BALFOUR, JAMES [SSNE 6719]
Text source
James Balfour died childless in Danzig in 1622. He had been a merchant, and members of his family received legacies amounting to 25,000 guilders. His wife got 14,000 guilders while his brother Andrew recieved 7000. These legacies included some family members back in Scotland including 400-500 guilders each to his nephews. Christina Balfour [SSNE 6720] in Danzig, a niece, was to recieve 1000 guilders at her wedding. Hi nephew William [SSNE 910] who worked for James in Danzig recieved 400 thaler. Large donations were also given to every Presbyterian minister in Danzig who got 50 guilders each. IN an act of charity, the Hospital of St Elizabeth received 100 guilders, the Scottish Poor Fund 100 guilders while 100 more were distributed to the poor at Balfour's funeral. His servant Daniel Robertson [SSNE 6721] got a wage increase to the amount of 400 thaler while his servant Elsie recieved 50 guilder.
Suurces: T. Fischer, The Scots in East and West Prussia (Edinburgh, 1903), p.98; M. Bogucka, 'Scots in Gdansk (Danzig) in the Seventeenth Century' in A. I. Macinnes, T. Riis and F. G. Pedersen (eds.), Ships Guns and Bibles in the North Sea and the Baltic States, c.1350-c.1700 (East Linton, 2000), p.41
Service record
- POLAND-LITHUANIA, DANZIG, PRUSSIA, DANZIG
- Departed 1622-12-31
- Capacity MERCHANT, purpose MERCANTILE, TRADE, COMMERCE