John Duncanson (minister) facts for kids

John Duncanson (born around 1530, died 1601) was an important Scottish church leader. He was one of the Roman Catholic priests who chose to join the Protestant faith during a big change in Scotland called the Scottish Reformation. People said he lived to be almost 100 years old!

He was the head of St Leonard's College, St Andrews in 1556, which was around the time he became a Protestant. He stayed in this role until 1566. He also served as a minister in Stirling starting in 1560.

He stopped working in Stirling around 1571. From 1567 to 1580, he was the King's Minister, a teacher, and a chaplain (a religious advisor) to King James VI. He was also chosen to lead the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1574 and 1576.

John Duncanson's Role in Scottish Politics

In 1584, when he was over eighty years old, John Duncanson was involved in a political event. Some powerful nobles, like the Earls of Angus and Mar, disagreed with King James VI's advisors. They took control of a castle and town to show their protest. They said they wanted to help the King by removing his "evil counsellors."

John Duncanson was seen as supporting these nobles. Because of this, when the King later offered forgiveness to most people in the town, John Duncanson and some others were not included in this pardon. This shows how active he was in the political events of his time.

Investigating Important Cases

On October 26, 1591, Duncanson was asked to join a special group. This group was set up to investigate serious accusations against people. They had to question and examine individuals who were suspected of certain activities. Other members of this group included Sir John Cockburn of Ormiston, David MacGill of Nesbit, Robert Bruce, William Litill, who was then the Provost of Edinburgh, and John Arnot.

Key Moments in John Duncanson's Life

As the minister of Stirling, John Duncanson was given a house by the Town Council on October 31, 1560. In 1563, the Church Assembly asked him and another person to help set up churches in an area called Menteith.

He then became the minister for the King's household, also known as the Dean of the Chapel Royal of Stirling. He left his job as a local minister after January 16, 1571. Later, on March 17, 1567, he was given the role of Vicar of the Chapel Royal. He left this position before January 25, 1574, to become the Sub-Dean.

He was elected to lead the General Assembly on August 7, 1574. He also became a Commissioner for Galloway. In 1576 and 1578, he helped write an important document for the church called the Second Book of Discipline. He passed away on October 4, 1601, at about 100 years old.

John Duncanson's Family Life

John Duncanson was married twice:

• His first wife was Janet Watson.
• His second wife was Margaret Kenzow, who lived longer than he did.

He had several children:

• James, who became a minister in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. James married Helen Livingston.
• William, who started learning to be a cutter (someone who cuts fabric) in Edinburgh on January 31, 1593.
• Walter, who began learning to be a tailor in Edinburgh on March 4, 1594-95.
• Marion, who married Alexander Hume, a minister in Logie.