general band of relief 1639 - aberdeen · relict of the late john gib andrew birnye richard brodie...

General Band of Relief, 1639

The years following the accession of Charles I in 1633 were turbulent ones forthe people of Aberdeen. From the onset of his reign, Charles advanced apolicy of religious conformity and he went on to impose a number ofobservances on a reluctant Scottish people. His introduction of the unpopularnew Liturgy and Book of Canons in 1636/37 only served to galvaniseopposition. As a result, a group was formed in Edinburgh to co-ordinate thisopposition and to regulate proceedings; it comprised members of the nobilityand gentry, clergymen and burgesses and was known as the 'Four Tables'.Overseeing and directing this body was a 'General Table' whose mostimportant act was the issuing of the National Covenant in the Spring of 1638.

Almost alone at this stage, Aberdeen remained loyal to Charles. It resistedrepeated calls to subscribe to the Covenant which was spearheaded in thenorth-east by the Earl of Montrose, Burnett of Leys and the Master of Forbes.However, the tide turned in March 1639 when Montrose entered the burghwith 9,000 men and occupied the Links; many of the anti-Covenanters fledand those citizens that remained agreed to sign the Covenant. In the followingmonths control of the town passed between the hands of the Royalists, Huntlyand Aboyne, and the Covenanters, Marischal and Montrose. The town wasfinally won for the Covenanting cause in June 1639, when the Earl of Aboynewas defeated at the Battle of the Bridge of Dee.

In January 1640 the Town Council received notice from the Tables inEdinburgh that, in order to defray the expenses of the campaign, eachindividual was to pay a tenth part of their yearly rents for the year 1639, toinclude profits from property ownership, trade or fishing rights. Before this levycould be imposed, a general band was drawn up in the Spring of 1640 to besigned by the citizens, either agreeing or refusing to pay the assessment andwas entitled the 'Generall Band of Releiff for the yeir of God 1639'.

This document lists the names of the subscribers and non-subscribers to theband and gives the occupations of individuals, however, the whereabouts ofproperties are not given beyond location in one of the four Quarters of theBurgh: the Footdee, Green, Crooked and Even Quarters. While forenamesand occupations have been modernised and their spellings standardised, allsurnames and place-names have been rendered as they appear in theoriginal document.

www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/archives


1639 BAND OF RELIEF: List of subscribers in the Even Quarter

(Page 1)Patrick Leslie, skinnerGilbert Guthrie, apothecaryJames Home, smithRichard RutherfuirdAlexander ForbesMr William Moir, BaillieRelict of the late Mr John MoirHector Smith, merchantAlexander Scrimgyer, flesherJames Smith, tailorJohn Patersonn, candlemakerMr Robert Reid, Sheriff DeputeAlexander Thomesone, advocateRelict of the late Mr William RayRelict of Mr William ChalmerAndrew Steiwin, maltmanWilliam Gray elderWilliam HowyesonnRelict of Mr William MoirAndrew Watsone, merchantWilliam Jack, merchantThomas Gray, merchantThomas Gordonn, merchantJames Sim, tailorWilliam Lindsay younger, merchantJohn Gordonn, merchantRelict of the late William DunHenry Dun, merchantAlexander Cowper, merchantRelict of Robert Chalmer, merchantWalter Moresone, merchantJohn Loban, merchantRelict of Gilbert CullenRelict of William ThomesonnPatrick Moir, merchantMr Alexander Gordonn, merchant

()Mr John Chalmer, notaryRelict of John Mershr, saddlerWilliam HayJames DavidsonnWilliam Andersone, merchantPatrick Blak, saddlerWilliam Patrie, merchantThomas BuckDoctor Patrick Dun



Relict of Robert KeithRelict of Mr Gilbert GrayGeorge MengyiesJames InnesWilliam Gray, saddlerRelict of Duncan WilsonnRelict of Robert RamsayAdam Watsonn, merchantRobert Durvard, merchantGeorge Leslie, merchantAlexander Andersone, merchantRelict of William QuhyttJohn Jaffray, merchantThomas Urquhart, surgeonAlexander Pantonn, merchantAlexander Howyesonn, merchantAlexander Murray, merchantHercules Guthrie, surgeonAlexander Stewart, merchantAlexander Middilbune, merchantJohn Gallovay, merchantGeorge Davidson, merchantJohn Straquhyne, merchantRobert Annand, merchantRobert Ray, merchantPatrick Walker, merchantRelict of Gilbert Anderson, skipperJohn Forbes elder, merchantGeorge Moresonn, merchantRobert Paull, merchantNorman Arbuthnet, vintnerWilliam Ronald, merchantHenry Mar, merchant

()Patrick Ross, merchantAlexander Duff, merchantMr William Johnstonn, vintnerJohn Smith, flesherWilliam Russell, weaverJohn Blindshell, weaverWilliam Davidsone, tailorJames Willox, wrightGeorge Rickard, merchantDavid Rickard, merchantJames Straquhyne, cooperJames Smith, merchantRobert Nucell, merchantPatrick Norie, tailorJohn Demptster, flesher



Andrew Archibald, surgeonAlexander Cuming, maltmanJohn Davidsonn, peinetmakerDavid RonaldsonnRobert Johnstonne, old ProvostGeorge Farquhar, merchantJames Murray, merchantThomas Clerk, weaverRelict of Alexander Reid, skipperJohn Gordonne, vintnerWilliam Forbes, late BaillieRelict of the late John Forbes elderRobert Boye, shoemakerMr James SandilandsJohn Forbes of Balnagask

1639 BAND OF RELIEF: List of subscribers in the Crooked Quarter

(Page 1)William Roust, weaverJohn Dason, farmerRobert Tailyer, masonThomas Moir, weaverJohn Straquhyn, weaverJohn Donaldsone, merchantMarion MoirGeorge Meslett, cooperThomas Watson, stablerRelict of James RanyRobert Forbes, bakerWilliam Gallovay, shoemakerThomas Chalmer, merchantPatrick Annand, bakerWilliam Smith, [governor]William Smith in GilkomstonnAndrew Wod, bakerArchibald Baxter, merchantGeorge Barclay, merchantMargaret BarborRobert Cruikshank elder, merchantRelict of the late John GibAndrew BirnyeRichard BrodieRobert SkeineWilliam BlakburneRelict of the late Alexander GellieWalter Robertsonn, clerkAlexander Robertsonn, merchantRelict of the late Mr John MortimerJohn Duff, merchant



William Nicolsonn, skinnerDavid Simsonn, saddlerJohn Andersone, painter

(Page 2)Andrew Ingrahame, dyerArthur Dalgardnot, merchantJames Ailhous, weaverGeorge Watt, tailorGeorge Angous, weaverRobert Lithquo, masonAndrew Fersen, farmerRelict of David Andersonn for herself and her distracted sonJames Andersone, merchantJohn Warrack, weaverAlexander Hendersone, farmerJohn Nune, farmerJean Liddell, widowAlexander Collisone, merchantRobert Forbes of RubislawGeorge Pyper, plumberThomas Barclay, tailorMr Robert FarquharPatrick Leslie, ProvostMr Matthew Lumsdane, BaillieMr Patrick Chalmer, Sheriff ClerkAlexander Annand, wrightThomas Cushnie, glazierAndrew Sibbald, dyerJohn Rogie, tailorGeorge Farquhar, shoemakerRelict of William GordonnRichard Alexander, merchantMagnus Robertsonn, wrightJohn Middilbun, bakerGilbert Watsone, merchantGilbert Andersone, merchantWilliam Meason, merchantJames Ranye, shoemakerGeorge Gordonn, merchantAlexander Ross, merchantGeorge AndersonnWilliam Andersone, tailorMr Alexander Davidsonn, advocatePatrick Watt, merchantJames Drum, merchantAlexander Willox, wright

(Page 3)George Jamson



John Hay, late BaillieJohn Cruikshank, merchantCharles Robertsonn, merchantWilliam Forbes elder, merchantThomas Collye, sacristWilliam Andersonn, cooperAlexander Mitchell, merchantRelict of Hugh Andersonn, merchantRelict of Robert AlexanderMr Alexander ReidRobert Irving, cooperMr Thomas Gray, BaillieWilliam Scott, wrightWilliam Beanes, merchantWilliam Rolland, dyerJohn GiffardRobert BlakhallPatrick Burrie, skinnerWilliam Patersonn, maltmanPatrick Jack younger, dyerPatrick Jack elder, dyerRelict of William SimsonnMr Thomas Mershr, writerWilliam Tailyer, stablerMr John Horne, merchantAlexander Wilson, pewtererRonald Chessor, merchantJames Bissett, dyerJames Malice, weaverArchibald Beanes, dyerJohn Leslie, weaverJohn Alexander, merchantJames Chrystie, tailorHenry Patersone, armourerAndrew Robertsone, merchantDavid Lindsay, merchantAlexander Reidfoord, shoemakerThomas Walker, shoemakerGeorge Meldrum, merchantJohn Findlay, shoemakerJames Hall, shoemaker

(Page 4)John Garioche, tailorJohn Fairer, shoemakerGeorge Bruce, saddlerJames Forbes, merchantGilbert Skeyne, merchantWilliam Innes, merchantJohn Donaldsone, notary



Mr Robert Innes, apothecaryNicholas InnesWilliam Toux, merchantWalter Cochreine for himself and the heirs of James MurrayPatrick Fergusonn, merchantWilliam Fergusonn, GilkonsenRobert Fergussonn, merchantMr William Davidson of OrdThomas Nicolsonn, merchantJohn Allardeis, merchantPatrick Willox, wrightAndrew Johnstonne, masonElspet Culley, relict of James PatrieAnne Gordonn subscribed for James Tuishe, merchant, her husband, whowent to sea six weeks since.Alexander Farquhar has subscribed for James Farquhar, his brother, who hasbeen in Dinkirk these six months bygone, searching for his salmon taken bythe Dinkirkers.Richard Alexander has subscribed for his bro[ther], Mr William Alexander, whohas passed to France these six weeks bygone.Marjory Inglis has subscribed for her husband, named Paul Collisonn, whowent out the country.

1639 BAND OF RELIEF: List of subscribers in the Green Quarter

(Page 1)John Leslie, late BaillieJames Smith, weaverSamuel Measone, merchantAndrew Burnet elder, merchantRobert Leslie, maltmanLeonard Leslie, merchantDavid Aedye, maltmanAlexander Farquhar, merchantJames Robertsonn, merchantJames Blakhall, maltmanJohn Duncan younger, merchantJohn Henrie, shoemakerAlexander Still, weaverWilliam Smith, weaverPatrick Gordonn, dyerPatrick Watsone, dyerAndrew Mihie, fiddlerAndrew Meldrum, dyerJohn Gairdyne, messengerAlexander Findlater, dyerJames Clerk, weaverArthur Chalmer, gentlemanMr Alexander Jaffray, late ProvostAlexander Jaffray, merchant



Alexander Burnet, merchantAndrew Howiesonn, merchantRobert Cruikshank younger, merchantMr Robert Dun, doctor of medicineCharles Dun, dyerAlexander Burnet younger, merchantAndrew Burnet of SchethokisleyGeorge Johnstonn younger, merchantThomas Cargill, surgeonJames Gregorie, merchantThomas Robertsonn, shoemakerCornelius Calder, cooperWilliam Cuik, merchant

(Page 2)Andrew Watsone younger, merchantAlexander Robertsonn, weaverAlexander Pantonn, lieutenantMr William CowperAlexander Falconer, dyerAlexander Gordonn, weaverAlexander Duncan, marinerGilbert Malcolme, weaverHelen Umphray, widowJames Reid, merchantGilbert Adame, shoemakerJohn Ronaldsonn, maltmanAndrew Aberdeen, merchantRobert Milne, merchantThomas Marshall, fisherGilbert Willeamsone, weaverJohn Still, weaverPatrick Young, farmerAndrew Coban, merchantJohn Robertsonn, merchantRobert Wobster, tailorGilbert Davidsone, smithAndrew Smith, hammermanHenry Forbes, weaverRobert Ross, tailorAlexander Nun, weaverGilbert Norvaill, weaverAlexander Jamesone, farmerAlexander Blak elder, maltmanRobert Harrow, maltmanRelict of John ColinsoneIsobel Lorimer, widowJohn Birnye, stablerAlexander Donald, merchantJohn Carnie, merchant



John Wilsone, weaver[W..] Hoig, maltmanGeorge Boyes, fisherAndrew Rob, cassiemakerGeorge Fyff, stabler

(Page 3)John Forbes, weaverAlexander Craw, weaverAndrew Young, farmerGeorge Gellie, weaverRelict of John Forbes, dyerRobert Walker, weaverAlexander Sangster, weaverJames Craigheid, flesherMatthew Youngsonn, tailorAlexander Storie, dyerCharles Sangster, weaverWilliam Stedwin, [drywaker]William Blakhall, maltmanJames Birnye, weaverRelict of William ChalmerRelict of the late Laurance WrightWilliam Baxter, farmerPatrick Cordoner, gardenerAlexander Henrie, merchantRelict of the late William Bruce

1639 BAND OF RELIEF: List of subscribers in the Footdee Quarter

(Page 1)James Petindriche, messengerGeorge Abercrombye, marinerJohn Malice, cooperAlexander Burnet, vintnerGilbert MengyiesJohn Andersonn younger, skipperThomas Boyes, skipperJohn Ingrahame, Clerk DeputeRelict of William IngrahameThomas Paip, merchantWilliam Cordoner, advocateSir Paul Mengyies of KynmundPaul Mengyies, merchantJames Thome, messengerDavid Melvill, bricksellerAlexander Alshener, merchantThomas Mortimer, late BailliePatrick DuvyeGilbert Hervye elder, merchant



William CuthbertGeorge Cullen, merchantThomas Collisone, late BaillieThomas Anderson, merchantPatrick Kempt, tailorAlexander George, smithGeorge Ross, merchantAlexander Ettershank, cooperHugh Frasser, tailorJohn Ray, merchantPaul Inglis, merchantDavid Gordun, merchantAgnes RollandRichard Paip, merchantRelict of David JaffrayWilliam Davidson, weaverJohn Henrie, shoemakerThomas Smith, tailorWilliam Ord, wrightThomas Burnet, merchantRobert Smith, merchant

(Page 2)John Kemptie, merchantThomas Thomesonn, merchantMatthew Craigheid, merchantPeter Sherar, shoemakerGeorge Davidson younger, merchantAlexander Andersone younger, merchantJohn Stewinsone, merchantWilliam Wricht, shoemakerJohn Broune, merchantRobert Gray, merchantJames Malhosone, merchantPeter Crombye, merchantGeorge Duncan, merchantAlexander Gallovay, merchantJohn Raitt, merchantPeter Smith, merchantAlexander Keith, merchantJohn Tailyer, tailorGilbert Know, merchantEdward Walker, bakerJohn Forbes younger, merchantAndrew Chapman, bakerPatrick Farquhar, merchantAndrew Gudeaill, merchantJohn Paislie, merchantPeter Sewan, merchantJohn Wobster, merchant



James Hendersone, merchantAdam Kynneir, merchantJames Gelles, tailorGilbert Davidsonn, boat wrightJames Collisonn, merchantWilliam Milne, barberThomas Shewar

(Page 3)James Thome, messenger, has subscribed for James Broune, his godson,who went to the sea eight weeks since or thereby.Jean Stewart subscribed for William Rolland, her husband, who has been outthe country this year and a half bygone.

1639 BAND OF RELIEF: List of non-subscribers in the Even Quarter

(Page 1)Relict of the late Thomas DouglasMr William Lumsdane, advocateAndrew Kellie younger, bakerJames Andersonn younger absent on his voyageJohn Chalmer, merchantRelict of the late Alexander LeithJohn Milne, cooperRobert Brabner, gardenerMr James Sandilands, Commissary of AberdeenRobert Andersone, absent out of the country these many yearsJames Milne, saddlerGilbert Johnstonne, fiddlerGeorge InnesJohn Crichtonn, bakerJames Cruikshank, merchantJohn WilleamsoneAlexander Yooll, flesherGeorge Irving, absentAlexander Johnstonn, glazierAndrew Kellie elder, bakerAndrew Watsone, flesherJohn Barnet, stablerRelict of the late Thomas DonaldsonAlexander Sandyeson, messengerDavid Philp, farmerRelict of John Straquhyn, skipperRobert Straquhyn, skipperWilliam Lindsay elderWilliam Nicolsonn, weaverAlexander Davidson, merchantThomas Gairdyne, tailor



BAND OF RELIEF: List of non-subscribers in the Green Quarter

(Page 1)Alexander WilguiseJames Andersonn, fisherJames Annand, wrightGeorge Cruikshank younger, merchantRobert Collisone, merchantAlexander Gray, stablerJames Elmislie, wrightGeorge SunerRobert Alexander, writerJohn Touche, bakerJohn Milne, tailorJohn Craig, passement weaverAndrew Davidsonn, merchantRelict of the late William ScoirjackAgnes StraquhyneAndrew Straqn, peinitmaker, absentRobert SeittonneCharles Wilson, slaterWilliam Wilson, slaterWilliam Blak, salmon fisherWilliam Gray, wrightDavid Nicolsone, weaverAlexander Blak youngerJames Ranye, weaver

1639 BAND OF RELIEF: List of non-subscribers in the Crooked Quarter

(Page 1)George Stewart, merchant, absent out of the townAlexander Stewart, wright, absent from [yebun]Robert Patersone, weaverWilliam LumsdaneRobert Gordonn, tailorRobert Hall, shoemakerChristian LumsdenThomas Barnet, stablerAlexander Donald, tailorWilliam Smith, tailorJames Nicoll, shoemakerThomas Gib, gardenerJohn Calder elderJames Aberdour, dyerJohn Johnstonn in FrosterhillRelict of Mr Thomas MengyiesThomas Mengyies of BalgownyeWilliam Moreson, merchantWilliam Rogie, tailor



Alexander Alsheiner younger, merchantPeter Jope, out of the countryMr Alexander Irving in France these six years bygoneWilliam Andersone, goldsmith, out of the townMr George Andersone, out of the townRobert Irving, merchant, out of the townWilliam Gray, pupil in France these three yearsJohn Duffus, merchantRelict of John Touche, merchantRobert Touche, merchantJohn Calder younger, farmerPatrick Newaill, smithMartin Howyeson, merchantJames Low elder, shoemakerRobert Auld, shoemaker

(Page 2)Alexander Cruikshank younger, merchantAlexander Murray younger, merchant, absent the sea

1639 BAND OF RELIEF: List of non-subscribers in the Footdee Quarter

(Page 1)Agnes Jaffray, relict of William HorneDuncan Fergussone, merchantAndrew Findlay, skipper, at seaJohn Andersone elder, skipper, at seaAlexander Gray, pupilAlexander Chalmer, cooperAndrew Chalmer, merchant, at seaRelict of Mr Henry BuchanFrancis Litster, merchant, absent these two years at seaWilliam Scott, merchant, at seaGilbert Andersone, younger, merchantGeorge Fergussoun, outwith townJames Smith, hammermanRelict of the late Alexander Donaldson elderAlexander Willeamesone, bakerJohn Scott, merchantDavid Young, at seaJohn Scott, tailorMichael Findlater, merchantRobert Milne, shoemakerThomas Mackie, shoemakerGeorge Heddirweik, gardenerMargaret Liddell, cummerJames Robertson, gardenerWilliam Moir in FerriehillWilliam Gib, gardenerPeter Moir, skipper, on his voyage


general band of relief 1639 - aberdeen · relict of the late john gib andrew birnye richard brodie...

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