James Bonar (moderator): Difference between revisions
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Added some detail on Bonar's work at the General Assembly in 1638. Also corrected the use of the word 'reponed' which actually meant to reinstate a minister to his post after a short suspension. |
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[[File:Old Kirkton church ruins, Burntisland.jpg|thumb|330px|Old Kirkton church ruins, Burntisland]] |
[[File:Old Kirkton church ruins, Burntisland.jpg|thumb|330px|Old Kirkton church ruins, Burntisland]] |
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[[File:Maybole Collegiate church 1789.jpg|thumb|330px|The ruins of old Maybole Church c.1800]] |
[[File:Maybole Collegiate church 1789.jpg|thumb|330px|The ruins of old Maybole Church c.1800]] |
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Little is known of his early life. He graduated MA from [[St Andrews University]] in 1601.<ref>Fasti |
Little is known of his early life. He graduated MA from [[St Andrews University]] in 1601.<ref>Hew Scott, ''Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae'', 3, p. 52</ref> |
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His ecclesiastical life begins as a Reader at [[Burntisland]] Parish Church (now known as Old Kirkton Church) around 1603 and he was ordained there as minister in 1608. In June 1614 he was formally "presented to the vicarage" by [[King James VI]].<ref>Fasti |
His ecclesiastical life begins as a Reader at [[Burntisland]] Parish Church (now known as Old Kirkton Church) around 1603 and he was ordained there as minister in 1608. In June 1614 he was formally "presented to the vicarage" by [[King James VI]].<ref>Hew Scott, ''Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae'', 3, p. 52</ref> He appears to have added a new aisle at his own expense at Maybole to accommodate a growing congregation.<ref name="electricscotland">{{cite web|url=https://www.electricscotland.com/history/girvan/chapter28.htm|website=electricscotland.com|title=Places of Interest about Girvan|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> |
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He was one of three ministers selected to represent the Presbytery of Dumbarton at the General Assembly that met in Glasgow in 1638.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Church of Scotland. General Assembly |url=http://archive.org/details/cu31924029475914 |title=Records of the Kirk of Scotland : containing the acts and proceedings of the General Assemblies, from the year 1638 downwards, as authenticated by the clerks of assembly : with notes and historical illustrations |date=1838 |publisher=Edinburgh : John Sutherland |others=Cornell University Library}}</ref> Due to his age and experience, he was appointed to sit on a committee to consider the Kirk's historical records.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baillie |first=Robert |url=http://archive.org/details/lettersandjour7301bailuoft |title=The Letters and Journals of Robert Baillie, 1637-1662 |last2=Laing |first2=David |date=1841 |publisher=Edinburgh (A. Laurie) 1841-42 |others=University of Guelph}}</ref> Bonar was part of a group tasked with examining the University og Glasgow that met after the assembly had closed.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baillie |first=Robert |url=http://archive.org/details/lettersandjour7301bailuoft |title=The Letters and Journals of Robert Baillie, 1637-1662 |last2=Laing |first2=David |date=1841 |publisher=Edinburgh (A. Laurie) 1841-42 |others=University of Guelph}}</ref> |
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He appears to have added a new aisle at his own expense at Maybole to accommodate a growing congregation.<ref name="electricscotland">{{cite web|url=https://www.electricscotland.com/history/girvan/chapter28.htm|website=electricscotland.com|title=Places of Interest about Girvan|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> |
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In 1642 he was ordered to |
In 1642 he was ordered to reinstate the minister Rev Gilbert Power to the parish of [[Stoneykirk]] (at least a days journey to the south-west). However, a number of women from the village armed with clubs and stones, led by a man, Fergus McDougall, prevented him from preaching. The reason for their anger is unclear, but the experience permanently scarred Bonar and he had a long and dangerous fever. Although the General Assembly considered a trial of the rioters this did not happen.<ref name="genealogy">{{cite web|url=https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/b/o/enwiki/w/Lisa-Bowes-1/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0149.html|title=Lisa-Bowes-1 - User Trees|website=Genealogy.com|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> |
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In 1644 he succeeded [[Alexander Henderson (theologian)|Rev Alexander Henderson]] as [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]] the highest position in the Scottish church.<ref name="geni">{{cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/projects/Moderators-of-the-General-Assembly-of-the-Church-of-Scotland/15939|website=geni.com|title=Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> |
In 1644 he succeeded [[Alexander Henderson (theologian)|Rev Alexander Henderson]] as [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]] the highest position in the Scottish church.<ref name="geni">{{cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/projects/Moderators-of-the-General-Assembly-of-the-Church-of-Scotland/15939|website=geni.com|title=Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 14:02, 28 July 2022
James Bonar or Bonor (c.1570 – c.1655) was a Church of Scotland minister who served as Moderator of the General Assembly in 1644. He was a strong supporter of the Covenanters. He was a Resolutioner and member of the Moderate Party within the church.
Life
Little is known of his early life. He graduated MA from St Andrews University in 1601.[1]
His ecclesiastical life begins as a Reader at Burntisland Parish Church (now known as Old Kirkton Church) around 1603 and he was ordained there as minister in 1608. In June 1614 he was formally "presented to the vicarage" by King James VI.[2] He appears to have added a new aisle at his own expense at Maybole to accommodate a growing congregation.[3]
He was one of three ministers selected to represent the Presbytery of Dumbarton at the General Assembly that met in Glasgow in 1638.[4] Due to his age and experience, he was appointed to sit on a committee to consider the Kirk's historical records.[5] Bonar was part of a group tasked with examining the University og Glasgow that met after the assembly had closed.[6]
In 1642 he was ordered to reinstate the minister Rev Gilbert Power to the parish of Stoneykirk (at least a days journey to the south-west). However, a number of women from the village armed with clubs and stones, led by a man, Fergus McDougall, prevented him from preaching. The reason for their anger is unclear, but the experience permanently scarred Bonar and he had a long and dangerous fever. Although the General Assembly considered a trial of the rioters this did not happen.[7]
In 1644 he succeeded Rev Alexander Henderson as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland the highest position in the Scottish church.[8]
He died around 1655.[9]
Family
He married twice: firstly a daughter of Duncan Crauford of Nether Skeldoun. She died in 1623. He then married Helen Kennedy daughter of Thomas Kennedy of Drummurchie. He is not known to have had any children.
Publications
- Epitaph on Mr William Birnie, Minister of Ayr
References
- ^ Hew Scott, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, 3, p. 52
- ^ Hew Scott, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, 3, p. 52
- ^ "Places of Interest about Girvan". electricscotland.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ^ Church of Scotland. General Assembly (1838). Records of the Kirk of Scotland : containing the acts and proceedings of the General Assemblies, from the year 1638 downwards, as authenticated by the clerks of assembly : with notes and historical illustrations. Cornell University Library. Edinburgh : John Sutherland.
- ^ Baillie, Robert; Laing, David (1841). The Letters and Journals of Robert Baillie, 1637-1662. University of Guelph. Edinburgh (A. Laurie) 1841-42.
- ^ Baillie, Robert; Laing, David (1841). The Letters and Journals of Robert Baillie, 1637-1662. University of Guelph. Edinburgh (A. Laurie) 1841-42.
- ^ "Lisa-Bowes-1 - User Trees". Genealogy.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ^ "Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland". geni.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ^ Fasti Ecclesiastae Scoticana by Hew Scott