Early Records

found in

Selections from the Records of the Regality of Melrose

Some of the of the earliest records written about Redpath that detail its people, are that of the Melrose Regality Court Records. Some these records have been transcribed and summarised in a set of three books. These three volumes cover much of the 17th Century and cover areas such as Melrose, Eildon, Gattonside Drgrange and Redpath. They are free to access on internet archive.org.

I have included below a few of the records, however the writing has been slightly changed for the purpose of this website, making them easier to read for those who unfamiliar with old Scots terms and spellings. It is recommended that the original book is consulted if further more exact research is desired.

17 century Fewar’s of Reidpeth

Mr. Johne Lithgow.

Johne Lithgow.

Johne Andersone.

David Denholme.

Charles Watsone.

Thomas Myllne.

Andro Cairnecroce.

Johne Rodger.

Johne Broune off Parke.

William Bell

Redpath Charters

As stated in the Melrose Regality Court records

· Charter to John Anderson in Reidpeth in liferent, and William Anderson, his second son, of that husband land in Reidpeth called Coittisland which formerly belonged to Andrew Holme in Reidpeth, who with consent of Agnes Bruce, his wife, and Nicolas Cairncroce in Reidpeth, re- signed, paying yearly 22 s. 4 d., 3 kain fowls and a long carriage, with duplication. Dated Edinburgh, 4th April 1625 ; witnesses, David McCulloch, John Eliot and Archibald Eliot, servitors to the Earl.

· Charter to Alexander Anderson, lawful son of John Anderson in Reidpeth, of a husband land in Reidpeth, which formerly belonged to Andrew Holme in Reidpeth, who with consent of Agnes Bruce his wife resigned, paying yearly 22 s. 4 d., 3 kain fowls and a long carriage, with duplication. Dated Edinburgh, 4th April 1625 ; same witnesses.

· Charter to George Bell in Reidpeth, son of the deceased John Bell there, of a husband land in Reidpeth occupied by himself, paying yearly 22 s. 4 d., three kain fowls, and a long carriage, with duplication. Dated Edinburgh, 23rd December 1626 ; witnesses, Mr. Adam Hepburne and George Pringill and Archibald Ellot, servitors to the Earl.

· Charter to John Roger in Reidpeth, son of the deceased John Roger there, of two husband lands in Reidpeth occupied by the said John Roger and Isobel Richesone, his mother, paying yearly 44 s. 8 d. with six kain fowls, two long carriages, and duplication. Dated Edinburgh, 23rd December 1626 ; same witnesses, Mr. Adam Hepburne and George Pringill and Archibald Ellot, servitors to the Earl

· Charter to James Lythgow, eldest lawful son of Thomas Lythgow in Reidpeth, and Isobel Hardie, lawful daughter of Hugh Hardie, portioner of Blainslie, his future spouse, of the 1 ½ husband lands called the Carters croft, and the other half of the husband land formerly belonging to John Davidson there and afterwards to the said Isabella Hardie, resigned for this new grant, paying yearly for the Carter yairds 28 s., with 1 1/3 long carriages and 31/3 kain fowls, and for the half husband land 12 s., with half a long carriage and If kain fowls with duplication. Dated Edinburgh, 15th August 1627 ; witnesses, David McCulloch, Mr. Adam Hepburne and Archibald Ellot, servitors to the Earl.

· Charter to Nicol Carnecroce, lawful son of William Carnecroce of Colmeslie, of the two husband lands lying on the east side of the town of Reidpeth, formerly belonging to Andrew Holme, portioner of Reidpeth, who, with consent of Agnes Bruce his wife resigned, paying yearly 44 s. 8 d., six kain fowls and two long carriages, with duplication, and thirlage to the mill of Reidpeth. Dated Edinburgh, 7th June 1628 ; witnesses, David McCulloch, Mr. Archibald Osuald, Thomas Fraser and Archibald Ellot, servitors to the Earl.

· Charter by Nicol Carnecroce, lawful son to William Carnecroce of Colmeslie, with consent of Isobel Pringill his spouse, to James Lythgow, servitor to the Earl of Haddington, of two husband lands lying in the east end of Reidpeth, under reversion. Dated 27th June 1628. Charter confirming the immediately foregoing charter dated Edinburgh, 21st July 1628 ; witnesses, Mr. Adam Hepburne, Thomas Eraser and Archibald Eliot, servitors to the Earl.

· Charter by the Earl to James Lithgow, his servitor, of a sixth part of the lands of Craig alias Craighouse occupied by the said James Lythgow and his tenants, in the parish of Ersiltoun, paying yearly £10, with thirlage to the mill of Ridpeth. Dated Edinburgh, 5th May 1632 ; witnesses, Clement Kincaid, Edward Pareis and James Broun, servitors to the Earl.

· Charter to Alexander Anderson, lawful son of William Anderson in Ridpeth, whose ancestors have been native tenants past memory of man, of a sixth part and half a sixth part of said lands, paying yearly £15, with thirlage to the mill of Reidpeth. Dated Edinburgh, 5th May 1632 ; witnesses, Clement Kincaid, James Broun and James Lythgow, servitors of the Earl.

· Charter to Andrew Cairncroce, whose ancestors have been native tenants past memory of man, of a sixth part and half a sixth part of said lands, paying yearly £15, with thirlage to the mill of Ridpeth. Dated Edinburgh, 5th May 1632 same witnesses. (f. 90.)

· Charter to John Anderson in Ridpeth, whose ancestors have been native tenants past memory of man, of a sixth part of said lands, paying yearly £10, and thirlage to the mill of Ridpeth. Dated 5th May 1632 ; same witnesses.

· Charter to John Roger in Ridpeth, whose predecessors have been native tenants past memory of man, of half a sixth part of said lands, paying yearly £5, with thirlage to the mill of Ridpeth. Dated Edinburgh, 5th May 1632 ; same witnesses.

· Charter to George Bell in Ridpeth, whose ancestors have been native tenants past memory of man, of half a sixth part of said lands, paying yearly £5, with thirlage to the mill of Ridpeth. Dated Edinburgh, 5th May 1632 ; same witnesses.

Melrose Regality Court Records

These records can be found in 3 volumes in the Internet Archive website. Here are some records found recording residents of Redpath.  For the purpose of this some of the old scots and spelling mistakes have been corrected to enable an easier read. The original spellings can be seen in the Records themselves.

3d March 1608; At the instance of George Trotter lawful son of Thomas Trotter in Ridpeth narrating a contract dated 28th January 1590 between them on one part and John Robsone in Gladiswoode and Andrewe Robesone his son and apparent heir for themselves and taking burden for Catherine Robsone daughter of the said John, on the other part for the marriage of the said George and Katherine where in Thomas his father promised to infest the complainer and his heirs in his three half husbandlands and pertinents lying in the town and territory of Ridpeth and to observe other conditions; and since that time his father has also borrowed 300 merks from him for part of which he promised to infeft him in his lands of Craighouse in the lordship of Melrose. For these and other matters the complainer is pursuing him, but to avoid the issue and defraud the complainer the said Thomas intends to dispone otherwise upon his estate. He is therefore inhibeted so to do, The letters are dated at Edinburgh 1st January 1608

9 Jan 1608;  by Alexander Wischar, messenger against Thomas Trotter personally apprehended; witnesses John Roger in Reidpeth, James Broun of the Park and Alexander Trotter in Newsteid. Same day by the same at the market cross of Melrose; Witnesses William Wallace in Melrose Andrew Davidsone there and William Donaldson there

1658 John Anderson, portioner of Reidpeth, complains against William Huntar, portioner there, who cuts, destroys and takes away the pursuer's wood and trees in Reidpeth, to the number of 20 oak and birch trees, 40 s. the piece, which he ought to refund, besides a fine of 10 1. imposed by act of Parliament for cutting green wood. Defender depones he never cut any of the pursuer's timber. Absolves

1658/1659 Complaint by James Lythgow of Drygrange against John Rodger, portioner of Ridpeth, as follows : — The said John has wrongouslie cuttit intromitit (unjustly cut property of another person) with and away taken forth and from the said James Lithgow pursuer his wood in Ridpeth the number of twenty oak and other trees. Price and worth of each tree which he ought to pay, with a fine also for cutting greenwood ; and the pursuer desired the Baillie to direct John Mein, portioner of Newsteid, George Bell, William Andersone, and Andrew Cairncroce, portioners of Ridpeth, to sight the ground and report the number and worth of the trees and what damage the pursuer had suffered. —5 June 1658, ordains the said persons or any three of them to report as above. — They find that 14 oak trees are cut and taken away from that part of the wood in Ridpeth above mentioned which pertained to the deceased Thomas Lythgow and now pertains to the said James Lythgow of Drygrange, his son ; report dated at the said wood, 18 June 1658. — Pursuer compearing by John Bunyie, portioner of Newsteid, his procurator, the defender compearing by Andrew Tunno, notary in Melrose, his procurator, desired the pursuer's oath of calumny before his witnesses be admitted pursuer to be present and give his oath before sentence is pronounced.

19 June 1658, Witnesses for pursuer : — George Bell, portioner of Ridpeth, married, 50 years, depones that about 30 years ago the wood was cut by the deceased Thomas Lythgow, and that the trees cut by John Rodger were cut out of the same wood ; and that it hes bein wed by the said umquhil (late) Thomas and his son without interruption ; knows nothing anent (in respect of) the marches between John Rodger and Drygrange. William Andersone, portioner there, married, 60 years, depones as the preceding ; knows nothing anent (with respect to) the ground and marches. Andrew Cairncroce, portioner there, married, 40 years, depones as above. John Mein, portioner of Newsteid, married, 61 years, depones that about 34 years ago he bought the wood from deceased Thomas Lythgow whence the timber is cut, and declares the trees are cut from the same ground, and that there are about 12 trees cut within the bounds ; knows nothing of the marches. Judge continues sentence till he may advise the process. — 30th October 1658, ordains Rodger to be summoned to hear sentence, and pursuer to give his oath of calumny. Defences by John Rodger follow : — Denies cutting any of pursuer's trees, and latter ought to prove the number, quality, worth, and ownership of those alleged to be cut. One witness alleges that the pursuer's father cut the wood 30 years ago, and another witness alleges he bought the same from pursuer's father 34 years ago ; these are conflicting, and the wood could not grow again in four years ; and if they prove anything, it is only the ownership of the land. For clearing the truth, the defender declares that his mother and he set the ground and land whereon the wood grew to the pursuer's father for seven years, during which time the latter cut the wood, to which he had no right, but took advantage of the defender's absence, ' who was then dwelling in the Mearnes at Fettercairne, which is distant from the defenders residence now one hundred miles.' — 8th January 1659, pursuer gives his oath of calumny ; and gives in answers to the defences, as follows : — The witnesses have clearly proved that defender cut about 12 trees from the pursuer's wood, ' which hath been cuttit by his umquhill (late) father and others in his name 34 years or thereabouts and ever since sen wed and cuttit by them without interruption,' and the worth has been proved, and in all probability the wood and the ground belong thus to the pursuer. As to the second point, there is little discrepancy among the witnesses as to the time of cutting and selling. As to any tack being granted by defender or his mother, neither the pursuer nor his father have ever taken any part of their ground from them, and if such there was, it ought to be exhibited and the pursuer to have inspection thereof. — The judge ordains the de- fender to produce evidence of his granting a tack of the ground, and also to prove his own right to the land and wood controverted. — 22 January 1659, defender's pro- curator to have a copy of above interlocutor. — 26 February 1659, ordains as before, to answer peremptorily. — 12 March 1659, avisandum. — 26 March 1659, the judge finds that defender has failed to prove setting a tack for 7 years to pursuer's father, and his own right to the ground, and so finds it most probable by the depositions that the ground controverted belonged heritably to pursuer's father and to him as his heir, and finds that defender has done wrong in cutting and removing the trees, and ordains him to pay to pursuer 3 s. Scots for each of 12 trees, and to desist from further cutting of trees on that land under pain of 20 1. ; he is also to pay 10 I. to the procurator fiscal for cutting greenwood contrary to the act of Parliament. This being pronounced in presence of parties and procurators, the defender declined the judicatory and appealed, and asked act of court thereupon. This appeal being irrelevant, as it ought to have been done upon the de- fender's first, second and third citations and before interlocutor and sentence, the Baillie refused to admit the same and sustained himself judge and decerned in manner foresaid, and ordained defender to pay to pursuer 5 1.6 s. 8 d. of expenses of plea.

1660 James Lythgow of Drygrainge complains that several Drygrange. persons in Melrose and Gattonside daily and nightly frequent his ground, moor and lands of Drygrainge and pull, houk and cut down the heather, broom, wood and other fuel, and will not cease ; so he craves an act of court. The judge ordains each offender to pay 13 s. 4 d., half to the Baillie and half to the party ; to be published at the market cross

1662 Eodem die absolves Andrew Carnecroce, portioner of Ridpeth, from action by David Browne of Park, narrating that in 1643 they mutually agreed ' that the said David Browne should remove one gavell (gable) wall of his and gavell upon the said Andro his house next adjacent in respect both the houses were prejudged by rain, quhilk (which) accordingly was done and stood so until about 4 or 5 years since or thereby the said Andro did impede and trouble the said David in the possession of the said gavell, and still troubles him, to his prejudice.' Carnecroce produced the written agreement ' bearing that the said David Broun pursuer granted him to have gavelled (built a gabled wall) upon Andro Carnecroce with leave asked and given, with this provision that it should be leasume (legally right) to the said Andro or his heirs to dispose upon his own house as it pleased him at any time thereafter, and in that case the said David oblist (contracted) him to gavell upon his own ground.'

1663 Eodem die complaint by Margaret Ker, Lady Coldenknowes, against George Bell and Andrew Carnecroce, portioners of Ridpeth, for themselves and in name of the rest of the feuars and inhabitants of Ridpeth, who daily molest and oppress her by cutting her wood, ' holling up ' (digging up) and cutting her broom and whins, and eating her grass, without any license ; and the Baillie ordains them to desist and not to act thus hereafter, under penalty of 13 s. 4 d. for each offence

1665 Which day compeared Isobel Scott, wife of Mr. John Lythgow, minister at the kirk of Ewes, and produced a Disposition of this date, granted by her husband with her consent to Thomas Lythgow, ' only lawful child to the said Mr. John,' and his heirs, executors, and assignees, of all debts, money, corn, cattle, plenishing, horses, sheep, goods and gear belonging to them at their decease ; which deed she ratified and approved judicially, declaring herself a willing consenter thereto, and thereupon James Eillies of Huntlywood as attorney for the said Thomas Lythgow took instruments (John Lythgow was a minister at Ewes, and also related to the Lythgow’s at Drygrange)

1666  Eodem die decerns William Forsan in Ridpeth Mill and Robert Forsan in Newsteid Mill to pay to Thomas Bowie in Melrose 50 merks each, promised by them to him as tocher good with Janet Forsan, now spouse to said Thomas Bowie; referred to Robert's oath, who deponed affirmative ; William denied, pursuer proved it by witnesses

1666 Eodem die decerns John Young in Ersiltoun, pretended tenant and possessor ' of the chief dwelling houses and yairds quhich sometime pertained to John Andersone alias Laird there,' lying in the town of Ridpeth, to flit and remove therefrom with his family and servants and goods, so that William Denhame, merchant in Ersilton, and his tenants and servants may enter thereto at Whitsunday 1666 ; and decerns and ordains said William Denhame to possess said John Young at same time in that little house and yard in Ridpeth lately possessed by deceased Isobel Andersone, mother of the said John Andersone ; and each to continue in possession as above until the land possessed by them is redeemed by the said John Anderson for the sums contained in their respective rights. David Denham, son of said William, and Robert Young, son of said John, as procurators for their fathers, compeared and consented thereto

1668 Eodem die decerns John Anderson alias ' Jeames John,' portioner of Ridpeth, ' either to purge and relieve James Garner in Ridpeth and John Winter there corns in Ridpeth which grew upon the lands of Craighouse anno 1668 pertaining to the said John Andersone of all arrestments laid on at the instance of John, Earle of Haddington, ; for the sum of ten pounds Scots owed by him to the said Earle for the few duties of the said lands of Craighouse possessed by them and pertaining to him, or otherwise to make payment to them of the said ten pounds for their relief of the same feu duties ; defender confessed he promised to relieve them thereof ; 24 s. expenses.

1668 Which day decerns John Andersone, portioner of Ridpeth, brother and heir of deceased James Andersone who was eldest lawful son and heir of deceased Alexander Andersone, sometime of Sorrowlessfield, portioner of Ridpeth, to pay to George Pringle of Buckholm 275 merks contained in Bond, 3 August 1642, by said deceased Alexander Anderson to the pursuer, and 40 merks of penalty, and interest yearly bygone and to come at the rate of 8 per cent. Pursuer produced James Anderson's sasine as heir to his father, and John Anderson's sasine to his brother ; John Bunzie, procurator for defender, alleged the pursuer was already paid, and refers to pursuer's oath, who depones negative.

1670 Which day decerns William Denham, portioner of Ridpethe, to pay to William Forsane, miller in Ridpeth mill, 1 1. 15 s. as balance due for certain muck bought from pursuer ; defender absent, pursuer deponed. Eodem die action by Mr. John Lithgow, portioner of Ridpethe, and Thomas Lithgow his son, heritable proprietors of the mill of Ridpeth, against James Archiesone in Cleakmae, narrating that the said mill with astricted multures pertains to them by infeftment and sasine dated 22 August 1664, and thereby they have right to the multure, etc., of all corns growing upon the lands of Cleakmae, which are thirled to the said mill and in use to pay a peck of multure to the boll ; yet Archiesone has abstracted in the years 1666, 1667, 1668, and 1669, the multure, knaveship and bannock of 12 bolls of oats and 3 bolls of bear, each year, growing on these lands, and the like quantities in brought by him within the said lands, price of each boll of oats ' and meill ' 6 1. and of each boll of bear 6 1. and of each boll of ' shilling ' 8 1. Pursuers compeared personally, with John Bunzie their procurator, and defender compeared personally with James Edgar his procurator, and the former having produced their charter of the mill, the defender denied that he or any of the other heritors or inhabitants of Cleakmae were in use to come to the mill of Ridpeth and pay multure, etc., which thirlage the pursuers offered to prove, and adduced the following witnesses, viz., William Forsone, miller in Ridpeth mill, who deponed they were in use to come and grind at the mill and pay multure, for these 20 years past, because he had received the thirle duty from them himself ; William Andersone, indweller in Ridpeth, deponed conform, relative to the past 30 years ; William Hunter there deponed as the last, and so did Andrew Cairncroce and Thomas Watsone there. The Baillie decerns the defender to pay the foresaid thirled multures to the pursuers not only bygone but present and to come, and pay 5 merks of expenses of plea.

1672 Eodem die action by Walter Scott of Gladswood against William Bell, portioner of Ridpethe, narrating that the pursuer and his authors ' is and hes been in possession and in use and went to pass and repass in the highways going through the ground and lands of Ridpeth to Huntlywood mosse and Fanes, by carrying of peats from the said moss these many years by past memories of man without any interruption,' but lately the defender ' came to the said pursuer, his horse and men coming home with peats in the said highway ' and without provocation cast the loads off the horses. Both parties compearing, defender denied that the said way was a highway, and it was never before used by the pursuer or any other person without interruption ; and pursuer adduced several witnesses, who upon the ground of the said controverted highway declared ' positive that the same way was a highway used and went up above the wall ' and had been used by persons carrying peats for many years without interruption ; and an assize of 15 honest men, by the mouth of James Pringle in Colmslie, their chancellor, found that the same is and has been a highway without interruption. The Baillie therefore decerns the defender to suffer the pursuer to use the same and not to molest and trouble him here- after ; 8 1. expenses of plea.

1674 Which day complaint by Mr. John Lythgow, portioner of Ridpeth, against Thomas Turner, John Haitlie, James Mosse, John Andersone, John Thomsone, James Rodger, James Gairner, William Andersone, Thomas Watsone,^ William Turner, Thomas Milne, John Cairncroce, John Broun, farmer, John Cairncroce, ' Hellens John,' Andrew Cairncroce, Alexander Govenlock, John Sheill, John Mein, George Christie, William Bell, John Thomsone, and John Huntar, indwellers in Ridpeth, who daily without his license cut down and remove the pursuer's growing timber and broom on his lands in Ridpethe, to the extent of 100 1. damage. The Baillie prohibits them ' from any farther wronging his timber and broom,' under the penalty of 6 s. 8 d. for each transgression, ' by and at tour the price of the timber so taken away.' Several of the defenders compearing consented, and those absent were held as confessed.

1682; This era covered the “Killing times” with regards to the Covenanter movement. Therefore there is frequent lists of local names who frequented house or field conventicles

' Enrollments of the Regality Court of Melrose, with one particular list of the whole irregular persons and delinquents names convened and fined be George Pringle of Blindlie, Baillie of the said regality, frae the 4th day of March 1682 to the third day of May 1684 years. ' Complains Archibald Frier, procurator fiscal of the regality of Melrose, upon James Fischer, portioner of Blainslie, James Greives, elder and younger there, James Rollmainehouse there, Johne Wallace, smith there, Alexander Dicksone, merchant there, Thomas Darling there, William Turner, tailor there, Thomas Turner there, William Ker of Broadwoodsheill, Johne and George Rollmainehouses in Blainslie, William Spotswood, tailor there, Robert Wreight, smith in Langshaw, Mr. George Urqhuart in Buckholme, Alexander Young, servitor there, Guairdiner there, James Rodger, cordiner in Ridpeth, James Mosse there, James Jacke there, Andro Chisholme, herd there, Johne Thomson, mason there, William Bell there, William Broune merchant there, Johne Eidingtoune there, Thomas Mathieson in Gattonside, James Marr and Alison Hog his spouse there, William Wreight, elder and younger, there, Robert Clarke, merchant there, Jenet Hallywall, " Lady," there, Johne Hoy there, Thomas Boustone, sone to Thomas Bowstoune there, Andro Hallywall, donator, Johne Bertoune there, Robert Mertoun there, Thomas Hallywall there, Johne Hallywall his sone,. Johne Hallywall, " Croce," and Hallywall, his the daughters, Andro Turnbull in Brigend, and his wife, Andro Baillie there, Turnbulls, sisters to the said Andro Turnbull, Walter Vair, weaver in Darnick, Johne Dalglish, there, and Jenet Drover his spouse, James Cochran, tailor, and Anna Cochran, his goodsister, William Griersone, weaver there, and Griersones, his two daughters, Johne Luckup in Melrose, Isobel Luckup his sister, Johne Bell, younger, there, Andro Tunno there, Margaret, Dinah and Jenet Tunnoes his daughters, Johne Hog, weaver there, Isobell Fratter there, Peter Donnaldsone there, James Blackie there, Isobel Blackie his sister, George Blackie, tailor, his brother, and Margaret Nicoll, her mother, Mally Sclaitter there, James Wallace, merchant there, Taite, servitrix to Adam Lithgow, Walter Donnaldsone there, Isobell Luckup, elder there, Margarat Lithgow, widow there, Thomas Bunyie, merchant there. William Andersone, merchant there, and Jenet Patersone his spouse, Johne Hunter, cordiner there, and Elizabeth Broune his spouse, Mertoune, his servitrix, Margret Billies, spouse to William Laying, wright, James Meine,

" Byres," in Newstead, Bunyie his spouse, and hail children, Robert Riddell there, Robert Maebone there, and his wife, Johne Meine, skinner there, and his wife, Johne Meine, " Tounheid," and his wife, William Meine, smith there, and Agnes Phillip his spouse, Robert Forsan. miller there, James Forsan his son and Forsan his daughter, Andro Wilsone and his wife, Johne Hiettoune in Eildoune, William Sibbald there and his wife, Johne and Andro Riddells in Newtoune and their wives, Thomas- Stenhouse there, and Myllne his spouse, Thomas Myllne, smith there, Johne Myllne, younger, there, Nicoll Cochran there, William Myllne there, William Eceles there, and his wife, Andro Hiettoune there and his wife, Johne Gill, miller there, and his wife, Thomas Hoy, smith in Lessuden, Thomas Hoy his sone, and Kyll, spouse to the said Thomas Hoy, elder, Andro Unas there, Walter Pattone there, Johne Pattone " Eastir " there, James Eastone there, James Patersone in Dannieltone, his wife and man, Thomas Drummond and his wife, William Gill, weaver there, and his wife, Thomas Mertoune, tailor there, and his wife, and William Aitchiesone in Sorrowlessfield and his wife,' who have transgressed the Acts of Parliament forbidding the frequenting of house and field conventicles, and keeping disorderly baptisms and marriages, and withdrawing from their own parish churches, and have so absented themselves for the last four years since the Act of Indemnity ; for which they ought to be fined conform to these Acts contravened.

1682 James Robsone, weaver in Ridpeth, present, asserted he was first summoned by Baillie Faa's officer and fined before his baron court ; which the Baillie repelled, and fined him again for his delinquencies.

1682 James Robson, weaver in Ridpeth, absent, held as confessed. David Denholme, portioner there, absent, fined 50 1. for contumacy. Jean Sheill his mother and Denholme his sister, absent, fined 50 1. James Rodger, cordiner there, absent, fined 50 1. William Broune there, absent, fined 50 1. John Thomsone there, absent, fined 50 1. Janet Turner, widow there, absent, fined 50 1.

The History of Redpath Lands

as written in

The Selections from the records of the Regality of Melrose volume III

Edited by Charles Romanes (1852 - 1922)

for the Scottish History Society

Published 1917

Charles Romanes had studied the above records and edited several volumes of the Selection from the Records of the Regality of Melrose.   In volume III of the collection he delves into the history of the land included in the Regality of Melrose.  Redpath being one such village.   This page provides an extract discussing the lands of Redpath

The lands of Redpath were held of the Crown, having  been granted by Robert I to his nephew, Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, who bestowed them upon the Abbot and monks of Melrose, to whom sasine was granted on  4th September 1319. This grant was confirmed by Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, and by King Robert I.

The Earl of Douglas, on 17th December 1416, disposed of a dispute between the monks and John the Hage, Lord of Bemerside, in their favour. This was followed by the Earl of Douglas letting the lands ' to borch ' to the Abbots of Melrose on 13th May 1418. A Confirmation by the Earl of Douglas of the original grant of Thomas, Earl of  Moray, is dated 10th July 1418, and on 13th September 1421 the Earl of Douglas again confirmed the whole lands and marches giving their boundaries.

Then followed an excommunication of John Hage of Bemersyde for ignoring the decree of the Earl of Douglas and a judgment of the Earl of Douglas fixing an assize to perambulate the Marches, in which he gives the boundaries of the lands  in the following terms :

‘Fra the Chyldwell abone passand wp to the myddys of the Threpleche to the standand  stane and fra the standand stane downe the syke to the myddys of the furde of Heldene and swa passand downe the myddys of the burne rynnand about the bra and the dyke the qwylke bra and dyke had qwylum a zete closand and opynnand for the caryage of tymbyr to the byggyng of the house of Dryburgh and swa fra that zete to the Hekkerstane cors.'

On 3rd November 1427 the King confirmed the perambulation made on 16th November 1425. From Dr, Maitland Thomson's Vatican Charters we have obtained the following transmissions :

On 5th November 1546 : Charter whereby James, perpetual Commendator of the Monasteries of Melros and Calco, and the Convent of the Monastery of Melros, of the Cistercian Order in the diocese of Glasgow (for the augmentation of their rental and for certain sums of money paid to them for the repair and rebuilding of their Monastery recently burned by the English) grant in feu farm to William Andersoun in Reidpeth, a husband land and half husband land of the lands of Reidpeth then occupied by him with pasture in the common of Ersiltoun, lying in the lordship of Melrose within the sheriffdom of Berwick, extending in their rental to thirty shillings Scots, four poultry and I 1/2 ' caragia : To be holden the said William and the heirs male of his body lawfully procreated or to be procreated, whom failing his heirs male whomsoever, whom failing his heirs and assignees whomsoever de nobis : Rendering therefor yearly thirty-three shillings and six pennies, Scots, four poultry and 1 1/2 ' caragia ' when required, being an augmentation of their rental to the amount of three shillings and six pence, the heirs doubling the said feu  farm the first year of their entry.  

At the said Monastery, on 5th November 1546, there is added a provision against alienation, sale, or impignoration of the said lands to any lords, temporal or spiritual or persons of noble birth, and depriving the said William his heirs and assignees, of the right of so alienating, selling, or impignorating, except to inhabitants of the lands of Redpeth and similar persons of inferior condition to himself and that even with the licence and consent of the Commendator and Convent asked and obtained, under pain of amission of the feu and reversion to the monastery.

This is followed by Letters of Confirmation by John, Archbishop of St. Andrews, etc., confirming a Feu Charter granted by James, perpetual Commendator of the Monastery of Melros, . . . and the convent thereof, whereby for the augmentation of the yearly rental of the monastery to the amount of Four Shillings and Eight Pence Scots, and in consideration of certain sums paid to them for the repair and rebuilding of the monastery burned by the English, they granted and in feu farm demitted to David Roger in Reidpeth and his heirs . . . two husband lands of the lands of Reidpeth with pasture on the commonty of Ersiltoun, then occupied by the said David . . . furth of which the granters had been in use to uplift yearly the sum of Forty Shillings Scots with six fowls and two carriages : To be holden . . . for payment yearly of Forty-four Shillings and Eight Pence Scots, etc. : at Edinburgh, 9th November 1556.^

There is also a precept of Clare Constat directed by Michael perpetual commendator of the Monastery of Melrose to Peter Trottar and James Huntare, bailies in that part, for infefting David Roger as heir of his father umquhil David Roger in Reidpath in two husband lands in Reidpath with pasture in the commonty of Ersiltoun ... to be held of the Monastery in feu farm : at the Monastery 1st December 1564. Witnesses, Wilham Linlithgow of Drygrange, John Blacader, Malcolm Hoppringill and John Broun, notary. Signed Michael, Commr. of Melrose and others.

On 7th June 1568 the King confirmed a charter made by Michael, Commendator of Melrose, to Alexander Balfour of Denmylne of these and other lands. About 1620 the following were the occupiers of the lands : Thomas Linlithgow, Robert Trotter, Burgess of Edin- burgh, and his subtenants, William and John Anderson, John Carnecrose, Isobell Richardson, relict of umquhile Johne Roger, and Rodger, Andro Home, and Isobell  Haistie, relict of John Bell, and her son.