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THE
substance of this volume originally appeared
in the columns of the "Aberdeen Weekly Journal," but it has been carefully
revised and important additions made. From the variety of matter, and
number of personages treated in the work, it may be interesting to a wide
circle of readers.
I have not deemed it
necessary to burden the pages of this volume with a multiplicity of
references and foot-notes, as the original sources of information are
often indicated in the text itself.
It may be well, however, to
state that I have long been familiar with the national records of
Scotland, such as the "Scots Acts of Parliament," "Exchequer Rolls,"
"Register of the Great Seal," "Register of the Privy Council," "National
Manuscripts," "Burgh Records," and many other registers and important
historic records too tedious to mention.
Touching the sources of
information more specially relating to this volume, I have consulted the
family histories, charters, and papers, connected with the families
treated. Amongst others, the volumes of the Old and New Spalding Clubs
have been used, especially the "The Antiquities of the Shires of Aberdeen
and Banff," edited by the late John Stuart, LL. D. ; and also the volumes
of the "Miscellany" of the Old Club; "The Records of
Aboyne," edited by the Marquis of Huntly,
and issued in 1894, which are of high historic value; "Historical Papers
Relating to the Jacobite Period, 1699-1750," which has been admirably
edited by Colonel James Allardyce, LL. D., and issued in 1895-96, these
are of great historic value and interest; the two volumes containing the
writings of the distinguished Latin scholar, Dr. Arthur Johnston, present
a number of interesting historic references to personages who lived in the
first half of the seventeenth century; these volumes have been carefully
edited by Sir William D. Geddes, LL.D., and issued in
1892-95.
The Right Hon. John Francis
Erskine, Earl of Mar, communicated interesting information touching the
Earldom of Mar in recent times, which I gratefully acknowledge.
ABERDEEN,
April, 1898. J.
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