The Blair Atholl Session Minutes are now completed up until the end of 1749, and we are starting work on 1750-59.
http://www.borenich.co.uk/Session_Minutes_1741.htmlWe have indexed the Minutes (1718-23), so if you are searching for somebody in this parish, please contact us. There is no index yet for 1741-49 as there are hundreds of people mentioned and is a major undertaking, but we may recollect a particular name.
There are some interesting items:
Female camp followers are rarely named in the '45 Jacobite Army, but one of them was Florence McNab.
Elspeth Kennedy, daughter to Malcolm Kennedy in Bochonie, was called and was asked who had fathered the child lately brought forth. She answered it to be Alexander Robertson, son to Robert ('Ban') Robertson in Milntown of Invervack. Asked whether she had acquainted the said Alexander Robertson with her pregnancy, she replied that she had not the opportunity, but that she sent Elspeth McDonald in Toulich (of Glen Errochty) to acquaint him, about the latter end of October last. Elspeth McDonald was summoned and said that she had delivered the message to Alexander Robertson who had answered that he would, if ever he returned from the (Jacobite) army, do all duty to the said Elspeth Kennedy, as father to her child, and also would write to Alexander Robertson in Kinaldy, the Elder, on her behalf. (Unfortunately, Alexander Robertson was killed at Culloden).
It had been reported to the Minister that Elspeth Robertson in Dalinrich, a dumb woman since birth, had brought forth a child begotten in fornication with John Campbell, servant to Patrick Robertson of Trinafour, dwelling at Dalnacardoch. Both appeared before the Session and, by signs being made to her (was she also deaf?), asked to know the father of her child. She pointed to John Campbell but he positively refused that he had ever had any carnal knowledge with her. Despite exhortions, both persisted with their version. By signs, it was confirmed that the circumstances corresponded with the date of birth. Both were questioned in private, but to no avail.
Alexander Gow snr. in Blair, gave in an account of 4s Sterling due to him by the Session, several years ago, for repairing the quire (choir? or possibly the Precenter's seat), repentance stool, seat and bars, which the Session ordered to be paid to him presently.
Happy reading,
Throth
