Dundonald in Covenanting Times
The 17th Century was a period of major religious conflict between Church and State in Scotland. The Stewart Monarchy had only reluctantly accepted the Reformation of the Church, which had largely replaced Roman Catholicism in Scotland with a Presbyterian form of religion based on the teachings of John Calvin and others.
But this reformation of the Church did not proceed un-opposed and there were factions in the land who continued to support a form of religion much closer to Rome. With the departure of King James VI to London in 1603, earlier agreements between the Monarchy and the leaders of the new Church were broken and increasingly attempts were made to impose an Episcopalian form of religion on the people of Scotland. With the accession of Charles I in 1625 the whole process of attempting to dismantle Scottish Presbyterianism was intensified and things came to a head with the introduction of the English Book of Common Prayer, known as “Laud’s Liturgy” after William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury. This policy was resisted and, in 1638, the National Covenant was signed by thousands of people in protest against attempts to impose an unwanted form of religion on Scotland.
For the next 50 years Scotland experienced a period of bitter conflict. Some religious practices were outlawed by the government of the day, forcing many congregations into worshipping in secret. Those found guilty of breaching the regulations were hounded by the authorities and at its height the conflict saw many instances of torture and murder. Opposing armies were raised and pitched battles were fought.
As a result of the activities of the Lollards of Kyle in the 15th Century the south west of Scotland was particularly strong in its support for the Covenant and throughout the period Dundonald took its place in the struggle. The first rumblings are to be found in our Kirk Session minutes (2) for 1637 when the Laird of Crosbie is appointed as commissioner to attend meetings in Edinburgh in opposition to the prayer book. Here is an excerpt, translated into modern English from the Old Scots of the minute:
17 September 1637. the which day the Session of Dundonald, understanding that the matter concerning the Service Book appointed to be used in all the kirks within this kingdom is to be agitated before the Lords of his Majesty’s right honourable council at Edinburgh upon the twentieth instant, and having sundry scruples about the matters contained in the said book, have advised and concluded humbly to supplicate to the said Lords that they would deal with the Kings Majesty would be graciously pleased not to urge the said Service Book upon the kirks of this kingdom and ours; and to the effect foresaid have nominated , constituted and authorised James Fullarton of Crosbie as commissioner to present our said supplications.
Later William McKerrell of Hillhouse is also appointed to attend the Council and it is suggested that “the authors of the two Books of Common Prayer and Cannons should be convened and censured by their Lordships for making such innovation in the matter of religion as the said books bear.”
In 1640 , by order of the Presbytery of Ayr, the Covenant was engrossed in our minute book and is signed by 222 persons, all male, of whom 187 signed by proxy as “they could not wryt them selfs.” Prominent amongst the signatories are the Minister Robert Ramsay, the Wallaces of Auchans and William Cochrane of Cowdoune. The Wallaces, who had earlier built Old Auchans, and William Cochrane, who bought Old Auchans at about this time, were prominent supporters of the Covent in the battles which ensued.
The Session Minutes of Dundonald, from which these stirrings of the conflict are taken, are amongst the best preserved in Ayrshire but, perhaps not surprisingly, the records between the 1640s and 1700 are missing. They may have been lost in the turmoil of the times; they may have been kept secret from the eyes of authority; there may have been no written record at all. Nevertheless the activities of the ministers of the parish through these years can be established from other sources. They were all, it seems, strong supporters of the Covenant. Robert Ramsay (1625-42) is the first of the signatories to the Covenant in the minutes. His successor, Gabriel Maxwell (1642-67), was appointed chaplain to the Covenanting army under Lt-Col Leslie, fought at the Battle of Mauchline Moor and took part in the Pentland Rising. He was suspended from the parish for failing to adhere to Episcopacy.
Towards the end of Maxwell’s period of service three ministers seem almost to have shared the duties at Dundonald. George Wilson, John Osburn and John Hutchison were all accused by the authorities of various offences such as the keeping of Conventicles, (the secret services held in remote hiding places in the countryside), failing to observe the King’s birthday, and the conduct of irregular baptisms. They were fined, had their property confiscated, and had to flee from the parish. They probably shared the ministry here so that while one was in trouble with authority, another could serve as minister.
The Wallaces of Auchans arrived in Dundonald in the mid 16th century when they bought the Castle and royal estates from King James V. Many of their family seem to have moved into the farms in the area and members of the family served on the Kirk Session. The family remained strong Covenanters throughout the struggles and one of their number, Col James Wallace, styled “of Auchans” though the estate had been sold to William Cochrane, was chosen by the people of the south-west to lead the Pentland Rising in 1666 when about 1000 men marched on Edinburgh determined to confront the authorities. They were routed at Rullion Green and James Wallace had to flee to Holland.
Sir William Cochrane, another member of the session had to tread a careful path. While a strong defender of the Covenant he was also a prominent Royalist. His wife was an Episcopalian, his son, John Cochrane of Ochiltree was an extreme Covenanter, and his grand-daughter Jean Cochrane married Grahame of Claverhouse, “Bonnie Dundee” who was the persecutor in chief of the Covenanters and nick-named “Bloody Clavers”. William Cochrane seems to have ridden the storm well and for his support of Charles II at the restoration he was raised to the peerage, taking the title Earl of Dundonald. Tradition claims he is buried beneath Dundonald Church.