Part 23 (1/2)
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's _Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticana_. It has, however, been supplemented and brought down to date. G. D. M'N.
PRESBYTERY CLERKS
????-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 Clerks.h.i.+p 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 Clerks.h.i.+p soon after his translation to Trinity-Gask.