146 The Late Rev. W. Andson. 



In Bagemont's roll Sanquhar is taxed at £10. At the 

 Reformation the patronage of the parish appears to have fallen 

 into the hands of the King. 



19th March, 1909. 



Chairman — Mr James Barbour, Hon. V.P. 



It was unanimously agreed that the Society express their deep 

 regret at the death of Rev. Wm. Andson, for many years a 

 member and office-bearer of the Society, and it was agreed to 

 ask Mr W. Dickie to draw up an obituary notice for insertion in 

 the " Tran.sactions." 



The Late Rev. W. Andson. 



The Rev. William Andson died on the 17th of March, 1909, 

 in his ninety-second year. His long life was one of constant and 

 fruitful activity, and he was a conspicuous example of that quiet 

 diligence, devoid of haste or bustle, by which the most solid 

 work is frequently accomplished. This was characteristic of the 

 discharge of the duties of the ministry. He was a pastor greatly 

 beloved, and many young people who went from his church and 

 parish carried to distant places an inspiration caught from his 

 counsel and his personal example which greatly influenced their 

 lives for good. Mr Andson was a native of Arbroath, and 

 throughout life he retained a loyal affection for his birthplace. 

 But it was in the south of Scotland that his life-work was accom- 

 plished. It was in March, 1843, that he first settled in this dis- 

 trict, being appointed by the Presbytery of Dumfries to the 

 charge of a preaching station at Southwick. Two months later 

 the Disruption occurred, and Mr Andson, having warmly 

 espoused the cause of the Non-Intrusionists in the battle which 

 was waged for ten years in the ecclesiastical and civil courts, 

 became a minister of the Free Church of Scotland, and was 

 ordained to the oversight of the congregation in Kirkmahoe. 

 There, under his leadership, a church, manse, and school were 

 soon erected. After fortv vears of devoted labour, a severe 



