George Milne was born in Ellon, Aberdeenshire in 1650. He was baptised at the Ellon parish kirk on 22 August 1650, the son of George Milne 1631-1670 and Marjorie Davidson 1631-1664.
Ellon church Aberdeenshire
In 1665 the Succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation book states that George was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen University, and became a minister of the Church of Scotland.
The same record states he was on trial before the Presbytery of Ellon, admitted as the minister at Coylton, Ayrshire in 1680, and deprived of his ministry by an Act of Parliament in 25 Apr 1690 and then finally restored to his Presbyterian ministry. The book also notes he was harshly treated by some parishioners, who broke his furniture and threatened his person.
At the age of 21 years, George married Janet Anderson at Old Machar, Aberdeen on 7 April 1671. The parish register states that they were both of the congregation of Old Machar.
Janet Anderson’s baptism and parentage are unknown. There are too many likely candidates to narrow down a baptism record for her.
George Milne and his wife Jane had a large family of children all baptised at Old Machar, Aberdeen. On his son Alexander’s baptism in 1683 he was said to be of Old Aberdeen.
- John b 1673
- George Joseph b 1675 Old Machar d 1767 Woodhead? Probate 1767 Woodhead?
- William b 1678 Old Machar d 1726 Woodhead?
- James b 1679
- Janet b 1681
- Alexander b 1683
- Margaret b 1685
By 1677 the Rev George Milne was again preaching at Ellon, Aberdeenshire. It seems he had been there for the past seven years. Selections from the Records of the Kirk Session of Aberdeen advise in a letter dated 2 January 1677, that Maister George Mill was suffering tryalls (trials) in obedience. The brethren gave their opinion of him being removed and some ministers judged him sufficiently qualified again for the ministry at Ellon. Some of the brethren of Ellon presented a testimony that Mr George Mill, student of divinity and preacher of the gospel hath been during the time of his residence among us, about the space of seven years, of a pious, sober, orderly and unblameable deportment… as he was employed in several of our pulpits t our no small contentment and satisfaction.
There are pages and pages of discussion and testimony on the matter. In April the kirk session again reports the matter, and in October, the matter is still being discussed. The index dated April 26 1677 entitles the discussions ‘Differences in the presbytery of Ellon as to the trials of Mr George Mill’.
Succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation book states that after he he was on trial before the Presbytery of Ellon, he was then admitted as the minister at Coylton, Ayrshire in 1680, deprived of his ministry by an Act of Parliament in 25 Apr 1690, and then finally restored to his Presbyterian ministry. The book also notes he was harshly treated by some parishioners, who broke his furniture and threatened his person.
George’s wife Jane Milne, nee Anderson, was buried at Old Machar on 17 Jan 1704. The burial register states she was the wife of George Milne, maiden name Anderson.
There are two possible burials at Old Machar for George Milne – one on 16 May 1704 and the other on 20 June 1712.
On many online trees George Joseph Milne is given as a reverend, who may have died in New Zealand, but I can find no evidence to corroborate either of these facts. I’d love to hear from you if you know more.
