Hi Lesley,
Yes I have read 'Border Lives' and also a later biography by John Warwick, 'Moderators of the Church of Scotland 1690 - 1740.' The dates I have are : Licensed 1/11/1692, called to Eyemouth 19/05/1693, called to Kelso 5/09/1706 but not inducted until 24/09/1707 because of some opposition to his posting.
Curiously, James Ramsay was succeeded at Eyemouth by John Cuming, later minister in Humbie, Channelkirk. James Ramsay's son, William later married John Cumming's daughter, Ann. She and their 4th son, Capt David Ramsay RN, his wife and several of their children are buried at St Michael's, Inveresk, including David's eldest son, Major William Norman Ramsay, lauded for saving two of Wellington's guns in the Peninsular Wars of 1811. He died at Waterloo and his body was apparantly smuggled back to Scotland in a box labelled 'soap.'
For someone who was such a significant public man in his time, James Ramsay is otherwise very elusive and although at Kelso for 42 years, he seems to have left no mark, there is much speculation as to his origin. I believe he came from Forfar.
My family are descended from William Ramsay & Ann Cumming's daughter, Essex.
I was hoping to find some small sign of James at Kelso, albeit such a long time ago. Thank you so much for looking.
regards br1gau