Anderson, James (1)

a Presbyterian minister, was born in Scotland, Nov. 17, 1678, and was ordained by the Irvine Presbytery Nov. 17, 1708, with a view to his settlement in Virginia, America. He sailed March 6, 1709, and arrived in the Rappahannock April 22; but the state of things not warranting his stay, he came northward, and was received by the Presbytery on Sept. 20, and settled at Newcastle. In 1714 he was directed to supply the people of Kent County monthly on a Sabbath, and also to spend a Sabbath at Cedar Creek, in Sussex. In 1717 he was called to labor in New York city. Public worship was held in the City Hall. Troubles arose, and the Synod in 1726 pronounced his conduct unjustifiable, and wrote to the ministers in Boston not to countenance him. He was called, Sept. 24, 1726, to Donegal, on the Susquehanna, and accepted. In September, 1729, he gave every fifth Sabbath to the people on the Swatara, and joined the congregation of Derry. The Presbytery of Donegal held its first meeting on Oct. 11, 1732, and Anderson was one of the four members. In 1738 the Presbytery sent Anderson to wait on the Virginia government and solicit its favor in behalf of their interest there. He performed his mission satisfactorily. Mr. Anderson died July 16, 1740. He was a man; high in esteem for circumspection, diligence, and faithfulness as a Christian minister. See Webster, Hist. of the Presb. Church in Amer. (1857); Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 3, 19.