Aitkins (Aiken, Elkins, or Atkins), James

Aitkins (Aiken, Elkins, Or Atkins), James, a Scottish bishop was born at Kirkwall, and educated at Edinburgh, from whence he went to Oxford. Returning to Scotland, he became chaplain to Hamilton in 1638. in which station he conducted himself so well that, upon the return of the marquis to England, the latter procured from the king a presentation for Mr. Aitkins to the church of Birsa, in Orkney. In 1650, ill consequence of some trouble arising in the Church, he was apprehended and compelled to leave with his family for Edinburgh, and resided there obscurely until the Restoration, when he went to London to congratulate the king, at which time the bishop of Winchester presented him to the rectory of Wentfrith, in Dorsetshire. There he continued until 1677, when he was elected and consecrated bishop of Moray; but he was translated from this see to that of Galloway, Feb. 6, 1680. He died at Edinburgh, Oct. 28, 1687. See Keith, Scottish Bishops, p. 153, 282.