Rev Archibald Browne

Archibald Browne (1787-1843) from Paisley graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1810, studied divinity at Edinburgh and, in 1818, became the first minister of the newly built Scots kirk in Georgetown, Demerara. He returned to Scotland in 1826 where he married Martha Matheson, the widow of the Essequibo planter, Hugh Junor, of Rosemarkie. His successor was Rev James Struthers, who served from 1826 to 1857.

Browne published three sermons in pamphlet form in 1824 'On the Duties of Subjects to their Sovereign and the Duties of Slaves to their Masters', which were also serialised in the pro-slavery Glasgow Courier. Browne also wrote to the Courier justifying the actions of the Governor of Demerara in putting Rev John Smith on trial and claiming that the London Missionary Society had been responsible for fomenting the Demerara slave rebellion of 1823. [Iain Whyte, Scotland and the Abolition of Black Slavery, 1756–1838 (Edinburgh, 2006) p167]

He died in Edinburgh in 1843.

From the diary of Rev John Smith
Tuesday 29 September 1818: Was informed that Mr Brown preached at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday from Rom.1.16. O God, make him a burning & shining light in this Heathen country.

Tuesday 6 October 1818: Rode to town. Called upon Rev. A. Brown. He appears to be a very communicative young man. The Lord bless his labours.