Google Book Search

I'm very fond of Google Book Search. I don't normally go through all the options of Google except maybe "image" focussed search. By chance, I found the digitized book search engine and it has led me in directions that I didn't have before. I hope it keeps getting broader. While searching I have found these various tidbits:

1) In The Book of the Old Edinburgh Club
Vol 18, 1932
"Lord Wemyss was infeft [?] in a large West Park at Lauriston, extending to six acres 5 1/2 falls, with house, etc. thereon. He acquired the property from James Syme of Northfield, who acquired it from John Robertson of Chesterhall. In Edgar's map of 1765, no buildings are shown on the site..."

small section allowed for partial viewing in Google Book Search.

It would seem from the scanned section of index that this was the only part that mentioned James Syme but I would love to know what the rest of the section says. The only places I could see the originals are in Ontario or Quebec. This isn't an option for me at the moment.

2) In A Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings For High Treason and Other Crimes and Misdemeanors
Vol XXIII

James Syme of Northfield is written in a list of assize for the proceedings against William Skirving, a trial concerning sedition. Interestingly enough, Syme was related by marriage to a Skirving family (his wife's father's mother). However, it is not even possible to know if this is HIS family or just sheer chance. I hoped for the former but it's probably the latter. Skirving isn't exactly a rare name in the area.

3) In The Statistical Account of Scotland
1799

"The estate of Northfield, anciently part of the barony of Preston, was purchased by Mr. A. Nisbet, surgeon in Edinburgh, about 1722; and was lately sold to James Sime, slater in Edinburgh, the present worthy proprietor"


4) The Edinburgh Magazine and Literary Miscellany
vol 83 (1819)

There was no preview. The only tempting tidbit was available on the google results which said:
"At his house in New Street, Edinburgh, James Syme of Northfield, Eso. aged 70" That would indicate that James Syme was born in the 1740s, 1748-9 if the age is to be believed in this short obituary.

5) A number of scanned books and book sections mention a case against George Knox regarding his alleged misuse of tenant privileges. It is alleged that he offered quarrying rights to another person with the leave of Lord Haddington. In these sections you read that the tenancy of Holyrood Park was given to George Knox for 250 pounds a year for 21 years starting from 1748. His father, Archibald Knox of Mayshiell, was mentioned as the cautioner of the rent.

http://www.google.ca/books?id=OQYdAAAAMAAJ&q=Mayshiell&dq=Mayshiell&pgis=1

http://www.google.ca/books?id=iac2AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA600&dq=Mayshiell

http://www.google.ca/books?id=gagDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA60&dq=%22George+Knox%22+tacksman

http://www.google.ca/books?id=OQYdAAAAMAAJ&q=%22George+Knox%22+tacksman&dq=%22George+Knox%22+tacksman&pgis=1

These are all links to info tidbits. There is probably more but they start repeating the same info.