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Facts and Events
References
- ↑ Scotland. Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. (FamilySearch Record Search)
[1].
Name William Aytoun
Gender Male
Christening Date 25 Aug 1691
Christening Place KINGLASSIE,FIFE,SCOTLAND
Father's Name Alexander Aytoun
- ↑ Aytoun (Aiton), William. Ged Branch BE-7. (SF-Trees # 29,66,197,198)
William Aytoun – bp.25 Aug.1691, Kinglassie parish, was the son of Alexander Aytoun, Laird of Inchdairnie, a merchant and burgess, and Margaret Hog, daughter of Sir Roger Hog, Lord Harcarse, a judge and statesman. His siblings included:
Roger b/bp. 16 Dec. 1686 Edinburgh
Jean b/bp. 5 Apr. 1689 Kinglassie
John b/bp. 13 Apr. 1689
Anna b/bp. 20 Aug 1690
Thomas b/bp. 25 Aug. 1692
Alexander b/bp. 3 Dec. 1696 died shortly thereafter
Alexander b/bp. 28 Aug. 1698
Barbara b/bp. 24 Apr. 1705
Aytoun’s father, the son of John Aytoun, had been apprenticed to William Blackwood, a merchant, booked on 13 Nov.1676. Alexander Aytoun was the possible beneficiary of judicial preference in a ruling by his father-in-law that prompted significant controversy at the time. William A. was apprenticed to William Ged and the indentures were booked on 13 Dec.1706 [ARp28].
William asked the Incorporation for an essay on 29 May 1718 [EGMv1] and became a freeman on 13 Jun.1718 [EMGv1].
In Edinburgh, Aytoun married Thomasa, daughter of the late Thomas Weems, advocate, on 29 Mar.1741. This was relatively near the end of his career and only a few years preceding his death. Even so, they had two or three daughters, Barbara Jean or Barbara and Jean as well as Margaret. Aytoun was from the Inglis branch of goldsmiths and trained many 18th-century goldsmiths including Dougal Ged, Alexander Gairdner, Alexander Farquharson, Edward Callander and James Weems. It should be noted that William’s wife, Thomasa Weems was the daughter of advocate Thomas Weems and
was probably related to the apprentice, James Weems.
Aytoun’s silver is among that of the most significant Edinburgh goldsmiths of the first half of the 18th century. Among his extant work is an exceptional octagonal coffee set, an egg-shaped urn, as well as a very early cream boat and early complete tea services, all listed in the Compendium of Scottish Silver.
Aytoun probably made more sugar bowls in the form carrying the applied scalloped edges on shaped everted rims than any other Edinburgh goldsmith. This form predominated between 1727-38 and a few examples extended into the 1740s as well.
Aytoun’s career seems to have lasted from 1718 to about 1754 around the time of his death. He was still living in Edinburgh at Maxwell’s, in Writers Close, in the
1752 Gilhooley’s Directory and took an apprentice as late as 1751. Aytoun served as deacon of the Incorporation for the years 1724-26 and 1730-32.
Aytoun’s testament, dated 20 Jun.1755, was presented by his widow. In the testament he lists daughters, Barbara, Jean and Margaret, as executors. Jean Barbara Aytoun indicated in her own testament of 1761 that she was the youngest daughter of William Aytoun and Tomasa Weems. Page 20, 21[2]
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