Midlothian & Edinburgh

Holmes Genealogy Research in Midlothian & Edinburgh

The following are my notes compiled while researching Holmes families in Ayrshire. I am sharing these in an effort to help other researchers. References are provided as to where I obtained the material. Much of the material are transcriptions of testamants. These are my best attempt to decipher the old Scottish script and are full of gaps (….) where I could not make out the text. Please forgive these and any errors.

Dalkeith

Baptisms
Bessie Hoome to Androw Hoome and Jean Youll 15 Jun 1651
Androw Hume to Robert Hume 29 May 1653
William Hume to William Hume and Agnis Blackie 30 Jul 1665

Edinburgh

Nov. 17. 1624. AGNETA HUCHESONE relicta Jacobi Holme mercatoris bur gensis de Edinburgh , ac filia legitima Willielmi Huchesone cal cearii burgensis de Edinburgh, hæres Joannis Huchesone senioris, patrui,-in tertia parte terrarum de Wester Grange, in dominio de Culross . – A . E. 105. 10d. N. E. 30s. ix . 102.

Nov. 17. 1624. AGNETA HUCHESONE relicta Jacobi Holme mercatoris bur gensis de Edinburgh filia legitima Willielmi Huchesone calcearii burgensis de Edinburgh, hæres Joannis Huchesone senioris incolæ de Culross, filii patruelis,-in 2 domibus in Culross : -A. E. 20d. N. E. 58.–Annuo redditu 45s. 3d. de acra terræ jacente in lie Brewlandis vocata Aiker de Kirkgait. ix. 102.
(Inquisitionum Ad Capellam Domini Regis Retornatarum, V2/326-7)

Nov. 29. 1634. JACOBUS HOLME filius legitimus Joannis Holme, hæres Agnetis Hutchesoun , aviæ ,-in tenementis in Edinburgh. -E. 3 $. 4d . xiv, 118. (Inquisitionum Ad Capellam Domini Regis Retornatarum, V1/287)

23 Apr 1679 Anna Holmes, spouse of William Hopkirk , smith , Leith (Register of Deeds 1679, V44, p.830)

25 Jun 1766
Alexander Clark, stay-maker in Edinburgh, was served heir to his great-grandfather, John Holmes, weaver, South Leith, heir general.
(Services of Heirs 1760-69, p.8)

Testaments

James Holme, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh 12 Aug. 1601
The testamant testamentar and Inventory of the goods gear sums of money and debts owing? to umquile James Holme merchant burgess of Edinburgh the time of his decease
… upon the __ day … …six hundred and one years faithfully made and given up by himself upon …day of …
In the first, the said umquile James Holme had the goods gear sums of money and debts ..owed and …of ….to him the time of his decease… There was owed to the said umquile James Holmes…by Robert Dundas … by __ Hall … item by James Gemil? … … item by ____… …item by ___ … … item by Robert __ ….
…. by Andrew Owinston? in …. Item by Thomas Callender…. Item by __ goodman? of Craighous .. … item by Gavin Young tailzer … … item by G__ Johnstoun … of lent money & …. item by __ Hucheson …. item by Alexander Ogilbie tailzer for merchandise…item by __ of __ for merchandise…Item by James Polbait for merchandise…item by Cuthbert Mure… ..Item by ___ …item by Alexander Tailzer for merchandise… .. item by __ spouse of Robert Ab__bie for merchandise… item by L__Blair for merchandise…Item …spouse of Mr William Alexander? for merchandise…Item by Johne Hawlaw … for merchandise… ..item by __ Dundas for merchandise… item by [blank] spouse of Thoas D__ for merchandise … item by the goodman of Goalby?… …item by [blank] spouse of Robert Kincaid for merchandise…Item by W …. item by Wm Tailzer …
….
James Holme merchant burgess of Edinburgh being … in body and hail in Mind…. his body to be buried … … Item the said James Holme … Agnes Hutchesone his spouse his only exrs and … as to his whole? goods gear and debts…to be equally divided amongst his five bairnes… his eldest son … his bairnes by … and if failing of one bairn be … to be equally divided amongst the rest … his wife of her own consent … of … in his own hand … the said James .. will extend … … his wife free … re … of the bairnes gear and portions … ……
…. Richard Holme burgess of Edinburgh his b__ …Alexander …

Alison Thomson, relict of John Holme, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh 3 Apr. 1626

The testament dative, Inventar of the goods, gear & … of money and debts … to umquile Alesone Thomesone, relict of umquile Johne Holms mechant burgess of Edinburgh the time of her decease which decease …5th day of September 1625 years, faithfully made and given up by Rolland Murray, merchant burgess of Edinburgh, tuttor dative to James Holme, minor, only bairne to the defunct.
Inventory
Following debts owing to … … by the said umquile Alesone Thomesone, by Mr Patrick Hamilton, minister at Innerwick [married to Elizabeth Glen, daughter of Robert Glen] and Thomas Glen, dagmaker burgess of the Cannongate his …plate of …and ten marks for … out of the said … Patrick Hamilton dagmaker burgess of the … and ___ Purves his spouse…and ten puounds of … confirm to the bond … by William Wilson, amorer burgess … to __ and William Marshall flesher…Item by William Clerk? gun stocker… by him … Item by John Sinclaire dagmaker vij marks. Item by Wm C__ wobster …Item by James Adamsone, wobster …Item by Patrick Hairt and his spouse ________…Item by George Bartilmo in Brothtoun? …item by ____ in the cannongate Item by ….. By Francis Montrai? dagmaker. Item by James? Bannat___ tailyor in the cannongate. Item by James Alexander in Brothtoune…Item by Alexander Muir in … beyond the north__ Item by Johne Aspleind? in Leith… Item by Johne ___ …in the cannongate … Item by Johne Wyllie lisster Item by _____ …Item by William Hamilton …Item by Agnes __ and Patrick ___ her …

Richard Holme, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh 31 Mar. 1607
The testamant testar and inventar of the goods gear sums of money and debts owed by umquile Richard Holmes merchant burgess of Edinburgh the time of his decease who deceased upon the eigth day of December the year of God 1606 .. faithfully made and given up by himself upon the seventh day of December the year of god forsaid… … said umquile Richard Holme had the goods gear sums of money and debts of the … & … following owing to him the time of his decease foresaid viz., .. the defunct’s dwelling house …
Sum of Inventory
Item. It was .. to the said umquile Richard Holme by Clark? __ in Bar__ in Ireland/Juyland? … to ___ … Item by John Richardstone? in Walk … of Ireland/Juyland? for the .. of … lying … … Item by __all __ in York.. …. …. Item by Alexander Bouthink? merchant burgess of Edinburgh seventeen … pounds … Item by Alexander Kingston? burgess of Resaidburl?…
…. Item by Alexander __ … … Item by Robert Hamiltoun in ___ burgess of Resandburl? ….
… Item by __ Car__ burgess of Edinburgh .. … Item by Saml? Book.. Item by James __ in C__… Item by [blank]] spouse of __ Ross .. Item by William Wil__ burgess of __ … Item …. Item by Abrahame Mure … .. Item by Umpfra __ … … Item by William __ … Item by
Gilbert H__ … Item by Jon Ogilbie of ___ …. .
Sums
Item it was owed by the said umquile Richard Holmes to William, John and James Holmes his sons ….
Sums
.. seventh day of December 1606 … the said Richard Holme merchant burgess of Edinburgh … … his testament and … will as follows viz., Item he makes and names Jonet Lifford? his spouse his only exr and … his goods and gear debts and to … Legacie Item. He leaves and appoints the said Jonet Lifford? … ……. Item he … to be paid by his said spouse and .. to James Book and [blank] Book his sisters re said … … Item. He appoints his said .. sons to be paid of the sums of money abovewritten … … the goods and gear & debts owing to him … to the said Jonet … her lifetime, and of …. … to be divided amongdt his said three sons and Jonet Holme his daughter? … the said Jonet Lifford? his spouse … and appoints Alexander Cunynghame writer?…. & Johnne McCaulay burgess of Edinburgh to be __ to his said wife and bairnes and … .
Witnesses: Robert Edmond burgess of F–burg, David Book burgess of Edinburgh, Jon Holme merchant & Donald? Cunyngham … to the said Alexander Cunynghame … Richard Holme abovewritten with my hand on the pen ..
….

William Holme, son lawful to umquhile Richard H., merchant, burgess of Edinburgh 26 Jan. 1621 (Register of Testaments, p.199)
The testament dative and inventar of the goods gear sums of money and debts pertaining to umquile William Holme son lawful to umquile Richard Holme merchant burgess of Edinburgh the time of his decease who deceased in the month of [blank] the year of god 1614 faithfully made and given up by Johne Holme brother to the defunct and exr dative decerned to the said umquile William Holme his brother by decree of the Commissariot of Edinburgh… the sais umquile William Holme had …viz., ..was owed to the said umquile William Holme by Alexander Adingstoune? merchant burgess of Edinburgh as … Thomas Adingstoun? merchant burgess of … Robert Wadderstone? cutlar…

Agnes Hutcheson, relict of James Holme, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh 4 Jan. 1634 (Register of Testaments, p.207))……see James Homes by r. of w. Agnes, dr. to Wm. Huchesone, cordiner, 5 Mar 1593/4 ( Edinburgh Burgesses & Guild Bretheren 1406-1700, p.257)

On the 18th August 1643, Bryce Wallace, writer, and Margaret Hume, his wife, had their son, John, baptized ; “Thomas Hope, eldest son to Lord Craighall,” was one of the witnesses (Book of Wallace, p.177)

Janet Holmes, spouse to John Reid, in Pleasance 27 Jan. 1677
The testament dative and inventar of the goods gear sums of money … pertained to the deceased Janet Holms spouse to John Reid in Pleasance the time of her decease who deceased in the month of [blank] years faithfully made and given up by William Russell weaver in dorhand? Of Kesselrig as having last knowledge in name and behalf of Anna Kew his spouse daughter lawful to the defunct and only exr dative discerned …
In the first, the said umquil defunct had the goods and gear following pertaining to her the time of her decease forsaid…
(Register of Testaments, p.199)

Burgesses
(Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses)

Holme(s),

Major Abraham, B. and G. (apparently gratis) 29 .Sept. 1652
„ James, 13., tailyeor, as p. to umq. Jhonn Alexr. 2 May 1576
,, James, G., mt., B., be r. of w. Agnes, dr. to Wm. Huchesoun, mt., B. and G. (on mart^in, “Deieit “) 22 Feb. 1591-92
,, James, G., tailyeor, B. of befoir, by r. of w. Agnes, dr. to Wm. Huchesone, cordiner, B. and G. (Under date 22 Feb. 1591-2 occurs the entry, Holmes, James, G., mt. (j/r), B, be r. of \v. Agnes, dr. to Wm. Huchesoun, mt. {sic), B. and G), and on margin, ‘* Deieit at this ty[me] and maid gild (brother), 5 Martii 1593″) 5 Mar. 1593-4
„ Johne, B., mt. (hagbuit) 16 Aug. 1609
,, Johne, B. and G., mt. (corslet), as eldest s. to umq. James H., tailyeor 6 .Mar. 1611
„ John, B., gratis, as souldier in Capt. Oliphant’s company of militia, Leith 9 |uly 1669
,, John, 15., combmaker, as p. to Jas. Louthian, combmaker, B. 6 Feb. 1694
„ Richart, B., mt. (hagbute), payit to the deyne of gild ‘and the upset remiiit be the counsale” 19 May 1600
„ Ritchard, B., combmaker, gratis, by act of C. of 7 Feb. 1662, ” lykas he bands and obliges himself he shall only take Scotts boyes prentisses, and that he shall reseid and dwell in Edr., and Joyn \vt. no incorporation within the toun without the advice and consent of the magistrates had and obtained to that effect, and also shall reseid within the toun betwixt and Mertinmis next” 12 Feb. 1662

Boog [Book], James, B., mt. (hagbuit), by r. of w. Jonet, dr. to Richart Holme, tailyeour, B. 24 July 1605

Leslie, Normand, B., tailyeour (hagbuit), by r. of w. Jonet, dr. to umq. James Holme, tailyeor, B. 11 Oct. 1609

Apprentices
Holms, John, s. to John H., weaver in Leith, p. to James Lothian, weaver . 6 Mar. 1678
Boyd, Robert, s. nat. to Thomas B. of Pinkell, p. to Richard Holmes, combmaker 28 Aug. 1672
Strang, Wm., s. to James S., mt., indweller in Leith, p. to John Holmes, combmaker (B.) 26 Mar. 1701
(Register of Edinburgh Apprentices)

1695 Act in favour of comb-makers
Our sovereign lord, being most willing to give all due encouragement to all persons promoters of trade and manufactories within this kingdom, and that John Holmes, Thomas Leishman and William Park, comb-makers in Leith, and Hugh Landon in Dalkieth, have given good proof and experience of their skill and diligence in their said trade of comb-making, and that they have practised the same these several years bypast with such approbation, and taught their apprentices them with so much success that they are now able to furnish the whole kingdom with all sorts of combs and at easier rates than can be imported from abroad; and seeing the said persons, and others their co-partners, having settled a joint stock for carrying on the said trade, therefore, and for their encouragement, his majesty, with advice and consent of the estates of parliament, gives and grants to the said John Holmes, Thomas Leishman and William Park, and their partners present and to come, full power and liberty to join and incorporate themselves accordingly, and declares, statutes and enacts that they are and shall be a free and lawful incorporation for carrying on the said trade of making of all sorts of combs, with all freedoms, rights, privileges and immunities as are competent by the laws and acts made in the parliament of 1661 and 1681 in favour of manufactories. And wills and declares that the privileges thereby granted to the persons, their stocks and materials employed in manufactories, be applied to and executed in favour of the said John Holmes, Thomas Leishman and William Park for their said trade of comb-making, and particularly without prejudice of the said generality, his majesty, with advice and consent foresaid, does hereby ratify and approve the act passed in the second session of the first parliament of King Charles II upon 21 August 1663, entitled, act in favour of comb-makers, silkweavers and others therein-mentioned, to and in special favour of the said John Holmes, Thomas Leishman and William Park and their said partners, and that in so far as the same concerns their said trade of comb-making, and with and under the provisions and qualifications contained in the said act, which act above-written was upon 17 July 1695 approved in parliament exclusive of a monopoly and allowing any who pleased to join with them. (Record of the Parliament of Scotland, RPS, 1695/5/232)

1695 Hearth Tax
In John Mein sclaiters land
his oun house — 1 — £0.14.0
Walter Smith Flesher — 1 —
Janett Holms — 1 —
North leith Kirkland
John Holms Land of wasts — 2 — payed — £1.8.0
The aires of James Haigs Land
possest be the relict — 3 — payed — £2.2.0
William Sangster — 2 — payed — £1.8.0
John Holms — 2 — payed — £1.8.0
Widow Crisp — 1
Christian Holms Land
possest be himSelf — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
Elisabeth Bayne — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
Francis AnderSone — 3 — payed — £2.2.0
John MerShell — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
William Blaiky — 2 — payed — £1.8.0
Mistres Gibs Land
Allan ure — 2 — payed — £1.8.0
David GarShoar — 2
John Holms — 2 — payed — £1.8.0
David JohnStone — 2 — payed — £0.18.8
Flory Murray — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
Alexander Jap — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
Robert LindSey — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
George Cuningham — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
of wasts — 5 — payed — £3.10.0
Mr Balmirrinochs Land
James Thomsone — 1
Alexander Holms — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
Thomas Browne — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
James waker — 1
Jean Aiken — 1
Robert Glen — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
James Edmond — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
John Browne — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
Jean Kemp — 1
John Fultone — 1 — payed — £0.14.0
(ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk)

East Lothian

which sums the said David Dalrimple assigned as follows (1) by assignation (dated 1 October 1665) the sum of 3600 merks Scots thereof to William Lyndsay of Pyotstoun, who by his translation (dated 5 July 1667) transferred the same to the said Hugh Sinclair and (2) by assignation the remainder thereof to his sons (names blank) and John Home, his son-in-law, who translated the same to the said Hugh Sinclair; declaring that a sasine taken at the manor-place of Eistir Binnie shall be sufficient for the whole subjects. (NRS – GD86/660)