1742.—REV. JAMES WARDLAW, Minister of the Second
Charge of The Established Church, died at
Dunfermline on the 2d May, 1742, in the sixty ninth
year of his age and 24th year of his
ministry. He lies near the site of the old pulpit.
(Burgh Records.)
SCHOOL IN THE QUEEN’S HOUSE.—Mr. Francis Paterson
had a School in one of the rooms of Queen Ann of
Denmark’s House in 1742, which he taught with
ability and success.
THE REV. RALPH ERSKINE finally left off Preaching in
the Auld Kirk.—Although he was deposed by the
General Assembly in May, 1740, yet, in defiance of
the act of deposition, he continued to preach once
every Sunday in the Auld Kirk, until 11th
May, 1742, when he, by eminent legal and other
advice, entirely “gave up preaching in his old
pulpit.” Previous to this period there had been
some unseemly “clerical passages at arms, and it was
well for all parties that such clerical bickering
had now ceased.” As already mentioned, Mr. Erskine,
besides preaching in the Auld Kirk every Sunday
after his deposition, “also conducted divine service
every Sunday in his tent, or in the barn, from 1739
to June, 1741. After the later date, till 11th
May, 1742, he made use of his newly-elected Church,
and continued to do so till his death. (See MS. by
David Inglis Wright; Mercer’s Hist. Dunf. pp.
126-133; Fraser’s Life of Ralph Erskine; see also
An. Dunf. dates 1739, 1740, 1741 and 1752.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Lord Charles Hay of Blansh
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records, 27th
Sept., 1742.)
1743.—HORSE-STEALERS IMPRISONED IN THE TOLBOOTH—One
of them hangs himself in his cell.—The following is
a note regarding the circumstances:--
“James Hay and William Gordon, natives of
Aberdeenshire, were apprehended at Torrie, near
Dunfermline, on a charge of horse stealing. They
had two horses in their possession when taken. Hay
and Gordon were lodged in the tollbooth of
Dunfermline. They were put into separate cells, and
examined separately. Bothe said that they had
bought the horses, but gave different accounts of
the circumstances. Next Sunday (1st
Feby.) the jailor of Dunfermline tollbooth, on
returning from the church, found that Gordon had
hanged himself in his cell. Shortly afterwards Hay
was conveyed to Cupar0Fife, where he was tried for
his crime; was found guilty, and executed pursuant
to sentence passed by the court.” On the
examination of Hay, “compeared Alexander Richardson,
jaylar in Dunfermling, witness, aged Sixty and
upwards—married. Purged of all partiall council,
solemnly sworn and interogat, depones that upon the
twenty eight of January last the panel and William
Gordon were committed prisoners in the tollbooth of
Dunfermline, by warrand from Sir George Preston,
Justice of Peace, for Horse Stealing; that they were
put in separate rooms in the prison, and upon Sunday
thereafter, the deponent having gone into the prison
in the morning, saw Gordon well, and having again
gone into prison after Sermons, found that he had
strangled himselfe causa scientiæ patet; and this is
the truth, as he shall swear to God.” (Extract from
Minutes of the Trial before the Sheriff of Fife at
Cupar: see also Rec. Reg. Court Dunf. date 1743.)
It is probable that Hay was executed at Cupar-Fife.
POTATOES PLANTED IN FIELDS AT FOD, near
Dunfermline.—An Old MS. states that “potatoes were
first planted in the open fields, in the West of
Fife, at a farm called Fod, near Dunfermline.” The
Fods are about two miles east of Dunfermline.
THE NORTH WALL OF THE ABBEY, &c.—“7th
March, 1743: This day the council, after
considering the many complaints of the walls of the
under isde of the north wall of the monastery of
Dunfermline (Canmore Street), being insufficient,
some part of already fallen, and other parts of
hanging over, so that it is dangerous for
passengers and travelers: Ordered that the heritors
and possessors of land there to make the wall
sufficient.” (Burgh Rec.) It would appear that
what was done to the wall was a make shift. (An.
Dunf. date 1744.)
THE REV. JAMES THOMSON, for 14 years a minister of
the 26th Regiment of Foot, was admitted
Minister of the First Charge of the Established
Church, Dunfermline, on May 4, 1743. (An. Dunf.
1790.)
EXCESSIVE USE OF TEA AND FOREIGN SPIRITS.—“9th
July, 1743: Which day there was laid before the
council by John Wilson, Commissioner to the Royall
burrows, a printed paper signed by William fforbes,
Clerk to the Royal Burrows, anent the preventing the
Universal and excessive Use of tea and fforeign
spirits in order to obtain their opinion anent the
samen,” &c. The council ordered the baillies, on 31st
August, to write to “the Clerk of the burrows, that
it is the couoncills mind and opinion that the
putting a stop to the use of tea and fforeign
spirits as mentd in ye act is for the interest of
the country if proper methods can be fallen upon to
prevent the same.” (Burgh Records.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Lord Charles Hay of Blansh
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
KEEPING OF THE TOWN CLOCK.—“15 Dec.: The council
ordered the treasurer to pay to Robert Bonnar,
wright, thirteen pounds ten shillings Scots for his
attending and rectifying the toun clock yearly.”
(Bur. Rec.)
1744.—THE BLEACHFIELD.—“18 Feb. 1744: Which day the
council taking to serious consideration the hazard
that the bleachfield is in, throu the proprietors of
houses on the west side of the new raw having an
entry or door on the east dyek of the bleatchfield
(Abbey Wall); and that the masters or possessors of
ye sd tenements can’t account or answer for their
servants their fidelity. Ordered all doors at the
back of such houses to be closed up by the 1st
April next,” &c. (Burgh Records.)
DESCRIPTION OF THE PARISH OF DUNFERMLINE, by Mr.
Alex. Livingstone—MS. in Advocates’ Library,
Edinburgh: The following are a few notes extracted
from the MS.:--
“The Parish of Dunfermline, in the Shire
of Fife, is bounded on the West by the parish of
Torryburn, on the north west by the parish of
Carnock, on the north by the parish of Saline, on
the north east by the parish of Cleish, on the east
by the parish of Beath, on the south east by the
parish of Dalgetie, and on the south by some points
to the east, by the parish of Inverkething,” &c.
“About a quarter of a mile from the
Church, south side of the town, the Line Burn, from
whence the name of the town in Latin, viz., “Dunum
Fermilinum,” is thought by some to have taken its
arise. The fountain from whence it springs if Moss
Morrovine, three miles east of the town, and falls
into the Forth at the Iron Miln three miles south
west of the church.
“About a large mile north of the church
is the Town Loch, about a mile in circumference,
which produces some few Perches. About two large
miles north east of the Town is Lochfitty, about two
miles in circumference, which produces Pikes and
Perches. About two miles north of the Town in
Lochend, which produces Perches (about a mile in
circumference.) About two and a half miles north of
the Town is Dunduff, which produces a few Pikes and
Perches, (of a quarter or little more in
circumference.) About six miles north east of the
Town is Lochgloe, which produces plenty of Pikes and
Perches, and is about a mile in circumference,” &c.
“About a large stone cast west of the
church in the Tower-hill, commonly called ‘King
Malcolm’s Tower,” or his dwelling-place at
Dumfermline. It is nearly surrounded with a little
water, called the back burn, which takes its rise
from the Town Loch, aobut a large mile north of the
Church, and falleth in with the Line-burn about a
quarter of a mile south of the town. Over it is a
bridge of two arches, which leadeth into the town
from west to east,” &c. (Macfarlane’s Geographical
Collections, MS., vol. i., Advocates’ Library,
Edinburgh; Fernie’s Hist. Dunf. p. 182-187.) [The
most of Livingstone’s description is taken up with
distances of place from Dunfermline, and the
relative bearings of “gentlemen’s houses within the
Parish.”]
ADDRESS TO THE KING—Threatened Invasion—Royal
Marriage and Birth.—“10th April: The
council order and appoint the baillies to form and
sign an address to his majesty the King on the late
threatened invasion: The marriage of princess Mary
to the prince Royall of Denmark, and the Birth of
the prince of Wales’s third son: And to transmit
the same to the honorable Mr. James Erskine, our
member of parliament, to be presented to his Majesty
accordingly.” (Burgh Records.)
THE REV. THOMAS FERNIE admitted Minister of the
Second Charge of the Church of Dunfermline, on 19th
April, 1744. (Ses. Records, see An. of Dunf. 1788.)
ONE THE THE BAILIES “HORRIDLY INSULTED.”—“15th
Sept.: Which day Baillie Scotland laid before the
council a written complaint against Robert Meldrum,
town officer, complaining of a horrid insult and
indignity made and offered by Robert Meldrum against
the Baillie Scotland on Wednesday night last, when
the baillie went civilly to the tollbooth to curb
some disturbance that he heard was among the
prisoners.” Meldrum was dismissed from his office,
and ordered to be prosecuted. (Burgh Records.)
ABBEY WALLS IN A DANGEROUS STATE.—“22nd
Sept.: Which day on a complaint from some of the
burgesses, that no person can come or go from the
Maygeat to ye Newraw without great hazard of their
lives by the abbay wall falling”: the council
ordered that the wall be inspected and “the faulty
parts taken down.” (Bur. Records.) The Abbey wall,
all along “in below the walls” (Canmore Street), had
been much shaken by the great thunderstorm in 1733.
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Lord Charles Hay of Blansh
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.)
THE TOWN CONSTABLES’ ANNUAL DINNER.—“20th
Oct., 1744: This day the council taking to yr
consideration the inconveniencys attending ye
constables of this burgh having it in yr power to go
to any house they please to spend money in use to be
given to them by the town for a dinner; some of them
wnanting it to one house and some to another. The
council yrfor to prevent any dispute yt may arise
for the future yranent, Statute and ordained yt in
all time coming the Constables shall spend ye money
that ye town gives ym after michaelmas , yearly in
any house in this place qr the council pleases, and
shall appoint ym to go to, otherways, the
transgressors to get no money off ye town.” (Burgh
Records.)
1745.—STEEL MILLS.—“6th Feb., 1745:
Which day Baillie Scotlland informed the ocuncill
that William Bruce, tenant of the Heugh Mills,
acquainted him that the Corporation of Weavers
intended this day to sell their two Steel Mills,
presently standing in the Coalliaraw Mill at a
public roup, and desired the baillie in his name to
beg the favour of the council to buy the sd two
Steel Mills for his use of the tack. The council
agreed to send some one to the said roup to bid to
the extent of three pounds ten shillings, sterling
for ye sd mills.” (Burgh Records.)
LITERATURE.—“Faith no Fancy; or a Treatise on Mental
Images, Discovering the Vain Philosophy and Vile
Divinity of a late Pamphlet, entitled ;Mr. Robe’s
Fourth Letter to Mr. Fisher’; and showing that an
imaginary idea of Christ as Man (when supposed to
belong to Saving Faith, whether in its act or
object) imports nothing but Ignorance, Atheism,
Idolatry, Great Falsehood, and Gross Delusion. By
Ralph Erskine, A.M. Minister of the Gospel at
Dunfermline, who was very confidently, but
ignorantly, charged with Blasphemy and Heresy in the
said pamphlet for condemning that imaginary
Doctrine; with an Appendix relating to part of the
late writings of the Reverend Messrs. Williams and
Currie, especially touching some points of Gospel
Doctrine, injured by their Defence of the Act of
General Assembly, 1722, &c. ‘Nunquam periclitatur
religio nisi inter Reverendissimos’.—Luth.
Edinburgh: Printed by W&T Riddimans, &c.
M.D.CCXLV.” This now very scarce work is an 8vo
volume of 372 pp., with an appendix of 40 pp. “This
is esteemed them ost philslphical and learned of all
Ralph Erskine’s works—a quotation would not suffice
to give an estimate of the work, it must be read
through.” &c.
WIEGHT OF BREAD, &c.—For some time previous to this
year many complaints had been sent to the
Magistrates regarding the light weight of bread; on
June 17th, 1745, the Magistrates and
council issued the following Table of Weights and
Prices:--
SIR PETER HALKET, who was so frequently elected
Provost of Dunfermline between 1705 and 1733, died
in the 1745, at the advanced age of eighty seven
years.
A
NEW TOWN OR KIRK CLOCK ORDERED. --The following
minute of the Town Council relates to the ordering
of a new Town or Kirk Clock:--
“26th June, 1745: Which day
the baillies informed the council that Mr. Andrew
Dickie, watchmaker in Edin., was come over to this
place as he was desired by the council, anent a new
clock to the Kirk Steeple of this burgh; and that
after the baillies, &c., some of the members of
council had gone up with said Mr. Dickie to the
present clock in said steeple, which is reckond quit
useless and takes more expence to uphold the same
than will go a good way to get a new clock, The
baillies and these members heard Mr. Dickie yranent.
And Mr. Dickie offered to funish a sufficient new
clock to said steeple, the two big wheels yrof to be
fourteen inches in diameter and vry nigh and inch
think, and these wheels and ye oyr wheels to be of
brass, and ye rest of ye wheels to be in proportion
to ye two big wheels, to go for about thirty hours,
and a minute hand wtin, all for forth pounds
(sterg.); and that he declaird he could do the thing
cheaper but could not attest a cheaper clock; which
being considered by the council, they appoint,
warrand and impowr the two baillies and dean of gild
in name of the town to contract with said Mr. Dickie
for a new clock to the Steeple at said forty pounds
sterling of price, and if the baillies and dean of
gild think fit to agree with Mr. Dickie for a minute
hand to the outside, although the town should pay a
guinea more for ye said minuter hand or so. And
whatsoever the baillies and dean of gild shall so
contract, the council engadges to relieve ym yrof.
And they enjoin the said baillies and dean of gild
to agree with Mr. Dickie to make ye said clock to
have and hour hand to the West, and the north broad
or plate to have an hour and minute hand together,
and allow ym to contract with Mr. Dickie in ye
cheapest way for ye west hand also; and the whole
price not to exceed forth three pounds Sterling.”
(Burgh Records.)
It
would appear from this that the Council were anxious
to have a dial with an hour-hand on it, to point out
the hours on the west side of the steeple, and thus
show the time to those on the west road, which then
went by way of Tower Hill to Urquhart Bridge, but
this was abandoned in consequence of “the difficulty
there would be in piercing a hole through the thick
wall of the Steeple.”
On
the 31st August of the same year, the
Town Council received a letter from Mr. Dickie,
which will be understood by the following minute of
council:--“31 August: “Which day the baillie laid
before the council a letter from Mr. Dickie, of the
28th current, relative to the clock,
signifying that it will be a troublesome job to
pierce the hole in the west side of the Steeple, and
to put up the broad on the west side thereof; and,
wishing that the council would let it alone and
he’ll discouont a guinea of the price: Which being
considered by the council, they unanimously resolve
and agree that there shall be no hand nor broad to
the west side of the Steeple, and appoints the
baillies or any one of them to write to Mr. Dickie
accordingly, and also to desire Mr. Dickie to
provide a sufficient dyall-broad of good fir, and
six fot in diameter, and to cause sufficiently paint
the same, with gold leaf of large figures for the
hour hand and the minute figures in proportion.”
(Burgh Records.)
THE TOLBOOTH PORT.—This port is mentioned in a
minute in the Burgh Records, under date July 2d,
1745, as follows: “Which day on application from
Robert Bryce and John Adie, tacksmen of the town’s
landwart flesh stands, the council authorized and
impowered the said tacksmen ofn ye own expence to
fix and place two threes and an overtree for the
benefit of the landwart fleshers yt bring flesh to
this burgh, and yt at the east end of the stone shop
near ye tollbooth port to Adam Walker’s heirs, wt
kleeks on ye said trees.”
According to several aged inhabitants of Dunfermline
with whom the writer in early life held frequent
converse on “the days of old, the years of ancient
times,” and who, in their “boyhood days,” had often
passed through this port, all agreed in their
statements regarding it, viz.: In front of the Old
Tolbooth, removed in 1769, there projected out into
the street and immense fan-formed stone stair, which
led up to the Council Chamber in the second storey.
The stair was about ten feet in breadth at the top
landing, and widened out as it came down to the
street, so much so that the lower steps that rested
on the street were at least twenty feet in length.
The upper steps of this stair, and the stone landing
at the top, rested on an archway or pend of about
ten feet in height, eight feet in width, and the
road through this arch, below the big stair, was
about twelve feet in length. This roadway connected
the Kirkgate with the Collieraw (now Bruce Street).
A gate hung on the northern exit of the arch or
pend, and served as the Tolbooth port, which in
ancient times was closed each night with the rest of
the ports. Such are all the details known regarding
“the Tolbooth Port.” (For the other ports, see An.
Dunf. 1327, 1488, 1585, 1735,1752, and 1780.) Also,
for view of this remarkable stair, see the view of
it in Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 4, which was
supplied by the writer.
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE,--Lord Charles Hay of Blansh
was re-elected Provost, 30th Sept.,
1745. (Burgh Records.)
THE REBELLION, AND PRINCE CHARLES’S DEMANDS ON THE
BURGH.—In the Burgh Records, between October 4 and
December 27, 1745, there are five minutes of
meetings of the council of the Burgh regarding
“Prince Charlie’s demands on them.” As the minutes
are interesting, we shall give them in full:--
“4th Oct., 1745.—The said day
the letter from Mr. Murray of Broughton, by command
of his prince, was again read this day as it was on
munday last before the council, the tenor follows:--
“Holyrood House, 28th Sept., 1745.
“Sir,--Your are here by orderd upon
receipt of this to repair to the Secretary’s Office
at the Palace of Holyrood-house, there to have the
contribution to be pay’d by your town of Dunfermline
for his Highness use of excyse arising out of the
said town of Dunfermline ffor the repayment of which
contribution the said duty shall be assigned. This
you are orderd upon pain of rebellion forth with to
obey.—By his Highness command,
“Sign’d J.
Murray.”
Directed on the back “To the Provost of Magistrates
of the burgh of Dunfermline.”
Whereupon Baillie Adie and Baillie
Crawford, verbally commissioned by the Council on
munday to goe over to Ed. in name of the toun in
obedience to the above forced sommission or letter,
Reported that they went to Ed. and met with Mr.
Murray’s under Secretary’s as they called
themselves, viz., messieurs Stuart and Lumsdean, who
demanded eight pounds Sterling as the lowest
contribution to be pay’d by this burgh, and to be
pay’d tomorrow at furthest, and that for the touns
repayment a proper assignment is to be given. The
council therefore, before they proceed to give
judgment in the above affair, recommend to and
appoint the dean of gild to meet his brethren and
each deacon of croft to meet and assemble yr seall
crofts for advice how the said contribution is to be
pay’d or by whom in the meantime. The saids
Baillies Adie and Crawford also reported that on
payment of the contribution no more in name of
excyse on that score was to be pay’d by this burgh
for near six months. And the council appoints ye
dean of gild and deacons to report this day by 12
midday.—Council of the Burgh of Dunfermline held
within ye writing chamber on Friday the 4th
October, 1745.
__________________________________
Council of the burgh of Dunfermline,
held within ye writing chamber on Friday ye 4th
October, 1745, at 12 midday, by adjournment.
Sederunt, &c.
Alexander Miller,
Bailie Ja. Crawford
David Adie,
Bailie Robert Wilson
John Lindsay, dean of
gild. John Walker
Andrew Dickie, treasurer
Alex Conventry
John
Black Wm.
Walker
Thomas
Scotland Wm.
Anderson
Wm.
Hutton
John Kerr
David Sands
John
Pierson
George
Kellock George
Meldrum
John Knox
The dean of gild and deacons of Crofts,
in consequence of the appointment this day made the
following reports, viz.:--The dean of gild reported
he met his brethren and they are unanimously of
opinion that the contribution should be payd off the
touns common good rather than the toun be plundered,
but delayed giving judgement how much they will
contribut for touns help or assistance till
afterwards. And the whole deacons reported that it
is the mind of their seall trades that the
contribution should be payd by ye toun off the touns
common good; and in case that the toun shall not
recover it, or get repayment form the brewers and
those liable in excyse, that in case that they will
severally contribut to yr abilities, save ye
corporation of Weavers and Taylors, who declined
giving any advice in ye matter.—Which reposts being
considered by the council, and they considering that
tother royall burrows have apyd yr contribution
money, the council yrfor agree to the said eight
pounds sterling of contribution money. And the
council having asked John Knox, treas. what money is
in his hands of ye touns, at the time, who declares
yt he has only twenty two pounds sterling.—Where
upon the council appoint, warrand, and authorize
John Knox, late treas., in name of ye toun and on
the touns credite, to borrow the remaining fifty
eight pounds Sterling, and when borrowed, also
appoints him, ye said John Knox, to send the said
eighty pounds Sterling with Robert Meldrum, one of
the touns officers, to Ed. and Robert Meldrun to
give it to Mr. fflockart, the touns agent, to pay
the same acourdingly and also warrand ye baillies to
sign a conjunct bill or bills from ye persons one or
more from whom ye said £50 Str. Is to be
borrowed.
Signd. ALEX MILLER.”
The same day also, John Knox, late
treas., represented that as it is reported yt the
highlanders are by force to levy and uplift the land
cess tomorrow or very soon, so he wanted the
council’s judgement how to behave. That is, whether
he should pay ye touns land cess to ym or not.
Which being considered by the council, they are of
opinion and agree that the said John Knox pay the
land cess as in case other gentlemen pay theirs to
them.
(Signed) ALEX. MILLER
THE EARL OF KELLIE and a small party of Highlanders
come to Dunfermline demanding money. The council
meet to consider it along with former demands,
viz.:--
Council of the Burgh of Dunfermline holden within
the Writing Chamber on Saturday the 5th
October, 1745, at 10 o’clock before noon.
Sederunt, &c.—
Alexander Miller,
baillie Wm. Hutton
David Adie,
baillie John
Black
John Lindsay, dean
of gild James
Crawford
Andrew Dickie,
treas. John Kerr
David
Sands
John Walker
George
Kellock
Wm. Anderson
John Know
William Walker
Thomas Scotland
Which day the baillies acquainted the council that
yesterday they and John Knox, in consequence of the
council act of yesterday, borrowed thirty four
pounds sterling from Baillie Scotland, and fourteen
pounds sterling from Crawford, and ten pounds money
for said from Robert Adie, making in whole the £58
ster. Which was, with the 22£ ster. In said John
Knox’s hands, sent to Edward with Rot. Meldrun,
offr, in terms of yesterday order. All which the
council approves off.
The same day also, Baillie Adie represented to the
council that this morning he was sent ofr, and went
to the Earl of Kellie and a party of highlanders who
are just now in the place, and that they demanded
from him in name of the touon, the toun’s cess, or
supply in use to be payd to the generall receiver.
And yt they threaten, if it is not payd immediately,
military execution and plundering, and this beside
the touns land cess. The council delays the
consideration of this matter to three o’clock this
day in the afternoon, to which time the council
adjourned, and the council were warand apud acta to
attend tm.
___________________________________
Council held within the Writing Chamber on
Saturday, the 5th Oct., 1745, at 3
o’clock afternoon, by the magistrates and toun
council as mentioned in the forenoon’s Sederunt.
Baillie Miller, Dean of gild Lindsay, and the Clerk,
verbally appointed by the council in the forenoon to
meet with some of the principal persons on the
highland party to make and get matters as easy for
the toun as possible. Reported that before they
went to ym they met with Clerk Walker in
Innerkeithing, who told ym yt he saw the toun of
Kinghorn pay them yr toun’s cess or supply, and yt
Immerkeithing had also payd their cess to ym. And
yt after meeting with Mr. Seton, commonly called
Coll. Seton, yt Mr, Seton proposed on the touns
paying about twenty pounds sterling, presently, in
part payment of the toun’s by gone cess or supply.
Which being considered by the council, they warrand
and appoint John Knox, late treas. in name of the
toun to pay ym any sum not exceeding twenty pounds
sterling, to account of ye touns supply.
_______________________________
Court of the burgh of Dunfermline held within the
house of Baillie David Adie, on munday the 16th
Dec., 1745.
Sederunt—
Alexander Miller,
baillie John Knox
David Adie, baillie
David Sands
John Lindsay, dean of
gild James Anderson
Andrew Dickie,
treas. Wm. Walker
George
Kellock
Wm. Anderson
Thomas
Scotland John
Pierson
Wm.
Hutton
John Ker
James
Crawford
George Meldrum
John Black
Which day the baillies informed the council that Mr.
Douglas and a party of the highland army are here
just [now], demanding the touns cess under pain of
military execution. The council considering the
force, they appoint the treasure to pay the touns
land cess to him.
THE HIGHLANDERS.—A large party of “Heelander Sogers”
from the Highland army arrived in Dunfermline,
demanding the town cess, &c. (Burgh Records.)
Their trumpeter lodged in the garret of the house in
St. Catherine’s Wynd, which house was long known as
“the Trumpeter’s Land.” (MS.) The following is the
minute of council, convened to consider the
matter:--
Council of the burgh of Dunfermline held
within Baillie Millar’s house, on Friday, the 27th
Dec., 1745.
Sederunt, &c.—
Alex. Miller,
baillie John Black
David Adie,
baillie James Crawford
John Lindsay, dean of
gild James Anderson
Andrew Dickie, treas.
Wm. Anderson
Thomas
Scotland Wm. Walker
David
Sands Robert Wilson
George
Kellock John Kerr
John
Knox John Pierson
Which say John Knox, late treasurer, informed the
council that a great party of the highland army came
yesterday to raise the cess, excyse, &c.; and yt in
consequence of the council’s act of the 16th
current, he went to pay the touns land cess, but
that they want and demand not only the touns land
cess, but the touns supply or cess, under the pain
of military execution, &c.—All which being
considered by the council, they warrand and impower
John Knox, late treasurer, to pay not only the touns
land cess, but their supply, providing yt the supply
do not exceed sixteen pounds sterling, and yt to Mr.
Douglas, who is just now in town with the said party
demanding ye same as said is.
(Signed) ALEX. MILLER
NARROW ESCAPE OF THE PROVOST BEING SHOT.—An old MS.
notifies that, “a few days after a party of the
Highland army had left Dunfermline, Lord Charles
Hay, of the Tweeddale family, Provost of the town,
and an officer in the King’s army, was taking a view
of the surrounding country from the lofty station of
the Church Steeple, when a Highlander, who had
remained behind as a spy, aimed a pistol at his
Lordship, and to the amazement of all who saw the
action, shot away on the ear-curls of military
peruke”—Dec. 30th, 1745. (Chamber’s
Pict. Scot. 1834, vol. ii. pp. 160, 161.)
DISTAFF SPINNING AND THE SPINNING WHEEL.—An account
of these arts was sent to the writer about forty
years ago, by the late Mr. Laurence Wilson, of
Midmill, near Dunfermline. We shall condense a few
of his items of information. Mr. Wilson observes
that “Distaff Spinning, which had so long been
practised in Dunfermline, had begun to decline as
early as 1730 and that by 1745m scarcely a Distaff
was to be seen, having become superseded by the
Spinning Wheel. The wheel kept its place in
Dunfermline till so late a period as 1820.” Mr.
Wilson adds, that “the distaff was a simple concern,
consisting of a long stick or staff, mounted on the
top with lint or tow, which was kept fast to the
spinner’s side by her left arm, and by drawing off
the ling and twisting it as it came off the rock,
thread was produced. The wheel employed both beet
and hands, and did the work much more rapidly.”
(See An. Dunf. date 1820.) “In 1745, and for many
years afterwards, the north side of the Tower Hill,
and Part of St. Catherine’s Yard, were used as
Bleaching-greens by the Spinners.”
