50 Transactions. 



Council had lieeu summoned before the Lords of Session at the 

 instance of tlie widow and chiklren of Alexander M'Brair of Nether- 

 wood anent a burial jilace in St. Michael's Church, and that it 

 Avonld bo proper an agent for the town should be appointed." The 

 second instance is that of James Muirhead, in reference to whom 

 Mr M'Dowall says, when speaking of his wife's tomb, " We cannot 

 tell whether or not * James Muirhead, late baylie of this burgh,' 

 lies beside his spouse, as the inscription only mentions him in his 

 married relationship to her ; but if it could be found out by any 

 means that the philanthropist was buried here or elsewhere in 

 Dumfries, a stone erected to mark the hallowed spot would be a 

 graceful, even though a tardy tribute to his great worth." James 

 Moorhead was also buried within the church, although at what 

 jiarticular spot I cannot say. The following interesting Town 

 Council minute, dated 18 th March, 1745, bears on the subject, and 

 its terms are in unison with Mr M'Dowall's sentiments : " The 

 said day the Magistrates and Council, considering that the deceased 

 James Moorhead, in Castledykes, made a handsome mortification 

 for a Poorhouse in this burgh, and that the old church is now 

 rebuilding, and that a part of the wall thereof is carried up near to 

 the grave where the said James was interred in the said church, 

 the Magistrates and Council are of opinion that a monument should 

 be erected upon the said wall in memory of the said James Moor- 

 head, and appoint a committee of the Magistrates, Provost Crosbie, 

 Provost Ewart, Mr George Clerk Maxwell, the convener, and a 

 deacon, whereof three a quorum, to consider of a proper monu- 

 ment to be erected in memory of the said James Moorhead, and 

 to make ane estimate thereof, and report the same to the Council." 



With a few remarks on the existing Church and the origin of 

 its design I will conclude the paper. 



The spire was built, as before stated, in the year 1740, while 

 the old church was yet standing; and although the details are 

 crude its excellent proportions give artistic value, and make it a 

 feature of the town to be held in regard. 



The interior of the church is still more worthy of admiration. 

 Unique as a Presbyterian place of worship with its massive and 

 stately stone pillars and arches and over walling, separating the 

 side aisles from the central area, one is curious to know something 

 of the origin of such a design. 



On the Old Church being condemned by the Presbytery, the 

 Town Council obtained from Mr Adam, the celebrated architect, 



