MELVILLE, Thomas of Blackstone, Dean of Guild in Aberdeen ¹

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Thomas married Christian ANDERSON, daughter of John ANDERSON Burgess in Aberdeen, Painter and Unknown.¹ (Christian ANDERSON was born about 1608.)

  Marriage Notes:

"In 1648-49, and again in 1656, Thomas Melville held the office of Dean of Guild of Aberdeen, he was the son of Walter Melville, merchant, Aberdeen, and grand-nephew of Sir John Melville of Raith.

As 'chieffe host jonkheer' [the principal young gentleman responsible for entertaining] in. the magnificent train of the Duke of Holstein's embassy to the Court of Persia, he had five years' experience of Court etiquette (1634-9). This stood him in good stead on his subsequently settling in Aberdeen, for he was at once singled out to act as captain of the guard of honour to Charles II., on the occasion of that monarch visiting the city in the summer of 1650.

He was proprietor of Blackstone, and married Christian Anderson (daughter of John Anderson, painter, burgess, Aberdeen), by whom he had at least two sons - Walter, goldsmith, burgess, Aberdeen, and Captain George, of Crescenthall. The latter signalised himself by rescuing, at the peril of his life, the legs of the executed Marquis of Montrose, which had been exposed in the steeples of the tolbooths of Stirling and Glasgow respectively. For this, he was taken under the special protection of the Graham family, and in 1674 James, Marquits of Montrose, issued an order to the Lyon King of Arms to add to the charge of Captain Melville's coat of arms two naked legs of a man. He married Vera Murray ; and it may be added, in explanation of a singular custom of the period, that at the baptism of their son, George, on 14th December, 1664, no fewer than fifteen of the leading gentlemen of the city and county, all bearing the name of 'George,' were present. (Birkwood Family Papers.)" (page 7)

"For the work mentioned, plus a small sum of money advanced, he (John Anderson) secured, in 1642, from George, Lord Gordon, a bond for 5500 merks Scots. The witnesses to the deed were Robert Buchan of Portlethen, with Patrick Innes and John Gordon, servitors. Anderson, intending the interest of the bond to form a portion of his provision for his two daughters Christian Anderson, the elder daughter, was married to Thomas Melville of Blackstone. some time Dean of Guild of Aberdeen, and captain of the guard of honour to Charles II. on the occasion of that King's visit to Aberdeen in 1650, assigned the bond to his son-in-law Davidson, who had undertaken to pay the half return to Melville and his wife. Through the death of Lord Gordon in the battle of Alford on 2nd July, 1646, and the subsequent execution of his father, George, second Marquis of Huntly, however, the investment proved ruinous, principal and interest being lost."

from Notes and Queries ¹