Ancient deeds and other writs in the Mackenzie-Wharncliffe charter-chest

MACKENZIE-WHARNCLIFFE DEEDS
contract of marriage is in excellent preservation, and the
beautiful handwriting of Issaboll Mackenzie, the bride, re-
sembling much that of her father's first wife, Elizabeth Bruce,
is noteworthy. This contract is dated 18th September 1673,
and the tocher is 5000 merks Scots. .
(7) Contract of marriage between James Stewart, Sheriff of Bute,
who is designed therein as 'James Stewart of Kirktoune,
Sheriff of Bute,' and Agnes Mackenzie, Sir George Mac-
kenzie's eldest daughter. In entering into the contract Mr.
Stewart had the express advice and consent of his honourable
friends ' William, Earle of Dundonald, Sir James Foulles of
Collingtone, ane of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice,
Sir Ard. Stewart of Blackhall, Archibald, Bishop of the Isles.'
The bride is designed as ' Mistresse Agnes Mackenzie, eldest
lau 11 daughter of Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, his
Ma tieB Advocate,' and the deed is entered into with consent
of Sir George Mackenzie, and it is declared that execution
thereon shall pass at the instance of Mr. Colin Mackenzie,
Advocate, his brother. The tocher provided was 30,000
merks, and the lady's jointure was 3000 merks. The con-
tract is dated the 24th July 1680. Mr. Stewart spells his
name ' Steuart,' and the bride spells her name ' Agnes Mac-
kenzie.' The deed bears the signatures of Sir George Mac-
kenzie, of the Bishop of the Isles, who signs ' Arch. Sodoren,'
Mr. Robert Stewart, uncle of the bridegroom, David Hally-
burton of Pitcur, and John Wedderburn of Gossford.
Among the miscellaneous ancient writs which have found their way
to the Rosehaugh charter-chests is an interesting charter dated between
1384 and 1388, by James Earl Douglas, who was killed at the battle of
Otterburn in the latter year, in favour of Alan of Lawedyr, of a house
in North Berwick. It is difficult to explain how this charter was in
Sir George Mackenzie's possession, unless on the theory that his friend
the Duke of Lauderdale had handed it to him in order that he might
be advised with reference to it. Among the Lauderdale papers there
are numerous deeds referring to Alan de Lawedyre, sometimes designed
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