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The
Covenanters were attending a Conventicle held by Rev. James Renwick that
was taking place somewhere in the parish of Carsphairn, in the summer of
1685. Some say the site of the Conventicle was at Glenmuck farm, which is
actually in Dalmellington parish, Ayrshire. A large crowd had gathered to
hear him preach, for he was a renowned speaker, one whose wisdom and
knowledge of the scriptures was well-founded, even although he was then
only 23 years of age.
After the
Conventicle had finished the congregation dispersed, each finding their
own way home, lest a large crowd should attract the attention of the
soldiers who were in the district, searching for such meetings. Four
Covenanters travelled to the north of Dalmellington, where on the slopes
of Ben Beoch they decided to rest in a large stone enclosure known as the
Tod Fauld, a place where sheep were gathered at night to protect them from
foxes. However, the local farmer, who was an adherent of the Covenant
himself, became aware that there was a party of soldiers in the district,
looking for non-conformists. He made his way to the Tod Fauld where he
warned the four men of their approach, and suggested that they travel
further. Although it was nightfall, the men decided to continue, and
crossed the Martyrs' Moss to the upper slopes of Carsgailoch Hill, five
miles distant, where they decided to stop and rest. This hill is a low
eminence to the south-west of Cumnock in Ayrshire, just over the border in
New Cumnock parish. Although it rises to almost 1,200 feet above sea
level, so slowly is the ascent that the hill is little more than a high
stretch of moorland, now much afforested. Old accounts spell the name 'Crossgellioch',
or 'Corsegelloch', but I have used the spelling that appears on modern
maps. The Covenanters' journey had been a hard one, and though it was by
now day, soon they were fast asleep in the comfort of the heather.
The party of
highland soldiers was under the command of Colonel James Douglas,
and they came upon the men lying in the hollow. They were rudely awakened,
and one of the men jumped up with such a start that he managed to run away
from the soldiers. This made the highland-men even more suspicious of the
small group and they were asked to swear the Oath of Allegiance to the
king, but all refused to do so. With some pressure the soldiers managed to
discover that the men were returning from a Conventicle. This was
sufficient grounds for Colonel Douglas to order his men to shoot. After
the volleys echoed over the moss three corpses were left on the ground.
They were Joseph Wilson, John Jamieson and John Humphrey. Of their
backgrounds nothing is known.
The soldiers
who were on horseback pursued the man who had run away, Alexander
Jamieson, a brother of John, and he was soon caught up. Why they did not
kill him on the spot is not known, for he was arrested and taken into
Cumnock where he was locked up in the tolbooth, which at that time stood
on the north side of the Square. What became of him thereafter is not
known.
Two more of
the Covenanters caught on the hilltop were also taken. They were David Dun
and Simon Paterson. It is said that David Dun almost managed to make an
escape but that his horse sank into a wet area of bog. The two men were
dragged to Cumnock where they were held prisoner for a short time before
being shot.Tradition states that word had reached David's sister,
Margaret, of his arrest. As she made her way to Cumnock to find out his
fate, she too was shot.
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