Robert Keith of Canterland was an important laird in Kincardineshire in the late sixteenth century.
Robert is reputed to be a younger son of John Keith of Craig (died circa 1539), and that man’s wife of the surname Martin, albeit the only source we have for this at the moment is the notoriously unreliable Baronage of Scotland.[1] If we take this source at face value though, Robert’s older brother was James Keith of Craig and Drumtochty, captain of Dunnottar Castle (dead by 1575).
Robert Keith, ‘in Barnehill’ (Baron Hill), is mentioned 1551. In 1557 he was granted the lands of Canterland with ‘Kynnard’, both in the parish of ‘Ellesrig’ (Ecclesgreig/St Cyrus) by John Erskine of Dun. Thereafter he was styled the laird of Canterland. In that grant his wife is named as Agnes Ogilvy.[2] Robert was part of William Keith, third Earl Marischal’s household by 1569.[3] Robert served several times as deputy to the third and fourth Earls Marischal in parliament, while also serving as deputy sheriff of the Mearns, and the earl’s factor and servitor.[4] Robert’s brother John Keith minister of Duffus recommended him to Annas Keith Countess of Moray in 1574, and then Robert became her factor as well. [5]
Robert died on 9 November 1583. As his will shows he held the lands of Canterland from the Earl of Mar, ‘Glenis’ from Lord Oliphant and Bradieston (Garvock parish) from the Earl Marischal.
The Hague Armorial Roll (1590-1592) shows the arms of Keith of Canterland the Keith shield impaled with a six red orbs (possibly meant to represent a flower).
Robert’s Children were:
- James who succeeded as Laird of Canterland. Is first mentioned 1576.[6]  He married Anna Keith, illegitimate daughter of William Master of Marischal in 1581. For the marriage contract, James father Robert granted the couple the lands of Canterland and ‘Kynnaird’. Witnessing the charter at Canterland were James Straquhan, John Ross and Matthew Howie, who are mentioned in Robert’s will (below) as servants.[7]
- Robert Keith, mentioned in the will below, who was married to Christine Tullidaf by 1579, when they were given Orchartoun, in the barony of Tullidaff, by his father.[8] He was still alive in 1604.[9]
- Mr Alexander Keith, mentioned in his will, ‘Mr’ indicating that he had attended university. Not to be confused with the minister of Strathbrok.
- Christian Keith, m. John Keith, apparent of Northfield (active 1575–1609).[10]
The Will of Robert Keith of Canterland
Below is a transcription and translation of Edinburgh Commissary Court CC8/8/19
TRANSCRIPTION
[Margin: Robert Keyt of Canterland xxij Junii 1588]
The testament dative and inventar of the guids, geir, sowmes of money and detis perteinit to umquhle ane honorabill man Robert Keyt of Canterland in the Mernis the tyme of his deceis, quha deceissit upoun the nynt day of November the yeir of God jm vc lxxxiij yeirs
Faythfulie maid and gevin up be Robert and Mr Alexander Keyts his lawfull sounes and executors datives decernit to him be decreit of the commissars of Edinburgh as the samyn decreit of the dait at Edinburgh the xxj day of Junii the yeir of God jm vc lxxxviij yeiris at lenth proportis.
In the first the said umquhle Robert Keyt of Canterland had the guids, geir, sowmes of money and dettis of the avail and prices efter following pertaining to him the tyme of his deceis foirsaid, viz:
Item upoun the ground and lands of the mains of Canterland xviij Drawin oxin be the airschipe ox price of the pece ourheid vij lib, summa jc xliiij lib
Item mair aucht young stottis and qucyis of twa and thrie yeir aulds, pryce of the pece ourheid iij lib vjs viijd, summa xxvj lib xiijs iiijd
Item mair lxxx scheipe price of the pece ourheid xxs, summa lxxx lib
Item mair four wark horsis and saidill horsis by the airschipe horss price of the pece ourheid xiij lib vjs viijd, summa liij lib vjs viijd
Item mair in the barne and barneyaird of the mains of Canterland sax scoir bolls aittis, price of the boll with the fodder xxxiijs iiijd, summa ijc lib
Item mair in the said barne and barneyaird xl bolls beir price of the boll with the fodder xlvjs viijd, summa lxxxxiij lib vjs viijd
Item mair in the said barne and barneyaird of the mains of Canterland sax bollis quheit price of the boll with the fodder iij lib vjs viijd, summa xx lib money
Item upoun the ground and lands of Braidiestoun fyftene oxin price of the pece ourheid viij lib, summa jc xx lib
Item mair upoun the saids lands ane buel price therof vj lib xiijs iiijd
Item mair upoun the said lands thrie horsis and meiris price of the pece ourheid vj lib xiijs iiijd, summa xx lib
Item mair upoun the saids lands aucht scoir scheipe price of the pece ourheid xxs, summa jc lx lib
Item in the barne and barneyairde of the lands of Braidiestoun fyve scoir bollis aittis price of the boll with the fodder xxxiijs iiijd, summa jc lxvj lib xiijs iiijd
Item mair in the said barne and barneyaird of the mains of Braidiestoun xx bolls beir price of the boll with the fodder xlvjs viijd, summa
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Fourtie sax punds xiijs iiijd
Item upoun the ground and lands of the Glennis aucht oxin price of the pece ourheid viij li, summa lxiiij lib
Item mair upoun the saids lands tua ky price of the pece ourheid vj lib xiijs iiijd, summa xiij lib vjs viijd
Item mair upoun the saids lands of Glennis aucht stoit auld scheipe and four price of the pece ourheid xxs, summa jc lxiiij lib
Item in the barne and barneyaird of the lands of Glennis fyftie bolls aittis price of the boll with the fodder xxxiijs iiijd, summa lxxxiij lib vjs viijd
Item of reddy silver the sowme of jc lib money, quhilk was ressaivit fra the laird of Morthre thrie dayis befoir the defunctis deceis
Item in poisis of cunyeit gold thrie angell nobillis price of the pece iiij lib, summa xij lib
Item mair ten peces of gold callit marie peces price of the pece iij li xiijs iiijd, summa xxxvj lib xiijs iiijd
Item in utencilis and domicilis with the silver wark and abulzements of his body by the airschipe estimat to the sowme of lxvj lib xiijs iiijd
Summa of the Inventar —- jm vijc xxxv lib xiijs iiijd
Followis the dettis awin to the deid
Item ther was awin to the said umquhle Robert Keyt of Canterland be Johne Erskin of Logie of byran annuells for his lands the sowme of jc xxxiij lib vjs viijd
Item awin be George Barclay of Matheris of byrun annuells fur of his lands the sowme of jc lx lib money
Item be Andro Wak in Witstoun of byrun annuells fur of his lands the soume of iijc xx lib
Item awin be Mr Thomas Ramsay commissar of Breichen for ane yeiris annelrent fur of his lands the sowme of xxx lib vjs viijd
Item awin be the parrours of the parochin of Garvok for ane yeiris teind silver of the kirk of Garvok the sowme of liij lib vjs viijd
Item awin be David Levingstoun in Stratcathro for tua yeiris annelrent the sowme of xl lib
Item awin be Johne Barclay of Johnestoun of borrowit money the sowme of xxvj lib money
Item awin be James Broun in the Glennis the sowme of xvj lib
Item awin be James Keyt in the Craig of Garvok the sowme of xvj lib money
Item awin be Mathew Hepburn citiner in Breichin the sowme of xl lib
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Summa of the dettis awin to the deid —- viijc xviij lib
Summa of the inventar with the detts —- ijm vc liij lib xiijs iiijd
Followis the dettis awin be the deid
Item ther was awin be the said umqule Robert Keyt of Canterland to my Lord Oliphant for the mail of the lands of the Glenis in anno jm vc lxxxiij yeiris the sowme of xv lib vjs viijd
Item awin to my lord Mescheel for the maills of Brondstoun in anno foirsaid the sowme of ten pund money
Item awin to my Lord of Mar for the teinds of the lands of Canterland in anno jm vc lxxxiij yeiris xvj bolls victual therof ten bolls meill and sax bolls beir, price of the boll ourheid xlvjs viijd, summa xxxvj lib vjs viijd
Item awin to Mr James Strathauchin for his yeiris fie the sowme of vj li xiijs iiijd
Item awin to Mathew Howie servand for his yeiris fie the sowme of xls
Item awin to Johne Melvill servand for his half yeiris fie the sowme of iij lib vjs viijd
Item awin to Walter Jame servand for his half yeiris fie and bounteth the sowme of xxvjs viijd
Item awin to Helene Barclay servand for hir half yeiris fie the sowme of xxs
Summa of the dettis awin be the deid —- lxxvij lib
Restis of fre geir the dettis deducit —- ijm iiijc lxxvjli xiijs iiijd
To be dividit in tua partis, the deids part is —- jm ijc xxxviij li vjs viijd
Quhairof the quot is componit for —- xl markis
We Mr Jon Prestoun etc, understanding that efter dew summons and lawfull summoning maid be forme of decreitt oppinlie, as effeirs, of the executors and intromittors with the guids and geir of the said umquhle Robert Keyt of Canterland and of uyeris hafand interes to compeir inditialie befor us at ane certane day bypast to heir and sie executors datives decernit to be gevin admittit and confermit be us as intromittors to the guids and geir quhilk perteinit to him the tyme of his deceis, Or ells to shaw ane terms quhy etc, we decernit that intill as our decreit gevin therupoun beiris
Conforme to the quhilk we in our soverane lords name and authoritie maks constituts ordains and confermis the saids Robert and Mr Alexander Keyth in executors datives to the said umquhle Robert Keyt their fader with power to thame to intromit uptak follow and persew as law will the guids and geir foirsaids and to entre detts to creditouris and generallie all and sundrie thingis to be execute and use that
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to the office of executoris dative is knawin to pertein. Prayeing thee the saids executors sall answer and rand compt upoun their intromissioun quhen and quhair the samyn salbe requirit of thame and that the saids guids salbe forthcummand to all parties hafand interes, as law will.
Quhairupoun cautioun is fundin as ane act maid therupoun beiris.
TRANSLATION
The testament dative and inventory of the goods, gear (movable property), sums of money, and debts belonging to the late honourable man Robert Keith of Canterland in the Mearns at the time of his death, who died on the ninth day of November in the year of God 1583.
Faithfully made and given up by Robert and Mr Alexander Keith, his lawful sons and executors dative, appointed to him by decree of the Commissaries of Edinburgh, as is contained at length in the same decree dated at Edinburgh on the twenty-first day of June 1588.
Inventory
First, the said late Robert Keith of Canterland had the following goods, gear, sums of money, and debts belonging to him at the time of his death, namely:
Upon the lands of the mains of Canterland:
- 18 draught oxen, according to the heirship, valued at £7 each, amounting to £144.
- Also 8 young bullocks and queys, two and three years old, valued at £3 6s 8d each, amounting to £26 13s 4d.
- Also 80 sheep, valued at 20 shillings each, amounting to £80.
- Also 4 work horses and saddle horses, according to the heirship, valued at £13 6s 8d each, amounting to £53 6s 8d.
- Also, in the barn and barnyard of the mains of Canterland, 120 bolls of oats, valued together with the straw at 33s 4d per boll, amounting to £200.
- Also 40 bolls of bere (barley), valued with the straw at 46s 8d per boll, amounting to £93 6s 8d.
- Also 6 bolls of wheat, valued with the straw at £3 6s 8d per boll, amounting to £20.
Upon the lands of Bradieston:
- 15 oxen, valued at £8 each, amounting to £120.
- Also 1 bull, valued at £6 13s 4d.
- Also 3 horses and mares, valued at £6 13s 4d each, amounting to £20.
- Also 160 sheep, valued at 20 shillings each, amounting to £160.
- Also, in the barn and barnyard, 100 bolls of oats, valued with the straw at 33s 4d per boll, amounting to £166 13s 4d.
- Also 20 bolls of bere, valued with the straw at 46s 8d per boll, amounting to £46 13s 4d.
Upon the lands of the Glens:
- 8 oxen, valued at £8 each, amounting to £64.
- Also 2 cows, valued at £6 13s 4d each, amounting to £13 6s 8d.
- Also 164 old sheep, valued at 20 shillings each, amounting to £164.
- Also, in the barn and barnyard, 50 bolls of oats, valued with the straw at 33s 4d per boll, amounting to £83 6s 8d.
Also:
- In ready silver, £100, received from the Laird of Morphie three days before the deceased’s death.
- In coined gold, 3 angel nobles, valued at £4 each, amounting to £12.
- Also 10 gold pieces called Mary pieces, valued at £3 13s 4d each, amounting to £36 13s 4d.
- In household furnishings, domestic utensils, silver plate, and wearing apparel, according to the heirship, valued at £66 13s 4d.
Total of the Inventory: £1,735 13s 4d.
Debts Owing to the Deceased
There was owing to the said late Robert Keith of Canterland:
- By John Erskine of Logie, for annual rents from his lands: £133 6s 8d.
- By George Barclay of Mathers, for annual rents from his lands: £160.
- By Andrew Wauk in Witstoun, for annual rents from his lands: £320.
- By Master Thomas Ramsay, Commissary of Brechin, for one year’s annualrent from his lands: £30 6s 8d.
- By the parishioners of Garvock, for one year’s teind silver of the church of Garvock: £53 6s 8d.
- By David Livingstone in Stracathro, for two years’ annualrent: £40.
- By John Barclay of Johnston, for borrowed money: £26.
- By James Brown in the Glens: £16.
- By James Keith in the Craig of Garvock: £16.
- By Matthew Hepburn, citizen of Brechin: £40.
Total debts owing to the deceased: £818.
Total of the inventory and debts: £2,553 13s 4d.
Debts Owed by the Deceased
There was owing by the said late Robert Keith of Canterland:
- To Lord Oliphant, for the rent (mail) of the lands of the Glens for the year 1583: £15 6s 8d.
- To the Earl Marischal, for the rents of Bradistoun for the same year: £10.
- To the Earl of Mar, for the teinds of the lands of Canterland for the year 1583: 16 bolls of victual, namely 10 bolls of meal and 6 bolls of bere, valued at 46s 8d per boll, amounting to £36 6s 8d.
- To Master James Strathauchin, for one year’s wages: £6 13s 4d.
- To Matthew Howie, servant, for one year’s wages: 40 shillings.
- To John Melville, servant, for half a year’s wages: £3 6s 8d.
- To Walter Jame, servant, for half a year’s wages and bounty: 26s 8d.
- To Helen Barclay, servant, for half a year’s wages: 20 shillings.
Total debts owing by the deceased: £77.
The free movable estate remaining after deduction of debts amounted to £2,476 13s 4d.
To be divided into two parts, the deceased’s part being £1,238 6s 8d.
Whereupon the confirmation duty (the quot) was assessed at 40 merks.
Confirmation
We, Master John Preston, etc., understanding that after due summons and lawful citation had been made according to the form of decree, publicly as required, of the executors and those who had intromitted with the goods and gear of the said late Robert Keith of Canterland, and of all others having an interest, to appear personally before us on a certain past day to hear and see executors dative appointed, admitted, and confirmed by us as intromitters with the goods and gear belonging to him at the time of his death, or otherwise to show cause why not, as our decree made thereupon more fully bears;
Accordingly, in our Sovereign Lord’s name and authority, we make, constitute, ordain, and confirm the said Robert Keith and Mr Alexander Keith as executors dative to the said late Robert Keith, their father, with full power to intromit with, uplift, follow, and pursue according to law the goods and gear aforesaid; to receive debts; to pay creditors; and generally to do and perform all and every act belonging to the office of executor dative.
Provided always that the said executors shall answer and render account of their intromissions whenever and wherever required, and that the said goods shall be forthcoming to all parties having lawful interest, according to law.
Whereupon caution (security) was found, as is more fully contained in the act made thereupon.
[1] Craig here not to be confused with the Keiths of Ravenscraig in Buchan. Baronage of Scotland, p.443-444
[2] ‘Kynnard’ is a bit of a puzzle as it does not seem to appear in later maps of the parish. Notably, it does not appear in Robert’s will, so presumably was something of an anachronism in the charters. RSSRS, v part 1, p.21, no.94; RSSRS, iv, p.214, no.1347; RMSRS 1546-1580, p.259, no.1162
[3] RMSRS 1546-1580, p.487, no.1900
[4] Records of the Parliament of Scotland, 1567/12/40; 1569/7/6; 1579/10/1, 2.
[5] NRAS217/Box 15/641 Box 15 contains a number of other letters between Annas and Canterland.
[6] RMSRS 1546-1580, p.681, no.2528; NAS RD1/41 Part 1 ff.127v-128v; RPCS, vi, p.678
[7] RMS, 1580–1593, 101, no. 313; RSS, viii, 101, no. 609
[8] RSSRS, vii, p.339, no.2071
[9] RMSRS 1593-1608, p.666, no.1833
[10] NRAS217/Box15/740