In September 1689 Arbuthnot's father, Alexander, refused to sigh an oath to the rulers William and Mary who had been victorious over the Jacobites, and he was dismissed from his parish.
Noong Setyembre 1689 Arbuthnot ng ama, Alexander, tumanggi sa hininga ng isang panunumpa sa rulers William at Mary na may been matagumpay sa Jacobites, at siya ay awas mula sa kanyang parokya.