John Blair (pastor)

John Blair (1720 – December 8, 1771) was a Presbyterian minister, a Trustee, Professor, and President of Princeton University. His brother Samuel Blair was a leader of the Presbyterian New Light religious movement. His nephew, Samuel Blair was the second Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives.

For other people named John Blair, see John Blair (disambiguation).

John Blair
Born1720
Ulster, Ireland
Died(1771-12-08)December 8, 1771
Wallkill, New York
Resting placeGoodwill Presbyterian Church Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
Alma materLog College
Princeton University
OccupationPresbyterian minister
Spouse(s)Elizabeth (Susan) Blair Durburrow
Parent(s)William Blair
RelativesSamuel Blair (pastor) (brother)
Faggs Manor Presbyterian Church
Plaque at Middle Spring Pennsylvania Presbyterian Church

Life

Blair was born in Ireland in 1720 to William Blair. He immigrated to the colonies in his youth. He was educated in under Reverend William Tennent at the Log College,[1] the first theological seminary serving Presbyterians in North America located in what is now Warminster, Pennsylvania (then known as Neshaminy). He later received a M.A. from the College of New Jersey in 1760.[1][2]

He was licensed to preach by the New Side Presbytery of Newcastle. He was ordained December 27, 1742 as pastor of the Hopewell Church at Big Spring in Newville, the Rocky Spring Presbyterian Church in Letterkenny, and at Middle Spring Presbyterian Church in Southampton Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania until December 1748. The towns and churches were abandoned due to Indian conflict during the Indian Wars.[1]

He then moved to Londonderry Township where his brother, Samuel Blair had founded the Faggs Manor Presbyterian church and associated classical school.[3] He remained there after his brother's 1751 death and became pastor, and head of the school, until 1767.[1][4][2]

He then moved to Princeton, New Jersey where the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) was located to accept a position of Professor of Theology that was funded by a bequeath of Rev Samuel Finley who died in 1767. He was also appointed Trustee, Vice-President, and acting president until appointed President John Witherspoon was able to arrive.[2][1]

As the funds to support the Professorship were insufficient, and Witherspoon was able to teach and lead the college, it was agreed that Blair would resign as Professor. He then agreed to be pastor at the Good Will Church in Wallkill, New York where he remained until his death in 1771.[2] He was buried at the cemetery of the church.[5]

Personal

Blair was married to Elizabeth (Susan) Durburrow, a daughter of Philadelphia merchant John Durburrow.[6] They had sons John Durburrow Blair (1759–1823) a 1775 Princeton graduate and theologian, and William Lawrence, a Princeton graduate and Kentucky lawyer, and daughter Rebecca who married William Linn.[2]

References
  1. Weis, Frederick Lewis. Colonial Clergy of the Middle Colonies, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania 1628–1776 (PDF). American Antiquarian Society.
  2. Sprague, William Buell (1858). Annals of the American Pulpit: Presbyterian. Rober Carter & Brothers. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  3. Carson-Gentry, Martha; Rodebough, Paul (1999). Southern Chester County in Vintage Postcards. Arcadia Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7385-0107-9.
  4. "Chester's old schools – active historians". Reading Eagle. October 21, 1911. p. 6. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  5. "Goodwill Cemetery". Interment.net. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  6. Glover, Rolfe E. (1933). Blairs of Richmond Virginia: The Descendants of Reverend John Durburrow Blair and Mary Winston Blair, his Wife. pp. 71–81.
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