| Description | In five parts. 1. Petition by Thomas Kinnear, Writer in Stonehaven & Procurator Fiscal. Petition states that "the braes lying to the south of the town of Stonehaven, called the Common Braes, were conveyed by Earl Marischal, the Superior of the town, to the Feuars, for the purpose of pasturising and have been from time immemorial used by the feuars and inhabitants of the town in pasturing their cows, bleaching clothes, and for the purpose of amusement and recreation. That attempts have sometimes been made by some of the feuars and inhabitants, to pasture sheep and horses on the said braes: but such a practice was contrary to the purpose for which the same were conveyed, and injurous to those using them for the pasturing of cows, and was also an annoyance to the inhabitants using the said braes for bleaching clothes and for recreation." 2. Note of expense of Petition the Procurator Fiscal of the Burgh of Stonehaven v. James Smith, 7th May 1824. Note of expense for petition against James Smith and others for pasturing sheep on the braes amounting to œ1.6. 3. Hand-written notes dated 12th May 1824 signed by William Mason. Note states that three shillings received from Thomas Kinnear for executing the complaint against Alexander Morgan and others for trespassing with sheep on the common braes of Stonehaven. 4. Execution of Petition the Procurator Fiscal of the Burgh of Stonehaven against James Smith & others dated 10th May 1824. States that "for the public interest, against James Smith, Weigher in Stonehaven; Alexander Morgan, Carter; George Miller, Shopkeeper and William Turner, Cowfeeder...I William Masson, officer, passed and lawfully intimated said petition and warrant to the said James Smith, Alexander Morgan, George Miller and William Turner, and also lawfully summoned them to appear personally before the said Baillies in court to be holden by them, within the courthouse of Stonehaven upon the 13th May current to answer to the said petition with certification. This I did by delivering to each of the said Alexander Morgan and William Turner, both personally apprehended, a full double of said petition and warrant, with a short copy of citation, thereto confined to the effect foresaid, and by leaving for the said James Smith with his wife, and for the said George Miller with his mother, a like full double of said petition and warrant with a short copy of citation. Witnessed and signed by William Bowman & Robert Goodfellow. Signed by William Masson. 5. Minutes on the Petition of Thomas Kinner, Procurator Fiscal of the Burgh of Stonehaven against James Smith, Alexander Morgan, George Miller & William Turner, 13th May 1824. |