John Falconer (bishop)

Born about 1660, he was the son of the Reverend David Falconer and Margaret Braydday.[1][2] He was educated at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in 1679.[1][2] He married Elizabeth Galloway (1671–1691), daughter of Thomas Galloway, 2nd Lord Dunkeld, and they had two sons: James and Thomas.[1][2]

He was a chaplain in the family of Wemyss of Wemyss, before becoming the Incumbent of Carnbee from 1683 to 1690.[1][2] He came under a sentence of deprivation from the Privy Council, 8 September 1689, for not reading the Proclamation of the Estates, etc., and by Act of Parliament, 25 April 1690, restoring Presbyterian ministers.[1][2]

He was consecrated a college bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church at Dundee on 28 April 1709 by bishops Rose, Douglas and Sage.[1][2][3] He and other college bishops were consecrated to maintain the Episcopal succession without being committed to a particular Episcopal see. He took part in the consecration of James Gadderar in London in 1712.[1][2] He occupied Glamis parish church in 1716, and was also at Slains parish church with the Reverend William Law.[1][2] In 1720, he took over the administration of the districts north of the River Forth (with the exception of Aberdeenshire), but did not become a territorial bishop as such.[1][2]

He died at Inglismaldie on 6 July 1723, aged c. 63, and was buried at Logie Pert, Angus.[1][2]

He is possibly the author of Cryptomenysis Paterfacta (published in 1685) and wrote a little tract described as "a popular exposition of the various Covenants of God and especially of the sanctions and conditions of the Christian Covenants" which has been preserved in manuscript.[1][2]