Robert Millar - Port Glasgow's first minister

The first minister of the parish of Port Glasgow from 1697 until 1709 was the Reverend Robert Millar.  At this time worship services were held in the “meeting house” (or sail loft) in the town near the harbour and the Minister was provided with a dwelling paid for by the feuers of the town.

Robert Millar  (1672-1752) was the grandson of Andrew Millar of Girvan and son of Andrew Millar (died 1686), minister of Dailly, Ayrshire who had been imprisoned in the tollbooth Edinburgh and Blackness Castle for refusing to read the Proclamation in connection with the Rye House Plot. He was liberated in 1685. 

Robert Millar was educated at the University of Glasgow and licenced by the Presbytery of Paisley. He was called to Port Glasgow on 22 March and ordained on 18 August 1697.  In 1702 Millar married Elizabeth Kelso (1679-1759). Elizabeth was the daughter of John Kelso of Kelsoland, Collector of Customs at Port Glasgow.  He had sold Kelsoland, Largs to James Brisbane of Bishopton. The couple had several children, some of whom were born at Port Glasgow.  After Port Glasgow, Robert Millar was translated to the Abbey Kirk, Paisley in 1709.   He was the author of the “History of the Propagation of Christianity and the Overthrow of Paganism” published in 1723.  

Family

1.    Andrew Millar (1705-1768), born in Port Glasgow, bookseller in London and publisher of the first edition of Johnston’s Dictionary.  Married Jane Johnston, daughter of Andrew Johnston, engraver and print maker of London.  Her grandfather Alan Johnston was minister at Broughton, Edinburgh. Three children died in infancy. 

2.    Elizabeth Millar was born in Port Glasgow in 1708.  Married (1761) James Hamilton her father’s successor as minister of Abbey Church, Paisley.  Elizabeth died in 1798. 

3.    John Millar (died 1738) Minister of Old Kilpatrick.  Licenced by the Presbytery of Paisley in 1727.  Presented by Thomas Earl of Dundonald and ordained 1728.  In 1728 he married Lilias Clark (died 1737), daughter of James Clark minister of Tron Church, Glasgow and his second wife, Christian Montgomerie daughter of Sir Robert Montgomerie of Skelmorlie.  James Clark vehemently opposed the union with England and preached a powerful sermon which led to civil unrest in the city. 

4.    Henry Millar (died1771) Minister of Neilston.  Educated at the University of Glasgow.  Licenced by the Presbytery of Paisley in 1734.  Presented to Neilston by Thomas, Earl of Dundonald and ordained in 1737.  He inherited a large sum from his brother Andrew, publisher in London (see above).  He set up an inkle (linen tape) manufactory in Neilston.  In 1745 he married Robina (d1754) daughter of Alexander Cochrane of Craigmuir.  Children – Marion Millar (1746) married William Fulton, manufacturer at Maxwelltown in 1764.  William Fulton’s father was Humphrey Fulton who is credited with introducing silk manufacturing to Scotland.  His sons followed him in the business in Paisley.   Robert Millar (1749-1763).  Alexander Millar of Dalnair (1751-1790), advocate, married in 1783 Elizabeth Hamilton Edmonston.  Elizabeth Millar (1754) married in 1774 (at Walkinshaw) Alexander Napier (died 1801) of Blackston.  Alexander Napier was a captain in the foot guards.  On leaving the army he made many improvements to his estate of Blackston.  On his death his estate was inherited by his son William Napier, banker in Greenock.  On the failure of the Renfrewshire Bank he sold the Blackston estate to Thomas Speir. 

5.    William Millar (1718-1780), Walkinshaw & Antigua.  Bought Walkinshaw Estate in 1769 from James Walkinshaw.  Made his fortune in Antigua – Millar Estate.  A description of him is given in the Cullen Project.  (Family later received monetary compensation for slaves.) 

6.    Archibald Millar (-1766), captain HMS Lyon. Smithhills, Paisley.

7.    Robert Millar - Trained as a doctor.  As a botanist, he was recommended by Sir Hans Sloan to travel in search of medicinal plants for an experimental garden to be set up in Georgia (1732) by the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America.  The project was designed with a view to discovering which plants grew well in that climate with a view to future agricultural successes. 

8.    Anna Millar married (1741) Peter Scott (1695-1753), Minister of Laigh Church, Paisley.  He was the son of John Scott, minister of the Outer High Kirk Parish, Glasgow.  Educated at the University of Glasgow. Licenced by the Presbytery of Glasgow 1731.  Appointed by the Town Council April and ordained (assistant and successor) 1740 admitted to the full charge in 1746.  Children – Elizabeth (1745-) married Robert Fulton, manufacturer (Maxwelltown), Grizel (1748-) married Archibald Davidson minister of Inchinnan. 

Port Glasgow's first parish minister certainly had a very interesting family with links to many other Scottish churchmen and important families.  Robert Millar was just a young man when he started at Port Glasgow and was obviously destined for greater things thus his translation to Paisley where he served for over forty years.  Meanwhile in Port Glasgow, an actual church building would not be provided until 1717 when the Parish Church was constructed.