Number 14 - Information on residents
1816 – 1836 James and from 1821 Pedie
James Peddie became a solicitor (WS) in 1813. He remained unmarried and died in 1844 a few years after moving out of Albany Street.
1838 – 1842 John and Jane (neé Marshall) Melville John Melville (portrait by James Edgar) became a solicitor (WS) in 1827 and then became a Crown Agent. John and Jane married in 1838 and moved here. They then moved to Number to live at Number 20. Jane was the daughter of William Marshall, an Edinburgh goldsmith. At the 1840 Municipal Election for the Third Ward, which included Albany Street, Melville stood as the Liberal candidate. A Scotsman editorial argued that: ‘We do not see where a better man than John Melville could be found. He is a firm and consistent Liberal, and a churchman, and we have no doubt of his success, if the electors stand manfully to their colours, and go about the matter in a business-like manner.’ Melville was elected and between 1854 and 1859, served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh. This portrait by James Edgar was painted at that time. In 1859 he received a knighthood, but died the year after. The Melville’s only son, George, was an advocate, and became Sheriff Substitute for Linlithgowshire. He also commanded the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Scots Regiment for ten years.
1842 – 1851 Lodgings These were run by James and Elizabeth Malden. The 1851 census listed twenty two people as living in the house! James and Elizabeth Malden and their four young children; two probationers of the Church of Scotland; a corn factor, a gentleman living off bank interest; two university students, a landed proprietor, a basket-maker and his wife and son; Dr Thomas Inglis (lodging here for two years having moved from the family house at Number 11); a widow living off an annuity; and four servants. The Maldens sold the house and moved their lodgings to Number 16.
1852 – 1938 John and Cassandra (neé Elliot) Rutherfurd
John Rutherfurd brought the house and he and his family moved here from Queen Street. Rutherford was the son of a saddler in Jedburgh and Cassandra the daughter of Adam Scott Elliot of Arkleton. Rutherfurd had become became a solicitor (WS) in 1829 and married Cassandra in 1836.
This portrait of Cassandra’s brother, William Elliot, ( by Sir Henry Raeburn - collection Met, New York) was painted when he was about four or five years old. Cassandra's parents lived at that time in York Place and Raeburn had a studio there, and asked if he could paint their son. William also became a solicitor in 1833 and married Margaret Wallace, daughter of Lewis Wallace, a builder and merchant whose father, William, had established William Wallace & Co., leading builders and architects, which participated notably in the building of Edinburgh's New Town.The eldest Rutherfurd son, John, was apprenticed to his father, and in 1859, won the gold medal given by the Society of Writers to the Signet as the best scholar. He became a solicitor (WS) in 1866 and, later, Secretary to the Edinburgh Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Another son, Charles, worked in the Leith Mercantile Office. There were three daughters, Cassandra, Cecilia and Anna. None of the daughters married, and they lived on in the house. Cassandra acted as the Assistant Secretary to the Ladies Association for Foreign Missions. A significant element of Scottish missionary work was working with women, and the Scottish Association of Ladies for the Advancement of Female Education in Western India was formed in 1837. In 1839 the Association sent its first single woman missionary to India to develop education for Indian girls. Despite early difficulties, this educational work was extended, with schools for girls being opened in Bombay, Poona, Calcutta, Madras and Ceylon. During the 1870s work became more organised, and the Association held an annual Women’s Conference during the sitting of the General Assembly. Work was expanded to other fields of the Church of Scotland’s Mission, including female medical missionaries. In 1883, the Association changed its name to The Church of Scotland Ladies’ Association for Foreign Missions. John Rutherfurd, senior, died in 1865, and Cassandra in 1882. The deaths of the children, all of whom had continued to live in the house were: Charles, 1865; Cassandra, 1890s; Cecilia and John in 1920. Anna lived here until her death in 1938. In her will she left £32,241 to the Church of Scotland Mission. A newspaper report, entitled, ‘A kindly thought for the town of her ancestors’ stated: Miss Anna Rutherfurd, whose forebears were prominent in Jedburgh as far back as the 14th century, has bequeathed to the minister of Jedburgh Parish Church funds to assist the deserving poor of the parish.’