Background
Robertson was born circa 1768, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Lanark on the 8th of May, 1795, when he was made assistant to Doctor Meek, his predecessor.
Robertson was born circa 1768, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Lanark on the 8th of May, 1795, when he was made assistant to Doctor Meek, his predecessor.
University of Glasgow.
He was responsible for that Parish"s entry in the Second Statistical Account of Scotland dated 1836, though he did not write it himself. (The text modestly contrasts "the author of the present text" (actually, the Rev William Patrick) with "the present venerable and learned incumbent of Cambuslang")
He was ordained as assistant minister on 22 August 1797 and took over the Parish as Minister in 1810 on the death of Doctor Meek. His one publication, "Lay Preaching indefensible on Scriptural Principles," appeared in octavo form, in Glasgow, 1800 followed swiftly by a pamphlet rebutting criticism of his arguments.
He had two sons, both educated at Glasgow University.
The elder, William, was Minister of Monivaird in Strathearn from 1843 until his death in 1864. He was a composer of many hymns, including "A little child the saviour came".
The younger son, Alexander", became a "clerk" in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and later died from a wound he received while assisting at a dissection. He also had four daughters one of whom, Elizabeth died along with her mother, in 1831, possibly of cholera.
Glasgow University conferred the degree of Doctorate.D upon Mr Robertson in 1826, possibly in recognition of his work among the poor.
In 1826, he argued for and secured a contract to improve the Turnpike Road giving work to the unemployed. He was in ill health from at least 1833 and often had to call on fellow ministers for help. The last Kirk Session which he chaired personally was 2 January 1842.
He had received his own post as minister from the Patronage of the Duke of Hamilton, so he may not have been in sympathy with those who left the Church on this issue.
Neither do his publications seem to indicate he would have been on the side of the secessionists. He is buried in the churchyard.
The current Church building - Cambuslang Old Parish Church - was built during his ministry. (The entry in the Statistical Account complains about the state of the church and manse in 1836).
There were also extensive alterations in 1896.
Doctor Robertson"s assistant was the Rev William Bain - a versifier given to making fun of the church members.