Complainers David Fowler and James Miller alleged that an election in Kilrenny was tainted by corrupt practices designed to instate officials who would support Robert Alexander for a seat in parliament. Fowler and Miller sued the burgh’s elected officials, seeking to have the election vacated or, at minimum, to be reinstated in their positions as counsellor and bailie. The officials denied these allegations and alleged that members of the opposing party, including Sir John Anstruther and complainer David Fowler, had themselves engaged in corruption.

Locations

Session Papers

Petition and Complaint

Unto the Right Honourable the Lords of Council and Session, the Petition and Complaint of David Fouler, Mariner, late one of the Baillies, and as such, virtute officii, a constitutent Member of the Council of the Burgh of Kilrenny for the present Year; and James Millar, Wright, late one of the Counsellors of the said Burgh

14 Nov 1765
Complainers' Proof

Copy of the Proof Adduced for the Complainers, in the Petition and Complaint, at the Instance of David Fowler Mariner, late one of the Bailies, and, as such, virtute officii, a constituent Member of the Council of the Burgh of Kilrenny for the present Year, and James Millar Wright, late one of the Counsellors of the said Burgh, against Andrew Boyster, Andrew Reid, and others, pretended Bailies, Treasurer, and Counsellors of the said Burgh, relative to the Election of the Magistrates and Counsellors of the Burgh of Kilrenny, made at Michaelmas 1765, taken in consequence of the following Interlocutor of the Lords of Council and Session

8 Feb 1766
Answers

Answers for Andrew Reid, Andrew Boyter, and Alexander Reid, Bailies of the Borough of Kilrenny, Alexander Paton, Treasurer of the said Borough, Alexander Wedderburn, Esq; William Alexander, Esq; James Edie, David Watson, Thomas Smart, George Lothian, James Boyter, William Fowler, William Brown, James Waddel, all Counsellors of the said Borough for the present Year, and John Oliphant, a Counsellor of the said Borough last year; to the Petition and Complaint of David Fowler, late one of the Bailies, and as such, virtute officii, a constituent Member of the Council of the said Borough for the present Year; and James Millar Wright, late one of the Counsellors of the said Borough

16 Dec 1765
Memorial

Memorial for David Fowler and James Miller, Complainers, against Andrew Boyter and others, Respondents, Upon the Proof in the Case of the Kilrennie Election

17 Feb 1766
Memorial and Abstract of the Proof

Memorial and Abstract of the Proof for Andrew Reid, Andrew Boyter, and Alexander Reid, Bailies of the Borough of Kilrenny; Alexander Paton, Treasurer; Alexander Wedderburn, Esq; William Alexander, Esq; James Edie, David Watson, Thomas Smart, George Lothian, James Boyter, William Fouler, William Brown, and James Waddel, all Counsellors of the said Borough for the present Year, and John Oliphant a Counsellor of that Borough for last Year; against David Fouler, late one of the Bailies, and James Millar, late one of the Counsellors of the said Borough

18 Feb 1766
Answers

Answers for Andrew Boyter, Andrew Reid, and Alexander Reid, Baillies of the burgh of Kilrenny; Alexander Paton, Treasurer of the said burgh; William Alexander, Esq; James Edie, Thomas Smart, James Boyter, James Waddel, Robert Anderson, Robert Alexander, Esq; David Watson, George Lothian, William Fouler, and Robert Prat, Counsellors of the said burgh of Kilrenny, elected at Michaelmas 1766; to the Petition and Complaint of David Fouler, and James Millar

17 Jan 1767
Respondents' Case

Kilrenny Election. David Fowler, and James Miller Complainers, Andrew Boyter, and others, Magistrates and Counsellors of the Borough of Kilrenny, elected at Michaelmas 1765, Respondents; The Respondents Case

19 Jan 1767
Respondent's Proof

Respondents Proof in the Petition and Complaint, David Fowler and James Millar, against Andrew Boyter, and others, Magistrates and Counsellors of Kilrenny

6 Jan 1766
Answers

Answers for Andrew Boyter, and others, Magistrates and Counsellors of the Borough of Kilrenny; to The Petition of David Fowler late Bailie of Kilrenny, and James Millar late Counsellor of that Borough

23 Feb 1767
Print

List of Counsellors and Old Burgesses, Voters at Kilrenny Election, 19 September 1765

16 Dec 1765
Print

List of New Burgesses, Voters at Kilrenny Election, 19 September 1765

16 Dec 1765