Lesmahagow

In 1689, Prelacy was abolished by Act of Parliament, and in the following year, the ministers then alive, who bad been deposed since 1661, were restored to the free exercise of their ministry, and Episcopal incumbents were ordered to remove and desist from ministerial functions. Captain Steel was employed to see this act enforced, which, to his credit, he did in a mild and gentle manner. He repaired his dwelling?house in 1709, and inserted a stone in the wall with this simple inscription :
Praise God." J. ? S. ? 1709.

He lies buried in Lesmahagow churchyard, beneath a plain stone, without either name or date.
In the preceding notices of the Covenanters of Lesmahagow, the reader can scarcely expect to find anything which is original, as the author could only follow in the wake of others. His object has been to give a correct version of stories concerning the persecuted men, from notes taken among their descendants. These all serve to illustrate the truth of the sentiment of an author of the age in which they lived, that " the laws against nonconformity were so extraordinary, and savoured so much of a spirit of persecution, were in themselves so unjust, and in some things so unnatural, that none can wonder though they sometimes drove the poor people to desperation." When driven to extremities, then it was that their enemies railed upon them as fanatical. With juster views the author of the " Sabbath " writes

" Their constancy in torture and in death, These on tradition's tongue shall live ; these shall On history's honest page be pictured bright To latest times."


The following is a list of persons in Lesmahagow who were fined or proclaimed fugitives and rebels, as furnished by Wodrow, with additions and corrections

William Lawrie of Blackwood, fined in Scots money, £600
The Laird of Auchtyfardel, 1800
John Menzies of Harperfield, 1000
John Forrest in Threipwood, 300
Thomas Stevens in Lesmahagow, 240
John Stevens in Lesmahagow, . 240
David Hamilton, younger, South Cumberhead, . 360
James Bruce of Kilbank, 240
John Hamilton in Lesmahagow, 240
John Hamilton of Priorhill, 300
Thomas Steel in Skellyhill, 300
Thomas Macquary in Lesmahagow, 360
John Brown, younger, in Draphan, 360

FUGITIVED.

John Bannatyne, brother of the " Laird" of Corehouse, after the Revolution minister of Lanark; John Steel, elder, Brackenrig ; George Jackson, Brackenrig ; Robert Lockhart of Birkhill ; Thomas Steel, Auchlochan; James Weir, younger, of Johnshill; Thomas, his brother; David Steel, Cumberhead ; John Steel of Waterhead; John Meikle, Bourtries ; Robert Fleming, West Brackenrig ; John Swan, Broompark; William Steel, Skellyhill ; Thomas White of Stockbriggs ; James White, his brother; John White, Newk ; John Carscallan, Auchlochan ; Gavin Hamilton, Meadow; Gavin Weir, Waterside; Thomas Yuil, Newbigging ; Andrew Leiper ; James Law son, Auchnotroch ; John Telfer, weaver, Lesmahagow ; David, son of Andrew Clelland, in How Mains; Thomas, son of William Brown, Auchlochan Townfoot; Thomas Weir, Auchlochan ; John Forrest, Threipwood ; James his son; John Muir, servitor to John Forrest; Adam Muir, Crossford ; Thomas Muir, Crossford Boat; Adam Weir, Crossford ; John Templeton, Threipwood ; John Clelland, Crossford Boat; John Stobo, servitor to Janet Weir, Holmhead ; Matthew Hamilton, servitor to Craignethan ; John Harvie, Kerse Holm ; Robert Hamilton, Threipwood ; James Williamson, Burn ; John Stewart, Underbank; Robert Stobo, Draffen; George Young in Auchnotroch.