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

2 Feb 1746 The troubles in the nation much hindered the free course of discipline at this time.

1746 Mr Grant, Schoolmaster, Broadley, recommended by the Presbytery to the Committee for an augmentation of his salary, he having suffered considerably by the rebels, [Jacobites], in their passing and repassing by his house.

2 Mar 1746 Given to Donald Johnston a penny sterling, [12d Scots].

23 April 1746 The thanksgiving observed that was enjoyed by the Synod for the good seed time, and the late victorie over the Rebells, [Battle of Cullodin, 16 May, 1746].

7 Sep 1746 Compeared John Galt and Margaret Knight in Findochty and confessed guilt of Antenuptial fornication and being rebuked were appointed to Compear before the pulpit when called upon from their Seats and to be publickly rebuked and pay three Pounds Scots which they promised to do.

Aug 1746 Given to door beggars on thanksgiving day after the Sacramen's 14sh. Scots. Ordered give Walter Skakel, beadman, very poor, 8d. Given to the beddle to buy shoes, 1s 6d. Given out to seamen wracked at Auchmeddan, who came from Ross, 6d. Given to a dumb man 1d.

28 Jun 1747 Compeared James Gordon and Helen Sutherland in Broadhyth.... and pay each four pounds Scots before absolution.

28 Jun 1747 Helen Sutherland and James Gordon compeared pro 1 primo and rebuked.

5 Jul 1747 Helen Sutherland and James Gordon compeared pro 2 secundo and rebuked.

Heritors Payments: Earl of Findlator 6 Jun 6; Rannes 3 Jun 0 of 7 May 4; Letterfury, 3 Jun 0 of 5.14.0; Glastrim, 0 Dec 0 of 0.19 Apr given some the poors money to ye Nurse, 2.0.0.

25 Oct 1747 James Davidson husband to the foundling Nurse...

21 Feb 1748 James Sutherland in Broadhyth gave to the Session four shillings Sterling as a part of his Sister Helen Sutherland's penalty and promised to pay the rest of it at Peterfair next to come.

1748 Mt.[Margaret] Young compeared before the Session, and was rebuked for her so long disobedience in intermitting her publick profession of repentance, and being asked if she would pay her penalty she said that she had no money, but would give a blanket upon comprisal Saturday next as part of £12 Scots as by decreet past against her if the Session would absolve her from the scandal, and she would play more when able. The Session considering her case, ordered the Clerk to take the blanket.

1748 Wm. Reid, seaman, at Shore of Buckie, gave in a bill complaining upon Isobel Geddes, servant, for her horrid cursing of him, and wishing that the devil might take him out of the boat from the rest of the crew, and that his mother might get cold arms fill of him, and such like imprecations. She is ordered to be severely rebuked before the congregation, and to pay the penalty of 20s Scots. The Clerk own’d he gott a course blanket from Margt. Young, comprised at 40s Scots money.

17 April Mt. Young compeared pro 90, and was absolved.

1749 Given to Wm. Gerard of Aberdeen, skipper, lately taken in time of war by the French, 6 pence.

23 Apr 1749 A Proclamation from the King was read, enjoining a publick thanksgiving to be observed Thursday next, for the happy conclusion of the peace.

7 May 1749 Given to a dumb woman, a Minister’s daughter from Boston of New England, 6s, being the whole collection. £24 Scots allowed per year to the foundling’s nurse for its support. Given to a singular object of charity named John Hamilton, carried upon an ass, 4s Scots. Given to John Keith, a poor man, lying sick, 2 pence.

31 Dec 1749 Appointed the hail seamen of Rottinslough to be cited to the next dyet to declare what they know as to the warers. [Gatherers of coarse large drift seaweed thrown up on the shore for manure].

1750 Three persons fined 20s Sc. for ware gathering on the Sabbath. Several others were judged finable, and appointed to pay a shilling sterling each, and all were rebuked sharply for encroaching on the Lord’s day and endeavouring to deprive their neighbours of any part of the ware. Given to one Wm. Shaw, a sufferer by fire in Tranent, 3 pence.

1750 The Session Clerk authorised to call for and uplift the penalties long due by the delinquents, and legally pursue them before any Judge competent. His own yearly fee being 50 merks and the officer’s at ten merks Sc., are to be payed out of the said penalties, there being no other fund for the payment of said fees.

16 Apr 1750 Given to door beggars 17sh, Sc. Given to Wm. Coul, officer, to buy shoes, 15s SC., it being usual that the officer has two pair yearly besides the ten merks as a fee.

5 Aug 1750 Compeared Margaret McIntosh at Shore of Buckie at last owned herself with Child....and that George Sutherland, Taylor in Broadhyth was father of it....he should be marryed to Janet Miller with whom he was contracted and then he would confess himself Father of her Child...[Sutherland denied it].

16 Sep 1750 George Sutherland confessed guilt of Adultery wt her [Margaret McIntosh] but s? to deny that he was father of her Child because she was a woman of bad character...

14 Oct 1750 A complaint given against James Geddes, seaman, at Shore of Bucky, as having horribly cursed and wished that the whole crew of the boat wherin he was might be sunk into the depth. Ordered him to be cited to this dyet, and compearing confessed he was not good, but declared that he would make it appear they were as ill as he, whereupon the officer was appointed to charge the hail crew to the next dyet.

21 Oct 1750 Compeared James Geddes with the rest of the crew, and all confessed they were not free of cursing, but declared that he was the principle author of it at that season, not being satisfied with what fish Providence had then allotted him. All were sharply rebuked.

11 Nov 1750 Helen Nielson [etc] compeared and confessed their disorderly conduct.

27 Jan 1751 George Sutherland compeared pro 10 in Sacco, having been before the presby. and remitted to the Session and was Seriously exhorted to unfaigned repentence and promising amendment of life was absolved from the scandal.

7 Mar 1751 The Presbytery met pro re nata at Mr Ker of Rathven's Burial.

9 Jun 1751 Compeared Isabel Stuart in Arradoul being under Citation to this dyet with Donald Calder there and confessed guilt of fornication with one another and being rebuked for their Sin were appointed to Compear in the ordinary place of repentance for removing the Scandal and pay their penalty before absolution. Closed with prayer. No Sermon.

16 Jun 1751 Mr Lawtie Minr of Cullen preached. Janet Stuart Compeared pro 2 secundo. The Minr read from the pulpit the presby order anent Mr Thomas Maculloch's ordination Itinerant at Cofurrach which is to be at Fordyce the 26th Current Signifying, if there be any person or persons who had any objection agt his life, conversation, doctrine or otherwise, they may let the Same be known to the prby that day, otherwise they would proceed in the Said Ordination, Coll: 0:11:4. No Sermon.

30 Jun 1751 Mr Morison Minr of Deskford preached and after Sermon Called and Constituted a Session and after Prayr acted as follows. Janet Sutherland in Broadhyth Compeared and gave in a Complaint agt John Mcbay, Seaman there as having called her a Witch the 24th Currint before witnesses present with her if he Should deny what She Said And Craved that he might be obliged to Crave God the Congregation and her pardon for his falsly so Saying and pay a fine as the law directs in Such Cases for a terror to others to Say the like in time coming, having consigned a Crown in the Clerks hands which she was to forfeit if she made not good this assertion agt him. Which Complt. being read in the said John Mcbay's audience and asked if he Called her a witch Denyed Upon qch the witness John Huy James Mcbay and Helen Sutherland in Broadhyth were Called And compearing were Solemnly Sworn and purged of Malice and partial Council, and the Said James Mcbay and Helen Sutherland being removed John Huy aged 23 years declared that in Company he heard John Mcbay call Janet Sutherland a witch and this is the truth as he Shall answer to God. [Signed] John Huy. Compeared also James Mcbay aged 21 years or therby and declared, he heard John Mcbay call Janet Sutherland a witch and told he could not write. Likewise, Helen Sutherland aged 26 years declared cum praecentibus and She with the Said James Mcbay declareing they could not write, desired Mr Morison, Moderator pro Tempore to Subscribe for them. [Signed] W Morison Modr. p.t.

1751 Sentence The Said John Mcbay being removed and the Session considering the above depositions Find the Complaint clearly proven and unanimously voted that the Said John Mcbay Should compear before the congregation and repair the Said Janet Sutherlands good name by begging God the congregation and her pardon for the offence.

8 Aug 1751 Compeared Wm. Gordon of Shillagreen and gave in a presentation of himself as Patron of the parish Church of Rathven, in favour of Mr George Grant, minister of Boharm.

12 Dec 1751 There was given in a petition from several of the Episcopal persuasion in the parish of Rathven, promising that, if Mr Grant was settled among them, then they wou'd submit to his ministry, and hoping the presbytery would proceed to his settlement. Mr Gordon therefore produced the disposition, and the presbytery agreed to moderate in a call in favours of Mr George Grant.

GEORGE GRANT (1752-1789) was ordained 1734, translated from Boharm, presented by William Gordon of Shillagreen, and admitted 11 Jun, [1752]. He married Magdalen Gordon (1738), who died 1 June 1788, and had a son, George, who became schoolmaster of Rathven (d.1780). He died 18 Mar. 1789, in the 80th year of his age and 55th of his ministry. His other children were Margt., Alex., Katharine, Helen, Anna, Charles (d.1763), and Sophia (do.1776).

1752 The Session resolve to exact of each fornicator four pounds Scots for the first fault. A constable to be appointed to keep off the stranger beggars.

1 Nov 1752 Compeared James Mcbay with Katherin Calder in Broadhyth and confessed guilt of fornication with one another and being rebuked for their sin were appointed to compear before the Congregation next Lord's day to remove the Scandal.

15 Nov 1752 James McBay also payed three pounds twelve sh Scots money of his penalty.

22 Nov 1752 James McBay Pro 2 secundo and absolved.

1753 A petition presented from several inhabitants of Shoar of Buckie craving the transportation of the Society's School from Broadley to Shoar of Buckie. The presbytery agree.

26 Sep 1753 The S.P.C.K. appoint that the school be translated from Broadley to Shoar of Buckie, and that Charles Grant be continued as schoolmaster, with £6 10s from the society, and as much from the committee.

21 Dec 1753 The last session of Parliament having appointed the use of the Gregorian Calendar in all time coming, the year begins 11 days sooner that was wont, and this day being Monday is the first of January 1853 [1754].

21 Jan 1753 Wm Taylor and Margt Petrie compeared pro 1 primo. The Session mett etc [sic] Compeared William Taylor and gave in to the Session ten shillings Sterling as his own and pties [parties ie Janet Bruce] penalties qh [which] was put in the Box. Compeared also Alexr. Paterson and Anne Paterson in Litchistown and Confessed guilt of Antenuptial fornication, were rebuked for their Sin And the Said Ann was appointed to Compear before the congregation in order to remove the Scandal And the Said Alexr. Paterson gave the clerk ten Shillings as their penalty (out of qch was give eight penies to the officer qch compleats his last years fie.) the Said Alexr is of the popish communion. The Session resolved that none be enrolled among the poor but Such as first petitioned them for that end.

[NB Fine for fornication in 1753 was ten shillings sterling or £6 Scots. By 1809 it was £10 Scots. At this time a Scots £ was worth only a twelfth of an English pound.]

28 Jan 1753 Wm Taylor and Margaret Petrie compeared pro 2 secundo and absolved. Anne Paterson pro 1 primo. Dyets of Visitation of families were intimated. Coll 00:5:6

4 Feb 1753 Dyets of visitation of families were intimated. Coll 00:5:0. Ann Paterson absolved

11 Feb 1753 Dyets of visitation of families were intimated. Coll 00:4:6

18 Feb 1753 Dyets of visitation of families were intimated. Coll 00:6:0

25 Feb 1753 Dyets of Catehizing [sic] were intimated. Coll 00:6:0

4 Mar 1753 Dyets of Catechizing were intimated. Coll 00:10:0

11 Mar 1753 Dyets of Catechizing were intimated. Coll 00:12:0

18 Mar 1753 Dyets of Catechizing were intimated. Coll 1:8:0. Given out to one Christen Chisolm a Cairny woman to help to bury her Son in this Churchyard having a Sufficient testimony £2 2sh qch she promised to pay again, she lives near Cairnfolp. [Cairnwhelp?]

25 Mar 1753 Dyets of Catechizing were intimated. Coll 00:11:0. James Paterson compeared pro 1 primo

1 Apr 1753 James Paterson compeared pro 2 secundo. The Session mett etc [sic] Coll:00:7:6. The Minr gave in to the Session a Crown qth he had gotten from James Clark in mains of Buckie as his penalty for his fall in fornication with Agnes Clark. Alexr and Agnes Reids at Shore of Buckie gave in a Complaint agt Kenneth McKenzie in Rottinslough as having upon the 26th of March attacked them on the way coming out of the parish of Belly and beat and bruised ym to the effusion of their blood and offering immodest violence to the Said Anna [sic] Reid, which he Confessed being in drink and declared he repented his Sin and folly in using them So rudely he was Sharply rebuked and appointed to compear before the Congregation ay? and while he gave full Satisfaction to the Congregating? parties lesed [wronged], it being a remarkable offence given to the place and parish.

8 Apr 1753 Keneth McKenzie compeared pro 1o [primo]. John Donaldson having confessed antenuptial fornication with Anne Imlach before Session ante coni.onem? and appointed to make his compearances this day accordingly compeared pro 1 primo. This day Edict was served for James Ogilvie of Logie in Letterfury Charles Grant Charity Schoolmr at Broadley John Burges at Mill of Gollachy John Sinclair at Shore of Buckie John Gregory in Woodside and John Smith in Broadhyth yr being ordained elders in face of the Congregation and if any find objection to give in agt any of the Said persons, that they may declare the Same before the ordination Intimation made from the pulpit that the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is to be celebrated in this place March 22d. Coll:00:7:0

15 Apr 1753 John Donaldson compeared pro 2 secundo and absolved. The Edict being Served and this day Called and no objection made the above named and designed persons were ordained as ruling elders of this parish...Coll:01:2:00. Given thereof to a Stranger woman at Shore of Buckie 3sh:

22 Apr 1753 The Holy Sacrament was Celebrated. Coll: 15:4:0. Given to Marjory Russel 12sh: and to door beggars 18d.

29 Apr 1753 Kenneth McKenzie compeared pro 2o [secundo] and was absolved

6 May 1753 James Paterson compeared pro 3 tertio. Intimation made that the poors money is to be distributed to morrow at the Schoolhouse. Coll: 00:13:6.

26 Sep 1753 A proper chest to be made to hold the Presbytery records, etc, [NB after a search for records had been unsuccessful].

14 Oct 1753 Appointed Katherin Calder to pay her penalty.

Poor's money distributed twice a year; 19 persons on the roll receiving from 4s to 24s, the average being about 10s. Given to a dispersed seaman a groat, [4 pence].

1754 Peter Buy [Bowie] laid under the lesser sentence of excommunication for quintulapse.

1754 Elspet Mowat, a poor sickly woman, came to the minister’s house, and died in two days, leaving some effects-a gown, a common prayer book, &c. No friends claims them, and, as the minister advanced 7s 2d for defraying the expenses of the coffin, dead linen and burial, the effects are to be rouped. The Session appoint the minister to be judge to the said roup and the session clerk to it.

1754 Intimation made from the pulpit that none be guilty of profanation of the Lord’s day, and especially at the Seatown by walking in crowds, drinking in ale houses, gathering dilse, or kirkings, it being better to bestow a little on the poor that by drinking and feasting.

1756 Collection ordered for some widows and families at Findochtie, whose husbands and heads had been lately lost at sea.

1757 Geo. Grant, son to the minister, nominated schoolmaster of Rathven, in place of Wm. Anderson lately deceased.

1762 John Stuart, son to Stuart of Oxhill, presented to the school of Rathven. A certificate presented that he is qualified to the Government, by having taken the oaths of allegiance, adjuration and assurance.

5 Apr 1765 A fishing boat belonging to the parish of Rathven, was cast away in a violent storm, all the men, 7 in number, drowned. Six families left destitute. Collections to be made for the widows and orphans.

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