The story of Donald Sutherland of Bolnessan starts halfway through the available records. So the first details behind his fine are not available. But we know that on 12 July 1761 the Session met in Latheron, started their meeting with prayer, then went on to their business. On the agenda was the matter of deciding on a fine for Donald Sutherland of Bolnessan and ‘his party’. This was set at twenty pounds Scots which Donald paid by 23 August 1761.
“There after was a list made up of distributions to the poor for this year”.
The fine of 20 pounds was a lot of money when compared with the distributions to the poor, many of whom only got 12 shillings while some got one pound, for the year.
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6None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. Leviticus Ch 18 V 6 |
In September 1761 we get some information on what the fine was about.
“Latheron, 13 September 1761. The session met and constitute with prayer. The Session taking under consideration the case of Donald Sutherland in Bolnessan who has been making satisfaction for the sin of incest for several Sabbaths during this twelve months past. The Session impressed from the report of his nearest neighbours and the Elders where he resides, in his favours and are resolved to call him before them and hear himself - and he being called and interogated by the Modr at due length. The Session has agreed from the hopes of the many sincere repentance and amendments that he be resolved first Lords Day before the congregation”.
“Latheron, 21 September 1761, Donald Sutherland in Bolnessan formerly standing in sackcloth for the sin of incest absolved publicly before the congregation in terms of the resolution of the Session”.
It seems that the way the Session dealt with this bad situation, as well as being interrogated by the Moderator, was to give maximum publicity and shaming to Donald Sutherland. At certain times for the past 12 months he had to stand in sackcloth before the congregation. The congregation would have included just about everyone in the district. Latheron was the only local church. It seated 900 in 1840, at which time it was not uncommon for 1000 people to come to the church to take communion. I think the population was similar in the mid eighteenth century.
As well as that, Donald’s nearest neighbours and local elders were watching him and reporting back to the Session. Depending on the circumstances it’s hard to know how such a matter could be controlled by watchful neighbours unless there was known to be some coming and going between houses. ‘His party’, while mentioned in relation to the fine, is not identified, so presumably she was seen to be the victim in this case. Perhaps the victim could safely call on support from watchful neighbours if needed.
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| Neighbours keeping in touch with each other. Land of Heather. |
So Donald Sutherland’s public repentance and corrections to his life were acceptable to the Session and he was absolved from further discipline.
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| A Quiet Pipe. Raphael Tuck Scottish Life and Character Series. |
Let’s hope Donald spent his later years sitting alone regretting and reflecting on his sins!
Source: www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/virtual-volumes Latheron Kirk Session, Minutes 1734-1776. Pages 150-157
