Retours & Services of Heirs

Preserved at the National Archives of Scotland

1544-1800

The Retours and Services of Heirs, which are part of the Chancery records, are records of the procedure whereby an heir who had proved his right of inheritance to lands owned by a deceased ancestor before an inquest, had the findings �retour� (= return) to Chancery. Retours which specified the lands were called special retours. A summary of the retours to 1700 was published in two volumes in 1811 and an index thereto in a third volume in 1816. The volumes are written in Latin and entitled Inquisitionum ad Capellan Regis Retornatarum Abbreviatio. Starting in 1700 and up to the present day, there is a series of printed �Indexes to the Services of Heirs in Scotland�, decennial up to 1859, annual thereafter. The originals retours are preserved at the National Archives of Scotland. I have had a number of the original extracted and in the list below are indicated by an asterisk. I have included some of the extracts taken from the original Chancery records.


December 13, 1609
Andreas Mulligane burgess of Dumfries, heares Joannis Mulligane burgensis dicti burgi, fratris germane.
General iv 322*.

Extract of Original: Andrew Mulligane burgess of Dumfries, heir of John Mulligane burgess of the said burgh, his brother germane who died in the month of December thereabouts 1608.
[Retours of Services of Heirs 1544-1699 (NAS), C22/4/322]

March 6, 1624
Joannes Amullikin, haers Janetae Amullikin spouse Thomas Amullikin mercatoris ac burgensis de Edinburgh, matris - in annu redditu 100m. de Volta et domo in burgo de Edinburgh - E 10s.
Special Edinburgh VIII. 230*.

Extract of Original: In Edinburgh 6 March 1624, the inquest jury being sworn stated that the late Jonet Amullikin spouse of Thomas Amullikin merchant burgess of the said burgh, mother of John Amullikin bearer of these presents died last vest and seized at peace and faith of our Sovereign Lord the King in all and whole that annual rent of merks Scots to be lifted at 2 terms of the year Pentecost and St. Martins in winter in equal portions of a vault and house with all its pertinents before and behind under and lying in the bottom of a tenement of the late William Quhytheid which lies on the south of the King�s way between the tenements of the land of the heir of the William Adamesone on the east and the tenement of the late David Bell on the west and that the said John Amullikin is the lawful and hearer heir of the late Jonet Amullikin his mother lawfully procreated between her and Thomas Amullikin her spouse � that John Amullikin is of lawful age. The foresaid annual rent is valued at 10/-. The land is held of the King in free burgage tenure and had been in the King�s hand since the death of the late Jonet Amullikin his mother who died in the month of August 1623.
[Retours of Services of Heirs 1544-1699 (NAS), C22/8/230]

April 8, 1630
Johannes Mulligane polentarius burgensis de Drumfreis, haeres Johannis Mulligane polentarii burgensis dicti burgi patrui - in dimidia parte annui redditus 10L de 10 acris terrarum nuncupatis lie ten aikars de terris de Curstaines, in regalitate de Lyncluden et parochia de Troqueir.
Special Kirkcudbright xi 212*.

Extract of Original: John Mulligane maltman burgess of Dumfries, heir of John Mulligane maltman burgess of the said burgh his uncle � in a half part of an annual rent of �10 on 10 acres of land now called the ten aikers of lands of Curstaines [Curriestanes], in regality of Lyncluden and parish of Troqueir [Troqueer]. William Maxwell of Curstaines was the superior of these lands, the rent of which had been in his lands since the death of John Mulligane who died in March 1609, as the heir had been in his minority.
[Retours of Services of Heirs 1544-1699 (NAS), C22/11/212]

May 14, 1633
Jacobus Myllighame de Blackmyre, haeres Jacobus Millighame de Blakmyre, patris - in 5 mercatis terrarum de Craigok, et 2� mercatis terrarum of Holme de Dalqhairne antiqu extentus, in parishes de Balmaclellane et Dalry respective. AE 5L NE 15L. Special Kirkcudbright xiii 92.

February 20, 1634
Willielmus Mullikin, haeres Thomas Mullikin Mercatoris burginsis de Edinburgh, patris - in tenenent in Edinburgh pro principali et in warrantum, - annuo redditu 100m de tenements in Edinburgh E3s 4d.
Special Edinburgh xiii 197*.

Extract of Original: At Edinburgh 20 February 1634 the jury having been sworn stated that the late Thomas Mullikin merchant burgess of the said burgh father of William bearer of these present, died last vest and seized at peace and faith of our Sovereign Lord the King in all and whole that hinter land below and above with vault and yard and its pertinents on the east parts crossing the same land behind, once belonging to the late James Carmichael then to the late Thomas Mullikin lying with in the tenement of land of the late John Renton on the south and the Nor� Loch of the said burgh to the north. Which tenement of the said John Renton lies on the north part of the King�s way between the tenement of land of the late Alexander Maissoun on the west and the land of William Anderson on the east parts. And indeed in all and whole those two stalls of the said tenement of land before said, one stall beneath and before, formerly occupied by William Herper merchant burgess of the said burgh, the other over and before formerly occupied by the said William Herpar with its pertinents as principal � and indeed in all and whole the remaining part of a tenement of land belonging before to the late John Renton, below and above with pertinents in special warrandice and security of the said hinter lands with vault and yard and two stalls with pertinents. Also in all and whole the land building and waste area under and above the yard and pertinents formerly belonging to the late Leonard Robeson butcher lying in the said burgh on the south parts of the King�s way between the tenements of the land of the George Agie on the north and the King�s wall, the lands formerly of the late James Ross treasurer of the said burgh on the south and the lands of the late Lawrence Sympsoun on the west. Following, in all and whole an annual rent of 100 merks Scots lifted at 2 terms of the year Pentecost and St. Martins in winter by equal portions etc. (this is the same annual rent as was granted to John Amullikin in the above service dated 6 March 1624). The said William Mullikin is the lawful and nearer heir of the said late Thomas Mullikin his father merchant burgess of Edinburgh � and that he is of lawful age. All this is valued at �3 4d a year and is held of the king in free burgage tenure. It has been in the King�s hand since the death of Thomas Mullikin. No death date is given.
[Retours of Services of Heirs 1544-1699 (NAS), C22/13/197]

April 29, 1645
Robertus Amuligane in Meikle Dempstertoune, haers Fergusii Amuligane ibidem, petris, - in 10 solidatis terrarum exterris de Meikle Dempstertoun antiqui extentus, in parochia de Dunscoir - E 16s 4d.
Special Dumfries XVIII. 231*.

September 22, 1649
Robertus Mulligane, ludimagister burgensis de Edinburgh, haeres Walter Mathiesone pistoris burgenis de Edinburgh, filii avunculi.
General xx 126.

Translation: Robert Mulligane Swordmaster burgess of Edinburgh heir of Walter Mathiesone baker of the burgh of Edinburgh son of the maternal uncle.

November 4, 1662
Jacobus Mulligane de Blakmyre, haeres Jacobi Mulligane de Blakmyre, avi - 2� mercatis terrai de Holme de Dalquhaire, infra parochian de BalM'Cellan.
Special Kirkcudbright xxvii 2*.

July 12, 1676
Joannes Millikin servitor Magistri Jacobi Maxwell in comitatu de Caven in Regno Hiberniae, haeres Jacobi Millikin patris.
General xxxiii 6*.

July 12, 1676

Joannes Millikin servitor Jacobi Maxwell in comitatu de Caven in Regno Hiberniae, haeres Jacobi Millikin filii .... de Blackmyr, fratris german.
General xxxiii 6*.

July 12, 1676
Joannes Millikin servitor Jacobi Maxwell in comitatu de Caven in Regno Hiberniae, haeres Jacobi Millikin, filii Jacobi Millikin de Blackmyr fratris filii.
General xxxiii 12*.

November 22, 1694
Robertus Milligain filuis Roberti Milligain Mercatoris in Dumfries, haers Joannis Milligain Mercatoris burgensis de Dumfries, avi.
General xliv 205*.

December 10, 1709
Alexander Milliken in Auchmilling to his Uncle William Ferguson of Hern. Heir General Dated 10 December, 1709.
Registered 19 December, 1709*.

February 13, 1710
Janet Millikine, in Glasgow to her father Robert Dunlop Meat Dealer there. Heir Portioner General Dated 13 February, 1710.
Registered 21 February 1710.

December 4, 1716
Robert Milligan in Glenshinneroch, to his father Quintin Milligan in Glenshinneroch. Heir General Dated 4 December, 1716.
Registered 19 December, 1716*.

December 10, 1730
Alexander Millikine Portioner of Auchmillane to his Great Grandfather John Millikine in Auchmillane who died -. Heir special in a 6s. 8d. land of Auchmillane in the Regality of Kylesmuir and Mauchline, Ayrshire. Dated 10 December, 1730.
Registered 13 July, 1731*.

February 25, 1745
Janet Millikine, wife of Jas Millikine, soldier, to her father Robert Fulton, Coppersmith in Glasgow. Heir Portioner of Glasgow Dated 25 February, 1745.

December 19, 1747
Robert Milligan, to his father John Milligan of Cargane. Heir General Dated 19 December 1747.
Registered 24 December 1747*.

September 3, 1748
Lilly Milligan, daughter of John Milligan, to her Grandfather Robert Milligan, portioner of Newton. Heir Portioner General Dated 3 September 1748.
Registered 1 October 1748.

September 3, 1748
Mary Milligan, daughter of John Milligan, to her Grandfather Robert Milligan, portioner of Newton. Heir Portioner General Dated 3 September 1748.
Registered 1 October 1748*.

January 21, 1765
Alexander Milliken, son of James Milliken of Milliken to his brother James Milliken junior of Milliken who died April 1762. Heir of Provision Special in the Kirklands of Kilbarachan, Teinds of Waterston, Lands of Over Johnston etc. Renfrewshire Dated 21 January, 1765.
Registered 29 April, 1765*.

June 27, 1767
Jane Milligan, wife of Thomas McMath in Penport, to her father Thomas Milligan there. Heir Portioner General Dated 27 June 1767.
Registered [--] July 1767.

June 27, 1767
Janet Milligan, wife of John Carsan of Dalwhat, to her father Thomas Milligan in Penpont. Heir Portioner General Dated 27 June 1767.
Registered [--] July 1767.

December 31, 1765
Jane Milliken wife of William Napier of Culcreuch to her brother Alexander Milliken who died Oct. 1765. Heir of Provision Special in the Kirklands of Kilbarachan, Teinds of Waterston, Lands of Over Johnston etc. Renfrewshire Dated 31 December, 1765.
Registered 29 January, 1766.

December 14, 1769
Sophia Milligan in Moffat, to her brother James Johnston, Captain of the Invalides. Heir of Provision General Dated 14 December 1769.
Registered January 1779.

April 10, 1786
Jane Milliken widow of Lieut. Col. William Napier of Culcroich, to her father James Milliken of Milliken. Heir of Provision General Dated 10 April, 1786.
Registered 15 November, 1786.

March 28, 1789
Patrick Hunter in London, to his mother Marion Milliken, daughter of Hugh Milliken, Port Glasgow. Heir General Dated 28 March 1789.
Registered 20 April 1789.

September 24, 1792
Marion Clark, wife of David Milligan of Dalscairth, to her brother John Clark of Culgruff. Heir General Dated 24 September 1792.
Registered 8 December 1792.

October 7, 1796
Jean Milligan, wife of Robert Milligan, merchant, London, to her brother William Dunbar, merchant there. Heir Portioner General. Dated 7 October 1796.
Registered 18 October 1796.

January 30, 1797
Alexander Buchanan, to his mother Elizabeth Milligan, wife of John Buchanan, Supervisor of Customs, Kirkcudbright. Heir General. Dated 30 January 1797.
Registered 28 February 1797.

July 26, 1799
Janet Porter, wife of John Gordon in Auchinhay, to her uncle David Milligan of Dalscairth, who died 25 January 1798. Heir Portioner Special, in the superiority of the Little Furthhead in the parish of Urr, Kirkcudbright. Dated 26 July 1799.
Registered 12 August 1799.




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