Erected
by the
REV. JAMES THOMSON
St. Clement's
and his three children
to the memory of
HANNAH TURNBULL
a most affectionate wife
and mother
who departed this life
10th June 1833
much and sincerely lamented
Sacred
also to the memory of the
Rev. JAMES THOMSON
sometime minister of
Port Glasgow Chapel of Ease
and afterwards
for 51 years minister of the
Steeple Church
and St Clements District
of Dundee
who died 29th Nov 1837
aged 85
In memory of
Hannah Cook
Relict of
William Turnbull, Esq
of Pandon Dean
Newcastle upon Tyne
Who died here 2nd March 1825
Aged 80 years.
This stone was renewed in
February 1995
By Great Grandsons of the
Rev James Thomson
Sir John Thomson-Walker
O.B.E. D.L. F.R.C.S.
Thos. H.H. Walker.
THE REV. JAMES THOMSON was for upwards of fifty years a minister
of Dundee ; and during the greater part of that lengthened period, he occupied
an important place in local society. He was born in Dumfries-shire in the year
1771, and received his academic education at the University of Glasgow, where he
distinguished himself by his classical attainments, and where he took the degree
of Master of Arts. Shortly after his ordination, in 1802,
he was appointed minister of a Chapel of Ease at Port Glasgow, where his talents
as a popular and energetic preacher soon attracted notice.
In 1806, he was called to the joint charge of the Steeple and Cross Churches, in
Dundee. At that time, it is said, there were few more powerful and effective
preachers in Scotland than Mr Thomson. For many years, he discharged the pulpit
duties of the Steeple and Cross Churches alternately with the Rev. Dr Peters ;
and on the death of the latter, Mr Thomson was appointed to the Steeple Church
exclusively. Besides being distinguished for his pulpit ministrations, Mr
Thomson paid particular attention to household visitation ; and his frank and
cordial manner greatly endeared him to his flock. Till within a few years
previous to his death, he took a prominent part in provincial church courts,
where his excellent business habits rendered him at all times a valuable
acquisition.
Mr Thomson, however, did not confine his attention to merely ecclesiastical
affairs. He was ever ready to lend a helping hand in all charitable and
benevolent movements ; and it is stated that he was chiefly instrumental in
procuring the Royal charter under which the Infirmary and Asylum were
incorporated. It appears from that document, that to him, along with the Provost
for the time, was committed the sole power of administration until the Governors
should meet for the purpose of putting the constitution into operation. Mr
Thomson was also one of the early editors of the Dundee Courier newspaper ; but
he discharged the duties of this position for a very brief period. In the
well-known sketch, ' The Executive,' by Harry Harwood, Mr Thomson occupied a
prominent place as a leading public character ; and he was long the last
survivor of the famous group. He died very suddenly on Sunday, Nov. 29, 1857, at
the advanced age of 86.
Source 4.
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