Cameronian
Encyclopedia
Cameronian was a name given to a section of the Scottish Covenanter
s who followed the teachings of Richard Cameron, and who were composed principally of those who signed the Sanquhar Declaration
in 1680. Known also as "Society Men", "Sanquharians," and "Hilimen", they became a separate church after the religious settlement of 1690, taking the official title of Reformed Presbyterians
in 1743. "Societies of Cameronians for the Maintenance of the Presbyterian Form of Worship" were formed about 1681. Their testimony, "The Informatory Vindication", was published in 1687. They quickly became the most pronounced and active adherents of the covenanting faith. They wished to restore the ecclesiastical order which had existed between 1638 and 1649, and were dissatisfied with the moderate character of the religious settlement of 1690. Refusing to take the oaths of allegiance to an uncovenanted ruler, or to exercise any civil function, they passed through a period of trial and found some difficulty in maintaining a regular ministry, but in 1706 they were reinforced by some converts from the established church. They objected strongly to the proposal for the union of England and Scotland, and were suspected of abetting a rising which took place in the west of Scotland in 1706; but there appears to be no foundation for the statement that they intrigued with the Jacobites
, and they gave no trouble to the government either in 1715 or in 1745.
In 1712 they publicly renewed their covenants at Auchensaugh Hill in Lanarkshire
, and in 1713 their first presbytery was founded at Braehead
, while a presbytery was formed in North America
in 1774. In 1876 the general body of the Reformed Presbyterians united with the Free Church of Scotland
, leaving a few seceding congregations as the last representatives of the Cameronians.
In the British army the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a regiment directly descended from the Cameronian guard, which was first raised in 1689 by James Douglas, Earl of Angus
, fought at the battle of Dunkeld
and was afterwards employed to restore order in the Highlands.
Covenanter
The Covenanters were a Scottish Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England and Ireland, during the 17th century...
s who followed the teachings of Richard Cameron, and who were composed principally of those who signed the Sanquhar Declaration
Sanquhar Declaration
The Sanquhar Declaration is a speech read by Covenanter, Richard Cameron, accompanied by twenty armed men in the public square of Sanquhar, Scotland, in 1680, disavowing allegiance to Charles II and the government of Scotland, in the name of "true Protestant and Presbyterian interest", opposition...
in 1680. Known also as "Society Men", "Sanquharians," and "Hilimen", they became a separate church after the religious settlement of 1690, taking the official title of Reformed Presbyterians
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland
The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland is a Christian denomination. It is the original church of the Reformed Presbyterian tradition . The RPCS formed in 1690 when its members declined to be part of the establishment of the Church of Scotland...
in 1743. "Societies of Cameronians for the Maintenance of the Presbyterian Form of Worship" were formed about 1681. Their testimony, "The Informatory Vindication", was published in 1687. They quickly became the most pronounced and active adherents of the covenanting faith. They wished to restore the ecclesiastical order which had existed between 1638 and 1649, and were dissatisfied with the moderate character of the religious settlement of 1690. Refusing to take the oaths of allegiance to an uncovenanted ruler, or to exercise any civil function, they passed through a period of trial and found some difficulty in maintaining a regular ministry, but in 1706 they were reinforced by some converts from the established church. They objected strongly to the proposal for the union of England and Scotland, and were suspected of abetting a rising which took place in the west of Scotland in 1706; but there appears to be no foundation for the statement that they intrigued with the Jacobites
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
, and they gave no trouble to the government either in 1715 or in 1745.
In 1712 they publicly renewed their covenants at Auchensaugh Hill in Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
, and in 1713 their first presbytery was founded at Braehead
Braehead
Braehead is a commercial development located at the former site of Braehead Power Station in Renfrew on the south bank of the River Clyde in Renfrewshire. It is particularly notable for its large shopping centre, arena and leisure facilities....
, while a presbytery was formed in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
in 1774. In 1876 the general body of the Reformed Presbyterians united with the Free Church of Scotland
Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)
The Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish denomination which was formed in 1843 by a large withdrawal from the established Church of Scotland in a schism known as the "Disruption of 1843"...
, leaving a few seceding congregations as the last representatives of the Cameronians.
In the British army the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a regiment directly descended from the Cameronian guard, which was first raised in 1689 by James Douglas, Earl of Angus
James Douglas, Earl of Angus
James Douglas, Earl of Angus was a Scottish nobleman and soldier.He was born at Douglas Castle, Douglas, South Lanarkshire...
, fought at the battle of Dunkeld
Battle of Dunkeld
The Battle of Dunkeld was fought between Jacobite clans supporting the deposed king James VII of Scotland and a government regiment of covenanters supporting William of Orange, King of Scotland, in the streets around Dunkeld Cathedral, Dunkeld, Scotland, on 21 August 1689 and formed part of the...
and was afterwards employed to restore order in the Highlands.