Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 edition. Excerpt:... appendix C mackenzie and the barony of bute Robert Chambers, in his notice of Mackenzie Scottish Biographical Dictionary, vol. iii. p. 501), says: "After this celebrated trial that of the Earl of Argyll, 1681, he Mackenzie appears to have obtained, as part of the spoil, the gift of the Barony of Bute, ratified by the Parliament of 1681." It is believed that Chambers is under a complete mistake in supposing that Sir George Mackenzie received "as part of the spoil the gift of the Barony of Bute." It is very evident that Chambers had not examined the Act of 1681, and had overlooked the connection by marriage which existed between Mackenzie and the Bute family. The Act "ratifies ane signature past under his maties Royall hand at Whitehall, the day of," without completing the date. The precise date of the signature is therefore unknown. No charter, precept, or sasine followed upon it, and it is evident from the terms of the statute that Sir George Mackenzie's right was that of an assignee of certain procuratories of resignation made by Alexander Home, merchant in Glasgow, Boyle of Kelburne, and the Earl of Uundonald. The lands described in the Act are very numerous, and apparently consisted of the whole estate of Bute which had belonged to the deceased Sir James and Sir Dugald Stewart. The grant included the office of Crownarie; the office of Heritable Keeper of his Majesty's Castle of Rothesay; and the heritable office of Sheriff. The ratified signature also contained a Novodamus of the whole lands and others, and united the whole in the Barony of Bute. Sir George Mackenzie, having never completed his title by charter, precept and sasine, it is clear that he had interposed for some purpose not personal to himself--probably for the protection...