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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Gersum, Gersom(e, n. Also: gerswm, -soume, -sowme, -somme, gearsome, gersym, -son. [e.m.E. gersume, ME. gersum (1389), OE. ger-, gærsum(a, med. L. gersuma. See also Garsum, Girsum, and Gressum.] ‘An anticipation of rent in a gross or lump sum, or a fine paid in consideration of a lease for a term of years’ (Bell, s.v. Grassum).(a) 1465 Misc. Spald. C. V. 393.
We mak kende at the said Thome has payit us to gersome for the said place and tak aucht mark of siluer 1478 Reg. Cupar A. I. 214.
He sal gif in name of gersom betuyx this and fastyn evyn xx s. 1495 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 56.
The money fra the personis that happinnis to haue takis of the tone sal be allouit in thar gersomis 1519 Fife Sheriff Ct. 148.
Williame Mailuillis gersomme of the said Margretis parte of Bennachtye … and … the gersome of Dundownald 1602 Reg. Privy C. VI. 454.
The annuellis arysing of thir gersomes and excres … salbe imployit that way 1653 Soc. Ant. XXIII. 306.
The … moneyes payed … for the gersons of certane lands few'd by them(b) 1484 Acta Aud. *142/2.
Payand … gersum … like as the laif of the contre pait to our souueran lord for sic like land 1507 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 709.
With tuentie crounis of gerssum for ewerie nyntene ȝeire 1545 Reg. Paisley Append., 6.
We … sall caus the saidis Abbot … to be … thankfully payit of all maner of teyndis, fermes, maillis, gersummes [etc.] 1578 Reg. Privy C. III. 21.
Thair wyffis … sall bruik and jois thair takis … without ony gerssum or entrie silver 1614 Melrose P. 142.
That mater of the gerswmes valewed at iiij^c or v^c li. a yeir 1621 Urie Baron Ct. 40.
George … alledgit that he never promeist gersum and siclyk(c) 1481 Acta Aud. 95/2.
The malis of the landis of Tulybagis & the gersovmes & proffitis of thaim 1493 Maxwell Mem. 204.
For mail and gersowme, or for ferme 1510 Crim. Trials I. iii.
The gift of foure merk land … fre of all males and gersovmes and dewitteis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7042.
All his realme he had in regiment, Tuik in his maillis, gersowmes & daylie rent 1576 Oppress. Orkney 57.
For ilk thre ȝeiris gersowme of ane last of land thai war wont to pay fyve dolouris(d) 1550 Rec. Aboyne 84.
For malis, gersymis, and al uder manyr of thingis that maybe askit … indwringe the space of the saidis fyve yeiris

b. Attrib. with land, malt, silver. 1561 Glasgow Prot. III. 4.
[The lands called] the Gerssum lande [on the north] 1565 Hamilton & Camp. Test. I. 14 b.
To the bischop of Glasgw iij firlatis gersum malt 1575 Reg. Soltre 228.
The entres and gersome siluer … to be tane vp and distributit … amang the said beidmen