John Stewart, 9th of Bonskeid was accidentally killed by his brother-in-law, Donald Stewart of Shierglas, on 20th October 1767. As a result, the Trustees for his son Alexander had to roup (auction) family belongings to pay outstanding debts. The debts and details of the roup are contained in a 13 page Testament (Dunkeld Commissariot) which is an excellent source of local information.
It contains the names of people bidding in the roup, their occupations and dwelling places and sometimes mentions relatives.
The items under the hammer include livestock, farming equipment, household goods and personal effects, many of which have unfamiliar names (a luey, a cog, a deal, a swingle tree, a water stoup, foggage, etc). If you know what a 'baldin / baldyne' is, please tell us.
The best seller of 1767 seems to have been "Memoirs of the King of Prussia" by Dr Samuel Johnson, which was bought by James Robertson of Killiechangie, while other books were bought by Donald Donaldson, the wright at Rinmore. Alexander Robertson, a tenant farmer, bought a copy of 'The Hynd Let Loose' (treasonable literature).
Here is a hyperlink to a transcription of the original Testament (not easy to read) for your edification:
http://www.borenich.co.uk/Testaments/Bonskeid_Test1768.htmlThroth (
www.Borenich.co.uk)
