December 22nd 1580

Standing firm against the Session

The old public cemetery for Perth was around St John’s Kirk, but with the passing of time the graveyard became overcrowded and it became necessary to remove to a larger area at the Greyfriars, or as the Kirk Session put it “that in all times coming the yard in the Greyfriars to be burial.”

Arrangements were made for the upkeep of the walls of the burial ground but then the Session discovered a slight difficulty. There was a small cottage near the yard occupied by a young woman named Marjorie Gibson. The closeness of the house to the burial ground affected their sense of propriety and they asked the Bailies to remove the young woman from her house.

However, neither the Bailies nor Marjorie took any action and in December 1591 they tried again. “Johnes Smith and Duncan Robertson to pass to the Bailies in time of judgement and desire an decreet of removing against the hussy of the burial.” Marjorie stayed put. Again in January 1582 the Bailies were ordained to “charge the young woman of the burial before next Friday to be removed.” But Friday came and went and Marjorie remained.

The Session resorted to new tactics. February 5th “Forasmeikle as Alexander Gibson, brother to Maige Gibson, compeared before the Assembly and declared that he promised to Andrew Donaldson that he should remove his sister out of the burial at Martinmas last by-past. Upon the whilk it is ordained that she be removed.” But Maige was made of sterner stuff than her brother and refused to budge. February 12th . “Ordains the Woman of the Burial to be removed and if she will mein her to the Assembly, they will help her housemail.” (If she will submit to the wishes of the Assembly they will help her with her rent). Marjorie was unimpressed. May 7th “Ordains the Woman of the Burial to be removed instantly.” But they have been saying this for nine months now and Marjorie stays put.

The Session make one last effort. November 12th “Whilk day compeared Marjorie Gibson being first accused of her own harlotry and secondly of burying infant unbaptised without knowledge of Nicoll (the gravedigger) which she plainly denied.” Marjorie Gibson remains in her cottage and the Session retires comprehensively and justly defeated.