Captain the Hon Robert Sutherland Dunbar of Hempriggs and Latheronwheel gets another girl pregnant. Part B

 

Janet Simpson

On May 2^nd 1830 Janet Simpson of Newlands, Clyth, appeared before the Latheron kirk session and made a very serious claim of rape against the Hon Robert Dunbar. It is beyond belief that Janet Simpson would have made up such a false accusation against a powerful landed proprietor. She has not had any dealing with him in the past and he seems to have taken a chance opportunity to take advantage of a lone woman in the dark knowing he would probably get away with it – which it seems he did.  Robert Dunbar had already admitted being the father of his servant Elizabeth Gunn’s pregnancy so it is scarcely stretching the imagination to accept Janet Simpson’s story. Robert Dunbar had ‘taken’ Elizabeth Gunn at least in August 1829 and is now accused of raping Janet Simpson in late November 1829.

https://maps.nls.uk/atlas/taylor-skinner/rec/1065 See top right

Janet Simpson’s statement

The session met and the minister and elders compeared Janet Simpson of Newlands Clyth. Janet confessed herself with child and being interrogated as to the father and seriously exhorted to tell the truth said that the guilt took place on or about 28^th November last in the immediate neighbourhood of Hempriggs.  

Hembriggs house

That at said time she was on her way to Wick about 6 o’clock p.m. and met a man who was an entire stranger to her. Who after a few words of communication asked her to sit down by the road side which she refused when he took hold of her forcibly and guilt was the consequence. That she resisted to the utmost of her power but he being stronger prevailed. She had been since endeavouring to discern the person from the little she could discern from his features but being then dark and general appearance and that the only individual answering the impression made upon her mind at the time as Captain Dunbar of Latheronwheel.

Hembriggs to Wick

Being asked if she knew anything of him formerly said she did not but that upon seeing him thereafter in Wick she asked a person who that gentleman was adding that she thought this was the person who had been guilty with her.

On being asked if she could say with any certainty that this was the person Janet replied that she thinks she can. A copy of this minute was ordered to be sent to Captain Dunbar.

Robert Dunbar has nothing to say

A few weeks later on 31st May 1830 Janet Simpson appeared again before the kirk session, and being earnestly exhorted to tell the truth persisted in her former declaration. She was ordered to appear at next meeting of session.

On 5^th July 1830, the session met and was constituted minister and elders. Robert Dunbar had ignored Janet Simpson’s claims and it appears that the kirk elders did not follow up either. There is no record of Janet’s baby being christened.

To be continued..

 

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/virtual-volumes/  Latheron kirk session, Minutes (1734-1776, with gaps) Minutes (1819-1843) (CH2/530/3) pages 51 - 55