Scandal in the Highlands!

By now you should realize that my ancestors have a tendency to get on the wrong side of the law. My MacGregor ancestors are no different and the old Aberfoyle church was the site of several events that were....well, scandalous! The year is 1802 and the place is Achray House on Loch Earn. The proscription against the MacGregor clan had been lifted for 28 years. Young Alexander MacGregor was in his mid-twenties working as a servant in Achray House. He was born around the time the proscription was lifted, so between 1774 and 1778. His parentage is unknown. One day a young woman catches his eye, another servant on the estate. Her name is Margaret McLean. She is perhaps a little younger than Alexander. He charmed her, perhaps took her for a little stroll along Loch Earn or up into the hills amongst the sweet smelling heather. One thing led to another and...a few months later Margaret realized she is pregnant. She probably tried to hide it for as long as possible until her condition became too noticeable, perhaps around the 7th month of pregnancy, and someone spilled the beans. The kirk finds out and calls young Margaret to appear before the Kirk session and it went something like this...here is a note from the session minutes along with several others explaining what happened.

Aberfoyle 10th March 1803

Compeared Voluntarily Margret McLean Late servant in Auchray confessing herself to be with child. The Moderator having solemnly exhorted her to declare the truth and nothing but the truth, interrogated her as the Father if the Child, and she declared that she has no father but Alex[ande]r McGregor at present servant in Auchray-the Session therefore order their Officer to summon the said Alex[ande]r McGregor to compeer before them next Lord's day to give his Answer to the above charge and Margaret McLean is summoned apud acta to compeer at the same time. Closed with prayer.

17th April 1803

The Session being met and constituted Alex[ande]r McGregor being called in consequence of his commons compeared and the above Minute being read to him; he was suitable exhorted by the Moderator and interrogated: he frankly acknowledged his guilt with Margaret McLean: the Session therefore find him to be the father of the Child; and leave the discipline which he is to undergo, for further Consideration. Closed with prayer.

8th May 1803

This day Alex[ande]r McGregor was rebuked the first time in presence of the Congregation for his sin of fornication with Margaret McLean and ordered to continue in profession of repentance. The Session agree that he is to stand Another public rebuke [and] to pay a fine of 5 Sterling for the poor besides Clerk's and Beadle's dues.

15th May 1803

Alex[ande]r McGrefor having paid the fine formerly agreed upon by the Session was this day publicly rebuked the second time for his son of fortification with Margaret McLean, and after suitable exhortations for the Moderator he was absolved from the Scandal.

10th July 1803

This day Margaret McLean was rebuked the first time for her sun of fornication with Alexander McGregor and ordered to continue in the profession of her repentance. The Session ordered her to pay a fine of 5 Sterling and to come before the congregation another day to be rebuked [and] absolved.

31st July 1803

This day Margaret McLean was rebuked the second time for her sin of fornication with Alex[ande]r McGregor: She having paid a fine of 5 Sterling with the Clerk's and Beadle's dues, was suitable exhorted by the Moderator to walk circumspectly for the future and absolved from the Scandal.

So Margaret and Alexander had to appear before the church congregation to be publicly humiliated and condemned for their actions. Also, 5 Sterling is 5 pounds which was ALOT of money back then, especially for a servant. Also, their child, my great great great great grandfather, John MacGregor was born May 13, 1803 and was baptized the same day his father was publicly rebuked the second time and absolved of the scandal. Alexander and Margaret never married. Alexander also didn't seem to learn his lesson as he appeared before the Kirk session again in 1810 for once again fathering a child out of wedlock with a different woman. The child was a girl and baptized Catherine. Then he decided to finally get married to another woman, Jane, with whom he had an additional 6 or so children. In 1818 he immigrated to Canada with his family. He did maintain contact with John as is evident by letters. Margaret never married at all, the scandal probably ruined her reputation and deemed her unsuitable. Later, John also appeared before the Kirk session for a similar reason as his parents. He married Jane Robertson in the fall of 1827 in the Aberfoyle church. Then in 1828, they were fined because their first child arrived two months too early. In other words, they were fined for conceiving out of wedlock even though they did marry. 

    The ruins of old Aberfoyle church

The next day (today), we drove to Loch Earn and found Achray House, where Margaret McLean and Alexander MacGregor worked as servants and met. It is now a hotel, but some parts of it did indeed look quite old. Loch Earn was beautiful and we enjoyed going around it, especially since the weather was absolutely gorgeous! Although, the driver did decide to take a one lane almost dirt road which panicked the navigator slightly, especially when another car came from the opposite direction. But all's well ends well!

Cheers!

Elizabeth

                 Auchray House

                     Loch Earn

         Driving along the lake