Mary Paterson was born or baptised on 15 Feb 1819 in Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Daughter of John Paterson and Isobell Hamilton. [1]
Extracts from the Stonehouse kirk session minutes dated 6 March 1842 onwards [2]"same day compeared Mary Paterson and made judicial confession of having brought forth a child in fornication and delated Robert Brown as the father of it" Mary and Robert were to appear before the church to answer the charge on the 3 April 1842, only Mary appeared and continued to accuse Robert as the father of her illegitmate child. Both were then summoned to appear to answer the charge on the first Sabbath of May. [3]It would appear Robert was either reluctent to appear before the church court or was unable too as the record dated 8 May 1842 clearly shows "Compeared Mary Paterson who had formerly been before the session and accused Robert Brown as the father of her child born in fornication,But Robert when called did not appear.Whereupon the session ordered him to be summoned the third time with certification".[4]Stonehouse 5 June 1842 "Mary Paterson who had formerly been before the session, but Robert Brown whom she had accused as the father of her illegitimate child, being called did not appear. Though he had been regularly summoned three times. Whereupon the session ordered her to be taken upon dicipline and rebuked when the minister should judge it to be for edification." So in the end, Robert did not face the church on the charge.[5] Mary did get rebuked before the congregation for the sin of fornication with Robert Brown on 17 July 1842.And finaly on 7 Aug 1842 Mary was absolved from scandal by the church.[6]
If the above is the child Margaret (Brown) Bruce (1841-1924)[7] then Mary and Robert were not married at the time of birth as the child is refered to as illegitmate.
When Mary was 31 and married to Robert they were living in Glassford, Middle Ward, Lanarkshire. She was employed as a hand loom weaver, as was her husband. Along with her husband their children Margaret aged 9, John aged 7 and Robert aged 5 were also recorded in the census of 1851 at the same address. [8]
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P > Paterson | B > Brown > Mary (Paterson) Brown
Categories: Cotton Hand Loom Weavers | Stonehouse, Lanarkshire | Brown Name Study