Jemima Hay - A Little Fancy Writing,
Arbroath 1873
Rev Joseph Hay left details of how
he wished his young daughter Jemima to be educated in
the event of his death. He wished her to learn her 3 R's
and believed that " a little fancy writing would be good"
for her.
French, music, drawing and painting were considered essential,
as was a good knowledge of optics and astronomy. He specifically
forbade dancing as being "beneath their dignity as Sons
of God".
He dictated her behaviour in other aspects of life: "She
is never to be absent from Worship and to be in her seat
before it [the sermon] begin." He did not mind her reading
history for pleasure but recommended church history rather
than accounts of the wars of ungodly men. He strictly
forbade her to read about geology, which he believed was
conjectural and dangerous.
Hay wished every hour to be filled profitably. Her time
was to be spent in ministering to the poor and to the
"poor ignorant perishing souls." Jemima was to be guarded
against frivolous talk nor was she to spend time in the
company of any family where God was not worshipped. Outward
adornment was also forbidden. Jemima was not to plait
her hair or to wear gold.
We do not know if Jemima followed all of her father's
instructions.
