Oliphan ct Jaques Broun tesmoings. Sic subr Nicolas Langlois. H. Oliphant tesmoin Ja. Broun testes.
The degree in which the population of Edinburgh was affected by the immigration of French refugees in 1586, can be conjectured from some entries in the surviving registers of baptisms and marriages, in which the earliest date is 1595. The result of these and similar searches may appear in a future chapter.
NOTE.
If (as tradition has long reported) the Howies were Albigenses who fled from the ancient and horrible persecution of their Bible-loving and inoffensive community, they may be truly called the very earliest French evangelical refugees in Scotland. Their surname, as a Scotch one, would be pronounced Houie, not unlike the celebrated French name Huet. Their tradition is that three brothers, bearing the surname of Howie, fled from persecution in France more than six hundred years ago: one settled in Mearns parish, another in Craigie parish, and the third in the parish of Fenwick, and the secluded farmhouse of Lochgoin. Many generations of the refugee’s descendants have occupied that farm, and its farmhouse, which has become celebrated through the courage and piety of its inmates. The tenant in 1684 was James Howie, a godly and persecuted Covenanter. The preface to the first edition of “The Scots Worthies” (that prized book of good Presbyterian memoirs) was dated at Lochgoin, July 21, 1775; the conscientious and patriotic author was John Howie (born 1736, died 1793). The eldest son of that excellent writer died a few days before him; another son, Thomas Howie, died in Lochgoin in 1863, aged eighty-six. To the same stock belonged the Rev. Thomas Howie (born 1678, died 1753). There is a tombstone in Annan Old Churchyard (a horizontal slab on supports) which commemorates him and some of his house:—
Here lyes the corps of the Revrd. Mr. Thomas Howie
late Minister of the Gospel at Annan,
where he exercised his office upwards of 50 yrs., during all which time he was faithful and diligent in his Lord and Master’s service, and his principal care was to seek to save his own soul and those of oyrs, and in hopes of having the approbation of Well done, good and faithful servt., enter into the joy of thy Lord. He departed this life May 23d 1753, aged 75.
Here lyes the corps of Elizabeth Davidson
late spouse to Mr. Tho. Howie Minr of the Gospel at Annan.
She was a pious and resigned Christian, and affectionat wife and indulgent moyr, and in hopes of a blessed resurrection departed this life Septr 23d 1751, aged 80.
Here lye Margaret and Christiana Howies, daughters to Mr. Thomas Howy minister of the Gospel at Annan and Elizabeth Davidson his spouse, who both departed this life in May 1722. Marg. aged 9 years and a half, Christiana, three.
Isa. LXV. 20 The child shall die an hundred years old.
Dear children, ye were most sprightly and fair,
Of grace, love, and smartnes instances rare;
But in health these deaths thou Peggie foretold.
And Heaven much longd for who then coud withhold?
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Here lies Thomas Johnstone, Esq. of Gutterbraes, late Provost of Annan, Grandson of the late Rev. Thomas Howie, who died 2d Sept. 1815, aged 85.
The venerable divine seems to have had no son, but his daughter Elizabeth was married to John Johnston of Gutterbraes, and was the mother of the above-named Provost (born 1730), and of an eminent Scotchman, Rev. Bryce Johnston, D.D., minister of Holywood, in the county of Dumfries (born 1747, ordained 1771, died 1805). The Rev. Mr Howie is the author of a little work entitled “The present state of most professors, with a seasonable warning to them and others. Opened in some sermons on Matt. xxv. 5 and Eph. v. 14. By Mr. Thomas Howy, Minister of the Gospel at Annan. Drumfries, printed by Robert Rae, at his printing-house in the Kirkgate. 1715.”
*⁎* The following Frenchmen took the degree of M.A. in the University of Edinburgh in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries:— Daniel Plataeus and Gabriel Bonnerin (1592). Thomas Mazerius, afterwards pastor of Lusignan (1595). Joannes Olivarius, minister, and J. Baldoynus (1597). Joannes Argerius (a most excellent youth, who was accidentally drowned immediately after his return to France), Petrus Baldoynus, Honorius Argerius, and Stephanus Baldoynus (1598). Joachimus Dubouchet, Theodorus du Bouchet, and Joannes Bardin of Xaintonge (1600). Jacobus Robertus (1638).
