Extracts from the Accounts: Town Treasurer, 1552-3

Extracts From the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh, 1528-1557. Originally published by Scottish Burgh Records Society, Edinburgh, 1871.

Citation:

'Extracts from the Accounts: Town Treasurer, 1552-3', in Extracts From the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh, 1528-1557, ed. J D Marwick( Edinburgh, 1871), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/edinburgh-burgh-records/1528-57/pp269-280 [accessed 3 December 2024].

I.—THE TOWN TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS.

Town Treasurer's Accounts, 1552-53.

THE COMPT of Alexander Park, Thesaurer to the Towne of Edinburgh, chosin at Michaelmes in the yeir of God ane thousand five hundreth fifty twa yeiris, quhill Michaelmes in the yeir of God J^m v^c and fifty thre yeiris; his entre being yeirlie at Mertymes efter his chesing.

THE CHARGE.



Item, in primis, the compter chargis him with the dewiteis of the five commone mylnis, sett in the yeir of the counter office to Robert Grahame and his sourteis, James Adamsoun and Robert Flemyng, for the sowme of ane thousand twa hundreth merks; summa	j^m ij^c mkis.
Item, the counter chargis him with the dewiteis of the wyld aventuris, being in the townis handis the yeir of the counter's office and intromettit with be him, extending to five hundreth ane pund aucht schilling nyne penneis, as the schip buke of the entres purportis; summa	v^c j^li viij^s ix^d
Item, the counter chargis him with the dewiteis of the pitte customes of this burgh, sett in the yeir of the counter's office to Johne Spottiswod and his sourteis, James Loch and Robert Flemyng, for the sowme of four hundreth four scoir merkis; summa	iiij^c iiij^xx mks.
Item, the counter chargis him with the malis of the fleschehous, extending to xxxvj stokkis; summa	xxxvj^li
Item, the counter chargis him with the malis of the xviij cordinar choppis at the fute of the kirkyard, extending to xviij^li xiij^s iiij^d; summa	xviij^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, the counter chargis him with the four ovir north buithis under the tolbuyth, unannalyit, extending to xvj^li; summa	xvj^li
Item, the counter chargis him with the threttene schilling four penneis of the rest of the sex merkis payit yeirlie be Isobell Litill for hir buith, be ressone the towne annalut the uthir five merkis thairof to Johne Johnstoun; summa	xiij^s iiij^d
Item, the counter chargis him with the malis of the vj skynnars' buithis, extending to nyne punds; summa	ix^li
Item, the counter chargis him with the sex goldsmyths' buithtis, extending to fiftene punds; summa	xv^li
Item, the counter chargis him with the malis of Dame Mele and George Heirott's choppis, extending to l^s; summa	l^ss
Item, the compter chargis him with the few malis of aucht pairtis of the commone mure, unannalyit, extending to vj^li v^s; summa	vj^li v^s
Item, the counter chargis him with the rest of the fewferm of the commone unnalit, extending to vj^li v^s; summa	vj^li vj^s viij^d
Item, the counter chargis him with xv^s gottin fra Johne Henrysoun for his entres silver to the akers on the mure; summa	xv^s
Item, the counter chargis him with xv^s gottin fra Thomas Boyis for the putting of his wif in liferent of his thre akers; summa	xv^s
Item, the counter chargis him with xxxv^s for the rentaling of Matho Lille, in place of James Lille, in ane of the skynnars' buithtis,	xxxv^d
Item, the counter chargis him with the sowme of xv^li v^s gottin for ane hundreth hemp, four dosone cairdis and xj bowettis quhilks wer in ane punschone, quhilk wes eschete fra William Birne for non entering thairof; summa,	xv^li v^s
Item, the counter chargis him with the sowme of xxj^li ij^s gottin for the proffitt of the guidis of ane Hamburgh schip, bocht be the toun and rowpit in the tolbuyth for proffitt; summa	xxj^li ij^s
Item, the counter chargis him with the rest of Robert Grahame's compt, quha wes thesaurer the yeir precedand the counter office, extending to xxvij^li ix^s x^d; summa,	xxvij^li ix^s x^d
Item, the counter chargis him with xx^d for the Mertymes termes of the annuall of Maister James Watsoun; summa	xx^d
Summa of the hale charge is	j^m vij^c iiij^xx xviij^li xv^s vij^d

DISCHARGE.

Heir follows the counter's discharge ordinar:—



Item, in primiss, to the provest for his fee,	xx^li
Item, to the four baillies for thair fee,	xxvj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, to the twelf counsalors for thair fee,	xxiiij^li
Item, to the thre assessors for thair fee,	ix^li
Item, for the thesaurar's fee,	vj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, to the commone clerk for his fee,	vj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, to Richart Trowop, Edinburgh masser, for his fee,	vj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, to the viij serjands and Thomas Hall, jevellor, for thair yule fee,	xxj^li
Item, to thame for thair Pasche fee,	x^li x^s
Item, to thame for thair Sanct Gelis fee,	x^li x^s
Item, to Thomas Hall for the furnessing of the collis to the tolbuyth in the winter cessioun,	vj^li
Item, to Andro Fynne, lokman, for his fee,	xiij^li vj^s viij^d
Item, to the twa gild servands for thair fee,	iij^li
Item, to the kepar of the knok for his fee,	iij^li
Item, to the maister of the grammer scule for his fee,	xiij^li vj^s viij^d
Item, to the maister of the sang skole for his fee,	x^li
Item, to Sir William M'Dougall, maister of werk, for his fee,	vj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, to Vincent Strauchan for his penschioun,	xiij^li vj^s viij^d
Item, to Johne Barroun for his penschioun	xx^li
Item, to James Marjoribanks for his penschioun in the queir,	x^li
Item, to the vicar of Sanct Cuthbertis kirk for the teyndis of the five elnis [mylnis],	xl^s
Item, to the Blackfrers for thair annuall awing to thame,	vj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, to the kirk of Corstorphin for thair annuall awing to thame,	xx^li
Item, to Dunfermeling for thair awnuall,	v^li
Item, to the beidmen of the Trinetie College for thair annuall,	x^li
Item, to the beddars of Sanct Mary Wynd,	xx^s
Item, to Sir James Crawfurd for his annuall of the rude loft,	xx^s
Item, to Sir Johne Ormistoun, prebendar of [Sanct Andro's] alter for his annuall,	iij^li
Item, to Sir James Bairnisfader, prebendar of Sanct Salvator's alter, for his annuall,	v^li
Item, to Sir Johne Leirmonth, Sir Williame Johnstoun and Sir Walter Halyburtoun, prebendars of the queir, for thair annualls,	ix^li vj^s viij^d
Item, to the queir for the Lady Messis silver,	xx^s
Item, to the Blakfrers and the Grayfrers for thair penschioun yeirlie, xij barrels beir; summa,	xij^li
Item, to the prebendars of the Kirk of Feild for thair annuall,	vj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, to Sir Johne Bauld for the annuall of the grammer scule, awing be the toun,	xl^s
Summa of the haill ordinar,	iij^c xxv^li

Heir follow is the counter's discharge be preceptis:—


November.

Item, in primiss, payit to certane men that tuk doun James Culanis turrgate, and to the serjandis massers that past thairto, as the precept of the date, the xix day of November 1552, purportis,	vij^li xvj^s
December.
Item, payit to Agnes Kincaid be ane precept of the date the thrid day of December 1552,	xx^s
Item, payit to the Grayfrers be ane precept of the date the nynt of Decebember 1552,	vj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, payit be the counter for the lokman's leveray, and allowit to him be ane precept, the xxiij of December,	iij^li xj^s
Item, allowit to the counter be ane precept of the dait the xxiij of December	xj^li x^s
Item, payit to James Fawsyde be ane precept of the dait foirsaid,	x^s
Januar.
Item, payit and allowit to the counter be ane precept of the date the tent day of Januar 1552,	xxiiij^s iiij^d
Item, payit to Elizabeth Baty be hir precept datit the xiij day of Januar,	vj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, payit to Alexander Stewinsoun be his precept of the date the xxviij day of Januar,	v^li
Item, payit to the provest purs maister, be ane precept of the date the xxviij of Januar,	xj^li x^s
Februar.
Item, payit to Peter Thomsoun be his precept the thrid day of Februar,	xiiij^s
Item, payit to Johne Baldrane, keipar of the Kirk of Feild Port, be his precept of the xvij of Februar 1552,	iij^li iij^s
Item, payit to Thomas Hall be ane precept of the date foirsaid,	xl^s
Marche.
Item, payit to the prebenders of Corstorphin be ane precept of the date the xv of Marche 1552,	x^li
Item, payit to the dene of glide be ane precept of the date the xvij of Marche,	x^li
Item, the xxij day of Marche payit to Margrete Leyis be ane precept,	xij^s
Item, payit to Mawris Towris be ane precept the xxvij of Marche 1552,	iij^li
Item, the vj of Maij payit to the said Mawris uthir	xx^s
Aprile.
Item, allowit to the counter be ane precept daitit the xiij of Aprile	lij^s
Item, payit to Johne Galloway be ane precept of the samin dait,	iiij^li
Item, payit to Johne Weir be ane precept of the samin date,	xxvj^s viij^d
Item, payit ot Johne Mair and his spous be ane precept datit the xx of Aprile,	iij^li
Item, payit to the thre procurators that procurit for the toun afoir the lords, be ane precept datit the xxviij of Aprile,	xxv^li
Maij.
Item, payit to Agnes Kincaid be ane precept daitit the xj of Maij,	iiij^li
Item, payit to Johne Baldrane be ane precept datit the last of Maij,	xl^s
Junij.
Item, payit to Alexander Stewinsoun be nae precept datit the nynt of Junij,	v^li
Item, payit to Johne Galloway be ane precept of the said dait,	v^li
Item, payit to Oger Coquell be ane precept datit the xxiij of Junij,	I^li
Item, payit to Thomas Hall be ane precept of the samin date,	x^s vj^d
Item, payit to William Craik, provest, be ane precept dait the last of Junij,	xxij^li iij^s v^d
August.
Item, payit for the provest expensis in passing to the conventioun to stirling, be ane precept daitit the ferd of August,	x^li
Item, payit to Thomas Cok be ane precept of the samin dait,	vj^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, payit to Johne Baldrane be ane precept of the date the xxviij of August,	xxviij^s
Item, payit the samin day to Alexander Masoun be ane precept,	v^li vj^s viij^d
Item, payit to Robert Boyll and his colligs be ane precept datit the xxv of August,	xij^s
September.
Item, payit to Michaell Drowmond and his colligs be ane precept datit the nynt of September,	xl^s
Item, payit to William Carnoquhen be ane precept datit the xx of September,	xxx^s
October.
Item, payit to James Drowmond be ane precept datit the xiij of October,	x^s
November.
Item, payit to James Drowmond be ane precept datit the secund of November,	xx^s
Item, payit to Johne Galloway be ane precept datit the xiij of November,	l^s
Item, payit to Johne Baldrane be ane precept datit the xxiij of November,	xxvj^s viij^d
December.
Item, payit to Francis Tennend be ane precept datit the xv of October,	iij^li vj^s viij^d
Summa of the haill preceptis,	ij^c xlvj^li xj^s xj^d
Heir followis the counter's discharge extraordinar:—
Item, in primis, on the tent day of November the yeir of God J^m v^c lij yeirs, for candill and turchess at the rowping of the commone gude,	xxviij^s
Item, that samin nyt, gevin to the provest for the wyld aventurs, becaus thai wer held in the town's hands, ane ross noble,	iij^li viij^s
Item, gevin the xvj of November, for ane slott to the counsalhous duir and the on putting of it,	ij^s
Item, the xx day of November, gevin to four men that dicht all the schoir and bure away the red,	iij^li v^s
Item, the xxvij day of November, gevin to four men that dicht the calsay betwix my Lord Governor's lugeing and the Queen's lugeing, and bering away the red,	x^s
Item, for two sculis and bussumis to thame,	xxx^d
Item, to Johne Wod, wrycht, for the setting of the buirds in the clerk's chalmer,	v^s
Item, for nalis thairto,	ij^s
Item, to the peononirs for carying of the buirds,	vj^d
Item, the xxix of November, gevin to David Weir for the flagging of the syre at the West Port, and all the grayth thairto,	xxxv^s
Item, the ferd of December, gevin for ane band and ane crowk to Francis Bell buith,	ij^s
Item, the tent of December, gevin to Johne Banks, smyth, for ane lok to the Grayfreir Port,	vj
Item, the fift day of Marche, gevin for the copy of ane letter that chargit the provest,	xviij^d
Item, the xxvij of Marche 1553, gevin for the expensis of the portell maid to the counsalhous, for grayth and werkmanschip,	v^li vj^s
Item, gevin to Mungo Hunter, for mending of the lokkis of the tolbuyth, and ane band thairto,	vij^li
Item, the xxviij of Marche, gevin for ane wey balk to the ovir trone,	xxxvj^s
Item, gevin to Alexander Stoddert, for five stanis wecht to the ovir trone,	xv^s
Item, for ane lok and ane key to the trone,	iiij^s
Item, for mending of the irne chenze,	iij^s
Item, gevin to Thomas Watsoun, Glassewrycht, for ane woundok above the nether portell of the counsalhous, contenand xxiiij futts, and sex futtis to Thomas Hall's hous, for ilk fute xxd; summa	xlviij^s iiij^d
Item, to John Ahanna, for bands to the saids windowis,	iiij^s
Item, the fift of Aprile, gevin for ane grete geist to the west bekin,	xxxiiij^s
Item, for twa treis to be standarttis thairto,	xiiij^s
Item, to Adam Purveis, and twa servands with him, for twa dayis lauboring thairof,	xx^s
Item, to Johne Kyle, smyth, for thre stane wecht of irne work,	xl^s
Item, to sax men that laubourit twa dayis in the redding of the bekyn and the casting of the stanis thairto agane, ilk man xxd in the day; summa	xx^li
Item, the vij day of Aprile, gevin at the provest command for bering of sewin tabernors furth of the kirk,	ij^s
Item, gevin for bering of pekkis and furlatts to the provest hous,	iij^s
Item, the xxviij of Maij, for ane tre to mend the Grayfreir Port, workmanschip, sawing and nalis,	xxxij^s
Item, efter the bekyn being brokin be ane Inglis schip, the maister payit the hale expensis in the upsetting thairof except	xxiiij^s
Item, on the sacrament day gevin to the Bischop of Ross that bure the sacrament, in wyne and scrottiszarttis that extendit to	xvj^s viij^s
Item, to the massers that day the toun gat the decrete aganis Johne Creith,	xij^s
Item, the xxij of Junij, gevin to George Tod for making of ane skaffalt on the hill to the clerk play, the bering of day lis and punschonis thairto, and the aill and the wyne that day thai playit, and furnessing of sax sparris thairto,	xxvj^s
Item, the xxiij of July, gevin for ane lok to the gallois dure,	v^s
Item, the samin day, gevin for twa plankkis to be broddis to the ovir trone,	x^s
Item, to Adam Purves for the making thairof,	xij^s
Item, vijxx garrone nalis thairto,	ix^s
Item, gevin to Johne Ahannay, smyth, for eking of the bands to the broddis and his werkmarischip,	xij^s
Item, gevin for eking of the chenze of the trone,	vj^s
Item, to John Banks, smyth, for mending of ane lok and key to the ovir trone,	v^s
Item, the xiiij day of August, gevin for twa dalis to be ane skelf in the clerkis chalmer,	vj^s
Item, for the making thairof, to Adam Purves, and nalis and bering thairof of to the chalmer,	vj^s vj^s
Item, gevin to the masser that presentit the chekker precept to the towne,	v^s
Item, gevin the ferd day of September, to twa men that kepit the Kirk of Feild Port ane day,	iiij^s
Item, to David Purves for the copy of writtings quhairwith he chargit the provest,	ij^s
Item, the tent day of October, gevin for the townis malis in the chekker,	iiij^li
Item, to the clerks,	xij^s
Item, to Williame Foulis, kepar of the duir,	ij^s
Item, for the bankat maid to the Lord and Auditors of Chekker,	xl^s
Item, for the gravator rasit at the townis instance for the acquittance,	ij^s
Item, for the scharping of the commone sweird ilk tyme it wes usit, v^s; summa	x^s
Item, for the hale towis and bussumis usit be the lokman in the counteris office,	xiiij^s
Item, for leching of ane Thomas Cok quha wes hurt be ane Franisman, he beand in Leith in the townis service uptakand the wyld aventors,	xxviij^s
Item, for the tow to the bull on Sanct Gelis day,	x^s
Item, givin to Mungo Hunter for ane lok to the gallois,	xl^d
Summa of the haill extraordinar,	xlviij^li viij^s iiij^d
The expenses maid on the New Well at the townis command, as efter followis particularie:—
Item, in the first, payit on Saiterday at even, quhilk wes the xxj day of October, for the oulk precedand that day, as efter followis, viz.: to twa quariors dayle xl^d; summa	xl^s
Item, to the quarior's sone, on the day, auchtene penneis; summa	ix^s
Item, to four workmen, ilk ane on the day auchtene penneis; summa	xxxvj^s
Item, for twa grete bukkattis,	iij^s iiij^d
Item, for ten fawddum of towis,	x^s
Item, for bering of tymmer and ledderis to the well,	xij^d
Item, for garroun nalis	iij^s iiij^d
Item, for half ane hundreth plenchone nalis,	xv^d
Item, for four stirrop irnis to the bukkatts,	ij^s
Summa of this oulk,	v^li vj^s xj^d
The expensis of the oulk precedand the xxix day of October.
[Details similar to those of the first week are entered of this and four subsequent weeks' expenses at the new well, up to 26th November 1553. The following are a few of the entries:—]
Item, to the thre workmen that drew watter on the nycht, the hale oulk, ilk ane xiiij^d dayle,	xxj^d
Item, for twa weggis of irne to the pille,	viij^d
Item, for four hespis and stappillis to the closin of the liddes of the well,	xiiij^s
Item, for half ane stane of leid,	iiij^s
Item, given to Michaell, the calsay maker, for the making of ane rude and ane half, half ane quarter, and vj elnis of calsay about the well, the ruid xxx^s; summa	lvij^s vj^d
Summa of the hale expensis of the well,	xxxvj^li xvj^s
Heir followis the expensis maid be Alexander Park, thesaurer, on the schoir of Leyth, on the stane-work of the bulwark, maid at command of the provest, baillies and counsale, particulary, as eftir followis:—
Item, in primis, begun the said work in the oulk precedand the xix day of Marche 1552 [1552-53] yers, and gevin, that oulk, to Alexander, quarior of Grantoun, for ane hundreth pece wynning of hewin stanis to the schoir,	v^li
Item, for bringing of stanis furth of the querrell, and drinksilver to the quariors,	xj^s
Item, to ane masoun for the dressing of the j^s stanis, ane dayis wage,	iij^s
Item, for the careing and boit hyre of xxiij pece of the stanis in ane small boit fra Grantoun to Leyth,	xiiij^s
Summa of this oulk,	vj^li viij^s
The expensis of the ulk precedand the xxvj day of Marche J^m v^s liij yers:—
Item, in that ulk, ressavit at the querrell fra Alexander Reid, j^s viij pece hewin stane work, price of the pece wynnyng x^d; summa	v^li vj^s viij^d
Item, to Laurence Tod for the boit hyre of the said stanis fra Grantoun to Leyth, for ilk pece vij^d; summa	iij^li xiij^s viij^d
Item, to David Grahame, masoun, dressand and ressavand thir stanis at the quarrell this ulk,	xxiiij^s
Item, to vj barromen in thre dayis and ane half at the quarrell, landand and lossand thir hewin work, ilk man daylie xx^d; summa	xxxv^s
Item, for mending of ane lok to the lyme hous dure, and nalis to the barrois,	xviij^d
Item, in drinksilver at the quarrell,	v^s
Summa of this oulk,	xij^li vj^s x^d
[The particulars of the weekly expenses of the works at the shore and bulwark of Leith, up to 23d October 1553, extend over 26 pages of the account. A few only of the entries are here given:—]
Item, to Laurence Tod for thre grete boit of wall stanis wynnyng, and caring of ilk grete boit full xxvj^s viij^d, and four gang with his small [boit] wynnyng, and caring of ilk boitful, xix^s; summa	ix^li xj^s
Item, to Allane Rankin and his marrowis for thre draucht of stoppis and carying fra Grantoun to Leyth, ilk draucht iiij^s; summa	xij^s
Item, to the men of Cosland for ij dosone ane laid lyme,	xxxv^s v^d
Item, to William Stratoun for twa dosone and twa laids Gilmertoun lyme,	xxxiij^s x^d
Item, saxtene laid Westhouses lyme,	xvij^s iiij^d
Item, ane hundreth sand,	xv^s
Item, for xvj men feit for ane tyde,	xvj^s
Drinksilver to the masonis on the Magdalen day, and the workmen at the querrell,	x^s
Summa of the hale schoir,	vij^s lxxiiij^li ij^s ^ix ^d
Item, the counter is to be dischargit of the sowme of xx merks and xxviij^s, for half ane eln velvet gevin to the Laird of Carube for gevin of licence to wyn stanis on his lands of Grantoun, to the schoir, for the hale space of the yeir of the counteris office; summa	xv^li iiij^s viij^d
Item, the counter is to be dischargit of the sowme of xxxv^li xiiij^s viij^d, as for the mending, making, and beting of the standing grayth of the five commone mylnis in the yeir of the counter's office, as the count gevin in thairupon particulare, heir present to shaw, purportis; summa	xxxv^li xiiij^s viij^d
Item, the counter is to be dischargit of the malis of the cordinars' choppis, extending to xviij^li xiij^s iiij^d, becaus the provest, baillies and counsale for the tyme assignit the malis thairof to James Carmichaell, dene of gild, in the yeir of the counter's office; summa	xviij^li xiij^s iiij^d
Item, the counter is to be dischargit of vj^li for sex flesche stoks of the personis following, quhairof thre stands waist, ane uthir occupiit be Andersoun, ane puir man, and the occupiars of the uthir twa past to France to the weris and left thair stokkis waist; summa	vj^li
Item, the counter is to be dischargit, be the space of the counter office, gevin be him to Thomas Cok quha past dayle at morning to Leyth, to await upoun the ingaddering of the wyld aventuris and to oversie the workmen, to be his disjune allanerlie; vj^s dayle; summa,	ix^li
Item, the counter is to be dischargit of the sowme of ten pund xv^s x^d for five pair of hois and five doublatts of fustain gevin to the four masonis by the pryncipale masone and to ane quarior as for thair bountetht; summa,	x^li xv^s ix^d
Item, to Johne Dalmahoy for his clois male,	xliiij^s
Summa of the hale discharge, ane thousand five hundreth twenty aucht punds, x^s v.^d
And sua restis, twa hundreth thre scoir ten punds v^s ij.^d

Apud Edinburgh, Secundo Martij, Anno J^m v^c quinquagesimo tertio.

[At Edinburgh, the second of March, in the year 1553 (1553-54).]

The quhilk day, the auditors of comptis underwrittin hes deligentlie vesyit the compt foirsaid and fund, the charge and discharge being seine, hard and understand, that the compter restis awing to the towne the sowme of twa hundreth lxx^li v^s ij^d declaro of his haill comptis; and als ordains in the nixt yeir Robert Grahame, new thesaurer, be chargit herewith; and als with the silver of the tymmer extending to xliij^li xvj^s quhilk he bocht to the towne in the moneth of July the yeir of God J^m v^c lj yers to the bulwerk, and thairefter allowit and dischargit to him in his comptis the samyn yere, he beand thesaurer, and intromettit with be the said Robert and sauld be him to his awin utilite agane.



Maister Johne Prestoun, baillie.	William Hammyltoun, provest.
William Lawson, balze.	Wilzem Craik.
William Muirheid, baillie.	Mr James Lindesay.
Duncane Levingstoun, baillie.	Johne Sym, with my hand.

Item, I fynd in Robert Grahame's compt, nixt thesaurer, that he charges him with the sowme of twa hundreth thre score ten^li v^s ij^d resavit be him fra the said Alexander Park, and siclik charges him with the xliij^li xv^s [xvj^s ] for the tymmer above writtin in the samyn compt; and sua hes Alexander Park payit this rest.

[Equidem. ]

Guthre.