1629 "John Hart or Hairt, son to David H., in Kirkwall," started an apprenticeship "with John Davidson, tailor 5 Aug 1629" in Edinburgh. [1]
1634 John Heart matriculated in St Salvatoras as Joannes Hart "in Collegio Salvatoriano" at St. Andrews University in Scotland. [2]
1637 John Heart was awarded the degree of Master of Arts at St. Andrews University in Scotland on May 11. [3]
1637/8 "David Heart of Rusland, William and Mr. John Heart, his sons" witnessed a charter dated at Kirkwall on 8 February 1638. [4]
1643 John Heart was ordained in Crail, Fife, Scotland (2nd. charge). "Crail. John Heart, M.A., 22nd March 1643; trans. to Dunino 30th Dec. 1646." [5]
1644 A contract for the marriage of James Grahame and Margaret Heart, daughter of David Heart and Jean Mowat, dated February 21, specifies that James Grahame's part of the agreement is to be done by the "advyse of the said Dauid Heart if he sall be on lyff And failyeing of him throw deceas be the advyse of the said William Heart his eldest sone and of Mr John Heart Minister his secund sone or ather of thame." [6]
1644 John Heart and Agnes Baxter were married in Edinburgh. Their marriage was recorded as "2 Aprilus 1644 Mr Johnne Heart Minister at Carrailh Agnes Baxter" in the Edinburgh parish register. [7] [8] [9] [10]
1646 John and Agnes Heart moved to Dunino, Fife, Scotland, where John was the minister for about about three years. "Dunino. John Heart, M.A., trans. from Crail and adm. 30 Dec. 1646; trans. to Dunkeld in 1650." [11]
1648 The baptism of daughter Agnes was recorded in the Dunino, Fife, parish register, "December 17 being Sabbath The whilk day Mr. Jhon Heart minister and Agnes Backstare his wyfe had a female child baptized called Agnes wittnesses Alexr Stewart in Strafuthie David Arton of Kenadie." [12]
1648/49 On January 23, the commission of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland appointed John Heart to preach at the Tron Kirk in Edinburgh on January 28. "Edinburgh, 23 Januarij 1649 … post meridiem. The commission appoints ... Mr. John Home and Mr. John Heart to preach in the Tron Kirk the nixt Sabboth." [13]
1649/50 The baptism of daughter Eupham was recorded in the Dunino, Fife, parish register, "Anno 1650 Sabbath March 3 The whilk day Mr Jhon Heart minister and Agnes Backstare his wyfe had a female child called Eupham baptized witnesses James Binning of dynnino Alexr Stewart in Strafuthie. [14]
1650 John and Agnes Heart moved to Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. John "joined the Protestors in 1651, was one who formed a separate Presb., but was dep. [deposed] after 10th June 1652." [15]
1652 John Heart performed a marriage on April 7 at Holyrood in Edinburgh, "[Reid], John, and Jonet Cledsyd, both parochineris of North Leith, mar. in the Kirk of Halyroodhous be Mr. John Heart, minister at Dunkeld Wednesday, 7 April 1652." [16]
1653 John and Agnes Heart moved to Hamilton, Scotland. The Fasti states, "Hamilton. Second Charge. John Hart … adm. 2nd Jan. 1653." [17]
1653 A "Johne Heart in Crinkitstane(?) (Crookstone?) had a S borne 26 of Julij named Johne" and baptized on "8 of August" in Hamilton, Lanark. [18]
1654 Son Samuel was born on June 3 and baptized on June 4 in Hamilton, Lanark. The parish register states, "1654 4 Junij Mr Johne Heart minister had a S borne the 3 Junij named Samuell." [19]
1656 John and Agnes Heart moved to Taughboyne (Monreagh), County Donegal, Ireland (about ten miles from Londonderry), where John was the minister of the Presbyterian church for more than thirty years. "In 1656 he was trans. to Taughboyne, Ireland, where he was ejected in 1662, and imprisoned on a charge of being an accessory to a plot against the bishops." [20]
1663 John Heart wrote a petition to the Duke of Ormond circa 21 October. An abstract states the contents of the petition:
Hath been fourteen weeks a prisoner in Dublin. His Grace's order of release dated 29 August directed a preliminary examination of the petitioner, … whereupon "he was constrained to refuse the manner of swearing ... not out of any contempt of the law, … but upon the same grounds for which he refuseth conformity". … Petitioner prays to be released, "seeing he hath dealt faithfully in his acknowledgment about the late Plot".
Annexed to the petition were "Instructions to the Lord Chief Justice of his Majesty's Court of Chief Place for the taking of recognizances from the above-named petitioner for his appearance before the Commissioners of Gaol Delivery in Dublin, whereupon further order will be given," written from Dublin Castle, 24 October 1663. [21]
1664 "During these dark days 'the brethren about the Laggan had more ease than those of Down and Antrim,' but Robert Leslie, who now filled the see of Raphoe, did not permit them to enjoy that quiet long, for as Adair tells us, 'envying that little ease and quiet of the ministers,' he summoned four of them to his court, viz., Messrs. John Hart, of Monreagh, Thomas Drummond, of Ramelton, William Semple, of Letterkenny, and Adam White, of Fannet, and, without trial, excommunicated them and committed them to prison. 'They were by the Bishop appointed for the common gaol in Lifford; but through the indulgence of the Sheriff, they were permitted to dwell together in a house in the town and all their friends had access to them.' This was in the year 1664, and for six long, weary years these four ministers were kept in confinement, for no other offence than that of preaching the Gospel and otherwise ministering to their poor afflicted people. It was not till the month of October, 1670, that they were released, though their friends had tried every means they could devise to obtain their freedom." [22]
ca 1679 John Heart, Presbyterian minister and resident at Robyrn in the barony of Raphoe, and his colleagues wrote a letter to Sir William Stewart entreating Sir William Stewart's favour at the Council Board, on behalf of themselves, and of other Presbyterian Ministers, who pray the Council for the remission of a heavy fine lately imposed on them, after proceedings upon an information at the Assizes. [23]
1681 "From 1681 to July 1682" John Heart "was imprisoned for holding a fast, but was released on paying a fine of twenty shillings." [24] "In the Beginning of this Year, I find some Presbyterian Ministers in Ireland, who had been forced to flee thither from Scotland, by the Persecution, fall under no small Trouble. Popery was making great Advances, especially in Ireland, and the Meeting of Ministers in Lagan, drew up Causes of a Fast, and with their People kept it, February 16. 1681. a Copy of which is before me. For this, Mr. William Trail, Mr. James Alexander, Mr. Robert Campbel, and Mr. John Hart, were called before the Justices of Peace at St. Johnstoun in April, where they acknowledged their Accession to the said Causes, and in June they received Summons to appear before the Lord Lieutenant and Council at Dublin. A Copy of Mr. William Trail's Examination is in mine Eye, first before the Lieutenant and Council, June 20. and then before a Committee of Council, June 22. in both which he acknowledges their appointing that Fast, gives his Opinion very frankly upon the Oath of Supremacy, declares himself willing to sign the Confession of Faith of the Church of Ireland, and fully vindicates himself and his Brethren, in Point of Loyalty. The Questions and Answers are so large, that I do not insert them, since they fall not so directly before me in this History. The Four Ministers were referred to the Assizes at Lisford, where they were fined in Twenty Pounds Sterling each, for appointing a Fast, and ordered to give Bonds to pay it, and for their good Behaviour in Time coming, or go to Prison. The Ministers not knowing the Import of the Bond required from them, chose to go to Prison, where they were moderately dealt with, and had Liberty to preach every Lord's Day. They continued under Confinement from August this Year, till July 1682. when their Fines, by an Order from the Exchequer, were reduced to 20 Shillings, and they were liberate." [25]
1687[/88?] John Heart died on 8 January and was buried at the Taughboyne Church of Ireland, St. Johnstowne, Co. Donegal. His monumental inscription states, [26] [27]
Hic iacet corpus M--- Ioannis Hart Illustrisso Stemmate Oriundi Pasto[ris] Vigi[lantis] Pientiss [Phi]losophi Theoligi Exemii qui Christum Praedicando Eccles Taboynensi Mag cum Fr[ui] Tu Supra 30 Annos Sud Avit et Multa Propt[er] Christus Passus Tandem Maturam Animam Deo Eo Didit Aetat 70 Ian 8 An 1687.
Translation: Here lieth the body of Master John Hart of noble descent [descending from a distinguished or illustrious or famous family], a watchful [alert or vigilant] pastor, a devout philosopher, a distinguished devine, who labored over 30 years preaching Christ with much success in the church of Tau[gh]boyne and, after much suffering for Christ's sake, at length gave up his ripened spirit to God aged 70 years on 8 January 1687.
1689 Agnes (Baxter) Heart was buried in Edinburgh, recorded as "21 May 1689 Agnes Baxter relect of Mr. John Hart minestr tod tom[b]." [28]
[1] Francis J. Grant, The Register of Apprentices of the City of Edinburgh, 1583-1666 (Edinburgh: James Skinner & Company for the Scottish Record Society, 1906), 84, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[2] Muniment Collection, University of St Andrews, [St_Andrews_Muniments_Collection].
[3] Muniment Collection, University of St Andrews, [St_Andrews_Muniments_Collection].
[4] John Anderson, ed., Calendar of the Laing Charters, A.D. 854-1837 (Edinburgh: James Thin, 1899), 529-30, Charter by Mr. Patrick Grahame of Rothisholm, second lawful son to George [Grahame], bishop of Orkney and Zetland, in terms of a contract of marriage … between them on one side, and William Stewart of Mains and Anna Stewart, his second lawful daughter … granting to the said Anna Stewart, future spouse of the said Mr. Patrick, in liferent …, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive], [InternetArchive].
[5] Hew Scott, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, new edition, 8 vols. (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1914–1950), 5:195, [InternetArchive].
[6] National Archives of Scotland, SC11/5/1644/11, Marriage Contract: Graham, James and Heart, Margaret, 21 February 1655, held at the Orkney Archives, [Scotland_Archives].
[7] National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Pre 1855 Banns & Marriages, 685/1 430 255 Edinburgh, p. 255 of 291, [ScotlandsPeople].
[8] Henry Paton, The Register of Marriages for the Parish of Edinburgh, 1595-1700 (Edinburgh: James Skinner & Company for the Scottish Record Society, 1905), 49, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[9] Henry Paton, The Register of Marriages for the Parish of Edinburgh, 1595-1700 (Edinburgh: James Skinner & Company for the Scottish Record Society, 1905), 310, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[10] FamilySearch.org, [FamilySearchRecord].
[11] Hew Scott, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, new edition, 8 vols. (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1914–1950), 5:196, [InternetArchive].
[12] National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Pre 1855 Births & Baptisms, 425/ 10 32 Dunino, p. 32 of 356, [ScotlandsPeople].
[13] Alexander R. Mitchell and James Christie, eds., The Records of the Commissions of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland Holden in Edinburgh the Years 1648 and 1649 (Edinburgh: University Press, 1896), 179, [GoogleBooks].
[14] National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Pre 1855 Births & Baptisms, 425/ 10 34 Dunino, p. 34 of 356, [ScotlandsPeople].
[15] Hew Scott, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, new edition, 8 vols. (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1914–1950), 4:155, citing Lamont's Diary, 22, 33, [InternetArchive].
[16] Parish of Holyroodhouse or Canongate, Register of Marriages 1564-1800 MacLaren-Robertson (Edinburgh: Scotish Record Society, 1914), 438, [InternetArchive].
[17] Hew Scott, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, new edition, 8 vols. (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1914–1950), 3:262, [InternetArchive].
[18] National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Pre 1855 Births & Baptisms, 647/ 10 37 Hamilton, p. 37 of 348, [ScotlandsPeople].
[19] National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Pre 1855 Births & Baptisms, 647/ 10 41 Hamilton, p. 41 of 348, [ScotlandsPeople].
[20] Hew Scott, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, new edition, 8 vols. (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1914–1950), 3:262, [InternetArchive].
[21] Calendar of the Carte Papers, 1660-87 (Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, electronic), Petition of John Heart [so in MS.] to the Duke of Ormond, MS. Carte 159, fol(s). 92, abstract from vol. 37 of the calendar, [Bodleian_Library_University_Oxford], [Bodleian_Library_University_Oxford].
[22] Alexander G. Lecky, In the days of the Laggan Presbytery (Belfast: Davidson & McCormick, 1908), 101, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[23] Calendar of the Carte Papers, 1660-87 (Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, electronic), John Heart [a Presbyterian Minister, resident at Robyrn in the barony of Raphoe], and others, to Sir William Stewart, MS. Carte 221, fol(s). 448, vol. 55 of the calendar, [Bodleian_Library_University_Oxford], [Bodleian_Library_University_Oxford].
[24] Hew Scott, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, new edition, 8 vols. (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1914–1950), 3:262, [InternetArchive].
[25] Robert Wodrow, The History of the Sufferings of the church of Scotland, from the Restauration to the Revolution: Collected from the Public Records, Original papers, and Manuscripts of that Time, and other well attested Narratives, 2 vols. (Edinburgh: James Watson, 1722), 2:171, [HathiTrust].
[26] Journal of the Association for the PKreservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland 8 (1910-12), 34-35, [InternetArchive].
[27] William Roulston, "Memento Mori: The Seventeenth Century Monumental Inscriptions," Familia Ulster Genealogical Review 14 (1998), 55, [GoogleBooks].
[28] National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Pre 1855 Deaths & Burials, 685/1 800 61 Edinburgh, p. 61 of 85, [ScotlandsPeople].