John Falconer of Tulloch was an Advocate. In 1629 he
was appointed Warden of the Scottish Mint, i.e., deputy
to the Master. In 1636 Nicholas Briot was appointed as Master of the Mint
in Scotland, after a considerable amount of argument since he was unwilling
to take up residence in Edinburgh. John Falconer of Tulloch was joined
with him in the office of Master of the Mint, and they both took an oath
to perform their office in a correct manner. John Falconer had married
(as his second wife) Esther, the eldest daughter of Nicholas
Briot, who was accordingly his father-in-law. In 1646 John Falconer's
father, Sir Alexander Falconer of Halkerton, died: with his inheritance
he purchased the barony and lands of Balmakellie.
As his father in law had died in 1646 Sir John Falconer of Balmakellie
was sole Master of the Mint throughout the Civil War,
though in the 1650s his eldest son, John Falconer of Balmakellie, Younger,
was appointed Warden to assist him. What actually happened during those
troublesome years is not known; though presumably as Sir John was not
relieved of his office, he served the Commonwealth and not the King: certainly
he was not in great favour at the Restoration. In 1661 various references
are made in the Registers of the Privy Council to the fact that there
was a considerable concern over the long delay in London of Sir John Falconer
Master of the Mint, who was said to be awaiting delivery of stamps of
His Majesty's image to bring north for the coining of money. He appears
to have remained in London for nearly a year, to the grave inconvenience
of the authorities in Scotland who could not proceed with the task of
producing new money. He returned to Edinburgh in 1662 with his son John,
his deputy, and they delivered the following petition to the Privy Councils
“... that the Petitioner having by virtue of his gift granted
to him by His late Majesty of glorious memory of the said office”
(Master of the Mint) “ possessed the same these 25 years with the
whole fies, proffits, casualyles and privileges thereto belonging, in
the exercise whereof how faithfully he has discharged himself as master
of the mint and a loyall subject, notwithstanding of the troubles and
suuferinges he met with in the late oppressing times, is now unknowne,
and now, after so long a vacancie of the exercise of the said office and
those dismale clouds of usurpation and tirrany being dispelled by the
beames of His Majesty's restauration, the petitioner could not but rejoice
and expect a restoration of the exercise and whole privileges of the said
office …"
After this preamble, Sir John made an official complaint against Charles
Maitland of Haltoun, General of His Majesty's Mint, for depriving him
of certain revenues,… “quhilk petition being at length
heard, read and considered, and the Lord Commissioner having reported
that it was His Majesty's Royal pleasure that the supplicant should be
continued in the same condition as he was formerly ..."
In 1664 John Falconer, his son, gave a Bond of Caution
for the faithful discharge of his duty on being given the post of one
of the Masters of the Mint with his father. Towards the end of 1664 some
sort of scandal arose at the Mint. Family tradition has it that the man
responsible for bringing the "trouble" to the notice of the
authorities was a family friend, one Richard Jaffray, a wealthy Edinburgh
merchant. His daughter, Barbara, had been betrothed to John Falconer of
Balmakellie Younger, but the match was broken off. But there undoubtedly
was a case to answer, for summons were issued against Sir John Falconer
of Balmakellie and his son , as Masters of the Mint, for "malversations
of the Mint and failing to make coin". "Malversation"
means corrupt administration of public money. The Privy Council heard
the charges, and both the Falconers were dismissed from their offices
in disgrace,
There can be little doubt that the one really responsible was the son,
John Falconer of Balmakellie, Younger, and that he dragged his father
down with him. Family tradition paints him as an unreliable, indeed dishonest,
cad: and his subsequent career did little to redeem his character. and
friends. Though they had been convicted of High Treason
- for such the crimes were - for some good reason the capital penalty
was not imposed. Sir John Falconer of Balmakellie, more sinned against
than sinning, was allowed to sink into obscurity. He died in Edinburgh
on 21st. January, 1668, in reduced circumstances.