Robert Traill of Greyfriars facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert Traill |
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| Birth name | Robert Traill |
| Born | 1603 1678 |
Robert Traill was a Scottish minister born in 1603 in Denino. His father, Colonel James Traill, was an important helper to Prince Henry, the Prince of Wales. Robert finished his studies at St Andrews University in 1621. After that, he traveled to France, where he studied at a Protestant college in Saumur. He even worked as an English teacher for a noble family in 1628.
Later, Robert Traill became a minister who served Archibald, Marquess of Argyll. In 1630, he returned to Scotland. He became a minister in Elie in 1639. He also served as a minister for the Scottish army during important events, like the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644. In 1649, he became a minister at Old Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh. He was known as a "Protestor," which was a group of ministers who had strong beliefs about the church's independence. He even preached to King Charles II in 1651.
In 1654, Robert Traill was chosen by Oliver Cromwell to help decide which people were good enough to become ministers. However, in 1660, he was put in Edinburgh Castle for ten months because of his strong views. He became sick and was allowed to go home for a short time. Later, he was told he had to leave Scotland within a month or face serious punishment.
Moving to Holland
Robert Traill faced challenges finding a ship to Holland because of bad weather. He was nearly 60 years old and worried about the journey. The government gave him a little more time to leave. He eventually made it to Holland, where many other ministers had also gone. His son, also named Robert, later joined him there. For several years, he regularly wrote letters to his friend Guthrie of Fenwick.
Robert Traill returned to Edinburgh and passed away on July 12, 1678. He was buried in Greyfriars.
Family Life
Robert Traill married Jean Annand in 1639. She passed away in 1680. They had three sons and three daughters:
- William, who became a minister in Borthwick.
- Robert, who also became a minister in London and was once held prisoner at Bass Rock.
- James, who was born in 1650 and became a Lieutenant at Stirling Castle. He passed away in 1721.
- Helen, who married Thomas Paterson, another minister in Borthwick.
- Agnes, born in 1646, who married Sir James Steuart of Goodtrees, a Lord Advocate of Scotland. She passed away in 1690.
- Margaret, born in 1648, who married James Scott of Bristo. She passed away in 1717.
