Burgh of Duns Archive
- Reference:GB 1097 BD
- Dates of Creation:about 1665-2000
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:192 items
Scope and Content
This archive comprises Duns police commissioners, bailie court and town council minute and letter books, accounts, including records relating to the construction of Duns Market Cross, Dean of Guild Court records, plans, minute books of the Burgh's incorporated trades, a poor roll, rentals, registers, reports, bye-laws, notices and declarations that town officials will faithfully perform their duties. It also contains Duns Gaslight Company and Duns Water Company records, a sederunt book of Duns Corn Exchange, minute books relating to bazaars held in the Burgh, certificates and ceremonial records, records criticising the town council, such as the 'Condensed Town Council Gossip' publications, and newspaper cuttings relating to Duns.
Items with an alternative reference number are marked with this reference, rather than the new BD reference number.
Administrative / Biographical History
In February 1489/90 James IV granted a charter that created Duns a free Burgh of Barony in favour of George Home of Ayton. Duns became a Police Burgh in 1842 and a Small Burgh from 1930. When burghs were abolished in 1975 Duns became part of the Berwickshire district in the Borders Region. In 1996 it became part of the Scottish Borders council area. Sources: Scottish Archive Network www.scan.org.uk, ScotlandsPlaces: www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk, The History of Berwickshire's Towns and Villages by Elizabeth Layhe (1994), p. 32.
Arrangement
BD/1 Town Council record and minute books
BD/2 Town Council accounts
BD/3 Town Council letter books
BD/4 Dean of Guild Court records and plans
BD/5 Incorporated trade records
BD/6 Poor roll
BD/7 Rentals
BD/8 Registers
BD/9 Reports
BD/10 Bye-laws and notices
BD/11 Officials' Declarations
BD/12 Corn Exchange Sederunt book
BD/13 Bazaar minute books
BD/14 Certificates and ceremonial records
BD/15 Condensed Town Council gossip
BD/16 Newspaper cuttings
Access Information
Open
Scottish Borders Archives operates within Local Authority, Freedom of Information and Data Protection Legislation, whereby some limitations on access may apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archive Manager. Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational or private use & condition of documents.
Custodial History
Transferred from Duns Museum.
Accruals
None expected.
Related Material
Other items relating to the Burgh of Duns are located in the records of the County of Berwickshire.
Subjects