James Alston, Min. of Dirleton

Biographical Summary

"James Alston, born 1679, son of 1703 James A., merchant, Edinburgh ; M.A. Edinburgh, 28th July 1697); licen. by Presb. of Edinburgh 15th July 1702 ; app. by the Town Council of Edinburgh Morning Lecturer in the Tron Church, 12th May 1703; called 1st July, and ord. 22nd Sept. 1703; Moderator of Assembly 6th May 1725, and 1st May 1729 ; one of His Majesty's Chaplains in Ordinary for Scotland 1726; died 19th April 1733, and was buried in St Giles Churchyard, Edinburgh. He took a leading part in the management of church affairs, was mentioned for the Principalship of the University of Glasgow in 1727, and had the offer of the Professorship of Divinity in that of Edinburgh in 1730. He marr. 15th June 1705, Janet (died 19th March 1769), daugh. of Matthew Reid, min. of Hoddam, and had issue — James, of Redsyde, born 1707, died 19th Dec. 1761 ; William, W.S., died 5th July 1775 ; Margaret, only daugh. (marr. 1735, James Hamilton, surgeon to the Forces)."

SOURCE: Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae: the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation, Vol. I, page 360