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1738    Grant, Donald [Reference CC16/4/2 Moray Commissary Court NM00561]

Anno 1738

1.   The Testament Dative and Inventary of Certain Moveable Gods Gears & Debts which
2.   Pertained to and were Resting owing to the Deceast Donald Grant of Inverlochie the time
3.   of his Decease which was in the month of January _______ & thirty eight years Made and
4.   Given up by John Grant eldest lawful son of the Defunct and Executor Dative Qao Creditor
5.   decerned and confirmed to him b the comm’ry of Muray and his deputes for payment & satis-
6.   faction  to the said Exec’r of the Confermation D______ of this present Settlement and of
7.   all other Charges and Expenses he has been at or may be at in Relation to his said
8.   office Then For payment & Sales _____ to the said Exec’r of the Acc_____ where of the
9.   Tenor follows Vez Inventary of the Preferable Debts due upon the EX’r of the Decease
10.   Donald Grant in Inverlochy to one bottle of Malts Ale at the Defuncts funerals five
11.   pound six shilling & Eight pennies, To _____ and Linnen, Candle, Sugar, _____ , Nails
12.   & Tobacco Eighteen pound Nine shilling. To Necessarys furnished at Elgin for the Defuncts
13.   Funeralls by Jean Stuart Relect of the deceast James Gordon Mitchl  there Ten Pounds
14.   fifteen shilling. To handles & Coullouring of the Coffine Two pound nine shilling, to the Coffine _____
15.   Six pound six shilling. To three Quarters of cheese & two pound of butter Two pound
16.   To an Avore one pound Sixteen Shilling. To the Timber for making the Coffine one pound
17.   Ten shilling. To the Expresses to Elgin Two pound thirteen shilling. To four berley men for
18.   A_____ing the defuncts Effects Two pounds Eight shillings To a  berley man for proofing
19.   of the Cornice Three pound. To particulars furnished on his Death Bed One pound Ten
20.   shilling. To a surgeon for attending him Two days Twelve pound. The the Years Rent
21.   of his Possession One Hundred & thirty six pound Eighteen shilling & Eight pennies
22.   To the Min’r’s Stipend the Year after the Defuncts Death Twenty pound four shilling
23.   To Two Term’s ______  Three pound  To servant’s fees for a years Service Thirty four
24.   pound seventeen shilling & four pennies Scots  To the Balance of the Defuncts Bills for
25.   Five hundred pounds Scots to his Son, the Exec’r One Hundred pound,  To annual rent
26.   thereof Since Martinmas 1724 _____Mart_____  last. Seventyfive pound Scots.  Amounting in
27.   _____  to the sum of Four Hundred & fourty four pound four shilling & Eight pen-
28.   nies Scots Money. As the Direct Dative pronounced. There _____  of this date Bears
29.   Under protestation made by the said Ex’r that he have liberty to Eike  to this
30.   present Testament any Goods Gear Debts or sums of money which pertained and
31.   were Resting to the Defunct the time of his Decease and are omitted forth here of as the
32.   same Shall here after come to his Knowledge which
33.                                                                   Inventary
34.   The said John Grant Ex’r Dative Quo Creditor aforesaid Gave up and Declared
35.   that the said Defunct had in his possession the time of his decease aforesaid certain
36.   Moveable Goods & Gear which being all Estimate Inventored & Appreciate by Honest
37.   Knowing men appointed by the Commpany  for that effect am _____d  to the Availle
38.   in the possession of Donald Grant of Inverlocky the time of his decease as the were
39.   Estimate by Robert Grant in Croftain, John Stuart & John Junken in Mains of Inver-
40.   aury & John Martines in Ruthven upon the twenty first of Feb’y  _____  & thirty eight
41.   ____  Five Oxen, two Cows, a Coy  @ Seventy Seven pounds  9 long Horn Cows a Coy  
42.   & two Stork  at fourty two pounds  Item an old mare and old Horse & a young horse
43.   at Thirty pounds  Item Two Ploughs with horse & oxen _____  at Three pound
44.   Ten shilling  Item fifteen Doors hacks & Creels all old _____  Eighteen shilling
45.   Item Two Guns a sword & Pistolls old Six pound thirteen shilling & four pence
46.   Item Three old Fowling Nets & a Sword Belt One pound Sixteen shilling Item
47.   Three old Sadles & two pairof Old Boots Three pound twelve shilling Item To
48.   old broken Iron Work One pound four shilling Item Two chests at five pound
49.   Six Shilling & Eight pennies Item Broken  Leather & two old Kirks  One pd
50.   Seventeen shilling & eight pennies Item a S____ & R____  & Eight old Shearing hooks One pound four
51.   Shilling Item For a Eickes and Wimbles an Ax & Saw Eighteen shilling Item Old
52.   Timber Three Spades & a Spinning Wheels Two pound two shilling Item Three
53.   old Tables & a partition One pound Sixteen shilling Item ship beds & old Dealls four
54.   pound two shilling Item Two old Chests Three old _____  & three old Chairs Three pound

1. Online Request For Will: October 16, 2013

2. Spelling & grammar as in original

3. Lines as in original

4. Blue font  = unintelligible & unknown words in original text.

1.  Who was this Donald Grant of Inverlochie? Where and when was he born? Occupation? Land owner?

2.  Who was his wife? Other than John, his executor, who were his children?

3.  Was he buried at Elgin? Is there a record of persons buried in or near the church in Elgin, or cemeteries there?

4.  Who was Robert Grant in Croftain? Was he related to Donald Grant?

5.  Who were John Stuart, John Junken, and John Martines in Ruthven?

6.  Who were Jean Stuart Relect of the deceast James Gordon Mitchl ?  Relations of Donald Grant?

                                 DOCUMENTS

Welcome to Documents.  The purpose of this page is to display documents which are not in the mainstream of accessible documents, which pose questions and require answers.  Viewers who can provide any information about following documents, their subjects, etc., are encouraged to contact me at: anitas@northwestel.net

Grant, John [Reference CC8/8/129 Edinburgh Commissary Court]

 Margin of Original Document: “5 July 1794 Test. Dative John Grant”

1.    5 July 1794     The testament dative and Inventary of

2.     Test. Dative the debt and sum of money which was

3.     John Grant addebted and resting owing to Umg’le

4.     John Grant late of Jamaica at the time

5.     of his decease who died in the Island of

6.     Jamaica upon the _____  day of March

7.     seventeen hundred and ninety one years

8.     Faithfully Made and Given up by a Lieutanant James Grant of Bellentomb

9.     brother german of the said defunct &

10.   only executor dative quo nearest in kin

11.   decerned to him and that by decreet

12.   of the Commissarie of Edinburgh as the

13.   same dates the twenty fourth of April

14.   seventeen hundred and ninety three years

15.   in itself more fully bears

16.                             Follows the Inventary

17.   In the First the said Ur_____’l  John Grant had

18.   addebted and resting owing to him at the time of his decease foresaid the sum of five

19.   pounds Sterling part  of the sum of ninety

20.   five pounds nineteen shillings and one

21.   penny half penny Sterling found due to

22.   the defunct by Sir James Grant of Grant

23.   Baronet on the death of Mary Grant re-

24.   siding at Ellach liferenter  of said sum

25.   in a process of Multiplepoinding  before

26.   the Court of Session at the instance

27.   of Sir James Grant against the said defunct

28.   and others executors and legatees of Humphrey

29.   Grant Esquire late of the Island of Jamaica

30.   by decreed of preference before the Court of

31.   Session dated the Seventh day of July seven-

32.   teen hundred and ninety years Extend-

33.   ing the said sum of five pounds Sterling

34.   in Scots money to sixty pounds

35.   Summ of the Inventary _____ ‘__ 

36.   Masters Andrew Belfour _____  Cautiones Capt.

37.   John Grant of Rippachy, dated the fifth day of February one thousand seven hundred

38.   and ninety four years.

1. Online Request For Will: September, 2007

2. Spelling & grammar as in original

3. Lines as in original

4. Blue font  = unintelligible & unknown words in original text.

Questions

1.   Who was this John Grant? Parents? Wife? Children.

2.   Where & when was this John Grant born?

3.   Where was he in Jamaica? During what years? Occupation? 

4.   Who was Lieutenant James Grant of Bellentomb?  

5.   What does "brother german" mean?

6.   Who was Sir James Grant of Grant Baronet on the death of Mary Grant residing at Ellach?

7.   Who was Humphrey Grant Esquire late of t he Island of Jamaica?

8.   How should the expression "late of" be interpreted?

9.   Who is Masters Belfour?

10. Who is Capt. John Grant of Rippachy?  A relation?

Hudson’s Bay Company Archives

Reference HBCA Servants’ Contracts

1.       An AGREEMENT made this fifth day of February 

2.       In the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty

3.       ~~~~~ BETWEEN Donald Grant aged 23 years

4.       In the Parish of Kirkmichael in the County of Banff

5.       In Scotland of the one Part, and the Governor and Company of Adventurers of

6.       England.  Trading into Hudson’s Bay by Angus Cameron Chief Factor

7.       Their Agent of the other part as follows.  __________

8.       The said Donald Grant  hereby contracts & agrees to enter into the Service & Employment

9.       of the said company in North America in the capacity of Labourer  and that he

10.   will embark when thereunto required on board such Ship or Vessel as shall be appointed by or on behalf of the

11.   the said Company and proceed to Hudson’s Bay for the term of 5 years to be completed from the said

12.   Enbarkation, and for such further time as hereinafter mentioned and forthfully serve the said Company

13.   As their hired Servant in the Capacity of Labourer and devote the while

14.   Of his time and labour in their Service and for their sole benefit and that he will do his duty

15.   As such and perform all such work and Service by day or by night for the said company as he shall be

16.   Required to do and obey all the orders which he shall receive from the Governors of the Company in

17.   America or other their Officers or Agents for the time being And that he will with courage and fidelity in his

18.   Said station, in the said Service defend the Property of the said Company and their Factories and Territories

19.   And will not absent himself from the said service nor engage nor be concerned in any Trade or Employment

20.   Whatsoever except for the benefits of the said Company and according to their Orders And that all Goods

21.   Obtained by Barter with the Indians or otherwise which shall come to the hands or possession of the said

22.   Donald Grant shall be held by him for the said Company only, and shall be duly

23.   Delivered up to the said Governors or other officers at their Factory or Trading post without any waste, spoil

24.   or  injury thereto.  And in case of any willful neglect or default herin he shall make good to the said

25.   Company all such loss or damage as they shall sustain thereby to be deducted out of his wages And that

26.   The said Donald Grant will faithfully obey all Laws, Orders, & Regulations, established or

27.   Made by the said company for the good government of the Settlement and Territories and at all times

28.   During the residence of the said Donald Grant in North America he will defend

29.   The rights and priviledges of the said Company and aid and support their Officers and Agents to the utmost

30.   Of his power.  _____ And the said Donald Grant further engages and agrees that in case

31.   He shall omit to give notice to the Governor or Officers of the said Company in North America one year

32.   Afterwards before the expiration of the said term 5 years of his intention to quit their Service

33.   Until the next Ship in the Services of the said Company shall sail from thence to Europe as their hired

34.   Servant in North America upon the like terms as are contained in this contract _____ And the said

35.   Donald Grant  also engages and agrees that in case the said Company shall not have

36.   Any Ship which will sail from Hudson’s Bay for Europe immediately after the expiration of the said

37.   term [blank] yearsor of such further Terms as hereinbefore mentioned then he hereby promises and engages

38.   to remain in the Service as a hired Servant of the said company in North America until the new ship

39.   of the said Company shall sail him thence by Europe upon the like terms as are Contained in this Contract

40.   provided always that the said Donald Grant further agrees to keep watch & ward and perform

41.   such other work in the navigation of the Ship in which he will be embarked in the outward and homeward

42.   voyages as he shall be required to performed by the Commanding Officer of the said vessel

43.   And the said Angus Cameron on behalf of the said Company hereby engages that upon

44.   Condition of the due and faithful service of the said Donald Grant in like manner as aforesaid

45.   But not otherwise the said Donald Grant  shall receive from the said Company after the rate of

46.   Twenty pounds Sterling ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

47.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

48.   Per annum commence on the day of his embarkation for Hudson’s Bay as aforesaid and up to the day

49.   His embarkation from thence for Europe in one of the Ship of the said Company Service

50.   Provided always, and it is herby expressly agreed between the said parties therto, that it shall be

51.   Lawful for the Governor or Governors or other Officials of the said Company in North America at any time

52.   During the said term of ­ 5  Years or such additional term as aforesaid to dismiss the said Donald 

53.   Grant from their Service and direct his return from thence to Europe in one of

54.   The Ships in their employment and in such case his wages are to cease from the day of his Embarkation

55.   For Europe. _____  And further that in case the said Donald Grant  shall at any time

56.   During this Contract desert the service of the said Company or otherwise neglect or refuse duly to discharge

57.   His duty as such hired Servant as aforesaid then he shall forfeit & lose all his wages for the [unintelligible] whereof

58.   There shall be no relief either in Law or in Equity.  In witness whereof the said parties have [unintelligible] to set

59.   Their hands.                                                                                       [signed] Donald Grant

60.                                                                                                   [signed] Angus Cameron C.F.  [Chief Factor]

61.   Signed in the presence of

62.   Donald Grant

63.   Angus Cameron                                (___Jan^y, 1838)

NOTES

·         This contract was drafted in 1840 and entirely hand written. 

·         Content of each line as in the original document.

·         Grammar and punctuation as in the original document.

·         Text which is Italicized and underlined are written in and specific to the individual entering the contract.

·         ‘Blank’ lines are as in the original document.

·         Chief Factor:  Each fort or post was commanded by a Chief Factor and his council of officers.

·         Angus Cameron: (1782 or 1783) Born in the parish of Kirkmichael, Banffshire, Scotland.  Son of James Cameron and Janet Farquharson.  Nephew of Aeneas Cameron, son of Alexander Cameron and Grace Grant.   Came to Canada on his own in 1801.  First partnered with the Northwest Co.; joined the Hudson’s Bay Company following the 1821 amalgamation.  His three children preceded his return to Scotland in 1843.  Nothing is known about their mother, except that she was probably an Indian woman who remained in Timiskaming.  Angus Cameron died at Nairn, Scotland, 11 Aug. 1876.

Currently, I have no information about the Donald Grant who signed this contract.  A search in the OPRs for Donald’s parents reveals several possibilities.   If you have any information about Donald or his family please contact me at:  anitas@northwestel.net

Thank you.

Anita Grant Steele

Double-click to edit text, or drag to move.

Ann Freeman, Wife of Richard Dobie: Death & Burial Record 

* "Mrs. Ann Dobie died the 25th Dec'r, was buried Dec 27th"

This document, found by Virginia Mason of Hampshire, England, is a remarkable discovery.

Almost nothing was known of Ann Freeman: she was an Indian woman who married Richard Dobie and they had one daughter, also named Ann.

Until this document surfaced, the relationship between Richard Dobie and Ann Freeman was presumed "custom of the country."  With or without a marriage record, it is evident from this entry that Ann Freeman was considered Richard Dobie's wife.

Virginia also found the death record of Ann Grant.  That document (below) provided her age at the time of her death -about forty years.  This means Richard Dobie and Ann Freeman were married c1755.  Richard would have been about 24 years old and Ann somewhat younger.  It is apparent that they remained together, in the Montreal area, until Ann's death.  She predeceased Richard by fourteen years, and her daughter by only four years.

For more details, see Biographies.

* Margin - (cut off; partially visible):  "Ann Freeman wife of Jean Gr."

"The seventh of October seventeen hundred ninety five I priest undersigned buried in the church of this hospital the body of Ann Freeman, wife of Mr. John Grant, died fifth of this month, age about forty years.  M. Poncin, priest and M. John William Delisle who signed.

[signed]  Father Poncin

[signed]  John Wm. Delisle

[signed]  Th. Bor [unintelligible]"

This document, also found by Virginia Mason of Hampshire, England, is another remarkable discovery.

This document has provide a clearer insight into the personal history of Richard Dobie, his wive and only daughter.  Until this document surfaced, the only thing known of Ann Dobie was she was the daughter of Richard Dobie and an Indian woman named Ann Freeman; she married a John Grant, and had four children.

This document declares Mrs. Ann Grant was about forty years years of age when she died, so she was born c1755. At the time, her father was about 24 and her mother somewhat younger.  It would seem most of her life was lived in the Montreal area.  At the time of her death, Ann and John Grant had four children ranging in age from twelve to twenty-one.

For more details, see Biographies

* Ann Dobie, Wife of John Grant