The Oath of Purgation
May 1772, Latheron Parish,
Source: Scotlands People, Latheron Kirk Session Minutes 1734-1776
There are a number of interesting people in this little drama
Marion Gunn newly delivered of her child is brought before the Kirk Session to declare who the father is.
George Gunn of Rangag is accused as the father – hotly denying it.
Session Elders.
Two midwives - Jean Sutherland and Catherine Sutherland
William Whear - the real father - please stand up.
A baby has been left outside the townhouse of an old
batchelor. A young woman watches from the corner of the street as the Kirk
officials are ready to pounce. Ulster. Engraving.
1784. Welcome Collection
May 1772, Pg 290 Marion Gunn is brought before the elders and dilated – meaning accused or charged – of uncleanness. She gave George Gunn in Rangag as the father of her pregnancy.
Establishing paternity and the future support of the child was a serious matter and it was expected that the truth was to be told.
May 31, 1772, Pg 291 George Gunn is compeared – meaning brought before the court. He absolutely denied having carnal knowledge of Marion Gunn.
Enter the two midwives, Jean Sutherland and Catherine Sutherland - seems like they had a duty to the Kirk elders under such circumstances.
July 26, 1772, Pg 292 Brought before the court are Jean Sutherland midwife and Catherine Sutherland who declared that Marion Gunn in the Extremity of her labour continued to give George Gunn as Father to her child so that the Session is fully persuaded that she spoke the truth.
August 2, 1772, Pg 292 Brought before the court together are George Gunn and Marion Gunn. George still persists in his denial of being father of Marion Gunn’s child. The Session recommend to set the case before the Presbytery and George Gunn and Marion Gunn to appear again together.
The rules now require George to make a solemn Oath of Purgation before the higher court of the Presbytery. He agrees and the date is set.
Dec, 1772, Pg 297 The Session met and appoint that December 29 be the day that George Gunn should give his Oath of Purgation before the congregation to clear himself of the scandal laid to his charge by Marion Gunn.
The Oath of Purgation was regarded as a very serious and solemn oath.
The Acts of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 1638-184 laid down the Form of Process in the Judiciaries of the Church of Scotland with relation to Scandals and Censures and covered a great many laws and why the Oath of Purgation may be used and how to use it.
The following is the Oath of Purgation in use in the west Kirk of Edinburgh in 1680: …I … do swear by the great Eternal God, as I shall be judged in the last and most terrible day, that I never…wishing that all the plagues threatened and pronounced against the breakers of the law may be inflicted upon me, both in this life and the life to come, if this be not the truth as I have sworn.
https://electricscotland.com/bible/churchlife09.htm
Stop Press - Marion Gunn was misled! William Whear a married man from Achavanich please stand up.
Achavanich and Rangag are very close to each other so George Gunn and William Whear would have known each other
January 3, 1773, Pg 298 The Session met. The Minister informs that Marion Gunn who gave George Gunn as Father to her child confessed to one of the Elders that she was misled and gave William Whear a married man. The Session empower the Moderator in the most prudential manner to deal with him and what may be most for the benefit of the poor.
Now, interestingly, the focus moves from the paternity of the baby to the best outcome for the poor. William Whear gets a fine of two guineas.
Poor George Gunn has been dragged through the mill for nothing. He is probably feeling very put out.
Feb, 1773, Pg 298 The minister informs that he gave… William Whear in Achavanich a bill for two Guineas.
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