Wedderburn book > History

ROBERT, THE NOTARY. 101
one of the curators to his nephew, Peter Imrie, son of his sister Barbara (D.B.R. 303) ; Part II.
and 1 Dec. 1601, gets a gift of the escheat goods of John Wedderburn (R.P.S. 29). cha P- I -
He was admitted burgess of Dundee by the privilege of his late father 15 March 1588,
being designed "brother german of the late clerk " in the entry of his admission (D.L.B.
30), and in the following year, 1 16 July 1589, was elected procurator fiscal and master of
work for the " bigging of the new school," and gave his oath of fidelity (D.C.B. II). 2
Later on, 25 Oct. 1597, he is one of those who call attention to the fouling of the common
burn by the Skinners' craft, and obtain a decree against a continuance of the nuisance
(D.C.B. 20). He may occasionally have acted as clerk pro tempore, as, 7 Jan. 1602, Mr.
Robert Wedderburn, clerk, is named among the commissioners for settling disputes between
Perth and Dundee (R.P.C. 22) ; but this is more probably an error for Alexander.
He died a few days after 12 Oct. 1611, on which day, at his house in Dundee, he gave
up his will, confirmed at Brechin 7 June 1612 (Br.T. 2), by which he nominated as his
executors James and Peter, sons of his brother, the late clerk, and left various legacies to
other nephews and nieces. His heir was his nephew Peter (son of Peter Wedderburn and
Margaret Kinloch), who is so entered 29 Feb. 1612 (D.P.B. 381) and also 5 Jan. 1616
{ib. 405), and whose inheritance from his uncle is mentioned, 13 June 1677 (D.T.G. 3 6). 3
There are several references to the North Argylegait and other properties of Robert,
the notary, after his death (e.g. D.C. 71 ; D.P.B. 430, 434, 437, 486, 488 ; P.B.N. 19),
but they are not important.
He married about Sept. 1583 Margaret Myln, daughter to Robert Myln of
Dundee, the marriage contract being dated 11 Sept. 4 (D.B.R. 270). Thereafter he and
his wife are repeatedly named together in regard to various properties. Thus 28 Nov.
1583 they settle a North Argylegait property on themselves and their heirs (Bl. 3, D.P.B.
234), 28 .Ian. 1584 she resigns to her father a tenement which she and her sister Agnes
had inherited as co-heiresses of their brother James Myln (D.P.B. 237). Later on,
15 April 1593, Robert and his wife resign lands to George Thomson (D.P.B. 292);
23 May, in the same year, they sue Sir James Scrymgeour for an annual-rent out of
Dudop(R.A.D. 30) ; and, 15 May 1594, resign a tenement to Ninian Copen (D.P.B. 297). 5
She is also named in the Compt Bulk of her husband's nephew, David, as having dealings
with him, 13 Sept. 1597 (D.W. 10 c).
By her, the date of whose death is not ascertained, but who seems to have pre-
deceased him, as she is not named in his will, he had issue, four sons and two daughters,
all of whom died young and in his lifetime, his ultimate heir being the son of his
brother Peter (D.P.B. 381). These children were 6 :—
1. Robert Wedderburn, born 1 June 1584, and died before 29 Jan. 1586, when his
parents gave the same name to another son.
2. James Wedderburn, born 4 Aug. 1585.] Died before Sept. 1606, when the younger
3. Robert "Wedderburn, born 29 Jan. Vbrother Alexander is called their father's
1586. J heir apparent (D.P.B. 364).
1 The following references to a Robert Wedderburn, not designed, are also probably to him, 1578 Oct. 8,
decree for him (D.B.R. 243 a) ; 1581, Jan. 31, witness (D.P.B. 213 e) ; 1586, June 13, witness (ib.
251) ; 1600, witness (ib. 336). The Robert Wedderburn not designed who is elected a visitor for the
Argylegait quarter at the time of the threatened " plague of pest lately in Leith," 3 July 1588 (D.C.B.
12; may be either he or the merchant (ante, p. 19).
- See also D.L.B. 32, where, 20 Oct. 1591, Robert Wedderburn is paid "for the reparation of the school
work." I have there assumed that the reference is to Robert, the merchaut (ante, p. 19), and this
may be so, but the reference of 1589 (D.C.B. 14) is to " Robert Wedderburn, elder," which is more
likely to be the notary, and both are, presumably, to the same person.
3 Robert was cautioner, 1 Aug. 1604, for this nephew (R.D. 10), and was also named as father's kin to
him, 8 Nov. in that year (D.B.R. 350). A decree obtained by Robert's executors is registered 11 May
1614 (D.B.R. 389 a).
4 He may have had to bring an action in respect of his contract, as soon after, 19 Jan. 1585, we find him
suing his father-in-law, Robert Myln (D.B.R. 273 a). This suit may have lasted years, as a decreet
arbitral between them is registered, 25 July 1595 (D.B.R. 301).
5 There are several such entries. Thus, 24 March 1595, Robert Wedderburn, elder, and Margaret Myln,
his wife, resign a South Argylegait land to James Boyter (D.P.B. 202 4); 6 June 1595, they, with
consent of her father, resign an annual rent (ib. 302 f) ; 8 Nov. 1597, they acquire a North Argylegait
land (ib. 323); 17 Aug. 1601, they resign another annual-rent (ib. 343); and, 30 Jan. 1604, they alienate
part of Craigie to William Graham of Claverhouse (D.B.R, 344).
6 The authority for the births of these three sons is an incomplete family register (see vol. ii, p, 207),
written by Robert Wedderburn in one of his small minute books, and in which he characteristically
notices the exact hour at which these sons were born, together with the zodiacal signs. The entry
of the eldest son's birth is erased, no doubt on his death.