Pre-Reformation Ministers of Sanquhar. 143 



years ago. Unfortunately the stone is now somewhat defaced, 

 but the principal words can still be discerned. The inscription 

 is as follows : — 



juilctJtt cvecljt tx 

 fUiat (TO* »wil 



+ ntfnt + 



(William Crichton, Rector of Sanquhar, fourth (?) son of 

 William Chrichton of Ardoch?) 



Ardoch was formerly a " lairdship ' ' held by the Crichtons, 

 but it passed out of their hands in 1507. 



It has been suggested that the recumbent effigy of the priest 

 in Sanquhar Church is that of William Crichton, but that is 

 simply conjecture. 



It appears that William Crichton was also a Canon of 

 Glasgow Cathedral. William's personal character does not 

 appear to have been the best. Like many other priests of the 

 time he forgot his vow of celibacy. 



In 1536 we find that the King James V. granted " letters of 

 legitimacy to M. Robert Creichtoun and Laurence Creichtoun, 

 brothers, natural sons of William Creichtoun, once Rector of 

 Sanquhare, and others of them." From this deed it appears 

 since William is described as "quondam rector de Sanquhare" 

 that in 1536 he was no longer Rector. Probably he had by that 

 time gone the way of all the earth. 



The next clergyman of whom we have any record is John 

 M'Callane. In 1529 the King confirmed a gift of John Logan, 

 Vicar of Cowen, to " Johni Makallane, capellame et ejus suc- 

 cessoribus capellanis ad altare Sancti Sanguinis Jesu Christi in 

 Ecclesia Parochiali S. Brigide de Sanquhare." 



This gift consisted of lands and tenements in Dumfries and 

 also " 3 lie lieges terra rum infra territorium villi de Sanquhare." 

 This charter is witnessed by two friars, probably of the Friars 

 Minor of Dumfries and four presbyters, the latter including 

 John M'Callane. Whether M'Callane was Rector of Sanquhar 

 is doubtful. If he was, why is such not stated in the document? 

 It is known that about this time there were more than one clergy- 

 man attached to Sanquhar Parish Church, and I am inclined to 



