PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir James Halket, of Pitfirrane, was re-elected
Provost, Oct. 6, 1701.

DUNFERMLINE RACES AND PRIZE SADDLE. - "16th July, 1702: The said day the
counsell ordained the thesaurer to put out a saddle on the toun's account,
to be ridden on the morn after July mercat, betwixt the toungreen and
buckieburn, back and fore, ye imput; each horse 1lib. 10s., the horse not
to be above 5lib. sterling value, and ordained the thesaurer also to buy a
bonnet and a pair of stockings, to be exposed for a foot-race on this same
ground immediately after the horse race with ribbons to the bonnet." (Burgh
Records.)

COMMISSIONER TO PARLIAMENT. - Sir James Halket, Provost, was elected to be
the Commissioner for the Burgh in Parliament, 17th September. (Burgh
Records.)

THE EAST AND CROSSWYND PORTS IN A RUINOUS STATE. - "August 22, 1702: The
counsell ordained the thesaurer to cause mind the east and crocewynd ports
with all expedition, they now being ruinous and like to fall."  (Burgh
Records.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir James Halket was re-elected Provost of the
Burgh on 5th October.  (Burgh Records.)

THE CATTLE MARKET. - The Cattle Market, which had hitherto been held in the
Netherton, was, by Act of Town Council, removed on 14th November to Collier
Row and Rotten Row - (Burgh Records) - much against "the will and pleasure
of the inhabitants."

1703. - EDUCATION - Opposition to Private Schools. - "13th Feb. 1703: The
said day mr patrick Dykes, master of the Grammar School, Dunf: having given
in a complaint to the counsell, representing that John Anderson and Thomas
Hanna had at their own hand Sett up private Schools in this town, contrary
to several acts of the town counsell, and to mr Dykes' great
discouragement; Therefore, the Counsell unanimously discharge the said John
Anderson and Thomas Hanna and oyr persons qtsoever to sett up Schools
within the territories of this burgh, and teach any male children
hereafter, accept such as shall be under seven years of age, and that under
the paine of twentie pound scots, toties quoties - the one-half of the fine
to ye town, and the other half to ye schoolmaster and Doctor."  (Burgh
Records.)

EPISCOPALIANS of Dunfermline get the use of one of the Abbey Vaults for
Worship. - The "meeting-house" referred to under date 1701, appears to have
been unsuitable.  The Episcopalians, through Mr. Logan, one of their
members, solicited Lord Yester to give the use of one of his vaults in the
Abbey to worship in, which his Lordship readily granted. (Chal. Hist. Dunf.
vol. i. p. 427.)

IRON WEIGHTS for the Burgh to be got from Holland. - "16th Sept. 1703: The
said day the Counsell ordains the thesaurer to send to holland for 12 stand
of trone yetling weights, consisting of a Stone, a half-pound, a quarter, 2
pound, and 1 pound each stand."  (Burgh Records.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir James Halket re-elected Provost 11th October.
(Burgh Records.)

THE FLESHERS and Blown Meat. - "13th Nov. 1703: The said day the
magistrates and counsellors discharged and by thir prsnt discharges all
fleshers either freemen or strangers in any time coming within the
territories of this burgh to blaw sheep, lambs or calfs, or to expose such
blawn meat for seall under the pain of forfeiting each beast blawn as said
is, and fourteen shillings scots of fine besides, and also discharges all
other manner of working of sheeps, calfs or lambs under the paine of
fourteen shillings for each wrought calf or sheep, and 40s. for each
wrought lamb, and also discharges all manner of cutting or carving of kine
or oxen, except only on fliep or of ye soulders and one squint cutt on one
of the hinder legs, and also all cutting of sheep except an even in score
in ye shoulder and a fliep in ye rumpell, and yt under the paine of six
shillings 8d. for each cutt in a sheep and 40s. for each cutt in a lamb.
And ordains the bailies to give one-half of yr fines to ye poor of ye toun
and ye oyr half to ye poor of ye trade yt need."  (Burgh Records.)

THE SPITTAL BRIDGE IN RUINS. - "11 Dec. 1703: Ordains the baillies to take
some skill'd men to visit the Case of the Spittle bridge, in order to
repair the ruins of it."  This useful bridge was not rebuilt until the end
of the year 1706, when "ye shyre was content to give Sixty pound and ye
toun 40lib." (Burgh Records.)

1704. - NEW BURGESSES AND "MARCH STONES." - "10 June, 1704: That day the
counsell statute and ordained that all persons who shall hereafter be
admitted burgesses yt ye freemen's sons or not shall before yr admission be
obliged to give bond to put in a new large march stone at such a place as
the baillies shall direct, and that by and attour payt of yr burges dues,
and yt even gratis burgesses shall be lyable to this act as soon as they
shall settle their residence within this burgh."  (Burgh Records.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir James Halket was re-elected Provost of the
burgh, 9th October, 1704. (Burgh Records.)

FOOT MANTLE AND THE PROVOST. - "29 Nov. 1704: This day the magistrates and
toun counsellers having taken to their consideration the extraordinary
charges that the family of pitfirrane has frequently been at on the toun's
account, and particularly the great expense that Sir James Halket, our
provost, has of late been putt to for the honour of the toun in providing a
foot-mantle at the riding of the parliament, and that the provost has
gifted the said foot-mantle to the toun; Therfore ye sd magistrates and
toun counsellers did and hereby do make offer to ye sd Sir James of ye
heall bygone annl rents of ye prsnt sum of 3000 mks due by him to the toun,
conform to his father's bond, the same extending betwixt Lambmas, 1698 (fra
which terms ye sds annl rents are due), and martinmas last, 1704, to ye sum
of six hundred and ninety pounds scots, and of which annl rents resting
preceeding the term of martns last ye sd magistrates and toun counsellers
do unanimously discharge ye sd Sir James Halket now and for ever.  Also, ye
sd day ye magistrates and toun counsellers ordered a press to be made for
ye keeping of ye sd foot-mantle, and ordains James Pringle to keep it.  Sic
Subtur., JER. COWIE."  (Burgh Records.)

DOCTOR OF THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL ELECTED. - "27th Dec., 1704: This day the
Counsell unanimously elected Mr. Thomas Anderson to be doctor of the
grammar school, in place of peetir Kennedie, latelie decased, and appointed
a corum of the Counsell to install him at two a clock afternoon, and
desired the ministers to be invited to be present."  (Burgh Records.)
Doctor, as here applied, means second master, or assistant to the master of
the school.  It is an old designation.

MASON LODGE. - "27th Dec., 1704: By a pluaralitie of voices, Continueous
James Mudie, Deacon, and John Stavin, Wardin for ane yeir to come."
(Masons' Register.)

QUEEN'S PRESENTATION TO FIRST CHARGE OF ABBEY CHURCH. - The First Charge,
under the Queen's presentation, was reported in the Presbytery Records of
25th April, 1705, to have been vacant from Candlemas, 1693, to Martinmas,
1700.

PROVOST HALKET KILLED by a Fall from his Horse. - Sir James Halket of
Pitfirrane, Provost, was killed in March this year (1705), by a fall from
his horse.  "The baronetcy, in consequence, became extinct, but he was
succeeded in the estate of Pitfirrane by his eldest sister Janet, who
intermarried with Sir Peter Wedderburn of Gosford (created a baronet of
Nova Scotia in 1697), who was obliged to assume the name and arms of Halket
of Pitfirrane." (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 298.)

MR. HUGH KEMP demitted his charge in Dunfermline Church in consequence of
his having accepted a call from Carnbee, to which he was translated.
(Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 35.)

THE PROVINCIAL SYNOD OF FIFE assembled in Dunfermline Church, 22nd March,
1705. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 436.)

EAST PORT ordered to be Repaired. - "22d May, 1705: This day the Counsell
ordained James Meldrome to cause repair the east port."  (Burgh Records.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - In consequence of the death of the late Provost,
a new Provost was elected.  "25th June, 1705: This day Sir Peter Halket
compeared personlie before ye Counsell, and his instructions insert in ye
book of ye date of his election.  He gave his promise and word of honour to
obey them, and qtoyr instructions ye counsell should fra time to time give
him."  Sir Peter Halket was re-elected Provost at the usual annual
elections on 8th October, 1705.  (Burgh Rec.)

COCK-FIGHTING was "one of the popular amusements" about this period in
Dunfermline, as elsewhere.  The barbarous sport of cock-fighting was
introduced into Dunfermline on the day before Yule, in 1705, when the auld
kirk-yard was selected for the field of action; a great crowd attended.
Afterwards, when "The Queen's House" became uninhabited, the fights were
held in one of the large rooms in that old building on Auld Handsel
Mondays.  "Amission, front seats, 6d.; second seats, 3d.; and 1d. for back
seats."  These fights appear to have been abolished about 1797, but were
afterwards revived for a short period.  (MSS., Tradition, &c.)

1706. - DUNFERMLINE CHURCH-YARD TO BE PROTECTED BY GATES. - "23d Feb.,
1706: This day the Counsell appointed David Wilson to build up what of the
kirkyeard are ruinous, and put yeats on the entry's, in respect that the
heritors have condescended that it be allowed in the first end of the touns
proportion of the reparation of the church, and that both heritors, toun
counsell, and session, have appointed the bellman, who possesses the grass,
to uphold it in time coming."  (Burgh Records.)  There were at this period
two entries into the Kirkyard, but without gates.  The new gates, then
erected, were situate as follows:- A large massive gateway on the site of
the present entrance facing Kirkgate.  The other one was erected in the
Kirkyard Wall, near the foot of St. Catherine's Wynd; a flight of several
steps ascended from the street to the Kirkyard.  This gate was removed and
the entrance filled up in 1823.  At the same time a new gate way was built
facing the Kirkgate, on the site of the old one.  (See also An. Dunf. date
1823.)

"PITREAVIE WILDERNESS." - An old MS. note mentions that "the wilderness way
of planting" was introduced into Scotland about the year 1699, and that a
great many acres were planted with trees on "the wilderness system at
Pitreavie;" hence the origin of "Pitreavie Wilderness" - a name not extinct
in 1878.  (See also Chambers's Gazetteer of Scotland, Article
"Haddingtonshire," p. 518.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket re-elected provost of the Burgh,
5th October. (Burgh Records.)

"CURSERS AND SWEARERS" TO BE SEIZED BY THE SEIZERS. - "23d October, 1706:
This day the Counsell instructed the constables to sease all cursers and
swearers, and all that shall be found committing ryots either by night or
day, and ordains ye baillies to give ye constable apprehender a shilling
for his pains of ye first end of ye fine; also, to informanent all
vagabonds who come to reside in ye toun without testificals."

OPPOSITION TO THE UNION BETWEEN SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND. - The Magistrates and
Town Council, with the greater part of the inhabitants of Dunfermline, were
"bitterly opposed to the Union," and, in consequence, sent a letter to Sir
Peter Halket, their member in the Scottish Parliament, to vote and protest
against it.  The following are copies of the Council minutes regarding "the
matter":- "4th Nov., 1706: That day the counsell signed a letter to Sir
Peter Halket, their commissioner to the parliament, instructing and
requiring him to vote agtt and protest agtt ye union, and elected ye deacon
convener to go and deliver ye letter, and get ane answer."  "6th Nov., 1706
- That day the counsell having got a letter fra Sir Peeter Halket that he
was content to give in ane address fra the counsell to ye parliament agt ye
union, and yrfor ye counsell ordain an address to be drawn up to be pnted
to ye parliament, and commissionat ye clerk to go over and deliver it to
Sir peeter, and to wait on till ye address be presented."  (Burgh Records,
Nov. 4th and 6th, 1706.)  The writer has in his possession one of these
printed addresses (supposed to be the only one extant), printed on a sheet
of strong paper 17 3/4 x 15 inches.  In order to preserve the contents of
such a remarkable document, it is here reproduced, viz.:-

TO HIS GRACE HER MAJESTY'S HIGH COMMISSIONER, AND THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
ESTATES OF PARLIAMENT.

The Humble Address of the Magistrates, Town-Council, Merchants, Deacons of
Crafts, and others, Tradesmen and Inhabitants of the Burgh of Dunfermling:-

We the Magistrates, Town Council, Merchants, Deacons of Crafts, and other
Tradesmen and Inhabitants within the Burgh of Dunfermling underscribing:
Having seen and Considered the Articles of the Union agreed upon by the
Commissioners for the Kingdom of Scotland and England, in which they have
agreed: That Scotland and England be united into one Kingdom, and that the
United Kingdom shall be Represented by one and the same Parliament: And
seeing it does not evidently appear that such an incorporating Union, as is
contained in the said Articles, is contrary to the Honour, Fundamental
Laws, and Constitution of this Kingdom,  Claim of Right, and Rights and
Privileges of the Burrows and Church Government, as by Law Established:
And that the same is destructive to the true interest of this Nation:
Therefore, We humbly beseech Your Grace, and the Honourable Estates, and do
confidently expect that you will not allow any such Incorporating Union;
but that you will Support and Preserve entire the Sovereignty and
Independency of this Crown and Kingdom, and the Rights and Privileges of
Parliament, which have been so valiantly maintained by our Heroick
Ancestors for near 2000 yeirs:  That the same may be transmitted to
succeeding Generations, as they have been conveyed to us; and we will
heartily concur with you for Supporting and Maintaining our Sovereignty and
Independency with our Lives and Fortunes conform to the Laws of the Nation
-

       Taylors.               James Kellock.      Thomas Wilson.
James Richardson.             James Wardlaw.      John Cunninghame.
Robert Donald.                Robert Bauld.       Adam Stevinson.
Andrew Hepburn.               James Hall.         William Anderson.
Alexander Coventry.           James Richardson.   James Smith.
Thomas Hanna.                 James French.
James Henderson.              John Wilkie.            Baxters.
John Jamison.                                     William Ker.
William Hodge.                     Smiths.        John Anderson.
Alexander Couper.             James Law.          Robert Adamson.
John Horn.                    David Black.        Robert Drysdale.
James Buist.                  John Mackeraigh.         Town-Council.
Robert Ferguson.                                  David Adie, Baillie.
George Crawford.                   Wrights.       David Adie, yr., Baillie.
James Legat.                  John Main, Deacon.  Jerome Cowie, Dean of
                                                       Guild.
John Buntine.                 Andrew Wilson.
                              John Simpson.       William Wilson, Treasurer
      Weavers                 John Potter.        David Wilson, Counsellor.
John Wilson, Deacon.          George Walker.      John Cowie, Counsellor.
James Wilson.                 George Walls.       James Meldrum, Coun.
John Stark.                   Thomas French.      John Adie, Deacon-Con.
Patrick Hutton.               Thomas Bonnar.      Laurence Henderson,
                                                       Counseller.
James Turnbull.               John Henderson.     William Inglis, Coun.
David Marres.                 James Henderson.    William Findlay, Coun.
James Wilson.                 John Mair.          William Young, Coun.
Charles Kirk.                 James Kirk.         James Walls, Coun.
Andrew Wilson.                Patrick Thomson.
William Kirk.                 William Hutton.
Thomas Drysdale.              James French.
Thomas Richardson.            Thomas Richardson.         Merchants.
Alexander Douglas.                                William Black.
John Gotterson.                     Masons.       Hendry Elder.
John Black.                   James Signet.       Robert Anderson.
John Williamson.              Charles Young.      John Hart.
William Wilson.               David Hunter.       John Belfour.
David Dalglish.               James Sumervel.     William Wilson.
John Ker.                     David Purvis.       Thomas Mitchel.
Andrew Wilson.                William Murgain.    Andrew Polland.
James Shortlands.                                 Robert Adie.
John Wilson.                                      Charles Chambers.
John Wilson, alter.               Shoe-Makers.    John Hay.
Robert Gotterson.             Andrew Duncan,      Patrick Clow.
Robert Wilson.                  Deacon.           Joseph Kirk.
Robert Strachan.              George Stewart.     John Couper.
Robert Buist.                 John Young.         William Wilson.
John Durham.                  Andrew Main.        Robert Robison.
Robert Dalgleish.                 Fleshers.       James Dick.
Adam Robertson.               John Hodge, Deacon. David Gray.
Andrew Young.                 James Cusin.        George Christie.
Robert Black.                 Robert Kirk.        John Watson.
Robert Stark.                 John Belfrage.      Patrick Currie.
Thomas Bain.                  Thomas Beverage.    John Brown.
Magnus Malcolm.               Thomas Beverage.    John Allan.
Robert Inch.                  George Philip.      James Pringle.
George Pullans.               William Taylor.     John Bethon.
William Beanny.               William Welwood.    Robert Wilson.
Robert Mackeraigh.            John Burly.         David Meldrum.
John Inglis.                  Andrew Belfrage.    Robert Walker.

Ego Andreas Symson, Notarius Publicus a scriba dicto de Dumfermling,
speciali mandato, Davidis Sands, Gulielmi Pierson, Jacobi Band, &c.;
Gulielmi Robertson Fabrorum Ferrariorum in dicto Burgo ac Roberti Wellwood,
Andreae Smeitton, Jacobi Wilson, Calceariorum in dicto Burgo, &c.; Joannis
Rea, Jacobi Beannie, Tomae Wilson, Joannis Hepburn, &c.; Jacobi Mappertoun,
Sartorum in dicto Burgo, &c.; Eduardi Ovenwhty, Andreae Beanny, &c.;
Joannis Beanny, Fabrorum Murariorum ibidem, ac Petri Nigrew, Alexandri
Grieve, Roberti Crawford, Joannis Broun, Andreae Morrice, Roberti Durham,
Gulielmi Kirk, Andreae Chrystie, Jacobi Walker, Gulielmus Walker, Davidis
Chrystie, Gulielmi Eason, Jacobi Broun, &c.; Joannis Thomson Fabrorum
Lignariorum, &c.; Gulielmi Cusin Lanioris in dicto Burgo proillis omnibus
scribere nescien tibus specialiter requisitus subscribo,

AND. SYMSON, N.P.

LITERATURE. - Dr. Steedman (surgeon), Dunfermline, published this year "A
Treatise on Astronomy," explaining the General Phenomena of the Heavenly
Bodies, and the Theory of the Tides.  Published at Edinburgh, 1706, at 1s.
(Title Page.)

1707. - THE "UNION QUESTION" and Discontent. - Sir Peter Halket, of
Pitfirrane, Provost of Dunfermline and Burgh Commissioner to Parliament,
was pressingly charged by the burgh to deliver their Address to Parliament,
and to vote against the Union.  This he solemnly promised to do.  He in due
time presented the Address, but voted for the Union!  This inconsistency
and want of maral rectitude in the Provost "caused a wide-spread spirit of
discontent and ill-will against him."  It is said that "his conduct gave so
great offence to the Council and inhabitants that Sir Peter did not show
face in Dunfermline for twelve months afterwards."  (Mercer's History Dunf.
p. 96; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 279.)  If this really happened, it is
singular that the Town Council, on the first election of Provost
thereafter, re-elected him to be their Provost, and continued to do so for
twenty-seven years.

The Act of Union was "a great and glorious act" for both countries, but the
good deed was not accomplished without a blemish.  A great many of the
Burgh Commissioners or Representatives had a price, it would appear, and
such were secured, to vote in favour of the Union, and "considerable
personal advantages held out to them besides."  It has been supposed that
"Sir Peter had been threatened by those high in power, the granters of
privileges, that if he did not vote in favour of the Union, his coal
privileges would not be renewed, and thus Sir Peter, perhaps against his
better inclinations, was forced to vote contrary to his promise."
Thirty-three burghs voted for the Union and twenty-nine against it.
(Marshall's "History of the Union," and other works.)

CROWN RATIFICATION OF COAL PRIVILEGES TO SIR PETER HALKET. - From a remote
period, the family of Pitfirrane had a government privilege of exporting
their coals to foreign parts free of all duty whatever.  This privilege was
renewed by Queen Anne on 21st December, 1706, and was Ratified in the
United Parliament, London, on March 21st, 1707 (see also Annals, date
1788).  It will be observed that the renewal "Pitfirrane coal privilege" is
dated 21st December, 1706, shortly before "the Union became an accomplished
fact," and the Crown ratification of it three months after the renewal.
(See Crown Charters; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 21, &c.)

THE CUSTOMS, &C., OF FOUR OF THE FAIRS TO BE ROUPED. - "23rd April, 1707:
This day the counsell ordains the customes of ye foure old fairs - laddle
of the meall tron, and small customes - to be rouped on Wednesday next, and
declaires ye July and October faires free of a custom for a year."  (Burgh
Rec.)  The "laddle" was a small one; the "holder of it" had the power of
dipping it into every sack-mouth containing meal that was exposed for sale,
and to "put the ladle-fu' into his own private bag."  (Tadition, and MS.)

THE RACE SADDLE. - "4th Aug.: The said day warrants the treasurer to pay
the sadler 6 pounds for ye sadle ridden at July mercat last.  (Burgh Rec.)

A COMPASS FOR THE COAL HEUGH. - "29th Augt.: The Counsell appoints the
thesaurer to buy a good compass for the use of the heugh."  (Burgh Rec.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "8 Oct. 1707: The said day the grand counsell
re-elected Sir Peter Halket Provost; David Adie, yr and David Wilson,
baillies."  (Burgh Rec.)

THE LATE FISCAL'S SALARY AND THE FOOT-MANTLE. - "11th Oct. 1707: The
counsell warranted Wm. Wilsone to pay Helen Broun, four pound ten, P. in
compleat payt of her husbands fiscall cellary till michaelmas next;
including his service for keeping the foot-mantle, and this, beside his
half croun for keeping the carpet on ye seat in the Kirk: Also, ordains, a
foot gar to be made at ye officers seat in the (Kirk?) for holding ye
carpet and ye officer to keep it."  (Burgh Rec.)

1708. - GREAT SNOW-STORM. - Several old accounts refer to this snow-storm.
It continued without intermission for eight days; the streets in some
places were 12 to 20 feet deep in snow.  Then followed a frost which
continued for nearly three months. (Notes on Dunf.)

DUNFERMLINE PALACE. - Fall of the North Gable and Roof. - According to
several old MS. notes, "the Palace, previous to this period, had been long
neglected, and suffered to become ruinous," and "early in the year 1708,
the north gable wall and part of the front wall fell, along with the
greater part of the roof;" henceforward it became an utter ruin.

"So fades, so perishes, grows dim, and dies,
All that the world is proud of."

Probably the great snow-storm and frost of this year hastened the fall of
the Palace wall and gable. (MSS. and Tradition; also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.
i. p. 99.)

SEAL OF CAUSE TO THE WEAVERS. - "18th May, 1708: This day the Counsell
granted a new gift, or Seal of Cause, to the Weavers."  (Burgh Records.)
This Seal of Cause, as well as similar documents, occupy 2 or 3 pp. folio
of the Records.

ANCIENT BURIAL CUSTOM ABOLISHED. - "22 April, 1708: The which day the
counsell taking to their consideration yt it has been an ancient custome of
this burgh at burials to invite ye magistrates, counsell and oyr burgers up
to ye burialls immediately before lifting of ye corps and yt ye sd custome
is both uneasie to the people who must wait a long time on ye street till
ye magistrates come out, and besides makes a confusion when too many people
goes up to the buriall-house, considering yt ye best burgh in the nation
has left of yt custome, and the counsell yrfor, for avoiding confusion and
observing more decency at such occasions, have and hereby, do resolve and
enact, yt in all time coming, no magistrate, counsellor, or burgar (tho
invited) go up to ye buriall house immediately before lifting of ye corps
in time coming, Except they be near relations of the defunct."  (Burgh
Rec.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "11th October, 1708: The said day the grand
counsell, continued and re-elected Sir Peter Halket Provost."  (Burgh
Records.)

NEW WEIGHTS AND MEASURES TO BE BOUGHT. - "20th Nov. 1708: The counsell
commissionat baillie Wilsone to go to Edinburgh to procure a letter fra ye
provost of Edr to Lithgou, Lanark, and Stirline for ye neu english standard
of weights and measures and if he procure ym. to go to ye sd touns and
receive them and pay yr dues." (Burgh Records.)

BRASS JUGS AND ELL-MEASURE FOR USE OF THE BURGH. - "29th Nov. 1708: Ordains
baillie Wilsone to writ to deacon Inglis at Edinburgh to cast two brass
jugs for ye use of this burgh, and to get it stamped by ye dean of gild of
Edinburgh's stamp: Also, orders Adam Stevinson to make a iron eln and yard,
according to the english standard, and it to be sent to Edinburgh there to
get the dean of Gild's stamp."  (Burgh Records.)  "Adam Stevinson's charge
for his job, including the irons for lettering, was ten shillings."  Are
these weights, measures, jugs, &c., still in existence?

1709. - GREAT SNOW AND FROST. - The great snow and frost "which set in with
the year 1709," appears to have been general in Dunfermline and West of
Fife.  The snow and frost lasted 37 days.  The burns were all deep frozen,
and large numbers of sheep were lost.  (MS. and old newspapers.)

PENNY MEALS. - "21st Feb. 1709: The said day the magistrates and town
counsell, taking to their consideration the great trouble and great expense
the magistrates and thesaurer are at in yearly collecting the penny mealls
and annualls payable yearly to the town out of the burgage lands; and,
beside that, the toun have no right for some of these pennie mealls, except
immemorial use of payment, and that it would be more to the advantage of
the toun, and save a great deall of trouble, that the burgesses were
allowed to buy and redeem these pennie mealls and annuals: They therefore
did and hereby do enact and declare that any burgess of this burgh who
pleases shall have full power to buy and redeem the pennie mealls and
annualls payable out of his own proper lands at fifteen years' purchase,
and that upon his paying of the same to the thesaurer for the time, in
presence of the counsell, and getting ane extract yrof under the hands of
the thesaurer and clerk, the counsell declares ye sd pennie mealls and
annualls renounced and discharged, and ye lands quat and free yrof for
ever."  (Burgh Rec.; see also An. Dunf. date 1712.)  This offer of
redemption of the meals, &c., at 15 years' purchase, was at another meeting
of the Council reduced to 10 years' purchase.

THE Provincial Synod of Fife assembled in the Church of Dunfermline on
April 7th, 1709.  (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 436.)

RALPH ERSKINE, who had been for some months previous to June this year
residing within "the bounds of the Presbytery of Dunfermline," was, at a
meeting of Dunfermline Presbytery, held on June 8th, 1709, "licensed to
preach the everlasting gospel" on same day.  Mr. James Wardlaw (his future
colleague) was also licensed.  (Presb. Rec.; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p.
428.)

EXECUTION OF JANET MITCHELL on Town Hill Road for the Murder of her
Illegitimate Child. - The following is a copy of Minute in the Burgh
Records regarding the execution :- "6 Sept. 1709: The counsell having
received a letter fra Robert Ged of Baldridge and John Moubray of
Cockarnie, craving the favour of a guard at Janet Mitchel's execution, they
agreed to grant the favour, and ordered the baillies to cause to warn the
malitia men to be a guard on thursday next."  Janet Mitchell, a native of
Saline, was condemned to death by the Regality Court of Dunfermline, for
the murder of her illegitimate child.  "She died very penitent on the
gallows, Town-hill, near Dunfermline."  In 1764 a pamphlet of 16pp. was
published at Edinburgh, entitled. "A Brief Account of the Last Words and
Confession of Janet Mitchel, parishioner of Saline, who was executed at
Dunfermline upon the 8th September, 1709, for the horrid crime of child
murder."  The writer has a copy of this very rare pamphlet.  The pamphlet
mentions near its conclusion that Janet Mitchel -

"Notwithstanding of her mean education and all her other natural
disadvantages, acted rationally and spoke pertinently.  Being asked, very
near her being turned over, what particular sins did now stare her in the
face, she answered, 'The bairn,' but hoped that the Lord had pardoned; and
added: 'O Sirs, pray much for me; now I am a dear bought sight to you.
There is a sight this night betwixt Michael and his angels, and the Dragon
and his angels, about my poor soul.  But I hope Michael will prevail, who
hath delivered me from these torturing feats of wrath, especially these
eight nights bygone.  O pray, pray that the devil may now get a complete
disappointment; that the red Dragon's head may be broken, and he may now be
foiled.  O that Christ might overcome him for me, and take a fast grip of
the jewel of my precious soul, for I cannot thimk of dying without Thee.
There are now many looking on me, but there is another kind of company in
heaven, who, I hope, will rejoice this night at the coming in of the lost
sheep.  O come, leave the ninety and nine and fetch it in.  O that He would
send a guard of angels about me, to receive me to Himself; O for faith and
strength, comfort and support, for I am going an untrodden path.  The Lord
Jesus be my stay and staff, a leader and all to me through the dark valley
of the shadow of death, for His name's sake.  O for an upmaking meal of
free grace - a rich alms to make all odds even - for I am one of the
poorest beggars that ever came to Thy door.'  And with many more
significant expressions, she gave a sigh, 'into Thy hands I commend my
spirit.'"

Her body was cut down, after hanging the usual time, and carted to a cross
road near the Yetts of Muckart, and there interred.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "10th Oct. 1709: The said day the saids
magistrats and grand counsell elected and continued Sir Peter Halket of
Pitfirrane, Provost." (Burgh Records.)

A WOMAN SMORED IN THE HEUGH. - "17 Nov. 1709: This day the Counsell ordered
the thesaurer to give to Robert Adie twentie shillings on charity, to help
to bury his daughter smored in the heugh, and to cure his other daughter's
broken leg."

1710. - DIED at Dunfermline, James Graham, the last Episcopal minister of
Dunfermline.  (Chl. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 416, &c.; see also dates
1687-1701.)  There is still extant a small quarto volume of Mr. Graham's
Sermons, 43 pp. (see date 1719.)  Although Mr. Graham was deposed by the
Synod in June, 1701, he continued to discharge his pulpit duties in
Dunfermline Church until his death this year (1710).

GRAHAM'S MORTIFICATION. - In the year 1710, six hundred merks Scots - (œ33
6s. 8d. sterling) - were found in the poor's box at the death of Mr.
Graham, which sum was, by the Justices of the Peace, Heritors, and Town
Council, mortified in the hands of the town for the benefit of the poor.
By the bond granted by the Council, they are obliged to pay yearly the
interest of the above sum, the one half to the poor of the burgh, conform
to a list to be yearly subscribed by the Magistrates and Town Council, and
the other half to the poor of the landward part of the parish, conform to a
list to be yearly subscribed by the Justices of the Peace and Heritors, or
a quorum of them.  (Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 48, 49, and other Hist. Dunf.)

ROBERT ADIE, one of the bailies of Dunfermline, "a most active, worthy, and
upright man," died, and was buried in the north porch, where there is a
monumental tomb to his memory, with a short inscription on it.

RIDING THE MARCHES. - "30th May, 1710: That day the counsell ordered the
heall burgesses to be warned to attend the magistrates on horseback at
riding of the marches on munday next.  And that such as cannot get horses,
shall attend on foot, with certification that each person that answers not
to his name at Craigncat, shall be fyned in half a merk without
forgiveness; and declares the dean of Gild lyable for each gild-brother's
fine, and he to have his relief from the absent gild brethern; and that
each deacon of croft be lyable for the absents of his own croft; and the
baillies to see to the exacting of the fynes of the common burgess." (Burgh
Records.)  How do the Marches stand in 1878?

SIBBALD'S HISTORY OF FIFE, &C., and his Account of Dunfermline. - In the
year 1710 Sir Robert Sibbald published his "History Ancient and Modern, of
the Sheriffdoms of Fife and Kinross" (folio edition).  The following are a
few notes, taken from this celebrated work, referring to Dunfermline:-

"Dunfermline is a royal burgh, having its name from a hill near a crooked
water, which is the situation of it, for it lies upon the ridge of a hill,
sloping gently to the south.  It was the ordinary abode of Malcolm Kenmore.
The ruins of a tower he dwelt in are yet to be seen near to the west
bridge.  This King Malcolm III. founded the monastery; and he and his
successors, especially David I., did endow the same with great riches and
privileges, &c. . . .In the town, the town is one long street, which runs
from the east to the south-west, where, by a lane, it entereth the King's
Palace, which is famous for the birth of King Charles I.  The monastery is
joined to it - a great fabrick.  It was, for the Benedictine Monks, founded
by King David, anno 1130.  The town has a manufactory of dornick cloth.  It
gives the title of Earl to a branch of the Seatons.  The heritable keeping
of the palace, with the revenues of the monastery and the superiority and
jurisdiction, belongeth now to the Marquis of Tweeddale.  In Mr. Sletzer's
'Theatrum Scotiae' there is a prospect of the town and abbey, and another
of the abbey."  (See An. Dunf. under date 1690.)

Sir Robert closes his meagre account in noticing the royal and other
interments at Dunfermline, &c.  There are several inaccuracies in his
account.  In 1803 a reprint of this work was published by Mr. Tullis,
publisher, Cupar-Fife (octavo), edited by the Rev. Dr. Adamson.  The editor
illustrates the original text with copious notes.  At page 294 of this
edition, there is a very nice view (within an oval space), entitled "Ruins
of the Monastery of Dunfermline," which view appears to be a reproduction,
in miniature, of Juke's large view of "The Abbey and Palace."  (See Annals
of Dunfermline, date 1792.)  In his first note, the editor of the new
edition says - "In some old manuscripts, the Abbey," &c., "is designated
'Monasterium de monte infirmorum,'" but does not refer to where the "old
manuscripts" are to be seen.  (Sib. Hist. of Fife, 1803 edit. pp. 293-298;
also Appen. A, B, and C of Annals of Dunfermline.)

TOWER HILL ROAD CUTTING. - "1 July, 1710: The counsell ordered the
thesaurer to give fifteen shillings to John Mackie, in order to help him to
pay the expense of cutting the Town Hill to make the highway straight."
(Burgh Records.)  At this period the only road from Dunfermline to the west
was by this road.  Probably the road would be made straight by cutting down
part of the Tower-hill brae near the bridge.

TROUBLESOME DRAGOONS. - "15 July: The said day the council commissionat the
conveener to goe to Edinburgh and speak to the advocate and general to see
to get the dragoons removed."  (Burgh Records.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "9 Oct. 1710: That day the grand counsell
re-elected Sir Peter Halket, of Pitfirrane, Provost."  (Burgh Records.)

CHAPMAN'S STANDS. - "15 Nov. 1710: The said day the magistrates and
counsell statute and ordained that in all time coming the chapmen in the
public mercats be provided with sufficient furnished stands by the
inhabitants or tenents of the landes before which the chapman's stands are
set, at twelve shillings for each stand each mercat; And in case the
chapmen be not furnished and provided with stands, as said is, allows the
chapmen to set up on the street gratis; Reserving always to power to the
counsell to alter this as they shall think fit." (Burgh Records.)

MR. THOMAS BUCHANAN was translated from Tulliallan and admitted to the
First Charge of Dunfermline Church on 30th Nov., 1710.  (Chal. Hist. Dunf.
vol. i. p. 416.)

BROWN AND HONEYMAN'S MORTIFICATION. - "30 Dec. 1710: The said day the
counsell, William and David Brown's and John Honeyman's mortifications for
the year 1710, and six pounds as the half-year of the town's half of the
six hundred merks mortifyed by the heritors at whitsunday last, with eight
pounds eighteen shillings of augmentation, conform to the particular list
this day signed by the magistrates, to be dealt and payd to the respective
poor."  (Burgh Records.)

1711. - MR. RALPH ERSKINE Preaching as a Probationer. - Early in the year
1711 Mr. Erskine, after having received a certificate (or license) from the
Presbytery of Dunfermline, that "he exercised the talents which the Lord
had given him within the bounds of the said Presbytery, both in vacancies
and settled congregations, to the great satisfaction of his hearers, both
ministers and people," soon after this received a call to Tulliallan, and
also to Dunfermline, which latter call he preferred and accepted. (Dunf.
Par. Rec.)

AN OBSTREPEROUS DEACON. - "30 May, 1711: That day George Walls, deacon of
the Wrights, was, in a fenced court, holden by the provost in presence of
the counsell, convict by his own confession of deforcing the magistrates
yesternight, and of ringing the tolbooth bell, and throwing stones out at
the window, and barricading the tolbooth door, refusing entry to the
magistrates, and throwing lyme in their faces when attempting to enter, was
therefore, by the said provost and counsell suspended of his office as
counsellor during the counsell's pleasure, and fyned in twenty pounds
scots, to remain in prison till payment, or giving bill therefor."  On
Sept. 7, showing himself "very penitent for his offence," he was restored
to office, &c.  (Burgh Records.)

MR. RALPH ERSKINE ordained minister of the Second Charge of Dunfermline
Church on 7th August, 1711.  (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 416; vide also
An. Dunf. date 1716.)

LIBRARY. - "29th Sept. 1711: The said day the magistrates and counsell,
taking to their consideration that it would tend much to the benifit of
their grammar school, The encouragement of learning and interest of the
community, That a Library were founded here, Did, for encouragement of so
good and pious a design, Resolve, out of the common good to contribute ten
pounds sterling for that end; and did and do hereby recommend to the Gildry
and respective corporations of the burgh, And all other persons who pleases
frankly to contribut, in order to make up such a sum as may buy such a
number of good books as may lay a competent foundation for a Library:
Declaring allways that the foresaid library and heall additions hereafter
to be made thereto shall for ever be under the sole management of the
counsell or such person as they shall appoint keeper, who shall give bond
to keep the books safe, and re-deliver them when the counsell shall call
for them.  Sic subcribitur, PET. HALKET."  It would appear that nothing
came out of this excellent proposal.  It is not again noticed in the Burgh
Records.  Perhaps the "conditions" made shipwreck of the scheme.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "8th Oct., 1711: The said day, Sir Peter Halket
was re-elected Provost." (Burgh Records.)

PENNY WEDDINGS PROHIBITED. - "8th Dec., 1711: This day the counsell ordains
the drum to go through the town to discharge penny weddings in terms of the
act of parliament of King Charles the Second."  (Burgh Records.)

1712. - MASON LODGE. - There is an entry in the Masons' Records, of date
15th January, 1712, which notifies, that the following charities had been
bestowed: "Item, to ane poor man that was taken with the pooks, 6s. Scots;
item, to ane blind violer, 12s. Scots; to ye pyper, 12s. Scots; to Geo.
Miller, 6s. Scots."

CARD MAKER. - In an old MS. book of accounts, there is a notice of 4s. 2d.
having been paid to "John Maxwell, Card Maker at the back-o-the-dam."
These cards were made for carding wool.  The carding and the sorting of
wool was at this period carried on to a considerable extent at "the back of
the dam."  Probably Wooler's Alley or Woo'ers Alley may in some way have
derived its name from the "woo' carders," which, according to tradition,
were employed in this locality.

REDEMPTION OF PENNY MEALS. - The Act of Council, of date 21st February,
1709, regarding the redemption of Burgh Meals and Annuals at ten years'
purchase, appears to have been very favourably received by the community.
The following is an extract of the town council meeting on the subject:-

"3d March, 1712. - The said day, Robert Adie, late treasurer, now one of
the present bailies of the said burgh, did in presence of the Counsell,
give in a subscription list of the heall penny mealls payable out of the
burgage lands of burgh which had been redeemed during his office.  And for
redemption thereof by order of the counsell he had received ten years'
purchase.  The counsell ordered the said list to be registrat in the
counsell books in perpetuam rei memoriam, and the clerk to give extracts
thereof to such persons as should please to call for them.  And declaired
and hereby declare, the penny meals contained in the said written list, to
be redeemed for now and for ever."

This said list gives the names of those who had redeemed the meals and
annuals, along with the names of the streets wherein their properties were
situated; it forms an interesting paper for "natives," a kind of Directory
for 1712.  The following is a copy of it:-

Maygeat.                            Kirkgate - East Side.
                       lib.  s.  d.                           lib.  s.  d.
Andrew Simson's land,    0   0   2  Strang's land, now Pierson
Wm. Black's land and                & Finlay's,                 0   0   2
closs,                   0   2  11  Adam Anderson's land,       0   0  10
James Mcbeath's land,    0   1   7  David Bull's land,          0   0   3
James Rolland's land,    0   2   0  Gilbert Ker's land,         0   2   4
John Bunton's land,      0   3   6
William Flockerd's land, 0   5   4  Kirk-geat - West Side.
Robert Dalgliesh's land, 0   0   7
Patrick Anderson's land, 0   0   4  John Anderson, younger's
Lindsay's land, now John            land, Kirkgeat and Col-
Christie's               0   0   6  lieraw,                     0   1   1
George Meldrom's land,   0   1  10  John Wilkie's land,         0   0   4
Robert Brand's land,     0   0   4  Thomas Hutton's land,       0   0   7
John Cowie's land,       0   0   9  Adam Stevenson's land,      0  14   0
William Wilson's land,   0   5   4  William Hodge, taylor's
David Eadie, elder's heall          land,                       0   0   7
lands,                   1  18 10.5 William Wilson, land and
John Anderson, elder's two          yeard newraw,               0   0   8
lands,                   0   1   9  Robert Whyt's land,         0   0   6.5
Alexander Whyt's land, now          John Wilson's half of Steed-
Grissel Wyld's,          0   0   4  man's land,                 0   0   8
John Wilson's land,      0   0   7  John Wilson's land, rotten
Smith and Kennedy's land,0   0   7  raw,                        0   0   5
Mr. Peter Kennedy's land,0   0  11  Robert Belfrage's land,     0   0  10
James Moore's land,      0   0   7  Patrick Inglis,             0   0   2
Robert Crawford's land,  0   0   7  Touch's land,               0   0   8

Collier Raw - East Side.            High Street, South Side.

James Morre's land,      0   0   5  George Crawfurd's land,     0   0   7
William Inglis' three               Helen and Margaret Dun-
lands,                   0   1   4  canson's land,              0   0   2
James Bruce's two lands, 0   0   9  Robert Kirk's land,         0   1   9
                                    Katharin Gibson's land,     0   0   6
Rotten Raw.                         Helen Walls and David
                                    Horn's land,                0   0   7
Andrew Wilson's land,    0   0   4  Peter M'Grew and Wm.
                                    Young's land,               0   2   4
High Street - North Side.           Thomas French's land,       0   2   0
                                    Laurence Henderson's land,  0   3   4
William Wilson's land,   0   2   7  John Meldrom's land,        0   4   3
Andrew Walker's land,    0  14 9.5  William Purdie's lands,     0   2   1
Robert Donald's three               James Walls's lands,        0   5   7
lands,                   0   1 3.5  John Henderson's lands,     0   0   9
Henry Kirk's lands,      0   0 5.5  John Wall's lands,          0   0   3
John Anderson's lands,   0   1   3  Andrew Belfrage's land,     0   0   7
John Brown's land,       0   0  10  John Sandar's land,         0   0   4
Andrew Belfrage's land,  0   0   3  John Adie's land,           0   1   1
Thomas Mitchell's lands, 0   2   6
Robert Mudie's land,     0   0   7                  lib. s. d.
David Wilson's land, at                               0  1  1
Cross,                   0   0 6.5  3 acre hallbank,  0  2  0
Land, new raw, east side,0   0   1  Meikle John,      0  1  2
                                    Ostend,           0  0  7
Cross Wynd.                         Elliotshill,      0  0  4
                                    Land at trone,    0  0  2
Cusin's land,            0   0   1  Turnbull's land,  0  0  9
Robert Shorton's land,   0   0 2.5  2 acres Logie's,  0  1  2
Hary Elder's land,       0   0 2.5  Wall's barn,      0  0  3
William Wilson, Cogy's heal                         ----------
lands,                   1   8 2.5                              0   7   6
James Coallier's land,   0   5   1  Thomas Elder's shop at tol-
Jerom Cowie's land,      0  15   2  booth, 2s. 6d. yeard, new
Robert Walker's land,    0   5   0  raw, 1d., is                0   2   7
John Duncanson's land,   0   0   2  Thomas Clerk's land,        0   0   2
James Walker's land,     0   0  10  Kathrine Hodge's land,      0   0   7
John Chalmer, now Thomas            Laurence Stevinson's land,  0   0   1
Richardson's barn,       0   1   0  Hutton's lands,             0   0   2
Robert Pierson's land,   0   0   7  Thomas Law's land,          0   0   6
Thomas Walker's two lands0   1  11
George Turnbull's land,  0   0   2  Neithertoun.
Andrew Pierson's land,   0   0   8
Andrew Symsone and Mar-             James Mudie's land,         0   0   4
garet Walker's acres and            Harry Davidson's land,      0   2   0
lands,                   0   3   6  John Mayn's land,           0   1  10
James Meldrom's land,    0   1   3  John Henderson's land,      0   0  10
David Adie, younger's               Barclay, and half of Rich-
lands,                   0   1   1  ardson's land,              0   0   5
                                    Robert Wilson's land,       0   0  11
Newraw - East Side.                 Broun and Dougall's land,   0   0   6
                                    James Bayn's land,          0   0   4
John and William Ker's              John Hepburn's land,        0   0   4
land,                    0   0   2
Margaretta Allan's land, 0   0   1  Neithertoun - South Side.
Scarlot's land,          0   0   1
Patrick Turnbull's land, 0   0   9  Alex. Gillespie's land,     0   0   4
James Mitchell's land, now          Edward Logan's land,        0   0   3
John Christie's,         0   0   3  James Somervail's land,     0   0   9
John Ferguson's land, now           Patrick Hall's land,        0   0   4
Christian Ferguson's,    0   0   4  Janet French's land,        0   0   7
John Wilson's land,      0   1   2  Edward Overwhyt's land,     0   0  11
Andrew Rolland's land,   0   0  11  Broomhall's heall lands,    0  16   0
Thomas Stevinson's land, 0   4   9  Purves' land, 8d.; and his
Rhode's heall lands,     0   5   2  land, sometime Blackie's,
James Imbrie's land,     0   0   4  7d.,                        0   1   3
James Wilson's land,     0   0   1  James Purvis', part of Ran-
David Dalgliesh's land,  0   0  11  difoord's land, 6.5d.; Ran-
John Donaldson's land,   0   0   7  difoord's land, sometime
John Rea's land,         0   0   2  burns', 6d.; Wellwood's
Andrew Grieve's land,    0   0   6  anl rent, 4s.,              0   5 0.5
John Rolland's land,     0   0   1
David Man's land,        0   0   1
Rober Coallier's land,   0   0   1
John Anderson's land,    0   0   1

Such a list of the greater part of "The Worthy Ratepayers of 1712."  It may
be noted here that the meals and annuals in great part arose from
feu-duties on which their houses stood - sometimes on flats or compartments
of dwellings, and also on "kailyeards."  The "Counsell" also derived
considerable sums from parties who had liberty from them to have "oot-side
stairs" projecting from the front of the houses into the street, besides a
small annual rent for "the allowance."  (Burgh Records, &c.)

LORD OF THE CHAPMEN'S STANDS. - "10th June: The said day, upon a complaint
fra the Lord of Chapmans, showing that some merchants in the toun set up
stands before Gibb's Walls, to the prejudice of the mercat and hindering of
the Chapmen to set up their stands," &c.; "the council enact that such must
not happen, but declares that they may do so if stranger chapmen come not
to set up."  "Gibb's Walls" were a little below the Cross, on the north
side of the street.  (Burgh Records.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane, re-elected
Provost.  (Burgh Records.)

1713. - BROWN'S MORTIFICATION. - "11th March, 1713: The said day bailie
Wilson represetned to the counsell that Mr. William Brown, lecturer in
Edinburgh, now minister in South lieth, had given to hem thirty-six pounds
scots, and ordered him to mortify the same in the toun's hands, on
condition that the annl rent thereof be payed yearly to the poor of the
toun, with the anl rent of other mortifications."  (Burgh Records.)

POPULATION OF THE PARISH - Proposed Third Minister for Dunfermline. - At
this period it was proposed (but without success) to have a third minister
for the Church of Dunfermline, as the population was 5000, which was
considered too great for two ministers.  (Presb. Records.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "5th Oct. 1713: This day Sir Peter Halket
accepted and gave his oath de fideli, and was re-elected Provost of
Dunfermline."  (Burgh Records.)

TOWN'S COLLIERS LENT TO THE EARL OF ROTHES, &C. - At this period colliers
were slaves.  They were property which could be sold, exchanged, and lent.
On 31st October this year the Earl of Rothes sent a letter to the Town
Council of Dunfermline asking for the loan of two colliers, when the
Council "warranted the baillies to lend to the earl, David Murgain and
George Brown, upon the earl's bond to restore them on demand without
expence.  And in case the lady Pittencrieff want William Watson, warrants
the baillies to lend Watson to her."  (Burgh Records.)

CATTLE MARKET to be Removed to the New Raw. - "28 Nov.: The counsell
resolved that the nolt mercat be removed to the Newraw against March fair
next, and same to be intimat at Januar fair."  (Burgh Records.)

1714. - MEAL AND FLESH MARKET TO BE BUILT. - "20th Feb.: The said day the
counsell appointed the baillies, dean of gild, conveener, baillie Wilsone,
John Reid, and George Walls to draw up a Scheme for building a meall and
flesh mercat in Gibb's walls."  (Burgh Records.)  Before 7th May, 1715,
these markets appear to have been erected, as shown by the following
Council Minute:- "7th May, 1715: The said day allows William Stevinson to
advance to William Inglis and John Reid six or seven hundred merks, in part
of what the toun ows them on the accompt of their contract for building of
the meall and flesh mercat."  (Burgh Records.)

THE NEW DRUMMER AND DUTIES, &C. - "29 May: That day James Cumin dimitted
his office of drummer, and the counsell unanimously elected John Hoggan
drummer in his stead; And appoints the drummer to goe through alone every
morning by four o'clock, an every night alone at seven.  And appoints the
piper to go through alone at six in the morning and nyne at night."  (Burgh
Records.)  The community appear to have been very fond of "hard music" in
those days.  (See also An. Dunf. date 1701.)

BUTTER MARKET AND BUTTER SELLING, &C. - "5 June: The counsell discharge
selling of butter or cheese in any place but at the trone, and not til
after seven a cloak in the morning in may, june, and july, and til after
eight the rest of the year, under the pain of fourty shillings each
faillie."  (Burgh Records.)  Probably the Dunfermline Butter and Cheese
Market originated at this time.  These markets continued to be held at the
Tron until 1832.

LITERATURE. - Mr. James Bayne, schoolmaster of the Grammar School,
Dunfermline, published a "Short Introduction to the Latin Grammar," 8vo,
Edin., 1714.

CITY OF DUNFERMLINE. - The following extract is given here because it uses
the designation, City of Dunfermline:- "June 26th, 1714: The very Reverend
Ralph Erskine, one of the ministers in the City of Dunfermline, gave up his
name to be proclaimed, in order to marriage with Margaret Dewar (only
daughter of John Dewar of Lassody) and gave to the Box œ3 0s. 0d."  (Beath
Par. Regist. 1714.)

THE QUEEN'S ILLNESS. - List of Fencible Men, Arms, &c. - "5 Aug. 1714: The
counsell having received a letter from the Lord of the Justiciary, the
barons of the exchequer, the advocat, provost of Edinburgh, the Generall
and Solicitor, acquainting them that her Majesty was in danger by sickness;
and that it was the command of the Lords of the Privy Counsell that all
ministers and others in authority use their utmost endeavour for taking
care of the public peace, and to give such directions as may be most likely
to prevent any disturbance in the Kingdom, in case her majesty be carried
of by this fit of sicknes.  The magistrates and counsell Judged it proper
to appoint, and do appoint hereby the baillies, dean of gild, and deacon
Wilsone, with such others of the counsell as shall please to go along to
take up a list of the heall fencible inhabitants, and of the heall arms and
ammunition presently within the burgh and report." (Burgh Records.)

DEATH OF THE QUEEN - George I. Proclaimed. - "7th August, 1714: That day
the magistrates and town counsell being certainly informed that it has
pleased almighty God to call to his mercy our late Sovereign Lady, Queen
Ann of blessed memory, by whose decease the imperiall Crown of Great
brittain, France, and Ireland are solely and rightfully come to the high
and mighty prince George, elector of Brunswick and Luxemburg; And that he
had been proclaimed King at London, Edinburgh, and many other towns in the
nation: They therefore resolved this day, at two afternoon, to proclaim
from the cross that the said high and mighty prince George, elector of
brunswick Lunenburg, is now, by the death of our said late Sovereign Lady,
of happy memory, become our only lawfull and rightfull leige Lord, George,
by the Grace of God, King of Great brittain, france, and irland, defender
of the faith."  (Burgh Records.)

Note. - Queen Anne died on 1st August, 1714, aged 50.  The news of her
death appears to have officially reached the magistrates of Dunfermline on
August 6th or 7th.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "11th Oct., 1714: The Grand counsell continued
the provost (Sir Peter Halket) for the ensuing year."  (Burgh Records.)

THREATENED REBELLION. - During the latter part of the year, 1714, the
country was threatened with rebellion and "a general rising in arms," to
place James VIII. on the throne; much commotion; Dunfermline Fencibles in
arms to defend King George, &c. (Burgh Records.)

THE EXCISE BILL. - Dunfermline strenuously opposed the proposed excise
bill; great dissatisfaction and threatenings prevailed in Dunfermline.
(Burgh Records and Newspapers.)

PROCLAMATION OF KING GEORGE I. - An old note states that King George I. was
proclaimed in August this year by the Magistrates and Council at the
Tolbooth Stair, at the Cross, and at the Gate of the East Port.  (Burgh
Records.)  "A deal of drinking followed the ceremony."  (MS.)

1715. - MR. THOMAS BUCHANAN, minister of the First Charge of Dunfermline
Church, died on the 10th of April, 1715. (Dunf. Presb. Records.)

"THE EXCISE BILL" BURNT BY THE HANGMAN. - In the Caledonian Mercury for
18th April, 1715, there is the following paragraph: - "We hear of strange
doings at Dunfermline last Thursday, when the excise bill was burnt by the
hands of the common hangman."  (Edinburgh Courant; MSS., &c.)

THREATENED INVASION - Powder and Shot Ordered. - "4 August, 1715: The
counsell, taking to their consideration the hazard this town may be in if
the country turn loose by threatened invasion, and that it is very fit the
town be provided in powder and lead; they therefore ordered baillie Wilsone
and William Stevinson to buy one hundred pound weight of pouder, and six
hundred pound weight of lead, as soon as possible."  (Burgh Records.)  "23d
Sept.: The said day the Counsell approved of the baillies their
distributing the toun's pouder and lead among such inhabitants as had
arms."  (Ibid.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "1st Oct. 1715: This day, Sir Peter Halket was
re-elected Provost.  (Burgh Records.)

THE REBELLION. - Surprisal of a Jacobite Detachment in Dunfermline. - Oct.
24, 1715: The fortunes of war brought Dunfermline within the sphere of "war
operations" in October, 1715.  Sir Walter Scott, in his "Tales of a
Grandfather,"  gives the following graphic account of the surprisal of a
Jacobite detachment who had taken possession of the Palace and Monastic
buildings:-

"A detachment of about four score horse and three Highland foot - chiefly
followers of the Marquis of Huntly - was sent from Perth to raise the Cess.
The direct road from Perth to Dunfermline is considerably shorter, but the
troops had orders to take the route by Castle-Campbell, which prolonged the
journey considerably, for no apparent purpose but to insult the Duke of
Argyle's garrison there by marching in their view.  When the detachment
arrived at Dunfermline, Gordon of Glenbucket, who commanded the
Highlanders, conducted them into the old Abbey, which is strongly situated,
and there placed a sentinel.  He took up his own quarters in the town, and
placed a sentinel there also.  The commander of the horse, Major Graham,
took the ineffectual precaution of doing the same at the bridge, but used
no further measures to avoid surprise.  The gentlemen of the squardron
sought each his personal accommodation, with their usual neglect of
discipline, neither knowing with accuracy where they were to find their
horses, nor fixing on any alarm-post where they were to rendezvous.  Their
officers sat down to a bottle of wine.  During all this scene of confusion,
the Honourable Colonel (afterwards Lord) Cathcart, was lying without the
town, with a strong party of cavalry, and obtaining regular information
from his spies within it.  About five o'clock on the morning of the 24th
October, he entered the town with two parties of his dragoons - one
mounted, the other on foot.  The surprisal was complete, and the Jacobite
cavaliers suffered in proportion; several were killed and wounded, and
about twenty made prisoners, whose loss was the more felt as they were all
gentlemen, and some of them considerable proprietors.  The assailants lost
no time in their enterprise, and retreated as speedily as they entered.
The neighbourhood of the Highland infantry in the Abbey was a strong reason
for despatch.  This slight affair seemed considerable in a war, which had
been as yet so little marked by military incident.  The appearance of the
prisoners at Stirling, and the list of their names gave eclat to the Duke
of Argyle's tactics, and threw disparagement on those of Mar.  On the other
side , stories were circulated at Perth of the loss which Cathcart had
sustained in the action, with rumours of men buried in the night, and
horses returned to Stirling without their riders.  This account, however
fabulous, was received with credit even by those who were engaged at
Dunfermline; for the confusion having been general, no one knew what was
the fate of his comrade.  But, in very deed, the whole return of casualties
on Colonel Cathcart's side amounted to a dragoon hurt in the cheek, and a
horse wounded.  This little affair was made the subject of songs and
pasquils in the army at Perth, which increased the Marquis of Huntly's
disgust at the enterprise," &c.

At this period, the Palace stood in ruins, and therefore could give no
accommodation to this party.  The Abbey - that is, the Church - would not
be "taken possession of "; the old buildings on the west side of the
Church, forming the northern boundary of the Abbey Close, viz., the Queen's
House, the two Constabulary Houses, and the Pends, would be the houses in
the old Abbey which were "taken possession of" on this occasion.  The
bridge here alluded to would, no doubt, be the Tower-Burn Bridge, close by,
on the west.  It may be noted that the sunk apartment, or cellar, down a
few steps (south-east end of the Palace), was on this occasion used as a
store-room, and into which were stowed gunpowder, shot, guns, and other war
materials.  From this circumstance the cellar got the name of "The
Magazine," which name to this day it retains.

1716. - THE AURORA BOREALIS. - An old account notifies that "the
inhabitants of Dunfermline, as every where else, were taken by great
surprise, and many by terror, at the sudden appearance in the north-east
sky of meteoric flames (the aurora borealis, now so frequently seen), which
occurred on the evening of March 6th.  Many of the pious portion of the
lieges were in terror; many went out to the toon's end (East Port Street,
&c.) to get a wider and better view of it."  This grand meteoric display
was everywhere long remembered.

THE "LANTERN TOWER" OF THE ABBEY fell down early in 1716.  Traditionary
accounts inform us that the Great Lantern or Central Tower, which stood at
the junction of the Choir and the Nave, and which was "at least 150 feet in
height, and about 30 feet square, and had two stories of three tall Gothic
lancet windows in it on all its sides, or 24 windows in all, fell with a
heavy fall early on a Sunday morning in April 1716."  The area of the Old
Choir had since 1560 been used as a place of interment, and was known as
the Sythar or Psalter Kirkyard.  "The deep graves which were dug around the
base of this Great Tower, in loosened its foundations and at last caused it
to fall."  (For views of this tower, &c., see Annals, dates 1226, 1290,
1670, and 1672.)  With the fall of the Great Tower the most interesting and
picturesque part of the ruin of the Old Choir disappeared.  It would appear
that "its fall was long remembered in sadness by the inhabitants" - as
Arnold says -

"Towers, temples, pyramids must fall,
And man, their builder, pass away:
Oblivion, soon thy shadowy pall
Shall shroud them from the eye of day."

MR. RALPH ERSKINE, minister of the Second Charge, was, on May 1st, 1716,
admitted minister of the First Charge of Dunfermline Church.  (See An.
Dunf. date 1711; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 416; also An. of Dunf. date
1740.)

REBELLION FAST. - "A fast day was kept on 7th June for the suppression of
the unnatural rebellion of the preceeding year."  (Par. Records.)

LOSS SUSTAINED BY DUNFERMLINE "through the Heeland Insurgents." - "28th
June, 1716: The Counsell appoints the baillies to write to Buquhan to see
if he can recover the money lost by the toun by the rebels, and the expence
the toun has been at by the detachment of his Majesties forces that lay
there."  (Burgh Records.)

ANCIENT SOCIETY OF GARDENERS IN DUNFERMLINE, &C. - There is no record, so
far as is known, which gives an account of the origin of the Gardeners'
Society.  The earliest date in its oldest Record Book is 16th October,
1716.  This Society of Gardeners is supposed to be the oldest one in
Scotland.  Its Charter begins: - "Be it kend To all men Bye thir prnt
Letrs, we, John Daill Gairdiner in Pittencrieff pnt. deacon, John Campell
gairdener in Pitfirrane pnt. boxmaster.  To the Gairdiners of the Toun and
Presbytrie of Dunfermline."  Then follows a long notice in praise of
Gardenery, its great antiquity, &c., which is signed "Moray" and
"Tweeddale."  See the Gardeners' Society Book, entitled, - "Laws of the
Ancient Society of Gardenery in and about Dunfermline;" for full
particulars, see also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 456, 457.  This Society
has had as members 1 Duke; 1 Marquis; 6 Earls; 7 Lords; 8 Baronets and
Knights; 2 Colonels; 6 Captains; 3 Lieutenants; 4 Ensigns; 1 Professor in a
College; 11 Magistrates; 6 Ministers; 7 Advocates; 2 Writers to the Signet;
21 Doctors and Surgeons; 122 Gentlemen of Landed Property, with a long list
of names of the worthy Burgesses of Dunfermline, &c.  (See Abridged
Histories of the Gardeners' Society, which have been frequently printed
since this period.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "8th Oct., 1716: This day the magistrates and
grand counsell elected and continued Sir Peter Halket Provost."  (Burgh
Records.)

1717. - MILITIAMAN FOR THE TOWN. - "13th March, 1717: The said day John
Bell, weaver in St. Katharine's wynd was made burges, and engaged himself
to serve the toun as a malitiaman - sic. subst. j.B.; John Bell, his mark."
(Burgh Records.)

LITERATURE. - A small work, entitled "The Believer's Dowry," by the Rev.
Ralph Erskine, minister of First Charge, Dunfermline Church, was published
early in this year; this is supposed to be his first production.

DEAN OF GUILD COURT - Harry Davidson Fined. - At a Dean of Guild Court,
held on 20th June, "Harry Davidson, son to Hary Davidson of St. John Chapel
(Chapelwell), appeared before the Court to answer for encroaching on the
privileges of the Gildry; and having referred himself to the Dean of Gild
and Counsell, they fyned him in three pounds Scots, whereof the Clerk got
his third, the Fiscal and Gild Officer got each six shillings Scots, and
the remainder, being one pound eight shillings, is to be charged on Robert
Paterson the Treasurer."  (Guildry Records, 1717.)  This is a specimen of
doing legal business in "the good old times."

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket, of Pitfirrane, elected Provost;
7th October, 1717.  (Burgh Records.)

WEAVING. - At this period, "the devices woven on goods in the loom
consisted, generally, of such emblems as the British flag, the British coat
of arms, and the coat of arms of the nobility, gentlemen," &c.

MASON'S LODGE. - "21st Nov., 1717: That day John Oberwhyte, son to Edward
Oberwhyte, mason burgis of Dunfermline, wes entered apprentice to the sd
Ludge by James Somerville younger, and gave his oath de fidely, and to obey
the haill laws of the sd Ludge, and each St. Jons day to subscribe to ther
bond of Societie.  The bill given be sd James Somerville for the rest of
the sd Ludge.  Signed, James Somerville yngr, John Overwhyt."  (Masons'
Register.)

1718. - PARLIAMENT BRIDLE, &C. - Previous to the Union, Royal Burghs
"usually provided a bridle and other appendages for the horses their
members rode on in procession to the Scottish Parliament."  The Dunfermline
"horse appendages" had been lying useless since the Union (1707), and as
they were, from "the altered state of things," no longer needed for
sustaining "the dignity of the burgh," they were put up for sale, as shown
by the following minute in the Burgh Records:- "9th April, 1718: The same
day, John Stevinson, shoemaker, bought the parliament bridle, curple, and
the strip leathers and strip irons, for seven pounds six shillings and
eight pennies (Scots) at a roup, which he instantly payed to Robert
Anderson, treasurer."  (Burgh Records.)

THE OLD BRASS CANDLESTICK OF THE KIRK. - "9th April, 1718: The same day,
John Stevinson bought the old brass candlestick that hung in the church for
seven shillings (Scots) per pound; the same weighing in heall tuenty-four
and a-half pound weight, and so the price extending to eight pounds eleven
shillings six pennies (Scots), was pd to the treasurer."  (Burgh Records.)

EAST-PORT TO BE RE-BUILT. - It would appear from the following minute in
the Burgh Records, that the East-Port had either become so ruinous, or had
fallen, that it had to be re-built:- "9th April, 1718: The Counsell
appoints the dean of gild conveener, and the treasurer with any of the
baillies to agree with workmen for laying the causey betwixt the Cross and
the Port, and for building the Port again."  (Burgh Records.)
 
 

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