Series 6 > Perth Kirk Session books, 1577-1590

THE PERTH KIRK SESSION BOOKS: 1583
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and Bessy Patty to be warnit againe Wednisday nixt to compeir befoir the
presbiterie.18
3 Junii 1583
Quhilk day the minister and eldaris being present compeiris Janet Scharp
and confesses hir fornication with Jhon Lamond quha is ordanit to be wardit
as ane duble fornicatrix. (Scharp/ 2 culpa)
The assembly admonishes Patrik Fowhs and his wyf to keip the kirk under
the paine contenit in the actis of parliament.19 (Fowhs)
Compeiris Jhon Chrystison and confesses his adulterye with Margret
Morison, submitting him to the discipleine of the kirk. And because it was
not knawin to the assembly quhidder he was divorcit fra his wyf or no,
and sa was onder suspition of adulterie, he promises to produce his libel of
divorcement againe Lambes Day. In the meane he is admonisit to abstein fra
hir house as he is suspectit of.20 (Chrystison)
Compeiris Janet Foistair and confesses hir fornication with Jhon Macweyin
quha is ordanit to be wardit. (Fostair/ 1 culpa)
Compeiris Margret Corse and being demandit gif sche knew of the discord
that was betuix David Gray and Alexander Cury, and gif David was in hir
house, confessit that the said David cam out of Jhon Stevisonis house to hir
house at v houris at evin and bad hir go to Jhon Stevisonis house about
ane point ail. (Medwyf) And said that Helen Watson hed discordit with hir
housband, and was command to him quhome with he wald drink ane point
ail to put hir by ane ill hour because sche said to him sche wald gang drown
hir self. And sche broucht the ail, quhilk sche sayis was drukin at Alexander
Curies dor, quhair the said David and Alexander discordit. Secundly, being
demandit concerning Janet Paulis bairin and accusit for the same as art and
part of the downeputting of the same, confessed that Jeine Paul sister to the
said Janet cam about hir desyring hir to gang up to hir sister quha was seik
and sche
1* There is no previous mention of Helen Orme by name, but she may be a witness in
another case. Robert Hally was a deponent in the adultery case of Jean Thornton with
Henry Adamson (27 Aug., 10 and 24 Sept., 8 Oct. 1582). Bessie Patty was cited 2 July 1582
for hiding her daughter, Janet Paul, from the searching elders, Janet having given birth to a
child who had died or been killed straightaway (4 June 1582, and below, 3 June 1583).
19 APS iii, 38, c. 17; 138, c. 18; 211, c. 1.
20 Divorce was possible in the Reformed church in cases of adultery, and the innocent party
was permitted to re-marry. If he was truly divorced, the charge against him in this case
would be the lesser one of fornication, rather than adultery.