The Kirk Session which was composed of elders of the church was responsible for  the administration of church affairs in each parish.  A large part of the Session's work appeared to be involved in the investigation of illegitimate births. Fines were imposed by the Session on those  the Session found guilty of "fornication". The proceeds would have been used to fund  Poor Relief, one of the Session's other main duties.

Parish of Banchory Ternan

1832

Eliza Chillas residing with Andrew Burnett, farmer, Muirhillets, declared herself with child. Andrew Burnett admitted.

1835

Eliza Chillas servant at Newmill declared herself with child. Alexander Taylor at Hirn acknowledged guilt.

Parish of Drumoak

9th March 1834--The Kirk session compeared Elizabeth Chullice an unmarried woman in this parish, confessing herself guilty of being with child in fornication. Being interrogated who was the father of the child, replied that Robert Craigmile an unmarried man residing at Burn of Bervie in Banchory Ternan.

23rd March 1834

Robert Craigmile confesses.

20th April 1834

Robert Craigmile and Elizabeth Chullice exhorted and absolved--£1 fine.

Elizabeth was b. 1811, the daughter of Alexander Chillas and Sophia Stewart. She went on to marry James Deans in 1844. Her children included: Jane Burnett b. 1836 by Andrew Burnett ; Peter Collie b. 1838 Midmar by Peter Collie. I can find no baptisms of children by Robert Craigmile or Alexander Taylor, nor any reference to them in the censuses.

20th August 1837

Gordon Chullice confesses guilty with child. William Christie named as father. Absolved and married.

Gordon Chullice b. 1815, in spite of her unusual name, was also the daughter of Alexander Chillas and Sophia Stewart. She left Drumoak and lived with her husband in the parish of Insch at Knockenbaird where she died in 1871.

Parish of Alford

1756--Jean Chillas, a young woman in this parish named John Wilson as the father of her child and he admitted. Paid £4 Scots of penalty.

Jean was probably the daughter of Robert Chillas. This child was Martha Chillas b. 1756 Alford. Jean went on to marry John Mitchell in 1764 in Alford.

Parish of Birse

The Kirk Session Minutes for Birse include some lists of the inhabitants of the parish from 1790 to 1808. Click on the link below to see the records relating to the Chillas families who lived there.