James Drummond MacGregor
James Drummond MacGregor (1759-1830) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and abolitionist who played a significant role in the development of religion in Nova Scotia, Canada. Born in Comrie, Scotland, he showed early signs of a lively and inquisitive nature. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 1779, he became an active church member and a licensed minister by 1784. In 1786, he was sent to Pictou, Nova Scotia, where he became the first minister to serve both English and Gaelic-speaking congregations.
MacGregor was dedicated to his parishioners, often holding services in homes and assisting in the construction of churches. A notable abolitionist, he used a portion of his salary to purchase the freedom of enslaved individuals and publicly condemned slavery. His missionary efforts extended beyond local communities, as he embarked on numerous journeys across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and supported international missions.
Despite facing health challenges later in life, including strokes, MacGregor continued to serve until his death in 1830. He left a lasting impact on the religious landscape of Nova Scotia and was respected by people of various faiths for his commitment and service. MacGregor's legacy includes the founding of several churches and religious societies, as well as a reputation as a model clergyman in his time.
On this Page
Subject Terms
James Drummond MacGregor
Presbyterian minister, author, and composer
- Born: December 1, 1759
- Birthplace: Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland
- Died: March 3, 1830
- Place of death: Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada
Also known as: James Drummond McGregor
Significance: James Drummond MacGregor was a Presbyterian minister from Scotland. After being sent as a missionary to Nova Scotia, he wrote Christian poetry and pamphlets and founded Christian societies in Canada.
Background
James Drummond MacGregor was born in December 1759 in the village of Comrie in Scotland. His father, James Drummond, was a farmer and weaver and his mother was Jane Dochert. He had two brothers who died in their youth. MacGregor was considered lively, active, inquisitive, and gentle. He attended grammar schools in Kinkell and Dunblane. While at the school in Dunblane, MacGregor fell out of a boat and seemingly drowned. After a few moments, he awoke and returned to the surface. This incident seemed to encourage his strong religious faith. He was an active member of the church in his town, as was expected of his family.
He attended the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1779. Starting about 1776, he supported himself by teaching at Glen Lednock as well as starting to translate the Book of Proverbs into Gaelic. He attended the General Associate Hall, a theological college near his home, from 1781 to 1784 and became a licensed minister. He was ordained in 1786. Using his practice from translating, as well as his Highland ancestry, MacGregor sought to become one of the few Gaelic-speaking ministers within the Secession Church.
Life’s Work
In 1784, the First Presbyterian Church of New Glasgow in Nova Scotia applied to have a minister sent to them. They wanted the minister to be fluent in both English and Gaelic and to preach in both languages. The leadership of the Presbyterian church in Scotland decided that MacGregor would be sent to the town of Pictou. In 1786, at the age of twenty-seven, he sailed to North America. He preached for the first time in both languages on July 23, 1786. As there were no church buildings in the town, MacGregor visited homes, baptized children, and held services in barns or peoples’ homes. In 1787, he assisted the town in building two churches for the summer months. In the winter, since the church buildings had no heat, they were not used, and MacGregor returned to his previous system of traveling to his parishioners. He held off on communion for two years upon his arrival in Pictou while meeting the settlers. He wanted to be certain of their faith and knowledge before giving them communion. MacGregor also insisted on meeting with and teaching parents before he would baptize their child, to ensure they were sincere Christians.
MacGregor also had issues with other ministers who were Burghers, a section of Scottish Presbyterians that regarded the burgess oath as lawful and accepted patronage. MacGregor was an Anti-Burgher, and so he did not join with the ministers already there.
MacGregor was known for strong anti-slavery sentiments. After his first year in Pictou, he received a salary of £27. He spent £20 to purchase the freedom of an enslaved girl from her enslaver and spent much of his future salary doing similar acts. He spoke out against owning other people, saying that it was immoral to enslave God’s children. MacGregor confronted enslavers in publications, adding more fuel to his conflict with the Burgher Presbytery, who supported enslavement. Though he had conflict with the Burghers, MacGregor was known to minister to those in outlying settlements, no matter what their denomination. He went on many long-distance missionary trips through Canada, ranging across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In three decades, he took more than ten missionary journeys. He also supported missions to other countries, such as a Baptist mission to Burma. Additionally, MacGregor used his salary to fund improved farming techniques, as he worked as a farmer to supplement his meager income from ministry. MacGregor also aided in forming a training course at a local college for clergy to help the growth of the religion in the settlements nearby.
MacGregor had a few health problems later in his life. He had surgery to remove cancer from his lip in 1824. On February 13, 1828, MacGregor had a stroke. This left him paralyzed and with memory issues, but he still worked as a minister until his death from a second stroke in February 1830.
Impact
MacGregor left a large impact on the religion of the Nova Scotia region. Due to his efforts, the predominant religion in Pictou County and beyond was Presbyterian. He was the cause of many churches being built, such as the First Presbyterian Church in New Glasgow. A large monument in his honor in New Glasgow calls him the First Minister of Pictou County. He founded religious societies such as the first Canadian Auxiliary Bible Society and assisted with publications for the British and Foreign Bible Society. He was praised by those of all faiths for undergoing extreme hardships in the Nova Scotian frontier and acting as a model clergyman in his lifetime. He was praised for his welcoming attitude to all and was well respected.
Personal Life
MacGregor married Ann McKay on May 11, 1796, in Halifax. They had four sons and three daughters. After the death of his wife in childbirth in 1810, he married Janet Gordon, a widow, on December 25, 1811. They had two daughters and two sons.
Bibliography
Buggey, Susan. “MacGregor, James Drummond,” Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 6, University of Toronto/Université Laval, www.biographi.ca/en/bio/macgregor‗james‗drummond‗6E.html. Accessed 27 June 2023.
Flatt, Kevin. “The Apostle of Pictou, N.S.” Faith Today, 28 Sept. 2020, www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2020-Sep-Oct/The-apostle-of-Pictou. Accessed 27 June 2023.
Graham, J. Stanley. “Ministers of the Durham Presbyterian Church.” Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, 1998, pp. 2–3. Available at www.novastory.ca/digital/collection/picbooks/id/3409. Accessed 26 June 2023.
MacDonald, Fern, and Jolene Shaw. “Rev. James MacGregor D.D.” Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, www.parl.ns.ca/logchurch/macgregor.htm. Accessed 26 June 2023.
Moir, John S. “James Drummond MacGregor.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 14 Dec. 2013, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/james-drummond-macgregor. Accessed 27 June 2023.
Patterson, George. “Memoir of the Rev. James MacGregor, D.D., Missionary of the General Associate Synod of Scotland to Pictou, Nova Scotia.” Electric Canadian. 1859. www.electriccanadian.com/history/novascotia/macgregor/index.htm Accessed 27 June 2023.