Aberdeen 1604 Stent Roll: The fishers of Footdee In 1604, Alexander Rutherford of Rubislaw held the prestigious positions of Provost of Aberdeen and Burgh Commissioner to the Scottish Parliament. At a meeting in the summer, he was selected by the Lords of the Parliament to be one of the four commissioners to meet with King James VI in England that coming September, to discuss the proposed union of the Scottish and English crowns. The necessary expenses incurred in transporting the four commissioners and three lawyers were to be borne collectively by the Scottish burghs. Aberdeen's share of the 16,000 merks allocated, amounted to some 1,300 merks. In order to raise this sum, the magistrates agreed to place a tax, or stent, on the town and appointed stenters to set about the task. An assessment was made on the previous year's rents and a list of individuals drawn up. This document, compiled in the summer of 1604, gives the names of the taxed fishers in Footdee. (Page 1) Gilbert Maine, paid Assessment: £0 26s 8d Robert Fiddos Assessment: £0 26s 8d John Nicolson elder in Futtie Assessment: £0 26s 8d John Nicolson younger Assessment: £0 26s 8d Alexander Fides Assessment: £0 26s 8d Archibald Cadanheid Assessment: £0 26s 8d Gilbert Athinll Assessment: £0 26s 8d 1604