‘Scandalous behaviour’ – Thurso records show how Kirk held sway over even private moments
Thurso’s Heritage by a Thirsa Loon
The surviving records from Old St Peter’s Church, dating back to 1647 and continuing until its closure in 1832, provide a fascinating glimpse into the daily workings of the church and its impact on the local community.
My own set of these records has consumed many hours of study, revealing a range of topics. It doesn’t take much searching to find mentions of individuals being dealt with by the Kirk Session of Thurso centuries ago.
They highlight their efforts to control public decency and address various offences by instilling a sense of responsibility and punishment hundreds of years ago.
The new minute book, which begins in March 1732, provides details on the moral oversight of the church. In the final week of that month, it becomes apparent just how tricky courting could be under the watchful eyes of the Kirk.
Donald Manson, a sailor, and Christian Nicol were reported for “scandalous behaviour” after being seen walking together at unseasonable hours. The couple were spotted near Pennyland Chapel between 10 and 11pm, with Donald draping his arm around Christian’s neck.
Summoned before the Kirk Session, they admitted the incident, explaining that they had been discussing their forthcoming marriage.
Although this behaviour raised eyebrows, the Session decided that no punishment was necessary since they intended to marry. This incident serves as a reminder that even a private moment could become public business in such times.
In 1734, church elder Hugh Morgan charged John Miln with blasphemy after he was heard saying, “God almighty was drunk when he made William Robertson,” an alcohol tax collector. However, Miln had fled to Edinburgh before he could be punished. Although he later returned, I could find no further mention of the case’s resolution.
The following month, the Kirk Session dealt with a case involving Hugh Munro, Angus McKenzie, and John Munro from Easter Ross. They were found guilty of breaching the Sabbath by drinking and fighting.
The men were severely interrogated and ordered to stand in sackcloth during the following Sunday service as public penance. Should they fail to appear, the Session threatened to write to their parish minister, Donald Beaton, to ensure that “church discipline may have its course against them”.
The records continue to reveal the Kirk’s involvement in regulating public and private behaviour. In May 1736, Margaret Murson was summoned for frequent gatherings at her house, particularly on the Lord’s Day.
Following an investigation, she was found guilty and “gravely and sharply rebuked,” with a stern warning to avoid such behaviour.
That same month, the Session condemned the practice of townspeople carrying large quantities of water in stoups on the Sabbath, with the moderator issuing a public rebuke from the pulpit against this “base and profane practice”.
June 1736 saw one of the more disturbing cases of domestic violence brought before the Session. William Taylor of Crosskirk was charged with beating his wife and breaking a staff over her head during a drunken rage the previous Sunday.
Although Taylor initially denied the charge, multiple witnesses testified that he had been “mortally drunk” and had struck his wife several times. The Session, finding Taylor guilty and noting his prior offences, ordered him to pay £2 Scots to the Kirk Treasurer and to appear in sackcloth the following Sunday to be publicly rebuked.
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