Correspondence and papers of the Mackenzies of Delvine and their clients.
Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence and papers of John Mackenzie, Advocate and a Principal Clerk of Session, of Cramond and later of Delvine (died 1731), his sons Alexander, Writer to the Signet and a Principal Clerk of Session (died 1737), and John, Writer to the Signet, Deputy-Keeper of the Signet (died 1778), and Alexander's grandson Sir Alexander Muir Mackenzie, 1st Baronet, Writer to the Signet (died 1835); formed a distinguished line of lawyers who were active in the affairs of their day and included among their family connexions and clients a great number of Highland and Lowland families. The chief interest of the papers is the light which they throw on family history, for they give much information about some less-known Highland families and supply corrections to existing histories of those more famous. Public events are also mentioned. There is a considerable amount of correspondence about the Rising of 1715 and its consequences, but remarkably little about that of 1745.
Dates
- Creation: Late 17th century-early19th century.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
430 Volumes ; In all volumes the sizes of the sheets are folio and under, except where the size is specially indicated.
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Arrangement
The papers have to a great extent been kept in their original bundles. These have been arranged in volumes as follows:
MSS.1101-1228. Letters and papers of the Mackenzies of Delvine
MSS.1229-14899. Letters and papers of families and individuals, the clients or correspondents of the Mackenzies of Delvine
MSS.1490-1507. Papers relating to various subjects
MSS.1508-1525. Account-books
MSS.1526-1530. Large sheets and rolls unsuitable for binding with the earlier volumes. Miscellaneous papers
Letters in any one series are arranged in exact order of date, except in the case of ‘letters from various persons to’ an individual, which are placed in alphabetical order of the writers’ names. Deeds and papers other than letters are arranged by years only.
Other Finding Aids
A list of contents has been placed at the beginning of each volume.
Custodial History
The collection was bought in 1918 from the widow of Sir Alexander Muir Mackenzie, 3rd Baronet by the late Mr Reid of Lauriston Castle.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Bequeathed, along with their library of printed books, by Mr and Mrs W R Reid of Lauriston Castle and received in June 1926.
Separated Materials
MSS.149-277: Lauriston Castle collection.
Bibliography
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
- Description rules
- International Standard for Archival Description - General
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk