Transactions. 133 



cai-riaf^e, and re-litting." The work was instructed to be done 

 without delay. 



Edgar mentions that the bell was supposed to belong to the 

 Abbey of Sweetheart. Similar traditions I'egarding bells in the 

 district are not uncommon, and in following out this inquiry it is 

 intended as far as possible to test their probability. In the 

 present instance the matter is easily disposed of, as the insci'ip- 

 tion shows that the bell was cast for the use of St. Michael's 

 Church, Dumfries. 



The person at whose instance the original bell was cast is 

 styled " William " in the inscription, a mode of address signify- 

 ing that he was a dignitary. The dignitary most closely associ- 

 ated with, and bearing' direct rule over, the chui'ch of Dumfries, 

 and to whom the style of address found on the bell w^ould rightly 

 belong, was the Lord Abbot of Kelso, the church having been 

 granted to the monks of Kelso by William the Lion, and being 

 at this period still in their possession. The name of William VI. 

 has been traced in documents from 1435 on till 1444, and the 

 first mention of Allan, his successor, is in the year 1464. The 

 dates, therefore, with the form of the inscription, point to William 

 VI., Lord Abbot of Kelso, as the donor of the ancient bell weigh- 

 ing 4 cwts. 2 qrs. 6 lbs., and bearing the inscription : — ■ 



ir^CCE CAMPANA QUAM WILLELMUS A.D. MCCCCLI EXCUDENDUM 

 CUKAVEKAT IN USUM ECCLESL^S ST MICHAELIS DUMFRISIENSIS. 



Greyfriars' Church bell is the largest of tlie bells under notice. 

 It bears the sentiment ; — floreat Dumfries ; wm. evans fecit • 

 and the date 1744. The New Church was built in 1727. The 

 bell after being twice re-cast in Dumfries, was again fractured 

 and on 9th May, 1743, the Town Council appointed a Committee 

 " to consider what is proper to be done with the bell of the New 

 Church steeple, which is lately cracked or broke, and whether it 

 will be proper to dispose of it and to purchase another bell or two 

 for the said steeple." 20th February, 1744, it was agreed "to 

 cause take down the bell and send the same to Bristol, and there 

 to cau.se cast the same of new into a bell of about a thousand 

 weight." The Midsteeple bells are inscribed as follows : — 



The largest— This of 800 libs m'eioht : with other two bells : 



VIZ-ONE OF 500 LIBIS, AND ANOTHER OF 30O LIB : WERE FODNLED FOR THE 

 TOWN OF DkUMFRIES : EdR 1708, UPON THE TOWN'.S CHARGE ; VVlLLIAM 



Copland of Collieston, Provost. 



The seeoml— For the town of Dumfreis T f) R Edr 1764. 

 The third— For the town of Drujifries, 300 lib Edu 1708. 



