1775
Grand Cape 25th Feb 1775.
Admitted D.S. Secry.
Sir Lhoyed.
III.
_Minute of Meeting at which Deacon Brodie was admitted a Knight of The
Cape._
Nineteenth Grand Festival of The Cape, held at
Capehall in Jas. Mann’s, Craigs Close, 25th
Febry. 1775.
Present
Sir Stick, Sovereign
Sir Westerhole, Depute Sovn.
Sir Fox, Treasurer
Sir Shirk, Secretary
Sir N. & A.,[29] Recorder
Sir Waterhole fifth }
Sir Scrape third } Old Sovereigns
Sir Buildings }
Hall }
Bejing } Councillors
Bowl }
Stone }
Sir Wager, Chaplain
Sir Dive Sir Padlock
Brimstone Kipper
Silenus Cellar
Launce Jawbone
Fender Corryarroch
Surprise Drawbridge
Bolt Toe
Forgetful Caltonhill
Marriage Pole
Finger Porter
Wig Blott
Laverock Sword
Dragon Gutter
Pedro Fine
In all 41 Bill £ : :
Sederunt
The following officers were this day duly elected vizt:--
Sir Stick, Sovereign }
Sir Westerhole, Depute Sovereign }
Sir Fox, Treasurer } Re-elected
Sir N. & A., Recorder }
Sir Celler, Secretary }
Councillors:--
Sir Tree Sir Bank }
Buildings Bowl }
Hayloft Stone } Re-elected
Flatt Fender }
Vote Finger }
Be jing Kipper }
The Recorded Protested that as Mr. Auld was irregularly ballotted at
this Festival without his knowledge or consent the same shall not
preclude him from an Appeal to any after Grand Cape if he chuses to
enter the same and took instruments in the Secretary’s hands and craved
that this Protest be engrossed in the Minute of Sederunt of this Grand
Cape.
The re-elected Sovereign after having taken the accustomed obligations
to promote the Harmony of the Society was solemnly Crowned in the Chair
of State with all the usual formalities and with the other officers
taking their proper places, the public business of this Festival was
most harmoniously concluded.
APPENDIX VI.
EXCERPTS FROM THE GUILD REGISTERS OF THE BURGH OF EDINBURGH.
I
Edinr. 15th October 1735.
Sederunt
James Simpson, Old D.G.
Patrick Manderson
James Sime
John Clerkson
Francis Brodie, Wright, compearing is made burges of this burgh as
prentice to John Antonious, Wright, burges yrof. And gave his Oath &c.
having payd for his duety to the Dean of Gild 13 Sh. 4 pennies & watches
24sh:----Brodie B £1·6·7d.
II.
Edinr. 9th February 1763.
Sederunt
Patrick Lindsay, D.G.
John Robertson
Thomas Hepburne
William Good
William Mylne
Charles Howison
Francis Brodie, Wright, burges of this Burgh, Compearing is made
Gildbrother thereof by right of Cecil Grant, daughter of William Grant,
Writer, burges and Gildbrother thereof, his spouse and paid his dues and
gave his oaths.----Brodie G £1·10·9d.
* * * * *
William Brodie, Wright, compearing, is made burges and Gild Brother of
this Burgh by right of Francis Brodie, Wright, burges and Gild brother
thereof, his father, and paid his dues and gave his oaths.----Brodie B
& G £2·12·11½.
APPENDIX VII.
EXCERPTS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE EDINBURGH TOWN COUNCIL, REFERRED TO IN
THE INTRODUCTION TO THE TRIAL.
I.
Edinburgh the tenth day of September One
thousand seven hundred and eighty three
years.
Sederunt
Lord Provost
John Grieve
Bailies
James Dickson
James Gordon
John Spottiswood
D.G.
Thomas Cleghorn
Tr.
William Thomson
O.P.
David Stuart
O.B.
William Galloway
Francis Shaw
Old D.G.
Archibald M‘Dowall
Old Tr.
James Hunter Blair
M.C.:
Thomas Cleghorn, jr.
William Gillespie
David Willison.
T.C.
Thomas Simpson
William Jameson
C. Deacons
William Fraser, Cr.
William Brodie
James Robertson
John Douglas
George Chalmers
Robert Wemyss
Extra^{ry} Deacons:--William Richie, William Young, William Inglis,
Thomas Hunter, Will^{m} Forrester.
* * * * *
The Chamberlain produced in Council his Cash Book whereby it appears
there is a ballance due him of £306:13:10, Ballance due to Bankers
£5417:14:3, and paid in to the City’s Cash Accompt with the Royal Bank
£2385 Sterling.
Bailie Dickson from the first Bailie’s Committee reported that they
having examined the following accompts, vizt. an accompt due to William
Brodie for Wright work done by him in the different public markets of
the City, from Twentieth November seventeen hundred and eighty two to
third July last, amounting to Sixty seven pounds, eighteen shillings and
one penny; Item an accompt due to the said William Brodie for Wright
work done by him in the Parliament House, Exchequer, &c., from twenty
fifth September Seventeen hundred and eighty two to the eleventh of June
last, amounting to Nine pounds, one shilling and four pence; Item an
Accompt due to the said William Brodie for Wright work done by him in
the Tolbooth and sundry other parts belonging to the City, from the
fourteenth August seventeen hundred and eighty two to the seventeenth
February last, amounting to Ten pounds, twelve shillings and two pence;
Item an Accot. due to the said Willm. Brodie for Wright work done by him
in making windows for St. Andws. Church, amounting to One hundred and
twenty pounds, seven shillings and nine pence; Item an Accot. due to
the said William Brodie for wright work done by him in making doors for
the stalls in the New Flesh Markets and fitting up the new Veal Market,
&c. from eighteenth November seventeen hundred and eighty two to
seventeenth July last, amounting to One hundred and seventy six pounds,
twelve shillings and five pence; Item an accot. due to the said William
Brodie for Wright work done by him in the College, from ninth September
seventeen hundred and eighty two to twenty first April last, amounting
to Five pounds, eighteen shillings and nine pence; Item an accompt due
to the said William Brodie for Wright work done by him in the different
Churches of the City, from the twelfth of September seventeen hundred
and eighty two to twenty fourth August last, amounting to Sixty six
pounds, two shillings and one penny; Item an Accompt due to the said
William Brodie for Wright work done by him in the Flesh Market, City
Clerk’s Chambers, and sundry other parts belonging to the City, from
fourteenth September seventeen hundred and eighty two to twentieth July
last, amounting to Fifty nine pounds, sixteen shillings and eight pence,
all Sterling money, Did find the said Accompts right summed, calculated
and sufficiently instructed, and therefore were of opinion the City
Chamberlain should be authorised to pay the same, as the respective
Reports under the hands of the said Committee bears--Which being
considered by the Magistrates and Council, They approved of the said
Reports, and authorize and appoint accordingly.
It was from the said Committee also reported that they having examined
... an Accompt due to William Brodie for Wright work done by him to the
City’s Engines, fire Cocks, &c. from twenty ninth November seventeen
hundred and eighty two to twenty fourth May Last, amounting to Forty two
pounds, three shillings and four pence Sterl; Did find the said Accots.
right summed, calculated and sufficiently instructed and therefore were
of opinion the City’s Collector of the Cess and Watch money should be
authorized to pay the same....
It was reported from the Committee on the New Gift that they having
examined.... Item an Accot. due to William Brodie for Wright work done
by him in repairing the Pier of Leith, from first September seventeen
hundred and eighty two to Second July last, amounting to Forty nine
pounds, nine shillings.... Did find the said Accompts right summed,
calculated and sufficiently instructed; But in regard the City’s Duty on
Ale, &c. on which the said Accompts is chargeable is so much decreased
that it cannot afford payment thereof, were therefore of opinion the
City Chamberlain should be authorised to pay the same out of the City’s
proper Revenue, to be charged as a debt on the said duty and repaid and
made good to the City how soon that fund can admit thereof....
JOHN GRIEVE, Provost.
II.
18th August, 1784.
... Upon a motion made in Council They remit to Convener Jameson, Deacon
Hill, and Deacon Brodie to inspect the west wall of the Tolbooth and
consider in what manner a Door or passage may be made thro’ the same in
order that criminals may be executed there, and to report:
III.
24th November 1784.
... Pursuant to a late remit to the Magistrates to consider as to the
manner of fitting up a place adjoining to the Tolbooth of this City for
the execution of Criminals, there was produced in Council a plan for
that purpose with an estimate by Counr. Jameson of the Mason work
amounting to Twenty-five pound two shillings and an estimate by Deacon
Hill of the Wright work amounting to Twenty-five pound both Sterling,
which being considered by the Council They ordain the work to be
executed accordingly.
IV.
11th April 1785.
... An estimate signed by Counr. Jameson and Deacon Hill that the whole
expense in rebuilding the shops and parapet at the west end of the
Tolbooth shall not exceed in whole the sum of seventy pounds Sterling
exclusive of the Wright work for the platform and the machinery for an
Execution conform to a former Estimate being considered, the Council
removed the shop mentioned in the minute of the eighth curt. and
authorised the work to be executed with all possible dispatch.
V.
13th April 1785.
... Appointed the Dean of Guild and his Council to visit the west wall
of the Tolbooth and to Report to the Magistrates their opinion if an
opening can be made there with safety and without hurting the building
for the purpose of executing Criminals on the west side of the Tolbooth,
with power to the Magistrates to authorise the same to be done as
formerly intended.
VI.
20th April 1785.
... The Magistrates produced the following Report:--“Edinburgh, 13th
April 1785. The Dean of Guild and his Council agreeable to the Council’s
appointment visited the west wall of the Tolbooth and report their
unanimous opinion that an opening can be made there with safety and
without hurting the buildings (signed) Archd. McDowall D.G.” and
informed that in consequence thereof they had authorised the intended
work to be completed.
The Magistrates represented that after the maturest consideration they
had appointed the west end of the Tolbooth to be the common place for
the public Execution of Criminals and moved that an Act of Council be
passed for that purpose in order that Archibald Stewart now under
sentence of death may be executed there in pursuance of his sentence,
which being considered by the Council They approved of the conduct of
the Magistrates and declared the west end of the Tolbooth to be the
common place of Execution now and in all time coming.
VII.
4th May 1785.
... Read a letter signed by William Brodie and authorized charter of the
lot in Princes Street feued by him last year to be granted to William
Pirnie, Mason--William Brodie subscribing the same as consenter thereto.
VIII.
11th May 1785.
... Signed charter in favour of William Pirnie, Mason, with consent of
William Brodie Wright, of fifty nine and one half feet in front of the
Plot marked E north side of Princes Street agreed to have been feued to
the said William Brodie for payment of £3:14:4½ of feuduty commencing at
Whitsunday 1785, and £10:13:4½ on the entry of each heir or singular
successor. He paid to the Chamberlain Two hundred and eight pound five
shillings Sterling of purchase money.
IX.
7th September 1785.
... Authorised Deacon Hill to make a moveable platform for the Execution
of Criminals in terms of his estimate not exceeding sixteen pounds
Sterling, to be executed at the sight of Baillies Eyre, Blair, and the
Dean of Guild.
X.
12th April 1786.
... It was reported from the first Baillies’ Committee that they having
examined an accompt due to William Brodie for putting a roof on the new
reservoir in Heriots Garden and compared it with the Estimate, found
that the same exceeded the sum in the estimate in £2:4:6 but that the
additional charge is on account of the building having been raised six
inches higher than the original plan and therefore were of opinion the
City Chamberlain should be authorised to pay the accompt amounting to
£103:10:6 Stg.
XI.
13th September 1786.
... To Thomas Hill for work done by him in making a platform west end
of the Tolbooth, Nineteen pounds seventeen 249 shillings and five pence
half penny.... To Thomas Hill for erecting a second platform west end of
the Tolbooth, Twenty-one pound seven shillings and eleven pence half
penny.
XII.
20th September 1786.
... That part of the Sett entitled “Election in Special of Deacons” was
read.
Then the said fourteen Incorporations being severally called, the
following Persons were presented as their Deacons for the year
ensuing:--
Surgeons--Forrest Dewar, Goldsmiths--Willm. Dempster, Skinners--James
Brown, Furriers--Willm. Ritchie, Hammermen--John Milne, Wrights--Willm.
Brodie, Masons--Robt. Dewar, Taylors--Jas. Richardson, Fleshers--Andrew
Wilson, Cordners--Robert Moncur, Websters--Willm. Forrester,
Waulkers--Thomas Tibbets, and Bonnetmakers--Adam Brooks.
It was reported that Edward Innes was elected Deacon of the
Incorporation of Baxters.
The thirteen persons present were received, Sworn _de fideli_ and
authorized in their offices and qualified to Government by swearing the
Oath of Allegiance and signing the same with the Assurance.
Then the chapter of the Sett entitled “New Council of Deacons” being
read, the Council did proceed to make choice of six Council Deacons to
be adjoined to the new Council for the year ensuing and elected the
persons followings:--
Skinners--James Brown, Wrights--William Brodie, Masons--Robert Dewar,
Baxters--Edward Innes, Fleshers--Andrew Wilson, Waulkers--Thomas
Tibbets. All of whom compeared, except the said Edward Innes, who
accepted of their offices, were sworn _de fideli_ and qualified to
Government by taking the Oath of Allegiance and signing the same with
the Assurance.
JOHN GRIEVE, Provost.
XIII.
28th March 1787.
... On representation from William Forbes, Authorised Deacon Brodie to
make a timber press for the use of the City Clerk in the office kept by
the said William Forbes.
XIV.
31st October 1787.
... Read letter from Professor Andrew Dalzell addressed to the Lord
Provost, that in the course of the night of the thirtieth current the
College Library was broke into and the University Mace was stolen from
thence. Ordered an advertisement to be published offering a reward of
ten guineas to be paid by the City Chamberlain for discovering all or
any of the Persons guilty thereof, or any person in whose possession the
said Mace shall be found.
APPENDIX VIII.
ADVERTISEMENTS RELATING TO CERTAIN OF THE ROBBERIES COMMITTED BY DEACON
BRODIE.
(From the _Edinburgh Evening Courant_.)
1786.
On Friday evening last (the 12th August) the lock of the outer door of
the compting-house of Johnston and Smith, bankers in the Exchange, was
opened by some wicked persons, as supposed by a counterfeit key, and
eight hundred pounds Sterling stolen out of their drawers, in the
following bank notes, viz:--
Of the Royal, and Bank of Scotland £194: 9: 0
British Linen Company 362: 2: 0
Dumfries 126: 0: 0
Glasgow Notes 64: 10: 0
General Bank of Perth 32: 0: 0
Dundee Notes (Jobson’s) - 40: 0: 0
Several small Notes and Silver 11: 1: 0
-------------
£830: 2: 0
It is entreated that every honest person will give the Magistrates of
Edinburgh, or Johnston and Smith, notice of any circumstances that may
fall under their observation for discovering the offenders; and farther,
the said Johnston and Smith will give the informer a reward of Five
Pounds Sterling for every hundred pounds sterling that shall be
recovered in consequence of such information. As some smith may very
innocently have made a key from an impression of clay or wax, such smith
giving information, as above, so as the person who got the key may be
discovered, shall be handsomely rewarded.
BY ORDER OF THE HONOURABLE THE MAGISTRATES OF EDINBURGH.
Whereas, on Sunday night last, the 14th inst. there was laid down or
dropped at the door of the Council Chamber of this City, the sum of two
hundred and twenty-five pounds sterling in bank notes, wrapped in a
piece of grey paper, which was found by Robert Burton, a porter, and
immediately after delivered by him to one of the Magistrates: This is to
give notice, that the above sum is now sealed up, and in the hands of
the City Clerks, and will be delivered to any person who shall prove the
property thereof, with deduction of a reasonable allowance to the porter
who found it.
1786.
SHOP BROKE INTO, AND ROBBED
In Parliament Square, Edinburgh.
Whereas betwixt the night of Monday the 9th, and Tuesday the 10th of
October current, the shop of Mr. James Wemyss, Goldsmith in Edinburgh,
situated betwixt the Goldsmiths’ Hall and the Council Chambers of said
City, was broke into and the following articles carried off, viz. 26
gold rings, some set with diamonds and the rest with stones; 24 plain
gold rings; 5 seals set in gold; 1 gold broatch; 2 silver set broatches;
2 set crosses; 3 set ear-rings, one of them gold; 4 cut shank silver tea
spoons, and one old plain silver do; 10 new silver table spoons; 1
silver tureen spoon, and the mouth of a dividing spoon; 2 silver punch
spoons; 12 silver tea spoons, not quite finished but ready for
burnishing; 1 silver seal with a ship on it, and one seal block; 12
silver stock buckles; 36 pairs silver shoe buckles; 3 single silver shoe
ditto; 46 pairs of silver knee buckles, and four single knee ditto.
As the public, as well as the private party, are greatly interested that
this daring robbery be discovered, it is requested that all Goldsmiths,
Merchants, and other Traders through Scotland, may be attentive, in case
any goods answering to those above mentioned shall be offered to sale,
and to enquire how the persons who may offer them to sale came by them,
and to get them examined before a Magistrate, and secured in prison, in
case they cannot give a good account of themselves, and prove how they
came by the said goods.
Letters containing information may be addressed to Mr. William Dempster,
deacon of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths in Edinburgh, or to Mr David
Downie, Goldsmith there, treasurer of said Incorporation, or to Mr
William Scott, procurator-fiscal of the shire of Edinburgh; and in order
that the person or persons guilty of the said robbery may be discovered,
the Incorporation of Goldsmiths hereby offer a reward of TEN GUINEAS to
any person who shall make such discovery, to be paid by Mr. Downie,
their treasurer, upon conviction of the offender or offenders.
A SHOP BROKE.
Sheriff Clerk’s Office, Edinburgh.
Dec. 28, 1786.
Between Sunday night and Monday morning last, a Hardware Shop here was
broke into, and the following articles carried off:--A lady’s gold
watch, enamelled back, figure offering up a gift to Hymen--A large plain
gold watch, caped and jewelled--A small secondhand gold watch; makers
name of these three J. J. Jackson, London--One small single cased watch,
maker’s name Innes--Two silver watches, name Armstrong--Several gold
rings, breast pins, and lockits, plain and set round with pearl for hair
devices--A few pairs set knee and shoe buckles--Two lancet cases full of
lancets, makers name Lavignie--All the rings, breastpins, lockits, and
set buckles, are marked, in the under side with a sharp nail, the
initials of the shop mark, and the selling price plain figures; so that
if any attempt is made to erase any of these marks, it will easily be
noticed.
Whoever will give such information, within three months from this date,
to William Scott, procurator-fiscal of this County, as shall lead to a
discovery of the person or persons who committed the above theft, shall,
upon conviction of the offender or offenders, receive a reward of
TWENTY GUINEAS, and the informer’s name, if required, concealed.
WILLIAM SCOTT, Proc. Fiscal.
_N.B._ If any of the above articles are offered to sale, it is requested
they may be stopped, and the person offering them detained till notice
is given as above, for which a handsome reward will be given, besides
all charges paid.
1787.
SHOP-BREAKING.
That in the Night betwixt Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th of
August instant, the Shop of John Carnegie, Grocer, at the foot of St.
Andrew’s Street, Leith, was broke into, and about 350 pounds of fine
black tea stolen and carried off.
Whoever will give such information to William Scott, procurator-fiscal
of the County of Edinburgh, within three months from this date, as shall
lead to a discovering in the premises, will receive from him a reward of
TEN GUINEAS, on conviction of the offender or offenders and the
informer’s name (if required) concealed.
_N.B._ It is presumed the above theft has been committed by some of
those who stroll the country under the pretence of hawking tea, and who
may have had access to know Mr. Carnegie’s shop. The tea was turned out
of the packages, and yesterday several parcels of tea were observed
lying at different places on the Bonnington road, as if dropt from a
parcel, which is a farther confirmation of the above suspicion, and that
the tea stolen is carried to the country for sale by some hawker. If,
therefore, any considerable quantity of tea is observed in the custody
of any suspicious person or persons, it is intreated they may be
secured, and notice given to said William Scott, who will pay all
reasonable charges, besides a reasonable gratification for trouble.
SHOP BREAKING AND THEFT.
Sheriff Clerk’s Office, Edinburgh, Oct. 29. 1787.
That in the night betwixt Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of
October Curt. a Shoemaker’s shop in the Royal Exchange, Edinburgh, was
broke into, and the following articles stole and carried off therefrom
viz:--Ten pairs of Boots--Twenty pairs of Men’s shoes--Three pairs of
Men’s slippers, red leather--One pair ditto, yellow--Eighteen pair white
silk Queen’s Uppers for shoes, embroidered with gold and silver--A
silver watch, maker’s name J. Dare, London, No. 2031--Another ditto,
cracked on the outer Case, and having a leather string--A stone ring set
in gold, having a man’s head engraved thereon--A Lady’s Pocket-book, of
red Turkey leather, shut with a steel lock--Six pair of Men’s silk
Stockings, part white and part marled, marked J.C. and numbered--A hard
leather Snuffbox, in the shape of a boot--Also, About four pound of bad
halfpence, with papers of various kind, and in particular some
parchments, and other rights of houses.
Whoever will give to William Scott, procurator-fiscal of this County,
within three months from this date, such information as shall lead to a
discovery of the person or persons who committed the aforesaid
shop-breaking and theft; or will cause apprehend and imprison the said
person or persons, shall, upon conviction of the offender or offenders,
receive a reward of TEN POUNDS, and the informer’s name (if required)
concealed.
_N.B._ If articles similar to the above are offered to sale, or
discovered in the custody of any person of a suspicious appearance, it
is entreated that the goods may be stopped and the person or persons in
whose custody they are found secured, till notice is sent as above, for
which a handsome reward will be given, besides all charges paid.
By the Right Hon: The
LORD PROVOST, MAGISTRATES, AND COUNCIL,
of the City of Edinburgh
WHEREAS, on the night between Monday and Tuesday the 29th and 30th
current, some wicked persons did feloniously break open the doors of the
Library of the University of this City, and steal the UNIVERSITY MACE, a
reward of TEN GUINEAS, to be paid by the City Chamberlain, is hereby
offered for the discovery of all or any of the persons above mentioned,
or of any person in whose possession the said Mace shall be found.
Edinburgh, Oct. 31. 1787.
1788.
SHOP-BREAKING AND THEFT.
Sheriff Clerk’s Office, Edinburgh, Jan. 9. 1788.
That this last night the shop of Mess. INGLIS, HORNER, & Co., Silk
Mercers at the Cross of Edinburgh, was broke into, and the following
articles stolen and carried off therefrom, viz.