Spinning a Scottish Yarn: The Reverend David Dickson Part Four Edinburgh

EDINBURGH

After spending a decade in Glasgow, on the 12th April 1650 David Dickson was appointed to a charge at St Giles Cathedral (second charge) by the Town Council and to serve as a professor of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh. At the latter he succeeded Samuel RUTHERFORD. DICKSON left Glasgow University and its High Kirk for the University of Edinburgh and the High Kirk St Giles. While St Giles’ was not officially a cathedral for most of the 17th century (only during brief periods of Episcopacy), it served as the main church (High Kirk) where Dickson ministered. Mr. David DICKSON, was declared a professor of Divinity at the College of Edinburgh on the 8th of April 1650. He served as Burgess of Edinburgh that same year. The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 on the site now occupied by the Old College. Before 1582 it had been the precincts of St Mary’s Kirk, and the Kirk o’ Fields [see map] , and part of the medieval burial ground. Most of the footings of the 17th and 18th century university buildings were uncovered, including the fully-paved courtyard of the 1617 Common Hall when excavations were done in 2005 by Simpson & Brown. The existing “Old College Campus” was built between 1789-1827 so at the time DICKSON would have been there it would have been the original campus . DICKSON most likely lived at the Edinburgh Townhouse of James SKENE of Curryhill. It was purchases by SKENE in December of 1639 to serve as the residence for its professor of Divinity, It was located behind the High School at Kirk o’ Field [see below]. He was Moderator of the Assembly 21st July 1652.

This was not the first time DICKSON was in Edinburgh. The Greyfriars Kirk is historically significant as the site where the National Covenant was signed by citizens in March 1638.

David DICKSON was a key leader in the Scottish Reformation, signed the National Covenant in 1638, and served as chaplain to the Covenanter army, playing a crucial role in defending the Church of Scotland against royal interference. He attended a private 1637 meeting against bishops, and helped suspend the service book, and visited Aberdeen to promote the Covenant. He served as moderator of the General Assembly in 1639 and was a chaplain in the army of the Covenanters under Alexander Leslie which encamped at Dunse Law in June 1639.

FRIENDS OF DAVID DICKSON

One thing I noticed early on in my research is how many of David DICKSON’s books are dedicated to prominent individuals. The relationship of these individuals to David DICKSON and each other are of note. For instance the Earl of Eglington, Alexander MONTGOMERIE, was an early supporter of DICKSON, his estate being just outside Irvine. Alexander’s daughter, Anna MONTGOMERIE, married Mr. John DICKSON, fiar of Busbie, the son of David DICKSON. They had a son David, and a daughter Margaret. The former, in 1653, received a bond for 3000 merks Scots as his mother’s tocher, from her brother Sir Robert MONTGOMERIE, younger, then of Skelmorlie. John DICKSON died in August 1653, [Before his father David DICKSON] as appears from his testament, which was confirmed by the Commissary of Glasgow on 22nd May 1655, to Anna MONTGOMERIE his relict as follows:

At Glasgow, the saxtein [16] day of August 1653, I, Mr. John Dicksone, fiar of Busbie, having rychteousnes and eternall life setled to me in Jesus Chryst by the covenant of grace, do make my testament and latter will concerning things temporall as follows : — In the first, I noniina.t Mr. James Robertone of Bedlay, Mr. David Dicksone, my father, and Mr. Alexander Dicksone, my broyther, or any of thame tutoris to my children, David and Margaret Dicksones. As also, I nominat my youngest broyther Andrew Dicksone, tutor to my said children, &c. Item, I nominat David and Margaret Dicksons, my children, executoris and intromittoris, with my guids and geir, &e. Item, I ordane my father and freinds to deall with Sir Archibald JOHNSTONE of Waristone and his lady, for bringing the commowneing begune betuixt me and thame to some gud conclusione, anent quhat in law or conscience sould be refoundit to my fatherles children of the sowme of sevin thowsand merks and annuelrents thairof, advanced be me to thame at my entrie to the plaice quhilk I had in exchequer, &c. And lastlie, I humblie recommend my wyffe and children to the grace and blissit protectione of God ; and under him to the care and protection of the very noble lords, Archibald Marquis of Argyle, Archibald Lord Lore, and Lord Neill Campbell his sones, and to the kindness and caire of Sir Robert MONTGOMERIE, elder of Skelmurlie, and Sir Robert MONTGOMERIE younger, his son. In witnes quhair of, I have written and subscryvit thir presents with my awin hand, &c, befoir thir witness, Mr. Robert BAILLIE, professor of divinity in Glasgow, and Mr. Andrew RRONERTONE, sone to Mr. James ROBERTONE of Bedlay, etc

Anna MONTGOMERIE married, secondly, before 6th April 1656, William CUNINGHAME (1627-1676), brother to Alexander CUNINGHAME (1626-1690) of Craigends.

• Sir Archibald JOHNSTON of Warriston (1611-1663) Scottish Judge and Statesman. Named in John DICKSON’s will [David DiCKSON’s son]. A prominent Covenanter. Hanged at Mercat Cross 22 July 1663 [See Diary of Sir Archibald JOHNSTON of Wariston]
• Archibald CAMPBELL, 1st Marquess of Argyll (March 1607 – 27 May 1661) of Inveraray Castle where David and his wife spent 2 years. In 1646 DICKSON dedicates a book to him and his eldest son, Archibald CAMPBELL 9th Earl of Argyll. David Dickson spends time with the senior, Archibald CAMPBELL, the night before his execution with the Maiden [Scots version of a guillotine], at Mercat Cross 27 May 1661. His son Archibald CAMPBELL (1629–1685) was also executed by the Maiden, 20 years later, 30 June 1685 at Edinburgh. And both their heads were impaled at the top of the Tollbooth.
• Lady Marquesse of Argyll, Margaret DOUGLAS (1610–1678) (married to Archibald CAMPBELL, 1st Marquess of Argyll above) Book of Psalms dedicated to: her and her eldest daughter, Lady Anne CAMPBELL .
• 6th Earl of Cassilis John KENNEDY (c1602-4 Apr 1668) DICKSON dedicated a book to him in 1655
• Lady Janet Kerr, widow of William CUNNIGHAME, 8th Earl of Glencairn, [she is the mother of William Cunningham, 9th Earl of Glencairn who is made Lord High Chancellor of Scotland for life. William the 9th’s marriage to Margaret MONTGOMERIE, daughter of Alexander, 6th Earl of Eglinton, ended the CUNNINGHAM-MONTGOMERY feud which began in 1586 after Hugh MONTGOMERIE, 4th Earl of Eglinton, is murdered by James CUNNINGHAM, 7th Earl of Glencairn]
• Robert BAILLIE (30 Apr 1602-July 1662) Followed in DICKSON’s footsteps. Graduated in 1620 from Univ. Of Glasgow. Also tutored the son of the Earl of Eglinton, and was ordained to the pastorate of Kilwinning (adjacent Irvine), in 1631. In 1661, he was made principal of the University of Glasgow and he died in August, 1662. DICKSON died in December of the same year.
• John LIVINGSTONE (21 June 1603-9 August 1672) Went to Ireland and America was present at the signing of the Covenant in 1638 in Edinburgh. Eventually banished from Scotland and lived out his years in exile in Rotterdam.
• Alexander MONTGOMERIE, 6th Earl of Eglington, (1588 – 7 January 1661) longstanding friend of DICKSON. He supported the Covenanters. In 1651 he was betrayed to Oliver Cromwell and detained in Edinburgh Castle, but set free at Berwick.
• Lady Anne CUNNIGHAME, Dowager of Glencairn (1 Jan 1586-16 Apr 1647) fourth daughter of James CUNINGHAME, 7th Earl of Glencairn and Margaret, daughter of Sir Colin CAMPBELL of Glenorchy. She led a mixed-sex cavalry troop during the “Battle” of Berwick on 5 June 1639.

LADY MARGARET DOUGLAS, MARCHIONESS OF ARGYLL [ wife of Archibald CAMPBELL] : “As an instance of this, it may be mentioned that the well-known Mr. David Dickson, with his wife and children, resided two years in their family, at Inveraray; during which time Dickson and Mr. Gordon, the minister of the parish, divided the services of the Sabbath between them, the former preaching in the forenoon, and the latter in the afternoon…” [“Ladies of the Covenant” pg 84 1650-1655 Alexander GORDON was minister at Inveraray.] Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll (1607 – 1661) was a Scottish nobleman, politician, and peer. He was the husband of Lady Margaret Douglas of Argyll He was the de facto head of Scotland’s government during most of the conflict of the 1640s and 1650s. It is said that some of DICKSON’s later work was built upon some sermons preached by DICKSON at Inveraray when he was a guest at Inveraray Castle, home of Archibald CAMPBELL. [A descendant of the 2nd Earl of Argyll my 11th great grandfather].

Letter from Baillies FOR MR. DAVID DICKSON, AT INVERARAY. MARCH 5TH [1651.] [Baillies Vol 3 pg 131] Places DICKSON at Inveraray Castle.

We can see a bit of the relationship in the Dedication to “A Brief Explication of the First Fifty Psalms by DICKSON: ” To the truly Honourable and Religious Ladies, my Marquesse of Argyle, and my Lady Anne Campbell her eldest daughter: Grace and Peace through Jesus Christ.” Most likely this was in thanks for their hospitality.

A bit more of the relationship of David with the gentry can been found in his son John’s will [he predeceased his father].

“At Glasgow, the saxtein [16] day of August 1653, I, Mr. John Dicksone, fiar of Busbie, having rychteousnes and eternall life setled to me in Jesus Chryst by the covenant of grace, do make my testament and latter will concerning things temporall as follows : — In the first, I nominate Mr. James Robertone of Bedlay, Mr. David Dicksone, my father, and Mr. Alexander Dicksone, my broyther, or any of thame tutoris to my children, David and Margaret Dicksones. As also, I nominat my youngest broyther Andrew Dicksone, tutor to my said children, &c. Item, I nominat David and Margaret Dicksons, my children, executoris and intromittoris, with my guids and geir, &e. Item, I ordane my father and freinds to deall with Sir Archibald Johnestone of Waristone and his lady, for bringing the commowneing begune betuixt me and thame to some gud conclusione, anent quhat in law or conscience sould be refoundit to my fatherles children of the sowme of sevin thowsand merks and annuelrents thairof, advanced be me to thame at my entrie to the plaice quhilk I had in exchequer, &c. And lastlie, I humblie recommend my wyffe and children to the grace and blissit protectione of God ; and under him to the care and protection of the very noble lords, Archibald Marquis of Argyle, Archibald Lord Lome, and Lord Neill Campbell his sones, and to the kindness and caire of Sir Robert Montgomerie, elder of Skelmurlie, and Sir Robert Montgomerie younger, his son. In witnes quhairof, I have written and subscryvit thir presents with my awin hand, &c, befoir thir witness, Mr. Robert Baillie, professor of divinity in Glasgow, and Mr. Andrew Robertone, sone to Mr. James Robertone of Bedlay, &c.”

Back-tack and other papers concerning a mortgage by Sir David CUNNIGHAM of Robertland to Mr David DICKSON, professor of divinity in College of Edinburgh and Margaret ROBERTON, his spouse, of lands of Fulschaw in parish of Stewarton and sheriffdom of Ayr. [GD172/2483]

BRIEF LIST of LETTERS

National Library of Scotland CH1/5/4 Wodrow Folio Manuscripts. vol. 25 & 26. These help to place DICKSON and his whereabouts.

• 33. Letter signed by David DICKSON, H. BIRSBANE, George YOUNG to Robert DOUGLAS, minister of Edinburgh, suggesting an overture. Falkirk 2 April 1646. [Printed `Letters and Journals’, II, 513.]
• 59 Letter signed by John DRYSDAIL, Gilbert RAMSAY, W. RICHHARDSONE, David GEMMILL, Fergus ALEXANDER, Andrew STUARTT and J. GREY, members of presbytery of Bangor in Ireland to Mr. Robert DOUGLESSE, minister of Edinburgh, and Mr. David DICKSONE, minister of Glasgow, asking that Sir James MONTGOMERIE be looked upon with compassion, `if it shall please the Lord to continew him in the detestation of this his late backslyding from the Covenant’. Bangor in Irland, 27 Sept. 1649.
• 110 Letter from David DICKSONE, [minister of St. Giles, Edinburgh, second charge,] to Robert DOUGLACE 26 April 1651
• 3. Letter signed by Mr. Jo. ? Allade, Mr. MUNRO, Mr. Duncan ROS and Mr. James MACKENSIE, to Mr. David DICKSON and Mr. Robert DOUGLAS, ministers at Edinburghe, their brethren, warning them against Mr. Hew ANDERSONE, a man of suspected principle. (? Caithness c. 1654).
• 4. Letter from [Sir] John CLOTWORTHY (later 1st Viscount Massereene) to Mr. David DICKSON and other ministers of Edinburgh, announcing his intention of visiting Lord Broghill at Edinburgh. (4 Feb. 1655.)
• 5. Letter signed George MONCK to David DICKSON and Robert DOUGLAS, excusing himself from intermeddling with church business (probably about the sheriff’s summons for their praying for the King). Dalkeith, 21 Aug. 1655.
• 9. Letter from presbytery (? of Skye), signed by moderator and Mr. Archibald MACQUIEN, clerk, [minister of Snizort,] to Mr. Robert DOUGLAS and Mr. David Dickson, asking for a warrant so that boys chosen by presbytery for college may be accepted by provincial synod. Snizort 14 Aug. 1656. In dorso: invitation to funeral of James MAXWELL of Moristoune, 11 Nov. 1720.
• 14 Letter from Mr. William DOWGLAS and others to Mr. David Dicksone and others, Aberdeen, 16 April 1656
• 22. Letter from P. GILLESPIE to Mr. David Dicksone and Mr. Robert DOUGLAS, regretting breach in church of Scotland. (2) July 1657. [Printed `Letters and Journals’, III, 577-8.]
• 26. Letter from James DURHAME to Mr. David Dicksone and others. 18 Feb. 1658.
• 28. Letter from Lord BROGHILL to Mr. David Dickson and Mr. Robert DOUGLAS, in answer to no.25 supra. Maidenhead, 3 May 1658.
• 40. Letter from George MONCK, to Mr. David Dickson and Mr. Robert DOUGLAS, asking them to come and discuss a fast. Dalkeith, 26 April 1659.
• 94. Draft letter from Messrs. DICKSON, Douglas and HUTCHESON to Mr. SHARP, asserting their innocence, Edinburgh, 17 March 1660.
• 102. Draft letters, (i) from Messrs. Douglas, DICKSON and HUTCHESON to King, (ii) from Messrs. DOUGLAS and HUTCHESON to Earl of Rothes, (iii) from Messrs. Douglas and HUTCHISON to Earls of Craufurd Lindsay and Lauderdaill, and (iv) from Mr. DOUGLAS to Mr. James SHARP. Edinburgh, 10 May 1660.
• 103. Draft address from Messrs. Douglas, DICKSON, James HAMILTON, John SMITH and HUTCHESON to King, expressing satisfaction with comfortable revolution of affairs making way for king’s re-establishment. Edinburgh, 8 May 1660.
• 113. Letter from presbytery of Chirnside to David DICKSONE and Robert DOUGLAS, new minister of Chirnside. n.d.

THE DEATH OF THE MARQUESS OF ARGYLL, ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL

“In prison, Argyll had acquired that ecstasy of faith which makes the martyr defiant and serene. He held discourse with the ministers, DOUGLAS, HUTCHISON, DICKSON ; and he settled his earthly affairs with precision. But gentle LEIGHTON, busy with a Latin eulogy of Middleton, did not trouble to cross the Cowgate to bid farewell to Argyll and GUTHRIE. How different David DICKSON! He was Argyll’s bedfellow on the night before his execution.” [Covenanter’s Hist pg 86]

On Monday 27th May [1661], “as Argyll was leaving for execution, he called forth GUTHRIE for a parting embrace, during which GUTHRIE happily said : ‘ My Lord, God hath been with you. He is with you, and God will be with you ; and such is my respect for your Lordship, that if I were not under sentence of death myself, I could cheerfully die for your Lordship.’ He walked down to the scaffold at the Cross on High Street. Standing beside The Maiden [Guillotine] …His [Argyll] final audible prayer was for the King, Government, and Council. He knelt, laying his neck on the block, and the loaded blade sheared off his head. Friends bore his body to the Magdalen Chapel in the Cowgate, to await transportation, first to Lothian’s vault at Newbattle, thence to the mausoleum at Kilmun ; the hangman fixed the head on the Tolbooth top. [His head was taken down on 8th June 1664, 3 years later!] [Covenant’s Hist pg 87]

“The night before his death [Archibald CAMPBELL, Marquess of Argyll] Mr David Dickson was his bed-fellow ; and ll that time betwixt his sentence and his death, tho’ he was commonly called timorous, his friends hade more adoe to restrain his desires after his last hour, then to strengthen his courrage. Before he went to death he dined with his friends cheerfully, and after dinner went to secret prayer, then returned to his friends, telling them, now the Lord hade sealled his charter, and said to him. Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven ; and so, accompanied with divers noblemen and gentlemen, he went to the scaffold.” Kirkton’s History of the Church of Scotland by Rev James Kirkton pg 103

LAST YEARS

DICKSON lived in the Canongate a burgh just outside the city walls. It remained free from the overcrowding and strict guild taxes of central Edinburgh. It was residential suburb for the Scottish nobility and a hub of early local commerce. In 1660 David DICKSON was ejected from professorship in Edinburgh, for refusing to take oath of supremacy. 1661 after the execution of his friend Archibald CAMPBELL, the Marquess of Argyll. In August his friend Robert BAILLIE died. In October of 1662 DICKSON was officially removed from the Kirk and his professorship. He died in December of the same year.

1662 “This summer also saw Principal Robert Baillie declining to his grave, and confessing, ‘I tell you, my heart is broken with grief.'” Died August 1862. [Covenanter’s Hist 152]

“In October [1662], David Dickson, now an octogenarian, was removed from his professorship of divinity and charge in Edinburgh, where he had distinguished himself as the champion of the public Resolutions, a hymnologist, and a cultured commentator.” [Covenanter’s Hist pg 157]

“Accordingly in December 1662, he fell extremely weak. Mr. John Livingstoun now suffering for the same Cause with him, and under a Sentence of Banishment for refusing the foresaid Oath, came to visit Mr. DICKSON on his Death-bed. They had been intimate Friends near 50 Years, and now rejoiced together as Fellow Confessors. When Mr. LIVINGSTOUN asked the Professor how he found himfelf ; his Answer was, ” I have taken all my good Deeds and all my bad Deeds -and cast them through each other in in a Heap before the Lord ; and fled from both ; and betaken myfelf to the Lord Jefus Chrift ; and in him I have sweet Peace.” Mr. Dickson’s youngest Son gave my Informer, a worthy Minister yet alive, this Account of his Father’s Death. Having been very weak and low for some Days, he called ail his Family together,and spoke in particular to each of them, and when he had gone through them all, he pronounced the Words of the Apostolic Blessing, 2 Cor. xiii. 14. with much Gravity and Solemnity ; and then put up his Hand and closed his own Eyes, and without any struggle or Apparent Pain, immediately expired in the Arms of his Son, my Brother’s Informer. [Truth xix-xx]

It is written in many places that David DICKSONE died in Edinburgh and was buried in Canongate Churchyard on 31 December 1662 [OPR Burial Index 685/3 200 214] But this is WRONG Canongate Cemetery was not used until 1668. The original Entry for Canongate deaths reads: 31 Dec 1662 Master David Dicksone of Busbie, minister of ye gospel and professor of Divinitie mad[e] buryal at ye Gray friars.

It is fitting in a many ways that David Dickson would be interred here. This is the same kirk yard in which the Covenanters met and he signed that first Covenant. [See above]

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS BY DAVID DICKSON

• 1630 ‘A Treatise on the Promises‘
• 1635 ‘Explanation of the Epistle to the Hebrews‘ Subtitled Preacher of God’s Word at Irvine
• 1643 ‘Directory for Public Worship‘ with Alexander HENDERSON and David CALDERWOOD
• 1646 ‘Expositio analytica omnium Apostolicarum Epistolarum‘ dedicated to Archibald CAMPBELL, 1st Marquess of Argyll (March 1607 – 27 May 1661) and his eldest son Archibald CAMPBELL 9th Earl of Argyll (26 February 1629 – 30 June 1685)
• 1650 ‘The Sum of Saving Knowledge‘ with James DURHAM
• 1651 ‘A Brief Exposition of the Gospel according to Matthew ‘ dedicated to the 1st Earl of Loudon, John CAMPBELL (1598 – March 1662) He was elected elder for the Burgh of Irvine in the general assembly, which met at Glasgow in November 1638 (during the plague)
• 1653 ‘Explanation of the First Fifty Psalms‘ dedicated to To the truly Honourable and relligious Ladies , my Lady Marquesse of Argyll, Margaret DOUGLAS (married to Archibald CAMPBELL, 1st Marquess of Argyll) , and my Lady Anne CAMPBELL her eldest daughter.
• 1655 ‘Explication upon the Last Fifty Psalms‘ dedicated to the 6th Earl of Cassilis John KENNEDY
• 1655 ‘A Brief Explication of the Psalms from L to C‘
• 1656 ‘Therapeutica Sacra, seu de curandis Casibus Conscientiae circa Regenerationem per Foederum Divinorum applicationem‘ Dedicated to The Countess Dowager of Glencairn, Lady Janet Kerr, widow of William CUNNIGHAME
• 1659 ‘Praelectiones in Confessionem Fidei‘
• “The Christian Sacrifice” and “O Mother dear, Jerusalem poems
• 1684 ‘Truth’s Victory over Error‘ published in the translator’s name and later corrected

A Poem of Dickson’s from “Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character” (1861)

On my trip to Scotland next month, I shall visit a few of the places associated with my 9th great-grandfather David DICKSON. The posts may be updated at that time.

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