GRANT, John Minister of Abernethy, Reverend Mr ¹

  General Notes:

(at Abernethy and Kincardine on Spey in 1765)
"JOHN GRANT, born Milton of Duthil, 1740; son of Sweton G. and Elspet Grant; educated at King's College, Aberdeen; M.A. (25th April 1759); licen. by Presb. of Abernethy; ord. to Arrochar 27th Sept. 1764; pres. by James Grant, younger of Grant; trans, and adm. 26th Sept. 1765; died 21st Jan. 1820. He was a short-built man though with broad shoulders and a good figure. Once when examining a man who had been balloted for the militia, and whom he wished, for his mother's sake, to get off, he objected to his being passed, saying, 'Too short, too short.' The man's pride was hurt, and he answered sharply, 'Ye needna say that, Mr John, ye're no ane o the Philistines satisfaction yersel'.' Many of his parishioners were serving in the army during the French War, and occasionally after sermon he gave information to his people as to its progress. One Sunday he announced with much that Napoleon was dead, and that there would soon be peace. The report being incorrect, he was somewhat downcast when, next Sunday, he said, 'My friends, it was not true what I told you last day. The scoundrel Bonaparte is alive yet, and doing as much mischief as ever.' Many anecdotes are still reported of his kindly ways, and his deep interest in all parish affairs. He marr. 2nd March 1775, Christian (died 21st July 1832), daugh. of James Grant of Clurie, and had issue James Augustus of Viewfield, Nairn, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, and Judge of the Court at Gujrat; Peter, captain H.E.I.C.S., died in Madras 27th Feb. 1810; Sweton, divinity student, died 20th Feb. 1810; George, captain Bombay Infantry, died 1819; Helen (marr. Alexander Grant of Dellachaple), died 1865."

from Fasti Ecclesiae ¹

John married Christian GRANT, daughter of James GRANT of Clury and Helen GRANT, on 2 March 1775.¹ (Christian GRANT was born about 1754 and died on 21 July 1832 ¹.)