John Paul (minister)
John Paul (1795–1873) was a minister of the Church of Scotland who served as Moderator of the General Assembly in 1847. A major figure in Edinburgh society, he was linked to both the Balfours of Leith and the Stevenson family of engineers.
Life[]
He was born on 12 March 1795 the son of Rev William Paul (1754–1802), minister of the collegiate section of St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh and his wife Susan Moncrieff. He was also nephew of Rev Henry Moncrieff-Wellwood first charge minister of the same church.[1] The family lived at Castlebarns in the Tollcross area south of the church.[2] By 1805 his father had died and he was living with his mother in the West Kirk manse.[3]
He was educated at the high school in the Old Town then studied at Edinburgh University. In August 1816 he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Edinburgh. He was ordained as minister of Straiton in May 1817. He was translated to Maybole in Ayrshire in September 1823.[4]
In 1830 he was living at 13 George Square, Edinburgh.[5]
He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Edinburgh University in 1847 and later that year was elected Moderator in succession to his brother . John was succeeded in turn in 1848 by Rev George Buist.[6]
He died at 13 George Square on 18 May 1873. He is buried with his parents in St Cuthberts Churchyard.[7] The grave lies on the raised ground to the south-west. His position at St Cuthberts was filled by Rev James MacGregor.
Family[]
In 1830 he married Margaret Balfour (1807–1860), daughter of James Balfour of Pilrig and granddaughter of James Balfour. Their children included:
- Rev William Paul, minister of Whitekirk (1832–1866)[8]
- James Balfour Paul father in turn to John William Balfour Paul and Arthur Forman Balfour Paul.[9]
Through the Balfours he was also related by marriage to the Stevenson engineer family, including uncle to Robert Louis Stevenson.
Artistic recognition[]
His portrait by Augustin Edouart is held by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.[10]
A fine high relief medallion portrait of Paul by William Brodie lies inside St Cuthberts.[11]
References[]
- ^ Fasti Ecclesiastae Scoticana by Hew Scott
- ^ Williamsons Edinburgh Directory 1795
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office directory 1805
- ^ Fasti Ecclesiastae Scoticana by Hew Scott
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1830
- ^ "Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland genealogy project".
- ^ "Rev William Paul (1832-1866) - Find a Grave".
- ^ "Ancestors of Reverend William Paul".
- ^ "Sir James Balfour Paul from the Gazetteer for Scotland".
- ^ "Rev. John Paul, 1795 - 1873. Minister of St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh | National Galleries of Scotland".
- ^ Buildings of Scotland: edinburgh by Gifford, McWilliam and Walker
- 1795 births
- 1873 deaths
- Clergy from Edinburgh
- Alumni of the University of Edinburgh
- Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland