MELVILLE, JAMES [SSNE 8074]
Text source
James Melville was quartermaster to the Earl of Morton's [SSNE 92] regiment which served in the La Rochelle campaign of 1627. When he returned to Scotland he asked for protection from his creditors based on his "affection for his Majesty's service" and for "verie dewtifullie and carefullie" performing said service.
In 1629 a complaint was filed against him by William and Thomas Dicksoun, "makers of gowffe ballis in Leith." The two men held that, on 20 February, Melville sent several "lawlesse souldiours" to the Dicksoun's homes who threatened them and stole 19 golf balls that were intended to be used by Charles I. Melville claimed he had a royal warrant from James VI to exact a tax on every golf ball made in Scotland. After the robbery, Melville publicly declared he would kill the men or run them out of the golf ball business if they did not pay the tax he said was owed to him. However, he was unable to provide proof in court of the royal warrant and was thus fined £5 for the balls and £100 caution for good behavior.
Melville continued in his position as quartermaster of the regiment after the regiment was recommissioned for Dutch service under Colonel Sir George Hay of Kinfauns [SSNE 5056].
Sources:
Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, 1629-1630, sig. xxiv, pp. 17-18, 99, 121, 124-125, 175.
This entry created by Mr. Jack Abernethy.
Service record
- STUART KINGDOMS, FRANCE, LA ROCHELLE, EARL OF MORTON'S REGIMENT
- Departed 1629-01-01, as QUARTERMASTER
- Capacity SOLDIER, purpose MILITARY
- STUART KINGDOMS, SCOTLAND
- Departed 1629-03-09, as QUARTERMASTER
- Capacity SOLDIER, purpose MILITARY
- THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, THE SCOTS BRIGADE, HAY'S
- Departed 1629-12-31, as QUARTERMASTER
- Capacity SOLDIER, purpose MILITARY