The Hon Robert Dunbar and Margaret Miller Part E

 

The Hon Robert Dunbar and Margaret Miller Part E

Captain the Hon Robert Dunbar of Hempriggs and LatheronWheel is not behaving honourably at all. Timewise things are getting complicated.

In August 1836 Henny Sinclair pregnant with Dunbar’s baby appeared at session. In March 1838 that baby was baptised. But in between times in November 1837 Margaret Miller appeared before the kirk session also pregnant with Dunbar’s baby.

Margaret Miller

6^th November 1837. Margaret Miller in Knockinan having been summoned to attend this meeting of session in consequence of it having been told that she is with child in fornication was called but did not appear. She was ordered to be summoned to attend the next meeting of session.

 

Wick Heritage Museum. My photo, I wonder if Robert Dunbar sat on this chair.

4^th June 1838 Compeared [appeared] Margaret Miller, an unmarried woman in Knockinnan, confessed that she had brought forth a child in fornication about eighteen weeks ago. Being seriously exhorted to tell the truth she gave up Captain Dunbar Latheronwheel Cottage as father to her child. The clerk was instructed to send a copy of the minute to Captain Dunbar in order to ascertain the truth of this declaration. Outrageously the session elders were still trying to get an answer from Dunbar about the baby brought forth by Henny Sinclair in 1836.

Map of Latheronwheel House

 

I am not sure exactly what Margaret Miller means by Latheronwheel cottage. There are records of a cottage at Hempriggs house. A map of Latheronwheel house shows some roofed buildings behind the main house so maybe that’s where she was taken advantage of. 

 

             Hempriggs Cottage https://her.highland.gov.uk/monument/MHG15292

Robertina Dunbar

In an unusual order of events (before Margaret had submitted to discipline) on 18 August 1838 Captain Dunbar and Margaret Miller took their daughter to church where she was baptized Robertina Dunbar. But the elders had no intention of letting Margaret Miller get away without public shaming.

4^th May 1840 Thereafter compeared Margaret Miller in Knockinnan (vide Mins 4^th June 1838) and having laid before the session a letter from Captain Dunbar acknowledging guilt with her at the same time specified in her former confession. Was seriously dealt with as to her sin and allowed to be taken upon discipline in the usual manner.

Robertina Dunbar age 3 is shown in the 1841 Latheron census with her mother Margaret Miller age 20 and what looks like Margaret’s parents and siblings. So she is living at home with her family.

In the 1851 census Robertina Dunbar Miller is 13 years old living at home with her mother Margaret who is aged 32 and unmarried, and grandparents, and going to school.

What of Captain Robert Dunbar? To be continued…

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/virtual-volumes/volume-images/volume_data-CH2-530-3/GAZ00760?image_number=139-153