In His Own Barn
On November 22, 1761, Isobel McLean in Berrrydale was accused of uncleaness and ordered to be charged at the next Session day. Isobel appeared, was interrogated ‘if with child’. She answered in the affirmative and stated that the father was William Campbell in Ausdale, a married man. She was then interrogated where and when the child was begot. Isobel stated the child was begot in the middle of May in his own barn. On finding herself with child acquainted him of the same who desired her say the father is some stranger not William Campbell. Note: This is not William Campbell, Tacksman, of Ausdale but another William Campbell.
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| In his own barn - which is very near the house. |
For the next twelve months William Campbell and the Kirk Session elders were at loggerheads over William Campbell’s guilt.
December 20, 1761, The elders desired William Campbell to be charged or ‘compeared’ as they put it, meaning to appear in the Session court personally. He did not appear. He was charged again by the officer. ‘Not Compeared’. He was charged three then four times.
On February 7, 1762, The Moderator presented a letter from William Campbell. The Session elders said they would take no heed of the letter unless William Campbell ‘compear’ in person. They ordered the letter to be ‘ingrosed’ or fully written out in the Session minutes.
William Campbell's Letter
Rev Sir I ask as the greatest favour that you and Session would think of my miserable case and especially hoped you would think of my poor wife whom I fear much more than myself and as for my poor young familie it is their ever ruin and down cast and the longer time that is taken to end this doleful story the worse for my poor wife and children. Rev Sir, if you would keep me seven years a Public Monument I will not confess but where guilty. And as for this woman I can safely declare I never got it in my heart or thought such as she lays to my charge. I should tell her behaviour while in my house it will help me nothing I therefore leave to a better judge. And as well as she got first in her heart to say she may say anything that comes in her will to destroy my character which she has done already mean time she did no more than she promised that is to be my families ruin if in her power but as for my part I cannot stop her tongue but will free myself and asking again would you consider my case. I am Rev Sir your very humble servant. Signed William Campbell P. S. My poor children cannot so much as go to the Parish school until this Blame is done away. So I earnestly beg this to be taken away as soon as possible. And I Still am Rev Sir your very humble servant William Campbell.
The elders did not accept William Campbell’s sob story. Finally William Campbell faced the elders but after them being at great pains with him he still insisted on his Innocency and offered to clear himself in the legal way (that was the Oath of Purgation).
‘The Session are deeply sorry that they can work no conviction on this man and are resolved that in the meantime he shall have no church privileges conferred on him and that they shall not be sure for years to take his Oath of Purgation’.
The Session referred him to the Presbytery and cited him to attend at Wick on the fourth day of May.
Robert Burns before the
Kirk Session John Burnet
The Case Dragged On
The case dragged on. It seems that the community got involved and had their opinions – should he take the Oath of Purgation or pay a fine of ten pounds Scots. William Campbell appeared and said there was ‘grumbling’ about the security he gave and he absolutely declared his only motivation to ‘sink such a piece of money’ was the peace of mind of his family. He said if he ‘swore’ before the congregation some of his friends would suspect the worst and also his enemies thought the session were taking the easy way out.
The elders were not sure whether to fine William or let him ‘swear’ his innocence. They did not chose the declaration, and the Bill they thought not legal and therefore chose to give up all and referring all events to the Sovereign Providence of God chose to prosecute him in the common way to see if they could bring him to own the truth or otherwise escalpel (clear from a charge or guilt) himself. No luck.
William and Isobel still hadn’t appeared together in front of the session. So the elders tried that plan again. It seems that William and Isobel may have both appeared but he was still declaring his innocence. They were both charged to turn up at church the next Sunday but he didn’t appear of course.
William Campbell eventually did appear again. The Session enquired if he still persisted in his denial. Answered that he did as the Session refused the offer he once made for the peace of his family and that his enemies and many of his friends might be ready to think him guilty.
In due course William was worn down and declared his willingness to submit to the forms of discipline of the church and would be glad how soon the session should bring the same to bearing. The Session after hearing the above earnestly wished that they may have William Campbell and Isobel Mclean confronted before them and he is apud acta required to attend next session. The officer was also required to charge Isobel Mclean to be at that meeting then the Session would be more able to resolve upon what they should do and how they should treat this unlucky man.
This time Isobel Mclean did not appear.
Isobel Compeared
Then on December 19, 1762, a year after she first ‘Compeared’ Isobel was formally charged with uncleaness, but William was again not present.
Dr Webster sermon 1750
Now they brought the big guns out. A meeting was finally had with both William and Isobel there. There were fifteen elders present. These sessions were known to be extremely intimidating. William was asked to acknowledge his fault, give glory to God and confess his sin all to no purpose. Poor Isobel. How frightening for her.
The Woman Has Truth on her side
The Session recorded they were more than persuaded that ‘the Woman has truth on her side’ but decided there was no likelihood to bring William Campbell to a public confession. The Session concluded that no public measure would have any good effect so they recommended that the Moderator deal with him in private and try for an ‘ingenious confession’ – whatever that might be. It sounds ominous.
On January 16, 1763, Brave Isobel McLean satisfied the Session elders – meaning she stood alone in sackcloth before the congregation.
There is never any mention in the minutes of the baby but having satisfied the Session Isobel could be brought back into the church and her baby could be baptized. I cannot find a further record of Isobel or her child.
Travelling Woman
and her baby. From Gordon Shennan Collection Am Baile
Source: Scotlands People: Latheron Kirk Session Minutes (1734-1776)
Pages 160 - 198
