He was born on 8 March 1806 the son of Archibald Roxburgh (1773–1823), a Glasgow shipping merchant, and his wife, Elizabeth Clark (1777–1813).

In 1836, due to great expansion, his parish was split to create a new quoad sacra church called St Peters.

From 1866 he was assisted at St John's Free by Rev Alexander Whyte.

[5][8] He lived his final years at 122 Hill Street, a fine Georgian villa in the Garnethill district of Glasgow.

On 7 June 1836 he married his cousin, Catherine Grey (1811-1899), daughter of George Gray of Yeaman Shore, Dundee, Esq.