We found a slightly surprising entry in the Kirk Session minutes for Rayne, in Aberdeenshire, in 1705
At Rain, May 10th 1705
The said day the Members of the united presbytrie of Garioch and Alford did meet for the ordination of Mr Walter Turing probationer, and the Congregation being mett Mr William Garioch minister of Kennethmont did preach on text John ch 5 v 35 and after sermon the said Members of the united presbetrie above written did solemnly ordain and admit the foresaid Mr Walter Turing minister of this parish by prayer and imposition of hands and gave him the right hand of fellowship to take part in them in the work of the Ministry. Collected ten shill[ings]. The action was closed wt prayer and singing of psalms.
May 13th [1705]
The minister came to the church to preach but got no access by reason that Patrick Chalmers late incumbent at the Kirk of Boyndie had contrary to law possessed the church and guarded the door by his friends so that the minister was necessitated to go to the schoolhouse, and there after a Congregation met preached on Rom[ans] Ch[apter] 8 V[erse] 7. Coll[ected] four shill[ings]
Patrick Chalmers was no stranger to controversy. He had previously been deprived of the Ministry of Boyndie on 7 November 1689 by the Privy Council for refusing to read the Proclamation of the Estates. This proclamation was intended to consolidate the rule of the new King, William. Patrick Chalmers went further than most in refusing to pray for William and Mary. He was
reported for speaking against the government, describing parliament as a pack of devils and rebels for stating that all who support William should renounce the name of Protestant and assume that of rebel
The 17th and 18th centuries were a time of social and religious turmoil in Scotland, and Patrick Chalmers was evidently right in the thick of it. It's an interesting example of how records we often use for family history can also give insight into the events in wider society of the time.
Sources:
1. Kirk Session minutes, Rayne [NRS Ref: CH2/310/3 page 3]
2. Scott, Hew. Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, Volume VI Synods of Aberdeen and Moray. New edition, 1915, p. 279
3. Stephen, Jeffrey. Defending the Revolution: The Church of Scotland 1689–1716. London: 2013
1. Kirk Session minutes, Rayne [NRS Ref: CH2/310/3 page 3]
2. Scott, Hew. Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, Volume VI Synods of Aberdeen and Moray. New edition, 1915, p. 279
3. Stephen, Jeffrey. Defending the Revolution: The Church of Scotland 1689–1716. London: 2013
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