OS1/11/9/26

Continued entries/extra info

26. Parish of Mid Calder

Calder House continued:-
about 200 yards from it.
the great hall stands upon
arches and in former times
was pared with stone. in
this apartment it is said John Knox dispersed the ordinance of the Sacrament according to the Pro:
testant form for the first time in Scotland after the Reformation.
ancient Mansion is on the West side of the village of Mid Calder, the entrance is by an iron gate
with massive rustic pillars bearing date 1660 over the gateway and on the pillars is some sculpture
work indicating the family connection with the Douglasses. The first notice on record of this being
a place of importance is by a document conveying certain lands &c [etcetera] Still in the possession of the present
Lord Torphichen from King Robert 2nd to one of his ancestors but the principal source of the wealth
and power of this distinguished family was acquired from the estates & [and] property of the Knights Templar
& [and] Knights Hospitallers of St.John of Jerusalem after the suppression of these orders in the six:
tenth century.
The above Descript: [Description] Remarks have been abridged from Dr. Somers' History of
Mid Calder, Stat: Acct: [Statistical Account] 1845. and from information recd. [received] from the proprietors Lord Torphichen