James Pearson (1594–1658) was a minister of the

Church of Scotland The Church of Scotland ( sco, The Kirk o Scotland; gd, Eaglais na h-Alba) is the national church in Scotland. The Church of Scotland was principally shaped by John Knox, in the Scottish Reformation, Reformation of 1560, when it split from t ...

in the 17th century. He was appointed minister of Dunblane in 1624 and became dean of

Dunblane Cathedral Dunblane Cathedral is the larger of the two Church of Scotland parish churches serving Dunblane, near the city of Stirling, in central Scotland. The lower half of the tower is pre- Romanesque from the 11th century, and was originally free-standi ...

. Nine years later, he was given a charter under the Great Seal of the Barony of Kippenross. Pearson was also the first laird of Kippenross.

Early life and career

Pearson was born in Kippenross,

Perthshire Perthshire (locally: ; gd, Siorrachd Pheairt), officially the County of Perth, is a historic county and registration county in central Scotland. Geographically it extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, ...

, in 1594, to Alexander Pearson and Bessie Eistoun. He graduated from 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 ...

, with a

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Tho ...

, in 1615. In 1623, Pearson was appointed minister of Dunblane, and became dean of

the following year. Pearson lost his job as minister during the overthrow of the episcopacy.

Personal life

Pearson married Jean, daughter of David Drummond of Innermay, with whom he had three sons and a daughter. Around 1624, Pearson built the townhouse in Dunblane which is now the home of

Dunblane Museum Dunblane Museum is a historic building in the Scottish town of Dunblane, Stirling. Located in The Cross, immediately to the south of Dunblane Cathedral, it is a Category A listed building dating to the early 17th century.

. Pearson's initials and the

coat-of-arms A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the latter two being outer garments). The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement, which in its w ...

on the carved plaque are his. The first floor of the main block was likely his townhouse.THE CROSS, CATHEDRAL MUSEUM, INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TO SOUTH ADJOINING BURGH CHAMBERS AND WELL TO REAR
– Historic Environment Scotland His grandson, Hugh, planted the Beech Walk, beside

Allan Water The Allan Water ( gd, Uisge Alain) is a river in central Scotland. Rising in the Ochil Hills, it runs through Strathallan to Dunblane and Bridge of Allan before joining the River Forth. It is liable to cause floods in lower Bridge of Allan. ...

at the original 1646 Kippenross House. The Kippenross estate remained in the Pearson family until 1778, when it passed to the Stirlings of Kippendavie.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pearson, James 1594 births 1658 deaths People from Dunblane 17th-century Ministers of the Church of Scotland 17th-century Scottish Presbyterian ministers Alumni of the University of Edinburgh School of Divinity