Hello,
I just went through David Semple's transcript of the 1695 Poll Tax returns for Renfrewshire. I was looking for a John Andrew, who lived in Drumgrain in the Parish of Neilston.
I know that John Andrew was born about 1650 and was a son of Matthew Andrew in Drumgrain. John was given a feu-charter to the 20 shilling 6 penny land of Drumgrain by John Wallace of Neilstonside in 1684. John died before 1709, when Drumgrain was inherited by his son John Andrew. It is worth noting that the Andrews were called “in Drumgrain,” as opposed to “of Drumgrain” even after 1684. Drumgrain was sold for just over 273 pounds by Janet Andrew (daughter of the second John Andrew) in 1758.
There are two John Andrews, both with sons named John, living in “Neilstounsyde Lands in Dumgrein” listed in the transcript:
1. John Andrew, valued at 18 pounds 10 shillings. No wife, but children John & Marion.
2. John Andrew, valued at 25 pounds 10 shillings. Wife Jennet Lachlane, children John and Matthew, and servant Jean Cochrane.
Is there anyway to determine which one of these John Andrews is mine? I am leaning towards the second one, since he is valued slightly higher and has a servant.
Stefan Ramonat
