Rev. Philip Skelton, 1707-1787.

Rev. Philip Skelton, 1707-1787.
Writer and Philanthropist.

Rev. Philip Skelton was born near Lisburn in 1707. He was a scholar and prolific writer on religious matters. Between 1750 and 1759 he was Church of Ireland Minister in Pettigo. He made his mark on all creeds and classes in the locality even to the extent of selling his library to buy food when famine threatened the Pettigo area and he gave to all regardless of belief. He also dispensed medicines and in serious cases paid for a doctor to come from Enniskillen to local patients. In 1754 he published two volumes of sermons. He was an outspoken critic of anything he saw as wrong and although a talented and deeply religious man this curtailed his advancement in the church. After his death a book on his life, including his time in Pettigo was published by his friend, the Rev. Samuel Burdy. His most famous book was called
“Deism Revealed in 8 Dialogues”, published in 1748. He often suffered from melancholia and decided he was about to die
and his parishioners would gather to pray. It is recorded that one member of his congregation eventually said, “Would you please make a day and stick to it.”