The Wedderburn book. A history of the ... - waughfamily.ca

——Nor106 THE WEDDERBURN BOOK.Blackness 62— 76, Papers relating to Sir John Wedderbum of Ballindean, 1791-1837.62. 1791. Feb. 1.—Bond by David Webster (formerly Wedderbum, third son of EobertWedderburn of Pearsie) and John Wedderbum (son of Thomas Wedderbum ofCantra) of Leadenhall Street, London, merchants and co-partners to (their first cousin)Sir John Wedderburn of Ballindean, James Wedderburn of Inveresk (his brother),and William Eead of Dundee, in £2,000. Signed by David Webster and JohnWedderburn.63. 1795. Sept. 1.— Letter from Sir John Wedderburn of Ballindean to Mrs. Dundas ofDundas. Dated at Quecnsferry.64. 1803. Aug. 17.—Letter from Alexander Wedderbum, Earl of Eosslyn, to SirDavid Wedderburn, Bart., of Ballindean, as follows :St James Square, 17th Aug' 1803.Dear Sir,Tho' [ have no doubt that Mrs Wedderburn will give you a better account than I shall of yourBusiness, yet I cannot deny myself the Pleasure of writing to you, as I find I shall not be too latefor the Post. I met Mr Addington this morning at the King's Levee who informed me that HisMajesty had received the application very graciously and that It should have appeared iu the lastGazette. I begged that He would have the goodness to add to It the rem"' to the Heirs male of SirAlexander Wedderburn to which he assented very frankly and desired me to give Him a note of it inwriting which I did upon the spot. Sir Win Pulteney was a Party to the conversation and we neitherof us have any doubt that the First or second Gazette will notify the King's Pleasure. I shall givea note of the limitations of the title to Vernon who will take care that they are properly inserted inthe Gazette and that the Patent is duly forwarded. This is a business in which he is very conversantand remembering your kindness to his Brother I am sure He will execute it for you, withgreat zeal. I am sorry to be obliged to leave Town again before your return is expected But MrsWedderburn flatters me with the Hope that you may briug her to Bayliss before our fine Weather isgone, which I can venture to say will be an equal satisfaction to Lr Rosslyu and my nieces as tomyself. I beg you would make my best Gomplimeuts to Gen' Hope and present my Respects toyour sister.I am, Dear Sir, Yr faithful] and obedient servant,Rosslyu.65. 1803. Oct. 8.—Letter by James Wedderburn Colvile of Inveresk, to Sir David Wedderburnas follows :Inveresk, 8th Oct. 1803.Dear Sir,Mr. Cork writes me he has sent a certified copy cf the Patent from the office some days ago. Theoriginal Patent must be amongst your owu papers. Our grandfather was undoubted heir male to thePatentee, succeeded to the estate and got all the papers of the Blackness family now iu your possession.A certain portion of envy is natural to God's human creatures which passion they often indulge.Fullartons and Pitfirran family have always whispered our grandfather had improperly assumed thetitle knowing he was not descended from the Patentee and not allowing the force of the destinationin the Patent. Our grandfather was remarkably correct in all his actions and in business. No doubtthis observation would be pressed upon Lord Rosslyn. The Pitfirran family have been very busy tolessen our respect and Interest there, being jealous of our getting favour and of a partiality to uswhich his father and mother always shewed to us since 1745. The historys in Douglas Baronage aremade out correctly by Balharry from your father's papers and Mrs. Grizel's the heiress of Wedderburn.The Pitfirraus wished to discredit it. Wheu Lord Rosslyu had his history drawn I saw to it myselfwith the Clerk of the Heralds' Office from all the Gosford papers, yours and Scrymgeours. Thishistory confirmed the former in Douglas' Baronage, and the Gosford was proved to be only the secondand younger branch of the Blackness family to Lord Rosslyu's surprise. Vauity is satisfyed withlight food ; those historys are only read by old women iu the country ; they will not go to market.Lord Rosslyu despises all titles below peerage. He is the youngest branch of all the clan. Butyounger Brothers are always most pushing, goaded by family pride and necessity. The eldest sougenerally sits still and improves neither in knowledge nor fortune. Our chief was a blockhead andremained so 4 generations till extinct. His two brothers Blackness and Gosford were clever andactive. May you become active as a younger Brother.I am, D r David, Yrs everJ. W. Colvile.Addressed toSir David Wedderburn, No. 35 Leadenhall Street, and Hanover Square, London.(With regard to this letter, it may be observed that the writer is wrong in stating that the historyof the family in Douglas' Baronage is correct. Its early part is, on the contrary, full of errors. Hisstrictures on the Kingennie line are also undeserved, and based on a confusion of facts. AlexanderWedderburn, second of Kingennie, was not brother, but unele, to Blackness and Gosford. - washe a blockhead, but a competent clerk of Dundee, and keeper of the Forfar Register. His sonwas beyond doubt a man of energy and public spirit. He added largely to bis estate, and was activein the affairs of Dundee, of which he was twice provost, and which he repeatedly represented in theScottish Parliament. The three next owners of Kingenuie seem, however, to have been lessprominent in affairs.)The