Friday, June 10, 2022

Baby Jean Begotten out of Wedlock

6 August 1766

On 6 August 1766 Sinclair attended the Latheron church.

James Sinclair Younger of Latheron had a child baptised. Begotten out of wedlock. Named Jean. Witnesses Willm Roy and Andrew Roy. Tenants in Latheron. Note transcribed record says ‘Jane’.

 


Sinclair’s fine

There is no more information about baby Jean’s mother. She must have satisfied church discipline before the baby could be given baptism.

 

Baptismal font St Peters Thurso

Unfortunately there is a gap in the records. “The most material part of the session minutes since August 24 1764 until 8 August 1766 are ingrossed in the other register”.  

On 8 August 1766 page 242

On 8 August 1766 in the school house of Latheron the kirk session met and being constitute  - Session and elders Viz., itemised their finances:

 

In the Box £2.2.0

Collections of the sacrament £3.5.0

The private collections for the year past £3.12.0

Fines given in all this time

From John McBeath £12.0.0 Scots

From Alex Suth in Achavanich £12.0.0 Scots

From Mr Sinclair of Latheron £48 Scots

From Alex Miller £3.6.0

 


Although the fines were ‘given’ it is not clear that they were paid. An amount showing to the right of the list of fines given, appears to show that an amount of £21.9.8 was received from the four names listed. The fine for Mr Sinclair of Latheron was quite substantial and may have been for more than one baby ‘begotten out of wedlock’ but there are few records anywhere showing him paying fines that he is given.

Distributions were then made to the poor of the parish.

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/virtual-volumes/ Latheron kirk session, Minutes 1734-1776 page 242, Baptisms page 117

 

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