James Mackie (moderator)
James Mackie (1685–1765) was a Church of Scotland minister and historian who served as Moderator of the General Assembly in 1751.
Life
[edit]
He was licensed by the Presbytery of Dalkeith in 1719 and ordained as minister of Forteviot in March 1720.[1]
In 1734 he translated from Forteviot to St Ninian's Parish, south of Stirling, under the patronage of King George II. He remained there for the remainder of his life.[1]
During his period of occupancy, in 1746 St Ninian's Church was blown up as part of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745. The Jacobite forces at gathered on the morning of 1 February 1746 at the church, but Bonnie Prince Charlie was late to arrive. They were trying to organise a systematic retreat of the Jacobite forces due to approaching forces from Edinburgh. Lord George Murray was therefore in charge. At some point, the church which was being used as a gunpowder store, blew up. It is unclear if this was a complete accident or a deliberate act gone wrong (as many people were injured).[2] The congregation met in the West Church of Stirling until a new church was built in 1750.[3]
In 1751 he succeeded Rev Robert Patoun as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland the highest position in the Scottish church.[4]
He died in Stirling on 13 June 1765 aged 79.[1]
Family
[edit]In November 1726 he married Catherine Laing (died 1770). Their children included:
- Rev Alexander Mackie of Arbroath
- Amelia
- Catherine, married Rev Andrew Gray of Abernethy
- Jean, married Rev Patrick Meik of Kinnoull
Publications
[edit]- A True and Impartial Account of the Blowing Up of St Ninian's Church in 1746
- Answer to Mr Hamilton's Testimony
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; by Hew Scott
- ^ A True and Impartial Account of the Blowing Up of St Nininian's in 1746 by Rev James Mackie
- ^ "St Ninians Old Parish Church | Post Reformation Ministers".
- ^ "Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland genealogy project".