William Lin Explained

William Lin
Religion:	Christianity
School:	Presbyterianism

William Lin or William Line^[1] was a 17th-century Presbyterian lawyer (called a writer)^[2] from Scotland.^[3] Phillimore calls him a Writer to the Signet which would make him a senior lawyer.^[4] He may have been from in or around Kirklistoun.^[5]

Legal trouble

He was indicted, early in August, 1681, before a Committee of the Privy Council on a threefold charge: 1. Attending field conventicles and listening to ministers who were declared “traitors.” 2. Harbouring such ministers. 3. Corresponding with them. In proof of this last charge, it is said, that "upon one of the rebels, when taken and examined, were found particular letters addressed to him".^[6] This triple indictment was referred to his oath.^[7] Refusing to depone, Lin was fined in the sum of £500 sterling and ordained to be kept a prisoner in the Bass until the fine was paid; and, longer should the Council deem fit.^[8] The preachers which Lin and Spreul listened to are listed as: "Mr John Welsh, Mr Donald Cargile, Mr Samuel Arnot, Mr David Williamson, Mr Thomas Forrester, Mr Richard Cameron, Mr David Barclay, Mr David Home, and others."^[1] Period of incarceration uncertain. He was sent to the Bass Rock on the same day as John Spreul (apothecary), the covenanter with the longest known sentence on the prison island of the Forth.^[9] When he was released was uncertain.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Book: Brown . P.H. . The register of the Privy Council of Scotland. 3rd ser.:v. 7 1681/1682. . 1915 . Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House . 159 . 21 March 2019.
2. Book: Crichton . Andrew . Memoirs of the Rev. John Blackader . 1826 . Charles Tait . London . 346 . 2nd . 15 March 2019.
3. Book: Dickson . John . Emeralds chased in Gold; or, the Islands of the Forth: their story, ancient and modern. [With illustrations.] ]. 1899 . Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier . Edinburgh and London . 220–221 . 3 March 2019.
4. Book: Phillimore . R.P . The Bass Rock : its history and romance . 1911 . North Berwick, Scotland . 99 . 21 March 2019.
5. Book: Brown . P. H. . The register of the Privy Council of Scotland . 1898 . Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House . 649 . 3rd ser.:v. 6 1678/1680 . 21 March 2019.
6. Book: M'Crie . Thomas, D.D. the younger . The Bass rock: Its civil and ecclesiastic history . 1847 . J. Greig & Son . Edinburgh . 367 . 11 February 2019.
7. Book: Wodrow . Robert . Burns . Robert . The history of the sufferings of the Church of Scotland from the restoration to the revolution . 1835 . Glasgow: Blackie & Son . 262 . 3 . 20 March 2019.
8. Book: Spreull . John . Burns . John William . Miscellaneous writings with some papers relating to his history, ... Spreull, John, 1646-1722 . 1882 . Glasgow: J. Maclehose . 129 . 21 March 2019.
9. Book: Extracts from the Records of the Old Tolbooth reprinted in The book of the Old Edinburgh Club . 1915 . Edinburgh: The Club . 114 . 8 . 20 March 2019.
10. Book: Porteous . James Moir . The Scottish Patmos. A standing testimony to patriotic Christian devotion . 1881 . J. and R. Parlane . Paisley . 72 . 3 March 2019.