9th Dec, 1646.—John Armour, _suspect_ of adultery, having got his first
admonition for his contumacy, having compeared, the Presbytery having
dealt with him a long time to bring him to remorse and confession, stood
still to his denial that he ever had carnal dealings with Isobel Auld,
who fathered her child upon him. The Presbytery finding that he was
hardening his heart, did, notwithstanding his denial, ordain for these
reasons: 1st, Because he had carried himself scandalously with the said
Isobel Auld, after they had been inhibit by the session of Dreghorn.
2dly, Because of his insolence to the session. 3dly, Because of his
disobedience to the Presbytery: That he should stand the three following
Lord’s days in sackcloth, and in case he were disobedient to go on with
the public admonition.
7th April, 1647.—Charles Hall in Newmills, suspect of adultery with ane
Isobell Moore, the scandal being pregnant and flagrant through the whole
parish, &c., which he denied, ordains that the said Charles should purge
himself solemnly by oath before the congregation.
15th June, 1647.—The brethren of the Presbytery having heard the
relation of Mr Wm. Russel, that ane of his parishioners, called John
Bryden, that he had confessed in the session that he had called his
minister’s doctrine dust and grey mould, appoints him to be brought
before the Presbytery next day.
29th June, 1647.—Mr James Ferguson being asked anent the satisfaction of
Isobel Allen, he answered that she continues still in her wickedness,
and that they were dealing with the Erle of Eglinton to banish her the
parish.
John Bryden in Kilbirnie, being summoned for calling his minister’s
doctrine dust and grey mould appeared, and ingeniously confessed his
fault. The Presbytery considering how prejudicial such speeches were to
the whole ministry, after mature deliberation, does ordain that first
upon his knees he make a confession of his fault before the Presbytery,
and after he go to his own congregation, and there in the public place
of repentance make are acknowledgment of his fault likewise, and Mr Hugh
M‘Kaile to go to Kilbirnie and receive him.
29th June, 1647.—James Wallace in the parish of the new kirk, for over
nights drinking, is appointed to be cited _pro secundo_.
27th July. 1647.—Thomas Stevenstone in Dunlop, for making ane promise of
marriage to ane Marion Moore, as she alleged, being summoned denied that
ever he made any promise of marriage to the said Marion, and because the
said Thomas was upon terms of marriage with another, he is ordained to
purge himself by oath upon the day of his marriage.
17th August, 1647.—Robert Fulton and Margt. Storie, in Kilwinning, upon
apparent grounds and presumption of adultery sic as this (among many
others) confessed by themselves in the session of Kilwinning, that he
and she would be in his barn together themselves alone, and the door
being closed on them, being summoned, compeared the said Robert. Being
accused of adultery, he granted his scandalous carriage with the said
Margaret. Being required further to confess, after long dealing of some
of the brethren that were sent out to confer with him, he would neither
grant nor deny. The Presbytery seeing that his conscience was stirring
within him, they threaten to take his oath. The said Robert being
unwilling to give his oath, he desired time to advise and think upon it,
and withal desired the Presbytery to pray for him that he might get
mastery over his corruption, and in the meantime appoints Mr James
Fergusson to deal with him.
7th Dec, 1647.—Katherine Miller and David Logan, Stevenston, charged
with adultery, ordered to satisfy, and because they could not be kept
from each other’s company, Cuninghame head to be spoken to that he may
separit them, and remove! them out of the parish.
The Presbytery taking to their consideration the condition of John
Armour in Dreghorn, who remains still obstinate in the denial of the
fact of adultery, notwithstanding that the woman had fathered the child
upon him, does find that it was to no purpose to deal any longer with
him, and therefore it is appointed that the said John Armour, partly for
his disobedience to the Presbytery, and partly for his scandalous
carriage which he acknowledged, should stand three Lord’s days in
sackcloth, and that upon the last day he purge himself solemnly before
the congregation.
28th Dec, 1647.—Mr John Bell reports that Cuninghamehead has undertaken
to banish David Logan the parish, in case he does not abstain from the
woman’s company with whom he has fallen.
23d March, 1648.—The Laird of Shewalton appeared before the Presbytery
charged with adultery, which he denied—remitted to the session of Irvine
to whom he had formerly been disobedient, and had offered violence to
the kirk officer.
2d May, 1648.—Euphemia Maxwell in Dalry, having brought forth a child to
a trooper, whose name as she affirmed she knew not—
Note—“One of a troop of dragoons was my daddy,
No wonder I’m fond of a soger laddy”—
the Presbytery conceiving that it was but a subterfuge to cloak the sin
of adultery, does refer the said Euphemia to her own session, to try to
the utmost that business, and whether there was any scandal between her
and any other man.
3d July, 1648.—The Presbytery hearing that the Laird of Shewalton had
received some wounds in a fight, upon this ground has delayed the going
on with his process till his wounds be cured.
25th July, 1648.—The confession of Marion Miller, that she had broken
the Lords’ day by flyting and washing a piece of cloth, being produced,
if she heartily submit to the session of Kilmaurs, they would accept, if
she gave signs of repentance.
9th March, 1650.—Compeared Thomas Blair in Kilwinning, who was at the
point of excommunication and in sackloth, upon his knees did confess
double adultery with ane Bessie Moore in Kilwinning, another with
Euphame Maxwell in Dalry. The Presbytery having heard his confession,
and considering the atrocity of his crimes, does recommend to the
Provost of Irvine to apprehend him, and put him in ward till he be sent
to the Justice General, the other parishes to bear burden with the town
of Irvine in paying the expense,
7th May, 1650.—Compeared Isobel Miller in Kilmaurs, and charged with
having sought a drink to destroy a birth in the womb. She denied it. The
Presbytery finding that there were some grounds and probability of the
same, appoints the said Isobel to appear in the public place of
repentance, in the kirk of Kilmaurs in sackcloth till next Presbytery
day, and then the minister to charge her with the presumption, and to
specify to the people the cause of her appearing there, and in the
meantime she is to appear before the Presbytery next day, that she may
hear more of the Presbytery’s mind.
2d July, 1650.—Thomas Blair in Kilwinning having broken ward when he was
to be sent to the Justice General for his double adultery, and now
fugitive, appointed to have ane public admonition before he be
excommunicated.
N. B.—The last minute of Presbytery in the volume from which the above
extracts are taken, is the above. The following volumes are lost till
the one commencing 17th August, 1687.
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