John Spreul

Imprisonment On 14 September 1660, Spreul was imprisoned in Edinburgh, along with Provost John Graham, for refusing to subscribe to the bond condemning the Western Remonstrance. However, he was then induced to subscribe to it, at which point he was released. Spreul and Graham had worked together and fought together. They both represented Glasgow during the time of Oliver Cromwell's rule.

Return to Scotland An elderly and frail Spreul returned to Scotland, hoping to remain at home in peace. However, the government, instigated by the bishops, had him imprisoned at the Tollbooth of Edinburgh. He refused to hear the curates. He was therefore sent to the Bass Rock by the Privy Council on 28 July 1683, where he lay for some years. After petitioning to the council to be more compassionate towards his old age and frailty, an order was issued for his liberation, and he died within a year or two.

Relatives James Richard Sproule wrote an extensive study on the Spreul family, in which he distinguished John Spreul from his "cousin" or relative John Spreul, an apothecary:

A difficulty in presenting the story of Mr. John Spreull, Town Clerk of Glasgow, is that for a portion of his life there is the danger of confusing him with his "cousin"*, another John Spreull, an apothecary of Paisley and then an apothecary and merchant of Glasgow. The latter became known as "Bass John". The fact that the town clerk had a son also named John and that there was another John Spreull who was a merchant of Glasgow adds further complications. (p 86)

Works Some Remarkable Passages of the Lord's Providence towards Mr John Spreul. 1635–1664. Edinburgh. 1832.