In the 18th century, smuggling in Portsoy was widespread.  Foremost among the smugglers was Alexander Brebner, who resided in this house.  The practice arose because of Portsoy's safe harbour, and because of its accessibility to the surrounding country.  Every merchant in Portsoy was involved in this illicit trade, and customers included the landed gentry, who had a sophisticated taste for the finer things in life, such as brandy, wines and silks.

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Smuggling thrived because high taxation made luxury items very expensive, and initially the authorities were ill equipped to bring the perpetrators to justice.  Over time, however, the Revenue men became better organised and equipped, and the practice died out.

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Dr George Greig, in his 1843 History tells us that Brebner had several separate businesses and "owned no fewer than eight vessels wholly his property; also the house, now occupied as the 'Commercial Inn' with the adjoining feus and the houses surrounding that piece of ground in the lower Aird.   He had besides, the estate of Bracken Hills about four miles from the town where he built a small mansion house and laid out an excellent garden, the remains of which are still to be seen.  He also possessed the estate of Pitgaveney in Morayshire.  He kept his carriage and it was long remarked that his daughter had the first umbrella to be seen in the streets of Portsoy.  He also kept a lawyer in his house and gave him a handsome salary. He acted as a clerk and also managed the law processes in which he became involved, in consequence of his many infringements of the laws.  His vessels generally delivered their cargoes at the small pier on the west side of the harbour (taken down in the recent improvements), which came to be called from thence 'Brebner's Pier', a name which it retained as long as it had existed.  His house is reported to have had many concealments in it, several of which are said still to remain undiscovered, although most of them were found when the partitions were taken down; and certainly from the extent of the premises, it must have afforded vast accommodation for any purpose of the kind.  An extensive concern such as this could not eventually be carried on with success.  He became involved in tedious and expensive lawsuits and most of his ships were lost or captured by revenue officers.   He was finally reduced to bankruptcy and died in prison."

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Alexander Brebner's demise is recorded in several old records, uncovered in research by Findlay Pirie, and annotated by him:

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SC2/9/114  24th. January 1775

          Petition by John Innes, writer in Aberdeen, factor for Mr. Douglas of Fichle (Fechil).   Apparently, James Stewart, messenger in Huntly by virtue of a Captain at the instance of Mr. Douglas apprehended Alexander Brebner in his dwelling house at Portsoy 'where he still remains prisoner and that it is necessary to have further assistance (sic) for transporting him to the prison at Banff, Mr. Brebner having attempted Deforcement last evening and his party being too few for that purpose.'    He requested that more officers and their assistants be sent to James Stewart to take Alexander Brebner to the Tolbooth.   John Innes produced his factory from Mr. Douglas and letters of horning upon which the Caption proceeded.   The Sheriff agreed to supply the necessary officers.

 

1776 - ALEXANDER BREBNER IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES - Letters of Caption raised against Alexander Brebner by John Berengin Frodnam, merchant in Bergen, Norway, his factor being Alexander Keith W.S.

Note: - This is probably the reason why Alexander Brebner died in prison.  The outcome of Letters of Caption was imprisonment of the debtor.

 

RS 29/8 folio 479 17th. April 1778

          Recorded that Sergeant Robert Innes, son of James Innes, gave a precept of sasine to Alexander Bremner in Pitgaveney, merchant in Portsoy, of the lands of Cotts.  Note: - Margaret Brown wife of Alexander Brebner had a liferent of a house in Pitgaveney

 

RS 29/8 folio 488 27th. October 1779

          Recorded that when the lands of Cotts were sold to the Earl of Fife, Alexander Ogilvie of Culvie sold them with advice of Alexander Brebner.  Note: - This would indicate that Alexander Brebner was alive and free on the 27th. October 1779.

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SRO CC1/8/14 - 20 July 1784

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EDICT OF EXECUTRY FOR ALEXANDER BREBNER, MERCHANT IN PORTSOY.

          An Edict was placed on the church door of Fordyce following a hearing in the Commissary Court at Aberdeen on the 24 June 1784 at which Patrick Brown, merchant in Portsoy, was decerned executor creditor.  There was also an enclosed note which recorded that Patrick Brown had raised the Edict, having a holograph receipt by Alexander Brebner for £5.   It had been dated 1 November 1776.

Note: - It is difficult to suggest a date of death for Alexander Brebner, but at least it occurred before the 24th. June 1784.

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