Strahan, Andrew, -1831

Thomas Somerville, the only son of minister William Somerville, was born in Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland, in 1741. In 1756, he matriculated at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied divinity. He received his license to preach in November 1764, was ordained in 1767, and took positions as a tutor, before getting his first parish at Minto, a position he held until the king presented him to the parish of Jedburgh, Scotland, in 1772. Somerville led the church at Jedburgh until his death. During his lifetime, he supported continued British presence in North America and became a prominent voice in support of abolition. He is particularly noted for two historical works: The History of Political Transactions, and of Parties, from the Restoration of King Charles the Second, to the Death of King William and The History of Great Britain during the Reign of Queen Anne ; both were published by Andrew Strahan of London. Somerville died on May 16, 1830. He and his wife, Martha Charters, whom he married in 1770, had six children, including the physician William Somerville (1771-1860).

From the guide to the Thomas Somerville letters, Somerville, Thomas letters, 1795-1799, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)

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