James Scott

James Scott (1710-1783) was born in Berwickshire]. He attended Edinburgh University, 1728-1729, after which he served as a private tutor for several years. He began ministering to Independent congregations in 1739, first at Stainton, Westmoreland, then at Horton-in-Craven, Yorkshire (1741-1751), Tockholes, Lancashire (1751-1754), and lastly at the Upper Meeting at Heckmondwike (1754-1783). He was also the tutor at the Academy there (the leading institution of the Northern Education Society) from 1756-1783. Some of Scott’s early students at Heckmondwike were Thomas Waldegrave, Timothy Priestley, and Richard Plumbe. According to Josiah Bull’s biography of John Newton, “In the year 1756, at the suggestion, and through the influence of some friends of the gospel truth in London, who were anxious to stay the progress of Socinian and Arian opinions then prevailing in Yorkshire, Mr. Scott was led to superintend the studies of pious and orthodox young men, who might thus be prepared for the work of the ministry in that part of the country. Labouring in this good work till the year 1783, when he died, Mr. Scott was the means of introducing more than sixty ministers into the church of Christ. The institution thus originated still continues, and flourishes at the Rotherham College.” See Josiah Bull, John Newton of Olney and St. Mary Woolnoth: An Autobiography and Narrative (London: Religious Tract Society, 1868) 96; Miall, Congregationalism in Yorkshire, 146-157, 273, 284, and 346; Nightingale, Lancashire Nonconformity, 2:1289; DEB.