Durris Kirk Session Minutes, 14th February 1813

After Sermon the Session met in the Church, and being constitute by prayer, compeared Jean Thomson; who still adhered to her former confession.  Compeared also William Smith; who still persisted in his denial.  Compeared Margaret Burnett, wife of James Gilbert senr. in Backdykes; and being asked; if she had ever seen William Smith going to Jean Thomson's Father's house, answered that she does not remember, that she ever saw him going to that house.

Compeared James Gilbert junr, likewise residing in Backdykes; and being asked, if ever he had seen William Smith going to Jean Thomson's Father's house answered, he never had seen him going to said house.

Compeared, at same time, Elizabeth Hendrie, wife of David Scroggie in Cornhill; and being asked if she had ever seen William Smith going to Jean Thomson's Father's house; answered, that she never had; nor had ever seen them together alone in that house.

The Session referred the matter to the Presbytery for their advice.  Both Parties were summoned apud acta to appear before the Presbytery on the last Wednesday of March ensuing.

Durris Session Minutes, 1813, NAS Reference: CH2/651/4)

Kirk Session Registers are available to search at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh and at local archives throughout Scotland.

Durris Kirk Session Minutes, 24th January 1813

After Sermon, the Session met in the Church, and being constitute by prayer, compeared Jean Thomson in Brachmont, who adhered to her former confession & compeared at the same time William Smith and absolutely denied ever being guilty with her.

Jean Thomson being asked when she was delivered of her child, answered on Old New Year's day, being Tuesday the twelfth of this present month of January.  Being farther asked, if she had not, on the 29th of November last, declared in the Session; that William Smith was guilty with her in the Fields on the second week of May last, as she thought, but did not remember the particular day (now, if William Smith had been guilty with you at the time you think, you should not have been delivered of your child untill the middle of February ensuing)  Answered; that William Smith had been guilty with her frequently; but hoping (the time she emitted the former declaration) he might acknowledge his being the Father of her child; she did not choose to mention that circumstance.  Being farther asked; if she could bring any witnesses to prove; that William Smith frequented her Father's House, and of his being at any time or times seen with her in her Father's House, Answered she could.  She was desired to bring them to the Session.

Durris Session Minutes, 1813, NAS Reference: CH2/651/4)

Kirk Session Registers are available to search at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh and at local archives throughout Scotland.

Durris Kirk Session Minutes, 29th November 1812

The Session met in the Church, and being constitute by prayer compeared Jean Thomson in Brachmont, who, after being seriously exhorted to ingenuity in her confession, and sincerely in her professions of repentance, adhered to her former confession.  At same time appeared William Smith; and asbolutely denied being ever guilty with the said Jean Thomson.  The Minister seriously exhorted him to ingenuity; but still, he persisted in his denial.  Jean Thomson having been asked if she had any presumption to alledges against him, Answered; that he was guilty with her in the Fields on the second week of May last, as she thinks, but does not remember the particular day.  The Session refer the Matter to the Presbytery for their advice.

To be continued.
Durris Session Minutes, 1812, NAS Reference: CH2/651/4. 
Kirk Session Registers are available to search at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh and at local archives throughout Scotland.

Durris Kirk Session Minutes, 22nd November 1812

After Sermon the Session met in the Church and being constitute by prayer, compeared Jean Thomson in Brachmont; and declared that she was with Child in Uncleanness, & that William Smith Farmer in Brachmont was the Father of her child.  The Officer was ordered to summond said William Smith to attend the Session next Lord's Day.  Jean Thomson was also ordered to attend the Session on said Day.

Durris Session Minutes, 1812, NAS Reference: CH2/651/4)

Kirk Session Registers are available to search at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh and at local archives throughout Scotland.

Strichen Kirk Session Minutes, 1811

May 19
Session being met and constituted by Prayer: Compeared Jean Thomson and acknowledged herself with child and being interrogated who was the father of her child, she accused William Milne, a married man in the parish, who compeared at same time and acknowledged guilt.  They were both seriously exhorted &c.   Closed with prayer.

June 9th
This day compeared before the congregation William Milne, for the crime of adultery, and having paid his penalty he was seriously exhorted and relieved from Church Censure

NAS Ref: CH2/344/5/89
Kirk Session Records are available to search at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh and at local archives throughout Scotland.