Compiled from my own research with additions from "The Church of Rathven" by William Cramond.

1717 There are six poor men in the hospital to whom Hay of Rannes gives a gown yearly.

2 Jun 1717 Jean Geddes in Buckie Compeared & confessed her being guilty of Fornication with Al Forbes in Nether Buckie & she being dealt with in order to be made sensible of her sin, was ordered to appear on the pillar Sabbath next & Al Forbes to be cited again Sabbath next.

1 Jun 1718 Jean Anderson appeared pro 3o, [pro tertio: for the third time], & was absolved.

3 Jul (Thursday) 1718 The Session met and distributed the poor's money, twelve persons receiving from 6s 8d to 10s each.

7 Dec 1718 The collection was so small by reason of the rainieness of the day that it was given to the bedal.

14 Jun 1719 Alex Mitchell Arradoul having Sucking child & wife lately dead.

23 Aug 1719 Elspet Gordon who was cited to the Session... & being closely interrogated whether she was wt child or not stifly denyed the same.

30 Aug 1719 Wm Bower & Elspet Gordon Fornicators...

27 Sep 1719 Elspit Gordon being fornicatrix began her publick appearances and was rebuked.

18 Oct 1719 Elspet Gordon appeared pro 3tio and was absolved. The said day William Bower having addressed the Session in order to their abateing somewhat his & the said Elspet Gordon's penalties th? considering they were but poor....appointed them to pay in only the 4 pounds betwixt them....

8 May 1720 The minister intimated to the congregation that he was obliged for the recovery of his health to go to the Highlands to the goat milk.

ANDREW KER, A.M., 1723-51, was translated from Kirkwall Second Charge....and admitted 29 Feb following, [1723]. He married, and had three sons and two daughters, Wm., Andrew, George, Elizabeth and Isobel. He died 3rd March 1751.

12 Jul 1720 ...was one Marjory Macheay [Mackay] in Clochan ane unmarried woman with child....to one Mathew Paterson in Nether Clochon.

9 Oct 1720 Marjory Mackay began publick ppearances pro 1mo.

30 Oct 1720 Ther was given to Anne Gordon Spouse to William Bonnyman a good object of charity 12s. Mary Mckdonald payed 4 Libs of her penalty...to John Gordon.

30 Apr 1721 Alexr Forbes in the Parish of Ruthven and Margaret Smith in this Parish who were married by the Priests and now requiring their Pledges therefor the Session desired Mr Innes to keep them till further order.

25 Jun 1721 John Gordon Servitor to Rannas being desirous to be freed from the scandal he lay under came in the morning before the Minr & two elders confessed his guilt with Mary Mackdonald....was ordained to pay the sume of five pounds Scots.

12 Dec 1722 Mr Wm Anderson, schoolmaster at Ordiquhill, appointed schoolmaster of Rathven.

10 Feb 1723 Given to a distressed seamen, who had his tongue cut out by the Turks 2s 10d.

20 Feb 1723 Given to a distressed woman, carryed on a cart from place to place., 14s. Scots.

24 Feb 1723 This day Patrick Scot & Alexr Geddes formally admitted Elders with some other honest [men]. Mathew Paterson in N. Clochen a long time ago had fallen in Fornication with one Marjory McKay....confessed the said guilt.

3 Mar 1723 Given, 2s. sterling, to three fishermen who were cast at Portknockie, and driven by storm from Caithness, three of their crew being dead. The session thought fitt that Mary Sutherland, being a professed Protestant, should be ebuked for taking marriage from a popish priest. Delation given in against Elspet Stuart this day (Sabbath) going to the shore of Bucky with a burden of wool, hards, her husband’s upper coat, and other things. Appointed to be summoned.James Geddes, alias ‘Lordie’, at shore of Buckie, to be summoned for exposing his fish to dry on the Lord’s day.

12 May 1723 ...found by former record Mary McDonald in Rathven had fallen in Fornication a Second time with John Gordon in Rannes. Alexr Reid & Alexr Coul... being asked if they had Scolded Cursed & beaten one another on the Lords day, confessed both that they had wt words about their sea Labour & ? each other, but denyed that ther boats bruised? brushed? on another rebuked stifly for break of Sabbath & exhort them to lead a better life.

7 Jul 1723 Conpeared Mary Sutherland & was asked why she had not obeyed the Session....in bringing a testificat of her being married Answered that about the time that she....to Come to the Session she was indisposed that she could get no testimony of her being marryed from Mr Donaldson but asserted that she was married. The Minr having intelligence that she was married & informed the Session thereof & that with James Smith ws again rebuked & promising to adhere to the Protestant Religion, was dismissed this time.

14 July 1723 A fast appointed by the Presbytery of Fordyce to be observed on Thursday by reason of the scorching drought. Alex. Machatty, being asked if he had his wool drying and a tent set up to keep it, on the Lord’s day, answered, his wool was sett out to dry on Friday and on Saturday’s night it was rapped together, in order to ly that way till Munday’s morning, the wool being laid out in leeces. The session judged him guilty, and being a papist, he was sharply rebuked for his sin, and was appointed to pay the clerk, fourty sh. Scots. None to be married privately in the minister’s house henceforth, unless they pay 2s. sterling, [24 shillings Scots] to the poor. Helen Symon compeared and confessed that she was married to John Reid by a popish priest before witnesses, Thomas, Alex., and Helen Reid’s, her pretended brothers and sister-in-law, but could give no reasonable account for her doing so but practice in the place, for which she was rebuked and dismissed. The session, considering the irregularity of the marriage and the said John Reid contumacy, refer him to the civil magistrate.

1724 Marjory Morison compeared before the Congregation pro 12o in sacco, and was absolved. George Loban and Alexander Taylor gathered ware about nine acloack Sunday night and carryed it off Munday’s morning about the sunn. The session appointed each to pay a merk as fine, and ordered George Loban, (Alex. Taylor being papist) to be publickly rebuked. Given to one Wallace, carryed on a barrow, 3 sh. Sc. Delation given in against Alex McKenzie in Broadhyth, as having mett with John Prott's wife, skipper there in her going to Bucky And after his scolding, prayed and wished that the Devil might rive such as first ordained the ground string in Broadhyth qth [which] is a priveledge peculiar to Skippers it being n?[known?] to all that the Said John was first ordainer of it there And witness to prove the affair in Case of a Denyall are Alexander Mckenzie Cowper and William Campbell there all appointed to be Cited to the next dyet. It being talked that some drink on the Lord’s day in the Kirkton in tyme of sermon, appointed the elders per vices to search all the ale houses immediately after lecture is over, and James Clark to begin next day.

3 May 1724 Alexander Mckenzie being called Compeared and being asked anent the affair alledged by John Prot, confessed that he wished that the Devil might take ym [them] that first ordained the ground String and acknowledged that it was John Prot that first used it upon qth [which] he was rebuked and appointed to Compear before the Congregation and pay 20 shillings Scots.

1724 Letter from Mr. Ker [Minister 1723-51] that it was not possible for him to go to the General Assembly, unless the ordinary allowance were granted him. The Presbytery therefore appoint every member to bring in to their next meeting the centesina of their several stipends to the said Mr. Ker.

1 Jul 1724 Mr Ker represented to the Presbytery that there is one Mr Wm. Longmoor (lately deaconate by ----- Gatherer, non jurant Bishop), who preaches in the parioch of Rathven, and does not pray for his Majesty King George, and is like to break the said Mr Ker his congregation in Rathven, whereupon the presbytery gave it as their mind that in such cases application should be made by the minister of the parioch to the proper Judge, and if redress be not obtained by Mr Ker, then the presbytery is ready to concurr with him or any other for that effect.

26 Jul 1724 Delation given in against John Dow, in Scotstown, for his having this morning struck one of Alex. Wilson’s boys there. John Hay deposed from the eldership for leaving the Church and Session and going to the meeting house. The session being informed that Margt. Grant is now marryed by a popish priest, she is referred to the civil magistrate.

5 Aug 1724 The Presbytery have addressed the Earl of Findlater anent Mr Longmoor, and his Lordship hs promise to interpose his authority for getting him removed from the parioch of Rathven. Mr is appointed to keep him in mind of the same.

9 Aug 1724 John Sellar compeared pro 1 primo. Intimation made for a collection next Lord's day for Robert McKenzie in Broadhyth. The Session Mett and after prayers acted as follows. Coll. 0:4:6...Peter England teacher of Popish children.

1724 The Kirk of Session threaten that i James Reid, bedesman, comes again into the bedehouse drunk, cursing and swearing, they will give him no discharge for his benefice as bedeman, but be instruments of depriving him totally of it.

1725 Given to ane Orkney man who had been under the Turks’ slavery 6s 10d. the Session lent the Beddal a groat to be repayed. Delation given in against Margt. Anderson in Cairnfield as having irregularly marryed with James M’Chattie there, and her having apostalized to popery. She is appointed to be cited to the next dyet. Evidence is given that Katherin Symson prayed and wished that Janet Forbes might get a cold armsfull of her husband. She is rebuked and appointed to appear before the congregation and confess her sin, George Wilson compeared before the congregation, acknowledges his sin, and was ab-solved. He yoked his horse on Sabbath about 8 o’clock at night. Mt. Anderson (see supra) summoned before the Presbytery. She compears not therefore to be declared contumacious. The Presbytery afterwards appoint her to receive the first admonitionin order to excommunication.

26 Sep 1725 Tho Muir informed the Session that there was an Isabel Ross in Broadhyth with a chd to John McBay, Seaman there and that he had caused Cite then to this dyet and they being Called Compeared the Said Isabel and Confesses herself with Child and the Said John guilt with the said woman and they being rebuked and exhorted to repentence....to pay the penalty for himself...being 6 Lib (Scots).

Isabel Ross being appointed to give in to the Session her testificat and compeared and declared she had not one but that howsoon as she was able to travel she would bring from Tarbat qr [where] she formerly resided...

10 Oct 1725 John McBay compeared pro 1 primo...

17 Oct 1725 John McBay compeared pro 2 secundo...

24 Oct 1725 John McBay compeared pro 3 tertio and was absolved... 

1725 Wm. Longmoor, a non-juring Episcopal preacher who keeps up a meeting in the parish of Rathven. (in the lands of the Laird of Rannes.) [See Days of Yore, pp. 83-84.]

23 Jan 1726 Compeared..John McBay...were appointed each to pay the Clerk 8 pounds Scots.

1726 The Presbytery appoint the minister to pray publickly for Mary Sutherland and others, that the Lord may deliver them from the power of Satan. Given to one Andrew Scot, recommended by the King, 6d. Given to the Beadmen a shilling sterling.

29 May 1726 Appointed Summon John Smith and Anna Steel in Broadhyth they having been Matrimonially contracted and promised to Consign pledges agst the day and not having done it that their Reasoning be known.

May 15 1726 The Session is informed that Margt. Anderson is turned apostat, and the Session resolved to go on in the process of excommunication against her, and to give her the second admonition.

3 Jun 1726 John Smith and Anna Steel being called and not compearing The Session is informed that they are marryed by Mr. Longmuir preacher at the Meeting house without proclamations and the said woman wanting a testificat for marriage? she had also been under Citation to the Session. And they both proving Contumacious The Session look to their Serious Consideration qt to do with them And at last came to the resolution that, it being a very irregular Step and Such an one as has not as yet been in the place, they should be prosecuted before a competent judge and meantime apply to the Presbytery for advice.

20 June 1726 Margt. Anderson receives the third admonition. Delation given in against Alex. Raeburn and his wife, in Neather Buckie; as having battered their linnen and singing at the work Lord’s day last.

10 Jul 1726 Anna Steel Compeared and gave in her testificat from Duffus qth was Sustained. And the above John Smith Compearing also and Confronted acknowledged their fault of irregular marriage with Mr Longmuir and declared it was ill advice made yem [them] do it And pronounced to be lyable to the Session for their fault. The Session taking yr confession and promise of Submission to Consideration and reproved for their irregular Course[?] were applied to Compear next Lords day before the Congregation and acknowledge their fault and pay Six Pd Scots as fine.

1726 £l 5s 8d given to two widows in Broadhyth which husbands perished at sea. Their case recommended to the Presbytery. Given to Master Corbet, sometime a preacher of the gospel, 6s Scots. Collected for the harbour of Aberbrothock, 20s Sc. James Reid rebuked for having carried a creel in his back from the Seashore to Murycrook on the Lord’s day. To an Orkney supplicant 3s.

17 Jul 1726 John Smith and Anna Steel were rebuked and absolved.

8 Jan 1727 Intimation made that Walter Morrison, preacher of The Gospel, Mr Wm Frome? Charity Schoolmaster, Wm Murray at Shore of Bucky and Wm. Nielson in Rottenslough are to be ordained elders this day fourt night..

1727 Mary Sutherland, &c., having been thrice admonished and thrice prayed for, are to be warned to obey discipline, and if they continued obstinate to be excommunicated. Given to Adam Garden, beadman, 4s. Given to some persons who buried a dead corpse which was cast in upon Rannes ground from the sea, a sh. sterling. Delation given in against Marjory Wilson as having on the Lord’s day, cursed her son Patrick Symson, with her face to the sun, and wishing him sudden death, as befell. She denies, and is dismissed.

1728 Mary Sutherland, Margaret Anderson, &c., are to be cited from the pulpit to wait on the Presbytery. Intimation made from the pulpit a second time that if any within the parish should marry without legal proclamations, they should not only be prosecute before the civil magistrate, but in the severest rigour of discipline. Given to Wm. Forbes, in Rathven, for a bridge tree to put on the mill dam, 7s. m. and Peter Simsons, in Loanhead, confessed their breach of Sabbath by gathering or draging of ware. They were appointed to compear before the congregation next Lord’s day and be rebuked, and pay a fine conform to law. Given to a broken seamen, 3s. Given to the bead men, 14s.

1729 Given to the burser out of the fines £2. Compeared Wm. Copland’s son, who confessed he had yoked the horse on the Lord’s day, but forgot it was the Lord’s day. Wm. Thomson, skipper, and crew at Shore of Buckie cited for going to sea on Sabbath before sunset. He alleged necessity, but was sharply rebuked and dismissed.

19 Apr 1730 John Burgess, taylor, Edinburgh, gives his brother-in-law, George Wiseman, in Golachy, his right and title to a lair stane. The Session consent thereto. The inscription there of is-here ....Here lyes, in hope of a blessed resurrection, the body of Katherin Scot, spous to Wm. Burges, in Rannachy, who departed Decr. 10, 1695.

1730 John Allan having compeared pro 17o in sacco was absolved. Compeared John Ruddach, in Deskford, with Katherin Cameron, in Darbreich, who were sometime ago contacted in order to marriage, and the said John shewing his willingness to solemnize the marriage, and the woman declaring her unwillingness, the Clerk was appointed to give the said John his pledge, and the woman was fined half-a-crown, which she presently payed into the box.

15 Jul 1730 July 15.- Delation given in against Janet and Margaret Simpsons, in Loanhead, as having gathered partens [edible crabs] this day eight days. Ordered cite then to next dyet.

2 Aug 1730 They confessed they gathered dilse, but no partens, on the Lords day, upon which they were rebuked for this and their customary swearing, and appointed to make their compearance next Lord‘s day before the congregation, and pay 20s each as a penalty. Delation also given in against Partick Cuy, George Hepburn and John Young, servants in Glastirum, as having gathered dilse Sunday last in the sea craigs thereto adjacent. Having confessed, they were sharply rebuked, and appointed to compear before the congregation next Lord‘s day, and Geo, Hepburn to pay 40s Sc., he having been guilty of Sabbath breach last year, and the other two 20 sh. each of them.

2 Aug 1730 In consequence of an order, lately read, and issued out by the Justices of the Peace, anent each parish maintaining their own poor conform to an Act of Parliament, or-daining Kirk sessions and heretors of each parish to make up lists of their poor, who are real objects of charity, and give then tokens that the inhabitants of each parish may know their own poor, and bestow their charity accordingly. A meeting of heritors and session is to be held, Oct 15.

15 Oct 1730 The Heretors met with the session, in order to lay out a scheme for maintenance of their poor in their several lands. Rannes’ poor are (10 in number), Buckie’s poor are (9), Neatherbuckie’s are (4), others (10 in all) in Farskan, Findochty, &c. The heretors appointed badges of lead, stamped with R-N, to be given them to travel through the parish for supply, also ordained that none else gett badges but the above listed poor, till the absent heretors, with consent of the session, give in additional lists.

6 Nov 1730 The number in receipt of poor’s money from the Session is about ten, the suns amounting to from 6s. to 12s. once or twice a year.

9 May 1731 Compeared Wm. Stitchlells and confessed he had gone through Rathven on Sabbath about 9 o’clock at night with horse creels and baggage in them pretending necessity for his being in Cabrach next morning at sunrising. He was rebuked and dismissed.

14 Nov 1731 The boys in Broadhyth having plucked honest men’s Kail and beat one another, Sabbath was eight days, have confessed this, and former faults of this nature, and having promised not to do the like were dismissed.

1732 George Stables compeared before the congregation for throwing his neighbour’s boy into the mill dam, because the boy had tyed his beasts on the grass that belonged to him.

1732 Given to each of three of the poorest beadsmen 2s. A couple sharply rebuked and referred to the civil magistrate for being irregularly married by Mr James Tyrie, priest. In the [poor] box in bad copper £2 14s 6d.

15 Oct 1732 Compeared Isabel McKay and Confessed she had brought forth a Child to Charles McKay in Rottenslough and the said Charles also compearing confessed himself fayr [father] of the Child and they being rebuked and exhorted to repentence were appointed to compear before the Congregation to remove the scandal and pay the ordinary penalty.

22 Oct 1732 Charles McKay compeared pro 1 primo.

29 Oct 1732 Charles McKay compeared pro secundo.

24 Dec 1732 Isabel McKay compeared pro 1 primo.

31 Dec 1732 Charles McKay compeared pro 3 tertio and absolved.

14 Jan 1733 Isabel McKay compeared pro 2 secundo.

21 Jan 1733 Isabel McKay compeared pro 3 tertio and was absolved.

9 Feb 1734 [Persons nominated to be Elders] These Persons, James Innes in Longshades, James Murray in Darbrich, Jhn Nicol in Broadhyth.... were nominated from the pulpit...23 Mar 1734 ...Elders...ordained.

1734 Given to a man who had his tongue cut out by the Algerines 2s. Given to Janet Murray, born in Farskan, who had 9 children at three births, 4s.

1735 Great scandal by young people at Shore of Buckie skating on the ice on the Lord's day.

1736 Mr Anderson, schoolmaster at Rathven, the Presbytery have good reason to believe, does not attend upon the teaching and instructing youth as his office of being school-master oblig’d him to, but was much avocat by his having taken up a publick change or alehouse.

13 Jul 1736 A good part of the Kirkyaird dykes are put up. Mr Anderson acknowledged that his wife had kept a change house for some time past. The Laird of Buckie and Mr Gordon of Birkenbush said they had nothing to object against it, saying he had a small family; but Letterfury said that in regard Mr Anderson had a legal salary, stented and payd by the heritors, that it was a reflexion upon the Parish and a loss to the school to have their schoolmaster keeping a common ale house. The presbytery are of opinion it should not be tolerated.

25 Aug 1736 Mr Anderson discharged from keeping up a publick house within his family at Martinmas next, [11 November], otherwise the presbytery will proceed to the turning him out of his office.

20 Oct 1736 Mr Anderson is as yet keeping his public change house. The presbytery judged that Mr Anderson was very culpable in contemuing the authority of this presbytery, therefore agreed that the Session of Rathven should advertise him that if he is persist, in that case they will suspend him, from being precentor and Session Clerk.

5 Jan 1737 Mr Anderson has now given up his public change-keeping

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