Papers of John and Henry Drummond, contractors to the Treasury as paymaster to His Majesty's

43 Pages·2016·0.2 MB·English

by  Ruth Reed

Lists of subscribers to the Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies, 1696-1700

These records are part of a collection held by RBS Archives relating to the
Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies.
The whole collection is inscribed on UNESCO’s UK Memory of the World
Register, in recognition of its importance to our shared cultural heritage.

background The subscription book of the Company of Scotland trading to Africa and the Indies was
opened in Edinburgh on 26 February 1696, inviting investments from a minimum of £100
up to a maximum of £3,000. Such was the popularity of the scheme that on the first day
alone 69 subscriptions were taken, worth £50,400. A second book was open in Glasgow
between 5 March and 22 April, and by the beginning of August 1696 the full target of
£400,000 sterling had been reached.
Subscribers were initially required to pay one quarter of the total they had signed up to
invest, with the remaining sum being paid in smaller instalments as and when requested
by the Company directors. The Company kept records of who had paid their share of each
of these ‘calls’, and it is various versions of these working lists that survive in the RBS
archives, and are described here.
An alphabetical version of the full subscription list was printed and published in 1696. The
apparent existence of a market for such a publication is an indication of the immense
public interest that existed in the Company and its progress.
From an historical perspective, the subscription lists give a valuable insight into the
popularity of the scheme among different social and economic groups. The printed version
includes the name, location, occupation and investment size of each subscriber, thus
offering a snapshot of Scottish life in the 1690s. Investors included nobility, landed gentry,
doctors, lawyers, ministers, farmers and relatively humble merchants. A number of city and
town councils invested, including St Andrews, Paisley, Selkirk and Inverness. There is also
evidence that in some cases people who could not have raised the minimum £100 alone
banded together to make a shared subscription, so it is probable that some of the
individual names appearing in the list may actually be representatives of syndicates.

Compiled by RBS Archives © RBS 2016
http://www.rbs.com/heritage
documents RBS Archives holds six lists of subscribers to the Company of Scotland:
Printed list (‘the 7.5 per cent list’)
An annotated version of the 1696 printed list.
The first call for funds after the initial 25 per cent was for a further 7.5 per cent of
subcribers’ promised investment. It was requested in two equal instalments, and
the annotations to this document (‘1’ and ‘2’ written against names) apparently
indicate payment of these instalments. Some names also have another number
written against them, probably a reference to a page or folio in a related volume
that has not survived.
Physical description: 36 pages, conserved and re-bound. Printed on paper with
handwritten annotations in ink. Dimensions: 36.5 x 24cm.
Printed list (‘the 5 per cent list’)
An annotated version of the 1696 printed list.
The next call (after the 25 per cent and the 7.5 per cent) was for a further 5 per
cent. The annotations to this document comprise a note against each subscriber’s
name, giving the date and the amount of money paid in response to this call.
Physical description: 32 pages, conserved and re-bound. Printed on paper with
handwritten annotations in ink. Dimensions: 36.5 x 24cm.
Handwritten list (alphabetical)
Arranged in broadly alphabetical order, this list gives the names of subscribers with
their total subscription noted alongside. Also includes numbers referring to folios in
an associated volume that has not survived.
Physical description: 54 pages, soft-bound. Handwritten in ink on paper.
Dimensions: 38 x 12.5cm.
Handwritten list (chronological)
Arranged chronologically in order of subscription, this list records the subscriber’s
name and their payment of successive calls, including the initial 25 per cent; the
7.5 per cent (first half); the 7.5 per cent (second half); the 5 per cent; the 2.5 per
cent; and the second 2.5 per cent.
Physical description: 52 pages, soft-bound. Handwritten in ink on paper.
Dimensions: 25.5 x 39cm.
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http://www.rbs.com/heritage
List of outstanding debts
Arranged according to page numbers in an associated ledger which has apparently
not survived, this list records subscribers’ debts to the Company through failure to
pay the initial 25 per cent, or the subsequent 7.5 per cent or 5 per cent calls. The
final column of the table is missing due to damage.
Physical description: 28 pages, soft-bound. Conserved. Past damage has
rendered the outer edges of the pages illegible. Handwritten in ink on paper.
Dimensions: 34 x 21.5cm.
Handwritten list (Midlothian)
Contains only details of subscribers from the county of Midlothian. It is arranged in
broadly alphabetical order, recording each subscriber’s payment of the initial 25
per cent call; the 7.5 per cent (first half); the 7.5 per cent (second half); and the 5
per cent). The entries are incomplete.
Physical description: 28 pages, soft-bound. Handwritten in ink on paper.
Dimensions: 33.25 x 21cm.

alphabetical The rest of this document comprises an alphabetical index to the ships’ crewmen
index mentioned in the receipts for payment of arrears to seamen.

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NAME OCCUPATION PLACE OF ADDITIONAL
RESIDENCE INFORMATION

ABERCROMBIE Sir James - Birkenbog
ABERCROMBIE Thomas Skipper Dundee
ADAM Alexander Tailor Glasgow
ADAM James Merchant Glasgow
ADAM John senior Merchant Glasgow
ADAMSON Margaret - - daughter to the deceased Patrick
Adamson merchant in Kelso
AIKENHEAD Sir Patrick Commissary Clerk Edinburgh
AIKMAN Thomas Writer to the Signet -
AIKMAN William - Cairney
AINSLIE William - Blackhill
AIRD John Dean of Guild Glasgow
AITOUN Sir John of that Ilk - -
ALEXANDER Claud Newton -
ALEXANDER John - Blackhouse for himself and Lady Grange
ALEXANDER John Merchant Glasgow
ALISON Colin Sub-collector of His Majesties
Excise -
ALISON Gabriel Dunjop -
ALISON James late Baillie Dundee
ALLAN James - Sauchnell
ALLAN John Merchant Haddington
ALLAN Michael Merchant Edinburgh
ALLAN William Tailor Stirling
ALLAN William Portioner Duddingston
ALLARDES John the younger Merchant Aberdeen
ALSTOUN Thomas Shoemaker Glasgow
ALVA Lady - -
ALVES William Writer Edinburgh
ANDEISON Michael - Tushallow
ANDERSON Captain Alexander - - in Sir John Hill’s regiment
ANDERSON George Merchant Haddington
ANDERSON George - - son to Mr John Anderson
Minister at Leslie
ANDERSON John Provost of Glasgow Dovehill
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ANDERSON John junior Merchant Glasgow
ANDERSON Thomas - - son to Baillie Anderson
ANGUS John Angus Brewer Edinburgh
ANNANDALE William Earl of - -
ANSTRUTHER Alexander - Newark
ANSTRUTHER Robert - Wrea
ANSTRUTHER William Senator of the College of Justice Anstruther
ARBUCKLE William Merchant Glasgow
ARBUTHNET Robert servant to E Marshall -
ARCHIBALD John Writer Edinburgh
ARESKINE Sir Alexander - Cambo Lyon King at Arms
ARESKINE Captain John - - Brother to the Laird of Alva
ARESKINE Sir John - Alva
ARESKINE Penelope - - sister to Cambo
ARESKINE Mrs Veronica - - daughter to the deceased
David Lord Cardross
ARESKINE William Governor of Blackness -
ARGYLE Archibald Earl of - -
ARMOUR John Tailor Glasgow
ARNOT Archibald Apothecary Dundee
ARTHUR Jean - - daughter to John Arthur of
Newton
ARTHUR William Tailor Cannongate, Edinburgh
ATCHESON Matthew Merchant Glasgow
ATCHISON Walter - Ruchsolloch
ATHOL John Marquis of - -
AUCHINLECK James Surgeon-Apothecary Edinburgh
AUCHTERLONY Alexander Indweller Dundee
THE TOWN OF AYR
BAILLIE Andrew - Parbroth
BAILLIE David Apothecary Edinburgh
BAILLIE Francis - Montoun brother-german of William Baillie
BAILLIE George - Jerviswood
BAILLIE James Writer to the Signet
BAILLIE James Merchant Aberdeen
BAILLIE James Writer Edinburgh
BAILLIE James Merchant Edinburgh
BAILLIE John Surgeon Edinburgh
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BAILLIE John - Woodside
BAILLIE William - Lamington
BAILLIE William - Montoun
BAIRD Alexander Merchant Edinburgh
BAIRD Sir John - Newbyth
BAIRD John Merchant Kilmarnock
BAIRD Sir William younger - Newbyth
BAIRDIE John Merchant Edinburgh
BALFOUR Henry - Denbuge
BALFOUR James Merchant Edinburgh
BALLANTINE John Merchant Ayr
BALLANTINE John - Craigmuire
BALLINGALL James Maltman Strathmiglo
BALNAVIS Patrick late Baillie Dundee
BALNEVIS James - Glencarse
BANNERMAN Robert - - Brother to Elsik
BARBER James Merchant Inverness
BARBER John Merchant Inverness
BARCLAY John Surgeon Cowper
BARCLAY William Merchant Glasgow
BARTON Peter - Barronhill
BAXTER Thomas Tailor Glasgow
BAXTER William Merchant Glasgow
BELHAVEN John Lord - -
BENNET William younger - Grubbet
BETHUN Charles - - son to David Bethun of Balfour
BETHUNE John Merchant Dundee
BETHUNE Thomas - Tarbat
BIGGAR Alexander Brewer Gairnshall
BIGGAR William - Woolmot
BINNING Katherine Lady Bavelaw - -
BINNING Sir William - Waliford
BLACK William Advocate -
BLACKADDER Captain John - - in Colonel Ferguson’s regiment
BLACKBURN William Merchant Glasgow
BLACKRIE William Merchant Aberdeen
BLACKWOOD Elizabeth - - daughter to Mr Robert
Blackwood merchant in
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Edinburgh
BLACKWOOD James - -
BLACKWOOD Robert Merchant Edinburgh
BLACKWOOD Robert Merchant Edinburgh
BLAIR Alexander Dean of Guild Dundee
BLAIR Hugh Merchant Edinburgh
BLAIR James Writer Ayr
BOGLE Bessie - - relict of Robert Bogle merchant
in Glasgow
BOGLES John - - see the Easter Sugarie of
Glasgow
BOGLES Robert - - see the Easter Sugarie of
Glasgow
BONAR William Clerk to the Mint - -
BONTEINE William - - son to Nicol Bonteine of Ardoch
merchant in Glasgow
BORLAND George Merchant Kilmarnock
BORTHWICK Elizabeth Lady - -
BORTHWICK John Goldsmith Edinburgh
BORTHWICK Marion - - relict of James Cunningham
cowper in Leith
BOSWEL Walter - Balbartoun
BOWAR Thomas Merchant Dundee
BOWIE John Merchant Falkirk
BOWMAN John Merchant Glasgow
BOYD Christian - - relict of Peter Gemmil merchant
in Glasgow
BOYD John Surgeon-Apothecary Glass
BOYD John one of the Regents of Glasgow
College -
BOYD Robert - Trochrig
BOYD Thomas - Pitcon
BRABNER James Merchant Aberdeen
BRAND Alexander Merchant Edinburgh
THE TOWN OF BRECHIN
BRISBANE Mrs Elizabeth - - daughter to Bishoptoun
BRISBANE James Writer to the Signet -
BRODIE Francis Merchant Edinburgh
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BRODIE George - Aslisk
BRODIE Captain John - - in Lieutenant Murray’s regiment
BROTHERSTONS William Harness-maker Cannongate, Edinburgh
BROUN Alexander - Thorndykes
BROUN Andrew Doctor of Medicine Dolphingtoun
BROUN Andrew Watchmaker Edinburgh
BROUN Edward Merchant Edinburgh
BROUN James - - son to Hugh Brown, senior
surgeon apothecary in
Edinburgh
BROUN James Minister of the United churches
Lundie and Foulis
BROUN James senior Surgeon Edinburgh
BROUN John Skipper Leith
BROUN Margaret - - daughter to Blackburn
BROUN William Merchant Edinburgh
BROUNE Robert - Newhall
BROWN Hugh Writer Edinburg
BROWN James Minister Glasgow
BROWN Thomas Litster Glasgow
BRUCE Alexander Merchant Dundee
BRUCE James - Wester-Kinloch
BRUCE Lieutenant Colonel James - Kennet
BRUCE John - Kinross
BRUCE John Feltmaker Edinburgh
BRUCE Robert - Aberdeen
BRYCE Patrick Maltman Glass
BRYSON William late Baillie Dunde
BUCHANAN George Maltman Glass
BUCHANAN John Merchant Glasgow
BUCHANAN William Merchant Glasgow
BUCKNAY Adam Merchant Linlithgow
BUNTINE George Peutherer Glass
BURD Captain Edward Commander of His Majesties
Ship the Royal William
BURD John Merchant Stirling
BURLEIGH Robert Master of - -
BURNET Andrew - - brother-german to Thomas
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Burnet of Kimney
BURNET Sir Thomas of Leys - -
BURNET Thomas Merchant Aberdeen
BURNET Thomas Doctor of Medicine -
BURTON David Glazier Edinburgh
BYERS James Merchant Edinburgh
CAIRLILE Alexander Merchant Glasgow
CALDER Thomas Merchant Glasgow
CALLENDER John - Craigforth
CALLENDER William elder Merchant Falkirk
CALLENDER William junior Merchant Falkirk
CAMERON Jean - - daughter to Donald Cameron
CAMPBEL Alexander - Calder
CAMPBEL Sir Colin Senator of the College of Justice Aberuchel
CAMPBEL Sir Colin - Ardkinglas
CAMPBEL Colin - Lochlan
CAMPBEL Duncan - Monzie
CAMPBEL Gilbart Merchant Edinburgh son of Colin Campbel of
Souterhouses
CAMPBEL James - - brother to the Earl of Argyle
CAMPBEL Mungo - Burnbank
CAMPBEL Lady Susan - -
CAMPBELL Agnes - - relict of the deceased Andrew
Anderson His Majesties printer
CAMPBELL Archibald Merchant Glasgow
CAMPBELL Colin - Bogholt
CAMPBELL Daniel Merchant Glasgow
CAMPBELL Dougall - Saddel
CAMPBELL Duncan - Dunneaves
CAMPBELL Sir George - Cesnok
CAMPBELL Hugh Merchant - son to the deceased Sir Hugh
Campbell of Cesnock
CAMPBELL James - Kinpont
CAMPBELL John Writer to the Signet -
CAMPBELL Matthew - Waterhaugh
CAMPBELL Mungo - Nether-place
CAMPBELL Mungo Merchant Ayr
CAMPBELL Patrick - - brother to Monzie
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CAMPBELL Ronald Writer to the Signet -
CAMPBELL Thomas Flesher Edinburgh
CARDROS David Lord - -
CARMICHAEL Daniel - Malsly
CARMICHAEL David - - son of Lord Carmichael
CARMICHAEL John Lord - -
CARMICHAEL William Advocate -
CARMICHAEL William Tailor Glasgow
CARNAGIE James - Balnamoon
CARNAGIE James - Craigie
CARR Mrs Christian - - sister-german to John Carr of
Cavers
CARR Lady Lilias - - sister to the Earl of Lothian
CARRUTHERS William - Whitecroft
CARSE Mrs Janet - - sister to Cockpen
CARSE John - - son to Cockpen
CARSE Mark - Cockpen
CARSELL John - Lounsdale, Paisley
CARSTAIRS John - Kilconquher
CARUFURD Henry Merchant Dundee
CASSIE Andrew - Kirkhouse
CASTLELAW William - -
CATHCART Captain Allan - - in Sir John Hill’s regiment
CATHCART Elias Merchant Ayr
CAULDWELL John of that Ilk - -
CHALMER William Merchant Ayr
CHAMBERS Patrick Belt-maker Edinburgh
CHARTERS Catharin - - daughter to Mr Laurence
Charters, advocate
CHARTERS Charles Merchant Edinburgh
CHARTERS William Sheriff-depute of Dumfries Dumfries
CHATTO John elder Merchant Edinburgh
CHEAP Henry - Rossie
CHEAP Henry younger - Rossie
CHIESLY Sir Robert Lord Provost of Edinburgh -
CHRYSTIE Henry Merchant Glasgow
CHRYSTISON Henry Commissary of Stirling Stirling
CHRIGHTON Thomas Chamberlain to the Earl of Perth Tillyfergus
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