A handwritten reversioning of George Lorimer’s text which adds 2 original documents including one in the hand of the covenanter - and later moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland - David Williamson (1694), minister at the church in the 17th century. Additionally there is a document in the hand of his succesor at the Kirk, Neil McVicar: this is a longer piece of text which ‘refers to the case of Andrew Wilson - late Session Clerk - who was dismissed from his office for scandalous neglect of his duties and general bad behaviour.’ This manuscript derives from the printed text, along the way culling, rearranging and mounting documents, most of which were published in Lorimer’s study of the old West Kirke church of St Cuthbert’s in Edinburgh.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Black leather binding in good condition. Gilt title to front and narrow gilt fillet in triplicate to edge of boards which are very slightly chipped to corners. Spine in six compartments decoratively embossed, slightly bumped to top and bottom. Blue marbled end papers unmarked, a little browned to rear. Front 3 leaves beginning to crack over spine but otherwise in very sound condition throughout. Hand written title page reads ‘Leaves from The Buik of The West Kirke’.
CONTENTS
Contains 15 hand written sections including pasted in facsimiles and original documents giving accounts of:
‘The celebrated’ Robert Pont 1526- 1606, past minister of the Kirke. 5 pp. including facsimile of document signed in his hand.
David Williamson, past minister between 1661-65 and 1689-1706. 4 pp. including original signed hand written note.
Neil Mc Vicar, past minister who followed after David Williamson. 4 pp. including facsimile and original hand written signed note regarding his links to the case of Andrew Wilson.
Archbishop Paterson. 3 pp. including facsimile.
Communion Expenses which reveal a ‘startling’ amount of wine consumed during communion. 3 pp. including a facsimile.
A receipt for Mince Pies considered by George Lorimer a ‘great curiosity’, in light of the mince pie being a delicacy considered particularly obnoxious in the eyes of the stern Presbyterians of the 17th century. 3 pp. Includes a facsimile of the original doc.
A Bill of Affair incurred in connection with the visit of a Committee of the Privy council. 2 pp. including facsimile.
An excerpt from minutes January 1686 considering the case of Barclay of Hiltowne. 4 pp. including facsimile.
A Fee for Lithotomy including a facsimile of a receipt by William Hastie, brewer.
Information for Mr James Eleis prepared by the West Kirke Treasurer. 2 pp. Includes a facsimile of an original document dated 1680.
A facsimile of a Begging Letter of 1689.
A facsimile of a short receipt for Seven Shillings sterling signed Arch. Lundie.
An account of law expenses naming Sir Patrick Nisbet incurred by the West Kirke dated 1679. 4 pp. including facsimile.
A bond by James Swintowne. 3 pp. including signed facsimile.
A Bond by Robert Anderson dated 1689. 2 pp. Includes facsimile
