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Bible Encyclopedias
Davidson
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (occasionally written Davidsone or Davidsoune), the family name of a large number of Scotch clergymen:
1. ADAM, graduated at Edinburgh University, June 28, 1697; was licensed to preach December 7, 1698; called to the living at Essie-with-Nevay, August 27, 1701; ordained December 30, 1702, and died October 24, 1720, aged forty-one years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:747.
2. ALEXANDER (1), was licensed to preach in 1740; called to the living at Traquair; ordained in 1744; and died July 20, 1759. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:258.
3. ALEXANDER (2), was licensed to preach in 1758; presented to the living at Stenton in 1766; ordained in February 1767; and died January 24, 1801, aged seventy years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:384.
4. ALEXANDER (3), was licensed to preach in 1802; presented to the living of Gargunnock in 1809; ordained in 1810; transferred to Slamannan in August 1826; and died October 29, 1855, leaving a son, Thomas, in the ministry. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticance, 1:201; 2:705.
5. ALEXANDER (4), a native of Dyke, graduated at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1826; became teacher in the family of Irvine of Schivas; was licensed to preach in 1831; elected to the living at Northesk in-1838; ordained in 1839; resigned in 1843; and died April 5, 1858, aged fifty-three years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:288.
6. ALEXANDER DYCE, D.D., was tutor in the family of James Blaikie, provost of Aberdeen; was licensed to preach March 31, 1830; presented by the town council to the living of the South Church in June 1832, and ordained in August; transferred-to the West Church, April 14, 1836, and joined the Free Secession June 15, 1843. He published four Sermons (Aberdeen, 1836-1848): — The Position and Duties of Christ's Church (ibid. 1844): — Lectures on the Book of Esther (Edinburgh, 1859). See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanc, 3:465, 479.
7. ARCHIBALD, D.D., son of the minister at Crawfordjohn, was presented to the living at the second charge, Paisley, and ordained September 7, 1758; transferred to Inchinnan September 30, 1761; was appointed principal of the University of Glasgow, but resigned in October 1786, and died July 7, 1803. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 2:201, 221.
8. DAVID (1), D.D., native of Fowlis-Wester, was baptized in February, 1750; licensed to preach in August 1773; ordained January 2, 1776; became assistant to Mr. Robert Walker, of Monzie; was presented to the living at Kippen in May 1776; transferred to Dundee in July 1782; and died December 22, 1825, aged seventy-five years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 2:731; 3:694.
9. DAVID (2), was licensed to preach in February 1792; presented to the living at Cumbernauld,.and ordained, September 17, 1801.; and died April 11, 1814, aged forty-seven years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 2:63.
10. DAVID (3), son of the minister at Dundee, studied theology at Edinburgh University; was licensed to preach July 31, 1822; unanimously elected the first minister of the church of Broulghty Ferry, October 25, and ordained December 13, 1827; joined the Free Secession, August 22, 1843, and died three days afterwards, aged forty-one years. He published a Sermon (1830). See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae 3:726.
11. DUNCAN, was promoted from being regent in Aberdeen University, and presented by the king, in February, 1574, to the living at Rathen, as the first minister; in 1593 Lonmay was under his care. He was moderator of the assembly in August 1597, and continued in 1601. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:637.
12. ELLIOT WILLIAM, was licensed to preach in 1788; appointed by the king assistant and successor to his father, Isaac, in September 1789, and died August 21, 1846, aged eighty years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:746.
13. GEORGE (1), graduated at Edinburgh University in June, 1658; was admitted to the living at Rerrick in 1664; transferred to Anwoth in 1666, and to Whitsome in 1668; continued in October 1684; and died before February 5, 1686. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticance, 1:450, 693, 721.
14. GEORGE (2), graduated at King's College, Aberdeen, March 31, 1809; was licensed to preach November 22, 1814; ordained in March 1819, as missionary at Berriedale; presented February 22, and admitted June 15, 1820, to the living at Latheron; enjoined the Free Secession, March 24, 1843. He published An Account of the Parish. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:364.
15. GEORGE RAMSAY, was licensed to preach June 25, 1823; presented by the earl of Kintore, in March 1828, to the living at Driumblade, and ordained May 8; translated to lady Glenorchy's Church, Edinburgh, July 14, 1842; joined the Free Secession, June 28, 1843. He published, Privilege and Duty; a Pastoral Address to Lady Glenorchy's Congregation (Edinburgh, 1845): — Britain's Past Policy, Penitenice, and Pledge, a sermon (ibid. 1857): — An Account of the Parish. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:653.
16. HENRY, was born at Eckford in 1687; graduated from Edinburgh University in 1705; was licensed to preach in March 1712; and ordained minister at Galashiels in December 1714. He was one of twelve milisters who petitioned the General Assembly, in 1721, against the Marrow of Modern Divinity, for which they were scoffingly called the Twelve Apostles. About 1735 he adopted the principles of the Independents, but retained his living till his death, October 24, 1756. He published three Sermons; and Letters to Christian Friends (Edinburgh, 1811). See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:550.
17. HUGH, was licensed to preach in March 1799; appointed schoolmaster at Maybole in 1811; presented in January, and ordained April 24, 1817, minister at Eaglesham; and died April 27, 1829, aged fifty-six years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 2:65.
18. ISAAC, D.D., minister of a Presbyterian church at Ratcliffe Highway, London, graduated from Edinburgh University in 1775; was admitted minister at Sorbie the same year; transferred to Whithorn in 1794; and died December 26, 1810. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:745,7 49.
19. JAMES, graduated at the University of St. Andrews in.March, 1580; was presented to the vicarage of Wigton in 1590, and Kirkmadryne in 1596; transferred to Whithorn about 1599; continued in 1606, and adhered with forty-one others to the protestation against the introduction of episcopacy. He died before April 17, 1617. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:729, 746.
20. JOHN (1),was appointed the second Protestant minister at Hamilton in 1567, and had charge, also of Dawserff, Dalyell, Cambusnethan, and Blantyre, in 1574; was a member of the assembly in 1581; appointed .by the secret council, in March 1589, one of the commissioners for the maintenance and defence of true religion, and continued in 1596. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 2:257.
21. JOHN (2), graduated at the University of St. Andrews; was settled at Liberton in 1579, and was a commissioner of the General Assembly of 1581. He wrote a poetical tract against the regent, James, earl of Morton, in 1579, and wept when the earl forgave him; was appointed by the General Assembly of 1582 to pronounce sentence of excommunication against the archbishop of Glasgow, and was "nothing affrayed," but was threatened with a violent death, so was guarded to the kirk for ten Sundays. In 1583 he boldly admonished the king "to forbear his often swearing," and the same year had to advise him "to beware of innovations in the court." He fled to England in April 1584, to escape the rage of his enemies. He refused in 1588 to be again settled at Liberton, but was appointed to St. Giles' parish church, Edinburgh, in 1589; was moderator of the syod and of the General Assembly that year; appointed to the second charge, Holyrood house, in 1590; was a member of the assembly, 1591; preached in the New Kirk, Edinburgh, 1592, was transferred to Prestonpans in 1595; presented to the vicarage in 1597; appointed by the assembly a visitor of five presbyteries; and died before September 5, 1604, aged about fifty-six years. He built the kirk and manse at his own expense; and left all his property to support the school which he founded, "for teaching Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and instructing the youth in virtue and learning." He published, Dialogue Betwixt a Clerk and a Courtier (1573): — Ane Breif Commendation of Uprightness (4to, cod.): — D. Bancroft's Rashness in Railing against the Church (1590): — Memorial of the Life and Death of Robert Campbell and his Wife (1595): — Some Helps for Young Scholars in Christianity (1602): — Discovery of the Unnatural and Traitorous Conspiracy of Scottish Papists (1593): — Apologie, and several Letters: Short Form of Morning and Evening Prayer. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:7, 87, 114, 349.
22. JOHN (3), graduated at the University of St. Andrews in 1582; was appointed the second Protestant minister at Comrie in 1588; removed to Muthill in 1589; was a member of the General Assembly, 1590, and one of forty-two ministers who signed a protest to parliament against the introduction of Episcopacy in 1606; moderator of the Presbytery in 1590; and died April 7, 1607, aged about forty-five years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 2:752, 779.
23. JOHN (4), graduated at the University of St. Andrews in 1628; was presented to the living of Southdean in July 1635. Refusing to conform to Episcopacy, was confined to his parish in 1662; and was deposed ill July, 1666, for fornication. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:512.
24. JOHN (5), son of the minister at Crawford-john, was licensed to preach in January 1743; called in January, and ordained May 7, 1745, minister at Old Kilhpatric; and died May 19, 1793. He published An Account of the Parish. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 2:362.
25. PATRICK (1), graduated at Edinburgh University in 1587; was appointed minister at Auchterarder in 1591, having also Monyvaird in charge in 1593; presented by James VI to the living at Muckart in 1594; and continued in April 1620. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 2:746, 776.
26. PATRICK (2), D.D., a native of Scotstown, became schoolmaster of Keith-hall; was licensed to preach in April 1771; became assistant to Mr. Robert Farquharson, minister of Chapel Garioch; was presented to the living at Kemnay, and ordained June 19, 1776; transferred to Rayne iln February 1778, and died May 21, 1819, aged seventy-five years. He published An Account of the Parish. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:588.
27. PATRICK (3), youngest son of William, minister at Imiverury, graduated at Marischal College, Aberdeen, April 1,1806; became schoolmaster of Kintore; was licensed to preach in July 1814; presented to the living at Insch in 1821; ordained May 8, 1822; and died November 17, 1858, aged sixty-eight years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:582.
28. ROBERT (1), graduated at Edinburgh University in July 1628; was a member of the commission of assembly in 1647; and died in November, 1657, aged about fifty years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:383.
29. ROBERT (2), was licensed to preach in February; 1708; became chaplain to lady Blantyre; was called to the living at Crawford-john in December 1712; ordained in November, 4, 1713; and died January 7, 1749, aged sixty-seven years. He left two sons, Archibald and John, in the ministry. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:322.
30. THOMAS (1), studied theology at Glasgow University; was licensed to preach by the Scotch Presbytery at London, December 12, 1700; received by the Presbytery at Edinburgh, 1702, elected sole lecturer in the Tron Church, Edinburgh, September 11, 1706; commissioned chaplain by queen Anne at Stirling castle, and ordained October 18,1709; promoted to Whitekirk in 1713; transferred to Dundee, January 5, 1732; and died November 27, 1760, aged eighty-two years. His son Hugh became rector of Kirkby, in Yorkshire; and his son Thomas Randall was minister at Inchture, then at Stirling. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:386; 2:685; 3:689.
31. THOMAS (2), studied.at the universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow; became schoolmaster at Dores in 1819; was licensed to preach, and ordained minister at Kilmalie, April 4, 1826; made missionary at Tarbert, April 15, 1829; presented to Salen in December 1835; joined the Free Secession, May 24, 1843. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:113, 114.
32. WILLIAM (1), graduated at the University of St. Andrews in 1595; was appointed to the living at Reay in 1601; transferred to Farr before 1607; and continued in 1608. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:350, 366.
33. WILLIAM (2), graduated at the University of St. Andrews in 1603; was an expectant in the synod in 1611; admitted to the living of Auchindoir and Kearn before. November 1633; was a member of the,General Assembly in 1639; and continued April 16, 1667. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:548.
34. WILLIAM (3), a native of Kintore, was minister at Rathen in 1603; present at the Aberdeen Assembly in July 1605, contrary to the king's order; confessed his error to the privy council in October, and was admonished and returned to his charge. He was admitted a burgess and guild-brother of Aberdeen, August 1, 1620; was a member of the commission of assembly, 1645; and died in 1657. See Fasti Esccles. Scoticanae, 3:638.
35. WILLIAM (4), had been a minister in Ireland who fled at the time of the insurrection in 1641. After a stay in England and the south of Scotland, he was invited to the living at Canisbay in 1652, and admitted February 17, 1655; transferred to Birsay October18, 1666; lost his sight May 25, 1673, and died after September 9, 1690. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:358, 393.
36. WILLIAM (5), graduated at King's College, Aberdeen, July 12, 1660; and was admitted to the living at Killearnan, February 25, 1669. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:281.
37. WILLIAM (6), a native of Aberdeenshire, became schoolmaster of Navar; was licensed to preach August 19, 1741; called to the living at Lethnot and Navar, and ordained September 25, 1746; and died March 12, 1775, aged seventy-three years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:833.
38. WILLIAM (7), graduated at King's College, Aberdeen, April 23, 1751; became schoolmaster at Inverury in June 1751; was licensed to preach February 14, 1759; ordained assistant minister, and successor at Inverury, September 6, 1767; and died January 19, 1799, aged sixty-eight years. He left two sons in the ministry, William and, Patrick. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:583.
39. WILLIAM (8), was ordained in October 1762; minister of the Presbyterian congregation, Castlegarthi. Newcastle-on-Tyne; presented in January, and admitted in May 1801, to the living at Mordington; and died June 24, 1804, aged sixty-eight years. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 1:445. s.v
These files are public domain.
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Davidson'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/d/davidson.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
