Richard Melville of Baldovie, Min. of Maryton

Biographical Summary

Richard Melville of Baldovie, born about 1522, second son of Richard M. of Baldovie, Forfarshire (who was killed at the Battle of Pinkie), and brother of Andrew, the Reformer, and Giles, daugh. of Thomas Abercrombie of Montrose ; became tutor to James Erskine, son of the laird of Dun ; studied theology in Germany and under Melanchthon; was one of those thought apt and able to minister by first General Assembly 20th Dec. 1560; adm. to Craig with this parish also in his charge in 1562 ; was a member of Assembly 29th June 1562 ; removed here in 1567, with Lunan, Inchbrayock (Craig), and St Kaa or Dunnynaid in his charge ; died June 1575, having been " a man of rare wisdom, judgment, and discretion, and therefore mikle employed in the trysts and effeares of the noble and gentlemen of the country, quilk distracted him fra his calling, hinderit his vertew and schortened his lyff. There was none of his rank, and verie few above it, that was sa honored and loven as he." He marr. Isabel Scrymgeour, sister of Henry S. of Glasswell, and had issue —

• Patrick of Baldovie;
• James, min. of Kilrenny, born 26th July 1556;
• David;
• Barbara (marr. James Balfour, min. of St Giles, Edinburgh).

SOURCE: Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae: the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation, Vol. V, page 405