Alexander Lockhart Simpson D.D. (1785 - 1861)

Born 1 Apr 1785 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Died 15 Dec 1861 at age 76 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Preceded by
Rev. George Buist

Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
1849-1850

Succeeded by
Rev. John Graham

Biography

Alexander Lockhart Simpson (1785–1861) was a Scottish minister who served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1849.[Wikipedia:Alexander_Lockhart_Simpson]

Birth
Alexander Lockhead Simpson, the eldest son of Peter Simpson and Agnes Lawrie, was born in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland on 1 April 1785. He was baptised on 6 April 1785 in St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh.^[1]

In October 1812 he was ordained as minister of Kirknewton under the patronage of George Earl of Morton.^[2] From 1828 he was made Joint Clerk of the General Assembly and in 1849 he succeeded Very Rev George Buist as Moderator of the General Assembly.

In 1836, the University of Edinburgh awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity.^[3] He became Principal Clerk to the General Assembly in 1859 a postion he held at this death.^[4]

General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Election of Moderator.

The Rev. Dr Buist (late moderator) then addressed the house, and begged leave to suggest the Rev. Alexander Simpson, minister of Kirknewton, as a fit person to be appointed as the Moderator of this Assembly.

Dr Bell of Linlithgow was also proposed but after a long and bitter discussion Dr Simpson was elected by 191-75 votes.^[5]

Death & Burial
Alexander died aged 76 at the Kirknewton Manse in Kirknewton on 15 December 1861 and was buried on 19 December 1861 in Dalry Cemetery, Edinburgh, Midlothian.^[6][7][4]

Sources

1. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms", National Records of Scotland, Parish Number: 685/2; Ref: 100/472; Frame: 2824, ScotlandsPeople (accessed 31 July 2024), Alexander Lockh Simpson born or baptised on 6 Apr 1785, son of Peter Simpson & Agnes Lawrie, in St Cuthbert's, Edinburghshire, Scotland.
2. ↑ The Caledonian Mercury 25 June 1812 Yesterday the Presbytery of edinburgh met here, when there was laid before them a presentation from the Earl of Morton, in favour of the Rev. Alexander L. Simpson, to the church and parish of Kirknewton and East Calder, with that gentleman's letter of acceptance, and both were unamimously sustained. University of Edinburgh
3. ↑ A Catalogue Of The Edinburgh Graduates, 1583-1858, Image 290 of 389, . Scotland, University Of Edinburgh Graduations 1583-185820 April 1836. Alexander Lockhart Simpson, Minister of Kirknewton.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Find a Grave (has image), Find A Grave: Memorial #151691327 (accessed 31 July 2024), Memorial page for Alexander Lockhart Simpson (1 Apr 1785-15 Dec 1861), citing Dalry Cemetery, Dalry, City of Edinburgh, Scotland.
5. ↑ The Fife Herald, 31 May 1849. Election of Moderator
6. ↑ "British Newspaper Death Notices", Page: 4, FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 31 July 2024), At Kirknewton Manse, on the 15th inst. Dr A. L. Simpson. Place: Kirknewton, Midlothian,Scotland. Montrose Standard, and Angus and Mearns Register.; Publication date: 20 Dec 1861; Montrose, Tayside, Angus, Scotland.
7. ↑ "Edinburgh, Scotland, Cemetery Registers, 1771-1935", City of Edinburgh Archives; Edinburgh, Scotland; Edinburgh Burial Registers; Reference: BR0003, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 62334 #99769 (accessed 31 July 2024), Alexr Simpson burial (died on 15 Dec 1861) on 19 Dec 1861 in Dalry Cemetery, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. Born in about 1785.