John Welsh of Ayr

Who was John Welsh of Ayr?

John Charles Welsh was a Scottish Presbyterian leader.

He was born in Dumfriesshire and, after a wayward youth, attended the University of Edinburgh and obtained his MA in 1588. He became a minister in Selkirk, and prior to 1596 and leaving Selkirk, married Elizabeth, a daughter of John Knox.

Welsh later ministered in Kirkcudbright and in Ayr, where he spent five years and with which he was afterwards associated. His preaching resulted in his imprisonment by order of King James VI of Scotland. In 1606 he was exiled to France, where he continued his activities. His grandson was the Covenanters' leader, John Welsh of Irongray.