George Smith (Scottish clergyman)
Encyclopedia
The Reverend George Smith (1748–1823) was the minister at Galston, East Ayrshire
, from 1778 until his death.
George Smith was the son of Reverend William Smith, Minister of Cranston
and Jane Baird and was educated at Glasgow University.
He is mentioned three times in works by Robert Burns
. Burns had been reproved by Dr Smith, and Burns retaliated by pillorying Smith twice, by name, in "The Holy Fair", where he says that "his English tongue and gesture fine are a' clean oot o' season". He is also mentioned in "The Twa Herds" and "The Kirk's Alarm".
Reverend Smith married Marion Freer. Their daughter Henrietta ("Helen") Scott Smith married Lewis Balfour, a minister of nearby Sorn
(later Minister at Collinton), and was the grandmother of Robert Louis Stevenson
.
He is buried in Galston Parish Church (which was built during his ministry, opened on 18 June 1809). There is a memorial plaque to him and his widow, Marion Freer, on the south wall.
Galston, East Ayrshire
Galston is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland which has a population of 5000 . It is situated in wooded countryside 4 miles up-river from Kilmarnock and is one a group of the small towns located in the Irvine Valley between the towns of Hurlford and Newmilns. Galston is located in the Loudoun area...
, from 1778 until his death.
George Smith was the son of Reverend William Smith, Minister of Cranston
Cranston
Cranston or Cranstoun is a Scottish surname originating in a clan that lived around Roxburgh in the Scottish Borders. It is a minor clan but has its own tartan and clan brooch.-Notable people:...
and Jane Baird and was educated at Glasgow University.
He is mentioned three times in works by Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
. Burns had been reproved by Dr Smith, and Burns retaliated by pillorying Smith twice, by name, in "The Holy Fair", where he says that "his English tongue and gesture fine are a' clean oot o' season". He is also mentioned in "The Twa Herds" and "The Kirk's Alarm".
Reverend Smith married Marion Freer. Their daughter Henrietta ("Helen") Scott Smith married Lewis Balfour, a minister of nearby Sorn
Sorn
Sorn is a small village in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It is situated on the River Ayr. It has a population of roughly 350. Local services include: a pub, a church, a general store, a motorbike shop and a television shop. There is also a village hall and a bowling green and primary school...
(later Minister at Collinton), and was the grandmother of Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
.
He is buried in Galston Parish Church (which was built during his ministry, opened on 18 June 1809). There is a memorial plaque to him and his widow, Marion Freer, on the south wall.
External links
- The Twa Herds, poem by Robert Burns, 1784.
- The Holy Fair, poem by Robert Burns, 1785.