Watch List notes:

Scotland, Aberdeen, Minute of Agreement dated 6 October 1846, a large, single paper document between John Blaikie, Advocate in Aberdeen as factor for and trustee for John Menzies of Pitfodels and Alexander Mathieson, cropper at Drumforskie, Aberdeen for lease of about ten acres on the hill at Drumforskie, signed by Alexander Mathieson, William Rae (clerk to law firm of John Blaikie & Smith) and witness, James Malcolm (writer), of interest is the use of interesting phrasing at that time for the timetable of paying rent, namely, 'payable at two terms in the year Whitsunday after sowing and Martinmas after reaping' (both times of the year relating to religious festivals); also Australia, NSW, Deed of Appointment dated 19 September 1900 of John Norman Starkey as trustee of the Will of John Thomas Starkey in lieu of Richard John Horner Jenkins, signed by all interested parties with witness signatures, and with affixed duty stamps. The first with a few small tears on folds and at edges and small loss of paper at edge and some light foxing, otherwise very good and interesting document, the second with heavy foxing on outside centre section, otherwise fine. (2)

John Menzies was the last of his staunchly Roman Catholic family. In 1805 he started to sell off sections of the historic family estate of Pitfodels donating the money to charitable causes and on his death in 1843 much of the property was donated to the Catholic Church for its use. The castle that once dominated the estate no longer exists but the area is home to several magnificent mansions. John Thomas Starkey of Berowra at Randwick, Sydney, NSW died on 21 November 1892 at 41 years of age.
($40-50)