Burial in St David's, Glasgow - lair of Baillie

[DMHolden]

Skoosh - So are the Baillie's Lair(s) named after someone who held that position or because of the first family to purchase gravespace was called Baillie?  Are there Lairs in other graveyards but called by a different name/surname?  They don't exist in England as far as I am aware so it is fascinating to hear about them.

[Lodger]

There is no mention in the Ramshorn/St David's MI book of "baillie's lairs". Skoosh is quite right, a baillie was an old Scottish term and the closest modern-day equivalent is a town/city councillor.

I have ploughed through old Scottish churchyard and burial ground records, not to mention city and burgh records (mostly in the Glasgow/Lanarkshire area) but I have never come across the term "baillie's lair/plot". 
If I did come across a mention of "Baillie's plot" I would presume it refered to a family by the name of Baillie.

[DMHolden]

I am quoting from the record shown on Scotland's People - there is a column headed 'In the Lair of' and then various names/Common are written   I have attached a snip of the book page - the details of the person being buried are on the opposite page.  The snip starts with the initials of the Undertaker and includes a note that there was a hearse and two horses.

[Lodger]

Yes, I see what you mean. all I can say is that these are burial records, the book I have is monumental inscriptions only. There were 2 distinct burial grounds here - St David's churchyard (founded 1720) and the Ramshorn Burying Ground (founded 1780).
The "Baillie's" may have been a piece of common (or public) ground, probably in the Ramshorn ground that was set aside for children (how old was your John Menzie in 1840?) or for indigent family members of baillies of Glasgow? Perhaps purchased for that purpose by a bequest? Who knows.

The records used to be kept by Glasgow City Archives (previously Strathclyde Regional Archives) and may still be there (with copies at Edinburgh) but because of the current situation, the Archives are closed. There is also an  old book, possibly there is a copy in the City Archives at the Mitchell Library, called "Story of the Ramshorn Churchyard" by Rev E. Sherwood Gunson, published 1910. It may have some useful information.

I wonder what "2 off 76" means against Robt Cooper? Interesting that there is no Robert Cooper in the index for the MI's. "W&L" stands for Wylie & Lochhead, undertakers.

[DMHolden]

That's in the Number and Wall column, then the next column is the Churchyard - this varies from St David to College to one that says 5 of N2 WMW ?  John was 34 at the time of his burial.  With his occupation being a Tavern keeper I am hoping there might be something in the Archives about licensing records - I haven't found a record in the on line available Street and Trade journals for the time of his death 

[Skoosh]

There was the "Baillie Institution" whose library was in the former St David's Free Church in Miller Street and was endowed by a George Baillie. Presumably the "Baillie" had a section in the Ramshorn & the Old College in the High Street, one imagines, might also have required a plot for staff or students dying far from home? 2 off 76 must be a lair.

Skoosh.

The Merchant's House should have some record of your man.

https://www.merchantshouse.org.uk

[DMHolden]

Thanks - I will message them

[Lodger]

As far as I understand "2 off 76" meant that plot (or lair) 76 was against a wall and this interment took place in the second plot in from No.76. An odd way of doing it but it probably made perfect sense at the time. I have no idea what the letters stand for. There are an awful lot of "dittos" in that column, that's a little odd too.
Skoosh - good idea to try the Trades/ Merchants House.

[DMHolden]

Thank you both - been very helpful to get others opinions and guidance.