Covington

Newtown of Covington.

Donald Cargill (1619 – 27 July 1681) was a Scottish Covenater who worked to uphold the principles of the National Covenant of 1638 and Solemn League and Covent of 1643 to establish and defend Presbyterianism. He was born around 1619, and was the eldest son of Laurence Cargill of Bonnytoun, Rattray, Perthshire, a notary public, and Marjory Blair. He was educated perhaps at University of Aberdeen and at the University of St Andrews, where he matriculated as a student of St Salvator's College in 1645.

He was licensed by the Presbytery of St Andrews on 13 April 1653 and was ordained in 1655. He was later deprived by the Privy Council, on 1 October 1662, for disobeying the Act of Parliament in not keeping a day of thanksgiving for His Majesty's Restoration, and not obtaining presentation and collation from the archbishop before 20 September. He was ordered at the same time to remove beyond the Tay before 1 November under penalties. Disregarding this sentence, he was charged to appear before the Council on 7 January 1669, and appointed to continue in his confinement, but on petition he was allowed to visit Edinburgh about law affairs. He refused an indulgence at Eaglesham on 3 September 1672. On 16 July 1674 a decreet was passed against him for holding conventicles. In 1679 he joined Richard Cameron in founding the Cameronians (afterwards the Reformed Presbyterians) who embodied their principles in a Declaration at Sanquhar on 22 June 1680, disowning the king's authority. A reward of 3000 merks was offered for his apprehension, dead or alive. For excommunicating at Torwood in September 1680 Charles II, James, Duke of York, and others, the Privy Council increased the reward to 5000 merks. After numerous hair-breadth escapes he was apprehended at Covington Mill, Lanarkshire, during the night of 12 July 1681 by a party of dragoons led by James Irving of Bonshaw (who got the reward). Tried for treason before the High Court of Justiciary, he was found guilty, and executed at the Cross of Edinburgh with four others [Walter Smith, William Cuthil, William Thomson, James Boig], 27 July 1681. His forfeiture was rescinded by Act of Parliament 4 July 1690. He married Margaret (died 12 Aug. 1656, within a year and a day of their marriage), daughter of Nicol Brown, burgess of Edinburgh, widow of Andrew Bethune of Blebo. 

Further details of the monument errected near Covington Mill can be found at:-

drmarkjardine.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/donald-cargill-was-captured-here/

The above photograph was uploaded on the​14th May 2020. (From the Charlie​Todd Collection). 

Photograph was uploaded on the 14th ​May 2020. (From the Charlie Todd ​Collection). 

The above photograph was uploaded on the 12th May​ 2020. This photograph was supplied by Sharon Paton. 

This is around 1925 in Newtown of Covington at No 86 with David Smith, his wife Jane and their daughter in law and grandchildren David and May. Note the tin is now on the roof then, but not any​more!! 

The above photograph was uploaded on the 12th May 2020, Photgraph supplied by Sharon Paton. 

This is our house in the Newtown of Covington around 1900, before the tin was put on the roofs of the row. It is David Smith (married to Jane, nee Purdie). His grandson turned up at our door a few years ago and told us how he spent his childhood here staying with his grandparents. He then sent us photographs which are much treasured by us. 

Photograph uploaded 14th May 2020 (From the Charlie​Todd Collection). 

Newton-of-Covington - a wonderful shot at the Thankerton end with Quothquan Law in the background. The ground on the right looks undisturbed - perhaps the school and schoolhouse had not yet​been built? 

The above photograph was uploaded on the 16th May​ 2020. (From the Charlie Todd Collection). 

Covington - a lovely image, this time with the cottage roofs all clad in corrugated iron. 

The photograph above was uploaded on the 16th May 2020  (From the Charlie Todd Collection). 

Newton-of-Covington - here we have a mixture of thatch and corrugated iron (covering the thatch) with the new ​school on the right. 

This photograph was uploaded on the 17th May 2020: Photograph from Joyce and Jim at Hope Cottage. 

Newton of Covington - No 96 Covington Road. This looks like a new build? We have no details of who the people at the front door are but we are sure you can tell us - and a date? One suggestion is that the ladies are Mrs Wilson and Mary Wilson Brownlee 

This photograph was uploaded on the 18th May 2020. (From the Charlie Todd Collection). 

This is Covington Mill. Please note the 'unmade' road to Covington - no tarmacadam! 

This photograph was supplied by Anne McMenemy and uploaded on the 29th May 2020. 

An aerial shot of the greenhouses and part of the village at Newton of Covington. Taken mid 1960s I think. 

They are the wooden greenhouses that were replaced in two stages, in 1968 and 1970. 

The above photograph was uploaded on the 13th May 2020. (From the Charlie Todd Collection). 

Looking from the road towards the church with Hope Cottage on the right and a smaller thatched cottage between the two. Mr Elder, 'The Minister's Man' stands behind ​the hedge,​ front left. 

The photograph above was uploaded on the 13th May 2020. (From the Charlie Todd Collection). A close up of the cottage adjacent to Hope Cottage with Mr and Mrs Elder at the door. As 'The Minister's Man' Mr Elder would have dug graves, looked after the Minister's pony​and trap, tended the minister's garden, kept the glebe tidy and acted as a general handyman. 

The photograph above was uploaded on the 14th May 2020.  (From the Charlie Todd Collection).

Covington Mains Farm still with the thatched annex in which it is reputed that Robert Burns lodged during his stop-over with farmer Archibald (Bauldy) Prentice on his way to Edinburgh on 27th​ November 1786. 

The above photograph was uploaded on the 16th May 2020.

 Thomas Finlay has sent in this painting of the Church at Covington.

​It was painted in 1975 by Thea Mennie as a silver wedding gift to his grand parents Mary (bone) Clark and Harry Clark who were married in Covington Church on 25th August 1950, Mary stayed at Leggafoot​crossing just down a bit from the church. 

The photograph above above was uploaded 28 May 2020. (From the Charlie Todd Collection).

​Three kirk elders with the Covington kirk minister (l to r ) (1) Johnny Grant of Millands Road (2) Rev Miller Ogilvie (3) Bert Pottie (house / shop near the station) (4) Andrew Barr of Heathery Hall​. What date would this be taken? 

This photograph was uploaded on the 17th May 2020. 

This photo from Joyce and Jim at Hope Cottage.​

Covington - an early shot of the manse end of the village. 

The above picture was uploaded on the 18th May 2020. (From the Charlie Todd Collection). 

Covington Manse in the early 1900s 

The above photograph was uploaded on the 19th May 2020. (From the Charlie Todd Collection). 

The road leading to Covington House - the old Manse - with the kirk on the right. ​ 

The photograph above was uploaded on the 19th May 2020. (From the Charlie Todd Collection).

​A nice photo of Covington Tower surrounded by mature trees. 

The photograph was uploaded on the 3rd June 2020. (From the Charlie Todd Collection). 

1957 A unique double wedding at Covington Kirk when Thankerton twins Grace & Elspeth Stewart from Millands Road 'tied the knot' with Alex Stokes and Jimmy Hall. Elspeth and Jimmy emigrated to Australia, but Grace and Alex, who have stayed in Carstairs Village for many years, are still regulars at our local Everyoung meetings (l to r). (1) Alex Stokes; (2) Grace Stewart; (3) Rev Miller Ogilvie; (4) Elspeth Stewart; (5) Jimmy Hall;