church without a patron was a slow and uncertain process. William Muir of St Stephens Church in Edinburgh recommended him for the church in Dreghorn, but the post was spoken for by Lord Gillies for his nephew, and this patronage usurped his own hopes. Leishman was a strong supporter of Catholic emancipation during this period (Scotland did not recognise the Catholic church following the Reformation and only acknowledged the church again in 1822). In 1820 he also describes the Paisley Bread Riots. In the spring of 1820, Thomas Leishman, Matthew’s father, paid 2,100 Scots pounds to acquire the patronage of Govan. This was aided by a letter from Henry Moncrieff and finally agreed in September 1820. In March 1821 he formally became minister of Govan Old Parish Church (previously called the Church of St Constantine), succeeding John Macleod. He remained in this role until his death in 1874 a remarkable 53 years service. He died on 8 August 1874 in Govan manse, and was buried on 14 August. His wife died 3 weeks later and was buried with him. The Abolition of Church Patronage Act, for which he had campaigned, was passed on the following day. Family In June 1821 he was best man at the wedding of Charles Watson (an old friend) to Isabella Boog at Burntisland. The couple were later parents to Robert Boog Watson. Here he met Jane Elisabeth Boog (1803–1874), who was cousin of the bride and one of the bridesmaids. They married on 13 July 1824 in Burntisland. Their son was Thomas Leishman, and his daughter Isabella Agatha Leishman married David Williamson Runciman and died in the manse at Fossoway. He was cousin to John Wilson aka Christopher North and James Wilson and they spent their youth together in Paisley. His grandson, James Fleming Leishman of Linton, wrote his biography. References 1794 births 1874 deaths Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Academics of the University of Edinburgh People from Govan 19th-century Ministers of the Church of Scotland