| Collection | GB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections |
| Level | Fonds |
| Ref No | MS 2264 |
| Title | Records of the Spalding Club (1839 - 1869) and New Spalding Club (1886 - 1928), Aberdeen |
| Date | 1404 - 1890 |
| Extent | 2 boxes: 0.66 linear metres |
| Creator Name | Spalding Club (1839 - 1869), Aberdeen
New Spalding Club (1886 - 1928), Aberdeen |
| Administrative History | The Spalding Club (1839 - 1869) was established in Aberdeen by Joseph Robertson (1810 - 1866) and John Stuart (1813-77), LL D, for the publication of the historical, genealogical, topographical and literary remains of the North-eastern counties of Scotland (printed notice of intention to establish the Club, published in Aberdeen newspapers, 5 Dec 1839). Together they were responsible for many of the Club's early, and most enduring, publications, including Collections for a History of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff , ed. by Joseph Robertson (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1843); Fasti Aberdonensis , ed. by Joseph Robertson (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1854); Sculptured Stones of Scotland , ed. by John Stuart, 2 volumes (Aberdeen, Spalding Club, 1856-67); The Book of Deer , edited by John Stuart (Edinburgh: Spalding Club, 1869); and The Miscellany of the Spalding Club, ed. by John Stuart, 5 volumes (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1841-52). Robertson later became Curator of the Historical Department, Register House, Edinburgh, c 1858, and Stuart was appointed Principal Keeper of the Register of Deeds, Edinburgh, in 1773.
The work of two other individuals also contributed to the early success of the Club. Cosmo Innes (1798 - 1874), a member of, and already experienced editor with, the Bannatyne Club, Edinburgh, edited Fasti Aberdonenses. Selections from the Records of the University and King's College of Aberdeen, 1494-1854 (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1854) and sponsored Registrum Episcopatus Aberdonensis. Ecclesie Cathedralis Aberdonensis Regesta que extant in unum collecta , 2 volumes (Edinburgh: Spalding Club, 1845) and A Genealogical Deduction of the Family of Rose of Kilravock; with illustrative documents from the family papers, and notes (Edinburgh: Spalding Club, 1848). George Grub (1812 - 1892), Professor of Law at Marischal College and Aberdeen University, 1843 - 1891, and author of An Ecclesiastical History of Scotland from the Introduction of Christianity to the Present Time , 4 volumes (Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas, 1861), edited History of Scots Affairs from MDCXXXVII to MDCXLI, by James Gordon, Parson of Rothiemay 3 volumes (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1841) and Thomas Innes' The Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, AD LXXX - DCCCXVIII (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1853).
At the height of its popularity, in March 1850, the Club had attracted a membership of 500, but by December 1869, numbers had fallen to 227, and the decision, first mooted in December 1866, was formally made to dissolve the Club at this time. During its 30-year history, it published 38 volumes. For bibliographical details see David Stevenson and Wendy B. Stevenson, Scottish Texts and Calendars: An Analytical Guide to Serial Publications (London: Royal Historical Society; Edinburgh: Scottish History Society, 1987).
For further details see W. Douglas Simpson, The Three Spalding Clubs: a Century in Retrospect, in Third Spalding Club Miscellany, volume 2 (Aberdeen: Third Spalding Club, 1940), pp. xiii-xxxii; and Donald J. Witherington, Aberdeen Antiquaries: the Founding of the Spalding Club in 1839, Aberdeen University Review , 44 (1971 - 1972), 42 - 55.
The New Spalding Club (1886 - 1928) was formed in Aberdeen on 11 Nov 1886. Like the Spalding Club (1839 - 1869), it aimed to publish historical records relating to the North-east of Scotland, though with broader ambitions than its predecessor: its area of geographical interest was extended to include not just the immediate counties of Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire and Forfar-shire, but also Inverness, Sutherland, Caithness and Orkney; and its remit to include archaeological, as well as historical matter.
The driving force behind the new club was Peter John Anderson (1852-1926), Aberdeen University Librarian, who acted as secretary from 1894 - 1926, and edited several volumes including Fasti Academie Mariscallanae Aberdonensis. Selections from the records of the Marischal College and University, MDXCIII - MDCCCLX , 3 volumes (Aberdeen: New Spalding Club, 1889 - 1898), and Officers and Graduates of the University and King's College, Aberdeen, MVD - MDCCCLX (Aberdeen: New Spalding Club, 1893). The activities of the Club ceased after his death in 1926, though it was not formally wound up until 20 Apr 1928, when the Third Spalding Club was formed, and all assets and liabilities of the New Spalding Club passed thereto.
Other personalities associated with the club include John Malcolm Bulloch (1867 - 1938), James Fowler Kellas Johnstone (d 1928) and John Alexander Henderson (fl 1890 - 1928). From 1898 the club had become increasingly consumed by John Malcolm Bulloch's ambitions to produce a comprehensive history of all known branches of the Gordon family; his statement in the Club's 12th Report (20th Dec 1898) that the story of the Gordons is practically the story of northern Scotland for 500 years provided the starting point for this work, which culminated some years later in The House of Gordon , 3 volumes (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1903 - 1912), a more modest work than originally envisaged, but still providing detailed histories of the principal family lines. James Fowler Kellas Johnstone edited several publications for the Club, but his greatest contribution was the work which he did with Alexander Webster Robertson, Aberdeen City Librarian, in compiling Bibliographia Aberdonensis: being an account of books relating to or printed in the shires of Aberdeen, Banff, Kincardine or written by natives or residents or by officers, graduates or alumni of the universities of Aberdeen , a project conceived in the Club's infancy, but beset by many difficulties and finally published by the Third Spalding Club in 1929. John Alexander Henderson, editor of History of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen (Aberdeen: New Spalding Club, 1912), has been credited with the late revival of interest in the Club's activities after Anderson's death, which led to its reconstitution as the Third Spalding Club in 1928.
During its 42 years, the Club published 45 works. For bibliographical details see David Stevenson and Wendy B. Stevenson, Scottish Texts and Calendars: an Analytical Guide to Serial Publications (London: Royal Historical Society; Edinburgh: Scottish History Society, 1987).
For further details see also, W. Douglas Simpson, The Three Spalding Clubs: a Century in Retrospect, in Third Spalding Club Miscellany, vol. 2 (Aberdeen: Third Spalding Club, 1940), pp. xiii-xxxii; and Donald J. Witherington, Aberdeen Antiquaries: the Founding of the Spalding Club in 1839, Aberdeen University Review , 44 (1971 - 1972), 42 - 55.
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| Custodial History | MS 2264: Some of these papers may have been at one time in the Advocates' Library, Aberdeen; in the possession of William Rose of Montcoffer or his son, Patrick Rose; and had been made available to William Cramond, schoolmaster, Cullen, being referred to in certain of his publications relating to Banff and Banffshire. |
| Source | Date and source not recorded. Deposited in the University before 1969 |
| Description | MS 2264- Records of the Spalding Club, 1839-71; and of the New Spalding Club, 1882-90. Collection of manuscripts made in part by John Stuart, LL.D., secretary of the Spalding Club, for use in Spalding Club and other publications, mainly concerning the burgh and county of Banff, and persons and places in Northeast Scotland, 1404 - 1858, including Abercromby of Forglen; William Abernethy of Saltoun, sheriffdom of Forfar; Baird of Auchmedden; Lord Deskford and the Earl of Findlater; Duffs of Braco; Lord Macduff and Earl Hay of Echries; Hay of Rannes; Keith, Earl Marischal; Menzies of Pitfodels; Ogilvy of Banff; Rose of Montcoffer; Sir James Sandilands, [? Lord St. John, preceptor of Order of St John of Jerusalem], of Torphichen.
There is also a collection of correspondence and offprints relating to the activities of the New Spalding Club, its secretary, P.J. Anderson, and the Ancient Monuments Commission, 1882 - 1890, including details of the Club's involvement in preservation and scheduling of sculptured stones at Dyce, Aberdeenshire, 1889 - 1890. |
| Appraisal | This material has been appraised in line with normal procedures |
| Accruals | None expected |
| Arrangement | Items listed in numerical order within which the following groups are identified:
1-8. Early manuscripts written on parchment, with and without seals, some respecting Banff and parish of Rathven, Banffshire, and others of a miscellaneous character, 1404-1673.
9-29. Miscellaneous manuscripts apparently collected by John Stuart in relation to his numerous activities as antiquarian and as secretary of the Spalding Club, 1554-1858 and undated.
30-63. Manuscripts concerning Banff and Banffshire and memoir of Banff by William Reid, town clerk of Banff, of 1831 (who had been assisted by William Rose of Montcoffer or manuscripts by or collected by him), 1372 (later transcriptions) -1835.
64-82. Manuscripts concerning Bedesmen's hospital at Rathven, Banffshire, 1536-1703.
83-118. Manuscripts concerning parish of Rathven, and patronage thereof, 1596-1725.
119-128. Manuscripts and correspondence regarding rights of the laird of Pitfour [?Jas. Ferguson], and William Rose of Montcoffer, in lands of William, 9th Earl Marischal, and his son , George, Lord Keith, 1705-1764, 1781 and 1784.
129. Correspondence, estimates, etc. New Spalding Club, 1886-1887 and 1888.
130. Correspondence, etc. regarding preservation of sculptured stoners at Dyce, between New Spalding Club, Ancient Monuments Commission, representatives of Dyce heritors, etc., 1889-1890.
131. Collection of offprints - Act for better protection of ancient monuments, 1882,1883,1886; address to anthropological section of B.A., Bath, by A. Pitt-Rivers, 1888; Geo. Payne - Archaeological Survey of County of Kent, 1889.0 December 1889. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Access Conditions | The records are available subject to the signed acceptance of the Department's access conditions |
| Copyright | Subject to the condition of the original, copies may be supplied for private research use only on receipt of a signed undertaking to comply with current copyright legislation. Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the University Archivist and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. Where possible, assistance will be given in identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material. |
| Language | English |
| Physical Description | No physical conditions affecting use of collection |
| Related Material | Papers of the Third Spalding Club (1928 - 1956), Aberdeen.
Personal papers of members of the Spalding Club, relating to the work of the Club
Papers of Joseph Robertson (1810 - 1866) (GB 231 MS 0525 - 0530; MS 0973; and MS 2397). These papers include Robertson's (unpublished) pre-Spalding Club research on a Biographia Aberdonensis , 1833 - 1837 (GB 231 MA 0525 - 0530) (6 volumes).
Original papers published by the Spalding Club James Gordon's History of Scots affairs from the year 1637 to the year 1641 transcribed by Professor Thomas Gordon, Robert Gordon and others, 1788 (GB 231 MS 0018) (1 volume: 510 p). Published as History of Scots Affairs from MDCXXXVII to MDCXLI, by James Gordon, Parson of Rothiemay , ed. by George Grub, 3 vols (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1841)
John Spalding's Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland especially of Aberdeenshire from 1624 to 1644 , transcribed by James Dalgarno, 1778 - 1779 (GB 231 MS 0019) (1 volume:1036 p). Published as Memorials of the Trubles in Scotland and England. AD 1624 - ad 1645, by John Spalding , ed. by John Stuart, 2 vols (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1850 - 1851)
John Spalding's History of the Troubles and Memorable Transactions in Scotland, from 1624 to 1645 , transcribed by James Dalgarno, 1778 - 1779 (GB 231 MS 0020) (1 volume:1036 p). Published as Memorials of the Trubles in Scotland and England. AD 1624 - ad 1645, by John Spalding , ed. by John Stuart, 2 vols (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1850 - 1851)
Original manuscript of John Spalding's History of the Troubles and Memorable Transactions in Scotland, 1624-25 , n.d., c 1650. Known as Skene Manuscript (GB 231 MS 2466) (1 volume: 690 leaves). Published as Memorials of the Trubles in Scotland and England. AD 1624 - ad 1645, by John Spalding , ed. by John Stuart, 2 vols (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1850 - 1851)
William Mitchell, Diary of Visit to London, William Mitchell (1670-1727), Minister of St Giles Church, Edinburgh, 1717 (GB 231 MS 0146) (1 volume: 16 leaves) Published in Miscellany of the Spalding Club , vol.1 (Aberdeen: Spalding Club, 1841), pp. 225-253.
19th c transcript of Breviarium Aberdonense: Pars Aestivalis (GB 231 MS 0515-0516) (2 volumes) and Breviarium Aberdonense: Pars Hyemalis (GB 231 MS 0517) (1 volume) [copied for the Spalding Club]. Original work prepared under the personal superintendence of William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen, edited by William Blew (1510). Published by the Spalding Club, the Bannatyne Club and the Maitland Club (London and Aberdeen, 1854)
Personal papers members of the New Spalding Club, relating to the work of the Club
Calendar of deeds registered in Sheriff Court in Aberdeenshire, 1606 - 1658, compiled by David Littlejohn (c 1841 - 1924), Sheriff Clerk, 1909 - 1920 (GB 231 MS 0487 - 0498). David Littlejohn LL D (1903) edited the Records of the Sheriff Court of Aberdeenshire, 3 vols. (Aberdeen: New Spalding Club, 1904-1907).
Papers of P.J. Anderson.
Papers of John Malcolm Bulloch.
Papers of James Fowler Kellas Johnstone.
Papers of John Alexander Henderson.
Papers re. the house and family of Gordon (GB 231 MS 0900 - 0909), comprising papers re. funerals of Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke, and George Gordon, 5th Duke of Gordon, 1827 and post-1877 (GB 231 MS 0907); extracts from genealogical account of Gordon family, 1644 (GB 231 MS 0908); and genealogical account of Gordon family, Tilfoudie, Aberdeenshire, 1788, transcribed by John Stuart (GB 231 MS 0909). See The House of Gordon , vol. 1 (Aberdeen: New Spalding Club, 1903), pp.xxxiv - xxxviii. See also Northern Scotland 3 (1977-78), p. 96
Procuratory of resignation, 25 Mar 1643, by Alexander Robertson, of annual rents and duties from properties and superiorities in Aberdeen and neighbourhood into the hands of the crown, for new investment in favour of the minister, elders and deacons of the parish Kirk of Auld St Machar, to be used for the upkeep of the fabric of the Kirk and other pious uses (GB 231 MS 2638) (4 leaves) Published in Charters and Other Writs illustrating the History of the Royal Burgh of Aberdeen MCLXXI-MDCCCIV , ed. by P.J. Anderson (Aberdeen: Aberdeen Town Council, 1890), sponsored by New Spalding Club |
| Related Record | MS 607 |
| MS 608 |
| MS 609 |
| MS 610 |
| MS 611 |
| MS 612 |