Adam White (minister) facts for kids

Adam White (born around 1630 – died 19 December 1708) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister. He was put in prison in Northern Ireland in the 1660s because he didn't follow the official church rules. Later, King Charles II gave him a special pardon.

Adam White's Life Story

Adam White was likely born around 1630 in a place called Murthogall in Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

He went to the University of Glasgow in 1645 and earned his Master of Arts degree in 1648. By 1654, he was working as a minister at Laggan Presbyterian Church in Fannet, Donegal, Ireland. From 1655 to 1661, Oliver Cromwell's government gave him money to support his work.

In 1664, Bishop Robert Leslie of Raphoe had him jailed in Lifford. This was because White didn't follow the rules of the Church of Ireland. In 1670, King Charles II heard that White had "formerly suffered for his cause" and gave him a pardon.

After his release, White went back to Fannet. In 1672, he started ministering again at Ardstraw, Tyrone, Ireland. In 1688, he moved to Scotland, possibly because of big changes happening during the Glorious Revolution. This was a time when the way England was ruled changed a lot.

In 1692, he returned to Northern Ireland. He became the minister at Dunluce Church in Bushmills. He stayed there until he passed away on 19 December 1708. He was buried in the churchyard.

Why Adam White Was Imprisoned

In 1664, Adam White and three other ministers were called to court by the Bishop of Raphoe. They were accused of not following the official Church of Ireland rules. When they didn't show up, the Bishop officially removed them from the church. He also issued an order for their arrest.

They were arrested and put in Lifford jail without a way to get out on bail. After some time, the sheriff allowed them to move to a house in Lifford town. They could have visitors there, but they were still not free.

They tried many ways to get released. First, they contacted Thomas Butler, 6th Earl of Ossory, who was a powerful leader in Ireland. When that didn't work, they tried to get their case heard by a higher court, but it didn't help. They even asked to be heard by another court, but the Archbishop of Dublin ordered them back to Lifford jail.

Finally, they sent a special request to King Charles II. The King heard that their only "crime" was not appearing before the Bishop. He also heard they had suffered for supporting his cause in the past. In October 1670, King Charles II ordered their immediate release.

Adam White's Family

We don't know the name of Adam White's wife. However, it is believed he had at least three sons: George, Hugh, and Moses.

• George received land from his father in 1699. He is thought to have stayed in Scotland.
• Hugh supported the Jacobites. These were people who wanted the old royal family to be in charge again. Hugh took part in a rebellion called the Rising of 1715. He was captured at the Battle of Preston in England. As punishment for fighting against the king, he was sent far away to the American Colonies in 1716.
• Moses went to America in 1722. He traveled with the wives and children of both his brothers. Their goal was to bring the families back together in Pennsylvania.

Famous Descendants

Even though Adam White never went to America, many important United States politicians and leaders are related to him. Some of these include:

• Hugh Lawson White, who was a U.S. Senator.
• General James White, who founded the city of Knoxville, Tennessee.
• Edward Douglass White Jr., who was a United States Senator and the ninth Chief Justice of the United States.
• Edward Douglass White Sr., who was the Governor of Louisiana.
• Stephen Decatur Miller, who was the Governor of South Carolina.
• Joseph Lanier Williams, who was a United States Congressman from Tennessee.

He is also an ancestor of the famous writer Tennessee Williams. David White and William White, who started the White Furniture Company, are also his descendants.