Series 5 > Miscellany [of the Scottish History Society] XIII
(161) [Page 146] - Early seventeenth-century Scottish conversion narrative
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MISTRESS RUTHERFORD’S CONVERSION NARRATIVE
edited by David G. Mullan
INTRODUCTION
The subject of this document is, presently, unknown apart from the
narrative itself, in the title of which she is named simply ‘Mistres
Rutherford’. It would appear that she was bom in the early years of
the seventeenth century; the narrative continues until sometime around
1630, when it stops abruptly.1
The story is dominated by three intersecting dimensions of
movement—her circulation among the homes of various people to
whom she is related; her journeys from place to place around
Edinburgh until her migration to Ireland; and her movement up and
down the emotional register of evangelical presbyterianism.
1. Family connections. The first problem here is that one cannot know
for certain whether Rutherford was her family name or her husband’s
name. Scottish custom would suggest the former, but the level of
confidence is not such as to make a firm statement. She tells us that
she was four years of age when her mother died; but there is as yet no
means of proving the identification. Her father’s death followed five
years later, at which time she transferred to the house of her
grandparents, presumably maternal, from what we leam later. Her
grandmother died when Mistress Rutherford was twelve, at which
time her grandfather’s sister came home to run the domestic front. His
death followed when she was about fifteen, and she went to live with
her mother’s sister’s husband, i.e. Mistress Rutherford’s uncle, whom
she identifies as the laird of Anniston. This individual can be
identified as John Muir, who had mining interests at Leadhills in
I have discussed the document in ‘Mistress Rutherford’s Narrative: A Scottish
Puritan Autobiography’, Bunyan Studies, 7 (1997), 13-37.
edited by David G. Mullan
INTRODUCTION
The subject of this document is, presently, unknown apart from the
narrative itself, in the title of which she is named simply ‘Mistres
Rutherford’. It would appear that she was bom in the early years of
the seventeenth century; the narrative continues until sometime around
1630, when it stops abruptly.1
The story is dominated by three intersecting dimensions of
movement—her circulation among the homes of various people to
whom she is related; her journeys from place to place around
Edinburgh until her migration to Ireland; and her movement up and
down the emotional register of evangelical presbyterianism.
1. Family connections. The first problem here is that one cannot know
for certain whether Rutherford was her family name or her husband’s
name. Scottish custom would suggest the former, but the level of
confidence is not such as to make a firm statement. She tells us that
she was four years of age when her mother died; but there is as yet no
means of proving the identification. Her father’s death followed five
years later, at which time she transferred to the house of her
grandparents, presumably maternal, from what we leam later. Her
grandmother died when Mistress Rutherford was twelve, at which
time her grandfather’s sister came home to run the domestic front. His
death followed when she was about fifteen, and she went to live with
her mother’s sister’s husband, i.e. Mistress Rutherford’s uncle, whom
she identifies as the laird of Anniston. This individual can be
identified as John Muir, who had mining interests at Leadhills in
I have discussed the document in ‘Mistress Rutherford’s Narrative: A Scottish
Puritan Autobiography’, Bunyan Studies, 7 (1997), 13-37.
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| Scottish History Society volumes > Series 5 > Miscellany [of the Scottish History Society] XIII > (161) [Page 146] - Early seventeenth-century Scottish conversion narrative |
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| Permanent URL | https://digital.nls.uk/127315461 |
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| Description | Edited by David G. Mullan. |
| Description | Edinburgh: Printed for the Scottish History Society by Lothian Print, 2004. Scottish History Society ; 5th ser., v. 14. Contents: Eight thirteenth-century texts / edited by W.W. Scott -- Dunfermline gild court book, 1433-1597: missing folios / edited by E. Patricia Dennison -- A memorandum on the customs, 1597 / edited by Athol L. Murray -- The trial of Geillis Johnstone for witchcraft, 1614 / edited by Michael B. Wasser & Louise A. Yeoman -- An early seventeenth-century Scottish conversion narrative / edited by David G. Mullan -- Fiscal Feudalism in seventeenth-century Scotland / edited by Julian M. Goodare -- Witchcraft cases from the register of commissioners of the privy council of Scotland, 1630-1642 / edited by Louise A. Yeoman -- John Hay, earl of Tweeddale, 'Relatione of the wrangs done to the Ladie Yester, 1683' / edited by Maurice Lee, Jr -- Colin Maclaurin's Journal of the 'Forty-five / edited by Bruce A. Hedman. |
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| Shelfmark | SCS.SHS.173 |
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| Description | Over 180 volumes, published by the Scottish History Society, containing original sources on Scotland's history and people. With a wide range of subjects, the books collectively cover all periods from the 12th to 20th centuries, and reflect changing trends in Scottish history. Sources are accompanied by scholarly interpretation, references and bibliographies. Volumes are usually published annually, and more digitised volumes will be added as they become available. |
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