James Pearson (minister)

James Pearson
Dean of Dunblane Cathedral
In office
1624–16??
Personal life
Born1594
Died1658 (aged 63 or 64)
Religious life
ReligionChristianity
SchoolChurch of Scotland

James Pearson (1594–1658) was a minister of the Church of Scotland in the 17th century. He was appointed minister of Dunblane in 1624 and became dean of Dunblane Cathedral.[1] Nine years later, he was given a charter under the Great Seal of the Barony of Kippenross.

Pearson was also the laird of Kippenross.[2]

Early life and career

Pearson was born in Kippenross, Perthshire, in 1594, to Alexander Pearson and Bessie Eistoun.[3]

He graduated from the University of Edinburgh, with a Master of Arts, in 1615.

In 1623, Pearson was appointed minister of Dunblane, and became dean of Dunblane Cathedral the following year.[1]

Pearson lost his job as minister during the overthrow of the episcopacy.[1]

Personal life

Pearson married Jean, daughter of David Drummond of Innermay, with whom he had three sons and a daughter.[3]

Around 1624, Pearson built the townhouse in Dunblane which is now the home of Dunblane Museum. Pearson's initials and the coat-of-arms on the carved plaque are his. The first floor of the main block was likely his townhouse.[4]

His grandson, Hugh, planted the Beech Walk,[2] beside Allan Water at the original 1646 Kippenross House.[1] The Kippenross estate remained in the Pearson family until 1778, when it passed to the Stirlings of Kippendavie.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "KIPPENROSS (GDL00248)". portal.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Cook, Ur B. (1900). The Stirling Antiquary. Cook & Wylie. p. 207.
  3. ^ a b Burke, Bernard (1891). A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Colonial Gentry ... Harrison & Sons.
  4. ^ THE CROSS, CATHEDRAL MUSEUM, INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TO SOUTH ADJOINING BURGH CHAMBERS AND WELL TO REARHistoric Environment Scotland