Alexander Keith, Writer in Edinburgh (died 1649)

The identity of this individual is yet to be firmly identified, not least because there is a contemporary Alexander Keith Writer in Edinburgh, not only active at the same time, but who also acts as cautioner to this Alexander’s testament!

Although this Alexander is clearly educated in having occupation of writer, he did not have the ‘Mr’ title indicating a university degree. The testament reveals that Alexander married Marjorie Baine in July 1636. They had three children:

NRAS Old Parish Registers: Births 685/1, Edinburgh, Page 10: 11 August 1642. Alexander Keyth writter [and] Marjorie Baine, [baptised] a sone named Robert. Witnessed: James Keyth of Bennim (Benholm), Robert Keyth of Whytrigs, Robert Keith wrytter, William Moodie merchant, Johnne Fullertoun.
NRAS Old Parish Registers: Births 685/1, Edinburgh, Page 113: 10 September 1644. Alexander Keyth Agent [and] Marjorie Beane [baptised] a son named Alexander, witnessed Johnne Beane writtar, William Moodie merchant, Alexander Lyon, Henrie Graham.
NRAS Old Parish Registers: Births 685/1, Edinburgh, Page 183: 22 December 1646. Alexander Keyth writter [and] Marjorie Beane [baptised] a daughter named Elizabeth, witnessed William Earl Merschell, John Earl of Kinghorne, William Moodie merchant. Mr Williame Henrysone.

Alexander clearly had some connections for two earls to be witnesses to his third child’s baptism. He also had some money behind him, as shown below in his will. His testament shows that even with his occupation of writer, Alexander was also quite a money lender, with a vast array of people in his debt. This is perhaps more notable in that he owed no money at the time of his death.

Transcription and Translation of CC8/8/64 Alexander Keith 1649

TRANSCRIPTION

[Page 1 – 491 in the MSS]

[Margin] Alexander Keith xvij of July 1699

The testament dative and inventar of the goods, geir, sowmes of money and debts perteining to umquhill Alexander Keith wryter in Edinburgh, the tyme of his deceis, Quha deceist In the moneth of [+] last bypast 1649 yeirs

Faithfulliw maid and givine up be Marjorie Baine his relict spous onlie executorix dative decernit as creditrix to the said defunct, in swa far as the said umquhill Alexander Keith be contract matrimoniall past betwixt the said defunct and the said Marjorie Baine on the ane and uther parts of the daitt the 8 day of July 1636 yeirs for the causis therin specifit band and obleist him his airs

[Page 2 – 492]

and executors to porvyde and have in reddines the sowme of ijm marks makand with the iiijm vc markes contenet in the said contract promittit in tocher to him be the said Marjorie the sowme of vjm vc markes quhilk haill sowmes he obleist him and his foresaids to waie, bestow and imploy upone land or annualrent as maist commodiouslie micht be had, and tak the ryt and secritie thairof to him his said future spous in conjunct fie and langest leivar in thame twa in conjunct fie and to the airs lawfullie to havebene procreat betwixt thame, Quhilks failyeing to the said Alexander defunct his narrest and lawfull aires and assnayes quhatsumevir, And how off the samyne sould be upliftit he obleist him as off of new agane to imploy the sayme to the effect foirsaid, as the said contract matrimoniall of the daitt foirsaid mar fullie proports

And therfor the said Marjorie Baine is onlie executorix dative decernit as creditrix to the said umquhill Alexander Keith for payment to her of ane yeirlie annualrent and proffeit to the foirsaid principall sowme of vjm vc markes yearlie and termlie of all yeirs and termes restine auchtand sen the daitt of the said contract and In tyme cuming during all the dayes of her lyftyme conforme to the tennor fo the said contract in all poynts

And for payment to her of the expenssis of confirmatioune of this present testament in swa far as the said defuncts goods, geir, and debts underwrittin will extend to, and as may be recoverit be her therof, and that be decreit of the commissars of Edinburgh, as the sayme of the daitt the [+] day of Junii 1649 yeirs at mair lenth bears.

In the first the said umquhill Alexander Keith had the goods, geir, sowmes of money and debts of the avails and pryces efter following perteining to him the tyme of his deceis foirsaid, viz:

In primis sex silver spoones estimat all to xxxiij lib vjs viijd
Item the insyt plenisching of his duellinghouse with the abulzements of his bodie estimat to the sowme of iiijc lib

Summa of the inventor —- iijc xxxiij lib vjs viijd

Followes the debts awine to the deid

[Page 3 – 493]

Item ther wes auchtand to the said umquhill Alexander Keith be Richard Fullartoune conform to his band jc lxviij lib principall with xvj lib for the byrane annualrent therof

Item be Sir Williame Blair of Bagillo conforme to his band jc lx markes principall with the sowme of xx markes of byrane annuarent therof
Item be James Dewar tailyor in the Cannongait conform to his ticket the sowme of lv markes principall with iij lib for the byrane annualrent therof
Item be Jon Keith of Glakriache conforme to his band the sowme of jm markes principall with lxxxxvj markes of byranne annualrents therof
Item be Mr Jon Barclay sone to umquhill George Barclay of Brigtoune the sowme of xx lib
Item be Allias Garden relict of umquhill Robert Keith of [+] conforme to hir band the sowme of ijc lij lib xiiijs principall with liiij markes or thereby of byranne annualrent
Item be Mr Alexander Wood of Nethir Benholme the sowme of lxxx markes principall conforme to his ticket with xvij markes of byranne annualrent therof
Item be William Fullartoune of that Ilk conforme to his ticket the sowme of jc markes principall with xj markes of byranne annualrent therof
Item be Mr James Gordoune sometime keeper of the signet the sowme of vc xxx markes
Item be Jon Mortymer servitor to the earle of Kinghorne be ticket the sowme of ijc markes principall with lxiiij markes of annualrent
Item be my Lord Breichane conforme to his band the sowme of viijc xl markes principall with iijc xvj markes of byranne annualrent therof
Item be Jon Lyone of Muresk conforme to his band the sowme of vc markes with ijc xx markes of bygane annualrent thairof
Item be George Stewart advocat conforme to his band the sowme of vc markes principall with ijc markes of byranne annualrent therof quhilk sowme and annualrent was assint in favour of the defunct be Agnes Hepburne lady Meltoune
Item be Jon Ker of Lochtour the sowme of ijc l markes principall with lxxx lib of byranne annualrent thairof
Item be Michaell Keith induellar in Keith Merschell conforme to his band the sowme of xl markes principall with xxiiij markes of byranne annualrent therof
Item be Alexander Resloane of Dan knyt be band the sowme of ijm marks principall with iijc markes of byranne annualrent therof
Item be Jon Drummond sone to umquhill David Drummond be ticket xx markes
Item be Patrick Stewart notar in Banff the sowme of jc lib principall with xliij lib of annualrent

[Page 4 – 494]

Item be Johne Drummond in the Drummond of [+] the sowme of vc lib principall with xl lib of annualrent
Item be Mr James Nicolson commissar of Brichane the sowme of ixc markes principall and jc lx markes of byranne annualrent
Item be Robert Irwing of Contark principall, Mr Patrik McGill minister at Karr[..], James McKea merchand burges of Edinburgh and Alexander Irwing conform to thar band the sowme of jc markes with lviij markes of byranne annualrent therof
Item be Sir [+] Carnegie of Pittaro the sowme of xijc markes
Item be the Mr of Banff jc xxxix lib
Item be Cuthbert H[..]metone vjc markes
Item be Gilbert Keith servirot to Mr Jon Gilmour advocat the sowme of ijc markes principall with lxiiij marks annualrent
Item be Dame Elizabeth Scott lady Balmonto conform to her band the sowme of iiijc v markes principall with jc lx markes of byrann annualrent
Item be George Hamiltone of [+] the sowme of vc markes principall with jc lxxx markes of bygane annualrent therof
Item be George Stewart advocat the sowme of jc markes conforme to his ticket with xxvij markes of bygane annualrent
Item be Patrick Stewart sone lawfull to Jon Stewart of Kyland be band the sowme of iijc markes principall with lxxxxvj markes of bygane annualrent
Item be Jon Kello indueller in the Cannongate be ticket the sowme of iijc markes
Item be Alexander Lynsay be band jc markes principall with xxxij markes of byrane annualrent thairof
Item be George Mr of Banff be ticket jc lib principall with viij lib of annualrent
Item be Mr Johne Keith wryter in Edinburgh and Sir Johne Falconer his cautioner the sowme of vc markes principall with jc xl markes of annualrent
Item be lady Jeane Weymes lady of Inverleith the sowme of iiijc markes principall, conforme to hir band
Item be Alexander Halyburtoune merchand in Dundie the sowme of jm markes principall with xl markes of annualrent
Item be Mr George Leslie of [+] and Alexander Leslie his sone the sowme of ijc viij markes principall with lxxx markes of annualrent
Item be Colonell George Keith brother to the Earle of Marschell the sowme of ijm markes
Item be the said laird of Dane jm markes
Item be Jon Lyone of Inveresk jm lib
Item be the countes of Marschell the sowme of iiijc lib
Item be dame Jeane Ker lady Inverleith elder vc markes
Item be Robert Demp

[Page 5 – 495]

-star baillie In Breichane jc xl markes principall with the sowme of lxv markes of byranne annualrent therof

Summa of the debts awine to the deid xvm vjc lxx lib iiijs viijd

Summa of the inventar with the debts —- xvjm iij lib xjs iiijd

Na divisione

Mr Jon Nisbitt etc, understanding etc, we decernit etc, conforme to the quhilk etc, Alexander Keith wryter in Edinburgh Become cautioner as ane act beirs.

[Margin of Page 3]

Edinburgh 4 of December 1649

Eik in mair heirto as followis, viz:

Ther wes adebtit and auchtend to the said defunct be the persones underwrittin omitit out of his principall confermit testament be his principall executrix, ilk ane of them for ther awine and as is efter devydit, viz:

Be Jon Rastoune merchand burges of Edinburgh lxxx merks
Be Charles […] tailor burges ther xl lib
Be Thomas Mathen belman ther xl lib
Be Pittir Innes indueller ther xlv lib
Be Margaret Calquhoune weidow ther xxxiij lib
Be Hellene Frissell ther l merks
Be George Dundas merchand ther xx merks

extending the forsaids soumes in the haill to the sowme of ijc lviij lib

And givis and comittis etc, reservand compt etc Alexander Keith wryter in Edinburgh cautioner as ane act beirs.

Edinburgh xxv of Junii 1653

Eik maid heirto as followes, viz:

Be Mr Patrik Maxwell sheriff clerk of Perth xl lib
Be Alexander Keith of [+] xxiiij lib
Be Sir Jon Falconer iiijc lib
Be Jon Polmoor x lib
B Mr James Dierhame liiij lib
Be capitane William Keith xxxij lib
Be Sir George Currior iijc l lib

[margin of page 4]

with annualrent since November 1641 yeirs

Be Jon Falconer servitor to the Earle of Marschell xl markes
Be Sir William Keith younger iiijc markes
Be the airs and executors of umquhill William Veking skipper in Aushrulger as principall and the executors and airs of umquhill James Arnot merchand in Edinburgh as cautioner, the sowme of jc lxxij lib with the annualrent since July 1643

extending the forsaids sowmes in the haill to the sowme of jm ijc vj lib xiijs iiijd and gives and commits etc, reservand compt etc, Alexander Keith cautioner as ane act beirs.

TRANSLATION

The testament dative and inventory of the goods, possessions, sums of money, and debts belonging to the late Alexander Keith, writer in Edinburgh, at the time of his death, who died in the month of [gap] 1649.

Faithfully made and given up by Marjorie Baine, his surviving wife, who was appointed executor dative in her capacity as creditor of the said deceased, in so far as the late Alexander Keith, by a marriage contract made between the deceased and the said Marjorie Baine on the one part and the other, dated 8 July 1636, for the purposes specified in that contract, bound and obliged himself, his heirs and executors to provide and have ready the sum of 2,000 merks, making, together with the 4,500 merks contained in the said contract, which Marjorie had promised to give him as her marriage portion/dowry, a total sum of 6,500 merks.

He bound himself and those succeeding him to lay out, invest, and employ the whole of these sums upon land or annualrent [a form of interest secured on land], in whatever way could most conveniently be obtained, and to take the right and security for the same in favour of himself and his future wife, in conjunct fee [joint ownership], and to the survivor of the two of them, and to the lawful heirs to be begotten between them.

If there were no such heirs, the money was to go to the said deceased Alexander’s nearest lawful heirs and assignees, whoever they might be. And whenever any of the money was recovered or uplifted, he bound himself to invest it again for the purpose stated above, as the said marriage contract, dated as above, fully sets out.

Therefore, the said Marjorie Baine was appointed executor dative as creditor of the late Alexander Keith, for payment to her of an annual rent and interest on the aforesaid principal sum of 6,500 merks, yearly and at the appropriate terms, for all years and payment terms that have remained outstanding since the date of the said marriage contract, and continuing in future throughout the whole of her lifetime, in accordance with the terms of the said contract in every respect.

And also for payment to her of the expenses of obtaining confirmation of this present testament, insofar as the deceased’s goods, possessions, and debts listed below are sufficient to cover them, and insofar as she may recover them from those assets, by decree of the Commissaries of Edinburgh, as the same is more fully set out in the decree dated [gap] June 1649.

First, the said late Alexander Keith had the following goods, possessions, sums of money, and debts, valued and priced as follows, belonging to him at the time of his aforesaid death, namely:

First, six silver spoons, valued altogether at £33 6s 8d.
Item: The furnishings and contents of his dwelling house, together with his clothing, valued at the sum of £400.

Total of the inventory: £433 6s 8d.

The debts owed to the deceased follow

Item: There was owed to the said late Alexander Keith by Richard Fullartoune, according to his bond, the principal sum of £168, together with £16 of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By Sir William Blair of Bagillo, according to his bond, the principal sum of 150 merks, together with 20 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By James Dewar, tailor in the Canongate, according to his ticket [written acknowledgement of debt], the sum of 55 merks principal, together with £3 of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By John Keith of Glakriache, according to his bond, the principal sum of 1,000 merks, together with 96 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By Mr John Barclay, son of the late George Barclay of Brigtoune, the sum of £20.
Item: By Allias Garden, relict [widow] of the late Robert Keith of [+], according to her bond, the principal sum of £252 14s, together with 54 merks, or thereabouts, of accrued annual interest.
Item: By Mr Alexander Wood of Nether Benholme, the principal sum of 80 merks, according to his ticket, together with 17 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By William Fullartoune of that Ilk, according to his ticket, the principal sum of 100 merks, together with 11 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By Mr James Gordon, formerly Keeper of the Signet, the sum of 530 merks.
Item: By John Mortymer, servant to the Earl of Kinghorne, according to his ticket, the principal sum of 200 merks, together with 64 merks of annual interest.
Item: By my Lord Breichane, according to his bond, the principal sum of 840 merks, together with 316 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By John Lyone of Muresk, according to his bond, the sum of 500 merks, together with 220 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By George Stewart, advocate, according to his bond, the principal sum of 500 merks, together with 200 merks of accrued annual interest on it; which principal sum and annual interest had been assigned in favour of the deceased by Agnes Hepburn, Lady Meltoune.
Item: By John Ker of Lochtour, the principal sum of 250 merks, together with £80 of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By Michael Keith, resident in Keith Marischal, according to his bond, the principal sum of 40 merks, together with 24 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By Alexander Resloane of Dan, knight, according to his bond, the principal sum of 2,000 merks, together with 300 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By John Drummond, son of the late David Drummond, according to his ticket, 20 merks.
Item: By Patrick Stewart, notary in Banff, the principal sum of £100, together with £43 of annual interest.
Item: By John Drummond in the Drummond of [+], the principal sum of £500, together with £40 of annual interest.
Item: By Mr James Nicolson, Commissary of Brechin, the principal sum of 900 merks, together with 160 merks of accrued annual interest.
Item: By Robert Irving of Contark, Mr Patrick McGill, minister at Karr[..], James McKea, merchant burgess of Edinburgh, and Alexander Irving, according to their bond, the sum of 100 merks, together with 58 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By Sir [+] Carnegie of Pittaro, the sum of 1,200 merks.
Item: By the Master of Banff, £139.
Item: By Cuthbert H[..]metone, 600 merks.
Item: By Gilbert Keith, servant to Mr John Gilmour, advocate, the principal sum of 200 merks, together with 64 merks of annual interest.
Item: By Dame Elizabeth Scott, Lady Balmonto, according to her bond, the principal sum of 405 merks, together with 160 merks of accrued annual interest.
Item: By George Hamilton of [+], the principal sum of 500 merks, together with 180 merks of accrued annual interest.
Item: By George Stewart, advocate, the sum of 100 merks, according to his ticket, together with 27 merks of accrued annual interest.
Item: By Patrick Stewart, lawful son of John Stewart of Kyland, according to his bond, the principal sum of 300 merks, together with 96 merks of accrued annual interest.
Item: By John Kello, resident in the Canongate, according to his ticket, the sum of 300 merks.
Item: By Alexander Lindsay, according to his bond, the principal sum of 100 merks, together with 32 merks of accrued annual interest on it.
Item: By George, Master of Banff, according to his ticket, the principal sum of £100, together with £8 of annual interest.
Item: By Mr John Keith, writer in Edinburgh, and Sir John Falconer, his guarantor/surety, the principal sum of 500 merks, together with 140 merks of annual interest.
Item: By Lady Jean Wemyss, Lady of Inverleith, the principal sum of 400 merks, according to her bond.
Item: By Alexander Haliburton, merchant in Dundee, the principal sum of 1,000 merks, together with 40 merks of annual interest.
Item: By Mr George Leslie of [+] and Alexander Leslie, his son, the principal sum of 208 merks, together with 80 merks of annual interest.
Item: By Colonel George Keith, brother to the Earl of Marischal, the sum of 2,000 merks.
Item: By the said Laird of Dane, 1,000 merks.
Item: By John Lyon of Inveresk, £1,000.
Item: By the Countess of Marischal, the sum of £400.
Item: By Dame Jean Ker, Lady Inverleith the elder, 500 merks.
Item: By Robert Dempster, bailie in Brechin, the principal sum of 140 merks, together with 65 merks of accrued annual interest on it.

Total of the debts owed to the deceased: £15,670 4s 8d.

Total of the inventory together with the debts: £17,003 11s 4d.

Mr John Nisbitt, etc., understanding, etc., we decree, etc., in accordance with which, etc. Alexander Keith, writer in Edinburgh, became cautioner [surety], as the act bears.

Edinburgh, 4 December 1649

An addition to this inventory follows, namely:

There was owed and payable to the said deceased by the persons written below, who had been omitted from his original confirmed testament by his principal executrix, each of them for their respective amounts as follows:

John Rastoun, merchant burgess of Edinburgh 80 merks
Charles […], tailor burgess there £40
Thomas Mathen, bellman there £40
Peter Innes, resident there £45
Margaret Calquhoun, widow there £33
Helen Frissell, there 40 merks
George Dundas, merchant there 20 merks

The above sums amount altogether to £258.

And gives and commits [the administration of these assets], etc., reserving an accounting, etc., Alexander Keith, writer in Edinburgh, cautioner, as the act records.

Edinburgh, 25 June 1653

An addition to this inventory follows, namely:

Mr Patrick Maxwell, Sheriff Clerk of Perth £40
Alexander Keith of [+] £24
Sir John Falconer £400
John Polmoor £10
Mr James Dierhame £54
Captain William Keith £32
Sir George Currier £301 with annual interest accruing since November 1641.
John Falconer, servant to the Earl of Marischal 40 merks
Sir William Keith the younger 400 merks
The heirs and executors of the late William Veking, skipper in Aushrulger, as principal debtor, and the heirs and executors of the late James Arnot, merchant in Edinburgh, as cautioner £172, together with annual interest accruing since July 1643.

The above sums amount altogether to £1,206 13s 4d.

And gives and commits [the administration of these assets], etc., reserving an accounting, etc., Alexander Keith, cautioner, as the act records.