1300’s in Wilkie family.

By a charter dated 30^th October 1444, to the two chaplains of Nortoun and Byres, the teinds of Nortoun and Byres, (now Ratho Byres) with ten merks Scots, half yearly, out of the common purse.

2^nd April 1547. Instrument of Sasine in favour of Walter Wilkesoun in Rathobyris, following on a precept of sasine (dated 31st March 1547) granted by Mr Thomas Makcalzeyne, burgess of the burgh of Edinburgh, in terms of a charter of sale, to the said Walter, of lands of Abthane, formerly and now called Rathobyris, in the barony of Kirklistoun, regality of St. Andrews and shire of Edinburgh: To be held blench of the archbishops of St. Andrews. Robert Chepman, as bailie in that part, gives sasine on 22^nd April 1547. Witnesses, Mr. Robert Winrame, Stephen Lauder, James Wilkeson, John and George Wilkesoun, John Smyth, and Sir James Bishop, chaplain.Thomas Kene, of Glasgow diocese, by apostolic authority notary.

The bailie's seal (in a broken condition) is appended; a saltire engrailed alone visible.

Legend imperfect: '[Sig] illum Robert [i] Chepma [n].'

Mar. 31. 1596. JACOBUS WILKIE, hæres Jacobi Wilkie portionarii de Rathobyris, patris, - in quarta parte terrarum et villæ de Abthane de Ratho vocata Rathobyris, in villa et territorio de Rathobyris, et baronia de Kirklistoun, infra regalitatem Sancti Andreæ- E. dimidium libræ ceræ, &c. firmæ. D.39

Aug. 9.1597. MAGISTER WILLELMUS DOWGLAS de Knychtisrig, hæres Jacobi Dowglas de Knychtisrig, patris, -in parte terrarum de Abthane de Ratho alias Rathobyris, extendente ad dimidietatem quartæ partis terrarum de Rathobyris, infra dominium de Kirklistoun et regalitatem Sancti Andreæ. - A.E. 12s. 6d. N.E. 33s. 4d.                                D. 161

Feb. 25. 1657. JAMES FLEMING, heir of Malcolme Fleming merchand burges of Edinburgh, his father, - in the halfe of the lands of Ratho-Byres callit the Abthen of Ratho, in barony of Kirklistoun and regalitie of Saint Androis. - O.E. 40s. N. E. 6l. xxiv.15.

May 14. 1659. MR. JAMES WINRAHAME of Wistoun, heir of James Winrahame of Wistoune, his father, - in ane fourt pairt of the lands of Ratho-byres, within the parochine of Ratho. - O.E. 46s.8d. N.E.7l. - (See Lanerk.) xxv.210.

Feb. 7. 1683 CAROLUS HOPE de Hopetoune, hæres masculus et lineæ Joannis Hope de Hopetoune,patris,- in baronia de Kirklistoune comprehendente villam et terras dominicales de Kirklistoune; - terrasecclesiasticas de Kirklystoune; - molendinum de Kirklystoune, cum terris ad tergum ecclesiæ de Cattlebow; - terras ecclesiasticas de Leswade; - terras de Eglismachane, infra regalitatem. Sancti Andreæ, vicecomitatus de Edinburgh et Linlithgow respective: - E. 93l. 2s. 4d. - hæreditario officio Justiciarii Generalis curiarum Itineris Justiciariæ et Coronatoris regalitatis Sancti Andreæ, ex australi parte aquæ de Forth, viz. Terrarum et baroniæ de Kirklystoune: - villæ et terrarum dominicalium de Kirklystoune; - terrarum ecclesiasticarum de Kirklystoune cum molendino; - villæ et terrarum de Leswade; - terrarum ecclesiasticarum de Leswade; - terrarum de Eglismachane; - terrarum Killeith alias Kindleith vel Kyndleith; - terrarum de Rathobyres; - terrarum de Listoun Sheills; - terrarum de Stow et Weddell; - terrarum de Litle Preston; - terrarum de Tinnynghame; - terrarum de Livielands prope Stirling; - et aliarum terrarum et baroniarum infra regalitatem prædictam, ex australi parte aquæ de Forth, infra vicecomitatus de Linlithgow, Edinburgh, et Haddingtoune respective, unitis in baroniam de Kirklystoune; - officio hæreditario balliatus, baroniæ, et terrarum de Kirklistoun, infra vicecomitatus prædictos, unitis in baroniam de Kirkliston, cum summa 80m. de feudifirmis de Kirkliston, pro feodo offiorum: -E.1d. - burgo regalitatis de Kirklistoun; - omnibus unitis in baroniam de Kirkliston. - (Vide Lanark, Stirling, Linlithgow, Berwick).                          xxxvii.143

1655 David Wilkie in Ratho Byres had a son baptized named Patrick. 12^th July.

David Wilkie in Ratho Byres provided the estate of Gogar Castle with half a pound of wax.

1694 David Wilkie (Poll Tax).

One time the property of Sir James Fleming (See Ratho Bank).

John Wilkie ordained in 1706 (tenth minister of Uphall)who inherited in 1740 all the lands of the Grange of Breich near Mid Calder (he renamed it Charlesfield after his son) (he was descended from an old family at Ratho Byres, from whence also sprang the famous painter, Sir David Wilkie, RA).

1793 Alexander Reid and James Wilkie portioner of Ratho Byres.

1833 James Baxter, Farmer.

1836 James Baxter, Farmer.

1839 Reverend Daniel Wilkie of Ratho Byres.

1841 Census

James Baxter (50) Farmer,

Margaret (50),

William (15) Grocer,

Catherine (15),

Thomas (15) Agricultural labourer.

1845 (Statistical Account)

This used to include part of the property of Ashley as well as the land, which at present goes by the name of Ratho Byres. The oldest family at present holding property in the parish is that of the Wilkies of Ratho Byres. The property has been in their possession for several centuries.

1845 Rev Daniel Wilkie.

1850 James Baxter.

1851 Census

James Baxter (63) Farmer of 55 acres.

1855 trs. of late Reverend Wilkie let to James Baxter

1861 Census

James Baxter (73) Farmer of 55 acres employing 3 men and 1 boy.

Margaret (74),

James (23) grandson, Ploughman,

Margaret (15) grand daughter.

1865 James Wilkie, let to James Baxter.

1871 Census

James Baxter (60) Farmer of 69 acres employing 7 labourers 1 boy.

Catherine (61),

William (28),

Mary (22).

1881 Census

James Baxter (70) Farmer 69 acres arable, employing 2 men, 3 girls and 1 boy.

Catherine (72) wife,

Mary (30) daughter.

1891 Census

Marshall Dow (34) Farmer, his wife and 5 children.

1903 James Graham, Farmer.

1905 Sir Robert Usher, let to Thomas and James Graham.

1915 Arthur Watt Dickson, Farmer.

1926 James Dick, Farmer.

1930 Trustees of the Usher family, being farmed by James M Dick.

1957 The Usher Baronetcy trustees per McKay and Black.

It is currently used by P. Johnston & Co. Artistic Blacksmiths.