102 John Welsh, the Irongray Covenanter. 



more fortunate historical student may Imild a fuller life upon my 

 foundations. 



As Kirkton tells us, he was " the grandchild of that incom- 

 parable man, Mr John Welsh of Ayr," and the great grandchild 

 of a still greater man, John Knox, the reformer. John Welsh, of 

 Avr, married the daughter of John Knox. Carlyle has made us 

 familiar with King Jamie's opinion of the match, and Mrs Welsh's 

 criticism of the King's opinion. His father, Josias, Avas minister 

 to a congregation of Ulster Scots at Templepatrick, in Co. 

 Antrim. I do not know whether our Mr Welsh had the good 

 fortune to be born in Ulster, indeed I do not know when he was 

 born. His father died, I believe, in 1636, and we first hear of 

 John Welsh in 1653, when he was ordained minister of Irongray. 

 He succeeded Mr Patrick Broun, whose grave still may be seen 

 in our kirkyard, as minister of the parish. 



On January 5, 1653, he delivered his Latin discourse to the 

 Presbytery of Dumfries, " De Qualificatione Membrorum Ecclesiae 

 Visibilis." Whether it was a piece of very choice Latinity we do 

 not know, but it " gave great satisfaction to the refreshment of the 

 brethren." (Presbytery Records, Dumfries.) 



On January 21, 1653, "after sermon made by Mr Hew 

 Henry.son (minister of Dumfries) calling upon the name of the 

 Lord and the imposition of the hands of the brethren then present 

 upon Mr John Welshe, before the eldership and remnant people 

 of that congregation and others, the said Mr John was solemnly 

 admitted to the function and charge of the ministry of the said 

 place; and ane ordinaire was given to Mr Thomas Melvill and Mr 

 Francis Irving to tak workmen with them and appreciat the 

 Manse that .so Mr Patrick Broun, late minister there, may get 

 satisfaction, and the said Mr John may get possession therein. 

 This was done after the return of his edict and execut and en- 

 dorsate " (Idem). Mr Melviil's and Mr Irving's valuation of Iron- 

 gray Manse was 500 merks. And Mr John Welsh was instructed 

 to pay Mr Patrick Broun £50 Scots for his deed of locality. 



From the memoirs of Blackadder, his friend and neighbour 

 of Troqueer, Ave haA'e a glimpse of his early ministry in Irongray. 

 These two, with Johnstone of Lochrutton, united in a plan of 

 joint pastoral visitation and catechising in their respective parishes. 

 (Blackadder's Mem. p. 34.) From his pamphlet, "A Friendly 

 Advice," we learn his opinion of " the powers that be " during this 



