Documents concerning legal proceedings: John Gordon and Sir Thomas Hamilton against...

Documents concerning legal proceedings: John Gordon and Sir Thomas Hamilton against William Hay. (ff 115-117): (i) Royal order to [blank] sheriffs in hac parte. They are to summon before the lords of council and session on 24 February William Hay of Urie, son and heir of John Hay of Urie, deceased, leaseholders of [? part of the tithes of] the property underwritten, to answer charges brought by John Gordon, parson of Crimond, and Sir Thomas Hamilton, advocate for the crown's interest. Hay is to bring with him a 'pretended lease and assedation' to John Hay, made in the year 15 'fourscoir and [blank]' by Archibald Keith, deceased, minister and parson of Crimond, allegedly with the consent of David Cunningham, deceased bishop of Aberdeen, and the canons of the cathedral, of property [named] in Crimond and the neighbourhood, all in the diocese and sheriffdom of Aberdeen. The lords intend to declare the lease void, since: a) The parsonage of Crimond belongs to the chapter of Aberdeen Cathedral, and the name of only one member of the chapter, Robert Mers [? er], instead of the mandatory quorum of three, appears on the lease. b) The one signature appears in any case to be a forgery. Witnesses [unnamed] are also to be summoned. [Signed]: James. '28 Jarij 1609'. T. Crombie. Seal. Notarial sign. Edinburgh, 24 January 1609. (ii) Note [in different hand] that as one of the attorneys was absent the case is to be continued. [Endorsed]: 1. By the sheriff, John Mitchell. On 2 February 1609 he personally summoned William Hay, and gave him a copy of the summons. Two witnesses [named] to his action. Seal. 2.-6. Jottings [in different hands, largely illegible], one dated 25 February 1609 and signed by [Sir] Thomas Hamilton. 4 March [?1567]