Soldiers hunt down known Covenanters

Douglas Skelton Douglas Skelton - 1614 • Last updated 10 Apr 2008 10:58 0 Comments

Two innocent farmers are shot dead when caught reading their Bible

SUMMER 1685

TWO men have been gunned down by soldiers in the hills between Cumnock and New Cumnock.

The men - farmers George Corson and John Hair - were reportedly merely reading Bibles in a field when a body of troops came upon them near Over Cairn farm.

The highland soldiers were under the command of Colonel James Douglas.

Covenanter sources have told The Killing Times that the commander was in a foul temper having already executed three men at Carsgailoch Hill. These men were among a party of worshippers who listened to the fiery preacher James Renwick near Carsphairn in Dumfries and Galloway.

Although details are sketchy at this stage, it is understood that two men were captured and transported to Cumnock. The Killing Times will bring details of these arrests as soon as we have them.

It was while pursuing another man, named by sources as Hugh Hutchinson of Dalgig Farm, that the troops found and shot the local men.

Mr Hutchison, it is believed, witnessed the executions at Carsgailoch Hill and was chased across the moors by the highlanders. He gave them the slip by hiding in some trees.

While hunting for him, the soldiers called at the home of known covenanter sympathiser James Campbell of Dalhanna. Mr Campbell managed to make good his escape and was pursued by a party of soldiers.

According to an unconfirmed report, as he hid in a thick patch of bushes on a hillside, one of the search party spotted him. However, the soldier was so exhausted by that day"s exertions that he let the man go on his way.

Ivy was shortly thereafter that Colonel Douglas chanced upon Mr Corson and Mr Hair, both local farmers.

Again covenanter sources state that the fact they were reading bibles was enough to have them summatrily executed.

The two men have been buried where they died. It is now feared that Mr Hair"s family may be ejected from their farm at Glenwharrie.

The Killing Times understands that both Hugh Hutchison and James Campbell remain at large.

STOP PRESS: The two men captured by Colonel Douglas"s men have been named as David Dun and Simon Paterson.

As we go to press their fate is unclear but we will provide an update in the next edition.

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This article appeared in Cumnock Chronicle 12 Mar 08

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