from The Book of the Bazaar

Extracts about - Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, taken from the book - 'Alloa and Tullibody - being the Book of the Bazaar' - Edited by Lauchlan Maclean Watt - Alloa, Published by Malcolm Gardner for the Executive Committee of the Parish Church bazaar 1902

Also further down on this page -

Tullibody
By the Rev. A. Bryson

The village of Tullibody is one of the oldest in Scotland. Its name has various forms in old records, as Tullbothy, Tulle-botheuin, Dumbodeuin, Tullebodeuin, and Dumbodenum. Like most of the names in the county (Clackmannanshire) it is pure Gaelic and is descriptive, being the tulach or knoll of the cots, or houses, and in its longer form being equivalent to Devon-hill-town.

In the middle of the twelfth century Tullibody was a well-endowed living in the gift of a family of Makbeth. The incumbent was Hugh of Rokesburgh, who was secretary to Nicolis the Chancellor of Scotland. We learn from Bishop Keith that he was appointed Bishop of Glasgow in 1199.

But in 1147 David I., the "sair sanct for the croun," built the noble Abbey of Cambuskenneth, known at first as the Church of St. Mary at Stirling. To this abbey the king was generous in his gifts, and in a document of a liberal character we find this reference to Tullibody :-

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I, David, by the grace of God King of the Scots, with the assent of Henry, my son, and with the confirmation and witness of the bishops, earls, and barons of my kingdom, grant to the church of St Mary at Striveling, and to the canons regularly living in it, those subjects undernoted, and I confirm it in perpetual peace. These, then, are what I grant to the foresaid church . . . also the land of Dunbodeuin (Tullibody), which is between the water of that land (Coiling) and the land of Lochin . . . and the island which is between Polmasse and Dunbodeuin."

It was customary for the monasteries, while drawing the tithes or teinds, to supply resident vicars or to send a monk when occasion required. The grant of these lands seems, however, not to have carried the Church with it. The patronage still remaining in the hands of the Makbeth family. But in 1170 we find Simon, son of Makbeth, making a grant of the Church to the Canons of Cambuskenneth, merely stipulating that these should enter upon possession " after the death of Hugh de Rokesburgh."

And the further donation of the advowson runs as follows :- "I, Simon, son of Makbeth, to all their men and friends, and to all the children of holy mother Church, health. Let all now and in time to come know that I have given and granted, and by this my charter have confirmed, to God and the Church of St Mary at Cambuskenneth, and to the canons serving God there after the decease of Hugh of Rokesburgh, the Clerk of the Chancellor, the Church of Tullibody, in free and perpetual alms, for the salvation of my soul, and the souls of my progenitors and successors, to be held as freely and peaceably, fully and honourably, with the lands and teinds, and all rights pertaining to it, as they hold more freely, peaceably, fully, and honourably, their other alms. At Stirling, 1170 A.D."

Thus Tullibody became a vicarage of Cambuskenneth, and was served by the clergy of that place. The grant of the church was in turn confirmed by Laurence, Bishop of Dunblane, and by Pope Innocent. The confirmation by the Pope in 1207 runs thus :-"Innocent, bishop servant of the servants of God to his beloved children the abbot and canons of St Mary at Cambuskenneth health and the Apostolic blessing. I confirm the grant of ... the Church of Tulybotheuin with all its possessions and pertinents, Tuly-botheuin and the island which is called Redinche lying between Tulybotheuin and Polmase."

There is an entry in the Acta Auditarum dated 9th August 1471, of an action raised by Henry, Abbot of Cambuskenneth, and his convent, against Alexander Seton, anent the spoliation of the fruits and lands of the kirk of Tullibody, taken up by the said Alexander as farmer to Dean Thomas Mellon, Canon of Cambuskenneth, "belonging to the abbot."

Tradition, preserved to us by the " maiden stane," tells us how, in 1450, Peter Beaton, priest of Tullibody, deceived Martha Wishart, daughter of the Laird of Myreton; how on her death-bed she instructed that her body be placed in a stone coffin by the north door of the church, so that the sight of it might shame her betrayer as he went to and from mass, and how the conscience-stricken priest caused the north door to be built up, and the present south door opened out, so that he might not have to pass her grave.

In the year 1538, Thomas Forrest, the learned and devout vicar of Dollar, having espoused Reformation principles, was seized by Cardinal Beaton and made to suffer martyrdom at the stake. This event stirred to action the then vicar of Tullibody, Thomas Locklaw, a canon of Cambuskenneth, who, finding marriage warranted in Holy Writ, took to himself a wife. This so enraged the superior clergy that they apprehended three or four men who had been at his wedding, viz., John Keillar, a Black Friar, John Beverage, also a Black Friar, and Duncan Simpson, a priest at Stirling. All these suffered death by flames on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh. The king in person came from Linlithgow Palace to give countenance to this horror. Locklaw only saved his life by fleeing with Canon Robert Logrie into England, where he, too, afterwards perished by fire.

Tullibodie early got the freedom of Protestantism, but in that freedom lost her revenues. The church suffered much during the disputes between the Regent Mary, widow of James V., and mother of Mary Queen of Scots, and her subjects. In 1559 the French in their retreat from Fife did not scruple to strip off the roof from the Church at Tullibody to make a bridge across the Devon. Kirkaldy of Grange having broken down the eastmost arch of the old bridge to impede their march. The church was soon repaired, and readers appointed to conduct the service for lack of duly qualified clergy. Among their duties was that of teaching in the village school. They further read the lessons and prayers. The names of three are preserved to us:-

1567.-Andrew Drysdail.
1574.-John Kempt.
1576.-Thomas Makbreck.

The stipend of Tullibody having been appropriated by a certain "Commendator," Adam Erskine by name, who made no provision for service in the parish, the people subscribed in 1579 for a minister, and the Presbytery appointed Alexander Faergie. This voluntary contribution was not apparently a success, for within a year we read that he was "forcit for povertie to leave them." In 1593 the minister of Alloa was appointed to serve at Tullibody, and in 1600 the two parishes were united.

In 1581 we find the County of Clackmannan divided into the parishes of Cambuskenneth, consisting of the lands immediately around the Abbey , Logie, Clackmannan, Tullibodie and Tulli-cuttrie, in the Presbytery of Stirling ; and Dolor, in the Presbytery of Dunfermline.

The Act of Assembly of 1600 uniting Tullibody to Alloa, and ordaining the parishioners to attend the parish church there, is to be found in " The Book of the Universal Kirk." It is as follows :-

"At the General Assembly held at Montrose, Session 7, 21 March 1600.

Anent the supplicatione given in be the parochiners of Tullibodie making mention, "Albeit the said paroch of Tullibodie be an auld paroch separate from all others having within itseife the number of foure or five hundredth communicants or thereby, and payes thair teinds to the Abbot of Cambuskenneth quho regourouslie exacts the same. Nevertheless the Presbiterie of Striveling hes be thair ordanance commandit the said Kirk of Tullibodie to be united to the Chapell of Alloway most wrongouslie seeing the saids complainers be ane anterior command of the said Presbiterie not only re-edified thair said Kirk of Tullibodie but also upon thair awin charges furnischit a Pastour to the said kirk : likeas zet they are most willing to do, notwithstanding thair teinds are most wrongouslie led away be the said Abbot as said is. Desyreing therefor thair said supplication to be considerit and the said unioun to be dissolvit as at mair lenth is conteinit in the said supplication."

To this complaint to the Assembly the Presbytery was called upon to reply :- "The Brethren of the Presbiterie of Striveling being callit to give a reason for this thair unioun of the said Kirks answerit that the cause moving them was-First, that both the said parochines lay verie commodiouslie to the said Kirk of Alloway. Secondlie, that the number of both the saids parochines wold make but one sufficient Congregation. Thirdlie, that thair could not be ane stipend obtainit for the said Kirke of Tullibodie in so farre that at the desyre of the saids complainers, there being ane Pastour appointit to the said Kirk upon promise that she wold furnisch him a sufficient stipend, he was forcit for povertie to leave them: quheras be the contrair be the unioun of the said two Kirks the Erie of Marre furnisches 'a sufficient stipend to ane Pastour resident at the same.

The General Assemblie having considerit the premisses ratines and approves the unioun of the said Kirks of Alloway and Tullibodie and ordains Alloway to be the Paroch Kirk in all time coming."

After a hundred years we have the following record :- " 1605, July 7th. The Session taking into consideration the largeness of the parish, and that there are many in the Barony of Tullibody old and infirm and not able to come to the Church of Alloa, thought fit that there should be sermon in Tullibodie once in the fortnight upon the Tuesday in all time coming."

1705, 2nd Nov. The minister informed the Session that he preached at Tullibodie on the day formerly condescended upon, and that in regard the meeting was frequent (i.e. well attended) he resolved to preach now and then on a week day : and as there was no convenient house for meeting it was commanded to George Haig to bespeak the Laird of Tullibody to see for ane for the time to come."

The Services seem to have been very irregular, and ultimately ceased. About 1760, George, Laird of Tullibody, roofed in the church with blue tiles, which were replaced by the present roof in 1824, to protect a tomb, the Tullibody family, with others, having taken to burying within the walls, during the time of ruin. Sir Ralph Abercromby procured for the Barony a bell at the end of last century, and the present belfry was built for it by Alexander Fairlie. It was an old man-of-war's bell, and bore the inscription, "Duke of Kingston, 1756." At this time an addition was made to the kirkyard. Both round the "priest's well" and on the west of the church there still remained the oldest part of the town-the old clachan-which dated its beginning from time immemorial, and which was brought into notice when Kenneth encamped on the Baingle Brae the night before he defeated Druskein and overthrew the Pictish kingdom, about a.d. 834. Here, too, he encamped the night after his victory, and the tradition was kept alive by a stone, known as the "stan'in'-stane," where it was said he had pitched the royal standard. This stone was destroyed about 1805, when the whole complexion of the village was altered. The "stan'in' stane " is not to be confounded with the old " haer-stane," which is a boulder once part of a Druid circle on the southern slope of the brae. The " stan'in'-stane" stood on the western declivity, about one hundred yards from the point where the low and high roads branch off at the Ditch loaning. Between 1790 and 1805 the new roads were all made, the old clachan was removed, the parsonage, which stood north-west of the well, had been in ruins since 1600; and the town rigs were laid out.

In connection with the trees round the kirkyard, tradition still recalls the old sexton, Robert Mason. George Abercromby, father of Sir Ralph, when he roofed in the church, wished to beautify the burying-ground by planting trees. Robert, however, rooted them out, and for his diligence was incarcerated in Clackmannan gaol. The trees finally were planted as they now are, outside the ground; but what to do with Robert, the Laird of Tullibody did not well know, for when the proposal was made to release him he took up St Paul's position, and would not leave the gaol till he should know for what he had been imprisoned. Robert was parish bellman as well as sexton; and the " bellman's yaird" is still to be seen in the north wood.

In 1833 the old building was again thoroughly put in order. The west windows were broken out, the old north bole was filled in, the area was seated with pews, and once more there was a regular Sabbath service at Tullibody. In 1837 the old bell was unfortunately cracked, and so a new one was cast, which is now in use, and which bears the inscription, "Tullibody, 1838," and measures twenty inches in depth by twenty-five inches in diameter. In 1838 the communion was celebrated, and the services continued till 1843, when Mr Stevenson, who was then assistant, left with the party that formed the Free Church, and whose ordination in the kirkyard-the church being too small for the crowd-is still remembered. On the erection of the Free Church the old kirk was again deserted till the time of Mr Murray. Mr Kelly of Alva having been appointed by Dr Brotherston his helper, the two young ministers once more resumed the Tullibody services. During the incumbency of Mr Shaw there was again a break. In March 1879 Mr Bryson resumed regular service, and now there is Divine service every Sabbath, and the Communion is celebrated twice a year. A Sabbath school has likewise been formed, and a congregation is consolidated.

When the Parish Church of Alloa was made the kirk of the united parishes, there still, of course, remained in use the old kirkyard, and the dues derived therefrom went to form a special fund for the relief of the poor in the barony. The records of the management of this fund are extant from 1705. Tullibody shared in the general economy of the parish as conducted by the Kirk-Session, but this special fund was always managed and dispensed locally. Up to 1768 the management lay with the elders of the district, under the chairmanship of lt Tullibodie." From 1768 it was in the hands of "Managers of the Poor's Funds." These were a committee, five in number-two of whom were appointed by the feuars, and three by the tenants, whose election must farther be confirmed by the "Laird." From 1807 the committee was kept up by nomination when a vacancy occurred. As a nucleus this trust has a capital fund, vested in its members, bequeathed by the following benefactors for the poor of the barony, and the interest to be distributed annually :-

1712. Robert Anderson £50
1813. John Mitchell £200
1823. James Duncan £200
1852. Lord Abercromby £50
1867. Alexander Paterson £200

This money, amounting to £700, is carefully invested, and yields annually about £28 sterling. The further income of the committee arises from burial dues. Those in the olden time were much more numerous than at present, as then premiums were paid for liberty to erect headstones, as well as dues for the mortcloth, for the bell, and for burial. Now the main revenue is from the lairs. The two additions to the kirkyard-the one in the middle of the last century, the other in 1870, were a free gift from the superior, and the walls were built by a voluntary assessment from the lair holders and feuars. The last burial, other than of the Abercromby family, within the walls, was that of David Fotheringham, in the vestibule. In remoter times there were other dues, chief among which were those from the merchants who were allowed to expose their wares in the kirk-yard and kirk-porch for sale-the public market, as was not unusual, being held therein. In the porch of Tullibody Church the stone benches were quite hollowed out by the sharpening of the knives of the meat-sellers and others. Sir Ralph Abercromby, when he presented the bell, made it a condition that its dues went to the local fund ; and when the bell was recast in Greenock in 1838, half of the price was paid by the villagers and half by the Church, the Church to have a right to its use, and the poor's fund the right of the dues.

There is also a house-that at the Tron, with the outside stone stair-which belongs to the poor's fund. The management of this trust has been most praiseworthy, and the box-masters' names are worthy of record.

1705. Thomas Morrison.
1727. William Forrester.
1740. Robert Mitchell.
1751 John Dewar.
1764. James Mitchell.
I779. John Mitchell.
1808. Alexander Patterson.
1867. John Patterson.

In the Church there are the following mural memorials of the benefactors :-

"To the pious memory of that renowned patriot, and patron of charity, Robert Anderson, merchant in St Lucar, born in the Green of Tullibody, who left to the poor of this place fifty pound sterling. He dyed the * * day of February 1712. He also left fifty pound sterling to the poor of Alloa.
" In Portugal at Lisbon dyed His birth and burial being so remote
It was a wonder that he left to us a groat He left no children of his proper breed But left his means adopted sons to feed The triumphant trophies of his charity Run parallel to all eternity.
"Richard Main, his nephew and heir, erected this monument."

Another monument bears :- In memory of James Duncan, who bequeathed two hundred pounds to the poor of his native village , and who served his country upwards of twenty years in the British Navy. Born 1756. Died 1823. His march was o'er the mountain wave, His home was on the deep."

And another monument is as follows :- " In memory of Alexander Patterson, tanner of Tullibody, who died gist December 1866, aged eighty-nine years. Among his many benevolent actions, he left two hundred pounds to the poor of the place of his nativity. He lived beloved by all, and never knew an enemy. If probity and genuine worth be the leading features in the Christian life, he possessed them both in an eminent degree; and in the full hope of meeting the loved ones of his early manhood and riper years in a more exalted state of existence, he calmly resigned his noble spirit into the hands of Him whom he sincerely worshipped, the omnipotent Jehovah. Erected 1871." -

The following Licentiates have occupied the Resident Assist-antship at Tullibody-

1896- Robert Hall, transferred to Alloa.
1808. Hotchkin Haynes Murray, ordained to Monzie.
1899. James K. Wilkin, ordained to Ladhope.
1900. William Bruce Muir

Ministers of Alloa since the Reformation
After the Reformation the parish of Alloa (St. Mungo's) and the parish of Tullibody were united. It became normal practice for the assistant minister at Alloa to hold the services at Tullibody.

1589 - James Duncanson, M.A. he was the son of John Duncanson, Minister of His Majesty's Household. He was presented to the vicarage of Tullibody by James VI. in 1593. Seven years later the parishes of Alloa and Tullibody were united. He died in 1624.
1626 - John Craigengelt M.A.. He was presented by Charles I., and came from Aberfoyle. He married Christian Cullendar, who predeceased him in 1661. Their son John was minister of Dollar; and their daughter married John Keirie of Cogar.
1664 - James Wright, M.A.. He was presented by Charles II. He came from Bothkennar. He was deprived by the privy council for refusing to read the Proclamation by the Estates, and to pray for their majesties William and Mary. These three preceding ministers were Episcopalians, who served this cure during the eruption of prelacy into our country. The church and parish remained, however, wholly unaffected by the exotic form of church government; for, as the records show, the worship, government, and discipline remained entirely the same, and the Kirk Session and Presbytery continued all their true functions. When, therefore, prelacy was abolished, and the revolution settlement accomplished in 1690, the only change in this parish was the obliteration of one or two names. We simply hear no more of 'bishops' or 'archbishops'; they had only been a name, and they vanished with James. From this time the unbroken succession of Presbyterian ministers begins.
1690 - George Turnbull - He came from Dalmeny, and was translated in 1699 to Tynimgham.
1704 - John Logan - He was first ordianed in Kilmadock in 1692, thence he went to St. Ninians. He recieved a call hither in 1702, which he declined. He died in 1724, aged fifty-four.
1726 - John Taylour, M.A. He came from Tillicoultry, and was translated to the Tolbooth, Edinburgh, in 1735.
1736 - James Gordon, M.A. He came from Alford, having been ordianed in 1705. He died in 1749, aged sixty-seven.
1750 - James Syme, M.A.. He was the eldest son of Walter Syme of Tullynessie, and became tutor to (Sir) Ralph Abercomby. He was licensed in 1747. At the election there was a competing call to John Skirven. The Presbytery declined to sustain either of the calls, and an appeal was taken to the Assembly. The Assembly referred the matter to the Commission, who sustained the call to Mr. Syme, and appointed his ordination to take place on 28th August. On the 16th August Mr Warden of Gargunnock, who had been appointed to serve his edict, came to Alloa, accompanied by Alexander and George Abercomby, but they were met at the Grange by a multitude, chiefly colliers, who set upon them, and maltreated them, and chased them from the town. The bell was rung all day, and a flag of victory was hung on the steeple. The Presbytery made report to the Commission in November, stating that it was inconvenient to proceed. The Commission, however, resolved otherwise, and appointed a Committee of their number, consisting of twenty-eight ministers and six elders, to act with the Presbytery in order to his ordination on 21st November. As a measure of precuation four companies of soldiers were quartered in the town, and ordination took place. He only lived three years, and was greatly liked. He married, Mary, daughter of Rev. Mr. Robertson of Edinburgh, who died so late as 1803. Their daughter Eleanora married Henry Broughham, whose son was the famous Lord Brougham and Vaux.
1753 - James Fordyce, D.D. He came from Brechin. He was a fashionable preacher of his day, and removed to London in 1782, and died in Bath in 1796.
1760 - James Frame, M.A. He had been formerly assistant. He came from Dalzell, having been ordained there in 1754. He was presented by George II., patronage having again been restored. He died in 1803, aged seventy-eight.
1803 - James Maxton. He was licensed in 1789. He was presented by George III., the living having been declined by John, his eldest brother, who was assistant. He married in 1805, Jean, daughter of Alexander Bald, who predeceased him in 1824. Their daughter Jean married the Rev. John Cooper of Pittenweem. He died in 1828, aged sixty three.
1828 - Peter Brotherston, D.D. He came from Dysart, and was ordained in 1808. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Hurry, of Liverpool, who survived him only two days, and husband and wife were buried in the same grave. He died in 1862, aged eighty-three.
1863 - William Shaw, M.A. He was presented by the Crown. He came from Ayr, having been ordianed in 1847. He died in 1869.
!870 - Alexander Bryson. Presented by the Crown, on the representation of the congregation. He came from St. Michael's Dumfries. He died in August 1900 while on holiday.
1901 - Lauchlan MacLean Watt, M.A., B.D. Licensed in 1896. Minister of Turriff, Aberdeenshire, 1897. Translated to Alloa in February 1901.

Alexander Bryson	Lauchlan MacLean Watt

The Assistants
Assistants to the ministers at Alloa.
1740 - Andrew Williamson. James Frame, removed to Dalzell.
1759 - Alexander Duff. Frederick Maclagan. He resigned in 1767.
1768 - Andrew Gibson. He left in 1783.
1783 - John Maxton. He died in 1835, aged eighty-four
1835 - George H Monilaws. He removed to Kincardine in 1836 and thence to Peebles, where he died in 1869.
1836 - William Reid. He removed to Invertiel in December 1837, and thence to Kettle, where he died in February 1884.
1836 - John McCosh. Mr. Reid was appointed by the congregation, and Mr. McCosh by the Earl of Mar. Mr. McCosh continued here till Whitsunday 1842, when he removed to Aberdeen, where, shortly afterwards, he died.
1838 - John Harper. He removed to Bannockburn in April 1839, and remained there as Free Church Minister in 1843.
1839 - William Sinclair. He continued here till November 1840, when he went to Kilmaurs, where he died in 1882.
1842 - George Stevenson. He bacame Free Church minister of Tullibody in 1843.
1846 - John Burns. He removed to Dunino, where he died in 1871.
1849 - William Caesar. He removed to St. Bernard's, Edinburgh, in 1850, and is now at Tranent.
1851 - Cornelius Giffen. He removed to Liverpool in 1852, and thereafter to St. Mary's Edinburgh.
1852 - Robert Lockhart. He went to Kilmaurs as assistant and successor to Mr. Sinclair, and died in 1857.
1852 - John McCall. Removed to Ardrossan in 1854.
1854 - James Dodds. He went to Montrose in 1856, thereafter he went to St. George's, Glasgow, and is now minister of Corstorphine.
1856 - James Prophit. Removed to Dunrossness in 1858. Died 1889.
1858 - Thomas Murray. He removed to Strathkinness in 1865, and later, to Anstruther Easter.
1866 - David S Ross. Removed to Edzell in 1869.
1869 - Thomas Gentles. He went to Trinity College, Edinburgh, and is now in the Abbey, Paisley.
1872 - Lewis W Rennison. Ordained to Suva in 1884.
1884 - William Cairns Duncan. Appointed to second charge, Ayr, in 1886.
1886 - Innes Grant Sutherland. Minister of Beith in 1887.
1887 - John Peattie. Ordained to Langton, 1892.
1892 - Robert Gardiner. Ordained to Bo'ness, 1896.
1896 - George Lindsay Leslie. Ordained to Eddleston, 1898.
1898 - Robert Hall. Ordained to Rescobie, 1899.
1900 - J. G. Cranmer. Resigned 1900.
1901 - David Preston. Ordained to Ewes, 1901.
1901 - Thomas Nelson Allen.

Tullibody in the Presbytery Records of Stirling, 1581-1598
By Rev. George Murray, B.D., Sauchie Clerk to the Presbytery

Picture - Tullibody Auld Kirk

The Records go back to 1581 when "The Elderschip of Striviling was erectit"on the 8th day of August. The ministers of Alvayth and Logy are in the Sederunt, but no one from either Alloa or Tullibody.

Oct. 10, 1581. "It is ordainit and intimation was made be ye moderator that na minister sould accep ye chairge of ony Kirks upon thame bot onely of ane according to ye act of ye generall assemblie."

This is an echo of the well-known statute law of the same year, against ministers serving more than one paroche-a law which the Presbytery found awkward, we shall see, when they came to give one minister the charge of both Alloa and Tullibody.

May 6, 1580. At this date there is a curious reference to the baptism of two children by a Priest in Tullibody Kirk-one the child of an Issobell Fargy from Tullicultrie parish, and the other that of Henry Schaw, brother to the laird of Sauchie (in Clackmannan parish) . . . " in ye Kirk of Tullibody be Collein Schaw, uthirwayis callit Sir Collein Schaw, ane papeist priest, in ye papisticall manir, ane yeir and ane half syne, or thairby. And ye said Issobell Fargy grants thir personnis following was witnesses to hir bairne, viz. Johnne Couper iu Sauchie, Johnne Foirman thair, Johnne Morels, sone to Archibald Moreis, wabster thair, and Barbara Proud thair. And that thir personnis following war witnesses to ye said Henrie Schawe's bairne at ye baptezein thairof, quhair he was present himself, viz. Robert Andirsone in Rig-hed in Sauchie and William Jamesone there."

In view of the fact that the Reformation had been but shortly established in Scotland, an interesting question is suggested by the above minute. Were the people so little swayed over by the leaders of the new form of faith that they were quite ready to accept baptism at the hands of an official of the old order? The collocation of names in the minute suggests that Collein may have belonged to the well-known local family of the Schaws. The "Sir" was the common designation of priests who had not attained the higher academical degree of Magister.

April 23, 1588. A reference at this date shows Tullibody under the over-sight (for discipline) of the minister of Clackmannan.

Aug. 26, 1589. "Mr Alexander Wallace minister at Clakmannan and his elderschip " are again seen casting a meditative eye on some Tullibody folks.

Oct. 21, 1589. The significant phrase occurs,-"The brethrein ordanis the minister of Clakmannan as nixt adjacent to thair [two Tullibody persons] parochun seeing they have na pastur in thair awin paroche Kirk of Tullibody, to proclame ye said promeis as effeirs."

December 30, 1589. It is evident, however, from a minute, "At Sterling ye penult day of December 1589," that the neighbouring minister of Logie held forth occasionally in the derelict church,-"The qulk day Alexander Fargy minister at Logy beand requyrit gif David Jamesone in tullibodie hade obeyit ye ordinance of ye phrii in making Repentence at his Kirk or not the said Alexander ansorit that he hade nevir bein in that Kirk sensyne excep ane Sonday onlie. Thairfor ye brethrein ordanis the clark to direct ane precept to chairge ye said David to entir in Repentence in ye said Kirk off Logy ye nixt Sonday eftir ye chairge."

It is well known from contemporary history that the supply of duly qualified ministers at the time was short. The neighbouring parish of " Tullicultrie," for instance, was then " desolat of ane minister " (cf. Minute of Jan. 20, following).

January 27, 1589 [90]. Alloa, however, under this date, is at last seen under process for its first Presbyterian minister,-

" The qulk day the brethrein undirstanding that thair brother Mr James Duncansone is suttit to be admittit and placit minister at ye Kirk of Allway, and to that effect tryell being alreddie tane of him, is judgit worthie to entir in ye ministrie as acts made thairupone bers : Thairfor ye brethrein ordanis him to teiche in ye said Kirk of Allway ye nixt Sonday ye first day of februar nixt. And aftir ye sermond be done that ye Elders and Deacuns thairof, the gentill men and uthir discrelt of ye said parochun convein thame selssis togethir in ane assemblie to advys quhow thai find thame selssis edefeit wt his doctrein and to gif thair consent to accept him as thair propir pastur in tyms cuming and assist him and cans obedience be randirit to him in his offeice as becums, and that thai direct twa commissionars sufficientlie instructit withe thair mynds thairanent to our nixt assemblie to be hauldin in ye Kirk of Sterling ye III day of februar nixt that -we may proceid farther thairintill as effeirs."

February 3d, 1589 [1590] The two commissioners -who appeared were Rannald Maistirtoun of Bad and James Dempstertoun in Allway. The matter was settled; and on the 12th of February following certain commissioners of Presbytery placed Duncanson (who as "Mr" evidently had a University degree) minister at "Allway." He was brother-in-law of Alexander Hume, the poet, soon to be his neighbour in the Manse of Logie, and his father had been moderator of the General Assembly-the John Duncanson who was Minister of the King's House or Dean of the Chapel Royal of Stirling.

June 22, 1591 The qlk day ane summonds beand producit dewlie execut and indorsit upon Patrick Crichtoun of Strathurd, James Reddo of Cambuss, David Stein thair, Nicoll Stein thair, James Stein thair, Alexander Schort in blak grainge, Thomas Rannald thair, Thomas Crystie thair, Alexander Burne thair, Hew Gallway thair, Alexander Patirsone thair, James Callender in Wast grainge and Alexander Callender thair, chairging thame to compeir ye said day to ansor for prophanatione of ye Sabbo'- be fischein thairon as at mair lenth is conteinit in ye said summonds. Quilk personis being oft tyms callit nane compeirit except James Stein in Cambuss quha compeirit and denyit fischein on ye Sonday. He is admonesit that frathistynefurart he fische nane on ye Sabboth undir ye paine of ye censurs of ye kirk. And ye rest ar ordeinit to be summond de novo pro secundo.

"The brethrein undirstanding that ye Sabboth is prophainit be grinding wt milnis on Doven waltir att Tullibody and Cambuss thairfor ordanis W"1 Mayne in Cambuss Jone Prestone thair Thomas Strachan in tullibodie and William Strachan thair millars at ye said Milnis to be summonded to ansor for ye said prophanatione undir ye paine of disobedience." (Later Minutes show the Presbetrey condemning " the ganging of milnis in Athray, Craiginforth, and within ye presbyterie of Dunblane.")

Sept. 12, 1592. It is evident that the minister of Logie (now dead) had been drawing the Tullibody stipend. Somebody must get it; and it was not unusual at this period, when a kirk continued vacant, for the money or crop to go to the neighbouring minister on whom was falling, meanwhile, the burden of any ordinances that were being dispensed. All, however, only until "farther order could be taken."

" The qlk day thair was producit the provisione of umquhill Alexander Fargy to ye vicarage of Tullibody in ye wrets following- Thay ar to say ane Presentatoun to ye samin of our soverane lord be advys of James Erile of Murray lord abirnethy his Regent daitit at Sterling ye penult day of aprill a° etc Ixix zeirs. Ane collatione and admissione of ye said umq11 Alex1' gevin be umq M1' Jo^ Wynram Superintendent daited at Sanctandraus ye xix day of Maii ye zeir of God foirsaid Ane instrument undir subscriptione of W"1 Andirsone notar. Item ane decreit of ye lords on ye said provisione pronuncit ye viii day of Julii a° etc Ixix Ane precept subscryvit be (blank) direct to his officer to mak payment to ye said umq11 Alex'' of ye said vicarage. Q11" wrettis ar put in keiping in ye hands of James Duncansonc q" ye brother be farthair advysit."

This James Duncansone, min of Alloa, was destined, we shall see, to get the good of the writs, as his successors in office have done ever since. The difficulty was that the stipend of Tullibody was not big enough to make a living possible for a separate minister. The serving of two kirks by Fargy had been possible, because his presentation to the Vicarage of Tullibody had been in 1569, i.e. before the statute law on the subject had emerged (1581).

March 27, 1593. What the result was of the brethren taking steps to be "advysit " on the matter is now seen,-

The samin day compeirit Mr James Duncansone minister of Alloway and producit ane letter of presentatione direct from his Majesty presentand ye said Mr James to ye vicarage of Tullibodie vacand be deceas of Alexander Fargy last vicar thairof and desyrit to be tryed and examinat according to ye said presentatione. Qlk beand done ye brethrein -find him qualefeit and meit. And becaus ye said Mr James teichis ye word, ministrats ye sacraments and exercesis discipline to ye parochunars of Tullibody in his awin kirk of All-way beand not distant thairfra bot ane myll or thairby. The brethrein admits him to ye said vicarage with ye teinds and fruits thairof conditionallie, that quhowsone ane Minister beis gottin that -will accept ye chairge of ane pastor to ye said kirk of Tullibody, that ye said Mr James sail dimit the said vicarage -with all his right thairof in favours of ye minister of Tullibody in form as effeirs at ye desyr of this presbyterle. And give ane minister beis provydit to ye said kirk befoir -witsonday nixt that ye said Mr James sail dimit and renunce to him ye fruits of ye said vicarage of this instant crop and zeir of God lmvcxxxxii zeirs with ye tytill thairof as said is. To ye qlk ye said Mr James voluntarlie binds and oblesis him self and in taikin thairof hes subscryvit this act w1 his a-win hand as follo-wis. In respect cyof the brethrein thinks gude that he have collatione in form as effeirs. (Signed) << Mr james duncansone " Minister at Alloway."

There is a good deal to be read between the lines in the above minute. The key to it is the statute-law of I58l, which made such a double service of kirks illegal. But this point could never emerge practically so long as there was no separate minister coming forward for Tullibody, and the Presbytery warily make their Minute meet this emergency should it arise. How did James VI. come to issue a presentation like this, which contemplated an illegality ? He was a king to whom such a point was a trifle. Possibly the local influence of the Earl of Mar (powerful with James) was exerted in favour of Duncanson, who was son of the old minister of the King's House at Stirling.

Oct. 16, l593. A leader about Tullibody at this time was an enterprising person known as "Strathurd"-from the name of his Perthshire estate, one may presume,-

Compeirit Patrik Crichtoun of Strathurd quha is accusit for commanding his tennents prophane ye Sabboth be leding of hay and careage thairon. He confessis ye leding of hay and biging of ane stak thairof upon ye Sabboth, quhilk he grants was ane fault. And as concerning leding off careage on ye Sabboth affermis ye samin was done by his command. And now he promesis that nane of his tennents sail prophane ye Sabboth heiraftir. The said Patrik being askit quhat kirk be hants on ye Sabbot ansored that he usit to frequent ye Kirk of Alloway qlk now of leat that he dois it not thruch sum elests [offences] fallin out betwix him and sum men thair. And thairfor promesis to frequent Logy Kirk on ye Sabboth qlk ye saids elests be removit. And siclyk ye said Patrik being accusit for using of chairmis contrar ye commandement of God, he confessis he usis to stay fivirs be laying to ye Schakill ben of ye patient certan haill bleads of seage [the yellow Iris] and saying of certan prayars himself in latein and caussis ye patient say ye sam prayars thame self. The brethrein finds ye said dang ane fault, and be ye word of God hes instructit ye said Patrik thairofquha promesis not to use ye samin to any persone frathistynefur1'."

April 23, 1595. The qlk day ane summonds beand producit deulie execut and indorsit upon Alexander Patirsone in Cambus James Stein thair David Zung thair David Massone thair Archibauld Broun thair and-Broun his sone thair Henrie Patoun thair and Jone Brog thair chairgeing thame to compeir ye said day to ansor for prophaning of ye Sabboth be fishing thalron and absenting thame selfis from God's holie service etc. Compeirit all ye saids personis except - Broun youngar and confessis thay shot ane few shots w1 thair boits on ye windie Son^ay and denyis any farther. Qlk is fund to be ane fault and thay are ordeined to sit doun upon thair kneis in this assemblie and confes ye samin and crave God forgevenes thairfor, qlk thai have done. And ar certifeit gif any of thame do ye lyk heiraftir that thay sail undirly seveir discipline. And are admonesit to frequent Alloway Kirk on ye Sabbot qlk thay gait ane pastor of thair awin to Tullibody Kirk.

Aug. 4, 1596. The brethrein ordanis the Kirk of Tullibody to be viseit," etc. Six ministers are appointed to the work. "And in speciall that they travell for ane stipend to ane minister, to serve in that Kirk, qlk has bein desolat sen the reformatione of religione."

Aug. II, 1596. The brethrein appointed to visie the paroche kirk of Tullibodie reported that thay have done ye samin and travellit with ye parochunars for ane reassonable stipend to ane minister to serve at thair kirk. And finds them all verie desirus of ane minister, and for his provisione offers to mak him thankfull payment of thair vicarage zeirlie. And promesis to give him ane hundreth marks money for his first zeir's service. And this besyd and attour the mans and gleib of thair kirk, qlk will pertein to him be ye lawis off the cuntrie. Compeirit David Biggum in Bankrie, and Jone Michell, officer to ye laird of Tough for thame selfis and as commissionars for ye remanent parochunars of Tullibody, and desyrit that the brethrein owill appoint thame ane minister. In respect -whairof and of the report above wretin, the brethrein appoints Mr Jone Aissone to prelch to thame ye nixt Sonday," etc., etc.

Decr. 14, 1.597. From minute of this date It is seen that the parishioners of Kincardin desire to have a minister planted at their kirk, and they wish the brethren to appoint Mr John Aisson to teach to them sundry days, that thereafter they "may advise how they like of him to be their minister." This Mr Aisson was then serving at Tullibody, but the Presbytery were not satisfied that due provision had been made for his living, because the minute proceeds as follows:-"The brethren desires them [the Kincardine commissioners] to travell for ane stipend, and they shall. God-willing, get them ane man, and continues their answer concerning Mr John Aissone while they be further advisit, and presently ordains the parishioners of Tullibody to be summoned to compear before the brethren by one or many nominate and constitute by them, and having the commission, upon the 21st of this instant, to declare what provision they will make for the honest provisionment of Mr John Aissone appoint to be their minister, and to hear and see order to be taken thereanent, with certification gif they compear not and mak him ane reasonable provision for his service at their kirk, the brethren will appoint him to some other kirk where he may have better occasion to glorify God, and edify His Kirk."

Dec. 21, 1597. Mr Creighton of Strathurd, David Biggum, and John Mitchell, appear from Tullibody, and on the ground that James Saittoun of Tullibody, "principall of their paroche, is now absent in the Mers," desire the brethren to tt suxceid removing of their minister qlk his home-coming, that he and they together may travel for ane provision to their minister." (Case continued.) Janr. IIth, I597[8]. " The brethren continues removing of Mr John Aissone from Tullibody Kirk to the 2nd day of Februar prox., that the parishioners may travell for ane reasonable stipend for him in the meantime, and ordains the said Mr Johnne to teach the next Sunday in Kincardin Kirk."

Jan. 25, I597[8]o "The same day compeared David Bryce and Nichol Stein for themselves and as commissioners for the remanent parishioners of Tullibody and desires that Mr John Aissone appoint to be their minister be admitted to them, and they promise voluntarily to give him yearly for his provision ane hundred merks while mair may be gotten-whilk provision the brethren find not sufficient, and therefore they desire the said parishioners yet as before to travell for ane reasonable provision to him betwixt and the 1st day of Februar prox., and he shall be admitted to them, otherwise he will be removit."

No permanent provision, evidently, had been made, and the case had come up before the Synod, as appears from the following minute:-

June 28th, 1508. "Anent the union of the paroche of Tullibody to the Kirk of Alloway, as was appointed by the last Synodall, the brethren ordains that James Reddo in Cambus, Robert Saittone vicar of Logy, Patrick Creighton of Strathurd and David Biggum in Tullibody principalls of the said paroche be summoned to compear before this Presbyterie on the fifth day of July to hear and see the said paroch conjoined to the said Kirk of Alloway and ordained to resort thereto to the hearing of God's Word and ministration of the Sacraments and to be subject to the discipline thereof, or else to show ane reasonable cause why the said should not be done, with certification, etc."

July 5th, 1508. . . . "Compeared the said Robert Saittone and declares that he has adverteesit James Saittone of Tullibody, his brother, of the said summons and has received no command to answer to the said summons and therefore confesses he has no interest in the said matter. Compeared also John Prestone for himself, David Biggum for (blank) Stewart (blank) in his Majesty's chalmer and his tenants in Tullibody, and the tenants of the said Patrick Creightoun for themselves, and alleges their said Kirk of Tullibody should not be conjoined to Alloway because their kirk is ane auld paroch kirk and Alloway but lately made ane paroch kirk. Compeared siclyke the tenants of James Saitton of Tullibody for themselves and alleged as of before.

The brethren assigns the second day of August next to the parishioners of Tullibody to produce in writ all the reasons they have -why the said kirk should not be conjoint to Allo-way kirk according to the said summons and the said parishioners warnit thereto apud acta, and ordains that the Laird of Tough be adver-teesit thereof by ane missive letter."

Aug. 2, 1598. "In the term assigned to the parishioners of Tullibody to produce in "writ all the reasons they have why their said kirk should not be conjoint to Alloway kirk ; Compeared Robert Saittone in name of the Laird of Tough and his tenants and having the commission. Compeared also Nichol Stein in name of Patrick Creightoun of Strathurd, Alexander Jameson in name of James Roddo in Cambus, David Biggum and divers others parishioners and produced certain reasons in writ as they bear in themselves. The brethren ordains ane copy of the said reasons to be delivered to the Earl of Mar suitor of the said union that his lordship may make answers thereto for production whereof the brethren assigns the 9th day August instant, the persons compearing warnit thereto apud acta^

Here follows, another pressing wish that Mr John Aisson be appointed their minister. The Presbytery delays answer till Aug. 9th.

Aug. 9, 1598. "In the term assigned to my lord Earl of Mar, to answer to the reasons produced by the parishioners of Tullibody why their kirk should not be united to the kirk of Alloway compearit Mr Wm Erskine person of Campsie in name of the said Lord and Robert Saittone Vicar of Logy and Mr Alexander Saittone in name of the whole parishoners of Tullibody; The said Mr Wm produced in name of the said Lord answers in wret to the said reasons as they bear in themselves and- the said persons compearing for the said parishoners being asked by the moderator if they have any further to say in the said matter or not, they answer and allege that the brethren of this Presbetry are not judges competent to this matter concerning the union of their Kirk of Tullibody and Parish thereof to the Kirk of Alloway whereupon they desire ane answer before they allege any further. The brethren finds that lawfully they may take cognition in the said matter and hear the reasons of both the parties and thereafter declare their opinion and advise in the same, and report it to the next General Assembly of the Kirk, which has power to pronounce and conclude thereintill, as they shall find most meet for the glory of God and comfort of his Kirk. The said Robert Saittone and Mr Alexander Saittone in name of the said parishoners desire that they be lawfully summoned to compear before the next General Assembly of the Kirk to hear and see their said advice produced ; that they may be heard and admitted to produce before that assembly further reasons why their said Kirk and Parish should not be unite to the Parish of Alloway before that matter be concluded; and protests that all that is done by this Presbetry in their prejudice shall be null, and that all that shall be done in the next General Assembly to their prejudice shall be also null in case they be not lawfully summoned thereto."

The case continued to roll on in loose fashion for a time. Some of the parishioners kept asking for Mr Aissone to be finally placed with them, without, however, being able to show any " reasonable provision" of a fixed nature. David Biggum, their leading champion, returned to the charge in the Minute of Aug. 9th, 1598, and also in those of Aug. 23rd and Sept. 6th. When, however, on Sept. 2oth, he was "oft times callit to produce his commission in writ as he was appointed on the 6th day of Sepf instant, he compeared not." And we know from other sources that the union, was ratified by the General Assembly, 21st March 1600.

TULLIBODY FREE CHURCH

This congregation was formed by members of the Church of Scotland who, in Tullibody and surrounding district, at once, in 1843, formed themselves into a Free Church congregation, under Mr. Stevenson, who at the time was assistant in the parish. They worshipped in the old church till 1844, when they removed to the present building (which is now in 2006, the Church Hall). Its ministers have been:-
1843 - George Stevenson, went to India, returned to Pultneytown, Wick.
1857 - Wm P Goldie, now in Stirling.
1869 - John Girvan, now in Maryhill.
1875 - Andrew Thom, M.A.

Note - Andrew Thom was the Free Church Minister until his death in 1929. After his death the Free Church and the Church of Scotland in Tullibody were reunited.

Cambus and Tullibody Stall - at the Church Bazaar (1902)