44 Earzty EcCLESIASTICAL HistoRY OF DUNSCORE. 
were put to the horn. Of the next incumbent, Robert 
Broome, S.M., appointed in 1641, Hew Scott tells us in his 
Fasti that he was deposed on 16th May, 1648, probably for 
not supporting the popular’ cause against ‘‘ The Engage- 
ment.’? He was alive on 30th July, 1654; and his wife, 
Margaret Steuart, died 15th November, 1664. 
We learn from the Presbytery Records that a long 
vacancy ensued, and that on roth November, 1651, Mr 
Robert Archibald was ordained minister of the parish of 
Dunscore. It appears from the same source that very shortly 
after his appointment Archibald had to exercise discipline 
upon the Maxwells of Friar Carse, one of the offences being 
marriage without proclamation or certificate ; and he reported 
to the Presbytery that John Maxwell, ‘‘ instead of giving 
obedience, was waxed most contumacious, and when re- 
quested to give satisfactione he misbeheaved himself by 
cursing and swearing, and called [blank] Kirko of Bogrie a 
puritane with other vile expressiones.’’ It is interesting to 
-note that the term ‘‘ Puritan’’ should have given such 
offence; and it is to be feared that Maxwell was a “‘ cauld 
covenanter ’’ at best; more probably a malignant at heart, 
or even a papist. 
We have seen that the church had been erected, but 
apparently a manse was still awanting; and it is probably 
in reference to this that Archibald took proceedings in the 
Courts, as indicated in the following letter®8 addressed by him 
to ‘‘ his worthie and much- respected ffriend, James Grierson 
of Dalgoner ’’—: 
““ Worthie and much respected in the Lord, 
I receaved yours, for your paines whairin I thank you 
kyndlie; bussinesis gose very slowlie in this court of delayes 
notwithstanding of useing al diligence wt Craighall Hop- 
tene™* and others. I have only promoved it with great 
difficultie and beyond my expectatione to be called. My 
contrair advocats hes gott my processe to answer from 
whom thair is gottaine noe answer as zet, notwithstanding 
my constant pressing a dispatch; I fear my bussiness be 
shifted by this sessione for thir ar soe many befoir me in 
the roll, & anie their, as is supposed, wil wine in this 
