[from Advocate's Notebook, 1847]

17th July, 1739.

MALEW PRESENTMENT.

THOMAS, SODOR and MANN,
JOHN COSNAHAN,
EDWARD MOORE.

The CHURCHWARDENS of MALEW v. JOHN KINLEY and JONY SHIMMIN.

The Wardens of Malew presented John Kinley and his sister-in-law, Jony Shimmin for cohabiting and having been guilty of incest.

At a Chapter Court, 21st June, 1739, John Kinley appeared in Court, and acknowledged that he cohabits with Jony Shimmin, his wife’s sister ; he owned that he had children by her, and that he married her in Dublin.

On the 12th July an order was directed to the Sumner to charge the parties to answer to the presentment at a Consistory Court, at Kirk Michael, on the 17th July.

On the 17th the matter was heard, and the following judgment was made :—

" John Kinley having appeared before us and acknowledged his cohabitation with Jony Shimmin, his wife’s sister, as also alleging that they were married in Dublin. It is hereby declared that the marriage contracted between persons so nearly related, being contrary to the laws of God and of the church, is sinful and unlawful, and therefore void from the beginning ; and that these persons may not be suffered any longer to live together in sin, and to give occasion of scandal to the church of Christ, they are forthwith to be separately committed in St. German’s till they give bonds, each of £3, ad usum Dni, to perform penance in the churches of the south side of the Isle, bewailing their sin ; as also that they will not accompany nor converse, unless it be in court, church, or market."

"And the several vicars and wardens are hereby required to be very observant of their behaviour, that in case they give offence, presentment may be made thereof, and then the church will be obliged to take severer methods to remove the scandal."

THOMAS, SODOR and MANN,
JOHN COSNAHAN,
EDWARD MOORE

" Sumner—After publication hereof, you are to take care that the same be forthwith duly executed ; let certificate be returned to cross the names of the offenders, and in case of disobedience the Court orders you to desire a soldier."