Wedderburn book > History

354 THE WEDDERBURN BOOK.
NOTE III.
The Melvills in Ceees, co. Fife.
Part III- The descent of this family is traced from Robert Melvill of Caskirdo, 1 in the parish of Ceres, co.
App. Fife, who was living 1650-88, but died in 1689 (?). His parentage remains unascertained and although it
has been suggested that he was descended from one of the four younger brothers of Sir Robert Melvill of
Murdocairney, created Baron Melvill of Monimail, with remainder to his heirs male, in 1616, no evidence
has at present been obtained in support of that suggestion. That the Melvills of Caskirdo were connected
with the Monimail family seems, however, probable, if only from the neighbourhood of Caskirdo to the
estates of Monimail, Raith, etc.
I have not devoted much attention to the matter, the evidence in regard to it in my possession being
confined to the result of a search in the parish registers of Ceres, from which every entry relating to the
name of Melvill has been extracted, and to some few memoranda supplied me by a member of the family.
The extracts from the Ceres registers are as follows : —
I. Marriages, 1620—1750.
1. 1628. July 4. Compeired David Melvill and Issobell Bonar both in this parochine and gatie up thair
names to be proclaimed before Johne Traill, David Philp, aud the said David laid 4 lib. as his pledge
in my hand and Johne Traill become cautioner for his gooddochter.
2. 1628. August 5. David Melvill and Issobell Boner were married.
3. 163S. July 8. William Melvin in this paroch and Cirstian Rough in Aberdour, proclaimed upon their
minister his testificat.
4. 1677. January 14. Robert Melvill and Grissell Row proclaimed.
5. 1686. November 20. Karskirdo cautioner for parties contracted.
6. 1697. October 8. William Melvill and Mary Haldan in this parish contracted.
7. 1723. October 18. M r Robert Fua merchant in Dunbar, and M' s Mary Melvine (sic), daughter to
the deceased M 1 ' William Melvill factor to the estate of Crawford.
II. Births, 1620— 1700. 2
8. 1638. May 30. — Melvill of Halhill witness.
9. 1677. October 19. Robert Melvill and Grissell Row had a child baptized called Margaret (?) Wit-
nesses William, Earl of Craufurd, &c.
10. 1683. July 17. Robert Melvill of Karskeirdow and Grizell Row his spouse had a child baptized
called Thomas : witnesses David Bruce of Bunzean and James Bailzie.
11. 1687. March 26. Robert Melvill of Karskeirdo and Grisell Rue his spouse had a child baptised
called James. Witnesses, David Malcome and John Melvill.
12. 1688. June 3. Robert Melvill of Karskeirdo and Grizel Rue his spouse had a child baptised called
Henreta. Baptized at Broomknow.
13. 1693. June 15. William Melvill of Carskeirdo : witnesses to baptism of minister's child.
14. 1698. September 2. William Melvill factor to the Earle of Crawfurd his creditors and Mary Haldan
his spouse had a child baptised called John. Witnesses John Wiems of Unthank, Mr. John Malcolm
of Foxtoun, and John Grahame, chamberlain of Craighall.
15. 1699- December 1. William Melvill factor to the Earl of Crawfurd and Mary Haldan his spouse had
a child born and baptized by Mr. William G . . . Lees, minister of Cupar. Witnesses John
Wienis of Wiuthank, and David Malcolm Bailie of Cupar, called Janet.
III. Deaths, 1620-50 [1650—1707 Hank], 1707-30.
October 9. Patrick Buchanan lawful son to M r Walter Buchanan and Margaret Melvill buried
June 17. David Melvill (inter alios) ordaiued an oversier for Tarvet milne.
May 13. Janet Loudoun spous to David Melvill in Tarvet Mill buried.
April 27. John Melvill buried.
December 13. James Melvill in Craigforthy buried.
February 9 . William Melvill, chamberland to the Earl of Crauford, buried.
December 31. Alexander Melvill was buried.
January 5. Janet Bell spouse to David Melvill, baillie in Ceres.
July 31. Mary Hadden relict of the deceased William Melvill in Bowhouse.
December 10. John Melvill of Carskirdo.
From these entries the following facts are clear : —
1626. Margaret Melvill, wife of the Rev. Walter Buchanan, minister of Ceres, had a son Patrick,
who died and was buried 9 Oct. 1626 (16).
1628. Janet Loudoun, wife of David Melvill in Tarvet Mill (17), was buried 13 May 1628 (18).
1628. Aug. 5. David Melvill married Issobell Bonar, after banns 4 July (1, 2).
1638. July 8. William Melvill, proclaimed to marry Christian Rough (3).
1677. Jan. 14. Robert Melvill of Caskirdo married Grissell Rue or Row (4), and had issue, Margaret (?)
bapt. 19 Oct. 1677 (9), Thomas bapt. 17 July 1683 (10), James bapt. 26 March 1687 (11), and
Henreta bapt. 3 June 1688 (12).
1697. Oct. 8. William Melvill, factor to the Earl of Crawford, married Mary Haldane (6), and had issue
John bapt. 2 Sept. 1698 (14), Janet bapt. 1 Dec. 1699 (15), and Mary m. 18 Oct. 1723 Robert Fua (7).
William Melvill was buried 9 Feb. 1712 (21). His widow 31 July 1728 (24).
1 The estate of Caskirdo now belongs to a branch of the Playfair family. Its present owner has kindly
looked through his papers, but finds none earlier in date than 1740, and none giving any information
as to the Melvills.
2 The births of children of Mr. Walter Buchanan, minister at Ceres, and Margaret Melvill his wife, are
in this register, but are omitted from these extracts.
16.
1626.
17.
1627.
18.
1628.
19.
1708.
20.
1710.
21.
1712.
22.
1722.
23.
1725.
24.
1728.
25.
1729.