David Avenel (Anderson) Vipont (1864 - 1922)

Born 5 Mar 1864 in Whau, Auckland, New Zealand

Ancestors

Died 27 Nov 1922 at age 58 in Menmuir, Angus, Scotland

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Biography

David Anderson, as his name is shown on his birth registration, was born on 5 March 1864 at Whau [now Avondale], in Auckland, New Zealand. He was the son of Andrew Anderson, a minister, and Eliza Whyte.

The Anderson family left Auckland to return to their native Scotland on 11 July 1867, sailing aboard the Warwick to London.

From The Daily Southern Cross dated 2 August 1867, Pg 7 - THE SHIP WARWICK. The favourite clipper ship Warwick, Captain Smith, cleared at the Custom-house on July 11 for London, with a large and valuable cargo and 46 passengers. ...

Included in the passenger list was Rev. A. Anderson and Mrs. Anderson, Miss Eliza and Miss Jane Anderson. David was not mentioned and his sister Margaret was incorrectly named Eliza, their mother’s name.

By the time of the 1871 census the family was living at Port William. Port William was a small fishing village in the parish of Mochrum, Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway, in south-west Scotland. David was aged 7 years.

In 1872 the family moved to Cowdenbeath in Fifeshire.

In the 1881 census the family was residing at the Cowdenbeath Manse. David, aged 17, was a student at Edinburgh University.

Sister Margaret died on 3 July 1883 at Cowdenbeath aged 17 years. David, then calling himself, David Charles Anderson, was present at her death and was the informant named on her death registration.

In 1889 David moved with his parents to Edinburgh.

In the 1891 census the family was living at 274 Morningside Rd, Edinburgh. David, aged 27, was a licentiate of Church of Scotland.

David's father Andrew Anderson died on 8 November 1898 at 274 Morningside Rd, Edinburgh. The informant of his death was M A Vipont-Anderson, son, of 9 Melville Terrace. Records below establish David was then using the name Melville Avenel Vipont Anderson.

From The Edinburgh Gazette dated 5 December 1899 – INTIMATION is hereby given that the Rev. David Avenel Vipont, formerly the Rev. Melville Avenel Vipont Anderson, presently minister of St. Ninian’s Mission Church, Edinburgh, has, with the authority of the Lyon King of Arms, discontinued the use of his paternal name of ANDERSON and resumed his baptism name of DAVID in place of that of MELVILLE, and is now known as the Rev. DAVID AVENEL VIPONT. Francis J. Grant, Lyon Clerk. Lyon Office, Edinburgh, 4th December 1899.

The Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanar by Hew Scott stated David was educated at the High School in Dunfermline and at the University of Edinburgh; licensed by Presbytery of Edinburgh on 27 November 1889; was an assistant at North Berwick, East Lothian and then ordained to Annbank on 28 September 1895; appointed to St Ninian's Mission, Edinburgh in 1898; appointed to Townhill Chapel, Dunfermline in 1904; demitted in 1907; and admitted to Menmuir on 26 August 1908.

From The Scotsman dated 14 August 1900, Pg 6 – By vote of the congregation on Sunday, the Rev. David Vipont, St. Ninian’s, Edinburgh, was, subject to the approval of the Endowment Committee, elected minister of Finzean Mission Church out of a short leet of five.

Personal information from the Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanar stated David married Jane Florence Clark Mackay on 21 April 1897. This couple had five children named Olga Florence Gladys born 12 April 1898, Helena Frances Charteris Avenel born 14 October 1899, Ermyntrude Rose Muriel Soulis Morville born 9 April 1901, Roland Seaward Alan Avenel born 21 February 1903 and Francis George Malise Avenel born 21 February 1903.

In the 1901 census the Vipont family was residing at 19 Millerfield Place, Edinburgh. David, aged 37, was a minister of St. Ninian's Mission. Wife Florence, as named, was aged 30. Olga was aged 2 and Helena was aged 1. Also living with them was domestic servant Isabella Fraser, aged 19.

Daughter Olga died on 26 February 1902 aged 3 years [Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanar].

From the Dundee Courier dated 30 September 1904, Pg 9 – THE TOWNHILL CHARGE. SUCCESSOR TO THE REV. Mr. PRIMMER. Voting for the election of a successor to the Rev. Jacob Primmer in Townhill Church, Dunfermline, resulted as follows:- Mr David A. Vipont, Edinburgh, 69; Mr Wm. Thomson, Musselburgh, 5 – majority for Mr Vipont, 64. There are 141 members on the roll. The Rev. David A. Vipont is a son of the manse, his father having been well known in clerical circles, particularly in the district included in his new charge. Born abroad 40 years ago, the rev. gentleman’s earlier career was connected with the Highland Missions. He did good work in the important centre near Campbeltown. For a time he acted as assistant to Dr Sprott, North Berwick. He was afterwards ordained for the Church of Scotland at Annbank, near Ayr, in the parish of Tarbolton, where he received his first responsible charge. About seven years ago he went to take charge of St Ninian’s Mission, in Edinburgh – one replete with the difficulties that beset religious administration in an over-populated quarter. The universal expectation amongst his Edinburgh friends is that Townhill will accord with his aspirations. Of evangelical tendencies, young and active, with the cares of a pastorate thoroughly at heart, and perfect consciousness of the real import of the modern ministry, his appointment is certain to prove popular.

David's wife Jane died in 1906 aged 34 years.

From the 1906 Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories - VIPONT, Jane Florence Clark Mackay or, wife of Rev. David Avenel Vipont (sometime known as Rev. Melville Avenel Vipont Anderson) sometime residing at 19 Millerfield Place, Edinburgh, thereafter at Lilliehill House, Townhill, Dunfermline, died 15 February 1906, at Lilliehill House aforesaid, testate. Confirmation granted at Cupar, 4 May, to the said David Avenel Vipont, Executor nominated in Will or Deed, dated 17 February 1902, and recorded in Court Books of Commissariot of Fife, 28 April 1906. Value of Estate, £5312, 11s.

Following his wife's death David remarried to Flora Anna Laing Macdonald on 5 March 1907.

From the Dundee Evening Telegraph dated 26 August 1907, Pg 2 - JACOB PRIMMER’S SUCCESSOR RESIGNS HIS CHARGE TO-DAY. For some time it has been an open secret that the Rev. D. Avenel Vipont, minister of the Established Church, at Townhill, Dunfermline, intended to resign from the pastorate. To-day the Rev. Wm. Auld, clerk to the Dunfermline Established Presbytery, received Mr Vipont’s resignation. Mr Vipont was appointed to the Townhill Church about three years ago in succession to the Rev. Jacob Primmer, who at that time, along with his supporters, showed considerable dissension at a public meeting regarding the methods of carrying on the services, while a petition was also presented to the Established Presbytery by Mr Primmer and others regarding the alleged ritualistic practices of Mr Vipont.

From the Dundee Evening Telegraph dated 26 August 1908, Pg 2 – INDUCTION AT MENMUIR. This afternoon the Rev. D. A. Vipont was inducted to Menmuir Church. Mr Vipont, who was lately an assistant in a Glasgow church, previous to that was pastor in Townhill Church, Dunfermline. He succeeds the Rev. A. M’Ilwraith, translated to Kinghorn. There was a large attendance of parishioners, and also members of the Brechin Presbytery.

In the 1911 census David was visiting another minister named Robert Constable Mitchell at Fern Den, Fern [or Fearn], Forfarshire. He was aged 47.

Flora and David's children have not been located in this census.

David Avenel Vipont died in 1922 aged 58 years.

From 1924 Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories – VIPONT, Rev. David Avenel, Manse of Menmuir, Menmuir, Brechin, died 27 November 1922 at Menmuir aforesaid, testate. Confirmation Forfar, 6 August, to Flora Macdonald or Vipont, 19 Millerfield Place, Edinburgh, his widow, Wilhelmina Stoddart Macdonald, 19 Millership Place, Edinburgh there, and James Wilkie, S.S.C., 108 George Street there, Executors. Will dated 8 November 1915 recorded with other Writs Forfar 1 August 1923. Value of Estate, £2668:16:11

And from the Dundee Courier dated 28 November 1922, Pg 4 – DEATH OF MENMUIR PARISH MINISTER. Rev. D. A. Vipont’s Sudden Call. Rev. D. A. Vipont, parish minister, Menmuir, near Brechin, died with startling suddenness yesterday. Mr Vipont had not been feeling well for some days past, and was unable to conduct the church services on Sunday, but his indisposition did not point to a fatal termination. Rev. Mr Vipont was ordained in 1895, and afterwards took up mission work in Edinburgh under Professor Charteris, who held him in the highest esteem. He was afterwards appointed assistant and successor to Rev. Jacob Primmer, Townhead [should read Townhill] Church, Dunfermline, from which charge he resigned, afterwards becoming associated with Bluevale Parish Church, Glasgow. In 1908 he was elected to succeed Mr M’Ilwraith at Menmuir, and has discharged his duties with true Christian charity, endearing himself to his parishioners. He leaves a widow and young family.

Widow Flora died in 1931 aged 52 years.

From the 1932 Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories – VIPONT, Flora Anna Macdonald or, 21 Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, widow, died 12 August 1931 at Balconnel, Menmuir, testate. Confirmation Edinburgh, 4 April, to Sarah Wilhelmina Macdonald, 21 Mayfield Road aforesaid, her sister, Executrix. Will dated 26 September 1929 recorded Edinburgh 2 April 1932. Value of Estate, £848: 2: -.

A gravestone for David, his two wives and daughter Olga can be found at Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh. A photograph can be viewed here http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Vipont&GSbyrel=in&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=155604658&