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Robert Chieslie
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'''Sir Robert Chieslie of [[Dalry]]''' (sometimes spelled '''Chiesley''' or '''Chishley''') (c.1650–c.1705) was a 17th century Scottish merchant who served as [[Lord Provost of Edinburgh]] from 1694 to 1696.
==Life==
[[File:Dalry House, Edinburgh.jpg|thumb|330px|Dalry House, Edinburgh]]
[[File:Mackenzie mausoleum.JPG|thumb|The Mackenzie tomb in Greyfriars Kirkyard with Darien House behind]]
In 1661 his family built [[Dalry]] House, around a mile west of the city (now enveloped by the city and standing on Orwell Place). Contemporary plasterwork in the house shows allegiance to King [[Charles II of England|Charles II]].<ref>Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh, by Gifford McWilliam and Walker</ref>
In 1694 he succeeded Sir [[John Hall of Dunglass]] as [[Lord Provost of Edinburgh]]. He was succeeded in turn in 1696 by [[Sir Archibald Muir]].<ref>History of Edinburgh from its Foundation to the Present Time in 9 Books: Book 3 p.227: Civil Government</ref>
Although usually titled "Chieslie of Dalry" a 1695 Act of Parliament names him as "Chiesley of Bonnington", apparently referring to [[Bonnington House]] near [[Ratho]]. The document, setting up the "Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies", lists Robert and his brother James Chiesley (a merchant in London) together with around 30 other stockholders, in creating the company, which was involved in the slave trade. Other signatories include [[Adam Cockburn, Lord Ormiston]].<ref>https://ift.tt/2Eol6n0>
These investors infamously were all bankrupted by the Darien Scheme. Chieslie is thought to be one of the handful who lost his mind due to the huge loss. The Edinburgh Bedlam (next to Greyfriars) was nicknamed "Darien House" from 1700 as it is said to have had at least two occupants linked to the scheme. As Robert Chieslie disappears from all records after 1698 but is not recorded as dead he fits the bill as one of the inmates leading to the legend. This also links to a history of mental health issues in his family (see below).<ref>https://ift.tt/2ViKy3f>
He died in the early 18th century and is buried in [[Greyfriars Kirkyard]].<ref>https://ift.tt/2EpJo00> He is presumably buried with his brother John in "Bloody McKenzies Tomb". Both fittingly and ironically, the only remnant part of Darien House stands immediately behind the tomb.
Had he lived until the [[Union of 1707]] he would have been richly compensated for the Darien loss.
==Family==
He was brother to John Chieslie or Chiesley, who infamously murdered [[George Lockhart, Lord Carnwath]] by shooting him in the back in 1689, Chieslie being unhappy regarding a legal judgement he gave awarding his wife a large sum of money.<ref>https://ift.tt/2Vb7CRb>
His niece, John's daughter, was [[Rachel Chiesley, Lady Grange]], wife of [[James Erskine, Lord Grange]] and an outlandish figure in her own right.<ref>https://ift.tt/2EpA3W2>
==References==
[[Category:Scottish merchants]]
[[Category:Lord Provosts of Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Burials at Greyfriars Kirkyard]]
==Life==
[[File:Dalry House, Edinburgh.jpg|thumb|330px|Dalry House, Edinburgh]]
[[File:Mackenzie mausoleum.JPG|thumb|The Mackenzie tomb in Greyfriars Kirkyard with Darien House behind]]
In 1661 his family built [[Dalry]] House, around a mile west of the city (now enveloped by the city and standing on Orwell Place). Contemporary plasterwork in the house shows allegiance to King [[Charles II of England|Charles II]].<ref>Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh, by Gifford McWilliam and Walker</ref>
In 1694 he succeeded Sir [[John Hall of Dunglass]] as [[Lord Provost of Edinburgh]]. He was succeeded in turn in 1696 by [[Sir Archibald Muir]].<ref>History of Edinburgh from its Foundation to the Present Time in 9 Books: Book 3 p.227: Civil Government</ref>
Although usually titled "Chieslie of Dalry" a 1695 Act of Parliament names him as "Chiesley of Bonnington", apparently referring to [[Bonnington House]] near [[Ratho]]. The document, setting up the "Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies", lists Robert and his brother James Chiesley (a merchant in London) together with around 30 other stockholders, in creating the company, which was involved in the slave trade. Other signatories include [[Adam Cockburn, Lord Ormiston]].<ref>https://ift.tt/2Eol6n0>
These investors infamously were all bankrupted by the Darien Scheme. Chieslie is thought to be one of the handful who lost his mind due to the huge loss. The Edinburgh Bedlam (next to Greyfriars) was nicknamed "Darien House" from 1700 as it is said to have had at least two occupants linked to the scheme. As Robert Chieslie disappears from all records after 1698 but is not recorded as dead he fits the bill as one of the inmates leading to the legend. This also links to a history of mental health issues in his family (see below).<ref>https://ift.tt/2ViKy3f>
He died in the early 18th century and is buried in [[Greyfriars Kirkyard]].<ref>https://ift.tt/2EpJo00> He is presumably buried with his brother John in "Bloody McKenzies Tomb". Both fittingly and ironically, the only remnant part of Darien House stands immediately behind the tomb.
Had he lived until the [[Union of 1707]] he would have been richly compensated for the Darien loss.
==Family==
He was brother to John Chieslie or Chiesley, who infamously murdered [[George Lockhart, Lord Carnwath]] by shooting him in the back in 1689, Chieslie being unhappy regarding a legal judgement he gave awarding his wife a large sum of money.<ref>https://ift.tt/2Vb7CRb>
His niece, John's daughter, was [[Rachel Chiesley, Lady Grange]], wife of [[James Erskine, Lord Grange]] and an outlandish figure in her own right.<ref>https://ift.tt/2EpA3W2>
==References==
[[Category:Scottish merchants]]
[[Category:Lord Provosts of Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Burials at Greyfriars Kirkyard]]
February 22, 2019 at 09:52PM
