| Citation |
BNL.732.005
13-20 Apr 1732:11 (1473)
Edinburgh, Nov. 22. The same day also died in the
Canongate, William Aedie, will known by the name of the Old
Bell Man in that place. It is not certainly known, (and
great pity it is) how old he was; having given over all
reckoning that way since he was 100 years old. One thing we
are sure of, that he was a domestick of our protector
Oliver----, and ever since that reign (we are told) he has
been bell-man in the Canongate. He was 36 years old before
he married his first wife, with whom he lived in conjugal
felicity for above 60 years. He married a sturdy young frow
long after he was 100 years, who says he was her kind loving
husband for above 10 years; but was so reduced with age in
his last days, that he stood supported by her when he rang
his bell. He had been about 90 years a freeman in
Canongate. He said he had buried the good people in
Canongate three several generations; and he thought this
fourth generation to be very degenerate.
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