For a long time after the passing of the Act, we kept on the old system of quartering and paying the paupers through the session fund, and so on, and the heritors generally contributed a certain amount yearly to meet any balance due.
"Second Shetland Truck System Report"
William Guthrie
My father was excited beyond a' prudence or decent decorum; and, when he had finished the wark, or rather pretended to finish it-for it was at best a clumsy business-and, drawin near, wi' the shovel in his hand, to a knot o' the heritors, standin on a flat gravestane, they asked him, wi' a significant expression, why he was in sae great a hurry in coverin up the puir dominie, a laugh rang amang the grave-stanes-a guid answer to my father's request-that stuck in his throat; and, in place o' gettin a vote, he hadna the courage to ask ane.
"Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Vol. XX"
Alexander Leighton
In the meantime, my most excellent and much-respected parent was hawking aboot amang the heritors my testimonials; and at the next meetin o' the heritors, I was duly elected parish-clerk, schoolmaster, and precentor o' St Fillan's.
"Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Vol. XX"
Alexander Leighton