History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

168 THE THIRD MARQUIS OF ANNANDALE
Comlongan Castle, which the Marchioness rented in 1737 from Lord Stormont,
and at Appleby, in Westmoreland, where she spent some time every year.
The sons of Sir James Johnstone of Westerhall often visited their
cousins at Comlongan, and the young tutor watched with interest their subsequent
career. He also helped to teach his brothers, particularly James, who
was fourteen years his junior, and stayed with him at Comlongan and at
Moffat. But Annan set up a school of its own, and with an eminent master,
Dr Robert Henry, the historian. James was his pupil for a short time, and
though he left the school, as he says in his diary, very abruptly, it did not
prevent a lifelong friendship with Dr Henry, which extended to his sons.
The despotism which Bishop Burnet describes as being exercised by the
ministers in Cromwell's day had by no means lost its vigour when Presby-
terianism was re-established, and the Presbyteries kept an eagle eye, far sharper
than the contemporary Anglican bishops, on the conduct of the ministers. In
1743 that of Lochmaben deposed the minister of Moffat, and Sir James Johnstone
of Westerhall and Mr Graham of Airth(an advocate) presented the Minister
of Johnstone in his place. The Presbytery accepted him, and so did the
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland provisionally. But on making
their usual enquiry they declined to confirm the appointment, which lapsed to
the young Marquis of Annandale, who was living at Richmond, in Surrey.
He at once presented Edward Johnstone.
The Marquis, who signs his name V. Bempde Annandale, as by his grand-
father's Will the name of Vanden Bempde must go with the English estates,
wrote on Aug. 9, from Richmond, to Bryce Blair, the Provost of Annan, and to
James Hoggan, a writer in Comlongan, and told them to manage all the legal
part of the affair in presenting the nomination to the Presbytery of Lochmaben,
and " if need be to prosecute the said settlement before all or any of the other
Church judicatories in Scotland." A little later, in a letter from Paris to
Westerhall, Sept. 15, 1743, he says: "I hope Galliebanks junior is settled by
this time."
Edward accepted the appointment in a letter :
"To the Rev. Moderator of the Presbytery of Lochmaben, to be
communicated to the Presbytery.
" Rev. Sir,—The most honourable George, Marquis of Annandale, having
done me the honour to present me to be minister of the Church and Parish of
Moffat by his lordship's presentation, executed in my favour Aug 9, 1743, I
do hereby declare to you and to the Rev. Presbytery of Lochmaben that I do
accept of the said presentation as Law requires . . . with due submission
to the Church. I am, Rev. Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
Edward Johnstone.
"Comlongan Castle, 5 Sept. 1743."
There was the usual searching inquiry as to his character and antecedents,
as some parishioners accused him " of employing a barber to shave him on the