Our newest issue..... after many years. Enjoy!

" On Wed. last, Margaret Nisbet, only daughter of Mrs. Agnes Nisbet, grocer, Dalbeattie (recently widowed), while playing with two other children, fell into the millstream of the mill belonging to Mr. John Elliot, sickle manufacturer."

Dumfries Times, 16 Oct. 1833.

" Peebles Burgh Records, 6 June 1558: Ordains the baillies, as they get word of any danger threatening the town by incursions of thieves, robbers, or Englishmen, thereafter to order a watch [temporary militia] of a small or great number as appropriate."

[Charters and documents relating to the Burgh of Peebles..., Edinburgh, 1872]

"Perth kirk session records. 12 Nov. 1582: Which day Margaret Gibson appeared, and being accused of her own harlotry, and secondly, of the burying of infants unbaptized without the knowledge of Nicol [the gravedigger], or of the bellman: ordains the Baillies to put their Act to execution made concerning the removal of Margaret Gibson within eighteen hours. [she inhabited a house at Greyfriars' Yard, and as that yard was also the common burying ground, her facility for burying unbaptized infants is explained.]

[The Book of Perth. Edinburgh, 1847]

Letter to a friend: Ardersier, April 16th, 1679. To William Duff - much respected, you will be pleased to get two terces of your best wine aboard of Thomas Couper in Findhorne his boat, who will carry it this length; and give him likewise six or eight bolls of salt; but let your wine be very good, otherwise send it not. And if you please to come out yourself, I long to see you, which is all at present from your very loving friend to my power, S.H.C. Calder

[The Book of the Thanes of Cawdor]

Letters of denization have been recorded in England for the following persons of Scottish origin: 19 Nov. 1575. John Lyon alias Lyen, Scottish subject. 24 Nov 1575. John Cowte (?Coutt?), Scottish subject. 4 June 1576. William Flemyn (Fleming), Scottish subject. 9 Feb 1576. William Mytchell (Mitchell), Scottish subject, born in St. Johnstons (i.e.Perth). 6 Nov. 1576. Peter Dixsonn (Dixon/Dickson), Scottish subject 24 Nov. 1578, at Richmond: William Hay, born a Scottish subject. 27 Jan 1579. Andrew Ramsay, born a Scottish subject. 26 June 1579. Peter Knokes (Knox), born a Scottish subject. 26 Jan 1579. Thomas Meldrum, born a Scottish subject.

[Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Elizabeth I, vol.VII (1575-1578, VIII (1578-1580)]

Also of interest in the period, a commission was set up in England in June 1577 "to hear and determine.... the causes (complaints) of Scottish subjects for piracy and depredation; power to imprison for contempt, power to fine and every other power of coercion fitting for the (task); because of many complaints by Scottish subjects and by the Regent of Scotland that their ships and wares while they are sailing in course of trade are seized and despoiled by the Queen (of England)'s subjects."

[Calendar of Patent Rolls, Elizabeth I, vol.VII, (1575-1578)

Marriage difficulty. An appeal to the Pope: 27 March 1451 - John Forbes, layman, diocese of Aberdeen, appealed to Pope Nicholas V that a former dispensation granted by Pope Martin V to him and the late Mariota Preston to marry might remain valid and their offspring declared legitimate in all respects. Mariota was the widow of the late Alexander Chisholm. The Pope agreed to the request.

[Calendar of Scottish Supplications to Rome, vol. V, 1447-1471]

3rd August 1518: A Fife court case begun by Elizabeth Wemyss, the widow of the late John Strang of Teasses, against Janet Balfour, Countess of Rothes. Procurator for Elizabeth is David Spens, parson of Flisk. The case was postponed month by month, but eventually in November Elizabeth won her case.

[Sheriff Court Book of Fife, 1515-1522]