Scottish Privy Council Records

Att Edinburgh The Fifth day of January J^aj vj^c nyntie tuo years

A1692/1/9¹

Act

Act Mr William Selkirk

Anent a petitione given In to the Lords of their Majesties privie Councell Be Mr William Selkirk Late minister at Gleenholme In Tueeddale Sheuing That the petitioner Having with the first given due and punctuall obedience to their Majesties government as shall be made evident afteruards to their Lordships yet nevertheless contrare to all Law and ordor was he about the midle of June J^aj vj^c Eighty nyne by armed force and violence thrust away from his ministrie and ejected out of his duelling house with his wyfe and five children to his Great Loss and damnage Having his goods plenishing and furniture of his house throuen out of doors and putt to seek harbour and shelter for himself and said family else wher This is well knouen and can yet be Instructed by honest men called and requyred in the mean tyme to be witnesses to the premisses And are to this very day Living and residing in the forsaid paroch After all this upon the proclamatione of the sixth of Agust J^aj vj^c Eighty nyne forsaid allowing such ministers as had obeyed the Law and yet were dispossessed to returne to their respective charges The petitioner being one of this number made offer to returne to his Ministrie and dutie at the forsaid Church But was obstructed and opposed as ane Instrument produced with the said petitione taken by him in the hands of a nottar publict will Instruct to their Lordships And farder ther is noe sentence aither Civill or ecclesiastick Against the petitioner But on the Contrare [the parochiners of the paroch]² In the bounds wherof the forsaid Church lyes upon his applicatione to them Being Convinced of the Great Injurie done him were pleased to give him their testimoniall Lykewayes produced with the said petitione Bearing as is abovementioned And that the petitioner Hath ouned their Majesties government by obeying the Law And that they had nothing to lay to his charge as the said testificat doeth in itself at more length Bear And finally since the forsaid Church is still unplanted and none pretending right to the stipend therof And the petitioner being soe favourable stated And therfore Humblie craving to the effect underwryten as the said petitione Bears The saids Lords of their Majesties privie Councell Having Considered this petitione given In to them Be the above Mr William Selkirk with the Instrument and Certificat mentioned therin and produced therwith They heirby allow to the petitioner the stipend of the above kirk of Glenholme in Tueeddale for the haill Cropt and year of God J^aj vj^c and nyntie one And ordaines him to be readily ansuered obeyed and payed therof Be the heretors fewars wodsetters Liferenters Fermers titulars tacksemen of teynds tennents possessors and uthers Lyable in payment of the said stipend for the said year J^aj vj^c nyntie one And ordaines Letters of horning to be direct heiron at the petitioners instance for that effect he alwayes producing a decreit of Locality And in case ther be none ordaines the heretors and others forsaids Lyable in payment of the said stipend to make payment therof to the petitioner for the said year according as they shall be decerned by the judge ordinary

At Edinburgh 5 January 1692

A1692/1/9¹

Act

Act for Mr William Selkirk

Concerning a petition given in to the lords of their majesties’ privy council by Mr William Selkirk, late minister at Glenholme in Tweeddale, showing that the petitioner having with the first given due and punctual obedience to their majesties’ government as shall be made evident afterwards to their lordships, yet nevertheless contrary to all law and order was he about the middle of June 1689 by armed force and violence thrust away from his ministry and ejected out of his dwelling house with his wife and five children, to his great loss and damage, having his goods, plenishing and furniture of his house thrown out of doors, and put to seek harbour and shelter for himself and said family elsewhere (this is well known and can yet be instructed by honest men called and required in the meantime to be witnesses to the premises) and are to this very day living and residing in the foresaid parish, after all this upon the proclamation of the sixth of August 1689 foresaid allowing such ministers as had obeyed the law and yet were dispossessed to return to their respective charges. The petitioner being one of this number made offer to return to his ministry and duty at the foresaid church but was obstructed and opposed as an instrument produced with the said petition taken by him in the hands of a notary public will instruct to their lordships. And further there is no sentence either civil or ecclesiastic against the petitioner, but on the contrary [the parishioners of the parish]² in the bounds whereof the foresaid church lies upon his application to them, being convinced of the great injury done him, were pleased to give him their testimonial, likewise produced with the said petition, bearing as is abovementioned, and that the petitioner has owned their majesties’ government by obeying the law and that they had nothing to lay to his charge as the said testificate does in itself at more length bear. And finally, since the foresaid church is still unplanted, and none pretending right to the stipend thereof, and the petitioner being so favourably stated, and therefore humbly craving to the effect underwritten as the said petition bears. The said lords of their majesties’ privy council having considered this petition given in to them by the above Mr William Selkirk, with the instrument and certificate mentioned therein and produced therewith, they hereby allow to the petitioner the stipend of the above kirk of Glenholme in Tweeddale for the whole crop and year of God 1691, and ordain him to be readily answered, obeyed and paid thereof by the heritors, feuars, wadsetters, liferenters, fermers, titulars, tacksmen of teinds, tenants, possessors and others liable in payment of the said stipend for the said year 1691, and ordain letters of horning to be directed hereon at the petitioner’s instance for that effect, he always producing a decreet of locality, and in case there be none, ordain the heritors and others foresaid, liable in payment of the said stipend, to make payment thereof to the petitioner for the said year according as they shall be decerned by the judge ordinary.

1. NRS, PC1/47, 558-9.