Part 1
This blog relates to the The Hogg’s of Renfrew. On the 1st May 1831 we’re told that John Hogg had attended the last session meeting, admitting to having married Elizabeth Stewart iregulary in 1821, and had two children with her. When Elizabeth died he then married Mary Balfour in 1829 regulary, but also admitted to antenuptial fornication. John and Mary went on to have ten children together. The session agreed that John and Mary should both appear before them at seperate times to be rebuked for their behaviour. The transcribed minutes below.
Renfrew Kirk Session, Minutes (1655-1849), CH2/1596/1/3
Transcribed from scotlandspeople.gov.uk 27/07/2023
John Hogg, Renfrew irregular marriage to Elizabeth Stewart 1821 and then marriage to Mary Boyd 1829
Renfrew, 1st May 1831 (Hoggs acknowledgement)
Session being met and constituted…
The Session then took into consideration the case of John Hogg who had appeared at the last meeting of session and stated that he was irregularly married in 1821 to a woman named Elizabeth Stewart, by whom he had two children. Afterwards the said Elizabeth Stewart died and that in 1829 he was regularly married to Mary Balfour his present wife, but they were guilty of antenuptial fornication. The session then appointed that in consequence of the said John Hogg’s irregular conduct, that he should appear before the session at their next meeting and be rebuked and that John Hogg and Mary Balfour his wife do appear afterwards at another meeting of session and to be rebuked and absolved from the scandal. The meeting then closed with prayer.
Renfrew, 4th July 1831 (Hoggs appearance)
Session being met and constituted, John Hogg appeared and rebuked for his unregular conduct. Conform to appointment.
Renfrew, 7th August 1831 (Hogg & Balfour absolved)
Session being met and constituted compeared John Hogg and Mary Balfour his wife and were rebuked by the Mod(erator) for the sin of antenuptial fornication and were absolved from the scandal, Conformed to appointment.
At the moment I can trace the Hogg family of Renfrew back to a John Hogg and Isobell Wilson marrying in 1685 through to my Great grandmother Christina Hogg/ McDonald born in 1887. Over lockdown I discovered three Hogg headstones in the graveyard at Renfrew
