The transcription below is of a Scottish commissary court will, for William Keith, the third Earl Marischal[1], who died in 1581.
Although this document is unusually long, all Scottish wills took this format, starting with details about the person and their death, and who their executors were. Then comes a section on their assets and their value. This section usually goes into great detail on livestock and crops, but tend to be exceptionally vague on household goods and posessions. Next comes the debts owed to the individual, then the debts owed by the individual. These two sections can be quite interesting in building a picture of a persons networks and connections. Whatever was left was tallied, and the remainder left after the owed debts was subtracted would be divided in three. The third part would then be left in legacies by the individual. That final section can be interesting for family relationships and sometimes interesting possessions. William here uses it to leave land and money to his grandchildren, to set the men up as lairds, and the women up for their marriages.
William Keith, third Earl Marischal, ‘William that kept the Tower’ in the family genealogies, was reputed to be the richest earl in Scotland, so there are masse of assets, lots of debts, and numerous legacies. I’ll add another page soon with discussion of the rich historical details in this text. I do have a biography of William in preparation, which I might finish one day.
Proper nouns are capitalised, and some punctuation added for clarity.
CC8/8/11 Edinburgh Commissary Court Transcription
[107.] Erle Williame Marschell decimo quarto Junii 1582
The testament dative and inventor of the guidis, geir soumes of money and debittis perteining to umquhille ane ryt nobill mychtie and potent lord William erle Marschell Lord Keyt at the tyme of his deceis quha decesit upoun the vij day of October the yeir of god jm vc lxxxj yeiris faithfull maid and given up be ane nobill and potent lord George now erle of Marschell lord Keyt etc lawthfull oy[2] to the said umquille nobill and potent lord and exicutor dative decernit to him be decreit of the commissioners of Edinburgh as the same decreit of the dait the viij day of november the yeir of god jm vc lxxxj yeiris foresaid at lenth proportis.
[Land and Mains of Dunnottar]
In the first the said umquille nobill michtie & potent lord William erle Merschell lord Keyt etc had the guds geir soumes of money & dettis of the availe and prices as eftar following perteining to him the tyme of his deceis foirsaid viz
upoun the grund & landis of the mains of Dunnottar xxxij drawane oxin[3] by the airship ex price of the pece ourheid vjli xiijs iiijd Summa ijc xiij li vjs viijd
Item mair upoun the same grund & landis of Dunnottar xij ky[4] price of the pece ourheid v li Summa lx li
Item mair upoun the said grund & landis sex calfis of ane yeir auld price of the pece ourheid xxs summa vj li
Item mair upon the said grund & landis foure work hors by the airship hors price of ye pece ourheid x li summa xl li
Item mair upon the said grund & landis fyve scoir yowis[5] price of the pece ourheid xvj d summa lxxx li
Item mair upon ye said grund & landis of Dunnottor xxxviij kippit[6] hoggs price of the pece ourheid viij d summa xv li iiij d
[Land and Mains of Fetteresso]
Item upon the grund & landis of the mains of Fetheresso partis and pendiclis therof pasturit & occiput be the said umquille nobill & potent lord xviij drawane oxin price of the pece ourheid vj li xiijs iiijd summa iijc xx li
Item mair upone the said grund & lands fourtie ky price of the pece ourheid v li summa iic li
Item mair upone the said
[108.]
grund & lands tuentie calfis of ane yeir auld price of the pece ourheid xxs summa xx li
Item mair upon the said grund & lands Lx yowes[7] now of twa & thrie yeirs auld price of the pece ourheid iij li summa lxxx li
Item mair upone the said grund & landis tuentie scoir yowis price of the pece ourheid xvjd summa iijc xx li
Item mair upon the said grund & landis fyftie scoir hoggs price of the pece ourheid viijd summa xl li
Item mair upon the said grund & lands twelf scoir yer[8] mar[9] &dyermont[10]price of the pece ourheid xs summa jc xx li
Item mair upon the said grund & lands aucht scoir Waddors[11] price of the pece ourheid xxs summa jc lx li
Item mair upoun the said grund & lands of the mains of Fetheresso with six work horses price of the pece ourheid vj li xiijs iiijd summa xl li
[Land and Mains of Scottistoun]
Item upone the grund & landis of the mains of Scottistoun viij drawine oxin price of the pece ourheid vj li xiijs iiijd summa Liij li vjs viijd
Item mair upoin the said grund & lands six ky price of the pece ourheid v li summa xxx li
Item mair upoun the said grund & lands foure calfis price of the pece ourheid being ane yeir auld xxs summa iiij li
Item mair upoun the said ground & lands xx yowis price of the pece ourheid xljs summa xvjl
Item mair upoun the said ground & lands ten hoggs price of the pece ourheid viijs being clippit[12] summa iiij li
Item mair upoun the said ground & landis of Scottistoun twa hors price of the pece ourheid vj li xiijs iiijd summa xiij li vjs viijd
[The barns and Barnyard of the Mains of Dunnottar]
Item in the barns & barneyard of the mains of Dunnottar collectit xiiij stakk of aittis extending & estimat justlie according to the haill grouth to auchtente scoir bollis aittis price of the boll with the fodder xxiiijs summa iiijc xxxij li
Item mair to coninit in the
[109.]
said barns & barnyard of Dunnottar mains fyve stakk of beir estimat & extending be just calculatioun to xlliij boll beir price of the boll with the fodder xlljs viijd summa jc xii li
Item mair in the said barne and barneyard of the mains of Dunnottar ane stak of quhat estimat & exteneing be just calculatioun to xv bolls quheit price of the boll with th fodder liijs iiijd summa xl li
[The barns and Barnyard of the Mains of Fetteresso]
Item in the barns & barneyard of the mains of Fetheresso partis & pendiclis therof occupit be the said umquille nobill & potent lord xxiiij stakk of aittis estimat & extending be just calculations to xlviij scoir bolls aittis price of the boll with the fodder xxiiijs summa jm jc lij li
Item mair in the said barns & barnyards of the mains of Fetheresso partis & pendiclis therof occuput be the said umquille nobill & potent lord ane stak of beir estimat & extending be just calculations to xv bolls beir price of the boll with the fodder xlvjs viijd summa xxxv li
[The barns and Barnyard of the Mains of Scottistoun]
Item in ye barn & barnyard of the mains of Scottistoun six stakk of aittis estimat & extending be just calculations to six scoir bolls aittis price of the boll with the fodder xxiiijd summa jc xliiij li
Item mair in the said barne & barnyard of the mains of Scottistoun tua stakk of beir estimat & extending be just calculations to xxxij bolls beir price of the boll with the fodder xlvjs viijd summa lxxiiij li xiijs iijd
[Silver]
Item in utencils & dominicals with sillvar work & abulzementis & ornamentis of the said umquille nobill & potent lords body within his placis of Dunnottar, Inverugie & Akirgill by the airship estimate & extending be just calculation to the soums of ane thousand thrie punds xxxiij li vjs viijd
Item of reddie sillvar & new movit money in peis extending to first compt & calculatiouns to the soum of twentie sex thousand pundis money
Summa of the inventor xxxjm iijc xxxviij li iiijd
[110.]
Followis the deitis awne to the said umquille nobill & potent lord
Item ther was awne to the said umquille nobill & michti lord William erle Mershall Lord Keyt etc
be umqle Robert Larstoun of Huntar and William Skirving of Plowlandhill chalmerlains of the barony of Keyt Mershell for the rest of the fermes & comptis throf in anno jm vc lxxix yeiris and males of the lxxx yeir crope & uyer yeirs pertening the soum of twa hundreth Liij li xs
Item restane awne be the tennents of the barony of Garvak according to ane perticular calculatioun compt & rekning maid with the tennents of the males fermes customes & deueteis of the said barony of the crop & yeir of god jm vc lxxx yeirs and all yeirs preceding the soum of xl li
Item awne be John Arbuthnot chalmerlane of the baronies of Dunnotter Urass & Fetheresso for the rest of his comptis of the males fermes customes & deuetes of the crop & yeir of god jm vc lxxx yeirs and yeirs preceding the soume of lx li
Item awne be James Sterror & Walter Malysone chalmerlains of the baronies of Kyntor & Skene for the restis of the comptis of the males fermes custumes and deueteis of the crope & yeir of god jm vc lxxx yeirs and yeirs preceding the soume of fiftie punds
Item awne be John Man chalmerlane of the barony of Inverugy for the rest of his comptis of the males fermes custumes and deueteis of the crope & yeir of god jm vc lxxx yeirs and yeirs preceding the soume of lxvj li xiijs iiijd
Item awan be Andro Kyd chalmerlane of the barony of Awdene for the rest of his comptis of the fermes of the crope & yeir of god jm vc lxxx yeirs and yeirs preceding the soume of xiij li vjs viijd
Item restane awne be John Keyt chalmerlane of Caithnes for the [111.] rest of his comptis of the crope & yeir of god jm vc lxxx yeirs and yeirs preceding conforme to his compt maid at Dunnotter the vj day of september the yeir of God jm vc lxxxj yeiris be soume of thrie hundred xxxiij li vjs viijd
Item restand awne be Johne Arbuthnot chalmerlane of the barony of Garvak for the half fermes of the said barony in anno jm vc lxxxj yeiris aucht scoir bolls victuall twa part mele & third part beir price of the boll with the fodder xxxvj price of the boll beir xlvjs viij d summa iijc xvj li xs viijd
Item awne be Andro Keyt chalmerlane of the baronies of Dunnotter Fetheresso & Urass for the half fermes of the said baronies in anno jm vc lxxxj yeiris sixtene chalderis of victual twa part mele & third part beir price of the boll mele xxxvjs price of the boll beir xlvjs viijd summa vc vj li viijs
Item awne be Robert Hog chalmerlane of Glendy within the barony of Straitquhin for the half fermes in anno jm vc lxxxj yeirs xij bolls victual onlie mele price of the boll xxxvjs summa xxj lib xijs
Item awne be James Stewart chalmerlane of Kyntor & Skene for the half fermes of the said umquille nobill lordis landis ther in anno jm vc lxxxj yeirs five chalders victual all mele price of the boll or heid xxxvjs summa jc xliiij lib
Item awne be Johne Gawane chalmerlane of the banony of Innerugy for the half fermes therof in anno jm vc lxxx yeiris sextene chalders victual twa part male & 3 part beir price of the boll male xxxvjs price of the boll beir xlvjs viijd summa vc vj lib viijs
Item awne be Johne Gawane chalmerlane of the barony of Awdne for the half fermes therof in anno jm vc lxxxj yeirs fyftene chalderis victual twa part mele & third part beir price of the boll mele xxxvjs price of the boll beir xlvjs viijdsumma iiijc lxxiiij lib xiijs iiijd
Item awne be Alexander Keyt of Glakreaich [112.] chalmerlane of the third part lands of Duffus for the half fermes therof in anno jm vc lxxxj yeirs Foure chalderis victual half mele half beir price of the boll mele xxxvjs price of the boll beir xxlvjs viijd summa jc xxxij lib vs iiijd
Item awne be Johne Keyt chalmerlane of Cathenes for the witnonday termes mele of the said umquille nobill lords lands therof restane in anno jm vc lxxxj yeirs the soume of five hundreth merks money
Item awne be Johne Arskin of Dun conform to ane obligatioun the soum of sex hundreth Lxvj li xiijs iiijd
Item awne be Johne Leslie of Balquhane conform to ane obligation the soum of fyve hundreth merks
Item awne be William Keyt of Ludquharne conforme to ane obligatioun the soum of lxxx li
Ite mair awne be the said William as caution for the lady Boyne the soum of ane hundreth punds
Item awne be Mr Gilbert Keyt in Auquhorsk as executor to his umquille father conforme to ane obligatioun the soum of thre hundreth lxxv li iijs viijd
Item awne be Robert Keyt of Canterland as cautioner for my lady Argyle the soum of ane hundreth xxxiij li vjs viijd
Item awne be the airs and executors of umquille Johne Douglas of Tulliquhillie for the byrid malis ryn marte & waddris of the same conforme to his abligatioun the soum of thrie hundreth xlvj li vjs viijd
Item awne be Robert Watsoun burgess of Aberdine for the rest of comptis the soum of ane hundreth lxvj li xiijs iiijd
Item awne be Robert Watsoun of Auchindrot Lxvj li xiijs iiijd
Item awne be Andro King, George Layng, James Johnestoun and Gilbert Thorist Burgesses of Aberdene for the rest of comptis the soume of Foure hundreth xxiij li vjs viijd
Item awne be Meit Mengeyis relict of umquile Andro Buk the soum of thrie hundreth viij li vjs vijd
Item awne be my Lord Hume[13] the abbot of Jedburt[14] & ther cautionaris the soum of Foure thousand pounds money
Item awne be Alexander Bishop of Brechin[15] the soum of Lx li
Item awne be James Arbuthnot of Lontushe & James Arbuthnot in Mekill Fiddes cauntioneris & servitoris for Alexander Arbuthnot burgess of Edinburgh restand awne of the [113.] soum of fyftene hundret lix li xijs ixd contenit in ane act registrat in the shreffis buiks of Abirdene the soume of ane thousand xxvj li vs ixd
Item awne be Andro Craig as cautionar for James keith in Craig the soum of xl li
Item awne be the airis or executors of umquille Monano Hog of borrowit money resting of four hundret punds
Item awne be the airis or executors of umquille John Lord Glammis for the bygane males of Eister Ordt & myln of the same the soum of six hundret punds money
Item awne be my Lord Saltoun for the bygane males of Tailehame & Edintor the soume of ane thousand punds money
Item awne be the laird of Boyne for the bygane males of Quhoantie the soum of tua hundret xxxiij li vjs viijd
Item awne be David Sibbald of Cair for the bygane males of the landis of Blanis the soume of tua hundret lxiiij li viijs vd
Item awne be John Lowsoun burgis of aberdene for bygane malis of ane foirhous occuput be him the soume of lxv li
Item awne be umquille William Hog in Torpiltoun be resson of his intromissioun with the rentis of the barony of Straitquhin & Colperso the soume of tua hundret xxxij li vjs
Item restis awne be the parrochinonis of Deir Petirugie & Foverne for the rest of the teind victual & teind customes in anno jm vc lxxx yeiris as was pertaining the soum of thre hundret xxxiij li vjs viijd
Summa of the dettis awne to the said umquhille nobill & potent lord
—- xiiijm iiijc xxxix li xvijs xd
Summa of the inventar with the dettis extends to
——- xlvm vijc lxxviij li xxijd
followis the deitis awed be the said umquille nobill and potent lord
Item ther was awed be the said umquille nobill & potent lord William erle Marshell Lord Keith:
To his servands for thair feis restand the witsonday and mertymes termes in anno jm vc Lxxxj yeirs as eftar followis viz:
Item to George Keith master houshald the soume of xx lib
Item to Johne Keith his bruyer the soume of xx lib
Item to James Keyt younger of Canterland the soume of xx lib
Item to William Keyt in Aucherie the soume [114.]of xx lib
Item awne to William Keyt sone to Johne Keyt in Northesse the soume of xx lib
Item to William Keyt elder in my lords chalmer the soume of xx lib
Item to Gilbert Keyt the soume of xx lib
Item to George Mychell in my lords chalmer xx lib
Item awne to Johne Murray in my lords chalmer the soume of xx lib
Item to Johne Keyt browdinster[16] the soume of xx lib
Item to Andro Keyt stewart the soume of xx lib
Item to Robert Keyt ladiner man[17] the soume of xx lib
Item to James Ramesay in my lords chalmer the soume of x lib
Item to Johne Arbuthnot chalmerlane of Fetheresso the soume of xx lib
Item to Thomas Smyt in Rora the soume of xx lib
Item to Gilbert Fraser xx lib
Item to Johne Hawtoun pantieman[18] the soume of xx lib
Item to Mr Johne Guthrie the soume of xx lib
Item to Johne Fullertoun the soume of xx lib
Item to Alexander Eldir the soume of xx lib
Item to Mr Johne Wylie the soume of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Andro Buge gunnar ther soume of xx lib
Item to Gilbert Nicolsoun grentalman[19] the soume of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to James Murray kepar of the hors cran[20] xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Hilliam Hogge porter the soume of x lib
Item to Thomas Brink the soume of x lib
Item to Johne Murray baxtar the soume of x lib
Item to Alexander Lindy brewster xlib
Item to Robert Smyt wairdroper the soume of x lib
Item thrie wemen the laidnestanis[21] xij lib
Item to James Young maistar cuik the soum of xx lib
Item to Johne Lowdoun cuke xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Johne Currie forman vj lib xiijs iiijd
Item to Alexander Chevis & Robert Cheveis boyis in the kitchenis the soume of iiij lib to ilk ane of thame summa viij lib
Item to Johne Murray vesthelman the soume of vj lib xiijs iiijd
Item to Thomas Smyt gardner the soume of x lib
Item to David Goddisman his man the soume of iiij lib
Item to Johne Hume gardner of Fetheresso the soume of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Gilbert Keyt, Robert Lundy, Alxander Gardanch & Henry Makky foure watcheman evanalie amanths thame the soume of xvj lib
Item to Patrik Gray peit berar the soume of iiij lib
Item to the utheris garditors the soume of iiij lib
Item to Robert [119.] Young uptaker of the boitts[22] part & teind the soum of vj lib xiijs iiijd
Item to Andro Jollie greif[23] of Dunnottar the soum of x lib
Item to Thomas Myln groif of Fetheresso the soum of x lib
Item to Alexander Ronoldsoun storor[24] the soum of ten pund
Item to William Ronaldsoun keper of the park of Fetheresso the soum of ten lib
Item to Johne Pawtoun oversear of the woodis the soum of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Thomas Thomesoun, James Kar, Thomas Robertsoun, Michaell Lyon, John Henry, James Roger, Alexander Barroun, Johne Coitlaw, Thomas Gill, Gilbert Beera, William Masoun, Johne Henry, Robert Thome, James Pladman, Johne Jeffrey, Stane Barrowwman, bring stanes fra the sey to the place, ilk ane of thame iij lib summa xlv lib
Item to William Greg, James Law, Andro Gredisoun, Johne Chope, Andro Traill, Johne Bune, William Laird, Johne Alane, Johne Sym, boyis and poistis ilk ane of thame iiij lib summa xxxvj lib
Item to Patrick Chalmer, William Stratoun, Waltar Man the soume of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Andro Craig chalmerlane of Sawak the soum of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Mr David Pawtoun collector of the teind silvar of the kirk of Fetheresso and Dunnottar the soum of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Robert Hog chalmerlane of Straitquhin the soum of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to James Stower chalmerlane of Kintor the soum of ten lib
Item to Walter Malesoun the soum of ten lib
Item to Alexander Keyt baillie of the barony of Awdene & Inveruge the soum of xx lib
Item to Alexander Keyt chalmerlane of Duffis the soum of xx lib
Item to Andro Keyt chalmerlane of Deir the soum of xx lib
Item to James Jamesoun gentilman to my lord marshell and Deir the soum of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Johne Gullane gentilman in Inverugie the soum of xiij lib vjs viijd
Item to Andro Kyd officer of the barony of Awdene the soum of ten lib
Item to Johne Man greif[25] of Scottistoun and officer of Inverugie the soum of ten lib
Item to Johne Reid the bowman of Scottistoun the soum of ten lib
Item to James Gaw collector of the males of the barony of Auldene the soum of ten lib
Item to Johne Sowand collector of the males of the barony of Inverugie the soum of x lib
Item to Robert Grig overseir and watchman of the wattar of Eugie the soum of xiij lib vjs viiijd
Item to Petir Murry and uyer twa waterman ilk man of thame x lib summa xxx lib
[120.]
Item to Johne Essemouth gardner of Inverugie the soum of vj lib xiijs iiijd
Item to Johne Tular porter thair the soum of vj lib xiijs iiijd
Summa of the haill yeirs feis abovewrittin extendis to the soum of ane thousand xlv lib xiijs iiijd
Item awne to Mr Andro Keith for the few male of Over Scottistoun for the witsonday and mertimes termes in anno jm vc lxxxj yeirs the soun of viij lib xiijs iijd
Item awne to Archibald Douglas maister of the hospital of auld aberdene for his fie for the said hospital for the witsonday and mertymas terms in anno jm vc lxxxj yeirs the soum of xx lib
Item awne to David Mar for the annuell additour[26] to the blak freiris of Aberdene the witsonday and mertymes terms in anno jm vc lxxxj yeirs the soum of ten lib
Item mair awne to him for the annuel additour to the quhyt frieris & restad the said yeirs & terms the soum of liijs iijd
Item awne to Mr William Davidsoun for his pensioun & for the said terms the soum of vj lib xiijs iiijd
Item awne to David Masoun & his sone awaling on the betwix of the bulwark for ther most & for betwix michalmes & mertymes in anno jm vc lxxxj yeirs the soum of twentie pundis
Summa of the dettis awand be the said umquhle nobill & potent lord —- jm jc xiij lib xiijs iiijd
Restis of frie geir the dettis deductit — xliiijm vjx lxiiij lib viijs vjd
No division
Quotta componitur pro xijc merks
Quhan of the quot is componit for xijs merks.
[Legacies]
Followis the narrative & certane particular legacies maid be umquille ane ryt nobill & potent lord William erle Mershell lord Keith etc desirit be ane nobill lord George now erle Mershell lord Keyt etc his oy to be intrustit with the forsaid testament dative of the said umqule nobill & potent lord.
Quhilk desire & nobill lords requeist my lordis commissioners of Edinburgh thought ressonabll and therefore ordinit the same be extendit & intrust as follows, to wit:
[121.]
At the place of Dunnottir the secund day of September the year of God jm vc lxxxj yeirs the quhilk day ane ryt nobill & potent lord Williame erle Mershell lord Keyt etc maid the legacies underwrittin with his awin mouth as efter followes viz:
In the first the said nobill lord confessing the treuth of Christis religioun as it is publictlie ressivit in this realme Reccomendit his soule to the mercie of God in Jesus Christ and desyrit his corps be burrit in the kirk of Dunnottir and thair an honorabill sepulture be buildit be his executor underwriting.[27]
Item he levis to George maister Mershell his oy for the luve & favor he beris to his awne hous the postritie therof & standing of the same and also for the tender luve he bure to his umquille sone William Master Marshell father to the said George the haill insyt partonesing utencile & domicile as haill furnitor of his places of Dunnottir Inverugie & Akirgill as the same standis in All kynd of furnitor with his haill copburdis of silvar wark gilt and ungilt and all silver wark pertening to him that is perten in his possessioun haill kyndis & sortis therof small & greit but extending togidder with the haill artailyarie small & greit pertening to him & that ar in his houses & foirsaid places.
The said George Mershell allocatand till him self & in his awin hand his airship of the former legacie in spiech the haill is left to him but divisioun as is befoir specifiet sua that na actioun salbe compotent to him for his airship of any part of the foirsaid legacie agains the executors of the said nobill lord.
Item he levis to the said George Mr Mershell the haill guids geir cornis caitall schepe & horses that ar pertein unto his manssis of Dunnottar & Fetheresso parks pendiclis pertintis & outsettis therof.
Item he levis to the said George master marshell the soum of twa thousand punds money for the quhilk former legacies he ordins the said George master marshell to satefie and assist his executos concur with thame for the performing of his lattar will legacie & testament in all pointis as he will resave his blessing.
[122]
Item he levis to maistres Margaret Keyt eldest sister to the said George master Marshell six thousand merks to be payit & deliverit to hir the tyme of hir marriage scho mareand be the avis of the said George master of Marshell his father bruyer Robirt commenditar of Deir and Sir Johne Wishart of Pittarro knight or so mony of thame as livis only for at that tyme.
Item he leivis to Jane Marie and Barbara Keithis the said maistais sistirs to ilk ane of thame foure thousand merks to be payit and deliverit to thame the tyme of their mariages thay and ilk ane of thame marenad be the avise of the foir namit persons and ordinis the said George Master of Marshell his oy to sustene his foirsaidis sisters and ilk ane of thame in meit and tenyt he nesteir as offaris unto the tyme of thair mariages therunto.
Item he levis to Mr Robert Keith his oy foure thousand pundis money to be inployet and laid upoun land quhair the same may be in use comoudiouslie had to the said George maister of Marshell his oy Robert Commendatar of deir and Johne Wishart of Pittarro Knyt to the utilitie and proffeit of the said Mr Robert Keith and ordinis the said George maister of Marshell to sustene and furneis the said Mr Robert Keyt his bruyer german at the scole in honest and necessary sustentationis upoun the said George awne expenssis unto the tyme the foirsaid soume of foure thousand punds be imployit and land upoun land to the utilitie and proffeit of the said Mr Robert as said is according to ane obligatioun maid be him thairin.
Item he levis to Mr Johne Keyt fear of Troup ane thousand merks money.
Item he levis to Anne Keith dochter natural to umquille William Master of Marshell foure hundet merks.
Item he levis to his sone Robert Comendatir of Deir to be imployit be him for the honorabill use of his twa dochteiris Elizat and Margaret Keyth six thousand merks to be equalie partit betwixt thame be the said father.
The foirsaid legacies war gevin up be the said umquille nobill and potent lords awne mouth at the dwelling place of Dunnottor day year and moneth abovewrittin Befoir [123.]thir witnesses
Alexander Strathanthin apparand of Thornetoun[28]
Mr William Davidsoun burgess of Aberdene
Alexander Keith person of Dunnottar, Mr Andro Myln persone of Fetheresso ministeris
John Murray, Johne Hamiltoun Servitors to the said nobill lord; with uther diverse.
Had fore the noon. Witnessing the marstyis under subscrivand hes fulscivit the same: Sic Subscititur Alexander Keyt mister of Dunnottar with my hand; Andreo Myln minister of Fetheresso with my hand.
With Mr David Henrysoun doctor in the lawis, Alexander Sym, John Prestoun commissioners of Edinburgh, specialie constitutit for receipt of testaments, understanding efter dew finding plaintifull warning, maid confirm of the foirsaid as effers of the executors & intromettors with the guids and geir of the said umquille William Erle Marchall Lord Keith etc & of uthir his heirs respectivelie indititilie befoir us at the certain day bypast to heir & sa executors datives decernit to be givin admittit and confermit be us in parte the guids and geir quhilk justlie to the said umquille erle the tyme of his deceis. Ordeinis to thair and causs quhy we deternit him till as orderis givin therupoun beirs confermit.
To the quhilk the afoirsaid continuing lords intait & conmittie wald resavit ordainis and reservis the said George now Erle of Marchell Lord Keyt etc now executor dative to the said umquille William Erle Marshell his guids & geir with power to him to intromit uptak follow & persew as law will the guids & geir above specifeit & to payand dettis to creditors & providing that the said the erle of Marchell executor foir said sall as sir & rander compt of his intremissions quhen & quhair the same salbe requiret of him & that the saids guids salbe foir countid to all persons havand and has as law will quhairunto and fundin as ane act maid thair upone beiris.
[1] Who I used to refer to as the 4th Earl.
[2] Grandson
[3] Oxen for drawing, pulling ploughs and so on.
[4] Cows
[5] Ewes
[6] Possibly referring to their noses being turned up.
[7] Ewes
[8] Possibly Yearling sheep
[9] Possibly Meril as in ewes.
[10] Casterated Male Sheep between the first and second shearing.
[11] Castrated Male Sheep.
[12] This usually means shorn, but could mean castrated here.
[13] Alexander Home, later first Earl of Home, d.1619. RELATIONSHIP TO GEORGE’S WIFE.
[14] Andrew Home, commendator, who was the Lord Home’s tutor.
[15] Alexander Campbell of Carco, d.1608. Had been to Geneva, returning 1570s.!
[16] Embroiderer
[17] Store keeper
[18] Pantryman
[19] A grentale was a receptacle or space for the storage of meal, malt, grain, or salt.
[20] Either a crane for lifting horses (perhaps onto ships?) or a crane in the shape of a horse.
[21] I’m not certain what this refersto.
[22] Boats? Possibly the person who dragged ships onto the short at Dunnottar.
[23] Greif and Groif in the next entry are possibly ‘Reeves’ as in managers or overseers of workmen.
[24] A keeper of livestock.
[25] Probably ‘greve’ as in manager or overseer.
[26] Customary annual payment.
[27] This was done and is the Marischal Aisle, which was once attached to the side of Dunnottar Kirk as a vault and loft. A date stone with the inscription G.K. 1582 suggests the completion date.
[28] Alexander Straquhan