Alexander Dundas Ogilvy Wedderburn.
Wedderburn book; a history of the Wedderburns in the counties of Berwick, and Forfar, designed of Wedderburn, Kingennie, Ester Powrie, Blackness, Balindean, and Gosford; and their younger branches; together with some account of other families of the name, 1296-1896 (Volume 1, pt.1-2) online
. (page 1 of 51)
Online Library → Alexander Dundas Ogilvy Wedderburn → Wedderburn book; a history of the Wedderburns in the counties of Berwick, and Forfar, designed of Wedderburn, Kingennie, Ester Powrie, Blackness, Balindean, and Gosford; and their younger branches; together with some account of other families of the name, 1296-1896 (Volume 1, pt.1-2) → online text (page 1 of 51)
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REYNOf ne: W»rTOR!CAL
GENEALOGY COLUECTiOfci
XJ}L..
\1
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
1833 01398 4940
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/wedderburnbookhi112wedd
/
THE
WEDPEEBURN BOOK,
A HISTORY OF THE WEDDERBUENS o
IN THE COUNTIES OF
• BERWICK AND FORFAR,
DESIGNED OF
WEDDERBURN, KINGENNIE, EASTER POWRIE, BLACKNESS, BALINDEAN,
AND GOSFORD;
AND THEIR YOUNGER BRANCHES; TOGETHER WITH SOME
ACCOUNT OF OTHER FAMILIES OF THE NAME.
1296-1896.
BY
ALEXANDER WEDDEEBURN^
KJ. \^^- '^'^
•
Vol. I.— the history. /
/
PRINTED
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION.
1898.
16954G8
FILIO MEO DILECTO,
A.LEXANDRO HENRICO MELVILL WEDDERBURN,
NECNON CUNCTIS JIEIS CONSANGUINEIS
NON DEGENERIBUS,
NOMEN NOSTRUM ANTIQUUil ADHUC GERENTIBUS,
HOC OPUS
DICATUJI EST.
A.D. lIDCCCXCr\'III.
"now, jesu, for th? oentii.l oenetrice,
conserve thi3 surna.me in prosreritie,
fri sundye fall and fra all worlnlt vice,
that may displease thy oracioua deitie,
with all their clan till ring, at u.nitie,
concord, and peace."
Nokilt Gftaloyie o/ iK* .'iniuaK o/ tXe wrlAf
Subditxe uj ikr Ituniarrtl, /.'r/u r/ J/iirray,
tte., MS., l.'.ji. (Citnl uu Ui« UUc |«t;« o(
J.W.'. MS-i .,.,
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
Table of Contents - -...
List of Illustrations - -
Preface - -....
List of Abbreviations used in Volume I. - . -
Introduction — General sketch — The Wedderburns in Berwickshire
— Summary of the contents of the whole work
Part I. — Early history of the family in Dundee ; An account
of its different branches axtecedent and collateral to
THAT OF KiNGENNIE.
Chapter I. — Jajies Wedderbukn in Dundee, and his descendants.
Sect. i. — James Wedderbum (m. Janet Barry). His sons James,
John, Robert, Henry and Gilbert, and his daughter Elizabeth ;
with an account of the descendants of his two youngest sons,
showing their male line to be e.xtinct. (See pedigree at p. 9) -
, Sect ii. — His three eldest sons, authors of The Gwle and Gofllie
Ballates, and their share in the reformation of the Scottish
church. His second son, John Wedderburu, in England
Sect iii. — His third son, Robert Wedderbum, Vicar of Dundee.
His claim to the authorship of The Coviplaynt of Scotlaml.
His descendants in Dundee and at Burntisland. His male line
extinct. (See pedigree at p. 22)
Sect. iv. — His eldest son, James Wedderbum, and his descendants in
Dundee and in Moravia. His grandson, John Wedderbum (ni.
Margaret Lindsay), and his two sons (a) John Wedderbum,
protomedicus in Moravia, and his descendants there ; (h) James
Wedderbum, Bishop of Duublane. (See pedigree at p. 29)
Appendix i. — Letters relating to the affairs of Dr. John AVedderburn
in Moravia and his sons, 1644 — 1651 - - -
Appendix ii. — Letters from James Wedderbum, Bishop of Dunblane,
to Isaac Casaubon and his son, Meric Casaubon, 1613-26
Chapter IL — Walter Wedderburn in Dundee, and his descendants
there, and in Fife. His son David Wedderbum in Welgait father
of Alexander Wedderbum of Pittormie, burgess of Cupar. William
Wedderbum, minister at Pittenweem and in Dundee. James
Wedderbum, minister of Moonzie, and his son James, also minister
there. Andrew Wedderbum, minister at LifT, and Alexander
Wedderbum, minister at Forgan and later at Kilmarnock, co. Ayr.
(See pedigree at p. 43) - - - •
Chapter IIL — David Wedderburn in the Murratgait of Dundee
and his descendants. His son David Wedderburn of Craigie (m.
Helen Lawson) and his two sons, James and William, witli an
account of their families. Their male lines extinct. (Sec peuigiec
at p. 65) - - - - "
FAOB
vii. Contents.
10
16
36
THE WEDDERDUIIN BOOK.
Chapter IV. — Robert Wedderburn (m. Janet Froster) and his family,
OTHER than his SON ROBERT, PROGENITOR OF THE FAMILY OP
KiNGENNiE. (See Part 11.) - - - - 66
With an account, of the descendants of two of their sons :
(i.) James Wcddcrburu, in. Janet Logan. (See pedigree at
p. 69) - - - . . 69
(ii.) Alexander Wcddcrbuni, elder (ta. Isobell Anderson),
father of RichanJ Wcdderburn of Elsiiiore in Denmark,
and Patrick Wedderbiim of Dundee. (See pedigree
at p. 82) - - - - . 74
Chapter V. — Notices of various persons, chiefly in Dundee, unidenti-
fied IN the preceding chapters ... g3
Part II. — The Wedderburns of Kingennie, Easter Powrie, and
THAT ILK, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE SCRYMGEOUKS, PROGEXITOHS,
IN MALE LINE, OF THE SCRYMGEOUR-WeDDERBURNS OF WeDDERBURN."
Chapter I. — Robert Wedderburn (son op Robert Weddkrburn and
Janet Froster), m. Janet Kyd. With an account of their children,
and of the issue of their two youngest sons, Peter and Robert. (See
pedigree at p. 105) - - - . - 93
Chapter II. — Alexander Wedderbtjrn (eldest son of Robert), town
CLERK of Dundee, 15.57-82, and his wife Janet Mvln. Witli an
account of their children and the descendants of tlieir voiin"er
eons. (See pedigree at p. 105) - - . ' - 103
Chapter TII. — Alexander Wedderburn, fiikt baron op Kingennie
(eudest son of Alexander Weudeiuiurn and Janet Mvi.n), town
CLERK of Dundee, 1.582—1626. With an account of his children,
other than his two eldest sons, Alexander (|Hi.-,t, chapter iv.) and
James (post, part iii.). (Sec pedigree at p. 131) - - 123
Chapter IV. — Alexander Wedderburn, second baron op Kingennie,
With an account of his desccudiints, showing their extinction in
male line on the death of D.ivid We<ldorbiirn of that ilk in 1761,
and their represent,ation in female line by the Scrynv^eour-Wed-
derbunis on the death of Grizel Wedderburn of that ilk in 1778.
(See pedigree at p. 131) - - - - . 142
Chapter V. — The ScRYMGEOun-WEHPEitnuitxs op Weuderburn and
BlRKHlLL. With a sketch of their male descent from the Scrymgeours
of Dudhope. (See pedigrees at |ip. 171 aini 177) - . 169
Appendix. — The Scrymgeours of Dudli()[)e - . Ig5
Part III. — The Wedderburns of Bl.^cknuss and their younger
LINES.
Chapter I. — James Wedderburn (second s<in <jp Alexander Wedder-
burn, FIRST OF Kingennie, ante, v. 1i"J), tlkuk ok Dundee, b.
1589, D. 1627, AND HIS FAMILY. (Sto jH."digrcc at p. 200) - 197
Chapter II.— Sir Aij:xander WEDnKRBViLV ok I'.i.ACKNfc^s, Kst. (eldest
SON OF James Weiii>ekul-i'..s), clkhk t-iv I'l.m.ke, u. 1010, d. 1075,
AND HIS family. (See jKJiiign'e at p. 20Uy - - . 201
Chapter III.— Peter, George, and ALEXANfEu Wei i,Ei:ia-RN (vmu.vgest
SURVIVING SONS OF SlR Al.EXANPEll •<¥ l!l_\c K..vt^s K.\T), AND
THEIR DESCENDANTS, NOW EXTINCT IN MALK LI.SB. ^JiOV |<dl-ref8 at
pp. 200, 225 and 230) - ■- • . • 217
CONTENTS.
PACK
Chapter IV. — Sir John Wedderbdrn (eldest surviving sov of Sin Contenta.
Alexander of Blackness, Knt.), first baronet of Blackness,
B. 1641, D. 1706. With an account of his descendants, extinct in
male line on the death of his grandson, the third baronet, in 1723.
(See pedigree at p. 237) - - . . . 231
Chapter V. — .James Wedderburn (second surviving son of Sir
Alexander of Blackness, Knt.), clerk of Dundee b. 1649, d.
1696. With an account of his family other than his eldest son.
(See pedigree at p. 253) - - . . . 243
Chapter VI. — Sir Alexander Wedderburn (eldest son of James
Wedderburn), fourth baronet of Ulackness and clerk of
Dundee, b. 1675, d. 1744, and uis family. With an account of
his share in the '15. (See pedigree at p. 2r)3) - - . 2.54 •
Chapter VII. — Sir .John Wedderburn (eldest son of Sir Alexander),
fifth baronet of Blackness, b. 1704, d. 1746, and uis family.
With an account of his share in '45, his trial, and execution. His
last letters. (See pedigree at p. 289) ... 204
Chapter VIII. — The descendants in male line of Sir John
Wedderburn, fifth baronet of Blackness. (See pedigrees at
pp. 289, 306 and 315) - - - . - 288
Sect. i. — Sir John Wedderburn of Balindean and his
descendants - - - . . 288
Sect. ii. — James Wedderburn of Invoresk and his descendants- 305
(a) The Wedderburn-Colviles of Ochiltree - - 308
(6) The Wedderburn-Ogilvics of Kuthvon - - 311
(c) The Wedderburn-Maxwells of Middlcbie - 312
Chapter IX. — Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie (second son of Sir
Alexander, fourth baronet) and his descendants. Now rojjre-
sented in male line by the descendants of Sir Jauics Wcbster-
Wedderburn, and in female line by the Maclagaii-WedJerburns of
Pearsie. (See pedigrees at pp. 319 and o3 1) - . 318
Chapter X. — Thomas Wedderburn of Cantra (third son of Sir
Alexander, fourth baronet) and iiis descendants at Auchter-
HOUSE, Blairgowrie, and in London. (See pedigree at p. 3;i9), - 337
Appendix. Note i. — Family KcgLstors. Note ii. — lu'^criptioiis
at Auchterhouse. Note iii. — The Meivills in Ceres, co.
Fife. Note iv. — The Dunbars of Grange - - 352
Part IV. — The Wedderburns of Gosford, afterwards Halketts of
PrrriRRANE.
Chapter I. — Sir Peter Wedderburn, Lord GosKonn (third son of
James Wedderburn, Clerk of Dundee, ante v. 199) and ins
descendants, afterwards Halketis of 1'itfiriune. (Sec peJigrco
at p. 371) - - - - - - 363
Chapter IL— John Halkett (1768—1852), and .Sir Ai.i:xani>kr ILm.-
kett, K.C.H. (1773— 1S51), younger suns of Sir Juiis Wehuer-
bukn-Halkett (gre.\t grandson of Sir Peteii AVeihif.hiiurn. Ix.itu
Gosford), and their descendants, now extinct in maij: line.
(See pedigrees at p. 394) - - - - 392
Chapter III. — Alexander Wedderburn, youngest surviving son of
Sir Peter, Lord Gosford, and his descendants, extinc-t i.s m.ux
line on the death, in 1805, of his <;nANii''oN Alkx.\nder
Wedderburn, Loud Chancellor Louohuorougu, and I-Iakl of
EossLYN. (See pedigree at p. 400) - • 395
THE WEDDERBURN BOOK.
Contents, PART V. — VARIOUS MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE FAMILY.
Chapter I.— The family moxume.\t3 i.v the Howff of Du.n'dee
Chapter II.— The armorial bearixg-s of the family
Chapter III.— The Wedderburn Firm and Suit
Part VI.
SHEWN
411
423
441
Chapter IV.— Previous historie-s of the family. With a reprint of
the account given in Doiighis' Baronage of Scotland - - 449
475
495
-Notes on families and persons named Wedderburn nut
N TO BE CONNECTED WITH THE FoRFARSHIRE F.UIILY.
Chapter I. — General Remarks - . . .
Chapter II. — The Wedderdurns in Aderdeenshire.
• Sect, i.— William Wedderburn in Aberdeen and liis descendants,
1535—1660. His son David, poet and grammarian. William
Wedderburn of Bethelnay. The Aberdten I'ariih RfgiHer,
1563 — 18.54 - . . , \ j»g
Sect. ii. — The Wedderburns at Fyvie, 1685—1715 - . 481
Sect, iii.— The Wedderburns in Old Mcldruni, 1713—1890 - 482
Sect, iv.— James Wedderburn at Tarves and his descoudaula.
1798-1890 - . . - - 486
Sect, v.— George Wedderburn at Tarvca and his dcsocndant-s.
1800—1896 - . . ■- 488
Sect. vi. — William Wedderburn in Banchory and hi.-i dcHceudmita
in London and Kent, 1780 — 1890 - . . 459
Sect. vii. — The Wedderburns at Peterhead, lf^48 91 . . 490
Chapter III. — The Wedderburns in and near Edinhuhgii and (Ji.A.sr,ow.
Sect. i. — The Wedderburns in and near Ediubur^rli, I.'j9t 1892 491
Sect. ii. — The Wedderburns in Pen&iitland, 102ij— 1790 - 494
Sect. iii. — The Wedderburns in Glasgow (and later in hilinburi-h)
1690—1693 - - . . .
Sect. iv. — The Wedderburns at Coldiiigham and Chinioiidc, co
Berwick, 1692—1739 - . . - 496
Sect. V. — Miscellaneous References (Scottish liecords) - - 497
Chapter IV. — The Wedderburns in Enoi^nd.
Sect, i — Tlie Wedderburns in co. Xorthiunborlaiid — la) nt Allcnicaji,
HomclifTe, and Xewcastle ; (//) at Brciikky and Tytuniouth,
etc. ; (c) at Ponteland, anil later at Leeds ; (</; .Ml^cclljuieous
Notes ...... 493
9 Sect. ii. — The Wedderburns in Lancashire — ;<i)iu Ulverstonc ; (6) iu
Liverpool and at West Derby - - - . 505
Sect. iii. — Robert Wedderburn, "the black preachor." bmJ hi.i
descendants, 1762 — 1.^90 - - - . 505
Sect. iv. — Alexander Wedderbuni in Exeter and Lis family, 17s3 —
1891 - - - _ . - - 507
Sect. V. — Miscellaneous references, 1S37-90, inclndini; Willlnm
Wedderburn in Ireland - - - . 503
Chapter V. — The Wedderburns in Scjuth AriicA, C'a.nada, a.m> the
United States.
Sect. i. — Christopher Wedderlami and his faniilv in S)Ulh
Africa (and .Manchester), 1772— IMM '• . Z\0
Sect. ii. — Alesander Wedderburn in C.in;i»lit and hi» <ltiH-t-{H!ant4
there, 1800-92 - - • • - 512
Sect. iii. — David \\'cddrTburii in .\niorii-n ni.d Lit d<->Nr< n lxi:la
there, 17-tI— 1>1)3 ■• • -513
Additions and Corrections in Voli-ME I. • • • - 617
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IX VOLUME L
James "Wedderburs-, bishop of DtixBLAN-E, b. 1585, d. 1639
Seal of James Wedderburs-, as dean of the Chapel Royal
Katharine Wedderburn's casket, 1600 - . .
Alexander Wedderburn of Kingennie, b. 156:, d. 1626 -
Oak door and decorated roof, Dundee - . .
Sir John Wedderburn of Gosfoud, b. 1599, d. 1679
Birkhill, CO. Fife, 1892 - . . . ^
James Wedderburn, clerk of Dundee, b. 1589, d. 1627 -
Blackness, circa 1700 - . . . _
Sir Alexander Wedderburn of Blackness, Knt., b. 1610, d. 1675-76 -
Sir Alexander Wedderburn, second baronet of Blackness
B. 1672, D. 1710 - - . . [
James Wedderburn's house in Dundee, 1680
Sra Alexander Wedderburn, fourth baronet of Blackness
B. 1675, D. 1744 - ..'.
Blackness, 1892 -
Katharine Scott, Lady Wedderburn, b. 16;0, d. 1761-62
Letter from Sir John Wedderburn to his wife, Nov. 1746
(facsimile) - -...
The Jacobite ring, 1746 - - - . .
Sra John Wedderburn, fifth baronet of Blackness, e. 1701, d. 1746
Inveresk Lodge, 1892 - - . . .
Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie (b. 1708, d. 1786), circa 1740
Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie in old age
Isobel Edward (wife of Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie), h. 1718,
D. 1788 - .-..
Charles Wedderburn of Pearsie, b. 1748, d. 1829
David Wedderburn-Webster, b. 1757, d. 1801 - - .
Letter from Thomas Wedderburn of Cantr.4 (b. 1710, d. 1771),
to his wife, 16 April 1746 (facsimile)
John Wedderburn of Spring Garden, b. 1743, d. 1820 -
Mary Wisdom Bedward (wife of John Wedderburn) in youth, d,
1764, d. 1835 -..-..
Mary Wisdom Wedderburn (in old age) and uer daughter-^, Mary
AND Catherine .....
John Wedderburn of Auchterhouse and his wife, Lady Helen
Ogilvy ......
to face.
to face
to face
PAGE
3 J List or
Ulustratlona.
31
122
123
128
137
182
198
208
210
239
246
256
259
261
276
284
284
305
320
321
322
326
329
337
344
345
347
348
THE WEDDERBURN BOOK.
PAGE
iJat of Lettek from Sir Peter Wedderburn (facsimile), with seal of arms - to face 367
us ra ons. g^^ Pj^er Wedderdcrn, Lord Gosfokd, d. 1616, D. 1679 - - n 369
Pitfirraxe, CO. Fife - - - • » 376
Plan of the Wedderburn burying ground in tue Howff of Dundee - on 411
The Kingexnie Monument, 1801 - - • • n 412
Tomb of Grissell Wedderburn and James Ander.son - - to face 414
Tomb of Sir Alexander Wedderburn, fourth baronet of Black-
ness, D. 1714 - - - - - -on 414
Monument to Margaret Ogilvt, Lady Wedderburn, d. 1775 - to Jace 415
Tombs of Margaret Wedderburn, wife of Peter Ciayoills, and
Katharine Wedderburn, wife of William Duncan - - „ 416
Inscription to James Wedderburn on west wall of the Howff - on 417
The Wedderburn monument, 1892 - - - - » 422
Sbial of John de Wedderburn, 1364 - - • - » 423
Seal of David Wedderburn, 1464 - - - - » 424
Abms of the Wedderburns de eodem, 1502 - - - „ 424
Seal of Robert Wedderburn, 1547 - - . „ 425
Ring engraved "P.W. 1571" - - - - „ 425
Ring engraved "LW. 1580" - - - - „ 426
Seal of David Wedderbub.v, 1593 - - - - „ 426
ScuiJ?ruRED stones at Kingennie - - - -to face 427
Sculptured arms of Alexander Wedderburn of Kingennie and
HEr.EN Ramsay, circa 1600 - - - - oji 427
Arms on the Kingennie monument, 1626-83 - - • „ 427
Arms of James Wedderburn, d. 1644- - - • „ 428
Seal of Sir Alexander Wedderburn of Blackness, Knt., circa 1600 „ 429
Old king with arms - - - - - » 435
Armorial beaeings from J.W.'a printed jiemoir - - „ 437-38
PREFACE.
THE history of a Scottish family, written for private circulation among Prefaco.
its members and those connected with it, needs no apology to secure
its welcome by them. An interest in their forbears is proverbially
characteristic of the Scottish race, so that Lockhart has spoken of the "ell
of genealogy " appropriate to every Scotsman. This feeling, ineradicable
from their character, exists among all classes of the people, and is based,
not, as is sometimes supposed by those who neither share nor understand it,
on mere pride, but on a sense of clanship which extends even beyond the
present members of the clan. " It is the mark of the Scot of all classes,"
says a great Scottish writer,^ whose knowledge of the national character was
unrivalled, " that he stands in an attitude towards the past unthinkable to
Englishmen, and remembers and cherishes the memory of his forbears, o-ood
and bad ; and there burns alive in him a sense of identity with the dead
even to the twentieth generation."
This, as expressing the quality of the Scottish feeling, is admirably said,
but it must not, I think, be taken to exclude others than Scotsmen from an
interest in their progenitors, which is, I believe, common to every nation,
and as old as the most ancient race. Thus Rousseau confesses that of
all pride none, except that based on personal merit, is as pardonable as
pride of birth ;- and even the cynical Gibbon has no sneer for a love of
ancestry. "A lively desire," he says in his Minaoir of mj/ oirn Life, "of
knowing and recording our ancestors so generally prevails, that it must
depend on the influence of some common principle in the minds of men.
We seem to have lived in the persons of our forefathers ; it is the labour
and reward of vanity to extend the term of this ideal longevity. . . . Our
calmer judgment will rather tend to moderate than to suppress the pride of
an ancient and worthy race. The satirist may laugh, the philosopher may
preach, but Reason herself will respect the prejudices and habits, which have
been consecrated by the experience of mankind. Few there are who can
sincerel}' despise in others an advantage of which they are secretly ambitious
to partake."
And apart from such sentiment, the study of the past history of a
family may be encouraged on various grounds. Its critical examination gives
no little insight into the value of historical evidence ; it serves (as Sir
Walter Scott has said)^ "to perpetuate a great deal of what is rare and
valuable in ancient manners, and to record many curious and minute facts
which could have been preserved and conveyed through no other medium " ;
the scientist may glean from it some material towards formulating a law «.f
heredity ; while 'the moralist may see in the rapid decline of many families,
some evidence of "grit" and good quality in those that have kept them-
selves prosperous and notable through a long course of years.
' R. L. Stevensou, Weir nf Uei-mistnn (1S96\ pp. 113-14.
' "S'ilestun orgueil pardounable apres celui qui se tire da nii-'rite [)er»ouucI c'c»t cclui nui m lire <!«
la naissance " [Cuiifesaiutis of J, J. Rousseau).
* Waxerlcy, chap. ii.
THE WEDDEllIiURN BOOK.
Preface. For myself, without seeking for its cause, I am free to confess to the
feeling described by Stevenson as one long posses-^ed both by me and
more than one of my immediate predecessors. My grandfather spent
no little of his leisure on the genealogical work so often referred to in
this book; his father's interest in his name is shown by a pedigree which
he entered up at the Heralds' College a century ago ; while his father again
wrote a history of his wife's family — the Dunbars of Grange — which shows
him to have had a taste in this direction.
It is to the work of my grandfather that the present book may be said
to owe its existence. Among my earliest recollections is a thin volume, which I
still possess, consisting of the armorial illustrations containerl in the memoir
printed by him in 1824'. Of the origin of these plates, and of the existence
of any printed memoir to which they belonged, I then knew nothing, but
they stimulated my curiosity; and, encouraged in my inclination while still
at school by one of my tutors who had similar tastes, I began early to
collect material for a history of my name, copying into a note book (long
â– since lost) such mentions of it as I could tind elsewhere than in the
common books of reference on such subjects. It was not, however, until
many years later that I became aware of my grandfatb.er's small volume,
and of the MS. edition of it, enlarged and corrected, with which he
occupied himself from 1827 to 1839. Of this last I made a copy
in 1880, after which I to some extent brought it up to date, and continued
to add various notes to it from time to time with a view to its ultimate
publication.
Fortunately, however, for the accuracy and completeness of the present
book, I delayed to carry out this intention until after I had chanced, eight
or nine years ago, to meet with the edition of extracts from the Lockit Bidlc
of Dundee, by Mr. A. H. ^lillar, which had recently appeared under the
title of the Roll of Eminent Burgesses of Dundee. On reading this I at
once communicated with him, and heard for the iirst time of the vast mass
of Wedderburn material in the charter room of the Town House in Dundee.
Of this, when next in Scotland, I made a preliminary investigation, and found
• that Mr. Millar had by no means exaggerated either its quantity or its
importance. I have given some account of it in the second volume of this
book (p. 187). As to its amount, the space occupied by the portions of
it printed there speaks for itself, while a very little study of the
present work, with its frequent references to the Dundee Records, will be
conclusive as to its value. It showed me at once that J.W.'s MS., however
useful as a collection of material, and for his own time as a record, was
not to be relied on in regard to anything like old history, and that, in
order to produce an authentic record, I must begin de novo, and ask myself
at every point, " How is this proved ? "
The first thing was, of course, to collect the evidence on which the
history was to be founded, and this took time. I am conscious that the
publication of these volumes has been long delayed, but I believe that
the time occupied in their compilation (and it must be remembered that
they have been the work of my leisure) will not surprise anyone who gives
them even a brief attention. I am confident it will surprise no one who
has ever attempted or who may in future attempt a similar work. The
task of searching, collecting, and finally of arranging and selecting for
publication the most material portions of the collected evidence, has occupied
more than half the time spent over the preparation of the book. In this
labour I was, of course, largely helped, chiefly by the well-known expert,
the Rev. Walter Macleod of Edinburgh, and his efficient stall', two of whom
PREFACE. XV
spent many months iti Dundee. The result of their and my own researches Pi-efaco.
fills the second volume of this book, the evidence collected in which falls
into three divisions, viz., Private Records ; Burgh Records, Dundee ; and
Public Records in Scotland and in London. In each case I have prefaced
the extracts given with a short note on the general nature of the records,
which need not be re-stated here. Bat I desire to again acknowledge mv
obligations to Mr. Henry Scrymgeour-Wedderburn of Wedderburn, who
allowed me the fullest possible access to his charter chests; and to Sir
William Wedderburn, Bart., who gave me similar facilities in regard to his
papers. These two collections were, of course, the most important private
repositories, and contain tlie documents relating to the Kino-ennie and
Blackness lines. I much regret not to have had access to "the family
papers in the possession of Sir P. A. Halkett at Pitfirrane, thougli I have
(with his assent) been able to quote some of them at second hand. But
although his charter chest would probably have contained much of interest
in regard to members of the most junior line of the Wedilerburns, that of
Gosford, it is not probable that among its documents would be found any
W413W
v.l
pt.1-2
1695468
REYNOf ne: W»rTOR!CAL
GENEALOGY COLUECTiOfci
XJ}L..
\1
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
1833 01398 4940
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/wedderburnbookhi112wedd
/
THE
WEDPEEBURN BOOK,
A HISTORY OF THE WEDDERBUENS o
IN THE COUNTIES OF
• BERWICK AND FORFAR,
DESIGNED OF
WEDDERBURN, KINGENNIE, EASTER POWRIE, BLACKNESS, BALINDEAN,
AND GOSFORD;
AND THEIR YOUNGER BRANCHES; TOGETHER WITH SOME
ACCOUNT OF OTHER FAMILIES OF THE NAME.
1296-1896.
BY
ALEXANDER WEDDEEBURN^
KJ. \^^- '^'^
•
Vol. I.— the history. /
/
PRINTED
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION.
1898.
16954G8
FILIO MEO DILECTO,
A.LEXANDRO HENRICO MELVILL WEDDERBURN,
NECNON CUNCTIS JIEIS CONSANGUINEIS
NON DEGENERIBUS,
NOMEN NOSTRUM ANTIQUUil ADHUC GERENTIBUS,
HOC OPUS
DICATUJI EST.
A.D. lIDCCCXCr\'III.
"now, jesu, for th? oentii.l oenetrice,
conserve thi3 surna.me in prosreritie,
fri sundye fall and fra all worlnlt vice,
that may displease thy oracioua deitie,
with all their clan till ring, at u.nitie,
concord, and peace."
Nokilt Gftaloyie o/ iK* .'iniuaK o/ tXe wrlAf
Subditxe uj ikr Ituniarrtl, /.'r/u r/ J/iirray,
tte., MS., l.'.ji. (Citnl uu Ui« UUc |«t;« o(
J.W.'. MS-i .,.,
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
Table of Contents - -...
List of Illustrations - -
Preface - -....
List of Abbreviations used in Volume I. - . -
Introduction — General sketch — The Wedderburns in Berwickshire
— Summary of the contents of the whole work
Part I. — Early history of the family in Dundee ; An account
of its different branches axtecedent and collateral to
THAT OF KiNGENNIE.
Chapter I. — Jajies Wedderbukn in Dundee, and his descendants.
Sect. i. — James Wedderbum (m. Janet Barry). His sons James,
John, Robert, Henry and Gilbert, and his daughter Elizabeth ;
with an account of the descendants of his two youngest sons,
showing their male line to be e.xtinct. (See pedigree at p. 9) -
, Sect ii. — His three eldest sons, authors of The Gwle and Gofllie
Ballates, and their share in the reformation of the Scottish
church. His second son, John Wedderburu, in England
Sect iii. — His third son, Robert Wedderbum, Vicar of Dundee.
His claim to the authorship of The Coviplaynt of Scotlaml.
His descendants in Dundee and at Burntisland. His male line
extinct. (See pedigree at p. 22)
Sect. iv. — His eldest son, James Wedderbum, and his descendants in
Dundee and in Moravia. His grandson, John Wedderbum (ni.
Margaret Lindsay), and his two sons (a) John Wedderbum,
protomedicus in Moravia, and his descendants there ; (h) James
Wedderbum, Bishop of Duublane. (See pedigree at p. 29)
Appendix i. — Letters relating to the affairs of Dr. John AVedderburn
in Moravia and his sons, 1644 — 1651 - - -
Appendix ii. — Letters from James Wedderbum, Bishop of Dunblane,
to Isaac Casaubon and his son, Meric Casaubon, 1613-26
Chapter IL — Walter Wedderburn in Dundee, and his descendants
there, and in Fife. His son David Wedderbum in Welgait father
of Alexander Wedderbum of Pittormie, burgess of Cupar. William
Wedderbum, minister at Pittenweem and in Dundee. James
Wedderbum, minister of Moonzie, and his son James, also minister
there. Andrew Wedderbum, minister at LifT, and Alexander
Wedderbum, minister at Forgan and later at Kilmarnock, co. Ayr.
(See pedigree at p. 43) - - - •
Chapter IIL — David Wedderburn in the Murratgait of Dundee
and his descendants. His son David Wedderburn of Craigie (m.
Helen Lawson) and his two sons, James and William, witli an
account of their families. Their male lines extinct. (Sec peuigiec
at p. 65) - - - - "
FAOB
vii. Contents.
10
16
36
THE WEDDERDUIIN BOOK.
Chapter IV. — Robert Wedderburn (m. Janet Froster) and his family,
OTHER than his SON ROBERT, PROGENITOR OF THE FAMILY OP
KiNGENNiE. (See Part 11.) - - - - 66
With an account, of the descendants of two of their sons :
(i.) James Wcddcrburu, in. Janet Logan. (See pedigree at
p. 69) - - - . . 69
(ii.) Alexander Wcddcrbuni, elder (ta. Isobell Anderson),
father of RichanJ Wcdderburn of Elsiiiore in Denmark,
and Patrick Wedderbiim of Dundee. (See pedigree
at p. 82) - - - - . 74
Chapter V. — Notices of various persons, chiefly in Dundee, unidenti-
fied IN the preceding chapters ... g3
Part II. — The Wedderburns of Kingennie, Easter Powrie, and
THAT ILK, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE SCRYMGEOUKS, PROGEXITOHS,
IN MALE LINE, OF THE SCRYMGEOUR-WeDDERBURNS OF WeDDERBURN."
Chapter I. — Robert Wedderburn (son op Robert Weddkrburn and
Janet Froster), m. Janet Kyd. With an account of their children,
and of the issue of their two youngest sons, Peter and Robert. (See
pedigree at p. 105) - - - . - 93
Chapter II. — Alexander Wedderbtjrn (eldest son of Robert), town
CLERK of Dundee, 15.57-82, and his wife Janet Mvln. Witli an
account of their children and the descendants of tlieir voiin"er
eons. (See pedigree at p. 105) - - . ' - 103
Chapter TII. — Alexander Wedderburn, fiikt baron op Kingennie
(eudest son of Alexander Weudeiuiurn and Janet Mvi.n), town
CLERK of Dundee, 1.582—1626. With an account of his children,
other than his two eldest sons, Alexander (|Hi.-,t, chapter iv.) and
James (post, part iii.). (Sec pedigree at p. 131) - - 123
Chapter IV. — Alexander Wedderburn, second baron op Kingennie,
With an account of his desccudiints, showing their extinction in
male line on the death of D.ivid We<ldorbiirn of that ilk in 1761,
and their represent,ation in female line by the Scrynv^eour-Wed-
derbunis on the death of Grizel Wedderburn of that ilk in 1778.
(See pedigree at p. 131) - - - - . 142
Chapter V. — The ScRYMGEOun-WEHPEitnuitxs op Weuderburn and
BlRKHlLL. With a sketch of their male descent from the Scrymgeours
of Dudhope. (See pedigrees at |ip. 171 aini 177) - . 169
Appendix. — The Scrymgeours of Dudli()[)e - . Ig5
Part III. — The Wedderburns of Bl.^cknuss and their younger
LINES.
Chapter I. — James Wedderburn (second s<in <jp Alexander Wedder-
burn, FIRST OF Kingennie, ante, v. 1i"J), tlkuk ok Dundee, b.
1589, D. 1627, AND HIS FAMILY. (Sto jH."digrcc at p. 200) - 197
Chapter II.— Sir Aij:xander WEDnKRBViLV ok I'.i.ACKNfc^s, Kst. (eldest
SON OF James Weiii>ekul-i'..s), clkhk t-iv I'l.m.ke, u. 1010, d. 1075,
AND HIS family. (See jKJiiign'e at p. 20Uy - - . 201
Chapter III.— Peter, George, and ALEXANfEu Wei i,Ei:ia-RN (vmu.vgest
SURVIVING SONS OF SlR Al.EXANPEll •<¥ l!l_\c K..vt^s K.\T), AND
THEIR DESCENDANTS, NOW EXTINCT IN MALK LI.SB. ^JiOV |<dl-ref8 at
pp. 200, 225 and 230) - ■- • . • 217
CONTENTS.
PACK
Chapter IV. — Sir John Wedderbdrn (eldest surviving sov of Sin Contenta.
Alexander of Blackness, Knt.), first baronet of Blackness,
B. 1641, D. 1706. With an account of his descendants, extinct in
male line on the death of his grandson, the third baronet, in 1723.
(See pedigree at p. 237) - - . . . 231
Chapter V. — .James Wedderburn (second surviving son of Sir
Alexander of Blackness, Knt.), clerk of Dundee b. 1649, d.
1696. With an account of his family other than his eldest son.
(See pedigree at p. 253) - - . . . 243
Chapter VI. — Sir Alexander Wedderburn (eldest son of James
Wedderburn), fourth baronet of Ulackness and clerk of
Dundee, b. 1675, d. 1744, and uis family. With an account of
his share in the '15. (See pedigree at p. 2r)3) - - . 2.54 •
Chapter VII. — Sir .John Wedderburn (eldest son of Sir Alexander),
fifth baronet of Blackness, b. 1704, d. 1746, and uis family.
With an account of his share in '45, his trial, and execution. His
last letters. (See pedigree at p. 289) ... 204
Chapter VIII. — The descendants in male line of Sir John
Wedderburn, fifth baronet of Blackness. (See pedigrees at
pp. 289, 306 and 315) - - - . - 288
Sect. i. — Sir John Wedderburn of Balindean and his
descendants - - - . . 288
Sect. ii. — James Wedderburn of Invoresk and his descendants- 305
(a) The Wedderburn-Colviles of Ochiltree - - 308
(6) The Wedderburn-Ogilvics of Kuthvon - - 311
(c) The Wedderburn-Maxwells of Middlcbie - 312
Chapter IX. — Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie (second son of Sir
Alexander, fourth baronet) and his descendants. Now rojjre-
sented in male line by the descendants of Sir Jauics Wcbster-
Wedderburn, and in female line by the Maclagaii-WedJerburns of
Pearsie. (See pedigrees at pp. 319 and o3 1) - . 318
Chapter X. — Thomas Wedderburn of Cantra (third son of Sir
Alexander, fourth baronet) and iiis descendants at Auchter-
HOUSE, Blairgowrie, and in London. (See pedigree at p. 3;i9), - 337
Appendix. Note i. — Family KcgLstors. Note ii. — lu'^criptioiis
at Auchterhouse. Note iii. — The Meivills in Ceres, co.
Fife. Note iv. — The Dunbars of Grange - - 352
Part IV. — The Wedderburns of Gosford, afterwards Halketts of
PrrriRRANE.
Chapter I. — Sir Peter Wedderburn, Lord GosKonn (third son of
James Wedderburn, Clerk of Dundee, ante v. 199) and ins
descendants, afterwards Halketis of 1'itfiriune. (Sec peJigrco
at p. 371) - - - - - - 363
Chapter IL— John Halkett (1768—1852), and .Sir Ai.i:xani>kr ILm.-
kett, K.C.H. (1773— 1S51), younger suns of Sir Juiis Wehuer-
bukn-Halkett (gre.\t grandson of Sir Peteii AVeihif.hiiurn. Ix.itu
Gosford), and their descendants, now extinct in maij: line.
(See pedigrees at p. 394) - - - - 392
Chapter III. — Alexander Wedderburn, youngest surviving son of
Sir Peter, Lord Gosford, and his descendants, extinc-t i.s m.ux
line on the death, in 1805, of his <;nANii''oN Alkx.\nder
Wedderburn, Loud Chancellor Louohuorougu, and I-Iakl of
EossLYN. (See pedigree at p. 400) - • 395
THE WEDDERBURN BOOK.
Contents, PART V. — VARIOUS MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE FAMILY.
Chapter I.— The family moxume.\t3 i.v the Howff of Du.n'dee
Chapter II.— The armorial bearixg-s of the family
Chapter III.— The Wedderburn Firm and Suit
Part VI.
SHEWN
411
423
441
Chapter IV.— Previous historie-s of the family. With a reprint of
the account given in Doiighis' Baronage of Scotland - - 449
475
495
-Notes on families and persons named Wedderburn nut
N TO BE CONNECTED WITH THE FoRFARSHIRE F.UIILY.
Chapter I. — General Remarks - . . .
Chapter II. — The Wedderdurns in Aderdeenshire.
• Sect, i.— William Wedderburn in Aberdeen and liis descendants,
1535—1660. His son David, poet and grammarian. William
Wedderburn of Bethelnay. The Aberdten I'ariih RfgiHer,
1563 — 18.54 - . . , \ j»g
Sect. ii. — The Wedderburns at Fyvie, 1685—1715 - . 481
Sect, iii.— The Wedderburns in Old Mcldruni, 1713—1890 - 482
Sect, iv.— James Wedderburn at Tarves and his descoudaula.
1798-1890 - . . - - 486
Sect, v.— George Wedderburn at Tarvca and his dcsocndant-s.
1800—1896 - . . ■- 488
Sect. vi. — William Wedderburn in Banchory and hi.-i dcHceudmita
in London and Kent, 1780 — 1890 - . . 459
Sect. vii. — The Wedderburns at Peterhead, lf^48 91 . . 490
Chapter III. — The Wedderburns in and near Edinhuhgii and (Ji.A.sr,ow.
Sect. i. — The Wedderburns in and near Ediubur^rli, I.'j9t 1892 491
Sect. ii. — The Wedderburns in Pen&iitland, 102ij— 1790 - 494
Sect. iii. — The Wedderburns in Glasgow (and later in hilinburi-h)
1690—1693 - - . . .
Sect. iv. — The Wedderburns at Coldiiigham and Chinioiidc, co
Berwick, 1692—1739 - . . - 496
Sect. V. — Miscellaneous References (Scottish liecords) - - 497
Chapter IV. — The Wedderburns in Enoi^nd.
Sect, i — Tlie Wedderburns in co. Xorthiunborlaiid — la) nt Allcnicaji,
HomclifTe, and Xewcastle ; (//) at Brciikky and Tytuniouth,
etc. ; (c) at Ponteland, anil later at Leeds ; (</; .Ml^cclljuieous
Notes ...... 493
9 Sect. ii. — The Wedderburns in Lancashire — ;<i)iu Ulverstonc ; (6) iu
Liverpool and at West Derby - - - . 505
Sect. iii. — Robert Wedderburn, "the black preachor." bmJ hi.i
descendants, 1762 — 1.^90 - - - . 505
Sect. iv. — Alexander Wedderbuni in Exeter and Lis family, 17s3 —
1891 - - - _ . - - 507
Sect. V. — Miscellaneous references, 1S37-90, inclndini; Willlnm
Wedderburn in Ireland - - - . 503
Chapter V. — The Wedderburns in Scjuth AriicA, C'a.nada, a.m> the
United States.
Sect. i. — Christopher Wedderlami and his faniilv in S)Ulh
Africa (and .Manchester), 1772— IMM '• . Z\0
Sect. ii. — Alesander Wedderburn in C.in;i»lit and hi» <ltiH-t-{H!ant4
there, 1800-92 - - • • - 512
Sect. iii. — David \\'cddrTburii in .\niorii-n ni.d Lit d<->Nr< n lxi:la
there, 17-tI— 1>1)3 ■• • -513
Additions and Corrections in Voli-ME I. • • • - 617
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IX VOLUME L
James "Wedderburs-, bishop of DtixBLAN-E, b. 1585, d. 1639
Seal of James Wedderburs-, as dean of the Chapel Royal
Katharine Wedderburn's casket, 1600 - . .
Alexander Wedderburn of Kingennie, b. 156:, d. 1626 -
Oak door and decorated roof, Dundee - . .
Sir John Wedderburn of Gosfoud, b. 1599, d. 1679
Birkhill, CO. Fife, 1892 - . . . ^
James Wedderburn, clerk of Dundee, b. 1589, d. 1627 -
Blackness, circa 1700 - . . . _
Sir Alexander Wedderburn of Blackness, Knt., b. 1610, d. 1675-76 -
Sir Alexander Wedderburn, second baronet of Blackness
B. 1672, D. 1710 - - . . [
James Wedderburn's house in Dundee, 1680
Sra Alexander Wedderburn, fourth baronet of Blackness
B. 1675, D. 1744 - ..'.
Blackness, 1892 -
Katharine Scott, Lady Wedderburn, b. 16;0, d. 1761-62
Letter from Sir John Wedderburn to his wife, Nov. 1746
(facsimile) - -...
The Jacobite ring, 1746 - - - . .
Sra John Wedderburn, fifth baronet of Blackness, e. 1701, d. 1746
Inveresk Lodge, 1892 - - . . .
Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie (b. 1708, d. 1786), circa 1740
Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie in old age
Isobel Edward (wife of Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie), h. 1718,
D. 1788 - .-..
Charles Wedderburn of Pearsie, b. 1748, d. 1829
David Wedderburn-Webster, b. 1757, d. 1801 - - .
Letter from Thomas Wedderburn of Cantr.4 (b. 1710, d. 1771),
to his wife, 16 April 1746 (facsimile)
John Wedderburn of Spring Garden, b. 1743, d. 1820 -
Mary Wisdom Bedward (wife of John Wedderburn) in youth, d,
1764, d. 1835 -..-..
Mary Wisdom Wedderburn (in old age) and uer daughter-^, Mary
AND Catherine .....
John Wedderburn of Auchterhouse and his wife, Lady Helen
Ogilvy ......
to face.
to face
to face
PAGE
3 J List or
Ulustratlona.
31
122
123
128
137
182
198
208
210
239
246
256
259
261
276
284
284
305
320
321
322
326
329
337
344
345
347
348
THE WEDDERBURN BOOK.
PAGE
iJat of Lettek from Sir Peter Wedderburn (facsimile), with seal of arms - to face 367
us ra ons. g^^ Pj^er Wedderdcrn, Lord Gosfokd, d. 1616, D. 1679 - - n 369
Pitfirraxe, CO. Fife - - - • » 376
Plan of the Wedderburn burying ground in tue Howff of Dundee - on 411
The Kingexnie Monument, 1801 - - • • n 412
Tomb of Grissell Wedderburn and James Ander.son - - to face 414
Tomb of Sir Alexander Wedderburn, fourth baronet of Black-
ness, D. 1714 - - - - - -on 414
Monument to Margaret Ogilvt, Lady Wedderburn, d. 1775 - to Jace 415
Tombs of Margaret Wedderburn, wife of Peter Ciayoills, and
Katharine Wedderburn, wife of William Duncan - - „ 416
Inscription to James Wedderburn on west wall of the Howff - on 417
The Wedderburn monument, 1892 - - - - » 422
Sbial of John de Wedderburn, 1364 - - • - » 423
Seal of David Wedderburn, 1464 - - - - » 424
Abms of the Wedderburns de eodem, 1502 - - - „ 424
Seal of Robert Wedderburn, 1547 - - . „ 425
Ring engraved "P.W. 1571" - - - - „ 425
Ring engraved "LW. 1580" - - - - „ 426
Seal of David Wedderbub.v, 1593 - - - - „ 426
ScuiJ?ruRED stones at Kingennie - - - -to face 427
Sculptured arms of Alexander Wedderburn of Kingennie and
HEr.EN Ramsay, circa 1600 - - - - oji 427
Arms on the Kingennie monument, 1626-83 - - • „ 427
Arms of James Wedderburn, d. 1644- - - • „ 428
Seal of Sir Alexander Wedderburn of Blackness, Knt., circa 1600 „ 429
Old king with arms - - - - - » 435
Armorial beaeings from J.W.'a printed jiemoir - - „ 437-38
PREFACE.
THE history of a Scottish family, written for private circulation among Prefaco.
its members and those connected with it, needs no apology to secure
its welcome by them. An interest in their forbears is proverbially
characteristic of the Scottish race, so that Lockhart has spoken of the "ell
of genealogy " appropriate to every Scotsman. This feeling, ineradicable
from their character, exists among all classes of the people, and is based,
not, as is sometimes supposed by those who neither share nor understand it,
on mere pride, but on a sense of clanship which extends even beyond the
present members of the clan. " It is the mark of the Scot of all classes,"
says a great Scottish writer,^ whose knowledge of the national character was
unrivalled, " that he stands in an attitude towards the past unthinkable to
Englishmen, and remembers and cherishes the memory of his forbears, o-ood
and bad ; and there burns alive in him a sense of identity with the dead
even to the twentieth generation."
This, as expressing the quality of the Scottish feeling, is admirably said,
but it must not, I think, be taken to exclude others than Scotsmen from an
interest in their progenitors, which is, I believe, common to every nation,
and as old as the most ancient race. Thus Rousseau confesses that of
all pride none, except that based on personal merit, is as pardonable as
pride of birth ;- and even the cynical Gibbon has no sneer for a love of
ancestry. "A lively desire," he says in his Minaoir of mj/ oirn Life, "of
knowing and recording our ancestors so generally prevails, that it must
depend on the influence of some common principle in the minds of men.
We seem to have lived in the persons of our forefathers ; it is the labour
and reward of vanity to extend the term of this ideal longevity. . . . Our
calmer judgment will rather tend to moderate than to suppress the pride of
an ancient and worthy race. The satirist may laugh, the philosopher may
preach, but Reason herself will respect the prejudices and habits, which have
been consecrated by the experience of mankind. Few there are who can
sincerel}' despise in others an advantage of which they are secretly ambitious
to partake."
And apart from such sentiment, the study of the past history of a
family may be encouraged on various grounds. Its critical examination gives
no little insight into the value of historical evidence ; it serves (as Sir
Walter Scott has said)^ "to perpetuate a great deal of what is rare and
valuable in ancient manners, and to record many curious and minute facts
which could have been preserved and conveyed through no other medium " ;
the scientist may glean from it some material towards formulating a law «.f
heredity ; while 'the moralist may see in the rapid decline of many families,
some evidence of "grit" and good quality in those that have kept them-
selves prosperous and notable through a long course of years.
' R. L. Stevensou, Weir nf Uei-mistnn (1S96\ pp. 113-14.
' "S'ilestun orgueil pardounable apres celui qui se tire da nii-'rite [)er»ouucI c'c»t cclui nui m lire <!«
la naissance " [Cuiifesaiutis of J, J. Rousseau).
* Waxerlcy, chap. ii.
THE WEDDEllIiURN BOOK.
Preface. For myself, without seeking for its cause, I am free to confess to the
feeling described by Stevenson as one long posses-^ed both by me and
more than one of my immediate predecessors. My grandfather spent
no little of his leisure on the genealogical work so often referred to in
this book; his father's interest in his name is shown by a pedigree which
he entered up at the Heralds' College a century ago ; while his father again
wrote a history of his wife's family — the Dunbars of Grange — which shows
him to have had a taste in this direction.
It is to the work of my grandfather that the present book may be said
to owe its existence. Among my earliest recollections is a thin volume, which I
still possess, consisting of the armorial illustrations containerl in the memoir
printed by him in 1824'. Of the origin of these plates, and of the existence
of any printed memoir to which they belonged, I then knew nothing, but
they stimulated my curiosity; and, encouraged in my inclination while still
at school by one of my tutors who had similar tastes, I began early to
collect material for a history of my name, copying into a note book (long
â– since lost) such mentions of it as I could tind elsewhere than in the
common books of reference on such subjects. It was not, however, until
many years later that I became aware of my grandfatb.er's small volume,
and of the MS. edition of it, enlarged and corrected, with which he
occupied himself from 1827 to 1839. Of this last I made a copy
in 1880, after which I to some extent brought it up to date, and continued
to add various notes to it from time to time with a view to its ultimate
publication.
Fortunately, however, for the accuracy and completeness of the present
book, I delayed to carry out this intention until after I had chanced, eight
or nine years ago, to meet with the edition of extracts from the Lockit Bidlc
of Dundee, by Mr. A. H. ^lillar, which had recently appeared under the
title of the Roll of Eminent Burgesses of Dundee. On reading this I at
once communicated with him, and heard for the iirst time of the vast mass
of Wedderburn material in the charter room of the Town House in Dundee.
Of this, when next in Scotland, I made a preliminary investigation, and found
• that Mr. Millar had by no means exaggerated either its quantity or its
importance. I have given some account of it in the second volume of this
book (p. 187). As to its amount, the space occupied by the portions of
it printed there speaks for itself, while a very little study of the
present work, with its frequent references to the Dundee Records, will be
conclusive as to its value. It showed me at once that J.W.'s MS., however
useful as a collection of material, and for his own time as a record, was
not to be relied on in regard to anything like old history, and that, in
order to produce an authentic record, I must begin de novo, and ask myself
at every point, " How is this proved ? "
The first thing was, of course, to collect the evidence on which the
history was to be founded, and this took time. I am conscious that the
publication of these volumes has been long delayed, but I believe that
the time occupied in their compilation (and it must be remembered that
they have been the work of my leisure) will not surprise anyone who gives
them even a brief attention. I am confident it will surprise no one who
has ever attempted or who may in future attempt a similar work. The
task of searching, collecting, and finally of arranging and selecting for
publication the most material portions of the collected evidence, has occupied
more than half the time spent over the preparation of the book. In this
labour I was, of course, largely helped, chiefly by the well-known expert,
the Rev. Walter Macleod of Edinburgh, and his efficient stall', two of whom
PREFACE. XV
spent many months iti Dundee. The result of their and my own researches Pi-efaco.
fills the second volume of this book, the evidence collected in which falls
into three divisions, viz., Private Records ; Burgh Records, Dundee ; and
Public Records in Scotland and in London. In each case I have prefaced
the extracts given with a short note on the general nature of the records,
which need not be re-stated here. Bat I desire to again acknowledge mv
obligations to Mr. Henry Scrymgeour-Wedderburn of Wedderburn, who
allowed me the fullest possible access to his charter chests; and to Sir
William Wedderburn, Bart., who gave me similar facilities in regard to his
papers. These two collections were, of course, the most important private
repositories, and contain tlie documents relating to the Kino-ennie and
Blackness lines. I much regret not to have had access to "the family
papers in the possession of Sir P. A. Halkett at Pitfirrane, thougli I have
(with his assent) been able to quote some of them at second hand. But
although his charter chest would probably have contained much of interest
in regard to members of the most junior line of the Wedilerburns, that of
Gosford, it is not probable that among its documents would be found any
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Online Library → Alexander Dundas Ogilvy Wedderburn → Wedderburn book; a history of the Wedderburns in the counties of Berwick, and Forfar, designed of Wedderburn, Kingennie, Ester Powrie, Blackness, Balindean, and Gosford; and their younger branches; together with some account of other families of the name, 1296-1896 (Volume 1, pt.1-2) → online text (page 1 of 51)
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