114 Transactions. 
for the third time, and offered to pay her penalty of four pound 
Scots, but in regard the money being not correct, being all found 
not weight, the Session orders her to pay it against next Lord’s 
day. . 
Slander.—26th August, 1716.—The Session find John M‘Minn 
guilty of slandering and reproaching Margaret Sloan; and 
therefore, they do appoint the said John to stand in the publik 
place in the Church of Troqueir upon the 9th day of September 
next, being the Lord’s day, and in the forenoon, to be rebuked by 
the minister. 
Onchastity.—2nd June, 1717.—Mary Conkie appeared this 
day before the congregation in the publick place, and was rebuked 
aiter the forenoon sermon, the evil of her sin was laid before her, 
and she was exhorted to repentance. 
The Parish Church seems to have stood on its present site from 
time immemorial, and the tombstones over seven of its ministers 
since the Reformation, extending from 1690 to 1846, or a period 
of 156 years, are to be seen inthechurchyard. I have been often 
asked if I can explain why the church is situated so far from the 
centre of the parish, but 1t was necessary to have it here to serve 
the populous villages of Brigend, Troquire, and Nethertown, 
Before the Reformation there would be chapels more inland for 
the landward population on large estates, and the large churches 
of Newabbey and of Lincluden at either end of the parish would 
attract those nearer to these edifices. 
The learned Mr Chalmers says in regard to the Rev. Mr 
Ewart’s account of his parish and church in ‘‘ The Old Statistical 
Account ”—‘ This minister, who knew nothing of the history of 
the parish, supposes that the church was a chapel of ease. But 
it appears to have been an independent church from its foundation, 
and a separate parish so far back as it can be traced.” 
In olden times the parish church belonged to the Abbot and 
Monks of Tongland, who enjoyed the rectorial tithes and revenue, 
while the cure was served by a vicar, who reported it at the 
period of the Reformation as worth £20 Scots yearly, exclusive 
of gifts and fines. 
In 1588 it was granted for life to the commendator of Tong- 
land, and on his death in 1613 it was transferred by Royal grant 
to the Bishop of Galloway. When Episcopacy was finally 
abolished it reverted back to the Crown. 
You are aware that after the riots in Ndinburgh caused by the 
