Legal document, Testament Dative and Inventory.

Parchment (?) three pieces conjoined. 865mm x 318mm. Sometime folded. Written on one side only in ink in a clear cursive hand. The document refers to monies owed to David MacRobert ' . late Minister of the Gospel at Nesting in Hetland ' (The oldest known version of the modern name Shetland.) The outstanding debts are claimed by Peter MacRobert ' Merchant in Dumfries', David MacRoberts Brother, ' . and on behalf Margaret MacRobert alias Williamson. The document then names three outstanding debtors, and the debts owing to David Macrobert. 1.- ' . the sum of Three pounds eight shillings and Sevenpencehalfpenny' owed by ' . Mr John Morison Minister of the Gospel at Delting .' . 2. - 'The Sum of Five pounds Sterling . by Arthur Nicolson Esquire of Lochind (?). 3. - ' The Sum of Five pounds Sterling as part of the Sunday ????? (collection?) . which were due and owing to the Defunct as late Minister in the United Parishes of Nesting, Lunnasting, Whalsay, and Skerries (?) in Letland.' James Malcolmson the Commisary Depute of Letland confirms all the foregoing details in the document, and Mr. James Sands, Minister of the Gospel at Lerwick acts as the 'Cautioner'of the Testament Dative. James Malcolmson as Commisary Depute and his Son James Malcolmson,'Junr', sign the Testament Dative in three places. Overall, the document is in a very good plus condition and quite legible. It will add much to the history of Shetland and will be of great value to the local historian and genealogist, and is probably worthy of further research.