History of the Fife Pitcairns

THE PITCAIRNS OF DYSART. 421
Extract of Letter from Mr William Mum, Minister of Dysart,
to Canon Pitcairn.
Manse, Dysart,
22nd September 1864.
The Rev. D. Pitcairn was one of the most eminent ministers that
ever filled the first charge of his parish, which is collegiate. His
father was minister of Kettle, in the Presbytery of Cupar. Prior to
his settlement here he was an army chaplain, and saw some service
on the Continent. His wife was connected with the ducal house of
Hamilton.
One of his sons rose to the rank of Major of Marines. He had
the unfortunate distinction of firing the first shot in the American
war, having the command of the British at the sad affair at Lexington.
He fell mortally wounded, leading the successful attack on Bunker's
Hill. David Pitcairn, minister, was admitted to the first charge
of Dysart, 1708, and died very suddenly 12th April 1757, aged
eighty-four.
There was another family of some note of the same name in this
parish at that period. Of them I know nothing more than that they
had a son, a captain in the army.
Mr D. Pitcairn had a large family. One of his sons became an
eminent physician in London. I have conversed with aged people
who remember him. — Yours truly, Wm. Muir.
Letter from Mr William Muir, Minister of Dysart, for
Canon Pitcairn of Eccles.
Dysart, 13th October 1864.
My dear Sir, — I send by this post a copy of ' The Antiquities of
Dysart.' Please do not return it, but give it to the Vicar of Eccles :
he may be pleased to have a view of the church where the Rev. D.
Pitcairn preached so long. The road shown passes over the north
aisle of the church, and shows part of the old cemetery. The
monument to Mr Pitcairn was fixed on the east gable, which is not
shown.
" Forthar," of which you wrote, is in the parish of Kettle, of which
the father of Mr Pitcairn was minister. I remember only one story
which I may write as illustrative of change. He had got from some
friend a present of a few pounds of tea. He asked one of his elders
to take a pound of it, saying, " It can never be all used in my
house " !
It was an uncommon beverage then. — I am, dear Sir, yours truly,
Wm. Muir.