1763, December 18
She Said
Katherine Forbes in Wester Latheron was delated for the sin
of uncleaness. She appeared before the kirk session who wanted to know who the
father of her child is. She gave Mr Sinclair of Latheron as Father of her
pregnancy.
He Said
She reported to the elders that Mr Sinclair proposed her to
say her child is another which she would in nowise comply with.
She Said
And then when the elders wanted to know when the baby was
conceived she told them she can consider on no time her pregnancy took place as
she was frequently guilty.
1764 March 18
They Said
When the baby of Katherine Forbes was born the session
elders again met to discuss this case.
He Said
By now James Sinclair Younger of Latheron stopped telling
lies and acknowledged being the father.
They Said
While the session still insisted on Katherine making
‘Publick’ satisfaction they didn’t apply the same rules to Sinclair. They refered
to him as ‘that unhappy man’ and would not deal with him in the Common way’ but
wanted some considerable acknowledgement from Sinclair in the form of cash for
the poor and needy.
He Didn’t
There is no record of Sinclair standing in sackcloth before
the congregation, being involved with the baptism of the baby, nor paying a
fine.
She Did what she had to do. He Did Nothing
While Katherine Forbes made ‘Publick’ satisfaction
there is no record of her baby being baptised.
https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/virtual-volumes/
Latheron kirk session, Minutes
(1734-1776), Pgs 223 - 227
