George Paxton (2 April 1762 – 9 April 1837) was a Scottish secession minister and poet. He was the professor of divinity of the 'New Licht'

Anti-Burgher The Anti-Burghers were opponents of the Burgher Oath on theological grounds. History First Secession In 1733 the First Secession from the Church of Scotland resulted in the creation of the "Associate Presbytery". This church split in 1747 ov ...

General Associate Synod.

Life

The Secessionist Church, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh

Background

Paxton was born on 2 April 1762 at Dalgourie, on the edge of Bolton, East Lothian. He was the eldest son of Jean Milne and William Paxton a

joiner A joiner is an artisan and tradesperson who builds things by joining pieces of wood, particularly lighter and more ornamental work than that done by a carpenter, including furniture and the "fittings" of a house, ship, etc. Joiners may work in ...

and carpenter. In early childhood he moved with his family to Melrose, then again to

Makerstoun Makerstoun is a parish in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, as well as the historic county of Roxburghshire, south-west of Kelso.Survey Gazetteer of the British Isles, publ. J.G. Bartholomew, 1904, p. 535 The parish lies north of the rive ...

, near Kelso. Here a local laird, Sir Hay McDougal, a colonel in the

Scots Greys The Royal Scots Greys was a cavalry regiment of the British Army from 1707 until 1971, when they amalgamated with the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) to form the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. The regiment's history began in 167 ...

, took Paxton under his wing.

Education

Sir Hay sent George to Kelso to learn

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

and

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

. After an unfinished apprenticeship as a carpenter, he left his home town to attend the

University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...

but left in 1784 without a degree. He continued his education with the private tutor Reverend William Moncrieff in

Alloa Alloa (Received Pronunciation ; educated Scottish pronunciation /ˈaloʊa/; gd, Alamhagh, possibly meaning "rock plain") is a town in Clackmannanshire in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It is on the north bank of the Forth at the spot wher ...

. Here he became "a firm seceder".

Ordination and secession

In March 1788 George received his licence to preach and was ordained as minister of the joint parishes of

Kilmaurs Kilmaurs () is a village in East Ayrshire, Scotland which lies just outside of the largest settlement in East Ayrshire, Kilmarnock. It lies on the Carmel Water, southwest of Glasgow. Population recorded for the village in the 2001 Census recorde ...

and

Stewarton Stewarton ( sco, Stewartoun,
gd, Baile nan Stiùbhar ...

in August 1789, choosing to live in the latter village. Owing to ill-health, around 1800, he was forced to abandon this job, and take a 7-year respite. However, the 'New Licht'

General Associate Synod appointed him as professor of divinity in 1807. In 1820 he disagreed with the decision of the 'New Licht'

Synod to unite with the 'New Licht'

Burgher Burgher may refer to: * Burgher (social class), a medieval, early modern European title of a citizen of a town, and a social class from which city officials could be drawn ** Burgess (title), a resident of a burgh in northern Britain ** Grand Bu ...

Synod to form the

United Secession Church The United Secession Church (or properly the United Associate Synod of the Secession Church) was a Scottish Presbyterian denomination. The First Secession from the established Church of Scotland had been in 1732, and the resultant "Associate Pre ...

, and was forced to resign his professorship. He then set up a secession church, in an old chapel on the steps of the Vennel, in a hidden location off the

Grassmarket The Grassmarket is a historic market place, street and event space in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. In relation to the rest of the city it lies in a hollow, well below surrounding ground levels. Location The Grassmarket is located direct ...

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian on the southern shore of t ...

. Together with Dr George Stevenson of Ayr, he led "A conservative 'clique' ... forming the 'Synod of Protesters' in May 1821." In 1822 he commissioned Thomas Brown to build a new church on Infirmary Street, just off South Bridge. Together with the 'Auld Licht' Anti-Burghers led by Reverend Thomas M'Crie the Elder they formed the Associate Synod of Original Seceders in May 1827. He was then invited to resume his professorship acting for this new body. In 1828 he is shown as a member of the Edinburgh Bible Society under the leadership of Lord Glenorchy. In the 1830s he is listed as living at 12 Archibald Place, off Lauriston Place, near to George Heriot’s School on the south side of

Death and memorial

George Paxton died in Edinburgh on 9 April 1837 and is buried in the "West Kirk" burial ground, generally now known as St Cuthbert’s Churchyard. The tall monument stands against the south-west wall. The stone is eroding and the lower text is now lost, but the whole memorial was transcribed in the early part of the 19th century and read: The Rev. GEORGE PAXTON D.D. Sanct. Theol. Prof. late senior minister of Infirmary Street Congregation of Original Seceders, author of "Scripture Illustrations" etc., died 9th April 1837 aged 75 years. His ardent and powerful mind was refined and polished by learning and liberal art; by vital religion were his manly virtues exalted into Christian graces. In the theological chair he taught and trained his pupils with wisdom, dignity and affection. In the pulpit preached a pure gospel in mellow strains of nervous eloquence, 'from house to house' counselled and comforted with a pastor's lowly assiduity; in all the walks of life, devoted to the service of his Master, taste and talents, decision and energy of character, descending into the vale of years with the firm peaceful aspect of faith and hope, he left a dying testimony to Scotland's solemn vows in behalf of religion and liberty; and bade adieu to the field of warfare, honoured in not putting off his armour till called to put on his crown. Surbase: In memory of a respected and beloved pastor this stone was erected by the members of the congregation. Base: MARGARET JOHNSTON his widow, died 4th May 1850.

Family

Paxton married Elizabeth Armstrong of Kelso in 1790. Their marriage was cut short by her death in 1800. Together they had two sons and three daughters. His daughter, Jean, married the Reverend John More of

Cairneyhill Cairneyhill is a village in West Fife, Scotland. It is 3 miles west of Dunfermline, on the A994, and has a population of around () The village's architecture is a mix of old weavers' cottages and modern suburban housing estates. The village is l ...

in Fife. His son, George, became a doctor and rose to fame in India. Paxton married a second time, to Margaret Johnstone, daughter of a Berwick farmer.

Publications

*''An Inquiry into the Obligation of Religious Covenants upon Posterity'' (1801) *''Healing the Divisions in our Church'' (1802) *''The Villager and other Poems'' (1813) *''Illustrations of the Holy Scriptures'' 3 vols (1822)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paxton, George 1762 births 1837 deaths Scottish poets People associated with Edinburgh Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Academics of the University of Edinburgh Ministers of Secession Churches in Scotland