Scotland trip – May 2017 – day 7

I’m aiming to write and post a little bit each day about the family history research I’m doing, and what I find, during a week staying​ in Edinburgh. But for personal privacy, the posting of these travels on AFamilyHistoryBlog will be delayed by a few days, and will not necessarily be in day by day order! Some of these posts may be given later tweaks, with added photos, etc.

Update; You can now see all the posts from my May 2017 Scotland trip, here;
Day 1 – day 2 – day 3 – day 4 – day 5 – day 6 – day 7 – & day 8 & the big family gathering.

Hopetoun House

I spent much of a day in the archives at Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, near Edinburgh. I was looking into my WALKER ancestors, who were tenant farmers on the Hopetoun Estate through from the mid 18th to the end of the 19th century, and into the farms where they lived and worked.

Among other things, there are bits in the Walker family history, originally written by my Grandfather in the 1950’s, which I don’t know any original sources for. So I was hoping that I might find some of those in the Hopetoun archive records.

The archive room at Hopetoun House

I had previously been in contact by email with the volunteer archivists at Hopetoun, so they knew that I planned to visit. I arrived at Hopetoun House at 10:30am, as it was opening to public visitors. I went in to the lower ground floor reception, to the right of the main staircase up to the front door (where most public visitors go into the house). I was soon met by one of the archivists, Richard, who took me up through service stairs and corridors, to an archive research room on an upper floor.

Document bundles in the Hopetoun Archives

I spent several hours there, looking through a number of bundles of old documents; lease agreements (tacks), etc, and was permitted to photograph anything I saw that looked to be of interest. Each bundle has a reference number, and is catalogued in the National Register of Archives for Scotland (NRAS). All the papers in the Hopetoun Archives appear to begin with the catalogue reference “NRAS888/”. In the archive room I was able to search this catalogue, on a computer, to identify the catalogue entries that looked to be of most interest.

(Unfortunately on the internet the full catalogue does not appear to be available! When I search the NRAS Register, it only gives the “top level record” for the papers of the Hopetoun Estate; NRAS888. The individual records, which I was able to search for in the archive room at Hopetoun House, do not appear to be available to search for online!)

Among the papers I saw, there were estate copies of two or three of the same documents that I’ve already posted copies of onto AFamilyHistoryBlog from among the WALKER family papers that I have.

My STAR FINDS from among the papers that I saw at Hopetoun House were plans of Hiddlefaulds (which was demolished in the 1890’s) and of the farm buildings at Kilpunt – both plans dated 1841, along with notes which confirmed that the WALKER family became tenants at Hiddlefaulds in (or slightly before) 1745.

A printed document about the rental income from the estates of “Pumpberston, Illieston, and Kilpunt”, (associated with the sale of these estates at the time that Lord Hope acquired them, circa 1760), details that William WALKER was the tenant in Hiddlefaulds in 1745, but a David KER was the tenant in 1740. A handwritten footnote on this page says that “when Will Walker took Hiddlefaulds he was promised a Tack [a lease agreement] but never got it.“! So the original paperwork was never done! ☻

In total, I took over 170 photos of the documents I saw, that looked to be of interest to me in my family history. These came from the following NRAS catologue numbers (with partial descriptions);

• NRAS 888/16/Bundle 4; miscellaneous papers – including “lease of Kilpunt – 1843”
• NRAS 888/28/Bundle 8; “papers relative to lease of Newmains, Overtoun and Kilpunt” – 1834
• NRAS 888/28/Bundle 10; Tacks and Papers as to Kilpunt and Illieston, 1760 – 1830″
• NRAS 888/40/Bundle 3; “papers relating to the lease of Kilpunt – including sketches for farm buildings – 1842”
• NRAS 888/1879; “sketch of lands (of Kilpunt) – 1757”.

Its worth noting that the NRAS catalogue descriptions tend to identify the titled estates (such as Kilpunt), but not individual farms (such as Hiddlefaulds).

Its going to take me some time to process all of this, and I know that if I ever get the time and opportunity to go back to the Hopetoun Archives, there is quite a lot more of interest to look at there.

From what I heard the archivist saying, I gather that they have had very few people, like me, visiting the Hopetoun archives to do family history research into the tenant farmers on the estate. But from what I’ve seen, the Hopetoun archives must be a great resource for anyone who is researching a family history with this kind of connection to the Hopetoun estate.

Old WALKER papers – Lease of Hiddlefaulds farm – 1813

This is one in a series of blog post about some old papers of the WALKER family, from Kirkliston, West Lothian, Scotland. Please see a list of these papers HERE.

This document is a lease agreement (or “Tack”) made in 1813 between the Earl of Hopetoun, James Hope Johnstone (landlord), and my paternal ancestor, James Walker (tenant).

James Walker was born in Kirkliston, in August 1731 – so would be about 82 years old at the time that this lease was agreed. So it is likely that his son, John Walker (b. Jan. 1772) was running most of the day-to-day work on the farm by this time!

For an earlier (and much simpler) lease of Hiddlefaulds, agreed with James Walker in 1775, see HERE.

James Walker, and his wife, Janet Flint, both died in 1817 and are buried in Kirkliston churchyard. Their son, John Walker, is recorded in the Kirkliston parish registers as having “irregularly” married Isabel Neil, in May 1816, with their first daughter being born in August of that year!

At some point (it appears during John Walker’s time) the family also took on the tenancy of the neighbouring farm at Kilpunt.

Due to the nature/condition/size of this document, I have photographed, rather than scanned, most of the pages.

Please click on the images to see the scans at full resolution. Transcribed text appears in a Maroon colour below each scanned image. At the bottom I’ve made some notes about the document.

Cover; Transcription of cover;

Tack
The Earl of Hopetoun
to
James Walker
Of the farm of Hiddlefaulds
for Nineteen years from
Martinmas 1813
————
[Comp #]

Page 1;

Transcription of page 1;

It is Contracted and Agreed Between the Right Hon-#
-orable James Hope Johnstone Earl of Hopetoun Heritable Proprietor #
of the Lands and other aftermentioned upon the One part And James #
Walker Tenant in Hiddlefaulds upon the other part in manner #
following That is the said Earl hereby Lets and in Consideration of the #
Tack Duty and other [prastations] aftermentioned and under the conditions #
after specified Let to the said James Walker and his heirs of line and if #
only daughters to the Eldest without division without prejudice to the #
said James Walker and his heirs to settle the said lease upon any of his #
or their children and under such burdens as they may think proper #
Including all Assignees legal and conventional direct or indirect and #
also Including all subtenants without a special written permission #
from the said Earl or his Heirs and successors But Declaring as it is #
hereby expressly Provided and Declared that any Assignation Conveyance #
or sublease contary to the foresaid stipulation shall be void and null #
and of no force or effect And that immediately upon any such Assignation #
Conveyance or sublease of this Lease contary thereto being granted by the #
said James Walker of his foresaids or anywise attempted to be so #
granted by then it shall be lawful to and in the power of the said #
Earl and his foresaids to enter into possession of the farm with the #
whole Houses and pertinents hereby let And that the Lease hereby granted #
shall from henceforth cease and determine and become void and null #
without any declarator or other process of law in the same manner as #
if it had never existed or been entered into. All and Whole the #
farm of Hiddlefaulds being part of the Barony of Kilpunt with #
the House yards parts and pertinents thereto belonging all as presently #
possessed by the said James Walker himself Lying in the Parish of #
Kirkliston and County of Linlithgow. And that for the space of #
Nineteen years from and after the term of Martinmas Eighteen hundred #
and thirteen which is hereby declared to have been the term of the said #
James Walker his entry thereto in virtue hereof Reserving always #
to the said Earl and his heirs and successors full power and liberty to #
work win sell dispose of and carry away the Coal Lime, Freestone, Marle #
and in general all other Mines Metals and Minerals within the said #
lands hereby set And to  make Roads and Aqueducts and to do every thing #
necessary for these purposes the said Earl and his foresaids always #
satisfying the said James Walker and his foresaids for any damages #
that may be thereby done to the surface of the Ground at the sight of #
neutral men mutually chosen But it is Declared that the said James #
Walker and his foresaids shall have liberty to work Lime Stone within #
the lands hereby set for the use of the same and Houses thereon but not #
for sale or any other purpose whatever. Also Reserving to the said #
Earl and his foresaids full power and liberty to Straight marches and #
to excamb Lands either with the neighbouring Proprietors or with his #
own Tenants at the sight either of the Judge Ordinary or of neutral men #
they
David [Robertson] Williamson
James Walker

Page 2;

Transcription of page 2;

Page Second
the indemnification to the Tenant to be paid either in land or in money #
as the same shall appear most equitable to all concerned. Also Reser- #
-ving to the said Earl and his foresaids full power and liberty to cut and #
carry away all timber now growing or to be planted on the said lands #
and the said James Walker and his foresaids shall have no claim for #
any allowance when the same is done betwixt the first of November #
and the first of May And if any damage is occasioned at any other #
time the said James Walker and his foresaids shall be indemnified #
therefor at the sight of neutral men mutually chosen Also Reserving #
to the said Earl and his foresaids full right and liberty at any time #
during the Lease to resume possession of part of the said Lands for the #
purpose of Planting not exceeding the extent of three acres And the value #
of the land so resumed shall be determined by neutral men mutually #
chosen and shall be allowed to the said James Walker and his #
foresaids And it is Declared that where the Fences of the Plantations #
become fences to the Tenant and useful to the Lands then the said #
James Walker and his foresaids shall be bound to be at half the #
expense along with the Earl in keeping the said fence in repair #
Also Reserving to the said Earl and his foresaids full power and #
liberty to [fowl] or Hunt upon the Lands either by himself, Gamekeepers #
or their having special liberty but always so as not to [injure] any #
Sown or planted crop and the said James Walker and his foresaids #
shall be bound to preserve the Game from all others Also Reserving #
to the said Earl and his foresaids full right and liberty at all times #
during the Lease to inspect and examine the state and condition of the #
farm the Houses and fences And if any of them shall be found in #
disrepair the said Earl and his foresaids shall have power to require #
the Tenant in writing to do what is necessary by way of repair And #
in case the Tenant shall fail to do so within One month after such #
notification the Earl and his foresaids shall have liberty to cause the #
said repairs be executed And the expense thereof Certified by the factor #
of the said Earl without further proof the said James Walker and his #
foresaids shall be bound to pay at the next term along with their Rent. #
Also Reserving to the said Earl and his foresaids full right to #
resume possession of the said lands and others in case the said James #
Walker of his foresaids shall become legal Bankrupts in terms of the #
Act 1696 or of the 33rd of His present Majesty [Cap] 74 or of any #
other subsequent Act of the same nature Or if the said James #
Walker or his foresaids shall execute any voluntary Trust Conveyance #
of their Estate in favour of their Creditors on account of inability to pay #
their debts or although no such Conveyance is executed if they possess #
the Lands only nominally and account to their Creditors or their #
Trustees for the profits of the same, Or if the said James Walker or #
his foresaids shall allow a [Sequestration] to be applied for and #
obtained for payment of the Rent due the said Earl and his foresaids #
shall
David [Robertson] Williamson
James Walker

Page 3;

Transcription of page 3;

Page third
shall be entitled to enter to the possession of the said lands and others #
at the first term of Martinmas after any of the above events shall #
take place And in such cases the said James Walker hereby obliges #
him and his foresaids to renounce possession of the said lands and #
others hereby Set And Consents that Summary diligence shall pass #
for removing all concerned from the lands and thereby enable the #
said Earl and his foresaidsto set the said Lands of new to any other #
person they chose without prejudice always of the remedies provided #
in favour of Landlords either by the Common Law or the Act of #
[Sed…t] 1756 Declaring always that if the said James Walker #
or his foresaids from any of the foresaid Causes shall be unable to #
pay their Rent or to keep the farm the said Earl and his foresaids #
upon obtaining possession thereof shall be obliged to allow them #
the value of such improvements and [meliorations] of which they may #
not have reaped the benefit which allowance shall be ascertained #
by two neutral men mutually chosen Which Tack under the #
Reservations and Declarations before Written the said James Hope #
Johnstone, Earl of Hopetoun Obliges him his Heirs and Successors #
to warrant at all hands For the which Causes And upon the other #
part the said James Walker Binds and Obliges him his heirs Executors #
and representatives whomsoever to content and Pay to the said #
James Hope Johnstone, Earl of Hopetoun his Heirs and Assignees #
of to his or their factors or chamberlains in their name yearly and #
each year during the whole space foresaid of this present Tack the #
Sum of One hundred and Eighty Pounds Sterling and Twelve #
[Kain] Hens or in the [option] of the said Earl and his foresaids One #
Shilling and Sixpence Sterling for each Hen if not demanded but in #
case of their being demanded and not delivered the said James #
Walker and his foresaids shall be obliged to pay [five] Shillings Sterling #
for each undelivered Hen Begining the first years payment of #
the said Money Rent at the term of Candlemas and Lammas #
Eighteen hundred and fifteen by equal portions And that for [crops] and #
year Eighteen hundred and fourteen And of the [Kain] at the terms #
used and want or of the Conversion thereof in the option of the said #
Earl and his foresaids along and together with the said money Rent #
And so [furth] yearly and termly thereafter during all the years of #
this Tack except the Rent of the last year which it is expressly #
agreed upon and declared shall be fully and completely paid up #
at the expiry of this Lease or the said James Walker’s removal from #
the farm with One fifth part more of penalty in case of failure and #
the legal interest or Annual Rent after the respective terms at which #
the same shall become due during the nonpayment thereof Also #
to deliver to the said Earl and his foresaids yearly when required #
between Yule and Candlemas after reaping the Crops Twenty Three #
Bolls
David [Robertson] Williamson
James Walker

Page 4;

Transcription of page 4;

Page forth
Bolls of Oat Meal by Weight of Eight Stones Troy per Boll the beet #
of the growth of the said Lands [feed] only excepted And to Carry and #
transport the same to Hopetoun House or any place within Twelve #
Miles thereof all upon their own proper charges and expenses It being #
hereby Declared that the said James Walker and his foresaids shall #
get allowance out of the Rent beforementioned of the value of the said #
Meal at the rate of the highest fiars of the County of Linlithgow. #
As Also to keep and maintain One of the said Earl’s Hounds or Pointers #
during all the years of this Tack without any Allowance on that account. #
And the said James Walker Binds and Obliges himself and his foresaids #
to Labour the lands hereby Let according to the rules of good husbandry #
And not to wear out or deteriorate the same by undue labouring or #
improper management And particularly without prejudice to the #
said generality that the said James Walker and his foresaids shall #
not be at liberty to take more than two successive white crops from #
the same ground without the intervention of a Summer fallow or #
Green crop And never to take a wheat crop except after a summer #
fallow or Green crop Dunged And further the said James Walker #
Binds and obliges himself and his foresaids to have in each year #
during the last four years of the Lease not less than twelve acres in #
Hay and Pasture of which not more that Six acres shall be in #
Hay And also to have in each of the said last four years Eight Acres #
or […]in Summer fallow or Green crops Dunged Which Summer #
fallow or Green Crop shall along with the Succeeding Crops of Grain #
be laid down with [Grass] seeds of a proper Assortment and quantity #
for pasture or Hay and the land so laid down the said James Walker #
and his foresaids shall not be at liberty to break up again during #
the Lease not take more than One crop of Hay from the same [ground] #
And it is Declared that during these last four years the said #
James Walker and his foresaids shall not be at liberty to take two #
successive White crops without the intervention of a summer fallow #
or Green Crop Dunged But in case of the Grass [seeds] sown with #
Summerfallowed Wheat having failed they shall in that case #
(apon stating the same to the Factor of the said Earl and upon his #
being satisfied thereof) have liberty to plough up the same the #
ensuing year and to take a crop of Barley to be sown down with #
Grass Seeds. And further that in the last year of the Lease at #
any time between Martinmas and Candlemas the said Earl or the #
incoming Tenant shall have power to take Land for Summer #
fallow or Green Crop not exceeding the extent of twelve acres the #
said land to be restricted to that proportion of the Farm which in #
the due and ordinary course of management shall fall to be in #
Summerfallow or Green Crop at the time all lying in one and the #
same~
David [Robertson] Williamson
James Walker

Page 5;

Transcription of page 5;

Page fifth
same field if that can be effected And all the Dung of the proceding #
Crop shall be kept for the same in so far as the same shall not be #
used by the Tenant for any Horse hoed Drilled Crop for that year #
the said James Walker and his foresaids always receiving such #
indemnification for the summerfallow of Green Crop and Dung #
as _ shall be determined by neutral men One to be chosen by #
each _ party. It being understood that in case the Earl or the #
incoming Tenant shall not take ground for Summerfallow the #
last year of the Lease the Tenant shall be allowed an indemnifica- #
-tion for the Summerfallow or Green Crop he is bound to have for #
that year as the same shall be valued by neutral men mutually #
chosen And Further in case where it may be proper the Earl #
or the incoming Tenant shall have liberty to Sow Grass Seeds #
with all or any of the White Crops provided the Grass Seeds are #
Sown along with the Spring Crops or within Eight days thereafter #
If with Wheat Crop not later than the month of April And the #
said James Walker and his foresaids shall be bound to harrow #
and cover then in properly and reaping the crop to preserve #
the said grass from injury and not to allow any Cattle to pasture #
thereon either during Harvest or afterwards the said James Walker #
and his foresaids being to get allowance for any damage they #
may sustain thereby at the sight of neutral men mutually chosen #
And in Reguard the Rents herein beforementioned were fixed #
and Agreed upon on the faith that the ground should be managed #
in manner beforementioned Therefore in case the said James #
Walker or his foresaids shall Contravene the foresaid Stipulations #
respecting the management of the Farm or any of them the said #
James Walker Binds and Obliges himself and his foresaids to pay #
an additional Rent of Five Pounds Sterling per acre for each acre #
of ground which they shall so mislabour or not have in Hay #
and Pasture or in summerfallow or Green Crop as beforementioned #
or shall not allow to be summerfallowed or Sown with Grass Seeds #
by the said Earl or the incoming Tenant with the last Crop #
under this Lease and to be harrowed and Covered in as said is #
And the said James Walker binds and Obliges himself and his #
foresaids to pay the said additional Rent for each year during #
their possession after the respective Contraventions at the terms #
and under the penalty before Covenanted with regard to the said #
Stipulated Rents. And it is Declared that although an #
additional Rent is hereby Covenanted in case of Contravention #
which in all cases is to be considered as pactional and not #
penal yet the said Earl and his foresaids shall nevertheless be #
at liberty if they think proper to prevent the overlabouring or #
mismanagement~
David [Robertson] Williamson
James Walker

Page 6;

Transcription of page 6;

Page sixth
mismanagement of the said lands and to insist for damages #
in the ordinary way and in such manner as accords with the #
law. And the said James Walker Binds and Obliges himself #
and his foresaids to to consume the whole [praw] and fodder of all #
kinds upon the said lands that shall grow thereon during all the #
years of this Tack except the last year of their possession but #
they shall be at liberty to sell Hay at any time they shall think #
proper during the Lease As Also to lay all the Dung upon #
the said lands that shall be made thereon during all the years #
of this Tack except that of the last year which or so much thereof #
as they shall not at their removal have laid upon the lands #
they shall be obliged to sell to the said Earl and his foresaids #
or the incoming Tenant at such price as shall be fixed by #
neutral men to be mutually chosen. And Further the said #
James Walker having accepted of the whole Houses and Fences #
in the condition he was obliged to leave them by his former~ #
agreement Binds and Obliges him and his foresaids to repair #
uphold and maintain the whole of the Houses presently upon #
the Farm with what others they may build thereon during all #
the years of this Tack in a good and sufficient tenantable condition #
and to leave them in the like good and sufficient tenantable #
condition at their removal all upon their own proper charges #
and expenses. And in case the said James Walker and his #
foresaids shall build any additional Houses for their own #
conveniency the said Earl agrees to allow them Timber of the #
growth of his Plantations for Roofing and Flooring for the same #
under the direction of his Factor And they shall be obliged to #
keep and leave the said Houses in the condition beforementioned #
And to repair uphold and maintain the whole Fences and #
Gates of the Inclosures in a good and sufficent fencible condition #
during all the years of this Tack And to leave them in the like #
good and sufficent fencible condition at their removal all upon #
their own proper charges and expenses with power to the Tenant #
to claim the benefit of half Dyke with the neighbouring #
Proprietors or the Earl’s Tenants of his adjoining Farms. And #
the said James Walker Binds and Obliges himself and his #
foresaids to preserve the whole Trees planted or to be planted #
on the said Lands And in case of damage incurred by the #
tenants fault or negligence to indemnify the said Earl and his #
foresaids as the same shall be determined by neutral men #
As Also to Insure the Houses built or to be built from [loss] #
by~
David [Robertson] Williamson
James Walker

Page 7;

Transcription of page 7;

Page seventh
by fine in such Insurance Office as shall be approved of by the #
said Earl or his foresaids And to pay the premium and tax on #
the same regularly during the Lease And in case of any accident by #
fire to assign and transfer the Policy to the said Earl and his #
foresaids with power to recover the money arising therefrom #
which is to be applied in repairing the loss sustained And if this #
shall be neglected the Earl or his foresaids shall be entitled to #
take out Policies and to charge the said James Walker and his #
foresaids with the expense of the same together with the Annual #
premium and fare. As Also the said James Walker Binds and #
Obliges himself and his foresaids to pay the half or legal proportion #
of the Schoolmasters Salary [effiering] to the said lands and such other #
burdens as may be imposed on Tenants by law Declaring always #
that the said James Walker and his foresaids shall have no right or #
claim against the said Earl for any damages on account of Roads #
either public or parochial being carried through the Lands without #
prejudice however to any claim Competent against the County or #
Public funds. Declaring also that the said James Walker and his #
foresaids shall have right if requisite to the possession of the Barns #
and Barn yard until the term of Candlemas following the last crops #
for the purpose of threshing out the same And the said James Walker #
Binds and Obliges himself and his foresaids to flitt and Remove #
themselves families Servants Cattle and Effects furth and from #
the Lands Houses and [others] hereby Let at the expiry hereof #
without any warning of removing or other process of Law And #
in case he or his foresaids shall not flitt and remove themselves #
from the lands and others hereby Let at the expiry hereof but #
shall continue to possess by tacit relocation or in any other manner #
of way without a new bargain formally reduces into writing #
Then it is hereby Stipulated and agreed that so long as they shall #
continue to possess after the expiry hereof they shall be holden and #
Obliged as the said James Walker hereby Binds and Obliges himself #
and his foresaids to pay an yearly Rent of Five hundred and #
forty Pounds Sterling for the said lands and others in lieu and in #
place of the Rent herein before stipulated And that over and above #
and besides fulfilling the whole other forastations and conditions #
hereby incumbent on the Tenant. And Lastly the said James #
Hope Johnstone Earl of Hopetoun and the said James Walker #
hereby Oblige themselves and their foresaids to perform and fulfil #
their respective parts of the premisses to each other and the party #
failing to pay to the party observing or willing to observe their #
part thereof the sum of One hundred Pounds Sterling of liquidate #
penalty attour performance And they consent to the Registra~ #
~tion hereof in the Books of Council and Session or of any other proper #
courts~
David [Robertson] Williamson
James Walker

Page 8;

Transcription of page 8;

Page eighth
court for preservation And if necessary that Letters of Homing on #
Six days Charge and all other legal execution may pass upon a [Decrect] #
to be interponed hereto in usual form And Constitute

Their Procurators for that #
purpose In Witness whereof these presents written upon this and #
the Seven preceding pages of Stamped Paper by William Murrary #
clerk to John Kerr factor to the said Earl Are subscribed as follows #
[…] By the Honorable David Robertson Williamson one of the Senators #
of the College of Justice on the part of the Right Honorable the Earl of #
Hopetoun in virtue of a commission to that effect dated the Nineteenth #
day of April, Eighteen hundred and thirteen years and Registered in #
the Books of Council and Session the twentieth day of August thereafter #
At Lawers the Sixteenth day of September Eighteen hundred and #
fifteen years before these witnesses, Peter Small and James Kemp #
both his servants And by the said James Walker at Hiddlefaulds #
the twenty Second day of September and year foresaid before #
these witnesses, Thomas Cunningham his servant and the before #
mentioned William Murray ~

Peter Small – witness
James Kemp – witness
Thomas Cunningham – witness
Wm Murray – witness

David Robertson Williamson
for The Earl of Hopetoun

James Walker

Notes;

• “Tack”; a lease agreement – see http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/tack_n2
• Martinmas & Candlemas; Scottish term days – see Wikipedia

…

Old WALKER papers – Discharges from the heirs of John Lishman, to William Walker

This is my ninth blog post in a series about some old papers of the WALKER family, from Kirkliston, West Lothian, Scotland. See a list of these papers HERE.

Below is one of several documents from an envelope labeled “Old Wills etc. of the Walker family”, which is part of a box full of family papers that I received from my aunt at a family gathering in January 2014. The contents of this envelope all date from the 1700’s.

I have previously posted all those documents that are by, or speak directly about my Walker ancestors. I am now posting some documents where I am unsure of the nature of the connection to the Walker family. Please see my notes at the bottom.

This is the second of two “Discharges” to William Walker (my ancestor) from the heirs of John Lishman, and he widow – Isobell Gray. I have previously posted John Lishman’s Disposition. John was a witness to the marriage contract of my ancestors; William Walker and Elizabeth Barron, in 1728.

Please click on the images to see the scans at full resolution. Transcribed text appears in a Maroon colour below each scanned image. At the bottom I’ve made some notes of my own about the people and places in the document.

Cover; Transcription of cover;

Discharges
the airs of John Lishman
to
Walker
——-
1754
——-

Inside, left page; Transcription of inside, left page;

I Archbald Kleland indueller in Roustoun Mains grants #
me to have receved from William Walker tennant in Hidlefolds #
full and Compleat payment of fifty merks Scots money given #
in Legacy to my spous Margraet Mitchell by Isobl Gray relex #
of the Deceesed John Lishman [lett] tennant in Craigiey and #
therfor I Archbal Cleland and my heirs do warrand this my #
discharge to William Walker and his hiers and all proseedings #
detted the 26th day of Jun 1754 years at Edn. before these #
presance and Discharges the said William Walker and #
all Proceding the [death] by me.   Archbold [Clie]

I David Lishman indueller in Eidn. grants me to have receved #
from William Walker tennant in Hiddlefolds full and Compleat #
payment of one hundred pounds Scots monie given in legacy to me #
by Isobl Gray relex of the diceesed John Lishman [lett] tennant #
in Crgiey and therfor I David Lishman and my hiers do #
warrand this my Discharg to William Walker his hiers #
and all proseedings [detted] the 26th day of Jun 1754 years befor #
thes presance and Descherges the said William Walker and #
all proceding [these] [Death] by me David his mark D Leshman

Inside, right page;

Transcription of inside, right page;

I Isoble Alexander spous to the discesed Andreu Lonnie #
indueller in Ednburgh grant me to have receved from #
William Walker tennent in Hiddlefolds full and Compleat #
payment of fifty merks Scots given to me in legacy by Isoble #
Gray relex of the diseced John Lishman Lett tennant in Craigiey #
and therefor I Isoble Alexander and my hairs do warrend this my #
Discharg to William Walker and his hairs and all prosidings #
dated the 26th day of Jun 1754 years at Edinburgh before #
thise presane and Discharge the said William Walker and #
all Proceding the [Death] by me Isoble her mark x x Alexander

I Jean Alexander spous to the dicised Thomas Jack #
indueller in Whithous grants me to have receved from #
William Walker tennant in Hidlefolds full and #
Compleat payment of fifty merks Scots given to me in #
legacy by Isobel Gray relex of the dicesed John Lishman #
Lett tennant in Craigie and therfor I Jean Alexander and #
my hiers do warend this my Discharg to William Walker #
and his hiers and all prosedings deated the 26th day of #
Jun 1754 years at Edn. befor these presenee #
and Discherges the said William Walker and all Proceding thes #
Death by me – Jean – her mark x x Alexander.

Notes;

Craigie; a farm laying southeast of South Queensferry, and northeast of Kirkliston village.

Roustoun Mains; is (I think) Royston Mains, in the Granton area of Cramond, Edinburgh.

Whithous; this might be where Whitehouse Road is, in Cramond, Edinburgh.

People;

Searches of the IGI transcriptions of parish registers reveal some extra details about some of the people named in this document;

Archibald Cleland (or Kleland) married Margaret Mitchell at Kirkliston, on 18th Oct 1729. See HERE. They appear to have 6 children christened at Kirkliston, between 1730 and 1747. See HERE.

Andreu Lonnie and Isoble Alexander; The IGI has two remarkably similar records –

• Andrew Aucherlonie m. Isabell Alexander, at Cramond, on 16th May 1719.
• Andrew Auchterlony m. Isabel Alexander, at Saint Cuthberts, Edinburgh, on 3rd Jun 1719.

These two records are so alike that I think they must be for the same couple. Andrew and Isobel also appear to have 6 children, christened between 1720 and 1735; the first in Corstorphine, and the rest at St Cuthberts, Edinburgh. See HERE.

Thomas Jack and Jean Alexander married at Corstorphine on 30th May 1723. They too appear to have had 6 children, christened between 1724 and 1739; the first at Corstorphine, and the rest at St Cuthberts, Edinburgh. See HERE.

There are presumably family relationships between all these couples, and the other individuals named in this document. I presume that Isobel and Jean Alexander were sisters. But in most cases I have yet to work out what the relationships were exactly.

Old WALKER papers – Discharge from Patrick Keir to William Walker

This is my eighth blog post in a series about some old papers of the WALKER family, from Kirkliston, West Lothian, Scotland. See a list of these papers HERE.

Below is one of several documents from an envelope labeled “Old Wills etc. of the Walker family”, which is part of a box full of family papers that I received from my aunt at a family gathering in January 2014. The contents of this envelope all date from the 1700’s.

I have previously posted all those documents that are by, or speak directly about my Walker ancestors. I am now posting some documents where I am unsure of the nature of the connection to the Walker family. Please see my notes at the bottom.

This is the first of two Discharges to William Walker (my ancestor) and Isobell Gray, the widow of John Lishman. I have previously posted John Lishman’s Disposition. John was a witness to the marriage contract of my ancestors; William Walker and Elizabeth Barron, in 1728.

Please click on the images to see the scans at full resolution. Transcribed text appears in a Maroon colour below each scanned image. At the bottom I’ve made some notes of my own about the document.

Cover; Transcription of cover;

Discharge
Pat Keir
To
Wm Walker
on Isabell Grays [..]
1753

Inside; Transcription of inside;

I Mr Patrick Keir in the Blair of Carnock grants me to have received #
from William Walker in Hiddlefaulds on account of Isabell Gray relict of #
John Leishman late tenent in Craigie the Sum of Two hundred Merks Scots #
money assigned to me by the said Isabell Gray in her Settlement of which #
sum of Two hundred Merks forsaid I hereby grant the Receipt And discharges #
and simpliciter exoners the saids Isabell Gray and William Waker and #
all concerned thereof for now and ever In witness whereof I have written & #
subscribed these presents at Hiddlefaulds the twenty fifth day of October #
One thousand Seven hundred and fifty three years.  Patrick Keir

Notes;

Blair of Carnock; I think this is at Carnock in Fife – now “Blair Lodge”, Oakley.

Craigie; a farm laying southeast of South Queensferry, and northeast of Kirkliston village.

Leishman; the surname is spelt in a number of ways in the documents I’ve seen, including; Leishman, Leshman, & Lishman. For my notes on how John Leishman might relate to William Walker, see John Lishman’s Disposition.

Scots Merk; =14 shillings (originally 13s 4d, or ⅔ of a Scottish pound). For more details, see Wikipedia, or TheReformation.info.

Old WALKER papers – I, James Walker

This is my sixth blog post in a series about some old papers of the WALKER family, from Kirkliston, West Lothian, Scotland. See a list of these papers HERE.

Below is one of several documents from an envelope labeled “Old Wills etc. of the Walker family”, which is part of a box full of family papers that I received from my aunt at a family gathering in January 2014. The contents of this envelope all date from the 1700’s.

This letter is from James Walker, b.1769. He is the nephew of the James Walker mentioned in several other documents that I’ve posted. He’s the son of Thomas Walker (b.1735), and grandson of William Walker & Elizabeth Barron (m.1728).

Please click on the images to see the scans at full resolution. Transcribed text appears in a Maroon colour below each scanned image. At the bottom I’ve made some notes of my own about the document.

Letter; Transcription;

I, James Wallker, being in a laguishine Condition #
and going twenty one years, called Lues Alexandr #
tenant in Murend and David Fortune tenant #
in Birds mill to bear witness what my #
wills is which I declare befor them to be #
as follows. I would have my uncel James #
Walker if Providen should take me #
away to pay all my just debts to give my #
sister Elizabeth five pounds hir husband #
five pounds my cusion John Walker five #
pounds the first term after my decease #
and my Mother to Lifereant what remains #
which will be more than one hundred #
pounds sterling and then at her death to #
be divided equally among my survive- #
-ng sistors leaving the management of all #
to my three uncles James Broun, Peller #
Broun and James Walker this [I atest] #
Before thes as above Hiddlefolds twenty #
fourth of subtember 1789

Witnes Lewis Alexander
David Fortuna, witness

James Walker

Notes;

• “Murend”; Muirend lays southwest of Hiddlefaulds, across the Union Canal.
• “Birds Mill”; lays southeast of Hiddlefaulds, on the River Almond.

Lewis Alexander, tenant in Muirend; There is a gravestone in St Nicholas churchyard, Uphall, EH52 6JP, West Lothian, which from the dates on it, could be recording the parents and siblings of the witness to the document above. See grave no.60, here; http://www.uphall.org/downloads/stnicholas-gravestones.pdf

Family;

“James Broun” and “Peller Broun” (possibly “Peter” Broun) appear to be the brothers of Janet Broun (or Brown), who married Thomas Walker, at Kirkliston on 16/10/1761. Thomas and Janet had 8 children christened at Kirknewton, Mid Lothian;

• Mary, chr. 5/9/1762
• Janet, chr. 3/11/1763
• Elizabeth, chr. 17/1/1764, (married bef.1789, according to the letter above)
• Marion, chr. 31/5/1767
• James, chr. 14/5/1769 (writer of the letter, above)
• Isobel, chr. 28/9/1771
• Margaret, chr. 9/5/1773
• Jean, chr. 10/5/1776 (source; IGI).

Thomas Walker’s brother, James Walker (b.1731) married Janet Flint and had 3 children;

• Mary, b. 23/6/1767
• Elizabeth, b. 1/10/1769
• John, b. 13/1/1772 (he “irregularly” married Isabel Neil, in May 1816)

Note that the girls here share the same names as their cousins, which could cause confusion when we search the parish registers!

There is a marriage in the Kirkliston parish registers between an “Elizabeth Walker” and James Cunningham on 11/6/1785. I once found a tree on-line which had assumed that this Elizabeth was the daughter of James W & Janet Flint! But she would have been only 16 years old at that time (unusual, but not impossible!). However the evidence in the document above, which says that Elizabeth, the daughter of Thomas W & Janet Broun, was married before 1789, leads me to believe that she is the wife of James Cunningham. She would have been 21 at the time of that marriage.

I would be interested to find any other evidence that could confirm which “Elizabeth” married James Cunningham, or that could help to solve any similar confusions that might occur. If you have (or know of) such evidence please use the Contact Form. Thanks.

Old WALKER papers – Lease of Hiddlefaulds to James Walker – 1775

This is my forth blog post in a series about some old papers of the WALKER family, from Kirkliston, West Lothian, Scotland. See a list of these papers HERE.

Below is one of several documents from an envelope labeled “Old Wills etc. of the Walker family”, which is part of a box full of family papers that I received from my aunt at a family gathering in January 2014. The contents of this envelope all date from the 1700’s.

This letter is from the Earl of Hopetoun, agreeing to lease the farm of Hiddlefaulds, in Kirkliston, West Lothian, to James Walker (my 4x Great-grandfather) from 1775, for two further terms of 19 years each. Family notes say that the Walker family (under James’ father, William) first moved to Hiddlefaulds in 1745.

Please click on the images to see the scans at full resolution. Transcribed text appears in a Maroon colour below each scanned image. At the bottom I’ve made some notes of my own about the document.

Lease; Transcription of lease;

Hope house, 19th Sept 1775

James
I hereby agree ^ {[.] for the Earl of Hopetoun} to give you a lease of the #
farm of Hiddlefaulds, which you presently #
possess for Nineteen years from [Mart next] #
Seventeen Hundred and Seventy five for your offer #
of the following rent and upon the following #
Conditions [viz] you are to pay a yearly rent #
of Twenty three Bolls Barley and Twenty three #
Bolls of Oat meal with Nineteen pound sterl[ing] #
of Money rent at the usual terms, and you are #
to Inclose the whole farm during the lease #
into Six Inclosures, none of them to exceed fifteen #
acres, and your lease is to contain all the #
clauses in ^ {the Earls} other Leases. If you have #
Inclosed and dived the farm as above said #
during the above lease and the fences in a #
sufficient fencable condition ^ {The Earl} shall renew your #
lease for nineteen years more upon your #
demanding it, at the above [actual] rent [viz] [twenty] #
three Bolls Barley and Twenty three Bolls meal #
and Twenty Six pound sterl[ing] of money rent and #
you become bound to uphold and maintain the #
fences during the second lease and to leave #
them in a sufficient fencable condition at the #
end thereof –
For the Earl of Hopetoun
Hope

To Jas Walker Tennant
in Hiddlefaulds of Kinpunt

Notes;

Term used in the text;

• Boll; a Scots measure of dry volume, aprox equall to 212 litres (for Barley/Oats). See; http://www.scan.org.uk/measures/capacity.asp

On the reverse of this letter are written a series of numbers, being added up. I am unsure of the meaning/significance of these (if any)!;

520
 220
 140
 200
 212
 210
——
1502

Family;

James Walker (named above) married Janet Flint in May 1766 (recorded in the parish registers in both Kirkliston and Mid Calder). They had 2 daughters; Mary (b. June 1767), and Elizabeth (b. Oct. 1769), and one son; John (b. Jan. 1772). John would continue farming at Hiddlefaulds after the deaths of James & Janet (who both died in 1817). I don’t have any more information about the daughters, beyond their birth/christening dates!

Old WALKER papers – Disposition of William Walker, tenant in Hiddlefolds, 1763

This is the second blog post in a series about some old papers of the WALKER family, from Kirkliston, West Lothian, Scotland. I will compile a list of these papers HERE.

Below is one of several documents from an envelope labeled “Old Wills etc. of the Walker family”, which is part of a box full of family papers that I received from my aunt at a family gathering in January 2014. The contents of this envelope all date from the 1700’s. This one is the “Disposition” (Will) of William Walker, whose marriage contract (from 1728) I have already posted -> HERE.

Please click on the images to see the scans at full resolution. Transcribed text appears in a Maroon colour below each scanned image. At the bottom I’ve made some notes of my own about the document.

Cover; Page 1; Transcription of Page 1;

Be it known to all men by #
these presant me William Walker tennant Hiddelfold #
and also tennant in Overtoun of Kirkneuton for the love favour #
and afection that I have and bear to my Children James #
and Thomas, Jannet and Isobel Walker and to the Effect #
ther may be no Despute or Devision betuixt them at or after #
my Decease when the same in Providance shall happen therefor #
[wit] ye me to have [asigned] and disponed as I [Do] hearby asign and #
and make over and dispond to in favours of my said sons James and #
Thomas Walkers first I asigne and make over and dispond to James #
my oldest son his heirs and asigness all and sundrey my whole stocking #
Corns Cattle hors nout sheep labouring Instruments out sight and #
insight houshold plenishing and furniter of whosoever quality #
sort or Denomination that pertain and belong to me this presant #
day and date Janury the twenty eight one thousand sevin hun- #
-dred sixty three in or about Hiddlefolds and to fulfill the premices #
of the Tack together with [all] sundrie debts and sums of money #
reasting and adebted unto me this time aforesaid by whatever per- #
-son or persons upon whatsoever acoumpt – and second – #
I dispone and mak over to Thomas my youngest son his heirs #
and asigness the whole Stocking Corns Cattle hors nout sheep #
labouring Instrumints out sight and insight houshold plenishing #
whatsoever quality sort or denomination that is in or about #
the farm Overtoun of Kirkneuton and likwise he binds and #
obledg himself to pay the yearly rent and Tack Duty of Overtoun #
for this year and [crop] one thousand seven hundred and sixty two #
and every year during the tack and also he binds and oblidges #
himself to give me his father and his two sisters an equall half along #
with his brother James which shall be after mentioned. James #
and Thomas Walkers binds and obliges themselves to pay to their #
father each of them for themselves [fiftinth] pound sterling #

William Lin, witness
James Brown, witness

William Walker
James Walker
Thomas Walker

Page 2; Transcription of Page 2;

which is thirty pound to both and if our father require #
not the moniey nou mentoned in his life the one half #
shall be to Thomas and the other to James after his Decease #
and likwise I bind and oblige my sons James and Thomas #
with ther own consent therto to give to ther two sisters Isoble and Jannet #
Walkers portions as followeth – [Vis] to Isoble twenty five pounds #
sterling James and Thomas each one for himself paying twelve pounds #
ten shillings sterling and likwise to Jannet twenty five pounds sterling #
James for himself paying twelve pounds ten shillings sterling and #
Thomas for himself paying twelve pounds ten shillings and in case #
any of them should marrye it shall be given unto them upon Demand #
but if otherwayes they remain unmaried ther portions shall not be #
due to them or the first term martimess or whitsundy after ther fathers #
Decease and if any of them dye ther portion shall be equaly divided #
among the survivors – – I heirby have resigned given up and #
made over in favours of my two sons as is afore mentioned to James #
the farm of Hiddlefolds and all goods and effects in or about #
that farm with full pour to dispone or dispose thereof at [plisoure] #
and also with pour to him to receive the debts generaly asigned and #
to discharge the same and if need be pursue therfore as accords and #
every thing Compelant in law —-
and als[o] to Thomas the farm of Overtoun of Kirkneuton as is afore #
mentioned and all goods and effects in or about that farm or any #
ways beloning therto with full poure to dispon or dispose thereon #
at plesure and also with power to him to receive and discharge the #
debts generaly asigned and if need be pursue therefor as accords #
every thing Compelant in law —-
and we bind and oblige ourselves James for himself and Thomas #
for himself not Conjunctly but [sveraly] to fullfile our oblegations #
to our Father and sisters as is above mentioned —-
[we] all Conjunctly and unanimasly agree to what is hear insear- #
-ted in this and the other preceding page of stampt papper and willingly #
consent to the Regerstration herof in the boks of Council and Session #
or other Competant therin to remain and Constitute —-

William Lin, witness
James Brown, witness

William Walker
James Walker
Thomas Walker

Page 3; Transcription of Page 3;

 – – – in witness thereof written upon stamped #
papper by James Walker I have subscribed ther presance #
at Hiddlefolds the twenty eight day of January one thousand #
seven hundred and sixty three years before these witness #
William Lin of Lins millin and James Brown #
tennant in Bromfilet

William Lin, witness
James Brown, witness

William Walker
James Walker
Thomas Walker

Notes;

Terms used in the text;

• “tack”; a lease agreement. – http://www.scan.org.uk/researchrtools/glossary_t.htm

Locations;

Hiddlefold (or Hiddlefaulds) lay S.E. of Kilpunt, between Kilpunt and Birds Mill.

I believe that “Bromfilet” is Broomflat, and “Lins millin” is Lin’s Mill (which is the place where the Union Canal crosses the River Almond). Both sites lay to the south of Hiddlefaulds, on opposite sides of the River Almond.

Walker family;

“Here lies the dust of William Walker late Tennant in Hiddle-fold… who died Jan~ 1st 1768 aged 73 years”

William Walker’s tombstone, in the churchyard of Kirkliston Parish Church, records that “William Walker, late tennant in Hiddle-fold … died Jan.1st 1768, aged 73 years“.

Note; GravestonePhotos.com has mis-transcribed William’s age as “75”! Having seen and photographed the stone myself, I am certain that it reads “aged 73”, and  other publications of “Monumental Inscriptions” that I’ve seen, agree.

Notes written by my Grandfather in the late 1950’s say that the Walkers moved from Puncheonlaw (N.E. of Kirkliston) to Hiddlefolds in 1745, and that William had inherited the tenancy at “Overtoun of Kirknewton … from his brother, David Walker, who had died, it seems, without issue“. I have not yet confirmed either of these statements from original sources!

From Kirkliston parish records I know that William Walker, and his wife Elizabeth Barron, had 5 children; “Isabell” and Janet were twins, christened on 24th August 1729, James was christened on 8th August 1731, and Thomas on 26th October 1735 (all named in William’s Disposition, above).

A third son, “William” is recorded; christened on 2nd February 1739. I have seen trees posted on-line which claim to link this christening to a marriage at Kirkliston in 1774, between another “William Walker” and Catherine Muir (see HERE ). But I believe this connection to be wrong due to the details in the Disposition above which clearly mention only 2 sons; James and Thomas (also note in that link, the supposed birth year of the father; “1706”, which does not fit with the record on his tombstone!). It is my assumption that the third son “William” (b.1739) had died sometime in childhood; before his father wrote the Disposition above.

Also the lack of any mention of William’s wife, Elizabeth Barron, in this Disposition suggests to me that she had died before it was written. I have not yet found any record of Elizabeth’s death.

If anyone has evidence that can prove (or disprove) my assumptions here, I would be very interested to see it. If you do, please leave a comment below, or use the Contact Page to get in touch. Thanks.