John Spreul (apothecary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Spreul
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Portrait of Spreul by Godfrey Kneller
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| Born | 1646 |
| Died | November 1722 |
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| Nationality | Scottish |
| Citizenship | Scot |
| Subject | Pearls, Wine, Anglo-Scottish trade |
| Spouse | 1. Isobel Clarke (died while John was in prison) 2. Margaret Wingate |
| Children | 9 |
| Relatives | John Spreul |
John Spreul or Bass John (1646—November 1722) worked as an apothecary in Glasgow. He got his nickname for being imprisoned on the Bass Rock for around six years on the charge of being present at outdoor religious meetings. Some 17th century church services were attended by armed defensive militia since the regime sent soldiers who attacked those at unauthorised meetings. A verdict of not proven was returned on charges that he supported those defeated at Bothwell Bridge and despite being tortured, confessed no wrong-doing. Spreul's wife died while he was in prison and he petitioned for his full release, rather than being sent to the American plantations as a slave, when in 1686 there were some concessions from the regime. Spreul was liberated but initially refused to leave since the release order contained statements which he regarded as falsehoods. After freedom, he seems to have quickly gained prominence and became a successful businessman being involved in fish processing and pearl trading. In 1696, he led a national fund-raising campaign to buy back Scots captured by Barbary pirates. He was an author, writing on the trade between Scotland and England, and became a supporter of the Darien Scheme. Spreul was elected as a burgess in 17 Scottish towns in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Early life
John's father, who was born in 1607, was Bailie John Spreull, merchant in Paisley. His father's family were descended from the Spreulls of Cowden. John's mother was Janet Alexander. She was the daughter of Bailie James Alexander, a Paisley merchant, and Janet Maxwell of Pollok. John was their second son. John first became an apothecary in Paisley and then later in Glasgow. An apothecary would sell herbs and drugs for medical uses. He is also sometimes later called a merchant of Glasgow.
Mr Spreul's troubles began very soon after the Pentland Rising. His father, John Spreul, merchant in Paisley, was fined by Middleton, although he had suffered for his refusing the tender; he paid the one half of his fine, and being prosecuted for the other, or rather his refusing the declaration, he was forced, with many other worthy persons, to abscond. When General Dalziel came to Kilmarnock in the year 1667, a party of soldiers were sent to Paisley, and took Mr Spreul prisoner, merely because he would not tell them where his father was. At that time, after many terrible threatenings of being shot to death, roasted at a fire, and the like, and some short confinement, he was dismissed.
In 1677, he was, with Aikenhead and many other gentlemen, cited before a court in Glasgow. Finding that severity was designed against all that appeared in court, Mr. Spreul absented, and was with several other persons denounced and intercommuned, though nothing was laid to their charge but mere nonconformity. This obliged him to quit his house and shop, and go abroad, sometimes to Holland, France and Ireland, and merchandise.
He was in Ireland with his uncle Mr James Alexander in May 1679, and came over to Scotland after the scuffle at Drumclog in June, and went to his house at Crawford's Dyke, where understanding the conduct of the west country army, he had no freedom to join them, though his own brother James Spreul, and two cousins, John Spreul writer, and John Spreul merchant in Glasgow, were with them in arms. His business obliged him to be with some in that army, but he never joined them.
After the defeat at Bothwell he absconded again, however his wife and family was turned out of his house and shop, and all the moveables secured. Within a little he retired to Holland, and stayed there some time.
Imprisonment
Spreul returned from Holland in order to take his wife and children to Rotterdam. On 12 November 1680, he was apprehended by men looking for Donald Cargill, and being brought before the Council, was examined, and afterwards put to the torture before a Committee of their number, with zero result. On 2 March 1681, Spreul was indicted before the High Court of Justiciary on the charge of treason and rebellion, for alleged accession to the insurrection at Bothwell Bridge. The proof, however, failed, and a verdict of not proven was returned by the jury. Spreul's lawyer was Lockhart; those who did not recognise the courts generally did not employ lawyers. Upon this, instead of being liberated, he was still kept prisoner; and, on pretext of being present at field conventicles he was fined £500 sterling, and sent to the Bass, by an act of Privy Council, July 14, 1681. The order for transport is recorded as 16 August 1681. Here he continued for nearly six years. The act of Council for his liberation is dated 12 May 1687. He was the last prisoner who was released from the Bass. He survived the Revolution.
Later life
James Sproule relates that "Bass John was present as a witness when King William and Queen Mary received the instrument of government and consented to the Claim of Rights which he himself had helped to draw up." He also relates that "in 1696 a campaign was launched to pay ransoms to free Scots held by the Barbary pirates of North Africa. John Spreull, merchant, headed a country-wide drive to collect money to pay said ransoms." Later in life John Spreul was known for trade in pearls, especially Scottish pearls. A necklace made from his pearls was sold to Queen Anne. Spreul is also recorded as having a large fish processing operation where red herring was cured. This was at a site in Crawfurd's-dike on the east side of Greenock. John William Burns says in his preface that "Bass John took an active part in the politics of his day, and was one of the largest subscribers to the Darien Scheme", investing 1000 pounds. Alexander Shields, also a prisoner on the Bass, went as a preacher to Darien.
Bass John in poetry
After his release Bass John took as motto on his crest the words, "Sub pondere cresco" which translates as "under weight I grow" or "I thrive under burdens". Agnes H. Bowie wrote a poem called The Martyr's Crest which is about John Spreul.
Works
- Miscellaneous writings with some papers relating to his history, ... Spreull, John, 1646-1722
- An Accompt Current betwixt Scotland and England balanced ; together with an Essay of a Scheme of the Product of Scotland, as also a View of the several Products of the Ports or Nations we trade to. By J. S. Edinburgh. 1705
- Reasons against Imposing Prisedg Wines in Scotland
- The Age of the World
- …the Case of John Sproul…
