Help with word on birth record from 1848 “ Uncleanness”

[ryan37]

Recently found a record of birth for a ancestor of mine

It uses the word uncleanness

October 4th James Samuel , Seaman in peterhead and Betsy Anderson his wife had a daughter born 19th July ( in uncleanness) baptised and named Elizabeth redwood, before George Anderson and James Webster

Can anyone help explain the term uncleanness.?

Ryan

[CaroleW]

Were the parents married?  If child was illegit perhaps that’s the reason.  Difficult to determine facts as you have not given James Samuel’s surname and daughter is Elizabeth Redwood

Were they all Anderson?

[Rosinish]

I would 'assume' the child was illegitimate but legitimised by the parents later marrying although I haven't seen those words specifically myself on a doc. but similar?

Annie

[ryan37]

The birth was

Surname
Samuel
 As father is James Samuel
So
I guess it should be Elizabeth redwood Samuel

Also I don’t believe parents were married as James Samuel married Mary Stewart in 1847

What my theory is

He conceived a baby with Betsy Anderson in late 1847 and then married Mary a few months later

Then realised Betsy was pregnant but was too late ,


Elizabeth being born July of 1848?

Would this add up to
Why uncleanness is mentioned

Ryan

[Rosinish]

It looks as though the Minister thought they were married...

"James Samuel , Seaman in peterhead and Betsy Anderson his wife"

The child would take the surname of her father but the surname isn't given on a baptism only their forename & middle name as the surname is already shown with the father's name.

Annie

[ryan37]

Many thanks for your view

Whats your thoughts on the

Uncleanness part ?


Ryan

[Rosinish]

Not sure if you missed my Reply #2

As stated in the above reply.

Annie

[ryan37]

Apologies Annie

I missed it I’m
Using my phone at the moment

Thanks Im swaying towards that thinking illegitimate being what is meant by uncleanness

Thank you

Ryan

[Isabel H]

The reference to "uncleanness" probably means that the child was conceived before the couple were married. It might be worth looking at the Kirk Session records to see if they were disciplined.