Michael Potter (minister) facts for kids

Culross from the Forth, a town where Michael Potter worked.

Michael Potter was an important Scottish minister during a time of big changes in Scotland. He was known as a Covenanter. Covenanters were people who promised to support the Presbyterian way of running the church. They believed the church should be free from control by the king.

Michael Potter finished his studies at Edinburgh University in 1663. He became a licensed preacher in 1673. This meant he was allowed to share religious messages. He also worked as a teacher for a family in Dunglass. In 1673, he was chosen by a church group to lead the people in St. Ninians. Later, he was chosen to be a schoolmaster in Culross. This decision caused trouble, and he was called before the Privy Council in 1677. The Privy Council was a group of advisors to the king.

Trouble and Escape to Holland

Because of the difficult times for Covenanters, Michael Potter had to leave Scotland. He went to Holland twice to find safety. This was a common thing for Covenanters to do when they faced problems in Scotland.

Arrest and Imprisonment

Michael Potter came back from Holland in 1680. In November 1681, he was arrested at his home in Borrowstounness. He was first taken to Blackness Castle. The next day, he was moved to a prison in Edinburgh. He stayed there until early 1683.

After that, he was sent to the Bass Rock. This was a famous island prison. He was sent there for holding "conventicles." These were outdoor church meetings that were not allowed by the government. He was also accused of ordaining ministers in a way the government didn't approve of. He refused to promise to follow the rules in the future. Michael Potter was put in this island prison in February 1683. His main reason for being there was leading these forbidden church meetings.

He was finally set free on March 17, 1685. He was told to leave Scotland. However, he was later allowed to stay in his home country. This was thanks to a special permission from King James VII.

Life After Release

After the Glorious Revolution, which was a big change in how Britain was ruled, Michael Potter became a minister again. He first served in Bo'ness starting in December 1687. Then, in 1692, he became a minister at Dunblane Cathedral. He was also part of an important church meeting that year.

Michael Potter passed away in 1718. He was about 76 years old. Some records also show he might have worked in Ecclesmachan before going to Dunblane.

Michael Potter had a son, also named Michael Potter (1670-1743). His son became a minister in Kippen. Later, in 1740, his son became a professor at the University of Glasgow. He taught about religious topics. Michael Potter's granddaughter later married a man named James Baine.