William Spence (schoolmaster)

William Spence was a Scottish schoolmaster in Fife. In the month of May 1685, he was summoned to appear before the Privy Council.^[1] Phillimore says he "had committed the offence of teaching his pupils the doctrines of Presbyterianism, and attending the forbidden conventicles."^[2] Dickson says he "was committed to the Bass where he remained for more than a year, when he petitioned for his liberty on the ground of ill-health."^[3] He was sent to the Bass Rock at the same time as Peter Kid and had fourteen months of imprisonment.^[4] On the 20th of July 1686, “My Lords ” agreed to his release “upon his finding caution to compear before the Council, when cited; and, in the meantime, to live peaceably and not to keep a school, under a penalty of five thousand merks, Scots money, in case of failure.” He was liberated along with John Greg.^[5] After he was set free he had to periodically reappear before the Council to retain his liberty.^[6]