PRATT, Bessie ¹

   Other names for Bessie were PRAITT, Bessie ² and PRAT, Elizabeth.³

   User ID: X378.

  General Notes:

"Sir William Coupar, who held the chapel between 1520 and 1526/27, named among those to benefit from the celebration of his anniversary Elizabeth Prat, patroness of his chaplainry of SS Thomas and George in the parish church, and Margaret Chalmer, lady of Findlater."

"On 4 Aug 1538 sir William Coupar founded an obit for his parents, his brother sir Andrew, Margaret Chalmer - lady of Findlater, Walter Cullen and Elizabeth Prat." (page 212)

from Medieval Burgh Kirk ¹

  Research Notes:

DEATH DATE and THE CHRONICLE OF ABERDEEN

"OPR
168A ABERDEEN (cont.)

Chronicle of Aberdeen (OPR Chronicle of Aberdeen (OPR 168A/1, 12, and 18). A chronologically-arranged transcription of 'The Chronicle of Aberdeen 1491 to 1594' was published in 'The miscellany of the Spalding Club volume second' (Aberdeen 1842). The preface (xxi-xxxi) explains that the original volumes of baptisms, marriages and deaths were preserved in the Charter-room of the City of Aberdeen. They had been
created for his private use by Walter Cullen (1526-c1610), Vicar and Reader of Aberdeen. The city had paid his daughter, Margaret, two pounds for them after his death. The register also includes lists of elders and deacons, verses and recipes for medical prescriptions.
The 'Detailed list of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland' (Registrar General for Scotland, 1872) does not include a reference to the early entries in the Chronicle or the historical lists. Two entries have been found among baptisms for 1570-1590: Bessie Praitt, daughter of Thomas and wife of Walter Cullen, died 7 December 1538 and Sir William Cowper, chaplain to the parish kirk of Aberdeen died 23 April 1539."

from List of the Old Parish Registers

Note: The date for Bessie's death seems to conflict with the date, as given in General Notes, of August 1538 for the foundation of the obit by William Coupar. It may be Bessie died on 7 December 1538-9, where the New Year began in March, and the Obit was founded in the August of 1539. The rounding of dates in that older system can be confusing. ²

Bessie married Walter CULLEN Magistrate in Aberdeen, son of Andrew CULLEN Merchant, Provost of Aberdeen and Unknown. (Walter CULLEN Magistrate in Aberdeen was born about 1492 and died on 28 October 1561 ¹.)

  Marriage Notes:

"The elder son, Walter (died 28th October, 1561), became one of the magistrates in 1531, and by his wife, Bessie Prat, had two sons: Robert, who fell at the battle of Pinkie, and Walter, who was for some time Reader of the Kirk of S. Nicholas, and author of 'The Chronicle of Aberdeen."

from Aldermen and Provosts ¹