NOTES TO DENNY PARISH

1 The entry to Denny from the south is now improved by a new turnpike being made. An excellent house, fronting both the west and the north, has been erected on the east side of the road. The road is now wide, and of easy ascent, from the erection of a new bridge over Sclanders burn. The height opposite the church gate has been levelled, and the appearance of the town by this entry is even beautiful. (l841.)

2 Nimmo's History of Stirlingshire, p.740.

3 is mentioned as a barony in a charter of Robert I. Nimmo's Hist, p. 175.

4. Mr Watson, proprietor of Knowhead, a respectable property in the parish. And whom ornamented tombstone is in good preservation in the churchyard, is supposed to have been the first minister of Denny after the Revolution in 1688. His induction is not mentioned in the Presbytery records, but his death in 1733 is mentioned

There is one remarkable minute in reference to a point, which, a few years ago, was agitated between the heritors and the kirk-session namely the payment for the education of poor children. The act 1803 makes it imperative on the parochial teacher to instruct the poor gratis; but in this parish from the parochial school-house being in the northern extremity of the parish, and there being families four miles distant from school, the children of the poor not being able to attend the parochial teacher, on account of this distance, must either be neglected, or taught at some school nearer their dwellings; and in that case, it was contended, the school wages must, according to use and wont be paid out of the parochial poor fund This was resisted: but for peace's sake, the session acquiesced At that time also some 20 of the 121 persons entitled to vote at heritors' meetings, objected likewise to the payment of the salaries of the presbytery and synod clerk, and their beadle, &c. The argument from the use and wont payment of such charges was not listened to: and from the causes just mentioned, these officers of the church have not been paid, as heretofore, out of the parochial funds f6r the poor since 1831. There is before me a distinct minute of session, dated 28th May 1746 with the list of the elders present nominatim, and signed William Bennet, moderator in which these disputed are distinctly mentioned as paid, and reported accordingly. In settling the accounts, the words are, " also for the Synod and Presbytery clerk, and Presbytery beddal, as by particular account, the sum of," the amount paid is partly soiled, and partly torn, and not legible throughout, and ,' also John Bane is allotted by the session twelve pounds Scots, for teaching poor children."

5 The public morals and peace are at this time both suffering from what is called Chartism. The principles of Chartists, as exhibited here, are infidel and anarchical. Few, happily, countenance them.-(1841.)

6 Draining may be said to be the rage at present. All proclaim the increase of produce which follows.-( 1841)

7 5th February 1840. The Court of Teinds was please to augment the stipend to 19 chalderns, one-half meal, and the other half barley, and the sum for communion elements to L. 15 per annum.

A new church at Hags was, opened for public worship on 19th July 1840. On 15th September 1840, the Rev. Colin M'Culloch was, without one dissenting voice, chosen minister, and, on 14th January 1841, he was ordained pastor of the parish, quod spritualis, of Hags. The church has nearly 700 sittings and 550 Sabbath occupants.

8 Communicated by the Rev. Alexander Leitch, Clerk of the Presbytery of Stirling.

9. Probably ; for all the letters on the tombstone cannot be traced.

10 The parish was in a state of disquietude and dissatisfaction, during the five years which intervened between Mr Watson's death and the induction of Mr Bennet. A presentation was issued by the Crown in favour of Mr James Stirling, and another by Herbertshire; but the majority of the parish were in favour of a Mr Penman. The great objection against Mr Stirling was his acceptance of a presentation. This objection seems to have weighed very much with the Presbytery, which, at that time, was decidedly of an anti-patronage character. Once, the Presbytery refused, at the order of the Commission, to take Mr Stirling on trials for ordination, and twice thereafter, the order of the Assembly itself to the same effect. For the third time, in 1737, the Assembly issued its order to effect the settlement before September, that year; and in case of its not being done by that time, the synod of Perth and Stirling, at its meeting in October, were to take up the ease, and to proceed with the settlement; and in case of their not doing so within a given time, the Assembly appointed a commission to accomplish it before their next meeting. Even this peremptory order, the Presbytery found means of evading. What became of Mr Stirling afterwards, does not appear from the record. Some time thereafter, a petition is presented to the Presbytery, to allow certain probationers therein named, to preach as candidates. Mr William Bennet, one of these, was chosen and ordained 22nd August 1738.

11 After Mr Tumbulls death, there was a dispute about the presentation, between the Crown and Herbertshire. Mr Fergus was the Crown presentee.

12 Mr Fergus having become, through the infirmities of age, unable for his public duty, agreed to have an assistant and successor. Through the influence of Willam Morehead, Esq. of Herbertshire. the Crown consented to give the parish a leet of five. Mr Dempster was one of the leet, and on the 27th July 1799, Was chosen unanimously, with the exception of one voice, assistant and successor to Mr. Fergus.

13. The collections for eight weeks lately were reported to be 2s. every Sabbath,