An historical account and delineation of Aberdeen; embellished with beautiful engravings of the principal bridges, public buildings, and sacred edifices in and about the city
fc' t-<: ''<-' '<'*•' • ''•*? *• ^^.^"« 'S:t- ;o -co ;co. i-c c <r x c c r<y-C c. -C.C7 ^ c r ^1 r. e-c<: C X-C (C fCt'aAf.C 8SO A1WS C. 1 ROBA ^^c<c DELINEATION OF ABERDEEN. GLASGOW: ANDREW & JOHN M. DCNi A.N, Printers to the University. AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT AND DELINEATION OF ABERDEEN BY ROBERT WILSON, A. M. it* EMBELLISHED WITH BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVINGS OF THE PRINCIPAL BRIDGES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND SACRED EDIFICES IN AND ABOUT THE CITY. ^ "' PRINTED FOR AND PUBLISHED BY JAMES JOHNSTON, UNION-STREET, ABERDEEN. 1822. DA at £>tatfoner*' GLASGOW : ANDREW &; JOHN' M. DUNCAN, Printers to tlie l.'niversitv. aw TO THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY, COMPOSING THE UNITED MEETING OF THE COUNTIES OF ABERDEEN, FORFAR, BANFF, AND KINCARDINE, THIS HISTORICAL ACCOUNT AND DELINEATION Of ABERDEEN, WITH ITS VIEW OF THE CITY OF ABERDEEN, AND ITS VARIOUS VIEWS OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, &C. &C. IS VERY HUMBLY INSCRIBED, BY THEIR FAITHFUL SERVANT, JAMES JOHNSTON. UNION-STREET, ISttt June, 1822 • I ADVERTISEMENT. NOTWITHSTANDING that two works on the History of Aberdeen, have been published within the last 1 1 years, yet both are destitute of those requisites, which are necessary to render them of general utility. The " History of Aberdeen/' written by Mr. Thorn, and pub- lished in 1811, was too profuse, in matters of general history, and too sparing of information, of a local nature. The " Annals of Aberdeen," written by William Ken- nedy, Esq., and published in 1818, while it fully an- swered its title, and, as such, received the highest praise, was, after all, devoid of that systematic account of the present state of our Public Buildings, Institutions, As- sociations, Philanthropic Societies, and Religious Deno- minations, &c. &c. which is indispensable, to guide the citizen, as well as the stranger, to a thorough acquain- tance with the city ; besides, it was deficient in infor- mation respecting many things of considerable impor- tance to both. But correct and elegant engravings of our Public Buildings, &c. was a still greater desideratum, as these tend to give to local works of this kind sub- stantial value ; but of these, both Mr. Thorn's and Mr. Kennedy's works were entirely destitute. The Publisher, however, of this Historical Account and Delineation of Aberdeen, flatters himself, that he has supplied all these deficiences, in a manner creditable to himself, and Vlll ADVERTISEMENT. worthy of the city. In the possession of this work, the citizen will become thoroughly acquainted with every thing of importance, connected with the History and Topography of the City ; while the stranger, with the utmost facility, may gain the same advantages ; and those who have been long absent from the city, in distant parts of the world, may aid their early remem- brance of places endeared to them by the recollections of youth, from the correct and beautiful engravings with which the work is accompanied. The Publisher begs leave to tender his thanks to many official, and other gentlemen, who favoured the Editor and himself with information, or afforded faci- lities for its attainment ; and also to acknowledge the assistance derived from Mr. Kennedy's valuable work, the highest deference having been paid to his authority, and where he has now and then availed himself of this, it is given as a quotation, without reference. He trusts that the haste with which the work has been brought through the press, owing to the unhand- some attempt of another bookseller to crush this under- taking, will form a sufficient apology for any mistakes and imperfections which may have unavoidably crept in. He also gladly avails himself of this opportunity, gratefully to acknowledge the kindness of those friends, who, unsolicited, stepped forward, and fostered his undertaking, by every means in their power. UNION-STREET, ABERDEEN, } 18/A June, 1822. CONTENTS. i. HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE CITY, pp. 1—30. Situation of Aberdeen, 1. — Ancient and modern name, 2. — Gregory and "William, 3. — Alexander II.; Aberdeen destroyed by acci- dental fire; Wallace, 4. — Robert Bruce, 5. — Unsuccessful battle in the Green ; the City set on fire, 8. — Battle of Harlaw, 10. — Battle with Seaton of Meldrum, &c. ; Gipsies, 12. — Battle with the Forbeses, 13 — The Earl of Huntly elected Provost, 14. — Proceedings of the Reformers, 15. — Battle at Corrichie, 16. — • Battle at the Crabestone, 17. — Proceedings of the Covenanters, 17. — The Plague, &c., 23. — Election of the Magistrates inter- rupted in 1715 and 1745, 24 — Election of 1817 reduced, 25.— Police-bill, 27. — Town's bankruptcy, 28. , II. SKETCH OF THE ANCIENT CUSTOMS AND MAN- NERS OF THE INHABITANTS, pp. 31—36. Curfew- bell; Sabbath; Plays, 31. — Minstrelsy, 32. — Games of chance; Dress; Illegitimate births; Public rejoicings; "Witch- craft, 33. — Feasting; Ecclesiastical Tribunal; Masking, 34. — Funerals ; Religious Intolerance, 35. — Kidnapping, 36. III. BRIDGES, pp. 37—40. Bridge of Dee, 57. — Bridge of Don, 38. — Union- Bridge, 39. IV. PUBLIC BUILDINGS, pp. 40—66. Town-House; Jail, and New Court-house, 43. — The Cross, 47. — Post-Office, 49. — Record- Office; Bridewell, 51. — King's Col- lege, 53 Marischal College, 54. — Grammar- School ; Trades' Hospital, 55. — Gordon's Hospital, 56. — Infirmary, 57. — Lunatic- X CONTENTS. Asylum, 58. — Poor's Hospital, 59 — Medical Society's Hall; Public Rooms, 60. — Barrack; Theatre, 65. — Custom- House, 66. V. SACRED EDIFICES, pp. 66— 85. Town's Churches, 68 Old Machar- Church, 75. — St. Clement's Chapel, 79.— Grey Friars' Church, 81 — St. Paul's Chapel; St. Andrew's, 82. — St. Peter's; St John's, 83. — Chapels of Ease, Gilcomston, 83. — Belmont- Street, Shiprow, and Gaelic Chapel, 84.— Dissenting Chapels, 84, 85. VI. MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS, pp. 86—107- Constitution of the Borough, 86. — Incorporations, 89. — Society of Advocates, 94 — Police Establishment, 95. — New-Street Trus- tees, 98. — Harbour- Trustees, 100. — Bridewell- Commissioners, 105.— New Court- House; Jail- Commissioners, 107. VII. COURTS OF JUDICATURE, pp. 108—111. Circuit-Court of Justiciary; Sheriff- Court, 108. — Commissary- Court, 109. — Justice of Peace Court; Criminal Court of the Magistrates; Baillie-Court, 110 — Dean of Guild Court, 111. VI I L GOVERNMENT-REVENUE OFFICES, pp. 111—114. Post-Office, 111 — Custom-House, 112. — Excise- Office ; Linen- Stamp-Office; Offices for Cess and Assessed Taxes; Stamp- Office, 113. IX. PUBLIC ASSOCIATIONS, pp. 114—121. Mason-Lodge, 114. — County-Club; Golf-Club; United Meeting &c., 116 — Aberdeenshire Agricultural Association; Northern United Service-Club, 120. — Aberdeen Highland Society, 121. CONTENTS. xi X. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS, pp. 122—151. Roman Catholics, 122. — Presbyterians, 126. — Episcopalians, 132. — Quakers, 134.— Glassites, 139. — Burgher-Seceders, 140. — Wesleyan Methodists, 141. — Antiburgher-Seceders, 145.— Relief- Church, 147. — Congregationalists, 148. — Baptists, 150. XI. EDUCATION, pp. 151—164. Universities: King's- College, 151. — Marischal- College, 154.— Public Schools, 158.— Academies, Private Schools, Private Teachers, &c. 161. XII. GENERAL LITERATURE pp. 164—170. Literary Societies: Divinity, 164. — Law; Medicine, 165. — Literary Prizes: Burnett's, 166. — Blackwell's, 167. — University-Bur- saries and Prizes, 168 Publications: Newspapers, 168. — Al- manack; Tide-Tables, 169. — Circulating Libraries, 170. — Read- ing-Rooms: Athenaeum ; Exchange News- Room, 17O. XIII. ARTS AND SCIENCES, pp. 171—177. Architecture, 171. — Painting, 172. — Music, 173. — Mechanics, 174. — Astronomy, 1 75. XIV. HOSPITALS, ENDOWMENTS, &c. pp. 177— 19O. Gordon's Hospital, 177. — Poor's Hospital, 178 — In6rmary, 181. — Lunatic- Asylum, 183. — Private Lunatic- Asylum; Bishop's Hospital, 184 — Mitchell's Hospital; Gerard's Charity- School ; Thain's Charity- School, 185. — Davidson's Charity-School; United Fund, 186. — Burnett's Pauper- Fund, 188 Burnett's Pauper- Lunatic Fund; Prison- Chaplain Fund; Asylum for the Blind 189. 3 XU CONTENTS. XV. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, pp. 190—192. Vaccine- Institution; General Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, 190.— Savings- Bank, 192. XVI. BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES, pp. 193—204. Humane-Societies, 193. — Education-Societies, 195. — Religious So- cieties, 199. — Friendly Societies, 202. XVII. COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, pp. 204—206. Banks : The Aberdeen Banking Company, 204. — Aberdeen Com- mercial Banking Company ; Branch of the Bank of Scotland ; Branch of the Commercial Bank of Scotland, 205. — Insurance- Offices, 2O6. XVIII. DOMESTIC ESTABLISHMENTS, pp. 206—213. Inns, Taverns, and Hotels, 206. — Public Markets, 207. — Weigh. House, 208. — Powder-Magazine ; Cold and Warm Baths, 209, — Travelling- Accommodations : List of Mail and Stage- Coaches ; Steam- Yachts j Leith Passage; Passage to and from London, 210—213. XIX. MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE, pp. 214— 2-20. Woollen - Manufactures ; Linen- Manufactures, 214 — Cotton-Manu- facture, 215. — Paper- Manufacture; Breweries; Salmon-Fisheries, 216 — Whale- Fisheries; Stone-Trade, 217 — Shipping, 218. XX. BURIAL-GROUNDS, pp. 220—225. St. Nicholas' Church- Yard, 221. — Footdee Church- Yard, 222. — Quaker's Burial- Ground ; Old Machar Church- Yard, 223. — Snow Church- Yard; Spittal Church- Yard, 2-4. XXI. POPULATION, pp. 225, 226. ABERDEEN. HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE CITY. ON considering the influence which interest exerts on the views, purposes, and actions of men ; and also the prominence which the principle of association holds in the animal world, we should be led to infer, that vil- lages, towns, and cities would be reared with a promp- titude similar to that which we discover in the accom- plishing of ends which take their rise from the instinctive principles and first reasonings of the subjects of a rude and uncultivated state of existence. — So far is this from being the case, that we find an advanced state of civilization is necessary for the founding, ruling, and adorning of cities. We need not, there- fore, be surprised, were we able to trace the period when the extensive and populous city of Aberdeen consisted of a few thatched houses, scattered on the banks of the river Dee. Aberdeen is situated on rising ground, having in some places an easy, and in others a difficult ascent, from the channel of the river. Its latitude is 57° 8'. 59". N. and longitude 2°. 8'. W. Its distance from B 2 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT the influx of the river into the German ocean, is about one mile. Its circumference, exclusive of Futtie or Footdee on the east, and Gilcomston on the west, measures about 4500 yards. As our best historians have despaired of obtaining authentic information concerning our highly favoured island, previous to the period of the Roman invasion ; it would be deemed futile for us to form conjectures, or pretend research, beyond what Roman writers, and others who had derived their information from them, have left recorded on the page of genuine history. Claudius Ptolemeus of Alexandria, who flourished about the middle of the second century, and Ricardus Corinensis, or Richard of Cirencester, a monk of the fourteenth century, both describe Devana — a town of the Taixali) as situated on the banks of the river Deva, or Dee, at a small distance from the influx of this river /nto the German ocean. It does not, however, appear that the natives adopted the name which the Romans gave to the town ; for in ancient records, the town is designated by Aberdon or Aberdeen, which latinized became Aberdonia or Abredonia. In later times the word was written Aberdene. Great difference subsists with regard to the etymology of the word, some refer- ring it to the old English, and others to the Erse or Gaelic language. The following quotation is from the pen of the late Mr. M'Lachlan, Master of the Grammar School, Old Aberdeen : — " The Gaelic name for Aberdeen is Obairreadhain, (pron. Oberrayn.) This vocable, according to some etymologists, is re- solved into Abair, (Aber,) the bank or space of ground near the entrance, and Da-abhuim, (Da-awin) two 7 OF THE CITY. 3 rivers, viz. the Dee and Don, — an analysis exactly descriptive of the local circumstance." The second definition is supported by the fact, that, in the begin- ning of the 18th century, the efflux of the river Don was as near the town as that of the river Dee ; and af we credit historical records, both rivers, in ancient times, uniting their streams, passed through the mouth of the present harbour. Tradition asserts that Gregory the Great, king of Scotland, who had his principal residence at Dunodeer, a place lying about 25 miles north-west of Aberdeen, erected the town into a royal borough ; but although this account is nattering to our vanity, we must not fly in the face of the highest improbability; for it does not appear that charters were given to boroughs prior to the reign of king William the Lyon. That Gregory afforded protection to Aberdeen, and conferred benefits on its ecclesiastics, will be admitted, when it is considered, that the town was then under the domain of its sovereign. Records, however, testify that king William, by a charter dated at Perth, granted to his burgesses of Aberdeen the free enjoyment of their merchandise, after the manner which their ances- tors had exercised, in the time of Malcom his grand- father. He gave two other charters, dated at Aber- deen, by which his burgesses were exempted from paying tolls and customs in any market or fair within the kingdom. He also erected, near the east end of the green, an edifice for his occasional residence, and dignified it with the title of palace. He likewise estab- lished, near the south end of Castle-Street, an exche- quer where money was coined during his reign. B2 4 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT King Alexander II. along with his sister, the prin- cess Isabella, visited the town, about the year 1222, and remained in it during the christmas festival. He granted and confirmed to the borough the same laws and liberties which his predecessors had given to the borough of Perth, with the privilege of holding their weekly fair on the sabbath. In the years 1244 and 1264, Aberdeen was destroyed by accidental fire. This calamity was not peculiar to Aberdeen, for in the same century, Haddington, Roxburgh, Lanark, Stirling, Perth, Forfar, and Mon- trose suffered by a similar misfortune. The castle of Aberdeen was, at the mandate of Edward I. of England, in the year 1292, delivered into the hands of Baliol, the competitor of the Lord of Annandale. Edward afterward assuming a right to the sovereignty of Scotland, invaded it with a powerful army, and after having brought the south into complete subjection, proceeded northward by Aberdeen, and terminated his expedition at Elgin. Resistance to the power of Edward's army would have been unavailing; hence, the castle of Aberdeen fell into the hands of the English, and continued in their possession during the interregnum. In the course of these events, Sir William Wallace, the renowned champion of Scotland, assumed the title of Governor of the kingdom, and with peculiar bravery and forti- tude, attempted to rescue his degraded country from the usurped dominion of the English conqueror. Having collected a little band of kindred spirits, he made trial of his fortune, and on gaining several advan- tages in the south, directed his career to the north. OF THE CITY. O Hastening to the castle of Dunnottar, he took it by surprise, and put every soul of the garrison to the sword. Aberdeen next became the object of his atten- tion. The enemy, intimidated by the victor's ap- proach, embarked on board their fleet, leaving a strong garrison in the fortress ; but not without first showing the spirit of their master, by plundering the town, and then setting it on fire. Wallace bravely attacked the castle, but being baffled in his attempt, he raised the siege, and retired into Angus. After experiencing several reverses of fortune, the glory of the Scottish nation was, in the year 1305, basely betrayed into the hands of his deadliest enemy ; and bearing his mis- fortunes with heroic fortitude, magnanimously sub- mitted to the ignominious death of a traitor. In order that the valiant defenders of their national indepen- dence in the north might be intimidated, one of the hero's mangled limbs was sent to Aberdeen to be ex^ posed to the public gaze of friends and foes. In the year 1306, Robert Bruce, grandson of the Lord of Annandale, resolutely asserted his claim to the crown of Scotland. His first attempts proved unsuc- cessful. After enduring many privations, he was at length, together with his wife and children, reduced to the necessity of taking refuge in the mountains of Aberdeenshire. At last he found himself at the head of a considerable army, principally composed of the inhabitants of Aberdeen, with which he attacked a large body of English troops, that were under the com- mand of John de la Mowbray and John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, near the hill of Barra, between Oldmeldrum and Inverury. The English suffered a signal defeat : B3 6 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT and the Earl of Buchan soon after felt the effects of Bruce's vengeance. The citizens, flushed with success, hastened to Aberdeen ; and taking the castle by storm, put the garrison to the sword, and levelled the fortifi- cations with the ground. The English, rallying their forces from all quarters, quickly marched against the town; but the citizens, and other partizans of Bruce, promptly gave them battle, and defeated them with immense slaughter. In retaliation of past atrocities, the conquerors put many of their prisoners to death, al- though the canons of Aberdeen humanely interceded for their lives. King Robert granted to the citizens, for their valour on this occasion, permission to substi- tute the present, for the former, armorial bearings of the town, and to assume the motto " BON ACCORD," which was the watch-word of that memorable day. According to popular tradition, those compassionate ecclesiastics imposed on the citizens, as a penance for their cruelty, the necessity of repairing every Sunday, to the chapel of St. Ninian, within the ramparts of the castle, in order to offer up prayers for the souls of those whom they had barbarously put to death. This practice continued during the age of popery. The death of Edward I. devolved on the British prince a task, for the performance of which, he apparently was wholly incompetent. The old king with his dying breath, besought his son to complete and secure the subjugation of his troublesome neighbours the Scots. In pursuance of this injunction, Edward II. gave special orders to William le Betour, captain of the fleet which was lying on the eastern coast of Scotland, that he should proceed to Aberdeen, and attempt the OF THE CITY. 7 recovery of the castle, it being the only fortress of the kingdom not in his possession. No attempt, however, appears to have been made. Soon after, king Robert, by his various successes, especially by the victory ob- tained at Bannockburn, produced a thorough change in the affairs of the nation. Having expelled Edward from the kingdom, Robert, without delay, directed his attention to the civil state of his lately distracted coun- try. Aberdeen, the earliest and most loyal of his boroughs, became the peculiar object of his gratitude ; for its burgesses received not fewer than six charters, during his subsequent reign. The king honoured the town with a visit also, in the month of September, 1319, and was received by the community with every mark of loyalty. After the death of the king, there broke out a civil war, which was attended with the usual calamities, and, as might have been expected, an abundant portion of them was administered to the citizens of Aberdeen. Robert's son and successor, David II., and his consort, Johanna, had been annointed and crowned at Scone, but such was the state of affairs, in consequence of Edward Baliol's attempt for the crown, that it was found requisite to provide for them a place of safe retreat in France. Baliol, having invaded the country with a great army, was soon put in quiet possession of the kingdom, and crowned at Scone, the 24th September 1332. David's friends, however, were not long in recruiting their strength, and trying the field. King Edward, on learning this revolt, invaded the kingdom both by sea and land, and forming a junction with Baliol's army at Perth, penetrated, by the way of Athol, 8 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT as far as Inverness. While Edward's army was scour- ing the country in the north, Sir Thomas Roscelyn, with a body of English troops, landed at Dunnotter, and marched directly to Aberdeen. The citizens and other partizans of David met him in the Green, near the Denburn. A fierce battle ensued. The English came off victorious ; yet not without severe loss, for their commander, and many besides, were mortally wounded. The inhabitants, overwhelmed with terror, fled from the town ; but being pursued by their in- furiate enemies, many of them were overtaken and slain. The town was next pillaged and set on fire. The fire continued its ravages for six days, until the whole was reduced to ashes. This catastrophe hap- pened in the year 1336. Five years after, king David, with his queen, returned from France, and was once more settled on the throne. He resided occasionally in Aberdeen ; and held his first parliament there, in the year 1343. Not unmindful of its services and privations in behalf of the crown, he granted the burgesses several charters, by which their immunities and privileges were confirmed; and rendered them considerable aid in their exertions to raise the city to its former state. From this period, the city has been denominated New Aberdeen, and is thus distinguished from the neighbouring city — Old Aberdeen, anciently known by the name of Kirktown of Seaton. Aberdeen was third in the roll of boroughs, which sent, commissioners to the parliament that met in Edin- burgh, in the year 1357, for the purpose of concerting measures to obtain the ransom of David, who had been kept a prisoner in England, since the l?th October OF THE CITY. 1346, when the unfortunate battle at Nev ill's Cross was fought. It also had the honour of forming one of the four boroughs whose commissioners agreed to pay the stipulated ransom. In the reign of Robert II. who was David's nephew and successor, and the first of the family of the Stuarts, war again broke out between England and Scotland. The parliament which Robert assembled in order that means might be devised for making an incursion into England, met at Aberdeen. From several charters dated at Aberdeen, it would appear, that the king fre- quently visited the town in the course of his progresses through the kingdom. James, Robert's son and successor, was, after his^ father's death, seized by the English during a truce, and detained a captive in England for many years. The nobi- lity, divided by mutual jealousies, and inveterate animo- sities, lived in a state of perpetual hostility. Of those who were most turbulent and formidable was Donald, Lord of the Isles. About the year 1408, the earldom of Ross, on the death of its earl, fell into the hands of the Duke of Albany, Robert's brother, then Regent of the kingdom ; but Donald, on the other hand, asserted his claim to the estate, in right of his wife — the pre- sumptive heiress. Encouraged with promises made by the king of England, with whom he had formerly entered into alliance, Donald raised an army of 1 0,000 men, and passing into Ross-shire, took possession of the disputed lands without opposition. Augmenting his army by the vassals on the property, and other high- landers who flocked to his standard, he advanced south- ward, and invaded the fertile provinces of Moray, 10 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT Strathbogie, and the Garioch. He next directed his course toward Aberdeen. The citizens, ambitious of showing their loyalty, or dreading the approach of such ruthless invaders, put themselves under the command of their alderman, Sir Robert Davidson, and forming a junction with an army of knights and vassals collected by the Earl of Mar, the Regent's nephew, bravely joined battle with the desolating foe, at a place called Harlaw, near Inverury, and about 14 miles north of the town. So fiercely contested was the engagement, that night, rather than victory, separated the combatants. Among the many valiant citizens who were honourably num- bered among the slain, was their worthy alderman and intrepid commander, Sir Robert Davidson. His body was brought to the city, and entombed, with all due honours, in the north wall of St. Nicholas' Church. In the year 1424, Aberdeen, along with three other boroughs, entered into a bond securing the payment of 50,000 merks Scots, for the liberation of their king from captivity, David Menzies, burgess of Aberdeen, and a person of great affluence, was one of those who were selected as hostages, in order to guaranty the payment of the money. The distracted state of affairs, conse- quent on the barbarous murder of this prince, render- ed it expedient for the community of Aberdeen to court the patronage of Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum. Him, therefore, they invested with the highest civil and mili- tary authority in the town, under the titles of captain and governor — a union of offices which none before or after him ever enjoyed. In the month of July 1448, James II. paid his first visit to Aberdeen. The magistrates and citizens, in OF THE CITY. 11 their respective capacities, vied with each other in tes- tifying their loyalty on the occasion. Seven years after, the queen conferred on the city -a similar honour, and was received with corresponding marks of respect. In 1488, several of the nobility, incensed at the con- duct of James III. entered into a combination for the purpose of dethroning him. Among the rebels were found, the Duke of Albany, and the Earl of Mar, the king's brothers, and also his eldest son, who put him- self at the head of the insurgents. James assembled an army of 30,000 men, and joined battle with the enemies of his throne near Bannockburn. His army was com- pletely routed, and he himself seeking safety in flight, was overtaken by his pursuers, and slain in the vicinity of Stirling. In the month of September 1489, Lord Forbes and other lords repaired to Aberdeen, carrying on the point of a spear the bloody shirt of the murdered king. The citizens readily acquiesced in certain reso- lutions proposed to them. These resolutions referred particularly " to the bringing of the traitors who had put to death their late sovereign, to condign punish- ment; to the reformation of the government of the king's treasury ; and to the protection of his sacred person." About the same time, the citizens had determined to take up arms in resistance of a claim made by Sir Andrew Wood of Largo, Admiral of Scotland under the late king, who professed to have received a right to the forest of Stocket and the Castle-hill, by a grant from King James III. The magistrates, however, al- layed the ferment thus excited, by bringing the matter before the king and lords of the council, by whom Sir 12 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT Andrew's claim was set aside, in consequence of the su- perior right of the citizens, who had received a charter from king Robert Bruce. King James IV. visited the town frequently, and ex- perienced, on such occasions, the bounty of the commu- nity, which was sometimes even beyond their ability. In the year 1525, Alexander Seaton of Meldrum, John Leslie of Wardhouse, and William Leslie of Bal- quhain, powerful barons of the Garioch, entered the town along with certain confederates, on Sunday the 1 st October, in order to take revenge on the inhabitants for some supposed injury. A sanguinary conflict en- sued. Such, however, was the bravery of the citizens displayed in the affair, that the assailants were soon obliged to seek safety in flight. Eighty of the inhabi- tants were either killed or wounded. Some of the magistrates were in the number. The citizens imme- diately put the town into a posture of defence, and made a formal complaint to the king and the lords of the council : but the business, not having been settled, was afterward submitted to the arbitration of certain lords and bishops who were mutually chosen as umpires. Soon after, Seaton of Meldrum was killed by the Master of Forbes in the house of Gilbert Menzies, the provost of the town ; while the master of Forbes was, in a short time, convicted of treason, and beheaded on a scaffold. In the year 1527, the Gipsies or Egyptians, under Eiken Jaks, as their leader, made their appearance in Aberdeen. John Faw, distinguished by the title of Lord or Earl of Little Egypt, and his brother George, with their company, fixed their residence in the town, OF THE CITY. 13 They however became so audacious and turbulent, that it was, at length, found necessary to banish them from the city. The Earl, his wife, and his sister, were ex-, cepted from this act of proscription. Lord Forbes, whose principal residence was at Castle- Forbes, a man much attached to the interests of the community by ties of the strictest alliance, had long been in the custom of receiving from the magistrates an annual present of a tun of wine, which had been given to him for his care in preserving from depredation the salmon-fishings on the two rivers. The present, owing to a certain circumstance, had been withheld for some years previous to 1530. At that period, his Lordship demanded his wine. The magistrates, on the other hand, refused to comply with his demand. In conse- quence of this refusal, John Forbes of Pitsligo, Arthur Forbes of Brux, and a great number of their confede- rates, invaded the town on the 30th July. A desperate conflict ensued. The assailants were overpowered, and obliged to take refuge in the Grey Friars' Place. Permission was given them to retire from the town. Lawborrows being issued against Lord Forbes and his kinsmen, terminated the strife ; and some years after, the relations of amity were once more restored. The opposition which the citizens made to the schemes of these factious barons, appears not to have been dis- pleasing to the king ; for, in the conclusion of a letter addressed to the magistrates, he said, " that he wished them to live in liberty and freedom like burgesses, and to oppose landed men or barons." He told them, that, in doing so, they were to take his letter for their au- thority. C 14 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT In the course of the year 1542, the town was put into a posture of defence, in consequence of an expected war with England. Guards, formed 'of citizens, were placed on the different ports ; and a boom, composed of masts and iron chains, was thrown across the mouth of the harbour, in order to prevent an attack by sea. Notwithstanding these local preparations, the city was obliged to furnish, equip, and maintain its quota of 100 mtn, for the purpose of invading England. Two years after, Donald, Lord of the Isles, taking advantage of the situation of the country, then distract- ed by reason of an invasion which had been effected by the English, threatened a hostile attack on the Earldom of Ross. The Earl of Huntly, who was at the time Lord Lieutenant of the north, being incensed against the magistrates of Aberdeen for permitting several of the inhabitants to withdraw from the town, and by this means weakening its defence, assumed the man- agement of the civil and military affairs of the city. He compelled the community to furnish 100 men, and provide the same with provisions for twenty days. This quota of men was destined to join an army which was then advancing northward to oppose the Lord of the Isles. The Earl was elected Provost in the month of January next year, and re-elected at the subsequent Michaelmas. This is the only instance of a nobleman's being appointed chief magistrate of Aberdeen. In 154-7, Scotland was again invaded by the English. A quota of men was, as usual, required of Aberdeen. Few of them returned from the field of battle, for 1 0,000 of the Scots fell on the occasion. In the end of the year 1559., a body of the Reformers, OF THE CITY. 15 who were distinguished by the name of The Congrega- tion, directed their desolating course to the city of Aberdeen. The magistrates, having been apprized of their intention, took measures for preserving the town's archives and public records, and also the great eucharist, and some other sacred utensils of silver; The Reformers entered the town on the 29th December, and proceeded to their ruthless work of destruction. Their first attack was directed against the great spire of St. Nicholas' Church. The citizens, loath to see their sacred edifice demolished, manfully repelled the Reformers, and thus prevented the accomplishment of their delapidating scheme. On the 4th January, next year, the Reformers proceeded to the Black Friars' Monastery, hi the School-hill, and the Carmelite Friars' Place in the Green, and destroyed the buildings, carrying off all kinds of property contained within them. They advanced in the same tumultuous manner, to the Monastery of the Grey Friars, on the east side of Broad-street, and strip- ping the church of the lead and slates with which it was covered, carried the whole away. The citizens, who, by this time, had been abettors of The Congrega- tion, quietly permitted the Reformers to proceed thus far in their strange work ; but being urged by motives connected with the public good of the city, resolved, at last, to prevent further delapidation. The Reformers afterward " proceeded in a body to the old town, and being disappointed of the spoil of the jewels and sacred ornaments belonging to the cathedral, the greatest part of which had been previously secured by the Earl of Huntly and the canons, they wreaked the fury of their vengeance upon this venerable edifice, by stripping it of C 2 16 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT its roof, and carrying off the lead as their booty, along with the three valuable bells which had been presented lo it by Bishop Elphinston. At the same time, they demolished the choir and chancel, on the east end, which was furnished with stalls for the accomodation of the priests in the celebration of mass. The further progress of the work of destruction was fortunately prevented by the timely interference of Huntly, who, by his exertions, saved the building from being com- pletely destroyed. In the year 1562, the Earl of Huntly, and his third son, Sir John Gordon of Deskford, being incensed by various grievances, determined to resist the authority of Queen Mary. The Earl of Murray, who had the command of the Queen's army, attacked and routed Huntly's forces at Corrichie, near the hill of Fair, distant about twelve miles westward of the town. Huntly himself was slain, and his sons Sir John and Adam were taken prisoners. Adam, in consideration of his youth, was pardoned ; but his brother was executed in the Castle- Street of Aberdeen ; Mary in the meantime beholding the execution from the Earl OF TH£ CITY. 17 of MarischaFs lodgings. John, on observing the queen at the window, fell on his knees, and looked her stead- fastly in the face. Seeing the man whom she once tenderly loved in such a situation, was more than Mary could endure she burst into tears. Some years after, a few skirmishes took place be- tween Adam Gordon and the Forbeses of Brux and Tulliangus. These were followed by a well contested battle which was fought at the Crabestone, on the south side of the town. The Forbeses were defeated, and the master of Forbes was taken prisoner. Sixty were slain on each side. In the year 1589, king James VI. having formed a matrimonial alliance with Anne, second daughter of Frederick II. of Denmark, set out in quest of his bride, whom a violent storm had compelled to take shelter in Norway. Aberdeen, ambitious to display its loyalty, fitted out, at the expense of the community, a ship called the Nicholas, to form part of the squadron which was intended to convey their majesties to Scotland. The ship set sail on the l6th April, being completely armed, and decorated with ' ensigns, flags and stream- ers of war, red side-cloths, and gilded tops.' King Charles I. unacquainted with the genius of his Scottish subjects, and inattentive to their religious scruples and prejudices, fearlessly attempted to impose upon them the forms of episcopacy as established in England. To this innovation, the clergy and the body of the people were opposed from religious prin- ciples, and the barons, from interested motives. Four tables, as they were called, were formed in Edinburgh, consisting respectively of the nobility, gentry, ministers, C3 18 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT and burgesses. From these tables a general table was formed, which revised the proceedings, and put into execution the acts of the separate ones. Among the first fruits of their labour was the famous Covenant. The purport of the covenant was, " to oppose popery, prelacy, and every innovation by whomsoever made." In the year 1638, the commissioners of the tables made their appearance in Aberdeen, and solicited the in- habitants to subscribe the covenant. The ministers and people, being inclined to prelacy, and also loyal to their sovereign, objected to the authority of the tables, and refused compliance with their injunctions. Having proved unsuccessful in his endeavours to smother the flame that threatened to break out, Charles attempted to counteract the influence which the Covenanters had gained, by drawing up a covenant expressed in nearly the same words, on most points, which he proposed as a bond of union among his loyal adherents. On the 5th October, the Marquis of Huntly, being deputed by the Marquis of Hamilton, his Majesty's high commis- sioner, arrived in the town, and, on behalf of the king, presented to the magistrates the confession of faith and general bond for maintaining the true religion, and for protecting the king's person. These were imme- diately signed by the magistrates and council, two of the town's ministers, and the greater part of the inhabi- tants. Consequently, in the beginning of the next year, the Marquis required the service of all the loyalists between the ages of 16 and 45, and commanded them to join him on the 25th March. All his mea- sures, however, were disconcerted by the sudden approach of the Covenanters' army, which consisted of t OF THE CITY. 19 6000 horse and foot, under the command of Montrose, Marischal, and other noblemen. The army took possession of the town on the 30th March without opposition ; and being reinforced by 2000 horse and foot, that had been collected by the master of Forbes and other barons, advanced to Kintore, and two days after proceeded to Inverury, where it encamped. A few days after, subscription of the covenant and the articles which had been annexed to it by order of the general assembly, was required of the citizens under the for- feiture of their arms, and confiscation of their property, Such of the citizens as had subscribed the king's cove- nant hesitated to comply with this requisition ; upon which, the Earl of Montrose, broke up his camp at Inverury, and marched directly to the town in order to enforce compliance. The Covenanters having appointed their committee to assemble at Turriff, on the 20th May, Lord Frazer and other leaders of the party, collected a body of 1200 men, on the 13th, in order to enforce obedience; but being surprised by the Laird of Banff, Haddo, and other barons, they were obliged to disperse. Elated with success, the victors proceeded to Aberdeen and took it without opposition ; and after plundering the Covenanters who lived in the town and neighbourhood for the space of five days, took their final departure. Scarcely had the plunderers left the town, when the Earl Marischal appeared at the head of 2000 horse and foot, who, in his turn, harassed such of the inha- bitants as were known to be loyalists. Montrose soon followed, who, suspecting the fidelity of the citizens, disarmed them of all their weapons. In the meantime, the Viscount of Aboyne, and the Earl of Glencairn arrived in the bay with military stores from England. Upon which, Montrose evacuated the town, marched into Angus, and dispersed his army. Aboyne was soon put at the head of an army 4000 strong: and summoning the citizens to join it, he conceived himself able to oppose the aggregate force of the Covenanters. Hence he directed his course toward Stonehaven : but meeting Montrose and Marischal at Megrog-hill, he suffered a repulse, and retraced his steps to Aberdeen. Montrose, pursuing close at his heels, advanced as far as the bridge of Dee. Here his progress received a check ; for the bridge was strongly fortified with four OF THE CITY. 21 field-pieces, and defended by four companies of towns- men. Next day, Montrose made a feint of crossing the river a little above, which induced Aboyne to leave the bridge in a state of insufficient defence. The bridge was then assaulted and taken. Aboyne and his troops sought safety in flight ; but being closely pur- sued, many of them were slain. The loyalists, dread- ing the enemy's severity, left the town precipitately. The magistrates, in order to prevent the pillage of the city, agreed to pay the sum of 7000 merks. Many acts of plunder, however, were committed before the treaty was concluded. Forty-eight of the principal citizens that had been engaged in the action, were bound with cords, and committed to prison. For a few years after, the town was occupied by different bodies of the Covenanters, and obliged to supply its quota of men and money. While Lord Burleigh, in the year 1644, lay in Aber- deen with a body of the Covenanters' army consisting of 3000 horse and foot, Montrose, who had by this time attached himself to the interests of the king, having forded the river Dee at the Mills of Drum, encamped his army at Crathes. On hearing of his approach, Burleigh marched his army to the two-mile- cross, on the west of the town, but returned in the evening of the following day. Scarcely had Burleigh returned, when Montrose took up his position. Next morning, Montrose sent a commissioner accompanied by a drummer, with a letter which summoned the provost to surrender the town to his arms. The drummer on his return, was by accident or design, unfortunately killed in the Green. Montrose, exasper- 22 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT ated at this "event, put his troops in motion, and en- countering Lord Burleigh's army near the Crabestone, obtained, by means of the maneuvering of his cavalry, and the advantages of the situation, a decisive victory. The unfortunate citizens, many of whom had formerly experienced Montrose's oppressive measures, on account of their loyalty to the king, now endured the most wanton barbarities, committed by the Irish soldiers who formed part of his army. On the subsequent day, the main body of the army marched to Kintore, and the Irish auxiliaries followed two days after. The Marquis of Argyle, who had been in pursuit of Mon- trose, arrived on the evacuation of the town. Argyle's army being reinforced by the remains of Burleigh% now amounted to 6000 horse and foot. After various movements, both armies met on the west coast near Inverlochy. A battle ensued, and Argyle suffered a defeat. Montrose's army, increased by deserters from Argyle's, soon returned to the neighbourhood of Aber- deen, about the beginning of March. The army en- camped in the fields, and during their stay, pillaged the adjacent country ; while Montrose harassed the citizens for supplies. After a short period, Montrose marched to Dundee, which he took and plundered. Having experienced a reverse of fortune, and endured many privations for the sake of his sovereign, the brave but barbarous Montrose was at last basely be- trayed by his friend. One of his limbs was sent to Aberdeen ; and being exposed on a pinnacle over the Justice Port, it hung as a spectacle of horror to all. In the month of April 1646, Major General Mid- dletori, who had taken the command of the Covenan- OF THE CITY. 23 ters' army which then lay in Aberdeen, marched north- ward, leaving Lieut. Col. H. Montgomery in defence of the town with a body of about 1000 horse and foot. In Middleton's absence, the Marquis of Huntly and his son James, Earl of Aboyne, attacked the town with an army of 2000 horse and foot. Montgomery's army was completely routed. Soon after, Huntly fell into the hands of the Covenanters, and was carried to Edin- burgh, where he suffered for his steady adherence to his sovereign. About the middle of the year 1647, the plague, which had raged in the southern parts of Scotland during the two preceding years, now commenced its ravages in Aberdeen, and carried off nearly 2000 of the inhabitants. In consequence of this visitation, the election of magistrates for that year was held in Gil- comston, and the Universities held the session of the following winter in Fraserburgh and Peterhead. 