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Archibald Davidson (c. 1732 – 1803) was a Scottish Minister, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and Principal of Glasgow University. ==Life== Not a great deal is known about his early life, but he seems to have been born about 1732.〔Emerson, page 183〕 He attended Glasgow University where he graduated M.A. in 1752.〔University of Glasgow〕 Later that year (in November) we find him writing home from Göttingen University to William Cullen, a Professor at Glasgow University. He writes with a fluid confident style, has had conversations with the German professors and promises his friend a good German dictionary, if he can find one. He is in the company of young Scottish gentlemen and noblemen, and his future career would depend on good connections and the Patronage they would offer.〔Letters of William Cullen〕 Six years later, he was presented by the Commissioner for William, Earl of Dundonald, who had electoral interests in the area, to Paisley High Kirk as 2nd Charge Minister, where he was ordained on 7 September 1758.〔Scott, page 169〕 He remained there for three years, and represented the Presbytery in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1760.〔Principle Acts, 1760, page 18〕 The following year, 1761, he transferred to the nearby Parish of Inchinnan. He was presented by the Patron and major Heritor, John Campbell of Blythswood, (who also had electoral interests in the area) on 17 December 1760, but was not able to take up post until 20 October 1761, .〔Scott, page 144〕 suggesting he was opposed by some members of the Kirk Session (a not uncommon occurrence). While Minister of Inchinnan, he took part in agitation in response to the granting to Roman Catholics of some relief from legal restrictions under which they suffered at the time. He signed a proclamation in Glasgow newspapers, in the name of the Minister, Elders and Heads of Families of the Parish of Inchinnan, denouncing "''the unchristian spirit and savage cruelties of Popery''", declaring that "''we desire to see no Papist suffering ... for conscience sake, nor for his speculative opinions, however absurd or erroneous, while he lives quietly and inoffensively, and does not attempt in any manner of way to seduce or pervert others''". However, they would not submit to allowing Popish priests, "''ever zealous and artful ... to teach and preach openly, and with impunity, in a Protestant country''"〔Scotland's Opposition page 214〕 They threatened to "''use every legal and constitutional measure in our power''" to make sure it did not happen. This was part of widespread opposition, including the Gordon Riots of the following year, but the Relief Act had already been passed in Parliament. Davidson signed the Proclamation, along with "Masons". While in Inchinnan, Archibald married Grizell Scott, daughter of his (deceased) colleague in Paisley High Kirk, the Reverend Peter Scott. Their proclamation of intention to marry was published on 17 July 1767 and from the marriage resulted sons Robert (1768), John Peter (1770), Andrew (1773) and daughters Ann (1771), Barbara (1775) and Elizabeth (177?)〔Bradfute Beginnings page 30〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Archibald Davidson」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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