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John Gemmel
22nd July 1680

Sanquhar Declaration: On June 22nd 1680, the first anniversary of the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, the Reverend Richard Cameron and twenty of his followers rode into Sanquhar and publicly disowned King Charles II as a tyrant. This act known as the Sanquhar Declaration provoked a quick response from the Government. A warrant was issued against these notorious traitors and rebels and a reward offered for their capture, dead or alive.

Several weeks later on the 22nd July 1680, the Government troops under the leadership of Bruce of Earlshall came upon their prey at Airdmoss, a remote spot in parish of Auchinleck, close to Muirkirk. Cameron lead his men in prayer, asking the Lord 'to spare the green and take the ripe'. A bloody hard-fought battle ensued but the superior numbers and fighting skills of Bruce's troops won the day.

The Government's persecution of the Covenanters continued long after the Battle of Airdmoss. In October 1684, landowners in the parish of Cumnock (Old and New) were interrogated and obliged to depone (declare on oath) any knowledge they had regarding Covenanting activity within the parish. Of specific interest is the deposition of William Craufurd (aged 40 years) in Brockloch in the parish of New Cumnock.

'William Craufurd in Brockloch, present, upon oath, of the age of 40 yeires or therby, maried, depones that he adds onlie to the roll givne up be the minister anent the persones whoe frequents not the ordinances the following persones, viz. :- Andrew McCrone in Boige, his wyffe and familie, Hew McRea in Bank, his wyff and familie, John McRea their and his familie, Margaret Craufurd ther, Joanet Dalyell in Bogge and her familie, Robert Howatsone in Laglaff and his familie, Joanet Andersone in Donshill. Depones that the said John and Hew MCreas have ilk ane of them ane child unbaptised; depones he knowes ane Joanet McMichall in Bank, a fugatives relict, whose husband was killed att Airs Mosse; depones as to the rest of the articles idem with the former, quich is the treuth, as he shall ansuer to God. (Signed) Willem Crafourd.

[The Register of Privy Council of Scotland 1684]

THE COVENANTERS

Here, William Craufurd in Brockloch has provided information on his neighbours at Boige (Boigcuroch), Laglaff and Bank (Brydsbank). The McRae family has a long association with the Bank property ,Michaell Macrae died in Sanct Brydisbank on the 16th August 1620. However, it is the remarks on Joanet McMichall that are of significant interest. Resident in Bank and widowed through the loss of her husband at the Battle of Airdsmoss. But which one of the nine that fell at Airdmoss was her husband? From what little is known about those that died, several of them can immediately be discounted as the spouse of Joanet McMichall.

The answer lies in the Sasine Register of Ayrshire where we find John Gemmill and his son Patrick Gemmill in St.Brydsbank in 1657. The Gemmills too have a long association with this vicinity as witnessed by the will of Patrick Gemmill in Brockloch, dated 17th July 1628, most probably an ancestor of Patrick of St.Brydsbank. The name McMichael was also far from uncommon in the parish of New Cumnock at that time and Jean, Isabell Margaret and Janet McMichael are found in the Old Parish Records from 1706-1711. The name also McMichael appears on no fewer than 10 headstones in the Auld Kirkyard.

Richard Cameron's prayer 'to spare the green and take the ripe' on the battlefield of Airdmoss may well have been answered. John Gemmel, of St. Brydsbank, spouse of Joanet McMichall was taken whilst his son Patrick Gemmill was spared , only to live the life of a fugative for five more years, before he too enter martyrdom.