Frasers of Philorth > Volume 1

164 THE FRASERS OF COWIE, DURRIS, AND PHILORTH.
enjoyed the usufruct during his few remaining years, which he seems to
have passed at his castle of Kinnaird Head, or at a house that he had in
Edinburgh. 1
He retained his mental faculties to the latest year of his long life, and this
is evident from his having made his will upon the 12th July 1623, within a
few days of his death, when he must have been eighty- five or eighty-six
years of age.
By this deed he disponed his personal property in favour of Alexander
Eraser, called his nephew, meaning thereby his grandson, which the word
nephew or nephoy generally imports in ancient writings. This reading of
the description nephew is confirmed by the testament itself, which mentions
" Alex r Fraser, my nephew," and " Andro Fraser, son to umquhill Walter
Fraser, my brother."
The document commences thus —
" The Testament, letter Vill, and Legacie of S r Alex r Fraser of Fraser-
burghe, kny*, maid be himselff 12 of Julij 1623 zeiris, Befor thir vitnesses,
Alex r Fraser, my nephew, Andro Fraser, sone to umquhill Walter Fraser, my
broth [erl , Alex r Fraser, and Alex r Harper, my servitouris.
Written be M r William Forbes, Minister."
After lists of his debts and assets, the latter consisting principally of
rents for 1621 and 1622, and arrears of feu-duties, which are signed by Sir
Alexander Fraser, there follows : —
" My Legacie.
" Imprimis, I leiu to my nephew, Alex r Fraser, my haill goldsmyth wark,
whilkis was takin away be my umquhill spous, Dame Elizabeth Maxwell, and
hir sone, James Gordoune. Item, I lieu to my said nephew all right and
title that I had or micht hawe to the tearce and coniunct-fee of my umquhill
spous, Elizabeth Maxwell. Item, I leiu to the said Alex r , my nephew, my
kist in Edinburghe, and my clothis and vther thingis conteaned therein. Item,
I leiu to him my Courtingis, Nepperie, Cuschingis, and vther plenisching of
my hous, which my said umquhill spous, Elizabeth Maxwell, had in keiping.
Item, I leiu to the said Alex r Fraser, my nephew, my buikis and plenisching
1 PhUortk Charter-room.