# Samuel Trail

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**Samuel Trail** (1806–1887) was a Scottish minister who served as [Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland](/source/Moderator_of_the_General_Assembly_of_the_Church_of_Scotland) in 1874.

## Life

He was born in the parish of [Udny](/source/Udny_Station) on 31 May 1806,[1] the son of John T. Trail, a farmer.

He studied divinity at Kings College, [Aberdeen University](/source/Aberdeen_University), graduating MA in 1825. He then spent some years as the private tutor to the children of the [Viscount of Arbuthnott](/source/Viscount_of_Arbuthnott). In 1841 he was appointed minister of [Arbuthnott](/source/Arbuthnott) Church and stayed in this role until 1844, when he was translated to [Birsay](/source/Birsay) church in [Orkney](/source/Orkney). He lived there until 1868.[2]

In 1847 he was granted an honorary doctorate by King's College (LLD) and in 1852 was additionally created a Doctor of Divinity (DD). In 1868 he was appointed Professor of Systematic Theology at the newly amalgamated [Aberdeen University](/source/Aberdeen_University). He also served as [provost](/source/Provost_(religion)) of Old Aberdeen.[2] He lived at the Divinity Manse at the university.[3]

He died on 1 May 1887. He is buried against the outer east wall of [St Machar's Cathedral](/source/St_Machar's_Cathedral) in [Old Aberdeen](/source/Old_Aberdeen).

## Family

In 1841 he married Helen Scott, youngest daughter of Rev James Scott of [Benholm](/source/Benholm) in [Kincardineshire](/source/Kincardineshire).

His daughter Isabella Anne Trail married the civil engineer [Andrew Jamieson](/source/Andrew_Jamieson) [FRSE](/source/FRSE). His sons included John Arbuthnott Trail [WS](/source/Writer_to_the_Signet) LLD (1847-1920) and Prof [James William Helenus Trail](/source/James_William_Helenus_Trail) [FRS](/source/Royal_Society_of_London).

Following the death of his first wife, in 1882 he married Eliza Macpherson (1843-1912), daughter of Rev Prof James Macpherson DD. She was 39 and he was 76.

## References

1. Grave of Samuel Trail, St Machars

1. ["Arbuthnott Parish, Kincardineshire: records for genealogists"](http://www.ancestor.abel.co.uk/Angus/Arbuthnott.html). *www.ancestor.abel.co.uk*

1. Aberdeen Post Office Directory 1870

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