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Certificate of character for William Burnes

Key details

Archive number
NTS/02/25/BRN/03/03/02
Alt. number
3.6003
Date
1748
On display
No
Creator
Stewart, John (Author)
Schank, Alexander (Author)
Recipient
Burnes, William

Description

Certificate of character for William Burnes. This certificate of good character of William Burnes was written by 2 of his employers Sir William Ogilvy and John Stewart in 1748.

William Burnes (1721-84) was born in the north east of Scotland and trained as a gardener. In 1748, he obtained a certificate of good character from three local landlords, Sir William Ogilvy, John Stewart, and Alexander Schank testifying that he was 'a very well inclind lad'.

William took this character reference with him when he travelled to Edinburgh where there was a need for gardeners. For two years he worked in landscaping in the city, with part of his work including The Meadows. He later travelled on to Ayrshire, where he met his future wife Agnes Broun.

Archive information


Hierarchy

  1. Letters, documents and ephemera regarding the family of Robert Burns ( )
  2. Letters and Documents Related to William Burnes ( )
  3. Certificate of character for William Burnes

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