Manuscript copy of "Leaves from the buik of the West Kirke" by George Lorimer
Scope and Contents
This is a manuscript copy of "Leaves from the buik of the West Kirke" by George Lorimer, a historical work originally published in 1885, focusing on the 17th-century records of St Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh. This manuscript derives from the printed text, along the way culling, rearranging and mounting documents, most of which were published in Lorimer's study of the old West Kirke church of St Cuthbert's in Edinburgh.
The present volume adds two original documents including one in the hand of David Williamson (1694), covenanter and minister at the church in the 17th century, and a document in the hand of his successor at the Kirk, Neil McVicar.
Contains 15 hand written sections including pasted in facsimiles and original documents giving accounts of:
- Robert Pont 1526-1606, past minister of the Kirke. 5 pp. including facsimile of document signed in his hand.
- David Williamson, past minister between 1661-65 and 1689-1706. 4 pp. including original signed hand written note.
- Neil McVicar, past minister who followed after David Williamson. 4 pp. including facsimile and original hand written signed note regarding his links to the case of Andrew Wilson.
- Archbishop Paterson. 3 pp. including facsimile.
- Communion Expenses which reveal a 'startling' amount of wine consumed during communion. 3 pp. including a facsimile.
- Receipt for Mince Pies considered by George Lorimer a "great curiosity", in light of the mince pie being a delicacy considered particularly obnoxious in the eyes of the stern Presbyterians of the 17th century. 3 pp. Includes a facsimile of the original doc.
- Bill of Affair incurred in connection with the visit of a Committee of the Privy council. 2 pp. including facsimile.
- Excerpt from minutes - January 1686 - Case of Barclay of Hiltowne. 4 pp. including facsimile.
- Fee for Lithotomy including a facsimile of a receipt by William Hastie, brewer. 2 pp.
- Information for Mr James Eleis prepared by the West Kirke Treasurer. 2 pp. Includes a facsimile of an original document dated 1680.
- Begging Letter of 1689.
- A Short receipt for Seven Shillings sterling signed Arch. Lundie.
- Account of Law Expenses naming Sir Patrick Nisbet incurred by the West Kirke dated 1679. 4 pp. including facsimile.
- Bond by James Swintoune. 3 pp. including signed facsimile.
- Bond by Robert Anderson dated 1689. 2 pp. Includes facsimile.
Dates
- Creation: 1885
- Creation: One document dated 1694
Creator
- Lorimer, George, fl 1885-1915 (Scottish author) (Compiler, Person)
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
Open. Please contact the repository in advance.
Full Extent
1 volume
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased in May 2025. Accession no. SC-Acc-2025-0074.
Bibliography
Physical Description
Black leather binding in good condition. Gilt title to front and narrow gilt fillet in triplicate to edge of boards which are very slightly chipped to corners. Spine in six compartments decoratively embossed, slightly bumped to top and bottom. Blue marbled end papers unmarked, a little browned to rear. Front 3 leaves beginning to crack over spine but otherwise in very sound condition throughout. Hand written title page reads "Leaves from The Buik of The West Kirke".
Processing Information
Catalogued by Aline Brodin in May 2026, using information provided by the seller.
- Title
- Manuscript copy of "Leaves from the buik of the West Kirke" by George Lorimer, 1885
- Author
- Aline Brodin
- Date
- May 2026
- Description rules
- Isad(g)2
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk