22 The (Ireyfriars' Convent of Dumfries. 



namely, the west part between St. David Street and the river was 

 known as the Xewton, or New Town, of Dumfries. The oldest 

 portion of the burgh must have been further south, viz., near or 

 around St. Michael's Church. The tenements on the south side 

 of the Newton were built prior to 1519, and those on the north 

 side are described as being built " after the departure of the 

 English in 1549." The street in 1519 had not acquired a .specific 

 name, but was alluded to as " The way from the gate of the Friars 

 minor to the bridge." It was described in 1569 as the passage 

 called Newton, and hi 1636, "The street called Newton, alias 

 Friars' Vennel;" while in 1645 it had come to be known by its 

 present name. The upper part of the street eastwards of St. 

 David Street was the Friars' Vennel of the sixteenth century. 



Referring to the south side of Newton Street we have an 

 illustration of the piety of those times, and how churches became 

 enriched and churchmen increased in number. The whole of 

 the tenements there between Irish Street and the river, as well as 

 the two tenements at the " Vennelheid," belonged to Master John 

 Logan, Vicar of Kowen. AJl these possessions, under reservation of 

 five marks granted to the Friars Minors for divine service on his 

 behalf, he gifted for the foundation of an altar in the Parish Churcti 

 of Sanquhar, his native place. " Know that I," the Deed of Gift 

 proceeds, " to the honour and praise of Omnipotent God, and to 

 the glorious Virgin Mary, his mother ; of the sacred blood of our 

 Lord Jesus Christ ; and of St. Bridget the Virgin, patroness of the 

 Church of Sanquhar, and of all the saints of God, for the salva- 

 tion of the soul of the most excellent and Serene Prince of happy 

 memory the late James IV., by the grace of God King of Scots, 

 most illustrious King, and for the prosperity and safety of the 

 most serene and victorious Prince James V., by the same grace, 

 now King of Scots 3 and of the souls of his ancestors and suc- 

 cessors; and for the salvation of my soul, etc. ... I have 

 given granted, and by this my present charter confirmed. Also I 

 yield as gift and by this my present charter confirm to the said 

 Omnipotent God, and the most glorious Virgin his Mother, to the 

 sacred blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and all the saints of para- 

 dise; and to that discreet man the chaplain, who shall celebrate 

 masses and divine things to be celebrated at the altar of the sacred 

 blood of My Lord Jesus Christ to be founded by me, and placed 

 in the said Parish Church of Sanquhar, diocese of Glasgow. In 



