Almost all Shetlanders in 1773 lived a hand-to-mouth existence, even in good years. That’s where The Trials of Mary Johnsdaughter transports readers. Inhabitants of the crofting-fishing township of Waas see the unexpected arrival of Caithness emigrants bound for North America, in a tale of being at the mercy of strangers whose tongue is unfamiliar, and lives dominated by small yet powerful elites. You can read an extract below.

Extract taken from The Trials of Mary Johnsdaughter
By Christine de Luca
Published by Luath Press

Monday, 13th September 1773

Happyhansel

George Greig, teacher and session clerk in the parish of Waas, had his head in his hands. A hairst sun was dipping in the west, casting a final evening glow through the schoolhouse at Happyhansel, high on the slope above the Loch o Kurkigart. He was exhausted after a day of drilling pupils and then attending the unexpected kirk session meeting. Now hehad the minutes to write up. He had found from years of experience that it was best to tackle it sooner rather than later,while still fresh in the memory.

His son Erchie had attended to all his chores, mostly related to the six boys – the school-boarders – now safely in theirbeds upstairs. He was a blessing to the old man, especially after the loss of Maggie, his wife of nearly twenty years. The two men, despite the years separating them, had grown closer in their mutual loss and now in their shared endeavour with the new school.

So how could he write this up? It was the usual agenda – fornication. Or perhaps worse. Would folk never learn continence and propriety? It seemed to him that this particular case, this David Bain, was an arrogant young man. He had come to the session meeting to admit fathering the child newly born to Sophia Henderson, currently lodging with Jaanie Jeromson at Stove, and to seek infant baptism. He seemed to lack any sense of wrong-doing or remorse.

When asked, Bain had said he was a quarryman from Caithness by way of Orkney, and had worked for many of the Shetland lairds and merchants: Bruce of Sumburgh, Scott of Scalloway, James Hay of Nesting, Sir John Nicolson of Sandsting, Gifford of Bustae; and yes, that he had indeed brought testimonies of his good character from the minister and session clerk of the parish of Bower in his home County. He promised to submit the testimonies as soon as possible. Currently, the papers were in Delting, in the north of Shetland, where last he lodged. Or so he had said.

George had felt an unease among the elders as Bain had confirmed that his wife had died two years previously, soon after he had left Caithness to find work in Shetland; and no, he didn’t have their only child with him. He had agreed that he would also submit to session the relevant letter from his brother; the one which told him of her death. He shamelessly admitted to fathering Sophia’s child, and to fornication with another Delting lass before her, but stated all this was after his wife had passed away.

George was left wondering why he had not married Sophia if he was free to do so. There was something untrustworthy, sleekit, about this man; something disrespectful to women. But, given the lack of evidence, the elders couldn’t determine whether Bain was an adulterer or a fornicator and, since the act had been committed in Delting, they had decided to pass the decision to the higher authority of the presbytery. George had thought he saw Bain flinch at thisdecision, as if suddenly trapped. Perhaps he was wondering how he would get to the island of Bressa, near Lerwick, for the hearing in eleven days’ time. And he would have to find lodgings for the night. More likely, Bain was wondering if the Delting minister would be there; and how he might get out of the situation. But at least the child would be baptised nowthat old Joannie Johnson of Brunatwatt had agreed, before the session meeting, to be sponsor. George had also noticed what might have been a measure of relief in Bain’s expression: perhaps Sophia would have less reason to nag him, given there would be less shame on the child.

The Reverend James Buchan had conducted the proceedings with his usual firmness and grace. His final closingprayer was for the child. George knew that the minister depended on him to make an accurate and timely minute. They had both been recently widowed and seemed to find a kind of solace in each other’s company. Margaret Buchan, who was older than Maggie Greig and socially superior by birth, connections and marriage, had been her mentor and friend. All four of them had been focused these last few years in getting Happyhansel school built and established as the first legal school in Shetland. Happyhansel – happy gift; happy inauguration. Only the huge goodwill and hard work of local people had made it possible. George had to stir himself from these thoughts: it was as if his wife would walk into the room at any minute. He took up his quill, dipped it in the inkwell and, in his perfect copperplate, wrote:

Voe in Walls Sept 13th 1773 – After Prayer and Sederunt the Moderator and Elders of Walls.

This day the Mod.r reported that David Bain whom Sophia Henderson had given up in the time of her Pregnancy as guilty of uncleanefs with her and the Father of the Child she was then with, had come to him this day and acknowledged himself Guilty, as the woman had Declared and same; offering to give in his Judicial Confefsion before the Sefsion, and to satisfy Discipline as the proper Judicatory should appoint…

Erchie brought him tea and a thick oatmeal scone spread with a little fresh butter and added a peat to the open fire which otherwise was in danger of collapsing into ash.

‘A’m aff ta bed, Faider. Da boys is aa settled for da nicht.

Dunna sit owre lang noo.’

‘Wan o Mary Johnsdaughter’s brönnies – dat’ll keep me gyaain! Tanks, Erchie. Gödnicht, mi boy… oh, if only aa young men hed dy göd sense.’

Erchie guessed at the implication of his father’s final remark.

The Trials of Mary Johnsdaughter by Christine de Luca is published by Luath Press, priced £9.99.