50 TRANSACTIONS. 
Council had been summoned before the Lords of Session at the 
instance of the widow and children of Alexander M‘Brair of Nether- 
wood anent a burial place in St. Michael’s Church, and that it 
would be 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 
particular spot I cannot say. The following interesting Town 
Council minute, dated 18th 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, 
