William Spence (schoolmaster)

William Spence
William Spence
Personal
Religion	Christianity
School	Presbyterianism
Profession	Schoolmaster
Senior posting
Profession	Schoolmaster

William Spence was a Scottish schoolmaster in Fife. In the month of May 1685, he was summoned to appear before the Privy Council.^[1] Phillimore says he "had committed the offence of teaching his pupils the doctrines of Presbyterianism, and attending the forbidden conventicles."^[2] Dickson says he "was committed to the Bass where he remained for more than a year, when he petitioned for his liberty on the ground of ill-health."^[3] He was sent to the Bass Rock at the same time as Peter Kid and had fourteen months of imprisonment.^[4] On the 20th of July 1686, “My Lords ” agreed to his release “upon his finding caution to compear before the Council, when cited; and, in the meantime, to live peaceably and not to keep a school, under a penalty of five thousand merks, Scots money, in case of failure.” He was liberated along with John Greg.^[5] After he was set free he had to periodically reappear before the Council to retain his liberty.^[6]

Not to be confused with

William Spence secretary to the Earl of Argyle who was tortured with the boot.

References

^ M'Crie, Thomas, D.D. the younger (1847). The Bass rock: Its civil and ecclesiastic history. Edinburgh: J. Greig & Son. p. 376. Retrieved 11 February 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ Phillimore, R.P (1911). The Bass Rock : its history and romance. North Berwick, Scotland. p. 94. Retrieved 21 March 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ Dickson, John (1899). Emeralds chased in Gold; or, the Islands of the Forth: their story, ancient and modern. [With illustrations.]. Edinburgh and London: Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier. p. 231. Retrieved 3 March 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ Porteous, James Moir (1881). The Scottish Patmos. A standing testimony to patriotic Christian devotion. Paisley: J. and R. Parlane. p. 75. Retrieved 3 March 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ Paton, Henry (1930). The register of the Privy Council of Scotland. 3rd series. Vol. 12 1686. To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses 120, George Street, Edinburgh. p. 338. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
^ Paton, Henry (1930). The register of the Privy Council of Scotland. 3rd series. Vol. 12 1686. To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses 120, George Street, Edinburgh. p. 526. Retrieved 7 April 2019.