MacFarlan is reduced to the hardest situation that can be. For nearly three
years after his admission as Minister of Drymen he lived in a little country
smoaky house at^a mile's distance from the Church. Since that time, for nearly
five years, he has lived near a quarter of a mile's distance from his garden,
barn, stable, and byre (which he built at his own charges), in a house which he
hath had by the favour of one of the Heretors, by far the most considerable
both for rank and interest, and who all alongst showed the greatest inclination
to get the Minister accomodated with a manse, but was crossed in every step
by other Heretors, and now even that house (inconvenient as it was, being at
such a distance from the offices) is sett to a Tenant, who had taken possession
of the same, whereby the Minister must in a few weeks seek for other quarters,
and be reduced to the hard necessity either of disposing of his cattle, dismiss-
ing his servants, and betaking himself to Boarding again, or by filling up his
barn and stable in some sort take lodging in it." Mr. MacFarlan also com-
plained that " the Heretors had taken every method by litigation and otherwise
to evade the performance of their duty, and, if things went on as they were
doing, it might be seven years more before he got a Manse." He concluded
by asking that a committee of the Presbytery be appointed to meet at Drymen
to see what could be done. The Presbytery agreed to this, and on the 30th
April 1751 they held a meeting at Drymen. The following heritors were
present: David Graeme of Orchill, for His Grace the Duke of Montrose; Archi-
bald Buchanan of Drumakill ; William Govane, younger of Drumquhassle; John
Buchanan of Carbeth ; James Stewart of Finnich ; and John Gow, portioner of
Drumquhassle. On being asked by the Presbytery, the heritors allowed that
all that Mr. MacFarlan had said was "very true," and they handed over the
key of the unfinished manse to the Moderator, who gave it to Mr. 