There seem to have been three Alexander Keiths described as ‘writers in Edinburgh’ in the seventeenth century. The first died in 1649 (and is looked at on his own page). The second died sometime before 1675, and his testaments dative are below. It is unclear how the first two were related. The third one was son of the second’s nephew Thomas Keith of Camculter. To confuse things, the second Alexander Keith writer in Edinburgh also had a son called Alexander, who died in Jamaica in 1670. That man’s testament dative can be seen below. This is probably all a bit too confusing, so here is a family tree.
This page deals with Alexander Keith, writer in Edinburgh, who died before 1675.
This Alexander Keith’s brother acted as his executor, and, oddly, registered the same testament twice, in 1675 and then again the following year. Exactly why is unclear as the only obvious difference is the switching of the name of the servant who was owed money from Smeaton to Simson. This error may have been the reason.
Alexander had at least two sons, Alexander as mentioned who predeceased his father, dying in Jamaica in 1670 (a rabbit hole for another day), and another son whom we only know as the father to Thomas Keith of Camculter, who was his executor. Some Keiths of Camculter are mentioned early in the seventeenth century, but whether and how this group of Keiths are related to those is not yet known.
The testament dative of this 1675 Alexander is much shorter than the 1649 one, and he had much less to his name. In fact the major asset is still the debt the 1649 Alexander’s widow still owed him.
Transcription and Translation of the Testaments Dative of Alexander Keith d.c.1675
CC8/8/75 Alexander Keith 1675
[Page 1 – 368 in the manuscript]
[Margin] Alexander Keith 2 October 1675
The testament dative and inventar of the goods, geare, sowmes of moneys and debts pertaining to umquhile Alexander Keith wrytter in Edinburgh the tyme of his decease, who deceast in the moneth of [gap] jm vjc [gap]
Faithfullie maid and given up be George Keith wrytter in Edinburgh, brother german to the said umquhill defunct and onlie executor dative decerned as nearest of kin to him be decreit of the commissars of Edinburgh as the samyn of the dait the [+] day of [+] beirs
[Page 2 – 369]
Item in the first ther wes restand awand to the said umquhle defunct the tyme of his decease foirsaid
Be Marjorie Bayne relict of the deceast Alexander Keith wrytter and now hir representatives, the soume of fyve hundreth merks Scots money.
Summa of the Inventar —- iijc xxxiij li vjs viijd
Followes the debts awen be the deid
Item ther wes restand awand be the said umquhle defunct the tyme of his decease forsaid
To William Coik glaisier for ane yeirs rent of his chamber ane hundreth merks
Item to doctor Hay, Alexander Pennycuik cherargione and David Scot appochearie for their paynes and advyce and for drogs and medicaments furnished to the defunct the tyme of his seiknes the soume of thriescoir threttein punds
Item to Mareon Smeitoun servand for waiting upon him the tyme of his seiknes threttie sex punds
Summa of the debts awen be the deid —- jc lxxv li xiijs iiijd
Rests of free geare, the debts deducted —- jc lvij li
Noe Devisioune
Sir David Falconer etc, commissar of Edinburgh etc, understanding etc, maks constituts ordains and confirmes etc, Whereupone James Lumsdean wrytter in Edinburgh becam cautione as ane act beirs, in witness quhairof etc.
CC8/8/75 Alexander Keith 1676
[Page 1 – 421 in manuscript]
[Margin] Alexander Kaith xx Januarii 1676
The testament dative and inventar of the goods, gear, soumes of moneys and debtis pertaineing to umquhill Alexander Kaith writer in Edinburgh, the tyme of his decease, quho deceast in the moneth of [gap] 16[gap] yeires
Faithfullie maid and given up be George Keath writtir in Edinburgh broyer german to the said umquhill defunct and only executor dative decearned as nearest of kine to him as the samen of the dait the [gap] day of [gap] jm vc -gap] yeares beares.
In the first the said umquhill defunct had the goods and gear following therof the sowmes and pryces eftir mentionet pertaining to him the tyme of his decease forsaid, viz:
In primis be Marjorie Baine relict of the deceast Alexander Kaith and now be hir representatives vc markis Scottis.
Summa of the inventar iijc xxxiij lib vjs viijd
Followes the debtis awand be the dead
Item ther wes restand awand be the said umquhill defunct the tyme of his decease forsaid
To William Cuik glasier for ane yeares rent of his chamber jc merks scotts
To doctor Hay, Alexander Pennicuick and David Scott Syandgeane and apothecary for ther adyce panes and for droges and medicanentis furnished to the defunct the tyme of his seaknes lxxiij li
To Marjorie Simsone for wating upon him xxxvj li scottis
Summa of the debtis awand be the dead jc lxxv li 13s
Restis of frie gear the debtis deduced jc lvij li
No devisione
Sir David Falconer etc, understanding etc, we decerned etc James Lumsdane writer in Edinburgh become cautioner.
TRANSLATION
The testament dative and inventory of the goods, gear, sums of money and debts belonging to the deceased Alexander Keith, writer in Edinburgh, at the time of his death, who died in the month of [gap] 16[gap] years.
Faithfully made and given up by George Keith, writer in Edinburgh, brother-german [full brother] to the said deceased and sole executor dative, decreed as his nearest of kin, as the same, dated the [gap] day of [gap] 15[gap] years, bears.
Firstly, the said deceased had the following goods and gear, with the sums and prices mentioned below, belonging to him at the time of his aforesaid death, namely:
- First, from Marjorie Baine, relict of the deceased Alexander Keith, and now from her representatives, 500 merks Scots.
Total of the inventory: £333 6s 8d.
Debts owed to the deceased
Item, there was remaining due and owing to the said deceased at the time of his aforesaid death:
- To William Cuik, glazier, for one year’s rent of his chamber, 100 merks Scots.
- To Dr Hay, Alexander Pennicuick and David Scott, surgeon and apothecary, for their advice, services, and for drugs and medicines supplied to the deceased during the time of his illness, £73.
- To Marjorie Simsone (or Smeaton), for attending upon him, £36 Scots.
Total of the debts owing to the deceased: £175 13s.
Balance of free gear after deduction of the debts: £157.
No division.
Sir David Falconer, etc., understanding, etc., we decreed, etc., James Lumsden, writer in Edinburgh, becoming cautioner [surety].
Transcription and Translation of the Testaments Dative of Alexander Keith d.1670
CC8/8/80 Alexander Keith 1694
[Margin] Alexander Keith 21 Merch 1694
The testament dative and inventar of the debts perteining to umquhile Alexander Keith, sone to the deceast Alexander Keith writer in Edinburgh, the tyme of his deceis, who deceist in Jamaca in the moneth of octtober 1670
Faithfullie maid and given up be Thomas Keith of Camcaulter only executor dative decerned as nearest of kin to the said umquhill Alexander his brother son by deid of the commissars of Edinburgh as the samen of the dait the 7 Junii 1692 in it selfe bears.
In the first the wes restand awand to the said umquhill Alexander Keith the tyme of his deceis forsaid Be the deceist James Merques of Montross as principall and the deceist Mungo Graham of Gartlie as cautioner for him the soume of jm vjc merkes principall with vjc j li vjs viijd of annualrent preceeding the defuncts deceis, conform to ther band granted to umquhill John Baine writter to the signet and Alexander Keith writer ther in name and behalf of the said Defunct quhilk band written the 23 day of Febrii and 15 day of October 1663 years Bears.
Summa of the debts owing to the deceased —- ijmiijc xxxiiij li xiijs 4d
No devisione
[Margin] Bond taken for the Quoatt
Me Hew Dalrympell etc, Understanding etc, we decerne etc, therupone Alexander Keith writter in Edinburgh and sone lawfull to the said exexutor becomes cautioner as ane act Bears.
TRANSLATION
The testament dative and inventory of the debts belonging to the deceased Alexander Keith, son of the deceased Alexander Keith, writer in Edinburgh, at the time of his death, who died in Jamaica in the month of October 1670.
Faithfully made and given up by Thomas Keith of Camculter, sole executor dative, decreed as nearest of kin to the said deceased Alexander, his [Alexander’s] brother’s son, by decree of the Commissaries of Edinburgh, as the same, dated 7 June 1692, itself bears.
Firstly, there was remaining due and owing to the said deceased Alexander Keith at the time of his aforesaid death, by the deceased James Marquis of Montrose, as principal debtor, and the deceased Mungo Graham of Gartlie, as his cautioner, the sum of 1,600 merks Scots principal, together with £601 6s. 8d. of annualrent accrued before the deceased’s death, according to their bond granted to the deceased John Baine, writer to the Signet, and Alexander Keith, writer, in their own name and on behalf of the said deceased, which bond, written on 23 February and 15 October 1663, bears.
Total of the debts owing to the deceased: £2,334 13s. 4d.
No division.
[Margin: Bond taken for the quota]
Mr Hew Dalrymple, etc., understanding, etc., we decree, etc.; thereupon Alexander Keith, writer in Edinburgh, and lawful son of the said executor, becomes cautioner [surety], as an act bears.