John Tinline

  General Notes:

Bryan Tinlin notes:
First mentioned in Kirklands, Ancrum in 1695 when he was taxed for 1 hearth. He was living as a tenant in Kirklands from February 1717, except for a short time in Richlands, Ancrum around 1711. Several entries in Ancrum Church Register from April 1712 to July 1714, when he was exonerated of a charge of fornication brought against him by the Church. Was still living in September 1729, but was deceased by 24 Sepetember 1738 (daughter's marriage records).

Bill Tinline notes:
Janet Ingles accused John Tinline of Kirklands of having sinned with her in March 1712. Janet Tinline, along with other femaoles, called as witnesses. John Tinline absolved on 24 July 1712 but Janet Ingles "declared a fugitive from all Church discipline".

Jessie Hislop posted a full transcript of this incident on RootsWeb:

April ? 1712 (before the 6th)
This day the minister being called to speak with Jennett Ingles, the relict*, from remorse and under conviction confessed that John Tinline in Kirklands sinned with her in her own house in ?Faaston evens night**, whereupon the minister called two of the Elders and the fd Jennett confessed the same in presence of the minister and the two elders. James Gray and Robert Story, ordered her and the said John Tinline to compear before the Session next Lords' day.
* relict=widow

April 6, 1712
This day, Jennett ingles being called compeared not, the officer having neglected to summon John Tinline both of them are ordered to be cited next Lords' day.

April 13, 1712
This day Jennet Ingles being called compeared not; the Session orders her to be summoned the third time. John Tinline being called compeared and denys that he sinned with Ingles but confesses that he went into her house being alone and what he did was but in sport without any intention of committing sin.

April 20, 1712
This day Jennet Ingles being called did not compear ??goupon (whereupon?) the Session refers the whol matter to the Prebetry.

May 25, 1712
The minister reports that the presbytry remited the affair of John Tinline to the session to deal futher with him and to inquire further into the circumstances thereof and goo (?) what presumption of guilt can be found upon him. The session orders the said John Tinline to be cited next Lord's Day, and also orders to be summoned Isobel Dun, and Helen Hunter, Hellon Grey (or Ivory?--hard to read) and Jennett Tinline, Joan Bennett, Bessy Robson and also orders Margaret Aitchison to be summoned next Lord's Day.

June 1, 1712
John Tinlin being called, compeared and being interrogatted about.... his guilt with Jennet Ingles, he still adheared to his former confession and being asked if he had any thing to object against the witnesses, answered that he had nothing to object against them.

The above written witnesses being called compeared and being interrogat about John Tinline's affair, nothing could be gathered from them that could amount to any thiing of scandal [The disappointment is almost palpable, don't you think? I thought that was the end of it but severl pages later...]

July 24, 1714
This day John Tinline purged himself of the scandal of the guilt of Adultrie charged upon him by Janick Engles by his oath before the Congregation and the Minister declared Janet Ingles a fugitive from all church discipline.

**additional comment from Judy Olsen:

This would be Fastern's E'en, which is the time of the ba' game. So perhaps
John was suffering from an adrenalin/testosterone rush!

The game is played in many Border burghs - two teams compete in a free for
all game round the town and shops are boarded up for the occasion.I don't
think Ancrum has a game any more but there is still one at Jedburgh.

I am not sure whether Ancrum's game was on the exact night - I dont think
all the games were held on the same evening - this allowed men and youths
sometimes to compete in other towns.

I think Fastern's E'en is in February, so I wonder - idle speculation -
whether Jennett's remorse was to do with fear of pregnancy.

John married.