Rev.Dr. George Smith , of Galston, Ayrs. Minister there 1778-1823. "Emigrants from Glasgow and the West of Scotland" which is a series of booklets available from the Scottish Genealogy Society, 15, Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. SMITH Adam Freer born in Galston , Ayrshire 1.6.1791 son of rev George Smith and Marion FREER a merchant in Calcutta (Fasti ecclesiae 3.40) " http://www.robertburns.org/encyclopedia/SmithTheReverendGeorge1748-182 3.803.shtml : "Minister at Galston from 1778 until his death. In 'The Holy Fair', Burns apparently meant to compliment him for the rationalism of his preaching though his friends regarded the lines in question as having injured his popularity: "Smith opens out his cauld harangues, On practice and on morals; An' aff the godly pour in thrangs, To gie the jars an' barrels A lift that day. What signifies his barren shine, Of moral pow'rs an' reason? His English style, an' gesture fine, Are a' clean out o' season..." In 'The Twa Herds', Burns suggested that while pretending 'New Licht' sympathies, he was not to be trusted: "An monie a ane that I could tell, Wha fain would openly rebel, Forby turn-coats amang oursel; There's Smith for ane - I doubt he's but a grey neck still An' that ye'll fin'." Angered by the criticism of his lines on Smith in 'The Holy Fair', Burns did not spare him in 'The Kirk's Alarm'. "Cessnock-side, Cessnock-side, wi' your turkey-cock pride, O' manhood but sma' is your share; Ye've the figure, 'tis true, even your faes maun allow. And your friends daurna say ye hae mair, Cessnock-side! And your friends daurna say ye hae mair.' Smith was great-grandfather of R. L. Stevenson. " "Papers of William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland (1786-1854) Smith, George, Dr, fl 1821 Reference Number: Pw H 1086 Creation Date: 4.4.1821 Extent: 2 ff Abstract: Letter from Dr George Smith, Galston Manse, Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland, to William Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland; 4 Apr. 1821 Writer: Smith, George, Dr, fl 1821 Recipient: Bentinck, William H. Cavendish-Scott-, 4th Duke of Portland, 1768-1854 Scope and Content Refers to his declining state of health and the impact this has had on the discharge of his public duties; asks if his son, George, could be settled as his assistant and successor; says such an appointment would be agreeable to the parish. On f 1v there is a short response from the duke, written in short hand. Reference Number: Pw H 1087 Creation Date: 25.4.1821 Extent: 2 ff Abstract: Letter from Dr George Smith, Galston Manse, Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland, to William Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland; 25 Apr. 1821 Writer: Smith, George, Dr, fl 1821 Recipient: Bentinck, William H. Cavendish-Scott-, 4th Duke of Portland, 1768-1854 Scope and Content Acknowledges receipt of the duke's letter and regrets that he was not explicit in his own; asks if the duke will appoint his son as his assistant and successor, saying such an appointment can only be made by the duke as patron; refers to the commonness of such an appointment in the Church of Scotland; says he [Smith] has been minister of Galston for 43 years; his son has received 'the best education that this country can afford'; says he will produce testimonials for him if required; hopes the duke will look favourably on his request. On f 2r there is a draft response from the duke, written in short hand." One of his grandothers was Miss Jane Watson of Malton Priory, Yorkshire, and Bilton Hall, near Harrogate.
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