Messenger-At-Arms Ireland C1774.....

[joette]

I have found another would be rellie who died in the Abbey Poorhouse.He is about 77 in 1851 & his Father's occupation is given as Messenger-at-Arms.As he was born in Ireland with a birthdate of c1774 what would his Father's duties likely to have been?
Anybody know or recommend a good search point?I understand the modern day duties & just wondered if they would have been the same.
This is the 2nd rellie but form the other side with this occupation.

[LesleyB]

Hi Joette
Couple of things found on the web:
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messenger-at-arms

A messenger-at-arms is an officer of the Scottish Court of Session, responsible for serving documents and enforcing court orders throughout Scotland. Messengers-at-arms must have a commission as a sheriff officer although, unlike sheriff officers, the jurisdiction of a messenger-at-arms is not limited to the area for which they have a commission. Both messengers-at-arms and sheriff officers are generally employed by private businesses and charge fees that are set by Act of Sederunt.

Originally known as an "Officer of the King", the office of messenger-at-arms dates back several hundred years. Messengers-at-arms have been under the control of the Lord Lyon King of Arms since at least 1510, and are still appointed by Lord Lyon, although now on the recommendation of the Court of Session.

and
http://www.smaso.org/background.html

The History of the Profession
The offices of Messenger-at-Arms and Sheriff Officer can be traced back several hundred years, long before the creation of our existing professional police force. Originally known by the title, Officer of the King, the office of Messenger-at-Arms is a public one under the crown and holders of it form part of the corps of Her Majesty’s Officers of Arms. Records from the year 1510 show that by that time Messengers-at-Arms were under the control and discipline of the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Since then, all holders of the office have been appointed by the Lord Lyon, and all appointments by him are now made on the recommendation of the Court of Session. All Messengers-at-Arms, as a condition of their appointment, require to hold a commission as a Sheriff Officer.
For centuries the Sheriff, by virtue of his position as the local officer of the crown, has appointed controlled and disciplined officers of court (now termed Sheriff Officers). The office of Sheriff Officer is probably one of the oldest in the Scottish legal system since it is believed to have been developed from the pre-feudal office of the Mair.

and for only $500 USdollars you could be the proud owner of:

Robert Thomson. Duty and Office of a Messenger at Arms, with a Copious Introduction, containing Plain and Necessary Directions for Practice, to which is added an Appendix, Relative to the Office of a Notary-Public, and some Useful and Necessary Tables . Printed by Grant and Moir. . .for Silvester Doig, Edinburgh, 1790.
Contemporary mottled sheep, lacking label?; well preserved.
Sole edition of a rare work, not in the National Union Catalogue nor the British Museum Catalogue.

http://www.polybiblio.com/meyerbos/11449.html

Best wishes
Lesley

[joette]

Cheers for that Lesley but I think I will pass on the $500 one!