David McGregore

David McGregore (November 6, 1710 – May 30, 1777), also known by variations such as McGregor, MacGregore, or MacGregor, was a Presbyterian minister active during the colonial period in America. He was born to James McGregore, who emigrated with his family from Scotland in 1718 aboard five ships. The family settled in Nutfield, New Hampshire, an area encompassing present-day Derry, Londonderry, and Windham.

McGregor served as the first minister of the West Parish of Derry. His sermons during his lifetime reflected experimental and progressive religious ideas, questioning traditional scriptures and exploring new beliefs, which broke from conventional religious practices in colonial New England. His approach to religious teachings was considered innovative for his era.

The community's religious landscape was marked by divisions, as evidenced by the fact that until his death in 1777, forty families from the East Parish worshipped in the West Parish and vice versa, with residents paying their worship tax to neighboring towns. Religious sectarianism contributed to these divisions, and town residents often crossed paths en route to worship, sometimes carrying shoes for miles to reach the church.

In 1720, the community voted to construct a small meeting house suitable for worship, situating it as centrally as possible within the town's lots. Reverend James McGregor, David's father, remarked on the nature of songs used in worship, categorizing them as good, bad, or neutral, citing specific examples.

Rev. McGregor was also known to have practiced law at least once. Around 1750, a resident of Portsmouth, Jotham Odiorne, received threatening letters demanding 500 pounds under threats of violence and property destruction. After the money was delivered, Captain John Mitchell was accused of theft but lacked legal representation. Despite no prior connection to Rev. McGregor’s church, he volunteered to defend Mitchell, successfully arguing in his favor during his trial. Although Mitchell was initially convicted and fined, subsequent evidence led to his acquittal.

McGregor's published sermons include titles such as "Trial of the Spirits" (1741), which addressed a controversy involving John Wesley and George Whitefield; "Professors Warned of their Danger" (1741), aimed at ministers; "The True Believer’s All Secured" (1747); "The Christian Soldier" (1754); "Address after the Right Hand of Fellowship" (1765); "Christian Unity and Peace" (1765); "An Israelite Indeed" (1774); and "The Voice of the Prophets Considered" (1776). These works reflect his engagement with contemporary religious debates, ordination duties, and spiritual themes.

His gravestone bears an inscription in Latin, emphasizing salvation through Jesus Christ and indicating that he was the son of Rev. James McGregor, the first minister in Londonderry. He died on May 30, 1777, aged 66, and was memorialized by his wife and children, including a daughter, Mrs. Mary MacGregore, who died in 1793.

McGregor’s family included notable descendants. His daughter Margaret married Captain James Rogers, the brother of Major Robert Rogers of Rogers’ Rangers. His daughter Mary married Robert Means; their granddaughter Elizabeth married Jesse Appleton, making them the grandparents of Jane Means Appleton, the wife of President Franklin Pierce. His son Robert McGregor built the first bridge over the Merrimack River in Goffstown, known as McGregor’s Bridge. Another son, James McGregor, served as a New Hampshire state senator representing Rockingham County from 1793 to 1794.

James McGregor, David’s grandfather, originated from Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, the same location associated with Rob Roy MacGregor. David McGregor himself was a descendant of this Scottish lineage. Additionally, U.S. Senator John Kerry is noted to be among his descendants.

References include works such as "The Works of Reverend David McGregor" (2009, William M. Gorman), and various historical records from New Hampshire and Vermont archives.