I was researching in the records of Old Machar Kirk Session today when I came across the following snippet:
29 January 1838
...
Compeared Jane Ross summoned to this diet per Minute of the 30th of December last, and adhered to her confession and accusation of John Gauld, who was reported to be at the door, but in such a state of intoxiation that it was impossible to call him in. The woman was summoned apud acta to appear on the first Saturday of March to which diet the man was ordered to be summoned pro secundo.
Jane - unmarried - had confessed to having a child, and had named John Gauld as the father. That wasn't the end of the matter though. After recording several other disciplinary cases, the minute for that sederunt continued:
John Gauld, mentioned above, became so turbulent that the Kirk Session found it necessary to send one of their officers for the town Officer of Old Aberdeen, their other officer being left to prevent Gauld from entering the Session House. He at last succeeded in burssting into the Session and used very threatening language and gestures to the Moderator and members present. He was requested to withdraw, but would not and furiously attacked the Kirk Officer, who was directed to put him out. At lenth George Charles, Town Officer of Old Aberdeen, came, to whom the Kirk Session gave him in charge with directions to go to the Procurator Fiscal and give him information of the outrage. It required the utmost exertion of both the Kirk Officers and the Town Officer to carry John Gauld out of the Church.
Five weeks later, the Kirk Session granted Jane Ross a certificate of poverty, allowing her to take John Gauld to court for alimony. I didn't have time to continue searching the minutes to find out if John was ever summoned back to the session to account for his behaviour, but this performance was certainly not the best way to create a good impression.
Source: Old Machar Kirk Session minutes (NRS Ref: CH2/1020/17)
Source: Old Machar Kirk Session minutes (NRS Ref: CH2/1020/17)
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