Reverend Angus McBean facts for kids

Angus McBean, also known as Æneas McBean, was a Scottish minister and a Covenanter. He is remembered as the last Presbyterian minister who was removed from his church position because of his beliefs during a time when the Church of Scotland was under the control of bishops (a system called Episcopacy).

Angus McBean was born in 1656. He came from the Kinchyle family. He studied at King's College, Aberdeen and earned his Master of Arts degree in 1675.

A Change of Heart

Angus McBean started his work as a minister in 1683. At first, he followed the rules of Episcopacy, which meant the church was led by bishops. However, he soon began to have doubts about this system.

He became a strong supporter of the Presbyterian way of organizing the church, where ministers and elders lead, not bishops. In October 1687, he gave a very important sermon. In this sermon, he publicly said he no longer believed in Episcopacy. He then left his church position.

Many people were surprised, but those who had learned from him were very sad. After this, he actively joined the Presbyterians. He held church services in private homes and even outdoors. When he returned to Inverness, many people gathered to hear him preach.

Facing Challenges

Because of his new beliefs, Angus McBean faced trouble with the law. He traveled to Edinburgh and was arrested. He was brought before the Privy Council, which was a powerful government group. After a short time in prison, he was allowed to go home. A friend, Duncan Forbes of Culloden, paid a large amount of money to guarantee that Angus would return if called.

In February 1688, he was called to appear before the Council again. Even though he was not well and the weather was very cold, he quickly went to Edinburgh. He reported himself just before his bail ran out.

He was then handed over to a church court. This court was made up of the Archbishop of St Andrews and other church leaders. Angus bravely stated that he had changed his beliefs and refused to go back to Episcopacy. Because of this, he was removed from his ministry and sent to the Tolbooth prison. He stayed there for most of the year. His friends tried to get him released by offering a lot of money, but it didn't work.

Freedom and Legacy

In December, some Presbyterian supporters broke open the prison, and Angus McBean was set free. However, being in prison had made him very sick. He died within two months, in February 1689.

Angus McBean was the last Presbyterian minister to be removed from his position under Episcopacy. People remembered him as a very wise and learned man who grew stronger in his faith.

His granddaughter, Grizel Fraser, put his name on her gravestone in the Old Chapel Yard Cemetery in Inverness.

Transcription of the gravestone erected by Grizel Fraser in memory of her parents, in the Old Chapel Yard Cemetery, Inverness

His Family

Angus McBean married Janet Trent. After Angus died, Janet married Robert Baillie, another minister.

Angus and Janet had two children:

• Reverend Alexander McBean: He followed in his father's footsteps and became a well-known minister in Inverness. He was sometimes called the John Knox of the North.
• Isobel McBean: She married Reverend Alexander Fraser, who was also a minister.