1737 Andrew Reid
There was a brief time of controversy in the parish in 1736 when John Reid, whose health was declining, asked that an assistant might be provided to work alongside him. He wished that his son, Andrew, might be appointed this assistant. A number of the heritors objected to this appointment being made, partly because they were concerned at the extra expense, they might be put to in providing for an assistant. In truth, it seems more likely that they wished to see a more moderate minister appointed in the parish to draw the people back from their more radical Presbyterianism with its roots in the time of the Covenanting struggle.
This controversy gave rise to many pages in the minutes of the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright, and also gives us a fascinating record, virtually an early census, of heads of families in the parish and where they resided. When the matter was put to the vote there voted for Andrew Reid, preacher of the gospel, five residing heritors, two residing liferentrices, seven non-residing heritors and liferentrices, the whole Session consisting of seven elders (two of whom voted as heritors), seven deacons and 67 heads of families, tenants and cottars. There voted for William Trotter, preacher of the gospel at Dalmellington, one heritor and two heads of families; and 17 heritors and liferenters (all but two non-residing) and 7 heads of families voted for a delay in the matter. A couple of weeks later a further 31 heads of families, who had not voted the first time, asked for their votes to be accepted, which was agreed. All voted for Andrew Reid. Andrew Reid was approved to begin his Presbytery trials; but before he could be ordained assistant his father died in March 1737. He was finally ordained as the next minister on 5th May 1737. On that day a colllection of £6 was made at the church.
Andrew Reid had an uncontroversial and well received ministry in the parish of Carsphairn; but after his death in October 1753 there was a more turbulent period in the parish’s history. He is buried in the kirkyard.