Lynn Campbell, a lecturer and programme leader for the BA (Hons) in Culture and Heritage at the UHI Institute for Northern Studies, is exploring the colourful history of 18th-century Orkney as part of her PhD research.
Examining the kirk session minutes from four diverse parishes, such as Rousay and Egilsay, from 1733 to 1747 reveals incredible stories about the daily lives and remarkable resilience of these unique Scottish island communities. It’s a journey into the heart of their history!
While examining the handwritten and often difficult-to-decipher session minutes from September 1733 to January 1747, Lynn has uncovered a glimpse into the lives of two individuals from the island of Rousay in Orkney.
The session minutes indicate that a letter, dated March 9, 1744, was received from Mr John Scollay, one of the ministers of Kirkwall, regarding Elspeth Bain and John Miller. In the letter, the session of Kirkwall requests advice from the presbytery of North Isles on how to proceed, as Elspeth had an illegitimate child with John Miller. Elspeth resided in Kirkwall, while John lived in Evie on the Mainland of Orkney; however, the matter was referred to the Rousay and Eglisay sessions because the child had been ‘begotten’ there.
The occasion of the meeting of session this day is upon account of a letter from Mr John Scollay one of the Ministers of Kirkwall concerning Elspeth Bain and John Millar. The said letter bears dates at Kirkwall March 9th 1744. The sd letter makes mention that the session of Kirkwall having cravd the advice of the presbytery of Kirkwall anent Elspeth Bain adulteress their opinion is that she should go over to Rousay as to satisfy session as the child was begotten there. The said letter being read and considered this session is of opinion that as the session of Kirkwall have cravd the advice of their presby so we think our selves no less concerned to crave the opinion and advice of the presbytery of North Isles, and therefore they desire the Minister to represent this affair to them either by word or write at their next meeting for their advice and make report.
Source: CHR/1096/1, 127v, 16 March 1744 & 127r, 29 April 1744
It was reported that the case of Elspeth Bain, described as an “adulteress,” and John Miller, who is not given any negative description, was presented to the presbytery of North Isles. It was agreed that both individuals should be prosecuted and censured by the session of Kirkwall, as the scandal appeared to be particularly severe in Kirkwall.
Reported that the affair of Elspeth Bain adulteress, and John Miller has been laid before the presbytery of North Isles for advice, and that the sd presbyterie adviseth that the said persons ought to be prosecute and censured by the session of Kirkwall; as the woman resides in Kirkwall and John Millar in Evie, and seeing the scandal seems to be most flagrant in Kirkwall. The Minister further reports that this advice has been intimat to both the Ministers of Kirkwall.
Source: Source: CHR/1096/1, 127v, 16 March 1744 & 127r, 29 April 1744
It appears that the case was referred back to the Kirkwall session for sentencing, which means we lose sight of these individuals and how they were treated in 1744. The session minutes are filled with similar cases, offering a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in the 18th century and how they were judged by the kirk and the ruling elite. It is evident that the kirk served as the arbiter and enforcer of a moral code among a compliant population in Orkney. In the absence of a police force, it acted as judge, jury, and sentencer for any transgressions of these moral codes.
We do not know exactly how Elspeth and John were treated by the session or indeed the local residents of Kirkwall and Evie. Nonetheless, their brief mention in a handwritten ledger offers clues about their lives in 18th century Orkney and, in some respects, preserves a piece of the islands’ social history for future generations.
The feature image shows former peat workings on Rousay, Orkney. Source: Wiki Commons, Claire Pegrum
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