Tea urn

The full inscription reads "Presented with timepiece and ornaments as a mark of esteem to the Rev. Robert Gibson, Free Church Minister of Kirkbean and Southwick by the members of his congregation and other well wishers. 28 July 1880."   The Church of Scotland had always claimed independence from the state where religious affairs were concerned.  During the 1700s the right of a wealthy supporter to install a minister of his or her choosing in a parish became an issue.  In 1843 more than 450 ministers, of whom the Rev Gibson was one, left the Church of Scotland General Assembly and formed the Free Church of Scotland.  This had huge implications because they forfeited their incomes, homes and churches.  However, with great energy and enthusiasm they organised and raised enough money to establish a new national church from scratch.