Opening page of Hammerman Lockit Buik dated 1587

Anent grinding of strangers' shears, 2d September, 1662

Forasmuch as our ancient Fathers, Deaconis and bretherene of the hamermen Tred, hav mad maney good Lawse for the weill­fair and standing of the said Tred, and dois allow all geles and Statutes mad, and to be mad, for the vs, weillfair and behove of the hamermen tred. Therfor we the Deacone and remanent bretheren of the said Tred, taking to consideration that the standing of tred consists in agriment among them­selves, therfor we, deacon and remnant bretheren of the hammermen do consent and alow that for the groundings of walkers sheires ther be ane grindstone furneist and maintained by the deacon and tred vpon the cowmon alownce; and that no deacone, member nor maister, nor servant presum or tak in hand to ground any walkers sheirs vpon any maisters ston, but vpon the treds grindsten, and the pryce of ilk pirs to pay two schillings Scotts money, And that no maister sall set up a ston atour the town for the grending of walkers sheirs. And that ilk person or persons who bricks this Act sall pay ten merks, vnforgiffin.
One branch of the Trade not to perform the work of others, 8th Apryll, 1663.

With consent of the Deacon and wholl brethren of the hamermen Tred, It is Statut and ordenied, because of severall abwsses that his bein comited among vs, That no brassier sall midle to chang pewter or mend pewter, or any petter, or tinkler, or any other member of owr Tred sick lyk, That no peuterer worker sall midill with bras or copper, and that ilk member sall follow the same, and that ewry Deacon sall sic this Act fullfilled, and this to be and begine from the daitt for said, as witnes our hands at dundie day and daitt forsaid, whilk day is the oicht day of'Apryll 1663 zeirs, and to be exactlye followed, and this subseryvat by the Deacon, John Hobert, and craft of the brethren, and this don acording to the order of the Tred.

This Statute is signed by

James Smyth, Sword slipar Johne Robert, Dacione

Patrick Gilberte, blaksmyth Robert Hamiltoun, old Deacoun

Andreas Waiker, bllaksmyth Andrew Watt, Cuttlar

Wiliame Smythe, blakesmythe Robert Gairdyne, Goldsmith

Dauid Serymgour, Goldsmith Charles Allisone, gaurdsmith

The AGB work of Alex Gib James Alysoun, Knocksmith

Aloxr Smith, Sword sliper Jhone Alisone, Gunesmith

Richaird Cok, Blacksmyth Williame Smyth, blaksmyth.

John Branah, Sadler IA. Gunsmyth

Thomas Henderson, Sadler Daniel Daniel, Foir Bk. smith

being twenty in all.

Members to prove their qualifications before admission 14th November, 1668. 

The said day Robert Hamiltoune, Poutherer, and Deacone of the Hammermen Trade of Dundie with counsell of the said Trade, Actes and ordaines that no man heeirefter be admitted maister in any siz of the said Trade without he give ane faithfull tryall of his profession, and ane practioner theirin; and that no man take in to serve him a servt bot what his maister can teach him.

Signed by

William Smyth, Blaksmyth Robert Hamiltoun, Dacan

Andrew Bonar, Smyth John Robbert, Sourd Selpar

Alex Smyth, Sourd Selper Andrew Mackinso The Sadler

Daniel Daniel, Foir Smyth William Smith, watchmaker

Hendrie Ratteray, Sadler Andrew Watt, cutler

Thos Lyndsay, Goldsmyth
At Dundie the fifth Day of December jay vc and nyntie six years

The qlk Day in ane Court & convention holden within the burial plaice of the brugh of Dundie be George Ramsay present Deacon of the halmermen trade and haill remanent brethren and masters of the said Craft Considering that the inhabitants off this brugh and others are mightily prejudiced be unsufficient black smith werk pewtrer work and other work of that kind which is sold be unfremen anad brought in be them within the sd brugh not on a mercat Day and that those unffremen Doe not Dewlie expose their workmanship to the publick mercat at the ordinar tyme of the mercat and yrby prejudges and incroaches upon the liberties and priviledges of the hambermen craft of Dundie contrair to the old acts and statuts made be our soveraigne Lord and his most loyall progenitours of blessed memorie in favours of frie tradesmen living within Royall Brughs and contrair to the acts and constitutions made of befor be the Deacons and masters of this craft doe hereby Inact appoint and ordain that all unfrie hambermen living without this brugh shall from tyme to tyme expose and lay down ther workmanship on timber stands decentlie on the ordinar mercat place on lawfull tyme of day viz in the summer tyme at ten a cloak in the foirnoon and continue the samen until four a cloak in the afternoon and at Elevin a cloak in the forenoon in the winter tyme and continue until thrie hours in the afternoon and no longer nor shorter tyme and in caise the sds unfriemen shall contravein this act that thair workmanship shall be seazed upon be the friemasters of the sd trade and applied for the behove of the poor of the said craft and that the transgressors hereof shall pay to the Deacon for these forsd Two pounds scots for the first fault four pound for the second fault and six pound for the third tyme be and attour the lose of the work and be discharged yrafter to bring anie work to the sd mercat place and Discharges the sd unfriemen to leave their work with anie of the inhabitants of this brugh but immediatelie after the mercat to remove the samen without the brugh under the pains & penalties above wretin and this without prejudice of anie act or statut made of befor for this effect In witness yrof the sd Deacon & members of Craft have subd thir presents place day month & year forsaid.

Signed by eleven members, and other six append their initials.
Quarter accounts and booking money increased, 26th Oct., 1698.

The qlk day in ane court holden in the buriall place be William Dow, present Deacon of the hambermen craft of this brugh, and haill members of the sd Trade, considering the weillfair and profit of the poor of the sd Trade, and the common good yrof, and that they, through seaverall reasons known to themselvs, have bein occasioned to contract debt, to the great greiffe and prejudice of the sd craft. Therfor the sd deacon and breithren of craft, all of one mynd, consent and assent, doe hereby inact and ordain that the quarter compts shall be payed four tymes in the year, viz., three shill gs and four pennies ilk head court day to the Deacon and boxmaster within the houff of Dundie, ex­tending yearlie to thertein shill gs and four pennies, Scots money.

Anent Banquets.

Item it is ordained and inacted be the sd Deacon and remanent breithren, that each allien master sall pay for and in lieu of the banquet formerlie in use to be given, oicht pound Scots money, and that by and attour ane quart of wyn befor opening of the locked buik.

Item that all frie masters sons shall pay for their banket fyve pound moe forsd, and the quart of wyn, and fyve pound of booking money, extending in haill to twelve pound.

Item that all frie p~intises shall pay at his entrie to be a printise twenty merks, and at his entrie to be a master twelve pound Scots, without anie banquet. And lastlie all banquets, feasts and unnecessar drinking on the trades expenses, be the Deacon present and to come, or anie others of the sd trade, is hereby discharged in all tyme coming.

Seventeen members sign this minute.
Booking money payable by Journeymen, 31st August 1699

The which day, in a court held by the Deacon and brethren, &c., considering the wellfair and prospertie of the trade, and haveing bein formerlie prejudged by the entrie of jourmeymen and withdrawing of themselvs from the masters srvice to whom they first ingadged themselvs to work. Therfor, and without prejudice of former acts made be the sd trade for and to the effect above and after mentioned, but in further certifica-n of the samen, the sd Deacon and breithren of craft hereby inact and ordain, that in all tyme coming each journeymen shall pay to the trade at their'booking one pound ten shillss Scots, and the master ten shills Scots if the srvant remain with him the space of ane year, and if the same srvd so entred and booked as ane journey man shall remove from his master within the libertie, that he shall pay to the sd trade sixteen shills moe forsd, each tyme so oft as he shall goe from master to master, and if the same journey man, booked as said is, shall returne from ane master in the countrey to ane master within the libertie, that he shall pay ten shillss moe forsd at his entrie. In testimonie qrof the sd deacon and breithren of craft have subd thir presents, place, day, month and year of God forsd.

Booking money payable by stranger masters increased October, 1720.

The Trade enacted that thereafter none be entered free master to any of the arts of the Hammerman Trade without paying one hundred merks Scots, ready money and the ordinary accidents for his freedome, and satisfying the trade by an essay as to his qualifications in the art to which hel is to enter unless yr be none of that art to which any perswn shall hereafter offer to enter to serve the place, thir pnts being allwayes but prejudice to the privilidges of free masters sons or free prentices.

Signed by George WCrochett, Deacon, and fourteen other members.
Last Act rescinded  Strangers booking money reduced, 26th February, 1722.

The Trade having considered the above Act,hey, for certain causes and considerations moving them, rescind, cass and annull the above Act, and declare Charles Dickson goldsmith and watchmaker, his entrie as valide as if the same had been never made nor subd. In witness qrof thir pnts are subd by the Deacon in presence of the Trade, place and date forsd (Signed) George Scott.

On same day the said Charles Dickson, goldsmith, &c, had been previoulsy entered in the Locked Book as free master in the art of goldsmith and watchmaker, in the usual form.
Freedom and booking money by strangers again raised 2d January,1728

The Trade met, and considering that the members are numerous, and their business and employment small, and that their accidents and booking money is inconsiderable, and being convinced that it would tend much to the common weill and advantage of the trade, and to the support of the poor thereof, unanimously Statute and enact, that from and after this date no unfreeman shall be entered a freemaster to any of the arts or branches of the trade, under 100 merks Scots money for his freedom, and sixty pounds money foresaid of booking money, besides serving a year officer, and satisfying the trade with a sufficient essay as appointed by them. And that none be hereafter be received a free apprentice in the said trade, under the like sum of £60 Scots of booking money. This being but prejudice to freemasters sons, and the Deacon and members of craft appoint this present Act to be inviolably observed in all time coming.

Subscribed by nineteen members.
New scale of freedoms and accidents, 21st June, 1731

The Trade met, and considering there is no act whereby the dues of intrants is clearly established, and that the dues in use to be paid by unfreemen are as follows, viz. Three pound Scots at the date of their first court when application is made for their entry, One hundred merks as the dues of their freedom, Two pounds Scots at opening the locked book to insert their admis­sion therein, Twelve pounds Scots of booking money, Five merks money foresaid to the General Fund raised for the use of the Nine Trades, Twelve pound Scots of officer fee, or an obliga­tion to serve one year officer to the trade, in their option, and Four pounds Scots for the benefit of the Trades seats in the Churches, and of the mortcloth; and that each free masters son, or any hammerman marrying a freemasters daughter are to pay £12 Scots in full of their freedom, and no more. They unani­mously Statute and enact that the forsd dues be punctually exacted from each person entering in time coming, and that none be entered member until they be first admitted Burgess of the burgh, and perform an essay to the satisfaction of the trade as to their qualification for the art to which they are to be entered, and appoint thir presents to be inviolably observed in time coming

Subscribed by eleven members.
Quarterly payments for the poor of the Trade, 18th May, 1747.

The Trade enacted that thereafter each member shall pay three shillings Scots each quarter of the year to the Box­master for the use and behoof of the poor of the trade, and appoint ther presents to be inviolably observed in time coming, &c.

Subscribed by nine members.
Page 33
At Dundie 9 day of November 1657

Itt: It is statut & ordanit by the Deacon of the hamermen of the wyoll Craft Deacon present was Androw Taylor was that no brother sall work or cleame ownr gales to mak steill to any merchant of the Owen own yron qch is ane great prejucide to the Craft. He and samen deacon ordaines any in the craft of ye doe such abuse of precduec he sall pay ten merks Ster

Thomas Hendersone

Andron Taylor Decone

William More

Rob Cardyne

Robert Hamilton
At Dundie the seventh day of September 1602

Forasmuch as owr antient subyers Deacone and brethren of the hamerman trad hes maid many good Laws for the (two words illegible due to ink being spilt) Hammermen trad. Therfor we the Deacone and remanent brethren of ye said craft takeing to consideratione (two words illegible due to ink being spilt) consists in agreiment amongst themselves forthwith taken and remanent brethren of the hamerman for (two words illegible due to ink being spilt) that for the growndings of neibers forsaid there be ane grindestone for neist and maintained by the Deacon and (word illegible) colbimer according and qt no deacone Member nor Maister nor servant presum or such in hand to grending any number of sheirs upon any maister.

Page 34
At Dundie the eight day of Aprlyy 1663

Wiiith consent of the Deacon and umql brethgren of the hamerman trad It is staut and ordained because of Severall abuses that hes bein committed among vs that no brassier sall midle to asum peuter or mend peuter or any pottor or sinkler of any yr Member of owr trad. Sicklyke That no peuterer Member sall midill with bras or copper and that ilk Member sall giv esay and mais(illegible) & sall follow the same and that esay Deacon sall sie This Act fulfilled and this to be and to begine from the Daitt forsaid as witness our hand at Dundie Day and Dait fprsd quhilk day is the eight day of Apryll 1663 zeirs and to be exalther followed and this susbcrived by the Deacon John Robert and the rest of the brethren and the this don according to the order of the trad.

Johne Robert Deacone

William Smyth blacke smyth

David Scrymsone Gold smyth

Robert Hamilton old Deacon

Thomas Henderson Sadler

Andron Watt Cutler

Robert Gardyne Goldsmyth

Charlles allisone gaum smyth

James Alysonn knocksmith

Jhone Alisone Gune smyth

William Amyth blak smyth

I A Gunsmyth

Daniel Duncan Sone clk

James Smythe swordslipper

Patrick Robberte blaksmyth

John (illegible) Sadler

Page 35
Wpon the said November 1660

The said day Robert Hamiltonne peutherer and deacone to ye hammermen Trade for Dundie with ye Counsell of the said Trade Acts and ordaines that no man hereafter be admitted Maser in any sihillegible) of ye said Trade without he give ane faithfull tryull of his profession and ane pactioner herinn and that no man takes in to serve him as servt bot what his maister can teach hime.

Robert Hamiltonn Deacon

Tho Lyndsay goldsmith

John Robbert (illelgible)

Androw Mackenzie Sadler

William Smith Watchmaker

Andron Robb poutherer

William Smyth Black Smith

Androw Bouene (illelgible)

Alex Smyth Soourdslipper

James davidsone (illelgible)

Handrie Rattery Sadler
Page 37
Att Dundie the fyth day of December jajvij & nintie six years

The qlk day in ane Court convenit and holden within the burial palce of the brugh of Dundie begeorge Ramsay present Deacon of the hambermen Trade and haill remanent brethren and Masters of the said Craft. Considering that the inhabitants of this brugh and others are mightlie prejudiced be insufficient black smith work peuterer work and other work of that kind which is sold be unfriemen and brought in be them within the brugh not on a merkat day and that the sd unfreemen dow not dewlie expose their workmanship to the publick merkat at the ordinar tyme of the mercat and yrby prejudices and incroaches upon the liberties and privileges of the hambermen craft of Dundie contrar to the old laws and statuts made by our severaigne Lord and his mast Royall progenitors of blessed memorie in favors of frie tradsmen libertie within Royall Brughs and contrar to the acts and constitutions made of befor the Deacon and Masters of thiscraft. Doe herby Enact appoint abdirdain that all unfrie hambermen living without this brugh shall from tyme to tyme expose and lay down ther workmanship on timber stanch decentlie in the ordinar mercat place on laufull tyme of day viz: in the summer tyme until ten acloak in the forenoon until four acloak in the afternoon and at Elevn acloak in the forenoon in the winter tyme and continue until thrie hours in the afternoon and no longer or shorter tyme and in cais the sd unfriemen shall contravein this act that ther workmanship shall be seazed upon be the friemasters of the sd Trade and applied for the bewhove of the poor of the sd craft and that the trangresseurs yrof shall pay to the Deacon for the use forsd Two pound Scots for the ferst fault and four pound for the second fault and six pound for the third tyme by and attour the loss of the work and be Discharged yrefter to bringe any work to the sd mercat place and discharges the sd unfriemen to leave her work with anie of the inhabitants of this brugh but immediatlie after the mercat to renounce the samen without the brugh under the pains & penalties above writ and this without prejudice of anie act of statut made of befor for this effect. In witness yrof the sd Deacon & nenbers of Craft have subcd thir presents yeare day moneth and yeir forsaid.

W DGR

Robert Walls

D C

I W

James Mill

David Mylss

Hendrie Robert

Ja Tayllour

A B

H S

Robert Hamilton

Georg Smith

David Myls

Willam Blake

J Rikartt

Thomas Alison

Page 38
Sexto die mensis seven Anno 1611

The whilk day Patrick Ramsay Dekin of ye halmermen craft of Dundie being cyveint and ye maist pt of the Masters therof in pnce of James Wat Jon Alysone Rot Mories Andron Smyt Andro Bonar Robert Alyson Richard Low Wm Ogilvie Alexr Smty Allane Dumeiss Rich Alyson Andro Smyt younger Richard Davidsone David Smyt Thomas Smyt and James illegible offr. It is statut & ordainit be yame all in ane voce yt quatsomiver brethren of the craft being mariet in any tyme heirefter sall pay at ye tyme of ye mareage ye sowme of xiijss myg and down payt of Wyne to the Dekin for ye tyme qlks sowme Imployit for ye support of ye deacyit brithers of ye craft & we als quha comitts fornicatione sall pay ye said sowme of xiij & twa pynt of Wyne as Scandle & quha comitt adulterie sall Dowbil present penaltie viz twa mtg & twa pyntes of wyne to beimployit as said is.

Patrick Ramsay Deken

John Allison

Robert Allisone

Illegible

Alexander Allesone

Robert Davidsone

H Wedderburn

Page 39
Decimo sexto die mensis septembris anno dii mille simo quingesimo octaye fino secimo

This should read

Sedecimesimo die mensis septembris anno d[omi]ni millesimo quingentesimo octogentesimo octavo

The whilk day in pns of Patrick Ramsay Diken of the halmerman craft of this brut Thomas Ramsay Charles Ramsay Richard Pett and Richard Wilky officair of ye said craft Wt James Watt Cutler and desyrit the said Dekin and craft forsaids to ressive him and admit him to be Mr and bror of the said craft as he yt his done his dewtie yrfor and to becom burges and brogild of this brut befour the Provost and Ballies yrof And gaif in an assey of his craft to be tryit be the brethne yrof sic he be qaualifit yrin qlk desyir the said Deakin and brother yrof forsaid they ressvabll and takene fryell him cognitton his qualification of his accoupation and findand him qualifit and Become admittit burges and brogild wtin the burt qrfor the said Deakin and brother forsaids hes admitted ane be the tennr herof admitted the said Thomas to be frie man and Brother of craft in among theme In all tymes coming And the said Dekin hes caust the said James of gif his aith for obeying and fulfilling of the haill Inindstrones and ordinances maid for the mentenans of the libertie of ye said craft and commonweill of this brut. Conforme to the aith maid in the former end of the pnt Lockit Buik

Wedderburn Notarmis lostis

Edem Die day of anno Cora prescoiptis decimo et magitoris two words illegible

Jthe whilk day in pns of ye said Deaken and Mrs abone writtin compeirit Richard Wilky sword slipper sone lauchfull to Wm Wilky Burgess and Broy of this brut And appoint and sthew yt his said sun be fre new and Broy of craft forsaid And yrfir desyrit the said Deakin and brother to admit hin fre man of the said craft he being long time frie mars sone of the said craft. Whiluk desiyir the said Deakin and brothir ^shod ressonbill And admit him frie man to ye said craft qust gaif in his assey of craft and being fund sufficient be ye brother forsaid wherfor the said Richard haif given his solemn auth for obeying the Indentores and said actis maid anent the libertie of the said craft and common weill of this brut.

R Wedderburn
The following entry cannot be completed as the bottom corner of the page is missing
Page 40
Ultimo die Septembris 1589

The whilk day ye Deacon and brother of craft being qvenit wt ane consent hes ressaint James Thomas Blak Smyt Master and frie man of the craft blacksmyt craft and brother gild of yit brut & his givin in ane assy & payed his dewes he is admitted as said is and hes givin his ayt of fidelitie for obeying haill Instruments of yis brut.

Tertio die memsis Octobris 1589

The qlk day James Alison deacin of ye halmercraft of yis brut & maist of ye Masters yrof being qvenit to yil cperit James Myln blak smyt sone to johne Smyt forgan & blaksmyt & appoint & stow that his father was frie Man of yis brut & to ye craft & yrfir desyrit ye said dekin to admit him frieman qk desire yrof ye Dekin & brethren this ressonable & yrfir admit him frieman quha hes given his assey And gave his solemn ayt for obeying of the Instructions & sd craft maid anent ye libertie of ye craft & common weil of yis brut.

Odem die et Anno

The qpk day ye said Dekin & brother of craft being qvenit hes soystaint Adam Wallior potter Master & frieman of ye sd craft becus he is maid burgis of this brut & hes givin in his assy & yrfoir is admittit frieman & hes givin his ayt of fidelitie for obeying ot ye haill instructions maid anent ye libertie of sd craft & common weill of yis brut.

Penultimo dei Octobris Anno 1589

The qlk day James Alison Deacon of ye halmercraft of yis brut of Dundie & ane pt of ye Masters yrof convt togidder & ypiant

The entry cannot be completed as the bottom corner of the page is missing
Page 41
Vigesimo octavo Aprill Anno 1590

The qlk day James Alisone Deacon for ye halmermen of yis brut & ane guid pt of ye Masters and brother being qvenit wt ane cosent & assent his ressaint Patrick Moses Knokmakter Lorymer Master & frie man off ye craft Because he is maid burges & brither gild of yis brut And hes givin ane assay of his craft & hes givin his ayt of fidelitie for obeying of ye haill instructions of yis brut & statuts maid for ye welfair of ye craft in yis brut & statuts maid for ye weilfoir of ye craft in yis buik.