William Nicol (abt. 1780)

Born about 1780 in Scotland

This profile is part of the Watten, Caithness One Place Study.

Biography

On 10 July 1803 Christan Miller, resident of Scouthel in the parish of Watten, was brought before the Watten Kirk where she was accused of being with child. She named William Nicol, late a servant in Wester Watten, as the father of her baby. William Nicol adamantly denied at least twice to the church elders that he was the father of the child, claiming he had no acquaintance with her, despite the elders clearly encouraging him to admit his paternity. The fact that the baby was baptised with the surname "Nicol or Millar" indicates the church elders were not persuaded of his arguments, the minutes noting that the elders were not satisfied with his general behaviour or answers to the questions they put to him.^[1]

Ann Nicol or Millar, illegitimate daughter of William Nicol and Christan Miller, was born about 1803 and baptised in Watten, Caithness, on 9 October 1803.^[2] Ann's mother's residence was Scouthel in the parish of Watten at the time of her birth.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Watten kirk session, Minutes (1779-1826), CH2/364/4, accessed via Scotland's People.
2. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XBML-DXZ : 12 February 2020), Ann Nicol or Millar, 1803.
3. ↑ Watten kirk session, Minutes (1779-1826), CH2/364/4, accessed via Scotland's People.