Commissariot of Brechin
The Commissariot Record of Brechin
Edited by Francis J. Grant for the Scottish Record Society, this published register is an index to testaments confirmed in the Brechin Commissary Court. The court served a large part of historic Angus and portions of Kincardineshire, including Brechin, Dundee, Montrose, Guthrie, Monikie, Carmyllie and Stracathro.
For Guthrie research this is one of the richest commissariot indexes in the Special Collections. The present survey contains 52 Guthrie testament holders plus 30 secondary references in which a Guthrie spouse, parent, child or other relationship is named in another person’s index entry.
Collection Overview
Dundee’s Urban Guthries
The index repeatedly identifies Guthries as merchants, burgesses, writers, maltmen, mariners, litsters and civic officers in Dundee. These entries provide a strong framework for separating same-name individuals by occupation and household.
Landed & Territorial Lines
Entries name Guthries of Pitforthie/Pitforthy, Lownan, that Ilk, Connansyth and Clepingtoun, along with people associated with the Mains of Guthrie and Balnabriche.
Clergy & Clerical Families
Ministers at Stracathro, Anstruther, Kier and Dundee appear directly or through their children, providing useful links between ecclesiastical careers and family reconstruction.
Women as Genealogical Anchors
Many entries preserve women’s maiden surnames, husbands, fathers, widowhood and remarriage. These secondary references are often as genealogically valuable as the Guthrie-held testaments themselves.
Primary Testament Holders · Guthrie
These 52 rows are entries in which the Guthrie individual is the primary testament holder.
| Testament Holder | Description / Relationship | Place | Date(s) | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes Guthrie | sometime spouse to umquhile David M‘Kean, merchant in Montrose | Montrose | 7 May 1688 | Entry |
| Alexander Guthrie | maltman, burgess of Dundee, and Elspet Tailzour, his spouse | Dundee | 9 Nov. 1611 | Entry |
| Mr. Alexander Guthrie | minister at Stracathrow, and Magdalen Carnegy, his wife | Stracathro | 10 Feb. 1663 | Entry |
| Alexander Guthrie | collector of his Majesty’s cess and window lights for the burgh of Dundee | Dundee | 25 Sept. 1776 | Entry |
| Andrew Guthrie | litster, burgess of Dundee | Dundee | 22 June 1614 | Entry |
| Andrew Guthrie | lawful son to umquhile Mr. David G., late minister at Anstruther | — | 19 Feb. 1684 | Entry |
| Anne Guthrie | residenter in Dundee, daughter to the deceased Mr. Alexander G., minister at Kier | Dundee | 15 Oct. 1760 | Entry |
| Barbara Guthrie | lawful daughter to umquhile Henry G., merchant, burgess of Dundee | Dundee | 8 Nov. 1637 | Entry |
| Bethia Guthrie | spouse to Francis G., of that Ilk | — | 7 Feb. 1666 | Entry |
| Christian Guthrie | spouse to John Greige, burgess of Montrose | Montrose | 31 Oct. 1600 | Entry |
| Christian Guthrie | spouse to Alexander Duncan, bailie of Dundee | Dundee | 21 June 1665 | Entry |
| David Guthrie | merchant, burgess of Montrose, and Margaret Lichtoun, his spouse | Montrose | 1 Oct. 1640 | Entry |
| Mr. David Guthrie | apothecary in Dundee | Dundee | 8 June 1687 & 7 Dec. 1691 | Entry |
| David Guthrie | of Pitforthy | — | 23 Oct. 1695 | Entry |
| David Guthrie | lawful son to umquhile Mr. David G., of Carsbank | — | 6 Nov. 1736 | Entry |
| Elizabeth Guthrie | sometime spouse to the deceased David Guthrie of Seatown, and relict of David Edgar of Keithock | — | 30 Oct. 1723 | Entry |
| Elspet Guthrie | lawful daughter of John G., merchant, burgess of Dundee | Dundee | 16 Jan. 1626 | Entry |
| Elspet Guthrie | spouse to Andrew Mylnie, in Balnabriche, par. of Brechin | Brechin | 10 May 1630 | Entry |
| Elspet Guthrie | spouse to Robert Gairdyn, merchant, burgess of Montrose | Montrose | 24 Mar. 1642 | Entry |
| Francis Guthrie | writer in Dundee | Dundee | 22 Dec. 1687 | Entry |
| George Guthrie | in Wester Fethie, and Helen Gibson, his spouse | — | 9 Jan. 1600 | Entry |
| Gilbert Guthrie | merchant in Dundee, and Jean Guthrie, his spouse | Dundee | 20 May 1718 | Entry |
| Gilbert Guthrie | in Newlandhead of Auchenleck, par. of Monikie | Monikie | 10 Feb. 1663 | Entry |
| Henry Guthrie | mariner burgess of Dundee, and Myrable Gardyne, his spouse | Dundee | 8 Oct. 1632 | Entry |
| Henry Guthrie | merchant, burgess of Dundee | Dundee | 17 May 1636 | Entry |
| Henry Guthrie | writer in Dundee | Dundee | 14 Nov. 1683 | Entry |
| Mr. Henry Guthrie | of Clepingtoun | — | 17 Nov. 1731 | Entry |
| Isobel Guthrie | indweller in Montrose, daughter of the deceased Walter G., merchant | Montrose | 9 Apr. 1691, 16 Sept. 1692 & 17 Mar. 1697 | Entry |
| Isobel Guthrie | relict of Sir David Ogilvie of Clova | — | 8 June 1698 | Entry |
| James Guthrie | of Pitforthie | — | 10 Nov. 1650 | Entry |
| James Guthrie | writer, burgess of Dundee, and Jean Guthrie, his spouse | Dundee | 3 July 1665 | Entry |
| Mr. James Guthrie | of Connansyth, par. of Carmyllie | Carmyllie | 10 & 18 Apr. 1688 | Entry |
| Janet Guthrie | relict of George Mathie, maltman, citiner of Brechin | Brechin | 8 Jan. 1651 | Entry |
| Janet Guthrie | spouse to Alaster Watt alias Robertson, in Golbertoune | Glenisla | 6 Dec. 1671 | Entry |
| John Guthrie | of Lownan | — | 13 July 1659 | Entry |
| Captain John Guthrie | merchant in Brechin | Brechin | 29 Sept. 1687 | Entry |
| Mr. John Guthrie | minister at Dundee | Dundee | 6 Nov. 1688 | Entry |
| John Guthrie | of that Ilk | — | 21 Sept. 1728 | Entry |
| Mr. John Guthrie | of Westhall | — | 31 Jan. 1741 | Entry |
| John Guthrie | merchant in Dundee | Dundee | 25 Apr. 1786 | Entry |
| Margaret Guthrie | spouse to James Baldowie of that Ilk | Dundee | 30 June 1613 | Entry |
| Margaret Guthrie | spouse to Hercules Car, maltman, citiner of Brechin | Brechin | 27 Nov. 1635 | Entry |
| Margaret Guthrie | spouse to John Sherar, merchant, burgess in Dundee | Dundee | 15 Apr. 1670 | Entry |
| Nicolas Guthrie | spouse to John Fentoun, at the Mylne of Guthrie | — | 8 June 1598 | Entry |
| Patrick Guthrie | elder, merchant, burgess of Dundee | Dundee | 13 Jan. 1625 | Entry |
| Patrick Guthrie | elder, merchant, burgess of Dundee, and Elizabeth Halyburton, his spouse | Dundee | 4 Aug. 1644 | Entry |
| Robert Guthrie | merchant in Dundee | Dundee | 8 Jan. 1677 | Entry |
| Sara Guthrie | indweller in Dundee, relict of Patrick Kello | Dundee | 29 July 1643 | Entry |
| Thomas Guthrie | merchant in Dundee | Dundee | Dec. 1795 | Entry |
| William Guthrie | lawful son of John G., merchant, burgess of Dundee | Dundee | 25 Sept. 1628 | Entry |
| William Guthrie | in Chrynsyde, par. of Monikie | Monikie | 3 Mar. 1648 | Entry |
| William Guthrie | sometime bailie of Dundee, and Margaret Lyon, his spouse | Dundee | 21 Oct. 1692 | Entry |
Secondary References · Guthrie Relationships
These 30 rows are non-Guthrie testament holders whose index descriptions identify a Guthrie spouse or other Guthrie relationship. They are retained separately so that the same event is not mistaken for a Guthrie-held testament.
| Primary Person | Guthrie Relationship / Cross-Reference | Place | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| David M‘Kean | merchant in Montrose (See Agnes Guthrie) | Montrose | — |
| Elspet Tailzour | (See Alexander Guthrie, maltman, burgess of Dundee) | Dundee | — |
| Alexander Rhind | merchant, burgess of Dundee, and Barbara Guthrie, his spouse | Dundee | 22 July 1626 |
| John Greig | burgess of Montrose (See Christian Guthrie) | Montrose | — |
| Margaret Lichtoun | (See David Guthrie, merchant, burgess of Montrose) | Montrose | — |
| Andrew Mylne | in Balnabriche (See Elspet Guthrie) | Brechin | — |
| Helen Gibson | in Wester Fethie (See George Guthrie) | — | — |
| Christian Wright | spouse to Gilbert Guthrie, merchant, burgess in Dundee | Dundee | 17 Oct. 1662 |
| Myrable Gardyne | (See Henry Guthrie, mariner, burgess of Dundee) | Dundee | — |
| Sir David Ogilvie | of Clova (See Isobel Guthrie) | — | — |
| John Rodger | in the Mains of Guthrie, and Isobel Guthrie, his spouse | — | 25 Feb. 1671 |
| Isobel Scott | (and Elizabeth), daughters of John S., and the also deceased Isobel Guthrie, his first spouse | Dundee | 28 Dec. 1744 |
| Euphame | spouse to James Guthrie, sometime in Cottoun of Nether Dysert | — | 16 July 1611 |
| George Mathie | maltman, citiner of Brechin, and Janet Guthrie, his spouse | Brechin | 12 June 1623 |
| Alaster Watt (alias Robertson) | (See Janet Guthrie) | — | — |
| John Marr | in Stoniefalds, and Janet Guthrie, his spouse | — | 11 Aug. 1662 |
| Mr. William Raitt | minister in Dundee, and Janet Guthrie, his spouse | Dundee | 6 Feb. 1684 |
| Janet Kay | spouse to John Guthrie, in Cottoun of Kynnard | — | 20 Jan. 1625 |
| Margaret Lessells | spouse to John Guthrie, merchant, burgess of Dundee | Dundee | 1 Oct. 1625 |
| Agnes Stables | spouse to John Guthrie, merchant, burgess of Dundee | Dundee | 11 Sept. 1662 |
| John Shearer | merchant, burgess in Dundee (See Margaret Guthrie) | Dundee | — |
| Robert Williamson | skipper in Montrose, and Margaret Guthrie, his spouse | Montrose | 15 Sept. 1679 |
| Elizabeth Halyburton | (See Patrick Guthrie, elder, merchant, burgess of Dundee) | Dundee | — |
| Margaret Wilkieson | relict of Patrick Guthrie, elder, merchant, burgess of Dundee | Dundee | 16 Jan. 1626 |
| Agnes Ramsay | relict of Robert Guthrie, burgess in Dundee | Dundee | 17 Mar. 1669 |
| Patrick Kello | (See Sara Guthrie) | Dundee | — |
| Margaret Lyon | relict of William Guthrie, sometime bailie of Dundee | Dundee | 16 Oct. 1708 |
| Jean Milne | spouse to William Guthrie, merchant in Brechin | Brechin | 13 May 1720 |
| Catherine Stewart | in Halhill, and William Guthrie, her spouse | — | 17 Nov. 1658 |
| William Watt | wheelwright, burgess in Brechin, and Elizabeth Guthrie, his spouse | Brechin | 16 May 1670 |
Research Leads from the Index
Several index entries intersect directly with established Guthrie Genealogy research areas. They are best treated as documentary leads until the underlying testament images have been examined.
of Pitforthie · 10 Nov. 1650
The index locates the testament; the underlying CC3 record should be consulted before drawing further genealogical conclusions.
of Pitforthy · 23 Oct. 1695
The index locates the testament; the underlying CC3 record should be consulted before drawing further genealogical conclusions.
of Lownan · 13 July 1659
The index locates the testament; the underlying CC3 record should be consulted before drawing further genealogical conclusions.
of that Ilk · 21 Sept. 1728
The index locates the testament; the underlying CC3 record should be consulted before drawing further genealogical conclusions.
spouse to Francis G., of that Ilk · 7 Feb. 1666
The index locates the testament; the underlying CC3 record should be consulted before drawing further genealogical conclusions.
spouse to Andrew Mylnie, in Balnabriche, par. of Brechin · 10 May 1630
The index locates the testament; the underlying CC3 record should be consulted before drawing further genealogical conclusions.
Terms & Practices
Umquhile: Scots legal term meaning “late” or “deceased.”
Testament: In Scottish commissary practice, the confirmed record commonly concerns the deceased person’s moveable estate and may include an inventory, debts, executors, cautioners and kinship evidence.
Eik: A later addition to an already confirmed testament, often adding property or debt omitted from the original inventory.
Register gaps: The surviving Brechin testament registers contain substantial gaps. The published index used surviving original testaments to fill some of those gaps; in the printed volume such entries are marked with a preceding “T.”
Best research practice: Use Grant’s index to locate the person and confirmation date, then consult the corresponding CC3 testament or warrant through the National Records of Scotland / ScotlandsPeople before making detailed genealogical conclusions.
Sources & Access
Published index: Francis J. Grant, W.S., ed., The Commissariot Record of Brechin: Register of Testaments, 1576–1800, Scottish Record Society, Old Series No. 13 (Edinburgh: printed for the Society by James Skinner & Company, 1902).
Online copy: Internet Archive · commissariotreco19brec.
Repository: National Records of Scotland · Brechin Commissary Court, CC3. The catalogue includes the Register of Testaments, warrants, act books, processes, deeds and related commissary material.
Research access: ScotlandsPeople · Angus wills and testaments guidance.
Series bibliography: Scottish Record Society · Old Series Publications.
Guthrie Genealogy · Special CollectionsBrechin Commissary Court · Thistle Archive