06. Patrick Ross

Dates of Rectorship: 1714 – 1720/23
The exact date of his tenure ending is not known, but 1720 or 1723 are the most likely candidates.

Before –
1675: MA from Marischal College, Aberdeen
1713: Schoolmaster at Ellon
1714: Ordained Deacon and Priest

Birth –
Full Name: Patrick Ross, Peter Rose, or a variation of both. “Patrick Ross” seems most likely
Father: Alexander Ross of Tillynaught

Additional Information –
Probably a Juror (supporting the Hanoverians). The 1715 Rising was not felt as harshly in the Mearns as was the 1745. This is probably because at this early stage, even Episcopalians who supported King George were looked down upon by the authorities. Also, the final ejection of the Episcopalians from Dunnottar and Fetteresso parish churches having happened during Ross’ tenure, local Episcopalians were “all in the same boat” and worshipping in several different meeting houses. It seems that Ross ministered equally to Jacobite and Hanoverian members of his congregation, as the political split was not yet so entrenched as to also ubiquitously entail theological, liturgical, and doctrinal differences.

It is likely that he was, like many of our Rectors, musical, as he is recorded as having been a cantor prior to being ordained.