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

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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Toun clerk, n. Also: toune-, town(e)-, townes- and -clark. [ME and e.m.E. tounclerk (1343), toune clarcke (Tindale).] The clerk appointed to act as secretary to the governing body of a town and responsible for keeping written records of all administration.(a) 1582 Reg. Privy C. III 471.
Thomas Malesoun, toun-clerk of the said burgh 1622-6 Bisset II 137/28.
All seasingis within burrowes suld be gevin be the baillies and toun clerk of the burgh quhilk clerk suld subscryve the seasing autentictlie 1632 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 463.
Delyverit … to Robert Glendonyng toun clerk ane minut buik and ane register of the tounship of Kirkcudbricht of ther common effairis and registeris quhilk wes lyand in Edinburgh c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. 13.
Mr. Alexander Guthry tounclark 1657 Rothesay B. Rec. 15.
They have nominatt electit and choisen Donald McGilchrist to be thair toune clerk 1664 Rothesay B. Rec. 87.
The … magistrats haveing conveanit the counsell … for electing of new magistrats [etc.] … taking to consideratioune that they wantit ane towne clark to inact quhat sould be voycit and concludit be thame in anything that relatit to thair affairs did unanimouslie woyce nominat and elect the said John McGilchrist to be clark to thame … quho gawe his aothe for faithfull administratioune 1677 Cullen Kirk S. 1 Sept.
I John Lorimer toune clark of Cullen 1680 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 17 Jan.
They tuik instruments in the hands of me Johne Inglis notar publict and toune clerk efter subscryvand 1681 Fountainhall Decis. I 151.
Town-clerk 1689 Peebles B. Rec. II 129.
The toun clerk to conveen the habile burgesses and to proceid in the said election [sc. of magistrates and toun council](b) 1645 Glasgow B. Rec. II 88.
The … provest, bailleis and counsell … ratifeis and approvis the … actis and caviatis maid anent the electioun of the townes clark yeirlie

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