STUCK ON A COUPLE OF WORDS AND OVERALL MEANING OF PARAGRAPH

stepmars · Post by **stepmars** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 12:11 pm

Hi,

I'd appreciate opinions from others about a few words in a page I have uploaded from an 1812 Edinburgh Church Session minute book. The image can be viewed at:
http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1598

Below is my translation of the segment that interests me:
"April 7th 1812
Sed[erunt] WM ARo JM TW DG ABook
SP and M it was Reported that James
Marshall dged [?] on the 1d [?] of this month [1st of April?]
the Sess[ion] ordered his name to be erased from
the Sess[ion] roll Willm Elreand [?] haveing [sic] faith
in his circumstances the Sess[ion] apointed [sic] Thos
Turnbull and J Mitchell to speak with
him and to investigate whether their [sic] be
any thing dishonest in his conduct"

The two words I'm unsure about are in bold text.

Also can anyone explain the meaning behind this paragraph? The man in question, James Marshall, was an Elder and founding menber of this church. It appears he may have been accused of something? Prior to this entry he was mentioned repeatedly in the minute book. From this point forward he is never mentioned again which is puzzling.

In 1812 James Marshall would have been an old man (over 70) so could the text relate to his death? If so why would the Session have appointed two of the other Elders to speak with him?

All help appreciated!

Regards,

Steve

Bethan · Post by **Bethan** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 3:16 pm

Hi,

Perhaps James "dyed" on the "1st"? - is the squiggle after the "1 " the standard shortening for "st"?

Then the entry for James would seem to end after "erased from the Session roll".

Then the Session moves on to deal with William E(?). who, haveing "fallen"/"failed" in his circumstances, is to be investigated by Turnbull and Mitchell - perhaps if William has failed through no fault of his own, the Session might grant him some help?

Post by **AnneM** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 7:58 pm

I tend to agree that J Marshall died. The problem looks to me to be a lack of punctuation. His entry ends as said with erased from the session roll.

I wonder if the next bit should read:

William Cleland; Haveing faith in his circumstances, the session appointed X and Y to speak with him etc.

To my mind it suggests that something was alleged against William Cleland but the session was disinclined to believe it but undertook an investigation. Could be wrong though!

I don't see failed there I see faith.

Anne

stepmars · Post by **stepmars** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:43 am

Dear Bethan & Anne,

Thanks. I think that explains it. Should have worked it out myself but sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to spot the obvious.

Regards,

Steve