I just returned to Texas from a trip to the Rhineland, Scotland, and London. I have a Scottish fifth cousin with whom I have corresponded regarding family history for over four years. He was kind enough to book us a stay at Allanfauld Farm B&B, a delightful combination of working farm and hospitality suite that is expertly managed by Libby who is a charming and industrious hostess. Do book a stay if you can, because it is uniquely serene and picturesque location.
My cousin and I descend from a common ancestor who managed Allanfauld Farm. He was 'Deacon' Alexander Rennie (1752-1828). I took a number of pics of the gravestone, but I doubt that I am gleaning all of the information it provides. I do know something about the 'Deacon' , but I am missing a great deal. Please clue me in if you can. It seems that I can not post a legible image of the stone. I will be happy to provide pics in a way that do not encounter size restrictions.
Alexander's will disposed of an estate of £797 and 3 shillings 6 pence. This sum is equivalent to a present day valuation of £2,511,000 when calculated as capital available for investment as a percentage of the United Kingdom's GDP for the year 1828. Alexander left a bequest of £250 to his youngest son, James Mathie Rennie, who was my 3rd great grandfather. Alexander states that James Mathie Rennie is living in his household (he was 19 years old) and the bequest was larger than the £100 left to the older son, Robert Rennie, who is described as "flesher [butcher] in Glasgow". Presumably Robert had already received a sum from the estate to set him up in business. Alexander's will describes his intention to obtain an equitable disposition, after providing for resolution of his debts and the maintenance of his widow, of the remaining estate among his numerous heirs. Alexander's first wife and their two children predeceased Alexander and left no issue. His second marriage with Elizabeth Ker resulted in eleven children.
The namesake for James Mathie Rennie was the writer (attorney in Scottish parlance) James Mathie (1758-1795) who served as Clerk of the Trades House of of Glasgow from 1790 to 1795. Another James Mathie, a writer in Stirling, appeared at the Testament Dative and Inventory (probate) in 1809. I am not sure what the family relationship was between the two James Mathies.