Archibald Riddell (minister)

Last updated

Archibald Riddell
Trinity College Kirk 01.jpg
Trinity College Kirk, Riddell's last charge
ChurchKippen, First Presbyterian Church, Woodbridge, NJ, Weymss, Kirkcaldy, Trinity College Kirk
Orders
Ordinationprivate at Kippen
Personal details
Died1708
Edinburgh
DenominationChristian
Spousedied in transit to America
Childrenfour: Janet (m. James Dundas), Walter (naval officer) and John (physician) [1] and Sarah (Mrs John Currie) [2]

Rev Archibald Riddell (16351708) was a Scots-born 17th-century Presbyterian church minister in Scotland and America. His name is sometimes spelled Riddel. [3] He preached at conventicles in a time when such actions were considered high treason. He was imprisoned on the Bass Rock and was later banished to New Jersey.

Contents

Early life

His father was Sir Walter, second baronet of Riddell. [4] His mother was Janet, daughter of William Rigg of Athernie, in Fife. Archibald had two older brothers: Sir John, who succeeded his father; and William, who started the Riddells of Glen-Riddell, in Dumfries-shire. [5] Archibald graduated from Edinburgh University on 9 July 1656 with a Master of Arts degree. [6]

Early career

Crags and scree in the Corrie of Balglass, near Fintry. A conventicle was held there which was attacked when it did not disperse when ordered to. Crags and scree in the Corrie of Balglass (geograph 3061825).jpg
Crags and scree in the Corrie of Balglass, near Fintry. A conventicle was held there which was attacked when it did not disperse when ordered to.

Archibald was privately ordained to the ministry at Kippen by John Law around 1670. [7] He was a field preacher along with John Blackadder and John Dickson. At one such conventicle, at which Robert Garnock was present there was an exchange of gunfire with government soldiers. [8] [9] [10] Riddell was caught for keeping conventicles, by the laird of Graden, a relative of his wife, in September 1680 and taken to Jedburgh tolbooth before being taken to the Edinburgh Tolbooth for about nine months. [11] [12] "From there he was sentenced to the Bass Rock, on 8 July 1681 to remain prisoner there." [13] [14]

Following a petition from George Scot (whose wife was Riddell's cousin) [15] who had himself been a prisoner on the Bass he was released from prison to be banished to a plantation in America along with other prisoners several of whom had been tortured: [16]

"Edinburgh, 24th December 1684. The Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council having considered a petition presented by Mr George Scot of Pitlochie, desiring that, in regard the Council have granted him the benefit of some persons lately sentenced to the plantations, in order to their being transported thither, and that he is willing to transport Mr Archibald Riddell, prisoner in the Bass, liberty might be granted to him for some time to put his affairs in order, and attend several processes now depending both for and against him before the Session, upon the petitioner's being cautioner for him, that he shall immediately after his liberty, come to his own lodgings in Edinburgh, and confine himself there during his abode here, and, in the mean time, keep no conventicles ; and be by him transported to East Jersey in America, and never return to this kingdom thereafter, without special licence from the Council : The said Lords do grant the said desire, and recommend to the Lord High Chancellor, governor of the said Isle of Bass, to give order and warrant to his deputy-governor of that isle, to deliver to the petitioner, or his order, the person of the said Mr Archibald Riddell, in regard the petitioner hath become caution to the effect foresaid, under the penalty of five thousand merks Scots money, in case of failure in any of the premises."

Voyage and New Jersey

The voyage on the Henry & Francis was disastrous in that about 24 percent of the passengers died including George Scot and Riddell's wife and three of her relations. [17] [18] Riddell received calls to pastor three churches, one in New Bridge, one in Long Island and one in Woodbridge. [19] He chose Woodbridge and preached there until the Glorious Revolution when he tried to return home. [20] It is also recorded that he received a call from a church in Jamaica. [21]

Return to Scotland

In June 1689 he boarded a ship for home, but just off the coast of England, on 2 August, he was captured by a French man-of-war. He and his ten-year-old son were taken as prisoners to France, where they were reportedly cruelly treated and imprisoned for around two years in prisons in Nantes, Rochefort and Dinard. [22] After this lengthy detention they were released by the French government in an exchange programme with King William's government. They were traded for two French priests who had been prisoners in Blackness Castle. [23]

Later career

Riddell was called to become minister of Wemyss on 28 September 1691. His subsequently was translated to Kirkcaldy on 20 May 1697. His final charge was in Trinity College Kirk in Edinburgh in 1702 which was later demolished and rebuilt due it blocking Waverley Station.

He died on 17 February 1708 and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. His great-great-grandson, the advocate, antiquarian and peerage lawyer John Riddell was later buried with him. [24] being the family's representative at the funeral. [25]

Bibliography

Family

He married twice:

Firstly to Helen Aitkenhead, daughter of Rev Henry Aitkenhead, minister of North Berwick, and had two sons, Capt. Walter Bennet of Granton, Edinburgh (d.1738), and Dr John Bennet MD, physician in Edinburgh (d.1740).

Their daughter, Sarah Bennet Riddell, married Rev John Currie, minister of Oldhamstocks in 1703 who became Moderator in 1709. [26] [27] He secondly married Jean Ker of the Canongate in 1694. who survived him.

Related Research Articles

Robert Douglas (1594–1674) was the only minister of the Church of Scotland to be Moderator of the General Assembly five times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Scot of Pitlochie</span>

George Scot or Scott of Pitlochie, Fife was a Scottish writer on colonisation in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Stewart (minister)</span> 17th c. parish minister

John Stewart was a 17th-century Scottish minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Garnock</span> Scottish covenanter

Robert Garnock was a Scottish covenanter. He was baptised by James Guthrie and like him was hanged in Edinburgh although at a different time and place; Guthrie was executed about 20 years before Garnock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Bennet of Chesters</span> 17th c. Scottish Presbyterian

Robert Bennet of Chesters was a 17th-century Scottish gentleman. He lived in the Scottish Borders. Chesters or Grange lies on the banks of the Teviot and is close to the town of Ancrum in Roxburghshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Anderson of Walston</span>

Patrick Anderson of Walston was a 17th-century minister and Covenanter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Dickson (minister)</span>

John Dickson was a 17th-century minister from Rutherglen in Scotland. He was a Covenanting field-preacher and a close associate of John Blackadder. For preaching outdoors without a licence he was imprisoned on the Bass Rock from 1 September 1680 to 8 October 1686.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Traill (Scottish minister)</span> Scottish Presbyterian minister

Robert Traill was a church minister at Cranbrook in Kent. He was born at Elie in Fife in 1642. He was incarcerated on the Bass Rock, an island in the Firth of Forth from July 19, 1677 to October 5, 1677. His work was often quoted by J. C. Ryle and is still published in the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Drummond (chaplain)</span> Scottish preacher

James Drummond was a seventeenth century Scottish covenanting field preacher. He was imprisoned on Bass Rock for around nine months. At the time of his incarceration his occupation was listed as chaplain to Margaret, Marchioness of Argyll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Potter (minister)</span> 17th c. parish minister

Michael Potter was a covenanter. He graduated from Edinburgh on 27 July 1663. He was licensed to preach the gospel in 1673. He was a tutor to the family of George, the Laird of Dunglass of that ilk. He was ordained by presbytery for the adherents in the parish of St. Ninians in 1673. He was elected a schoolmaster to Culross by the magistrates. This led to them being summoned before the Privy Council in 1677.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Spreul (apothecary)</span> 17th c. apothecary and Covenanter

John Spreul or Bass John worked as an apothecary in Glasgow. He got his nickname for being imprisoned on the Bass Rock for around six years on the charge of being present at outdoor religious meetings. Some 17th century church services were attended by armed defensive militia since the regime sent soldiers who attacked those at unauthorised meetings. A verdict of not proven was returned on charges that he supported those defeated at Bothwell Bridge. Despite being tortured, twice, using the boot, Spreul confessed no wrong-doing. Spreul's wife died while he was in prison and he petitioned for his full release, rather than being sent to the American plantations as a slave, when in 1686 there were some concessions from the regime. Spreul was liberated but initially refused to leave since the release order contained statements which he regarded as falsehoods. After freedom, he seems to have quickly gained prominence and became a successful businessman being involved in fish processing and pearl trading. In 1696, he led a national fund-raising campaign to buy back Scots captured by Barbary pirates. He was an author, writing on the trade between Scotland and England, and became a supporter of the Darien Scheme. Spreul was elected as a burgess in 17 Scottish towns in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Mitchell (Covenanter)</span>

James Mitchell or James Mitchel,, was a religious covenanter who tried to assassinate Archbishop James Sharp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Forrester (minister)</span> Scottish minister

Alexander Forrester (1611–1686) was a Scottish minister of the 17th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Greig (minister)</span>

John Greig was a Presbyterian minister from Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Law (minister)</span> Scottish Presbyterian minister

John Law (1632–1712) was a 17th-century Presbyterian minister from Scotland. He became Moderator of the General Assembly in 1694 and later was a prisoner on the Bass Rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Lin</span>

William Lin or William Line was a 17th-century Presbyterian lawyer from Scotland. Phillimore calls him a Writer to the Signet which would make him a senior lawyer. He may have been from in or around Kirklistoun.

Thomas Ross of Nether Pitkerrie, was born about 1614. He was the son of George Ross of Nether Pitkerrie. He continued in Kincardine after the establishment of prelacy and owes his leaving to a meeting with John M'Gilligan.

Patrick Simson (1566-1618) was a presbyterian minster who served in Stirling during the reign of James VI of Scotland. Despite his opposition to Episcopalianism, he had the respect of king James and several of his court. He was born in Perth in 1556. He was from a prominent church family and was the son of Andrew Simson, minister of Dunbar. He was educated at St. Mary's College, St Andrews, graduating with an M.A. in 1574. He became a reader at Borthwick and completed his education at Bridgestock in England stopping there while intended for Cambridge as he met a gentleman who allowed him use of his library. He was admitted to Spott in 1577 and translated to Cramond in 1582. He was admitted to the vicarage there on 30 August 1586. He was translated and admitted to Stirling on 7 August 1590. He was presented by James VI on May 1591. When preaching before the King in 1598 he exhorted him to beware "lest he drew on himself secret wrath by setting up manifest idolatry." Immediately after the sermon his Majesty arose and "forbade him to meddle in these matters." He was a member of twelve out of fifteen Assemblies held prior to 1610. Simson was proposed by Assembly of 1606 "Constant Moderator" of Presbytery, but he lost to James Nicolson. He drew up a Protest to Parliament against the introduction of Episcopacy on 1 July 1606. He was chosen as Moderator of Conference at Falkland on 15 June 1608. Simson was offered a bishopric and pension by the King, but frequent attacks of disease broke down his constitution, and he died on 31 March 1618.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Kid</span> Scottish Presbyterian chaplain (d. 1679)

John Kid was an outlawed minister of the Covenant. He was seized by Claverhouse among the insurgents after the affair at Drumclog. He was released by the insurgents but recaptured in a bog a few miles from Bothwell Bridge with a sword in his belt. Kid was taken to Edinburgh along with another preacher named John King. They were each subjected to torture, by the boots, condemned to death, and executed. Following his death Kid's head and limbs were displayed at the Netherbow Port on Edinburgh's Royal Mile beside James Guthrie's skull.

John Currie (c.1670–1720) was a Church of Scotland minister who served as Moderator of the General Assembly in 1709.

References

  1. Carre, Walter Riddell (1876). Border memories; or, Sketches of prominent men and women of the border (some edition don't mention his sons ed.). Edinburgh: J. Thin. pp.  193–195. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  2. Warrick, John (1913). The moderators of the Church of Scotland from 1690 to 1740. Edinburgh, London: Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier. p.  216 . Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  3. McCrie, Thomas (the younger) (1846). Sketches of Scottish church history : embracing the period from the Reformation to the Revolution. Vol. 2. Edinburgh : J. Johnstone. pp.  187–189. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  4. Lundy, Darryl. "Reverend Archibald Riddell". The Peerage. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  5. Stewart, Duncan; Smith, John (ed.) (1908). The Covenanters of Teviotdale and Neighbouring Districts. Galashiels: A. Walker & Son. pp.  61–76. Retrieved 13 February 2019.{{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)
  6. Scott, Hew (1915). Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae; the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. p.  133 . Retrieved 2 March 2019.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. Warrick, John (1913). The moderators of the Church of Scotland from 1690 to 1740. Edinburgh, London: Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier. p.  60 . Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  8. Jardine, Mark (8 December 2011). "A most obstinate and malicious person': Robert Garnock, the Covenanters and the Croune of London". Jardine's Book of Martyrs. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  9. Howie, John; Carslaw, W. H. (1870). "Robert Garnock". The Scots worthies. Edinburgh: Oliphant, Anderson, & Ferrier. pp.  457-475.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  10. Kirkton, James (1817). The secret and true history of the church of Scotland from the Restoration to the year 1678. Edinburgh: J. Ballantyne. p.  431-432. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  11. M'Crie, Thomas, D.D. the younger (1847). The Bass rock: Its civil and ecclesiastic history. Edinburgh: J. Greig & Son. pp.  217–234. Retrieved 11 February 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. M'Crie, Thomas (1875). The story of the Scottish church : from the Reformation to the Disruption. London: Blackie & Son. pp.  340-341.
  13. Fairley, John A. (1915). Extracts from the Records of the Old Tolbooth from The book of the Old Edinburgh Club. Vol. 8. Edinburgh : The Club. p.  110 . Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  14. Reid, Alexander (1822). Prentice, Archibald (ed.). Life of Alexander Reid, a Scotish covenanter. Manchester: printed by J. Garnett. p. 46. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  15. Mather, Edith H (1922). "George Scot, of Pitlochy". Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. 7: 260–278. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  16. Erskine, John; Macleod, Walter (1893). Journal of the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-1687. Edinburgh: Printed at University Press by T. and A. Constable for the Scottish History Society. p.  154 . Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  17. Wodrow, Robert (1835). The history of the sufferings of the Church of Scotland from the restoration to the revolution. Vol. 4. Glasgow: Blackie & Son. pp.  332–334. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  18. Tate, Sheila. "Henry & Francis of New Castle". Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  19. Chrystal, William (1903). The Kingdom of Kippen, its history and traditions. Stirling: Munro. p.  121 . Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  20. "Pastors". First Presbyterian Church Woodbridge New Jersey. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  21. MacDonald, James Madison (1862). Two centuries in the history of the Presbyterian church, Jamaica, L.I.; the oldest existing church, of the Presbyterian name, in America. New York: R. Carter & brothers. pp.  71–74. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  22. Dally, Joseph W. cn (1873). Woodbridge and vicinity : the story of a New Jersey township ; embracing the history of Woodbridge, Piscataway, Metuchen and contiguous places, from the earliest times ; the history of the different ecclesiastical bodies ; important official documents relating to the township, etc. New Brunswick, N.J.: A.E. Gordon. pp.  84–85. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  23. Whitehead, William Adee (1856). Contributions to the early history of Perth Amboy and adjoining country : with sketches of men and events in New Jersey during the provincial era. New York: D. Appleton & Company. pp.  367–372. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  24. Nichols, John Gough (1865). The Herald and genealogist. Vol. 2. London: John Bowyer Nichols and Sons. p.  148 . Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  25. Carre, Walter Riddell (1876). Border memories; or, Sketches of prominent men and women of the border (not all editions give his burial ed.). Edinburgh: J. Thin. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  26. Warrick, John (1913). The moderators of the Church of Scotland from 1690 to 1740. Edinburgh, London: Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier. p.  216.
  27. Scott, Hew (1915). Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae; the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. p.  370.