1602.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE - Alexander Clerk, "Laird of Pittencrieff."  (Burgh
and Ses. Records.)

WATERING WEBS IN THE KIRKYARD. - On March 9th, it was ordained that "nane
water yr webbs in ye kirkzaird," and that "if any webbs be found yrin, ye
belman must castt hame out." (Dunf. Kirk Ses. Record.)

THE KIRK BELL. - "March 2d: This day ordains a meeting of the haill elders
to be upon the next Sabbath ffor advysing the best way how the Kirk bell
may be orderit and rung withot couping, and how that the stock yron they
hing by may be helpit and redrest, they being now verie weak, fearing the
fall of both ym and the bells, and how the man yt shall undertak ye sd wark
may be payit." (Dunf. Kirk Ses. Rec.)

NEW FURME OR SEAT to be Erected next the Bride and Bridegroom's Seat in the
Kirk. - "5 Sept: This day alex. Drysdale, merchand, desyrit a seat in the
Kirk for his dochtr to heir god's word, and yrfore is licentiate be ye
session to cause mak a new furme to be set next before ye pulpett (qr the
brides and bridegrooms yt day yt they are marriet used to sit) to be
possest be the sd alex. and his dochtr in all tyme coming." (Dunf. Kirk
Ses. Rec.)

THE Earl of Dunfermline was made a Privy Councillor by King Charles I.,
with consent of the Estates.

JOHN SMART, Flesher, Fined for Selling Beef on the Fast Day, and for having
a Roast at his fire last Fast Day. - "Dec. 21st: This day Jon Smart,
flesher, being convict for selling a carkois of beefe, and having a rost at
hes fire ye last fasting day, is ordainit to pay 8 merks, qhlk he payit."
(Dunf. Kirk Ses. Rec.)

1642. - JAMES ESPLIN was chaplain of St. Leonard's Chapel and Hospital at
this period.  The Chapel was about half a mile south of the lower end of
Dunfermline.

GUILDRY AND THE CRAFTSMEN OF DUNFERMLINE. - In the year 1642 the Guildry
entered into a contract with the craftsmen of Dunfermline relating to their
trades, &c.  (Guildry Register, 1642.)

A SECOND MINISTER FOR DUNFERMLINE. - Much discussion amongst the
parishioners regarding the desirability of having a second or junior
minister for Dunfermline. (See An. Dunf. for 1645.)

MR. HARIE MAKGILL, 20 years minister of Dunfermline, died in December,
1642.  In the Dunfermline Kirk Session Records there is a note regarding
his funeral - viz., "The Session is warned to be at Mr. harie makgill's,
thair late minister's buriall the morne, being monday, at 10 o'clock."  No
ordained minister in Dunfermline Church until the year 1645, the service
being conducted by "assistant preichars."

1643. - THE Provincial Synod of Fife assembled in the Kirk of Dunfermline
on 4th April.

MEETING OF HERITORS AND PARISHIONERS OF DUNFERMLINE, by desire of the
Synod, anent the Supplying of the Parish with a Second Minister, regarding
which the Kirk Session Records have the following:-

"At Dunfermline, 5th Aprile, 1643.

"Anent the providing of Dunfermeline wt another minister, upon the
advertisement given be the moderator of the provinciall assemblie of fyff,
sundrie considerable herioters, parishiners, both in brut and land came at
the tyme appoynted, and eftir conference wt some of the sd assemble
appoynted fr yt sessn, it was found that of all that appeared none were
unwilling to bear burdens fr the mentenance of the sd minister except one.
As fr those who did not appeir, few were found considerable, except one
gentleman who excused himself by reason of his weakness, unto whom the
assemblie thot fitt to send some of zair number, who, eftir conference wit
him, returned, And in the face of the assemblie reported that he also was
satisfied, and hade faithfullie promised to contribute wt ye rest of the
heritors in bearing burdens proportionally fr the mentenance of the sd
minister.  The assemblie considering the great necessitie of planting the
said congregation wt two ministers, and finding so great a consent of
heritors, hoping also yt the ryt noble and potent Lord Charles erle of
Dunfermline, the prime heritor wtin the paroch, shall liberallie concur to
advance so gude a wark, doe hearily approve so pious a designe, thank God
for the same, and earnestlie exort the heritors and parochiners both of
brut and land to proceed thairin, Declairing hereby that the patronage,
nominatn, and presentatn of the sd minister, now and heireftir, shall
belong to the parochiners and heritors, founders of the for sd provision.
Extract furthe of the registr of the said assemblie and subt be Mr. Jon
moreis, clerk thairto.  Sic subr J. MOREIS, Clerk."  (See An. Dunf. date
1645.)

SIX WITCHES BURNT AT THE WITCH-LOAN, and Two others Die in Prison. - This
was a great witch-catching and witch-burning year in Dunfermline.  A staff
of officials called, "witch-watchers" and "witch-catchers," had been
appointed early in 1643 to seize and put in ward (prison) all reputed
witches, in order that they might be tried for their "horrid and abominable
crime of witchcraft."  Accordingly, "a great many old shrivelled-up women,
with woe-begone countenances, were warded, and if any of them used the long
staff in walking, so much the better for the catchers."

In Dunfermline Register of Deaths, notice is taken of the poor, innocent
unfortunates.  During the month of May, July, and August, it seems no less
than six poor women were burnt for being reputed witches!  Their names were
Grissel Morris, Margaret Brand, Katherine Elder, Agnes Kirk, Margaret
Donaldson, and Isobel Millar.

These victims, having been tried and condemned to be burnt, were
accordingly carted east to the loan (witch-loan), and being placed in the
middle of a pile of wood, with feet and legs tied, the pile was set on
fire, their bodies were soon consumed, and, it is to be hoped, that their
better part received that mercy which had been denied to them on earth.

In "the loan" many criminals in the olden time suffered.  At the foot of
the "the loan," near where the railway bridge crosses the road, there was
the institution of "the witches' dub."  Sometimes an old frail woman was
thrown into it.  If she sank, and was drowned, then it was supposed that
"judgement had found her out;" if she swam on the surface, which by the
bulk of her clothing she might sometimes do, then it was judged that there
was something "no cannie aboot her," and on some pretence the victim got to
the flames at last.  Determined not to lose their victim, they appear to
have acted on the principle of "Heads, I win; tails, you lose!"  Ascending
the loan (the witch-loan), and about 100 yards from "the witch-dub," and on
the east side of the loan road, there was a small knowe on which the
witches suffered, and still further up the loan stood "the gallows" where
execution was done."

The names of the victims who died "in ward" were Jonett Fentoun and Isobell
Marr.  In the same Register of Deaths their fate is thus recorded:- "The
20th day, June 1643, Jonett Fentoun the witch, died miserably in ward (in
prison), and wes brot to the witch knowe, being trailed and carted yrto and
castin into a hole yr withot a kist" (a coffin).  Being brought out of
prison, "the superstitious bigots" were probably allowed to trail her along
the streets to the hole at the witch knowe.  Finding that a cart at hand
would be more convenient for their work, she was thrown into it, and carted
to "the hole."  Again:- "The 17th day of Augt. 1643, Isobell Marr, bing
delaittit (accused) be the rest of her nyt bor (neighbour) witches for a
witche, and being detained yrfre in the laiche thieves' hole, shoe hangit
hersel and was cairyed to the witche knowe and yerdit."  Let those who
sound the praises of "the good old times" take such doings as these into
their "earnest consideration." Witches, it seems, made their first debut in
Dunfermline in 1627.

THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT. - The Solemn League and Covenant is thus
noticed in the Kirk-Session Records of Dunfermline, viz.:- "Oct. 29.  That
day the Solemne League and Covenant fr reformation and defence of religion,
the honour and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the thrie
kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland, was red intimat this sabbath be
mr. Robt Kay to the haill congregation, that nane plead ignorance thairoff,
bot that they may be prepared to sweare to it and subscribe the same next
Lord's day."

The League and Covenant was sworn to, and subscribed at Dunfermline on
November 5th, 6th, 7th 8th, and 12th, 1643.  It has most of the signatures
of those who signed the Covenant of 1638.  It is printed, and contained in
a quarto-bound book, having on the outside of the first board, "For the
Kirk of Dunfermling."  An entry in these records notes, that on "3d March,
1644, there was paid for binding the Covenant, and a new cover yr to 46d."

The Covenant of 1638 and 1643 are in the possession of the Session of Queen
Anne Street Congregation, Dunfermline.  The copies of the Covenant have
come through a number of hands (which see Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp.
273, 278.)

Hetherington, in his Church History, notes that the Covenant of this date
is "the noblest in its essential nature and principles of all that are
recorded among the national transactions of the world." (Vide
Hetherington's Ch. Hist. p. 333.)

SMITH'S SEAT IN THE AULD KIRK. - "Nov. 12th, 1643.  it was licentat and
grantit to the Smythes to tak doun the stane wall at the side and entrie of
yr seate in the eist end of the kirk on the north side yr of, and instead
of that little stane wall, to mak ane side entrie of tember to yr seate."
(Dunfermline Kirk Session Records.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - James Reid was elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.)

EVENING SERVICE IN THE KIRK, AND CANDLES. - From the following extract from
the Kirk Session Records, it is evident that those who attended the evening
service during winter had to provide themselves with candles:- "29th
October, 1643. - This day, intimation was made to the people of the evening
prayers to begin this week following, and yrfore they were desyret to
convein frequently yrto, and to have yr candle in reddines."  (Kirk Ses.
Records.)

BOOKS OF THE COVENANT. - "28 Novr. 1643, that day it was declairit, that
James Murray, writr. in Edinr. had gotten 37d. for his fie, and the bookes
of the Covenant, and of the last General Asembly." (Kirk Session Records.)

1644. - PUBLICATION OF FERGUSON'S SCOTTISH PROVERBS. - In the year 1597-98,
Mr. David Ferguson, minister of Dunfermline, compiled the Scottish
Proverbs, in alphabetical order.  They were, this year, published in quarto
by Andro Hart, printer, Edinburgh.

THE BOOKS OF THE COVENANT. - "3 March, 1644: That day, givin for binding of
the Covenant, and a new cover yrto, 46d. (Kirk Ses. Rec.)

RE-PUBLICATION OF BLACKWOOD'S WORKS. - This year a corrected edition of the
works of Adam Blackwood, an eminent native of Dunfermline, were published
in French and Latin.  (Vide Annals, date 1539-1623.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - James Reid was elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.)

THE ABBOT'S SEAT IN DUNFERMLINE CHURCH. - The following extract from
Dunfermline Kirk Session Records shows the position of the Abbot's or
Commendator's seat in the Church.  "21st April: The qlk day the elders of
the Kirk Session of Dunfermline being convenit, comperit before them James
Esplin, Servitor to the ryt and potent Lord, Charles Earl of Dunfermline,
and declarit and shewed to the sd elders that sd noble erl hade grantit and
given himself and Margtt Colden, his spouse, that heiche seat in the sd
Kirk which of old pertenat to the Abbot of Dunfermline, fixed on the
South-eistmost pillar of the sd Kirk, situate betweixt ye sd pillar on the
eist, the wryt's on the west, the laird of Cavill's on the south, and Mr.
James Phin's  seat on the north, &c; and the sd James Esplin cravit of the
said elders thair consent and approbation thairto, which was allowit and
approvin be them:  And they all with ane consent did ratifie the same, and
ordaint yr act to be made and given yrupon," &c.

THE SCHOLARS' SEAT OR LAFT is mentioned in the Dunfermline Kirk Session
Records, viz. - "12th Nov: That day it is statute compeirit Johne hamiltone
and george scott, lister, and desyrit licence of the elders for seats in
the Kirk to themselves, to be set and fixt at the south-westmost pillar at
the west end of the Kirk, under the Schollers' seat, whilk was granted,"
&c.  The Scholars' Laft was situate between the south-west and north-west
pillars in the Kirk.

1645. - DUNFERMLINE CHURCH BECOMES COLLEGIATE. - Mr. Robert Kay admitted to
the first charge, 15th January; Mr. William Oliphant admitted to the second
charge, 15th January.  (See Annals Dunf. date 1643.)

PARTIAL DISMEMBERMENT OF THE PARISH OF DUNFERMLINE. - The following places
or properties, hitherto in the parish of Dunfermline, were, during the
years 1643-45, disjoined from it, viz., Mortlands (or Morelands),
Tinnygask, North and South Lethans, Beath, Blairbathie, Whythouse, Woodend,
Thornton, Cocklaw, Kelty, Houses, Fouldford, Lassodie, Meiklebeath,
Dalbeath, Hill of Beath, Urquhart, Logie, &c., and were annexed to
adjoining parishes. (Dunf. Par. Rec.)
 
 

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