Anderson's Protocol Book. 181 



something about the places, whose names occur in these in- 

 struments, for, without some explanation, the descriptions of 

 properties, especially urban tenements, are hardly intelligible. 



Although the protocols extend to only loo memoranda 

 they exhibit a considerable clientele and embrace an extensive 

 tract of country. Among those whom Herbert Anderson did 

 business for were the Earl of Glencairn, Lord Crichton of 

 Sanquhar, Lord Carlyle of Torthorwald, the Earl of Morton, 

 and Lord Hay of Vester. He also acted for the considerable 

 landed families of Glendinning of Parton, Lindsay of Barcloy, 

 Grierson of Lag, and the Fergussons of Craigdarroch, Isle 

 and Glencrosh. The officials of Lincluden College and the 

 Grey Friars of Dumfries also employed him. 



A larger number of the protocols deal with Glencairn 

 than with any other parish, and visits there were of frequent 

 occurrence. Anderson's business took him as far as Parton 

 on the west, Kirkbride (Sanquhar) on the north, Colvend on 

 the south, Bodsbek on the north-east, and Hoddom on the 

 south-east. 



A few notes on the topography of Dumfries at the period 

 may assist in defining the entries relating to that Burgh. 

 With the exception of the northmost portion of the town 

 beyond Friars' Vennel and St Andrew Street, which were 

 practically continuous — broken only by Bell's Wynd, which 

 is, with some doubt. Castle Street — and formed the northern 

 boundaries of the town, the streets in the centre of the burgh 

 in the i6th century followed mainly the lines of those of the 

 present day. " Townhead " was occasionally the name for 

 the quarter of the burgh (No. 38) comprising St Andrew 

 Street, Queensberry Street, Chapel Street, and Academy 

 Street, and at other times more definitely St Andrew Street 

 (Nos. 90, 91). Loreburn Street was a mere lane called 

 " the passage under the Yairds." Queensberry Street was 

 the " back raw " (Nos. 38, 84), while between the High 

 Street (Nos. 84, 86, 87) and Queensberry Street was a row 

 of houses (it is doubtful if there was a street) known as the 

 " mid raw." Intersecting these houses and parallel with St 

 Andrew Street was the Rattanraw or Chapel Hill, now Chapel 

 Street. Here for some two centuries stood the School of 



