Rev. Robert Simpson DD

Robert Simpson was born at Little Tillerye Farm, Orwell in Kinrosshire, Scotland in 1746. His father had been destined for the ministry, but had remained on the farm after his father had died. Around 1753 the family lost the lease of the farm, after holding it for several generations, and moved to Lochgelly.

Robert was sent to his maternal grandmother, to assist her on her farm, and later apprenticed himself to a cloth dresser and dyer in Dunfermline and was there about 10 years. He went to England to learn more of his business, reaching Cotherstone, near Barnard Castle  in Durham where he was influenced to become an independent minister 'with extraordinary communications of Divine influence'. He was admitted to the Independent Academy at Heckmondwike in Yorkshire under Rev. James Scott in 1776 and spent four years there.
He married Sarah Lee of Heckmondwike at St. Peter, Birstall Parish, Yorkshire in August 1780. His record from Dr William's Library suggests that they had 12 children, [although the nine we have recorded seem to fill her life to 1801].
His path then took him to Haslingden in Lancashire, then Elswick and Bolton where he was ordained in 1872 and remained nine years.

this portrait may come from the Evangelical magazine February 1795

In 1786 he was sent to London to solicit funds and was invited to become minister at Crispin street. After two more visits he was invited to become a tutor at the Evangelical/Hoxton Academy and came to London with his family in March 1791. He took part in the establishment of the London Missionary Society and the Evangelical Magazine, but his health became affected in 1797, when he visited his native land with his eldest son, Robert. The last four years of his life were affected by ill health. A portrait was commissioned by his pupils by the eminent artist G Dawe Esq in 1816 and an engraving done from it by E Scriven Esq.

1816

Dr Simpson tendered his resignation in May 1817 and died on December 21 1817, aged 72 years.
His eldest son Robert become a stockbroker, James Charnock became an architect, Abraham Colovius studied at Glasgow University and became a dissenting minister, William Skinner went to Virginia, USA in 1819, becoming an insurance agent, and John's career is not known.
His elder daughter Christiana married Rev Thomas Scales who had been a student at the Academy second daughter Sophia married Rev Robert Hooper, another student,  and the youngest Sarah  married Richard Lee.