John M'Millan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Church | Presbyterian |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 19 September 1701 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | various spellings M'Millan, Macmillan, McMillan c. 1669[2] |
| Died | 1 December 1753 Broomhill, Bothwell |
| Buried | Dalserf 55°44′06″N 3°54′50″W / 55.735°N 3.914°W |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Denomination | (1) Church of Scotland (2) United Societies (3) Reformed Presbytery |
| Spouse | (1) Jean Gemble (2) Mary Gordon (3) Grace Russell |
| Children | (1) Josias (2) Katherine (3) John (4) Grizel (5) Ann (6) Alexander Jonita |
| Occupation | minister |
| Alma mater | Edinburgh University |
John M'Millan was the founding Father of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. He was the first minister of the Cameronians after the Revolution Settlement. He was born at Minnigaff, near Newton Stewart in Kirkcudbrightshire, around 1669, and spent his boyhood near his birthplace. Before he began his ministerial career he was elected an elder of Girthon session. He attended Edinburgh University 1695-7, and graduated with an M.A. on 28 June 1697. He was licensed on 26 November 1700, spending part of his probation as tutor with the Laird of Broughton, 1700-1. He preached for the first time in Balmaghie Church on 22 December 1700, apparently as ordinary supply, and on 30 April 1701, was elected to the parish. The call was reported to the Presbytery on 24 June, and he was ordained on 19 September. The controversy regarding his ecclesiastical attitude lasted from October 1702 to 30 December 1703, when he was deposed. His name first appears in the minutes of the General Meeting of the Dissenters when they considered a letter from him, 5 April 1704. He conferred with its members on 31 January 1705, and 13 February 1706, and on 14 August 1706, submitted to them. The Societies called him on 9 October. The Covenants were renewed at Auchensaugh on 23–4 July 1712. M'Millan left the Balmaghie Manse in 1727, and during 1729-34 resided at different places in the parish of Carnwath, and at Braehead from 1734 to 1753. The Presbytery was erected at Braehead on 1 August 1743, and a disruption took place in it in April 1753. He died at Broomhill on 1 December 1753.[3]