Reverend William Simpson

REVEREND WILLIAM SIMPSON

Minister of the Gospel at Strathconan

According to the Fasti of the Church of Scotland, the Reverend William Simpson is the son of the Reverend Thomas Simpson, minister of the Gospel at Avoch, and his first wife Isobel Mackenzie. He is said to have been born on 6 September 1757 and died on 10 May 1799. Fasti of the Church of Scotland VII: 2

It is difficult or impossible to identify the Reverend William Simpson in volume seven of the Fasti of the Church of Scotland. He is certainly not listed among the ministers of Contin and Strathgarve. Fasti of the Church of Scotland VII: 30-2 He may be the man of the same name who was minister of the Gospel at Fearn, but the dates of birth and death given for this man do not match those of the Reverend Thomas Simpson's son. Fasti of the Church of Scotland VII: 57

The Church of Strathconan and Garve

Strathconan (and Garve) Free Church was formed at the Disruption (1843), when the minister of Strathconan adhered to the Free Church.The charge was maintained as a preaching station until 1873 when Strathconan and Strathgarve was sanctioned with full status. Strathgarve (or Garve) was separated in the following year. The initial church building was replaced in 1892. It passed to the United Free Church as Strathconan, which united with the local Church of Scotland congregation in 1928. The United Free charge was in the presbytery of Dingwall and the synod of Moray and Ross. National Records of Scotland, Records of Free, United Presbyterian, United Free and Other Protestant Churches, reference CH3/1126