Margaret Moncreiff, of that Ilk

REV. ARCHIBALD MONCREIFF OF BALGONY. 137

George Moncreif, who was minister at Arngosk. Also he had a daughter, Elizabeth Moncreif, married to Robert Demperstoun, portioner of Auch- termuchtie. Both the brethren had children, but the sister was sans issue."

According to Playfair, Archibald Moncreiff received his " original education" in England, and afterwards attended the University of St Andrews, where he graduated in 1580. Six years later he was ap- pointed minister of Abernethy, and appears to have taken an active part in the disputes of the times between the Court and the Church, generally supporting the Court party. Along with his two brothers-in-law, David Murray of Balgony and Sir George Auchinleck of Balmanno, joint-com- missioners from the king, he advocated the appointment of the bishops as perpetual moderators of the Church courts, in the provincial assembly held at Perth in 1607, and was accused of aspiring to a bishopric, which, how- ever, he never obtained. In the year 1601 he was appointed prior and commendator of the priory and monastery of Elcho, 1 of which the revenue was by no means inconsiderable; and in 161 1 he acquired the lands of Balgony from his sister's husband, David Murray, already referred to.

As already stated, he married Margaret, daughter of Sir William Auchinleck of Bal- manno, by whom he had four sons and three daughters —

1. Archibald, who succeeded to Balgony.-

2. George, minister of Arngask, who, ac- cording to Playfair, carried on the rep- resentation of the family.

3. Andrew, an advocate at the Scottish bar, who died young, and unmarried. " Mr Andro Moncreiff," lawful son of the late Mr

1 ' Reg. Mag. Sig.,' Lib. 42, No. 234. ministro verbi Dei apud Dolor," one of the wit-

- In a Sasine on Charter by Archibald Mon- nesses being his son George, " Magistro Georgio

creiff, minister of Abernethy, dated 20th Septem- Moncreiff filio meo."— ' New Particular Register

ber 1620, Archibald is described as "Magistro of Sasines,' vol. iv. fol. 29. Archibaldo Moncreiff filio suo iiatu maxima