History of corn milling .. - Centrostudirpinia.it

SOME FEUDAL MILLS. 213
parts and privileges of the same respectively ; with the v.
parsonage
and others ;
teinds whatsoever of the same mill lands corpora-
^^^^ mills.
which subjects, including the said multures,
sequels, and parts and pertinents, have been possessed ^' Purchase,
and enjoyed from time immemorial by them and their
predecessors in office on behalf foresaid." It seems
evident, therefore, that the millowners then held no
rights over the town. But the purchasers immediately
set about creating such a right.
The corporation were compelled to borrow money
to cover their purchase. According to a deed
recorded in the sheriff-books of Roxburghshire, the
provost, bailies, etc., convened a town's meeting
February 5, 1670, for the purpose of considering
and condescending upon what effectual course might
be taken "to satisfy Mr. John Watt of Rosehill of
the soum of 19,000 merks money as the aggried
pryes of the thrie corne mylnes and waulk mylne
and uthers, disponed be the Earle of Lothiane and
Robert Lord Ker of Newbattle, quhilke is assigned
be them to the said Maister Johne as ane of their
creditors." At this meeting, numbering over
hundred it burgesses, was resolved that
two
" they and
everie ane of them most freelie, willinglie, and unani-
and be their
mouslie condiscendit, concludit, aggried,
prets condescends, concluds, and aggries in manner,
form, and effect as after follows ; to wit, that the
haill common goods, particularlie the Customs,
Weyhts, Halfe-furlott, and Laidle of the said boroughe,
with the thrie Corn Mylnes, Walkmylne, hous's,
yards, lands, and outhers belonginge thairto, and also
the ground annuals belonging to the said broughe,
with the Counsell House, loft and lande and Boothes
thairof, shall be rouped and fermed to any person
or persons wha will undertake payment of the foresaid
soume of 26,000 marks or thairby."