James Bruce

James Bruce (–1730) was an Irish Presbyterian minister, the eldest son of Michael Bruce, minister of Killinchy County Down. He was minister of Killeleagh, County Down in 1684; but fled to Scotland in 1689; returned to Killeleagh in 1692, and founded a Presbyterian college there in 1697. He joined the subscribers to the Westminster Confession in 1721, but was tolerant to the non-subscribers.

Origins He was educated at Edinburgh University and ordained in 1684.

Ministry In April 1689 occurred 'the break of Killeleagh', when the Protestants were routed and Killeleagh Castle deserted by its garrison. Bruce fled to Scotland, but returned in 1691 or 1692, when Ulster was at peace.

In 1699 Bruce was appointed one of the Synod's trustees for the management of the regium donum and continued in this office till his death. His congregation was large; at his communion on 2 July 1704 there were seven successive tables and the services began at 7 a.m. and lasted till evening. A new meeting house was built for him probably in 1692. In the nonsubscription controversy (1720–6) Bruce sided with the subscribers (himself signing the Westminster Confession in 1721), but was unwilling to cut off the nonsubscribers from fellowship.

Death Bruce died on 17 February 1730. His will (dated in February 1725) directs his burial at Killeleagh, where he was interred on 24 February. Tradition places the spot eastward of the Episcopal church.

Family He married, on 25 September 1685, Margaret (died May 1706), daughter of Lieutenant-colonel James Trail of Tullychin, near Killeleagh, by Mary, daughter of John Hamilton, brother of the first Lord Clandeboye. He had ten children, of whom three sons and three daughters survived him.

His sons Michael and Patrick were Presbyterian ministers; William was a publisher. From his son Patrick (1692–1732), minister successively of Drumbo, County Down, Killallan, Renfrewshire, and Killeleagh, are lineally descended the Hervey Bruces of Downhill, baronets since 1804.

Bruce published nothing. In Daniel Mussenden's manuscript volume of sermon notes is an abstract of Bruce's sermon (Proverbs 8:17) at a communion in Belfast, dated 20 August 1704, which is strongly Calvinistic.