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

MACKENZIE-WHARNCLIFFE DEEDS
respective proportions of the wages of the ' Keithick Hedger.' The
bailies decerniture is in very formal terms.
At various subsequent courts tenants are fined at the instance of
George Watson, superintendent of the Lord Privy Seal's estates.
In a court held at Kirkinch in September 1775 several little children
and their parents were complained against, in respect that the children
had set fire to the Moss of Nevay, adjoining the Moss of Drumkilbo.
The children explained that they did this for 'their diversion,' and
because other children did so on Drumkilbo. The bailie, in respect of
the extreme poverty of the parents, fined them 2s. 6d.
In 1777 tenants were fined for contumacy in respect of their failing
to attend the barony court.
Between 1777 and 1789 the book merely contains entries regarding
the public reading of Lord Privy Seal's instructions. In 1789 James
Ramsay at Newtyle was appointed baron bailie. David Miller in
Newbigging was appointed procurator-fiscal and officer.
In 1791 the Lord Privy Seal issued final instructions to Mr. Watson
as to the management of the estate, and the court book contains a copy
of these signed by his lordship. These contain new provisions regarding
the extirpation of ragweed, allowing tenants lime for buildings, pro-
hibiting unauthorised killing of game, etc.
Till 1815 the book contains only a few entries as to the reading of
the instructions. In December of that year Mr. James Stuart Wortley,
younger of Belmont, sent instructions to Mr. Watson as to the manner
in which he was to deal with certain tenants, and the baron bailie
explained Mr. Stuart Wortley 's instructions to the tenants on the 6th
January 1816. A reduction of twenty per cent, from the rents was then
given.
The last entries in the book are dated 10th August 1816.
One part of the barony court book contains the records of what
were called ' perambulations ' of the Lord Privy Seal's estates by certain
experts appointed by him from time to time ' to perambulate his Estate
and consider how far the regulations incumbent on the tenants have
been observed.' The first perambulators were Robert Hunter of South-
ballo, William Henderson in Bellmont, and William Dalgairns at Mills
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