Full text of "Epitaphs & inscriptions from burial grounds & old buildings in the north-east of Scotland, with historical, biographical, genealogical, and antiquarian notes, also, an appendix of illustrative papers"

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- I

L287 GENEALOGY COLLECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC L BRARY

IIIIIIHil II l< 'li 'hill |i| i l| hii 'i i;H:i III

3 1833 00858 3228

m E. = -L-\'

^^^"2^^^^i^^^

BURIAL GROUNDS & OLD BUILDINGS

The North-Eaft of Scntland,

WITH

Hijlorical, Biographical, Genealogical, and Antiquarian Notes,

ALSO,

AN APPENDIX OF ILLUSTRATIVE PAPERS.

ANDRKW lERVISl^:, KS.A. S

COT.,

AUTHOR OF 'memorials OF ANGUS AND THE MEARNS,' ETC.

EDINBURGH: EDMONSTON AND DOUGLAS.

1875.

[All Rigkis Reserved.]

' Study their monuments, their gravestones, their epitaphs, on the spots where
they lie : study, if possible, the scenes of the events, their aspect, their architecture,
their geography ; the tradition which has survived the histoiy ; the legend which has
survived the tradition ; the mountain, the stream, the shapeless stone, which has
survived even history and tradition and legend.' — Dean Stanley.

[250 copies printed. No. ^2,^^]

1451287

PATRICK CHALMERS,

OF ALDBAR, ESQUIRE,

JOSEPH ROBERTSON, LL.D.,

AND

PROFESSOR COSMO INNES,
THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED

BY THE AUTHOR.

Sculptured Stone at Edzell.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Preface

ix-xu

Introductory Remarks, .

xiii-xxviii

Epitaphs and Inscriptions,

. • 1-376

Aberdour (Aberdeenshire),

55-9

Aberlemno (Angus),

7-10

AlRLIE

162-3

Aldbar ,,

lO-II

Alford (Aberdeenshire),

. 1x6-21,339

AUCHTERLESS ,,

206-9, 339

Banchory-Ternan (Mearns),

• 1-7, 379

Bellie (Morayshire),

11-16

Benvie (Angus),

192-3, 340

Bervie (Mearns),

23-7, 341

Bog Well,,

. 51

Boyndie (Banffshire),

. 199-201

Braemar (Aberdeenshire),

217-20

Broughty-Ferry (Angus), .

1 15-16, 370, 3S0

Careston (Angus), .

. 259-60

Carmyllie ,, . . .

246-9, 341

Caterline (Mearns),

173-4

Chapel House (Aberdeenshire),

. . . 264

Chapel Yard (Angus), .

. • 159-61, 383

Clova (Aberdeenshire), .

260-1

Coldstone ,, .

283-5, 342

CovviE (Mearns),

53-5, 343

Crathie ,,

. 214-17

Cruden

. 312-18

Cuikstoun (Angus),

92-3

Cupar-Angus,

72-4, 343

Cushnie (Aberdeenshire),

. 187-90

Uownan (Banffshire),

. 146

Drumblade (Aberdeenshire), .

• 257-9

Dun (Angus),

220-6, 344, 388

Dunottar (Mearns),

4S-53, 345

DURRIS ,,

104-6, 346

i^UTHiL (Morayshire),

142-3

Dysart (Angus),

• 237

EcHT (Aberdeenshire), .

65-6

Edzell (Angus),

• 307-11

Elchies (Morayshire),

297-9

Ellon (Aberdeenshire), .

59-62, 347, 376

Elsick (Mearns), .

• 55

Enzie or St. Ninian (Banffshire),

277-9

Essie (Angus),

67-8, 371

Ethie ,, ...

• . 318-19

Earn ELL (Angus), .

89-95, 350

Fasque (Mearns^ .

• 254-s

Fearn (Angus),

268-70, 354

Fettercairn (Mearns), .

250-6, 352

Fetteresso ,,

75-S5, 352

Finhaven (Angus),

334-5

Fochabers. Scd Bellie.

Fordoun (Mearns),

62-5, 356

Foyers (Inverness-shire),

. . 67

Gamrie (Banffshire),

85-9, 244

Gartly (Aberdeenshire),

43-5, 359

Glamis (Angus),

180-6, 386

Glenmoriston (Inverness-shire),

66-7

Grange (Banffshire),

100-4

Insch (Aberdeenshire), .

20-3

Inveravon (Banffshire), .

143-9, 359

Invergowrie (Angus), .

193-6

Inverkeilor ,,

. 318-26

Inverurie (Aberdeenshire), .

178-80, 359

Keith (Banffshire), .

164-9, 360

Keith-hall (Aberdeenshire), .

301-4

Kildrummy ,,

260-7

Kinnaird. See Cuikstoun.
KiNNEFF (Mearns), .

169-73,

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Kincardine O'Neil (Aberdeenshire),

KiNGOLDRUM (AngUs),

KiNKELL (Aberdeenshire),

KiNMUCK ,,

KiRKDEN (AngT-is), .
KiRK-MlCHAEL (Banffshire),
Knockando (Morayshire),

Laurencekirk (Mearns),
Leochel (Aberdeenshire),
Lethnot (Angus), .
LhaNBRYDE (Morayshire),
LiFF (Angus), .
Lintrathen (Angus),

LOCHLEE ,,

Logie-Buchan (Aberdeenshire
LOGIE (Dundee), Angus, .
LoGiE (Montrose), ,,
Logie-Mar (Aberdeenshire),
LONGSIDE ,,

Lunan (Angus),

Macduff (Banffshire),
Mains (Angus),
Marnoch (Banffshire),
Marykirk (Mearns),
Maryton (Angus), .

MONIFIETH ,,

MONQUHITTER (Aberdeenshire
MoRTLACH (Banffshire), .
Murroes (Angus), .

238-40

63-4, 385

304-7

• 304

32-5

69-71, 360

299-301

2S8-94, 361
186-7

294-5
271-2
190-2

^^9-8 1, 364

, 382, 390
197-9

[96-7, 364

209-10

281-3

95-100, 364

241-4, 366

244-6

201-3

231-5

132-8, 383

235-8, 367

106-15, 369, 380

175-8, 371, 386

• 326-34

121-6, 381

lire).

Navar (Angus),

296-7, 389

Nevay (Angus),
Newdosk ,, . .

Newhills (Aberdeenshire),
Newtyle (Angus), .

Oathlaw (Angus), .
Ordiquhill (Banffshire),

Pert (Angus), .

Peter Culter (Aberdeensl

Rathven (Banffshire),
Rescobie (Angus), .

St. Andrews (Morayshire),
St. Cyrus (Mearns),
St. Ninian. See Enzie.
St. Pol'nar's Chapel (Aberdeensh
Skene ,,

Southesk Howff (Angus), .
Stoneywood (Aberdeenshire),
Strachan (Mearns),
Strathdon (Aberdeenshire).
Strath MARTIN (Angus), .

Tannadice (Angus),
TowiE (Aberdeenshire), .

Ury Howff (Mearns),

I Supplement,
Appendix, .
General Index,

■e),

68-9, 371

• 311-12

• 285-7
138-41, 373

335-8, 374
27-9

210-14, 374
16-20

273-9
155-61, 384

270-1
36-43, 376

• 359
226-9

93-4

286

29-32

149-55
204-6

45-8
229-31

80-4

339-76

377-90

391-400

ERRATA

To the more import a tit errors in t/iis volume.

Pg. Col.

Line

For

Read

Pg. Col. Line

For

Read

. drained portion of the.

169

I 29

arrested.

detained.

Ins7ilace,

. hisulcB.

172

I 25

P- 75. •

P- 352.

. Edinburgh, afterwards
the celebrated banker,

172
176

2 36

2 34

Regi, .

Regia.
Garvock, senr.

and grandson of Pro-

178

2 last

45. •

42.

vost Coutts of Mon-

184

I 46

1777. •

1677.

trose.

190

2 37

Landaue, .

Landour.

brother,

. uncle.

190

2 last

nth. .

7th.

George IV.,

. Queen Victoria.

195

2 23

delete and Co.

. striving with heart and

202

I 28

p. 112,

p. in!

hand.

212

I 9

imcertain, .

tho' certain.

7-8

Anne Grahame, Anna Graham.

212

I 20

80, .

84.

in infancy, .

. infants.

212

I 44

divinity.

medicine.

Drumwhackit,

. Drumthwacket.

213

I 33

Mr. Lunan \_v. p. 375].

. a poem prefixed to a.

216

2 37

by desire of.

1781, .

• 1731-

224

I 37-8

wished, etc..

neither would decline

G. B. E. M.,

. G. B. M. M.

death, nor could in-

79 anno,

. 70 annis.

flect fate.

. cheerful, in prosperity

227

I 25

P- 157.

p. 151.

thankful.

228

2 6

p. 89, .

p. 245.

112

man, .

. in an.

240

2 4t

pp. 21, 121,

p. 4.

119

libel, .

. label.

249

I 26

P- 93.

p. 94.

121

bum of Powrie, . and.

252

I 35

antas, .

ante.

122

1857, .

• 1837.

252

2 23

doquio,

. eloquio.

134

1660, .

. 1680.

255

2 44

Kenneth IIL,

Kenneth IL

150

P- 45. •

• P- 145-

266

2 34

et concidit.

153

3-6

delete

. Her husband's father.

268

I 31

delete line.

who once owned a

270

2 13

p. 78, .

P- 53-

farm in Strathdon,

273

2 7

more southern

south aisle.

retired to Aberdeen,

chapel

where he became a

276

2 41-3

delete

[w. p. 12, col. r, 2d par.].

merchant.

277

I 2, 10

S. Mary, .

S. Gregory.

153

last

p. 122,

. p. 120.

287

2 12

p. 79, .

P-55-

160

Mary,

. Margaret.

291-

2 delete foot and top lines

[•'• P- 362 »ote\

162

M. V. G., .

. M.'V. M.

302

I 36

p. 48, .

P- 358.

165

p. 134,

• P- 133-

324

2 26,4

I .

\_v. p. 351, col. 2].

165

son, .

. grandson.

348

I 30,2

,4 I- M?T)

T. [Thomas].

166

eldest daughter of the Rev.

350

2 9

1831, died Dec.

1821, died Dec. 17.

fm' Clerical and typographical errors are not noticed in the above list, neither certain references to parishes and
pages. The reader will kindly correct these misprints in course of perusal. The latter were caused by a change in
the plan of the volume.

PREFACE.

TH E Author of this volume having occupied much of his leisure during
a great part of his lifetime in copying Epitaphs and Inscriptions
from Burial Grounds and Old Buildings, has necessarily formed a large
collection. Of these transcriptions the present volume contains upwards
of two thousand, or considerably less than a fourth part of the whole.

The limited impression (250 copies) arises from the fact that this por-
tion of the work was originally intended for private distribution only. But
owing to circumstances which have happened since the Author began to
print the papers which formed the nucleus of the volume, he has yielded
to the wishes of personal and literary friends in offering it to the public.
Had this been intended at first, not only would the number of copies have
been doubled, but the arrangement of the book would have been different,
and various other particulars would have received greater attention.

In addition to epitaphs and inscriptions from burial grounds,, this
volume not only contains inscriptions and dates from kirk bells and
communion vessels, from bridges, old buildings, obelisks, and other
memorials, all personally collected by the Author, but it also comprises
so much that is new in genealogical, biographical, historical, and anti-
quarian literature, that he thinks it can scarcely fail to be locally if not
generally interesting. It also contains a number of hitherto unpublished

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

historical and family papers, extracts from kirk-session records, notices
from chartularies and other authentic sources.

Although the unpublished portion of the collection has a wide range,
and is pretty general in its character, it has reference mainly to the North-
East of Scotland, or the counties of Fife, Forfar, Kincardine, Aberdeen,
Banff, and Eloin. Besides inscriptions from most of the private and
landward burial grounds in these shires, it includes collections from the
towns of Dundee, Forfar, Montrose, and Kirriemuir; Aberdeen, Peter-
head, Fraserburgh, Huntly, and Turriff; Banff, Cullen, Fordyce, and
Portsoy ; from the Cathedrals and Abbeys of St. Andrews, Dunfermline,
Brechin, Arbroath, Old Machar, Elgin, Pluscardine, and Kinloss ; and
also from a number of churchyards in Perthshire, including those of
Alyth, Bendochy, and Meigle.

But whether the remainder of this collection, or any part of it, will
ever appear, or in what form, will altogether depend upon circumstances.
Now that the inscriptions are collected, it would be an easy matter to give
them alone ; but to many, indeed to most readers, the absence of illustra-
tive notes would render them less interesting. On the other hand, the
addition of such notes as appear in this volume, however trifling and
imperfect these may be considered, entails an amount of labour and
research of which no idea can be formed unless by those who have been
engaged on books of a similar kind, and in searching out new information
regarding persons and places. Mere book-makers and plagiarists — the
most contemptible of all scribblers— know nothing of ' the toil and
trouble ' of such works ; although, unfortunately, as the Writer can testify
from experience, it but too often turns out to be more for their benefit
than for that of the authors of the books.

In regard to this volume, the Author has further to remark, that he
has been careful to preserve as many of the really old inscriptions as

PREFACE.

possible, and has been at considerable trouble and expense in disinterring
'long-lost' monuments. The orthographical peculiarities of these, which
constitute their value to philologists, and impart a certain charm to
general readers, have been as closely adhered to as moveable type will
admit of.

Some of the modern inscriptions have been abridged, but the more
important and curious, particularly those which relate to ' men of mark '
and to ' good and faithful servants,' are given in full.

In every instance the utmost care has been taken to secure accuracy ;
and the Author hopes that few ' vital errors ' will be found that are not
noticed either in the list of Errata {supra, p. vii.), or in the body of the
work.

As it was impossible for the Author personally to compare all the
proof-sheets with the original inscriptions, he has pleasure in stating that
ministers, schoolmasters, and others have afforded ready assistance. To
these (some of whose names are mentioned in the work), and to all others
who have kindly aided him in what he may call his inagnimi opus, the
Author begs to return grateful thanks.

He cannot deny himself the honour of stating how deeply he feels
indebted to the late Right Hon. Fox, Earl of Dalhousie, who, as on
former occasions, so kindly allowed the use of hitherto unpublished docu-
ments. These documents, which throw much light both upon personal
and proprietary history, have been selected from the family papers at
Panmure, and will be found printed in various parts of the volume.

To John Stuart, Esq., LL.D., author of The Sctilptiired Stones of
Scotland, and other works of great value and interest, the Author is
indebted for the revision of many of the proof-sheets of the volume. And

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

to the courtesy of James Anderson, Esq., M.A., lately schoolmaster of
Foveran, he is indebted for the excellent translations with which the
book is enriched, and for much valuable and friendly assistance.

The Author has also to acknowledge the kind liberality of his friend
Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield, Esq., ZT.R.S.A., for the engraved
portrait which adorns the volume. It was executed by Mr. T. O. Barlow,
A.R.A., after the painting by Mr. Allan-Fraser. The Author is likewise
indebted to the Trustees of the late Earl of Dalhousie for the use of the
woodcut of the Sculptured Stone at Edzell, and to the Society of Anti-
quaries of Scotland for those at Monifieth. The cross which forms a
portion of the ornament on the cover of the volume is from the slab at
Coldstone, see infra, p. 283.

To facilitate ready reference, a Table of Contents has been prefixed,
containing a list of Burial-places ; and subjoined is an Index to the names
of Persons and the more important of the Places and Subjects mentioned
in the volume, and also to the first words of Poetical Epitaphs.

AND. JERVISE.

Brechin, May 1875.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

IN introducing this volume, upon Fmieral and other Monume?tts in
the North-East of Scotland, the Author cannot help remarking that,
whatever may be its reception, its preparation, imperfect as it is, has
afforded him much pleasure, and enabled him to spend his leisure in
such a manner as, he hopes, may be of some advantage to others, long
after the ravages of Time have destroyed the monuments and their
inscriptions which the work is intended to preserve.

It must have appeared to many as well as to the Author a remark-
able circumstance, that, while monumental inscriptions are admitted as
evidence in Courts of Law, no legal step, so far as Scotland is concerned,
should ever have been taken to secure their preservation. The Author
is inclined to believe that the Legislature owes a duty to the country in
this respect, and that an Act of Parliament ought to be passed, not only
to provide, as far as possible, against the decay of Funeral Monuments
by time, but also to prohibit their destruction and removal in any and
every way, whether by relatives or others. These ends could be attained
with no great difficulty, and at small cost to the country compared with
the outlay which is frequently incurred by individuals in cases of succes-
sion, by the employment of qualified persons to make faithful copies of
all existing inscriptions, from the earliest date down at least to the
introduction of the compulsory Registration Acts.

But whether viewed in this or in a less utilitarian light, the subject

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

of Funeral Inscriptions is one of the deepest interest, and highly sug-
gestive to all, whether as regards the past, the present, or the future of
ourselves and of our country.

In all ao-es and nations — in barbarous as well as in the most civilised

times — men have held it a duty to honour the dead by erecting such
memorials over their remains as opportunity and circumstances would
allow : —

' To honor ye sepvltor ve may be bald —
Ve lerne of Abraham ovr father avid.'

Since the time that the Patriarch raised ' the pillar of Rachel's grave '
in the wilderness of Ephrath, unembellished boulders, cairns of stones,
and mounds of earth have been employed to mark the graves of pilgrims
and others, who have died in lonely and uncultivated wilds, far from the
site of any known burial-place.

Many of those humble but sincere tokens of gratitude still remain
throughout the glens and among the mountains of Scotland. In the
course of agricultural and other improvements, cinerary urns and stone
cists, often containing articles of personal ornament and dress, are found
in places which, from the removal of the original cairns, were never
supposed to contain such 'treasures.'

As dry gravel hillocks were generally selected as places of sepulture
in early times, the same spots have been frequently chosen as the
sites of places of worship. This probably not only accounts for the
elevated situation of many of our old churches, but also for the custom of
burying within them, — a practice which continued to be pretty general in
Scotland, in the case of heritors and ministers, down to a late date.

Since monoliths and boulders of great size and weight are so often
found upon knolls, hillocks, and in dells, as guardians of ' precious dust,'
it seems probable that natives as well as strangers had taken advantage
of these as places of interment. Many of these stones — the removal of
which from one place to another appears to be next to impossible, even

INTRO D UCTOR V REMARKS.

with modern appliances — had probably been borne by ice or some similar
agency, and deposited in their present situations, at remote periods of
the world's existence.

But as it is intended in this volume to deal solely with inscribed
slabs and monuments, the Author will not enter either upon the ancient
modes of burial, or upon a history of the funeral monuments which im-
mediately preceded the introduction of inscribed slabs. The latter are
commonly called Sculptured Stones ; and these, as well as the subject of
ancient burial, have been so exhaustively treated by Dr. Stuart, in his
work upon the Sculptured Stones of Scotland, as to leave nothing to be
desired.

It may, however, be mentioned, that three examples of early inscribed
monuments, of the class referred to, are to be met with in the north-
east of Scotland. One lies in the churchyard of Knockando, in Moray-
shire ; another stands at Newton of Culsalmond, in the Garioch ; and the
third is within the Kirk of St. Vigeans, in Angus.^

The first-named of these (which is the only one mentioned in this
volume) exhibits the single word 'SIKNIK,' which is believed to be the
name of a man. It is cut in Scandinavian runes, and is supposed to
belong to the eighth or ninth century (301). No monument can be more
briefly inscribed ; and although in this respect it is possibly unique in
Scotland, many similar instances occur in Ireland.''

The Newton stone, which contains six lines of an inscription, is within
two miles of the church of Insch, where there is a slab to the memory
of a priest named Radulph. Although the latter belongs to a more
modern class of funeral monuments than the former, it is of considerable
interest, and supposed to date as far back as the close of the twelfth
century (20).

1 See The Sculptured Stones of Scotla?td, and Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of
Scot/and {vols, i., v., vii., x.).

2 Christian hiscriptions in the Irish Language. Chiefly collected and drawn by George Petrie.
Edited by Miss Stokes, for Members only of the Royal Hist, and Archa;ol. Assoc, of Ireland.
4to. Dublin, 1872.

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

The present volume contains no other inscription that can be referred
to the same or the following age.

The fragments of the monuments of the Hays and Montifixes at Cupar-
Angus probably belong to the fourteenth century (72). But the most
interesting inscription that the Author has met with is within the parish
church of Tealing, near Dundee. It is in the vernacular of the period,
and commemorates the death of Ingram of Kethenys, priest of the church
of Tealing, archdeacon of Dunkeld, and a contemporary of Barbour, the
more celebrated archdeacon of Aberdeen, who wrote the poem of The
Brus. Although there is nothing regarding Tealing in this volume, the
inscription is one of so much interest, that the Author may be pardoned
for reprinting it here, from his own paper upon the subject, in the Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (vol. x. p. 290). It is
cut upon a freestone slab, is in fine preservation, and reads thus : —

•^ \v^x : lyis : Ingram : 0f : futljcngs : pri'*
masln' : i : arlt : a'tb^nc : of : bululbir : mab^ : \ \ bgs
e^ii : iiljea : prints ; for : bum : iiat : bcut : Ijafa
nb : k : : nbcrns : of : i^ulb : nt : tlje : ^vc

o o "

x)f : trnst : m : m : Irri'.

The inscriptions in this volume next in order of antiquity and
interest are those from the fragments of a monk's tomb at Cupar-
Angus. The surname unfortunately is lost, but the remaining traces of
a date show it to have been a fifteenth century work. Of the same age
are the tombs of the Lyons of Glamis (181) ; Graham of Fintray and his
wife, at Mains (201); Richard, vicar of Finhaven (338); Gilbert Green-
law, a supposed hero of Harlaw, at Kinkell, in the Garioch (305) ; and
those of the Leslies of Kininvie, the Constable of Balvenie Castle, and
Farquharson of Lochterlandich, at Mortlach (327-30).

Probably the most interesting monuments of the sixteenth century
are those relating to Abbot Schanwel (74), and to the Provost of the

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

collegiate church of Kilmun (72), both at Cupar-Angus. The aisle of
the founder of Marischal College and his father, at Dunottar (49) ; the
fragment which indicates that the Lords of Innermeath (ancestors of
the Marquis of Lome), had their burial-place at Inverkeilor (322) ;
the monument to the Barclays of Towie, at Gamrie (86) ; to Forbes of
Brux, at Kildrummy (262) ; to the Bairds of Auchmedden, and to the
father of Abbot Whyte, of the Scots College of Ratisbone, at Aberdour,
Deer (57); also the interesting fragments to Wood of Bonnington, at
Maryton (367), and to the Erasers, at Durris (140), all belong to the
same age. The beautifully-executed inscription to Forbes of Ardmurdo,
with a text in Greek capitals, which is cut upon the reverse of Greenlaw's
tomb at Kinkell (305), shows how soon the work of spoliation com-
menced among tombstones, which, as already hinted, has been so ruinous
to the interests of many families, who have had occasion to trace their
descent for pecuniary or less selfish purposes.

Perhaps the most interesting monuments of the seventeenth century
are those of the Lords Elphinstone, at Kildrummy (261); the Earls of
Southesk, at Kinnaird (93) ; the Hays (75), and Barclays of Ury (80),
and the Fothringhams of Powrie, at Murroes (122). Although relating
to less conspicuous families, the tombs of the Gordons of Park, at Ordi-
quhill (28) ; the Irvines of Monboddo, at Fordoun (62); the Strachans of
Thornton, at Marykirk (133) and at Keith (165); the Durhams of
Grange, at Monifieth (109); the Inneses of Edingight, at Grange (loi),
of Mathie Mill, at St. Andrews, and of Coxton, at Lhanbryde (270-1) ;
the Stratons of Kirkside, at St. Cyrus (376), are all noteworthy examples
of the period ; as are those of the Grahams of Largie, the Ogilvys of
Barras, and that of Mr. Grainger, minister of Kinneff (172), on whom the
voice of his country has conferred the honourable title of the Preserver of
its Regalia. The Martyrs' Monument at Dunottar Church is another
object of national interest (50). It bears the names of many who suffered
for a conscientious belief in the Protestant religion ; and its site is further
remarkable as being the place where Sir Walter Scott met with Robert

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

Paterson, while engaged in retouching the inscription — a circumstance
which suggested to the great novehst the idea of Old Moj^tality. The
tombs of the founders of the Duffs, Earls Fife, at Mortlach (328), as
well as those of young Gordon of Glastirim, and that of Bishop Nicolson,
the first Vicar-Apostolic of Scotland, both at Enzie (278), must be of
general interest.

But probably the most peculiar monuments of the above era are those
of the Rev. Mr. Malcolm, and Roger and Euphan Rolok, at Airlie (-162).
The former presents the Passion of Our Lord, carefully carved upon the
copestone of the enclosure, and similar, in some respects, to the emblems
upon the aumbry at Airlie Church {infra, p. 378); while the latter,
with ornamental top, and vertically cut inscription, in raised characters,
exhibits more of the Celtic type than any other noticed in this volume,
although there are many and better examples of the same style in other
parts of the country.

Eighteenth-century tombstones are to be met with in every variety of
form. Many of these are adorned, in the style of the preceding century,
with armorial bearings, ingeniously constructed monograms, merchants'
marks, mortuary emblems, and representations of instruments or tools
Indicative of the occupations of the deceased.

Some of the last-mentioned articles are singularly interesting, and
now that many have been superseded by new Inventions, they are
becoming of value to the antiquary, and to such as are fond of tracing the
rise and progress of the useful arts.

The Author has adverted to the peculiarities of some of these in his
Memorials of Angus and tJic JMcarns (p. 195), as well as in several parts of
this volume. In briefly referring here to a few of the most singular
examples, it may be observed, that instead of the chalice, which was
sculptured upon the earlier tombs of clergymen, open books became the
fashion (265). That of a mill-stone picker (whose surname of ' Plckle-
man ' had probably been assumed from his occupation) exhibits a mill-
rind and a mill-stone pick (9). A cheese-press is upon the gravestone

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

of a farmer's wife at Tannadice ; and the less appropriate figures of an
inkstand and two penknives are carved upon that of a schoolmaster's
wife at the same place (46). A shield upon the tomb of a ' moss-grieve,'
or peat-moss superintendent, is charged with the appropriate emblems of
a coil of rope and a pin or short stake for laying off the moss (251).
The Author has never met with any other example of the last-mentioned
articles; and the two spirit-measures and a bicker or drinking quaich,
which are well represented upon the tomb of the infant son of a roadside
merchant at Cupar-Angus (344), are new to him.

In the more common cases of farmers and sailors, also of blacksmiths,
weavers, and other artisans, the carvings indicative of their respective
occupations are often accompanied by laudatory and uncouth rhymes, such
as the following couplet from a headstone (350) at Farnell : —

' The weaver's art, it is renowned so.
That rich nor poor without it cannot go.'

Although the writers of the epitaphs which adorn the tombs of the
higher classes of society are pretty generally known, it is otherwise with
the epitaphs in the north-east of Scotland relating to people in the middle
and humbler walks of life, if we except such as were composed by the
authors of ' The Minstrel,' ' Helenore,' ' Tullochgorm,' and a few other
poets.

Although anonymous epitaphs are often as fantastic in conception as
they are rude in execution, and although the same lines are found in
different and distant parts of the country, still they frequently possess
a vigour and individuality that in some measure compensate for their
want both of polish and rhythm. At Monifieth, for example, in an inscrip-
tion dated as far back as i 7 1 1, we have the germ, certainly in a rude enough
form, of Lover's beautiful song of the ' Angel's Whisper' (i 12).

A great many of our older epitaphs were probably written by
parochial schoolmasters, many of whom not only possessed a considerable
amount of poetical feeling, but did very much to foster and encourage

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

healthy thought among their pupils. But besides schoolmasters, there
were in Scotland, as in other countries, many other ' hobblers round the
base of the Parnassus,' as the minor poets have been quaintly described,
who had doubtless composed numbers of these rhymes, and possibly
the most curious of the whole.

By selecting examples of these, we have given in this volume a
mixture of the grave and gay. Some of the epitaphs possess unquestion-
able merit ; and although others are utterly worthless, still, as they serve to
show the taste of the times in different districts, and in various classes
of society, a collection like the present would have been incomplete
without them.

Those in the acrostic style (159, 183) are poor specimens ; and there
are only two of a punning nature, one of which refers to the surname
(319) and the other to the profession (224) of the persons commemorated.
In the former, it is said of Mr. Joshua Durie, that, although he could
no loncrer Qxxdure to live in this world, he Qwdjires and flourishes in

the next ; and in the latter, we are assured that although the deceased
was a learned grammarian, he neither would decline death nor could
inflect fate !

One noticeable peculiarity in epitaphs is the oddly expressed oral
warnings which the dead give to the living, and of which the following,
from the tomb of a clergyman, is not the least peculiar :

' This dormitory which thou sees
Was once the object of my eyes ;
But now my body is in dust,
Thine also death will hither thrust' (57).

Another feature is the confidence which epitaphs exhibit in the en-
joyment of future happiness by the dead, and the means by which this
felicity is represented as being attained are often very singular : —

' He while on Earth mankind did aid
And genarously befriend,
For which we hope Almighty God
Has bless'd his latter end.

INTRODUCTOR V REMARKS.

' He by God's blessing often did
Lame people safe restore
To wonted health, altho' their bones
Were bruised very sore' (373).

Some of the epitaphs contain quaint alkisions to accidental deaths.
One, by Skinner of Longside, refers to an ancestor of Dr. Tait, the present
Archbishop of Canterbury, who 'was killed by the fall of a stack of
timber' (97). Another, at Kirkden, tells us that —

' An old clay chimney that down fell,
Kill'd both his servant and himsell ' (34).

The death of a child by ' being drowned in a well ' is referred to at
Maryton (236). We have also the drowning of two brothers, while in
search of their father's sheep, recorded in a Latin inscription at Lochlee
(130). The death of two other brothers by drowning also forms the
theme of an epitaph by Dr. Beattie (295). But probably the most curious
is one by Ross of Lochlee, which has reference to a youth who was
accidentally burned to death among a quantity of heather : —

' From what befalls us here below,

Let none from thence conclude

Our fate shall after time be so, —

The young man's life was good' (12S).

Of the enigmatical inscriptions given in the present work is one upon
the tombstone of a blacksmith at Fearn : — ■

' Full seventy years he livd upon this earth,
He livd to dye — the end of life is death —
Here he was smith six lustres and three more,
The third three wanted, it had but two before' (355).

But it is not the Author's intention, in the meantime at least, to write
an essay upon the peculiarities of the inscriptions which he has collected,
although many odd instances could be enlarged upon, such as the submis-
sive husband who 'died with the concurrence of his spouse' (145); the

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

grateful woman who erected a monument to the memory of her ' first and
beloved' husband 'with concent of his successor' (371), and the conside-
rate son,

' Who hindered not his father dear
To sleep into his bed' (137)-

These, and many similar points, as well as the still more interesting
question of longevity, may be entered upon should the Author be spared
to complete his work. But with respect to the question of longevity, he
may state that, besides the casual notices of Peter Garden (209) and Lizzie
Wilkin (365), who are said to have died respectively at the ages of 131
and 103, the deaths of four other centenarians are recorded in this
volume. Of the lives of two of these (147, 370) little has been told.
The others have been more fortunate. One, who died at the age of
no, was a sergeant-major in the rebel army at Culloden, and enjoyed a
pension from George IV. (219); while the other was twice married,
and had twenty-six children by his two wives, as he himself quaintly
tells us, in thus speaking from his tomb ! —

' In Wedlock's Band ue Procreat
Lauffully us Betuix,
Loues Pledges, whos Right number wer,
Euen tuo tymes tenne and Six.'

Notices of nonagenarians and octogenarians occur in all parts of
the volume. But the most remarkable instances are given from eight
tombstones which stand within the area of the picturesque ruins of the
Kirk of Cowie (53-4). It appears from these that the united ages of ten
persons — five males and five females — amount to the long period of 877
years.

Among the octogenarians at Cowie are the father and paternal aunt
of the late Cosmo Innes, the celebrated literary antiquary, whose name
must ever be dear to the lovers of Scottish history, and doubly so to
those who had the pleasure of enjoying his acquaintance.

INTROD UCTOR V REMARKS.

Little did the Author think, when Mr. Innes was urging the pub-
lication of this volume, for which he kindly supplied some particulars,
that he so soon should have to speak of him as 'one of the past.'
Although Mr, Innes, who died on 31st July 1874, had attained his
75th year, he possessed much of the buoyancy of youth, both in
feeling and sentiment ; and down to the very last he continued to com-
municate information to kindred spirits, with the geniality and exactness
which are so characteristic of the true gentleman and the profound
scholar.

Mr. Innes, who was born in the old mansion-house of Durris, in
Kincardineshire, was Professor of History in the University of Edinburo-h.
He was also a Principal Clerk of Session ; and on opening the Second
Division of that Court on 15th October 1874, the Lord Justice-General
Inglis concluded some feeling remarks on the death of Lord Benholm
with this tribute to the memory of Mr. Innes : — ' Nor do the calamities
which have befallen us end here. We shall see no more at our table the
pleasant and friendly face of Mr. Cosmo Innes, a man whose varied
accomplishments added lustre to the body to which he belono-ed, and
distinction to the office which he held. His loss will be long deplored by
a much wider circle than that which frequents these halls ; and having
enjoyed his friendship and intimacy for more than forty years, I cannot
refrain from paying this imperfect tribute to his memory.'

Apart from the portion of this volume which deals with Epitaphs
and Inscriptions, the most valuable and interesting will probably be
the hitherto unpublished documents so kindly lent by the late Earl of
Dalhousie and others. But for these, the interesting notices concerning
the life of Mr. Edward of Murroes would still have been matter for
conjecture. Neither would it have come so clearly to our knowledge
that, in 1701, the Earl of Panmure, and certain others of the nobility
and gentry of Scotland, with a view to the improvement of the useful
and ornamental arts of their country, proposed to send a son of Mr.

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

Edward's to the Continent, to study, sketch, and report upon the more
important works in architecture, mining, planting, etc. (122-3).

Besides the interesting facts connected with Mr. Edward and his
family. Churchmen will find in this volume many particulars respecting
others of their old brethren, such as Mr. Dempster of Monifieth, father of
the first Dempster of Dunnichen (108) ; and also a letter from the parson
of Fettercairn, who took the wise precaution to have his vestments
and ' ye silver chalice ' returned to him by his cousin, the Laird of Car-
myllie, in 1523, for 'feir' of an uptaking of the thirds of the benefices

(352). .

And now that the presentation to Scotch parish churches by heritors

and others is numbered among the things that were, the quaint phraseo-
logy used in the presentation to the Kirk of Carmyllie by the laird and
his curators in 1609 will be looked upon with interest {343). Nor can
Lord Strathnairn's great-grandfather's own account of how he was ' sup-
ported' during his incumbency as Episcopal minister at Lochlee (382)
be perused without a feeling that this worthy man had not only been
strong in faith, but that, like the Israelites of old, he and his family must
have been fed upon manna.

The curious letter from Erskine of Dun to his uncle, the Laird of
Panmure, in which he pleads for a marriage between his neighbour, the
young laird of Bonnington, and a daughter of Mr. Maule's, will please even
those who have little or no turn for antiquarian lore, and may supply
hints to such as take a delight in the generally thankless task of
'match-making' (389).

The letter in which Earl Marischal promises rather to break 'his
necke and fortun,' than to fail in his agreement with those who became
security for his ' good behaviour,' presents many points worthy of being
laid to heart both by peers and commercial men in our own day (353).
It shows, at the same time, how much the education of this grandson of
the founder of Marischal College had been neglected, as compared with
that of his friend and contemporary, the Earl of Kinghorn.

INTRODUCTOR V REMARKS.

The inventories of the outfit of the latter, when he went to study
at St. Andrews, and of his winter's clothing, in 1655, are most interest-
ing- ; while his letter to young Arbuthnott of Findowrie, dated from the
Camp at Strathblane, offering him the command of a company of horse
in the Angus regiment in 1685, is highly characteristic of the dignified
cavalier of that eventful period (386-8).

The account of the funeral charges of a grand-daughter of the same
laird of Findowrie, who ' died of a decay ' or consumption in 1 704, throws
much light upon the funeral customs of the period, and contains many
items of expense not now to be dreamt of (383).

The first Feu-Charter of Balfour, in the parish of Kingoldrum, granted
by Cardinal Beaton, 20th February 1539, to James Ogilvy of Cookstone,
in Airlie, is of considerable interest, in so far as it contains a pretty full,
if not a complete, list of the members of the Convent of Arbroath at that
date {385). Ogilvys, possibly ancestors of Cookstone, leased Balfour
from about 1478 ; and although tradition asserts that the castle was built
by Cardinal Beaton, the Charter in question may be taken as proof of the
contrary. The old houses of Claypots, Colliston, and Ethie are also said
to have been built by the Cardinal as residences for female favourites ;
but documentary evidence shows that these were erected long after his
time by the respective proprietors of the lands. Indeed, the Castle of
Melgund is the only house that the Cardinal is known to have erected
in Angus ; and there his own initials are to be seen, together with those
of Marion Ogilvy, who was the mother of a family by him, and probably
his wife, by that sort of morganatic marriage which was frequent among
churchmen in Roman Catholic times.

The ' testificatione ' anent the wasting of Naver by ' the malitious
enemie of this kirke and kingdome,' and the destruction of the minister's
' buikes ' and other property by ' barbarous heighelanders,' conveys a
fair enough idea of the evils attendant upon a civil war, and the hard-
ships which the people of those days — both lay and clerical — had to
undergo (389). This paper cannot fail to carry to the mind of every

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

reader the conviction, that the social condition of Scotland is far better
now than it ever was in ' the good old times,' so highly lauded by writers
of a certain class, and that the blessings of peace and freedom are cheaply
purchased at any price, however great.

The old rentals of West Ferry of Dundee and Monifieth show that
there was a considerable population, as well as shops, in these parts some
two hundred and thirty years ago; and no doubt some of the local
farmers, merchants, and others will be pleased to find mention therein
made of namesakes, if not ot ancestors (380-1).

Although not consistent with the dignity of agriculturists of the
present time, the quaint manner in which the unlettered miller of Coully-
can preferred his claim to the laird of Troup for a renewal of the lease of
his mill must be looked upon as a curiosity in its way (87). Still, how-
ever strange it may seem, there is evidence to show that, even in recent
times, similar arguments have been frequently employed for similar pur-
poses by tillers of the soil in Scotland.

Inscriptions from funeral and other monuments have been collected
and printed in most countries, and their value has been admitted not
only by historians, but by all who take an interest in the past and future
of a people or a country.

Scotland is by no means destitute of such collections. Many valuable
inscriptions are Incorporated with local histories ; but the first collection,
properly so called, was made by Robert Montelth, the son of an Edin-
burgh merchant. This unfortunate author, who was minister first at
Borgue and next at Carrington, was deposed for drunkenness In the
year 1685 (Scott's Fasti). Neither the time of Montelth's death nor
the place of his burial Is known. His book Is entitled Theater of
Mortality, 2SiA the first part, comprising 'Illustrious Inscriptions' from
the burial-grounds of Edinburgh and Its neighbourhood, appeared In
1704, and the second part, containing 'a further collection of Funeral

INTRO D UCTOR Y REMARKS.

Inscriptions over Scotland,' was published in 171 3. Both parts were
reprinted at Glasgow in 1834, with eighty pages of ' Additional Inscrip-
tions,' professedly collected from numerous burial-places in Scotland, but
which appear to have been chiefly copied from local histories, magazines,
and newspapers. Although the Author has, as yet, had little occasion
to make use of Monteith's collection, he has tested its accuracy in many
ways, and can speak of it as a trustworthy and valuable work.

Brown's Epitaphs and Moimmental Inscriptio7is in Greyfriars Church-
Yard, Edinbzu'gh, published in 1867, is also an excellent work. Besides
the more modern inscriptions, it contains a number of reprints from Mon-
teith, duly acknowledged as such by the editor. It also possesses a
valuable introduction by David Laing, Esq., LL.D., of the Signet
Library, Edinburgh, and some interesting extracts from the Records of
the Town Council of that city.

The Mommients and Monumental Inscriptio7is in Scotland, printed
for the Grampian Club (187 1-3), and edited by the Rev. Charles Rogers,
LL.D., is in two volumes. Besides other matter, these volumes embrace
a reprint of the greater part of the Glasgow edition of Monteith, also
over 360 epitaphs and inscriptions, copied from the imcorrccted versions
of the papers upon these subjects which the Author of this work con-
tributed to the Montrose Standard newspaper, as noticed by him in a
letter which appeared in the Scotsman of 12th January 1874.

These papers, as stated in the Preface, formed the nucleus of the
present volume. They were corrected and supplemented after appear-
ing in the Montrose Standard, but thirty-five of the notices (as detailed
in the subjoined footnote) ^ are not given in this volume. These may

These were notices of the parishes of —

Aberlour.

Cromdale.

Kinemv.

Auchterhouse.

Dallas.

Leslie (Fife).

Banchory-Devenick.

Forfar.

Leuchars.

Barry.

Fowlis-Easter.

Lundie.

Botriphnie.

Glengaim.

Mary Culter.

Bourtie.

Glenmuick.

Meigle.

Cabrach.

Garvock.

Midmar.

Cortachy and Clova.

Inchbrayock.

Migvie.

Craig.

Keam.

Panbride.

Rathen (Aberdeen).

Slains.

St. Mary's (Craig).

St. Skae.

Strichen.

Tarland.

Tibbermuir.

TuUich (Aberdeen).

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

possibly appear in an amplified and more interesting form at some future
period.

In the course of publication, which extended from January 1868 to
November 1874, these contributions frequently contained strictures upon
ill-kept burial-grounds. Although these are omitted in the volume, the
Author has been gratified to learn that his remarks have led to the
improvement of many of those interesting and hallowed spots. He
earnestly hopes that the good work will continue to be carried out
wherever it is found needful, until the now too just reproach of ' out
of sight out of mind ' — as applied to the last resting-places of our fore-
fathers — be wiped out, and give place to the grateful and humanizing
sentiment of —

Though lost to sight, to memory dear.

Old Kirk-yard of Edzell.

Hpitaphs

Sf Jnsci^i

PTIONS

FROM

BURIAL GROUNDS and OLD BUILDINGS,

WITH ILLUSTRATIVE NOTLS.

(S. TERNAN, BISHOP OF THE PICTS.)

THE church of Banchorytarny^ with lands in
the locality, were granted to the Abbey of
Arbroath by AVilliam the Lion. The church be-
longed to the diocese of Aberdeen.

It is said that S. Ternan died at Banchory,
A.D. 440, and that a church was built over his
remains. It is probable that Banchory was an
early seat of learning, since Camerarius speaks
of some of the old Scotch saints having been edu-
cated at the monastery of Banchory.

Tradition says that some of the buildings stood
in the present bed of the Dee, opposite the kirk ,•
and I am informed by Mr Steuart, inspector of
poor, that "a few years ago, when a pathway
was being made along the brink of the river from
Banchory Lodge to the Railway Station, the men
employed dug up a small square hell."' Possibly
this was the j-onecht, or bell of Banchory-Ternan,
which is said to have been presented to the Saint
by Pope Gregory the Great ; but, unfortunately,
this interesting relic has been lost sight of.

Notices of the ownership of the bell by John
Stalker (1490) "be reson of heritage pertening and
VOL. I.

mowyn to hyme be his vife," and the possession
of- " the Deray Croft of Banquhoriterne," are
on record (Reg. Ep. Abd.) ; also legends of the
bell having the power of following S. Ternan, of
its own accord, when on liis religious pilgrimages !
The new church, built in 1824, has a modern
bell — that upon " the watch-house" in the church-
yard, which is tolled at funerals, bears :—

PETKVS . STENS . EOTTERDAMT . ME . FECIT . AO . 1664.
SOLI . DEO . GLORIA.

The burial-ground lies in a hollow, or come,
on the north bank of the Dee. It contains
a number of monuments ; but all trace of the
"cross church" has disappeared; also the "isle
for the Burnets of Leyes." The site of their aisle
is marked by an enclosure, in which there is a
tablet thus inscribed : —

lu memory of Charles-Spearman Burnett,
youngest sou of James H. Burnett, Esq. of Ar-
beadie, and Caroline his wife ; born 20th July 1835,
died 21st June 1836. [Mark x. 15.]
— The erector of this tablet (the ninth, and pre-
sent baronet of Crathes), is directly descended
from Alexander Burnett who had a grant from
Robert the Bruce, 1324, of the lands of Killie-
nach Clerach (Candieglerach), and others in the
same neighbourhood. The Burnetts were also

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

king's foresters in the North, and a small hunting-
horn of ivory at Crathes, set with garnets, is said
to have been given by Bruce to the first Burnett
of Leys.

The celebrated Bishop Burnett (v. Keith-
hall) -was the son of a younger brother of Leys ;
and a continental amour of one of the lairds is
celebrated in the ballad of the " Baron of Leys."

Their residence of Crathes, built about , is

a fine example of the Scoto-Franco style of
architecture, being pretty similar to the castles
of Glamis, Craigievar, and Muchals. Billings
gives three plates of Crathes in his Baronial
and Ecclesiastical Antirjuities of Scotland.

An enclosure on the north-east of the church-
yard of Banchory-Ternan contains three mural
tablets of red granite. Upon the centre slab : —

In memory of Thomas Eamsay, second son of
Sir Alex''. Ramsay of Balmain, Bart., and of his
wife Dame Elizabeth, daughterof Sir Alexr. Banner-
man, Bart. He was a Captain in H. B. M.'s Army,
served in the Peninsula and at Waterloo : born
24th Feb. 1786, died 18th Deer. 1857, aged 71.
And also of Thomas Ramsay, R.N., second son of
the above Capt. T. Eamsay, and of Margaret,
daughter of Sir Robert Burnett of Lej's, Bart., his
second wife, born 13th Jany. 1S2S, died 17th Jauy.
1856, aged 28.

— Capt. T. Ramsay's first wife was Jane, a
daughter of Pat. Cruickshank of Stracathro, Esq.,
by whom he had the above-named Wm., also
Catherine, and two other daughters. Upon right-
hand side of the above : —

Catherine Ramsay, second daughter of Capt.
T. Eamsay, and Jane Cruickshank, born April 16,
1822, died Augt. 21, 1843, aged 21. [Luke xii. 40.]

The third slab bears : —

William Bdrnett-Ramsay of Banchory Lodge,
late Captain in H. M. 's Rifle Brigade, and Lieut. -
Colonel of the Forfar and Kincardineshire Militia
Artillery, born 11th April 1821, died 6th Nov. 1865.
[John xix. 25.]

— A fountain, constructed of granite, has been
erected at Banchory, by subscription, to the me-
mory of Capt. Ramsay. He was a nephew of the

Very Reverend Dean Ramsay of Edinburgh, and
succeeded to the estates of his grand-uncle. Gen.
Burnett, a monument to whose memory, upon
Scultie Hill, is thus inscribed : —

Erected to the memory of General William
Burnett of Banchory Lodge— born 19 Feb. 1762,
died 7 Feb. 1839— by his numerous Friends and
Tenantry, 1842.

The burial aisle of the Douglasses of Tilwhilly,
a plain building with slated roof, stands near the
middle of the kirkyard. The initials and date of

J. D : M. A : 1775,
upon the door lintel, refer to John Douglass
and his wife Mary, sister to the sixth Viscount
Arbuthnott. To their only son, a marble monu-
ment (inside) bears this inscription : —

Here lies Interr'd among his Ancestors, John
Douglass of Tilliwhilly, Advocate, who died at
Edini'. March Gth 1773, in the 36th year of his Age,
and in his Fathei-'s lifetime. He was only son of
John Douglass and Mary Arbuthnott, was early
educate in principles of true religion, which ap-
pear'd well in him all his Life. O ! Eeader, here
drop a Tear for a young man so soon cutt off. But
let this comfort thee, that he has gain'd infinitely
by dying, for Blessed are the dead that die in the
Lord ; and we have reason to believe that his
righteous soul is now in a happy state, waiting for
the resurrection of his body to eternal life.
— The above is built in the south-east corner of
the vault : The next is near it : —

In memory of Mrs Hannah Douglass, widow of
the late John Douglass of Tilwhilly, advocate, and
daughter of the late Sir G. L. A. Colquhoun of
Tillj'quhoun, Bart., who departed this life 10th
Api'il 1835, aged S3 years, and lies interred here,
in the same grave with her husband. This tablet
is placed as a small testimony of respect and affec-
tion by her only surviving son, G. L. A. Douglass,
advocate. She lived beloved, and died lamented.
Blessed are the dead that died in the Lord. Eev.
xiv. 13.
Upon a marble slab in the south-west corner : —

Here lies the body of John Douglass of Til-
whilly, who died on the 6th of July 1812, in the
40th year uf his iige. Here lies also the body of his

BA NCHOR Y- TERN A iV.

only brother, George-Lewis-Augustus Douglass,
Sheriff- Depute of Kincardineshire, who died on the
30th of October 1847, in the 76th year of his age.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the
life. John xi. 25.

— From a dark grey granite slab, built into the
wall above the last-noticed : —

In memory of John Douglass of Tilquhillie, and
of Falkenhorst (Thueringen Vorarlberg, Austria.)
Born at Inchmarlo, March 28, 1804 ; died at Til-
quhillie, October 11, 1870.

— Quotations from John xiv. 12 ; v. 28 ; and ix.
25 (slightly destroyed by damp), are painted upon
the plaster on the north wall.

The Douglasses had a pretty early settlement
on Deeside, it having been about 1479 that David
Douglass, a cadet of Douglass of Dalkeith, married
the heiress of Ogston of that Ilk and Tilwhilly.
The Douglasses have possessed Tilwhilly from that
time, with the exception of from about 1812 to
1857, when it belonged to Henry Lumsden,
Esq., advocate, Aberdeen, from whom, or his
heirs, it was reacquired by the Douglasses
during the last-mentioned year. The castle of
Tilwhilly, dated 1576, and now occupied by the
tenant of the farm, is in a tolerable state of repair.
Bishop Douglass of Salisbury, born at Pitten-
weem, in Fife, was descended of this family.

A marble slab, set in granite (on east side of
the Tilwhilly aisle), is thus inscribed : —

1730, First monument erected ; Second in 1776 ;
and this by the Pievd. Dr Leslie of Fordoun, in
1842. Hie Jacent Keverendi Magistri Jacobus
Reid, a familia de Pitfodels oriundus, Bancho-
riensis Ecclesice Pastor a Eeformatione primus ;
KoBEKTUS Eeid, dicti Jacobi filius, et Eobertus
Keid, Roberti dicti nepos, uterque Ecclesi;B ejus-
dem Pastores. Hie Jacent Magister Thomas Reid,
qui obijt in Eslie, anno setatis 76 ; et Joanna
Burnet, ejus conjux, quas obiit anno ajtatis 90.
Necron Thomas Reid, quondam in Pitenkirie, qui
monumentum hoc erigicuravit, et obiit, 31 Januarii
1733, ajtatis suae 76, et Agnes Ferguson, ejus con-
jux, quas obiit 21 die Decembris, 1728, ^tatis 70.
Petrus PiEiD et Catherina Reid, eorum liberi.

[Here lie the Rev''. Mr James Reid, a de-

scendant of the family of Pitfodels, the first pastor
of the church of Banchory after the Reformation ;
the Rev. Mr Robert Reid, son of the said James ;
and the Revd- Robert Eeid, grandson of the said
Robert, both ministers of the same church. Here
lie Mr Thomas Reid, who died in Eslie, in the
76th year of his age, and Joanna Burnet, his wife,
who died in the 90th year of her age. Also Thomas
Reid, formerly in Pitenkirie, who caused this mon-
ument to be erected, and who died 31st Jan. 1733,
in the 76th year of his age ; and Agnes Ferguson,
his wife, who died 22st Dec. 1728, in the 70th year
of her age ; Peter Reid, and Catharine Reid,
their children]

—The first-named Mr Robert Reid was succeeded
by Mr Alex. Cant. Mr Alex. C. was deposed
before 4th Nov. 1661, as of that date the Earl of
Panmure, being sufficiently informed of his
"doctrine, lyffe, and good conversatioue," issued
a presentation in favour of Mr George Innes,
minister of Dipple. It was subsequent to this
that the second Mr Robert Reid became minister
of the parish. Thomas, son of James Reid, after
travelling over Europe, became Greek and Latin
Secretary to James VI.,. and some of his Latin
poems are printed in Johnston's Delltiai Poetarum
Scotorum. He founded the office of librarian at,
and made valuable additions to the library of
Marischal College, Aberdeen, among which is a
Hebrew Bible, supposed of the 12th century.
Another son, Alexander, physician to Chas. I.,
published several professional works, and be-
queathed books and money to King's College,
Aberdeen ; also money to his native parish for
educational purposes. The Robert of 1620 was
grand -father to Dr Thomas Reid, author of the
Inquiry into the Human Mind. The Reids of
Pitfodels were sprung of a burgess family of
Aberdeen. Dr Leslie who erected the third and
existing monument, from which the above in-
scription is copied, was related to the Reids
through his mother. From another slab : —

Georgius Read, M.D., in Classe Britanuica diu,
dein Londini, medendi arte functus, natalis soli
desiderio tactus non inutile senium, sed quietum
apud suos confecit, et inter majores ossa condi
voluit, anno 1754, 87 retatis.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

[Gkorge Read, M.D., after practising tlie art of
healing in the British Navy, and theu in London
for many years, feeling a desire to revisit his native
soil, spent his declining years usefully but quietly
among his friends, and wished his bones to rest
beside those of his ancestors. He died in 1754, in
his 87th year.]

From a mural tablet, within au enclosure, on
left of churchyard gate : —

In memory of Duncan Davidson, of Tillychetly
and luchmarlo, born I7th March 1773, died 8th
Dec. 1849. And of his wife, Frances-Mary Pirie,
born 29th April 178G, died 15th Nov. 1859.
— Mr Davidson, whose ancestors came from
Tarland, was an advocate in Aberdeen, and
bought the prettily situated house and property
of Inchmarlo from Mr Leslie of Warthill. The
house of Inchmarlo was built by Mr Douglass of
Tilwhilly, from whom the property passed to Mr
Walter S. Davidson, a banker in London, and a
son of a minister of Rayne. luchmerlach and
Arbady (Arbeadie) were wrongously held from
the Earl of Angus by Cumin of Culter in 1479
(Acta Dom.) Upon a flat stone, at eastside of
Crathes aisle : —

Sub hoc marmore requiescunt Reverendus Ma-
gister RoBERTUS Burnet de Sauchen, qui pastoral!
officio apud hanc ecclesiam . . . sedecim auuos
functus est, et obiit decimo octavo die mensis Junii
anno supra millesimum septingentesimo primo, et
aitatis su£e quinquagesimo tertio; necnon Joanna
Eeid, sponsa eius, quse obiit 9no die mensis Aprilis,
anno 17-2, ietatis sute -3.

[Uuderneath this marble rest the Rev. Robert
Burnet of Sauchen, who was minister of this church
for 16 years, and died 18th June 1701, in his 53d
year ; and Joanna Reid, his spouse, who died 9th
April 17-2, in the -3d year of her age.]
— Sauchen, once Huntly property, was acquired
by Burnets, between 1662 and 1673. On 24th
February 1699, the minister of Banchory, who
was some time at Fintray, was served heir to his
father Thomas, in the lands of Sauchen and
others (Retours, Abd.) His wife is said to have
been a daughter of his predecessor at Banchory.
Mr Burnet was succeeded in Sauchen, first by

a son, and tlien by a grandson, on whose death,
in the year 1770, the property passed to the
female line (v. Cluny.)

At the top of the last-noticed slab stands a
small round-headed stone, with the date of 1716,
also DMS. in monogram. The initials, T.S.
and M.S. are upon another part of it ; but the
inscription is ill to decipher, though the letters

MARGT sc and the date of

1716, are clear enough. If fully read, the in-
scription would probably be found to have some
connection with JMartin Sciiank, who (as shewn
by an extract from the Presbytery Records
of Kincardine O'Neil, kindly communicated by
the Rev. Mr Mackenzie, Aboyne), became min-
ister of Banchory on 7th Oct. 1694, and died
18th April 1747. Mr Schank married Margaret
Dauney in April 1698, and at the time of hia
death he was a widower, with an only son, named
Alexander, " above the age of sixteen years."
This son bequeathed £100 to the poor of Ban-
chory, became designed of the property of Castle-
rig in Fife, to which ultimately succeeded the
Rev. Mr Alexander Shank of St Cyrus (v. Lau-
rencekirk.)

Mr Schank was succeeded in Banchory by Mr
George Campbell, afterwards a professor in, and
principal of IMarischal College, Aberdeen, author
of a Treatise on Miracles, &c. It was upon the
removal of Mr C. to Aberdeen in 1757 that Mr
Dauney came from Lumphanan to Banchory-
Tcrnan : —

Memoria; S. M. Margaret.e Chalmers, viri
Reverendi Mi;i Francisci Dauney, Bauchoriensis
Ternani pastoris, conjugis, quaj obiit 9>i.o Januarii
1790, aitat 64. Necnon C atharin.e Dauney, eorum
filiai, quse obiit 7™" Junii 1787, .-etat. 34, Quatuor
liberi, qui in teneris annis obierunt, juxta re-
quiescunt. Ac etiam memorife S, M. pra^fati
Mri Francisci Dauney, prius Lumphanani, pos-
terius hujus ecclesiaj per annos LVIII pastoris,
qui annum retatis LXXXII agens obiit 2do Aprilis
1800.

[Sacred to the memory of Margaret Chalmers,
wife of the Rev. Mr F. Dauney, minister of Ban-
chory Ternan, who died 9th Jan. 1790, in her 64th
year. Also of Catharine Dauney, their daughter,

B ANCHOR Y-TERNAN.

who died 7th June 1787, in her 34th year. Four
children, who died in infancy, rest beside them.
Sacred also to the memory of the foresaid Mr Fkancis
Dauney, minister, first at Lumphanan, and after-
wards of this church for 58 years, who died 2d
April 1800, in the 82d year of his age.]

— Mr Dauney is said to have been in every re-
spect a good example of the clergyman of the old
school. Some anecdotes are still told of him on
Deeside : among others, it is said, that in Mr
Dauney's old age Mr Douglass of Tilwhilly charged
him publicly on some occasion with inability to
perform his parochial duties. This Mr Dauney
determined to disprove, and one Sunday, while the
laird was in church, he preached " two turns of
the sand glass," and was about to commence a
third, when Mr Douglass moved to leave the
church, upon which Mr Dauney exclaimed, with
emphasis — " Will you say noo, Tilwhilly, that I
canna insist ?" (i.e. preach.)

Sacred to the memory of the Rev. JAires Gre-
gory, minister of Bancbory-Ternan, who died on
the 8th Sept. 1829, in the 83d year of his age, and
52d of his ministry, having been first pastor to the
congregation of the Gilcomston Chapel of Ease,
Aberdeen, from which charge he was translated to
this parish in the year 1800. Also to the memory
of Elizabeth, his daughter, who died here 3d
January 1827.

Upon a flat slab : —

1720 : Hie quiescit corpus Iacobi Farquhar in
Lochtoun de Leys, qui obiit 24 die Septembris,
1712, sptatis suse 5-; ejusque conjugis dilectse
CHRISTIAN.9E Spalden, quse obiit 25 die Septembris,
1719, astatis sua; 59.

[Here rests the body of James Farquhar in
Lochtoun of Leys, who died 24th Sep. 1712, in the
5-th year of his age. Here also rests the body of
his beloved spouse, Christian Spalden, who died
25th Sep. 1719, in her 59th year.]

From a flat slab : —

Here lyes William Mair, who departed this
lyfe Janry. 20, 1710, aged 81 ; and Margret
Burnet, his spouse, who departed Aprile 28, 1708,
aged 72 years.

A fiat stone, with the Reid arms nicely carved,

also mortuary emblems, and a monogram com-
posed of a merchant's mark, and the initials A. E..,
bears the following : —

Here lyes Alexander Eetd, son to Alexander
Reid, Merchant in Abd., indweller in Banchory,
who departed this life March 26, 1717, student at
the King's College in Old Abd., in the 15 year of
his age : —

and on

My last words cast an eye : —
Old and young, take Christ your rock.
And prepare to die.

Gross and vulgar mynds take flight,

This to God's glory, my salv^n., & my parents'
shyning light.
Haberem eum tanquam amissurus, amisi tanquam
habeam.

[I would have him as if I were about to lose
him — I have lost him as if I had him — i.e., While
I had my son, I always wished to be prepared for
his loss, and now that I have lost him, I feel as if
I still had him. ]

Alex. Rhaedus de Glasel, obiit 24 Augti anno
1726, a^tatis 57. Also Margaret Reid, aged 2
years ; Mary Reid, 1 4 years ; and Thomas Reid,
aged 1 year, all children to Alexr. Reid.

Quern amabas extulisti; quajre quern ames; satius
est amicum reparare quam Here.

[Thou hast borne to the grave him whom thou
lovedst ; seek another to love ; it is better to replace
a friend than to mourn his loss. ]

From an adjoining head-stone : —

To the memory of George Donald, late farmer
in Bocharen, in the parish of Straen. When living,
he maintained a fair character, and was a loving
Husband, an Indulgent Parent to a prosperous
family whom Providence had blest him with. He
died Sep. the 29, 1766, aged 81 years. A. D : M. D.
This stone was erected by the sons of the above
deceased.

William Collie, farmer in Lightwood, "after
living as a dutiful and examplary parent, finished
this transitorj- Life," 14 Nov. 1772, aged 61 years: —

Wake thoughtful in this sacred place.

Where our remains do lie ;

And meditate most seriously,

One day that thou most die.
Deep silence where Eternity begins.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIom .

Near north wall of burial-ground : —

Sacred to the memory of Howard L. Tkew, R. N. ,
son of Henry and Phebe Allen Trew, Grove Cottage,
Banchory, 13 Feb. 1861.
Upon a table-shaped stone : —

Sacred to the memory of Williaw Shaw, born
in Inveraven, Dec. 27, 1757, died at Bellfield, in
this parish, on the 19th Dec. 1833 ; also of his only
child Elspet, spouse of Dr Adams, who died on 27th
Dec. 1845, in her 46th year. Isabella Elder, wife
of William Shaw, died at Bellfield, Dec. 1849, aged
80 years. Francis Adams, M. D. , LL. D. , translator
of "Paulas ^gineta," "Hippocrates," and other
learned works, died at Bellfield, 26th Feb. 1861,
aged 64 years. Eliza. Dauney, his second daugh-
ter, died in Aberdeen, 2d Jan. 1862, aged 30 years.
Francis, his third son, Lieut. 37th Madras Grena-
diers, died at Jeypore, Madras Presidency, 10th
Dec. 1862, aged 28 years. William-James, his
eldest son, surgeon, died at Bellfield, 25th June
1865, aged 39 years. Elizabeth Forbes, wife of
William-James Adams, died at Bellfield, 10th Jan.
1863, aged 29 years. Isabella-Hay Adams, only
child of W. J. Adams and E. Forbes, died at Peter-
head, on 22d March 1866, aged 3 years and 7 months.
George, an infant son, and Jessie Adams, grand-
daughter of Dr Adams, are also interred here. An
infant grandson died at Kamptee, Central India,
5th Sep. 1858, aged 3 days.

— The above-named Mr Shaw was long post-
master at Banchory-Ternan. Dr Adams (whose
father was gardener at Aboyne, afterwards far-
mer at Ordenhove), commenced practice in Luni-
phanan, from whence he removed to Banchory.
The following inscription, composed by Professor
Geddes of Aberdeen, is from a granite obelisk
at Bellfield : —

In memoriam Francisci Adams, M.D., LL.D.,
medicorum omnium, quotquot Scotia tulit, literarum
thesauris necnon scientiarum opibus eruditissimi.
Diu in hae valle reducta, ab aula et academia pro-
cul, mediciiiaj simul et musis, vir vere Apollinaris
fideliter inserviit. Natus Lumphanani III. Id.
Mart. MDCCXCVI. Mortuus Banchoriaj IV. Kal.
Mart. MDCCCLXI. Carissimi capitis desiderio
amici posuere.

[In memory of Francis Adams, M.D., LL.D.,
who surpassed all the physicians that Scotland has

produced in the extent of his literary and scientific
attainments. In this secluded valley, far from Hall
and University, a true votary of Apollo, he long
and faithfully served at once medicine and the
muses. He was born at Lumphanan, 13th March
1796, and died at Banchory, 26th Feb. 1861. This
monument was erected by his friends in token of
their regret for the loss of one whom they held
very dear.]

The great district of country which lies be-
tween Crathes and the Hill of Fair appears to
have been early peopled, and of considerable im-
portance in old times. There was a crannoge, or
lake dwelling, in the now drained Loch of Leys, in
and about which some interesting bronze relics
have occasionally been discovered {y. Proceed.
So. Antiq. of Scot., vol. vi.) In addition to this,
there is reason to suppose that Kilduthie, about a
mile from the Loch of Leys, was the seat of a
religious house at a remote period. If so, the kirk
or chapel had probably been inscribed to S.
Duthac, who had several dedications in Scot-
land, the chief of which was at Tain.

On the west side of the parish, near that pretty
spot where the Canny joins the Dee, stood the
wood or forest of Trustach, which Alan the Dur-
ward bestowed upon the monks of Arbroath,
1203-14. In this locality are traces of old earth-
works, which some suppose to have been the
dykes of a camp, others those of an ancient town-
ship.

But the ruins of the Castle of Cluny-Crichton
(near Raemoir), dated 16G6, and the fragment of
a coffin slab, which exhibits the top of a wheel-
cross, built into a dyke near the manse, together
with part of the old market cross, in the last-named
locality, are, along with the castles of Crathes
and Tilwhilly, probably the most tangible of the
existing monuments of antiquity in Bancbcy^

A very good account of the antiquities, &c., of
Banchory is given in the Rev. Mr Anderson's
Statistical Account of the parish ; but the best
history of ancient Banchory is in the Antiquities
of Aberdeen and Banff (Spald. Club.) Guide
Books contain modern histories of it ; and a

ABERLEMNO.

pamphlet — " Banchory-Ternan Sixty Years Ago"
— lias much that is interesting regarding the
distiict, as well as an account of the cantrips of
" The Witch of BalJarroch," which happened
some thirty years ago. These, which were en-
quired into by lawyers, and are celebrated by more
than one local poet, turned out to be nothing
more than the ingenious freaks of a servant girl,
though believed by many at the time to be the
work of supernatural agency !

The date of 1798 is upon the bridge of Dee
near the village of Banchory. In 1862 an iron-
girder bridge, with stone piers, was erected about
four miles below the bridge of Dee, chiefly at the
cost of Mr Mactier, late of Durris. The bridge
of Feugh, which crosses the river of that name on
the south side of the Dee, is a singularly romantic
object, and has been frequently sketched and
engraved.

^ Ii c V U m tt a .

(S.

f^HE kirk of Ahirlemenavh belonged to St An-
3L drews, and was dedicated, along with a great
many other churches in that diocese, by Bishop
David in 1242 (Robertson's Concilia Scotise,
vol. i.) In 1275-9 (Reg. Vet. de Aberbrothoc),
the church was taxed at 20 merks.

It was dependent upon the Priory of Rostinoth,
and, along with that house, became attached to
the Abbey of Jedburgh. From a memorandum
of 18th Jan. 1230, it appears that the church of
Aberlemnach was in the gift of " Mr John"
(jMisceh Aldhar.^ This was possibly John Roman,
or Romanus, " of the city of Antine, our writer,"
arch-deacon of York, who, in 1239, " for the good
and services he did to the Roman church for a
considerable time," had an annual pension of 100s.,
and was recommended by the Pope to the Abbot
and Convent of Jedburgh, to have " some suit-
able or competent ecclesiastical benefice such as
is given to, or conferred on secular clergy, as soon
as any falls vacant."

On 24th October 1482, Mr David Stewart,
pensioner of Rostinoth, held the " benefice of
Abirlempuo," and had Sir John Lowtholt as his
chaplain. In 1567, Mr David Lindsay [of Pit-
airlie] was minister of Aberlemno, and of the two
neiglibouring churches of Forfar and Rostinoth,
with a stipend of 200 merks. Mr George Lyall
was reader at Aberlemno, with £20 Scots of salary.
In 1574 (Wodrow Miscellany, i.), there appears
to have been a dififerent arrangement.

Possibly the most noteworthy of the succeeding
ministers at Aberlemno, were the two Ochter-
LONYs. The first came to the parish about 1655.
He was brother of the contemporary minister of
Carmyllie, and both were sons of John Ochterlony,
who was provost of Brechin in 1641 (Documents
at Panmure.) Mr Ochterlony preseiited a silver
communion cup to the kiik of Aberlemno, thus
inscribed : —

This Cup is Gifted by M>' John Ochterlonmj,
Miur. of Aberlemno, For the Celebration of the
Lords Supper in the sd Church — 1683.

— Mr O. died about 1695, and was succeeded by
his nephew, also John, son of the minister of
Carmyllie [q.v.) He was served heir to an uncle
and aunt in 1693, and to his father in 1699
(Retours, Forfar.) He was deprived as a non-
juror, and an intruder into parish churches ; and,
after convening his adherents for some time in
his own house of Flemington, he left the locality.
He was afterwards consecrated Bishop of Brechin,
and died at Dundee in 1742 (Keith's Lives of the
Bishops.)

It was after the translation of Mr Ochterlony's
immediate successor to Idvies, that Mr Thomas
Mitchell came to Aberlemno, to whose memory,
and that of some of his descendants, there are
three inscribed tablets within the kirk : —

[1.]

Mr Thos. Ml. ordained 1714; Mr And^. Ml.
ordained 1750 ; Mr Ja^. Michl. ordained 1794.

This monument was erected by Mr Thomas Mit-
chel, minister of the Gospel at Aberlemno, and
Marie AJiller his spouse, in memorie of their two
children, Thomas and Agnes Mitchels, who died
of non age.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

Below also lys interr'd ye Rev. Mr TboK Mit-
chell, who serv'd ye cure in this Parish 34 years
and 9 months ; For Piety, Generosity, Hosijitality,
and Friendship, Extensive Charity, and Moderation,
Affability and Good Nature, Inferior to none. In
zeal for ye interest of Christ, and Examplifying in
his conduct what he inculcated on others, he was
Equal'd by few. He courted not human applause,
yet he obtained it. He lived in peace with all men,
and died much regretted, ye 9th day of Jany. 1770,
in ye 60th year of his age. Also here lies interred
Mr Andrew Mitchell, son and successor to the
above Thomas, who lived much respected, and died
regretted by all who knew him, the 3rd day of
Jany. 1794, being the 65th year of his age, and 44th
of his ministry. Eev. Jas. Mitchell died 13th
May 1S41, in the 72nd year of his age, and 47th of
his ministry.

[2.]

Below lie the mortal remains of Mrs Jean Craw,
spouse of the Rev. Andrew Mitchell. She died
27th Sept. 1809, the 87th year of her age. Sic
pragterit species mundi.

[3.]
Sacred to the memory of Mrs Elizabeth Sedg-
wick, first wife of the Revd. James Mitchell. She
departed tliis life on the 3d May 1821, and 54th
year of her age. Also in memory of her children,
Elizabeth-Burnet, Alexander, Marmaduke,
Andrew, Jean-Craw, Georgina, Margaret,
Eliza-Tailyour, and Francis-Nicol Mitchells,
all of whom, except Alexander and Andrew, were
dead before herself. Likewise in memory of Eliza-
beth, daughter of the Rev. James Mitchell, by
Janet Webster, his second wife. Fiat voluntas Dei.

From an adjoining tablet : —

1803 : Erected by George, John, Robert, Ann,
and Jean Jarrons, in memory of their father,
George Jarron of Balbinnie, who died 5th Jany.
1793, aged 65 ; and of Barbara Wallace, spouse
to George Jarron, junr., who died 15th April 1797,
aged 33 ; and Barbara Jarron, their child, who
died in nonage ; also of Robert and Isabel Jar-
ROn's children.

The next three inscriptions are from marble
tablets, also within, and upon the south-east side
of the church : —

Hie oonduntur reliquiae Gulielmi Chalmers de
Aldbar, qui vixit annos 65, ob. 7 Id. Jul. 1765 ;
et C^cili^e Elfhinstone, coujugis adamatae, qua;
vixit annos 58, ob. Non. Mart, 1761. Sacrum me-
moriae parentum bene merentum hoc marmor filius
posuit.

[Here lie the remains of William Chalmers of
Aldbar, who died July 9, 1765, aged 65 ; and of
Cecilia Elfhinstone, his dearly beloved wife, who
died March 7, 1761, aged 58. This monument was
raised to the memory of his excellent parents by
their sou.]

— Mr Chalmers, who was a son of Chalmers of
Hazelhead in Aberdeenshire, was a successful mer-
chant in Spain, and his wife was a daugliter of
Elphinstoue of Glack. The first Elphinstone of
Glack was Arthur, brother to Bishop Elphinstone,
founder of King's College, Aberdeen. Mr Chal-
mers bought the lands of Aldbar in 1763 {v. Mem.
of Angus and INIearns), and was succeeded by his
sou Patrick, who was sheriff of Forfarshire from
1774 to 1819. To him the following refers : —

[2.]
Patrick Chalmers, Esqr. of Auldbar, advocate,
died on the 15th February 1824, aged 87.
Virtuous and learned, polished and refined,
Of pleasing manners, and enlightened mind ;
Beloved in Life, lamented in his end.
Here sleeps the Sire, the Gran dsire, and the Friend,

[3.]
A Tribute of Affection to the Memory of Isabel
TiNDAL, who died 2d Nov. 1811, aged 67.

The church and aisle of Aberlemno, both erected
in 1722, have been much iwiproved in appearance
by recent repairs. 'Ihe belliy is upon the west
end of the kirk ; and the bell bears : —

THE BELL OF ABERLEMNO.
KOBERTUS MAXWELL ME FECIT, EDIN, 1728,

The tombstones are pretty numerous in the
churchyard. From these the following inscrip-
tions (the earlier of which are carved in interlaced
Roman capitals), are selected : —

Heir rests ane faithf vl sister qvha livit vith hir
mariet hesbent Viliam Alerdya borges in Dundie

ABERLEMNO.

29 zeiris, calit Ianet Ademson, qvha depertit in
this paries the 19 day of luli anno 1600.

V. A : Heir rests ane faithf brother V. A. qvha
departit this put lyfe the 17 day of Avgvst anno
Christi ... I. A.

Heir restis ane fa riet vyf

Ianot Vobster .... zeir and departit this

lyf Ivuii 1605 .... 66

zer of hir aig ....

Heir restis in the Lord ane faithfvl brother
Alexander Watson svmtym in Crostvovn de-
pairtit 28 of Febrvarii 1622 aige 51. A. W : M. D :
V. W. I live to die — I die to live.

... as DAiGATt qvha leivet yt his m . .

ther dav Alixandr

Daigati, Iohn Daigati

Vnder this ston lyes the corps of Andrev Dal-
GITIE .... 89, and of his age 70 yier ; also
EvPHAM Bell, his wife, depairted December 24,
1672, age 41 yeirs.

— The six inscriptions given above are from flat
slabs. Those below are chiefly from head-stones.
The first exhibits carvings of articles belonging
to the weaver trade ; —

John Nicol, weaver, Lochead, d. 1728, a. 33 :—
Tho' this fine Art with skillfull hand,
Brings Forreign Riches to our Laud ;
Adorns our Rich and Shields our Poor,
From cold our bodies doth secure,
Yet neither Art nor Skill e'er can
Exime us from the lot of man.
David Milne (1734) :—

Man's life on Earth, even From the Womb,
is Full of Troubles to his Tumb ;
He enters in with Cryes and Fears,
And paseth thro' with Cars and Tears,
He Goeth out with sighs And groans,
And in the Earth doth Loge his bons,
O that our Souls with Christ may have
A Lodging place beyond the Grave
To rest, and Hallouge sing
Eternally to Heaven's King.
From a stone, upon which a mill-rind and mill-
stone pick are represented : —

George Anderson, sometime Pickieman at Bal-
garrock Mill, died the 9 day of March, anno 1747.

1756 : John Spence, Grisall Colvill. This
stone was erected by John Speuc in West Milldens,
in memory of his father and mother, who lived
sometime in Broomhill of Balgavies : —
Here ly's an honest old race.
Who in Ballgavies land had a place
Of residence, as may be seen,
FuU years three hundred and eighteen.

This old race of Spences came there about the year
1438, where they and their offspring resided from
Father to Son, till the year 1820.
— The last clause and some names were added in
1850 by Andrew Spence, Broughty Ferry.

James Taylor (1774) : —

Here lies the man, who peace did still pursue,
And to each one did render what was due ;
With meek submission he resign'd his breath
To God, the Soverign Lord of life and death.
Here different ages do promiscuous lie :
The old man must, the young may die.
James Peter (1797) :—

In hopes in peace his Lord to meet.

Here lies iuterr'd in dust.
One in his temper ever kind.

In all his dealings just.
Kind to the poor, the widow's friend,

He always did remain,
Till heaven's great Lord by his decree
Keeall'd his life again.

From the peculiar symbols and other carvings
upon the well-known sculptured stones which
stand at, and near the kirk of Aberlemno, it is
probable that the locality was an early seat of
Christianity, as well as a place of considerable
population in old times, long even before the
district was known as a thauedom (v. Proceed.
So. of Antiq. (vol. ii), and Sculptured Stone
Monuments of Scotland.)

A portion of the arms of the Lindsays, pos-
sibly those of Balgavies, is at the kirk of Aber-
lemno. The foundations of their castle are on
the south side of the parish. It was destroyed by
order of King James, in 1593, in consequence of
I Sir Walter Lindsay having joined the Jesuits.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

The armorial bearings of James Beaton of
Melgund (grandson of the Cardinal), and those
of his wife, Elizabeth Menzies, are built into
the outer and north wall of the church, dated
1604, and initialed I. B : E. M. The arms and
initials M. O. (Marion Ogilvy), the mother of
Cardinal Beaton's children, are upon the ruins of
Melgund Castle. A monogram of the initials
of George, first Marquis of Iluntly, and of his
■wife, Henrietta Stewart, similar to those at
Gordon Castle, is built into the farm-ofiices at
Mains of Melgund.

Melgund Castle, notices of which will be found
in Memorials of Angus and Mearns, p. 278, is one
of the most picturesque and interesting ruins in
Forfarshire. The property of Melgund belongs to
the Earl of Minto, to whom it has descended from
Henry Maule, a cadet of the noble family of Pan-
mure, and the reputed author of a History of the
Picts. On the death of one of the Melgund
family the following invitation to the funeral
(here printed from the original at Panmure), was
sent by the laird, to " his Louing Cousing lohn
Maule chamberlane off panmure": —

" Melgund 1672 May : 16
Cousing — Satturday next be ten in the forenoone
is the dyet I Intend the buriale, So vith your
conveniencie come or not as you find cause, either
shal be taken by

Your Louing Cousing,

H. Maule,
the buriale is on IS Instant."

Alexander Irvine of Drum and of Kelly in Ar-
birlot, held considerable pro2)erty in Aberlemno
in the early part of the 17th century, from which
he made a " mortification" of meal to the school-
master, and to the poor of the parish, similar to
that which he made to those of Arbirlot, about the
year 1629.

In 1707 Sir Alex. Murray of Melgund (an ances-
tor of the Earl of Minto^ obtained an Act of Par-
liament to allow a weekly market (long since
discontinued) to be held at Aberlemno "in all
time coming."

(s. — )

ftffHE church of Aldebar, dedicated by Bishop
Sa David of St Andrews in 1243, was given to
the College of Methven, by Walter Stewart, Earl
of Athol, in 1433. It is rated along with the kirk
of Kiunell in the Taxation of 1275-9 (Theiner
Mon. Hist. Hib. Scot., p. 114), at 4 merks 10s
8d Scots. It was served, in 1574, along with the
kirk of Brechin and four others adjoining, by Mr
John Hepburn, who had £202 4s 7d of stipend.
Andrew Ker, then reader at Aldbar, had 20 merks
and kirk lands.

The chapel is situated in the Den of Aldbar,
where a sculptured stone and fragments of coffin -
slabs have been found. There are a few old
tomb-stones, but the inscriptions are defaced.

The church, which was long a ruin, was re-
stored as undernoted. Although private pro-
perty, it is occasionally used for public service.
It contains two brasses, designed by Billings.
They bear respectively these inscriptions : —

[1.]
In memory of Patrick Chalmers, Esquire, of
Aldbar, for many years a merchant in London.
He was born at Aldbar a.d. 1777, and died there
on the 8th day of December 1826. Also of
Frances Inglis, his wife, who died at Aldbar on
the 10th day of February 184S, in the 70th year
of her age.

[2.]
Outside the walls of this Chapel are interred
the mortal remains of Patrick Chalmers, Esquire,
of Aldbar, lateCaptainin H.M.'s SdDragoouGuards,
sometime Member of Parliament for the Montrose
District of Burghs, Author of the " Sculptured
Monuments of Angus." He re-edified this Chapel
in the year 1853. Died at Eome, on June the 23d,
1854.

— Soon after the death of Mr Chalmers, a monu-
ment, similar in design to the Ancient Sculptured
Crosses of Scotland, which he did so much to pre-
serve and illustrate in the admirable work above

ALDBAR.

referred to, was erected by his late brother, Joha-I.
Chahners, Esq. A coffin-slab was also laid over
his grave, inscribed with his name, and the dates
of his birth and death.

Mr Chalmers was principal editor of the Char-
tularies of Arbroath and Brechin. The latte'^
work was completed after his death, and prefaced
with a genial Memoir, by his friend, Prof. Cosmo
Innes of Edinburgh. The work was a free con-
tribution by Mr Chalmers to the members of the
Bannatyne Club, and contains an excellent por-
trait of Mr Chalmers, engraved by Bell, after
a miniature by Eobertson.

Mr Chalmers contributed many valuable papers
to archaeological publications ; and at the time of
his death he was a Vice-President of the Society
of Antiquaries of Scotland. His remains were
interred on 15th July 1854, on which occasion the
following lines were written as a tribute to his
memory : —

Peace to thy Soul ! May'st thou in peace repose,
And. no rude hand thy sacred shrine profane :
Thine was the heart that felt the poor man's woe —
i?eliev'd his wants, and sooth'd his ev'ry pain.
In thee siirviv'd the best of mental powers,
Oombin'd with meekness, modesty, and grace ;
iTeen to perceive — in judgment, good and true —
Ooncise and fair Old Manners thou did'st trace.
Hovi much thou wish'd poor Scotia's state to know,
.^nd bring to light her ancient Arts and Lore,
Xong hid in mists of ages past, or else
Jl/ix'd up in fable by her Poets of yore.
jE'nchanted by that wish, and, doing good,
i?oird past thy too short years of fifty-two :
(Sound may'st thou sleep in that sweet lonely spot.
Where, but to-day, we bade thy corse— Adieu!

Since the death of Mr Chalmers two magni-
ficent folio volumes, illustrative of the Sculptured
Monuments of Scotland, have been issued by the
Spalding Club, under the able superintendence
of Mr Chalmers' old friend, John Stuart, Esq.,
LL.D., Sec. A. S. Scot., &c., in which work much
of the letter-press and all the engravings of Mr
Chalmers' publication have been reproduced.

After Mr Chalmers re-edified the chapel of
Aldbar, the remains of his ancestors were re- |

moved from Aberlemno to that romantic spot.
There, too, lie the ashes of his brother and suc-
cessor, JoHN-IxGLis Chalmers, Esq.— a man
of great humour and goodness of heart— who died
15th May 18G8, leaving a family of sons and
daughters.

Notices of the castle of Aldbar, and of the early
proprietary history of the lands, are given in
Memorials of Angus and Mearns. It need only
be briefly remarked here that before Aldbar came
into the hands of the Chalmers', it belonged first
to a branch of the Cramonds of Midlothian, and
next to the Lyons of Glamis, one of whom. Sir
Thomas, built the oldest part of the existing castle.
From the Lyons it passed to Sir James Sinclair,
and afterwards to Peter Young of Easter Seaton,
grandson of Sir Peter, almoner to King James
VI. It was acquired by Mr Wm. Chalmers from
the Youngs.

The initials and monogram of the late Mr P.
Chalmers are upon some of the recent additions
to Aldbar Castle. The Lyon arms and the
initials, S.T.L. (Sir T. Lyon), also D.E.D., those
of his second wife. Dame Euphemia Douglas
daughter of the Earl of INIorton, are upon the old
tower.

The lintel of the mill door at Blackiemill bears
the date of 1698, and the initials, R.Y : A.G.
(Robert Young and Ann Graham). It was to
their son that Ruddiraan, the celebrated gram-
marian, was tutor— afact referred to by Ruddimaa
in his pamphlet entitled " Animadversions" on
Love's Vindication of George Buchanan.

^tWu, or ^trdtalrcrjsi,

(S, ANDREW.)

IF^HE patronage of the kirk of Bellie belonged to
X the Priory of Urquhart, in consequence of a
grant of territory, by David I. about 1150-3, which
included Finfans, on the west of the Spey, and

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

Fochoper (Fochabers) on the east, with a common
for pasturage, and a fishing on the Spey, &c.

In 1574, Mr George Hay was minister of
Bellie and the three parishes of Rathven,
Farskan, and Dundurcus, with a stipend of £212
16s 8d. Robert Grant was reader at Bellie
with £16 and the kirk lands.

In 1725, part of the east side of the parish of
Bellie, including St Niuian's, and part of the
west side of Rathven, including Fortgordon, and
Preshome, &c., were formed into a preaching
station. In June 1851, these districts were
erected into a quoad sacra parish, under the name
of Enzie where there are a parish church, manse,
glebe, school, and school-house, &c.

The churchyard of BeUie is about two miles
from the village of Fochabers, near to where the
Spey joins the Moray Firth. In the only remain-
ing fragment of the kirk, a much defaced tablet,
with Latin inscription, bears the name of " GuL-
lELMUs Annand," who appears to have died in
1770, aged 70. But the gravestone of Mr Wil-
liam Sanders, which (says Shaw) bore " that
he lived 108 years, and was minister of Bellie 77
years," is not now visible. Mr Sanders was or-
dained about 1607= Twenty years afterwards,
he was censured by the Presbytery (Scott's Fasti),
*' for making ane pennie brydell within Straith-
boggie to his dochter in law, at quhilk wer present
excomuHicat papists, to the greiff of all honest
Christians."

It was in Mr Sanders' time, on 15th September
16.32, that the Earl of Angus " wes mareit at the
kirk of Bellie Avith lady Mary Gordon [third]
dochter to the Marquess [of Iluntly], be Maister
Robert Douglass, minister at Glenbervie, whome
the Erll of Angous brocht with him of purpoiss."
On the 28th November following, the Master
of Abercorn and Huntly's youngest daughter were
married in the same place, "be ane Irish minister."
Spalding further informs us that the " corpis" of
the first Marquis of Huntly, who died at Dundee
in 1636, " wes convoj'it with sum freindis to the
kirk of Belly," where it was kept a night,
while on its way to the family tomb at Elgin.

The same authority says that Lord Graham,

Montrose's eldest son, lies at Bellie, but no stone
marks the spot. His father had passed frora
Elgin on 4th March 1645, and come to the
Bog of Gight, now Gordon Castle, " with the
bodie of his army." While there, his son, "a
proper youth about 16 yeiris old, and of singular
expectatioun, takis seiknes, deis in the Bog in a
few dayis, and (continues Spalding) is bureit in
the kirk of Bellie, to his fatheris gryt greif."

The tombstones are numerous at Bellie. The
first-quoted inscription is from a marble slab,
within an enclosure, near the kirkyard-gate ; —

This tablet is placed by Jean, fifth Duchess of
Gordon, to the memory of her dear infant daughter,
Charlotte, who died the 10th of Dec. 1810 ; and
also, to her beloved mother, Mrs Susan Robert-
son, who died the 2d of June 1822, in her 91st
year.

— Jean Christie, " fifth Dnchess of Gordon," was
a woman of humble birth and parentage, who re-
sided at Fochabers. Her good looks and hand-
some person fascinated Duke Alexander long
before the death of the fourth Duchess, the Lady
Jane Maxwell ; and probably not the least ro-
mantic part of Jean Christie's history is that
almost at the very moment of her being united
to a man in her own station of life, a carriage
drove to the door of the cottage, where the mar-
riage party were assembled, and Jean was
abducted and carried off from her betrothed.
She bore nine children to Duke Alexander, to
whom, " after proclamation on three several Sab-
baths," she was married " on the 30th day of
July 1820, by the Rev. William Renuie, minister
of the parish of Bellie." According to the Bellie
Register of Burials, " Jean Christie, Duchess of
Gordon, Second Wife to Alexander, Fourth Duke
of Gordon," was interred at Bellie upon the
2d August 1824, " aged 54 years." Her body
was laid in a vault, under a handsome mausoleum
of Elgin freestone, with canopy, supported by
twelve pillars. Her name is not recorded ; but
the following, upon a marble slab, relates to her
son Adam, whose remains were laid beside those
of his mother : —

BELLIE, OR FOCHABERS.

In this vault are deposited the remains of Adam
GoRDOX of Newtongarrie, son of Alexander fourth
Duke of Gordon, who died at Burnside, lith Aug.
1834, in the 37th year of his age, deeply regretted
by all his friends. This marble was placed here by
his spouse, Jane Grant, as a testimony of her affec-
tion.

— Mrs Gordon (like her mother-in-law, Jean
Christie), was of humble parents. She belonged
to Buckie or its neighbourhood, and subsequently
married Mr Reid, sometime a bank agent in
Fochabers, by whom she had two sons and a
daughter. Newtongarrie is a property in the
parish of Drumblade. Near the middle of the
burial-ground at Bellie: —

Svb hoc cippo tvmvlatvr corpvs exsangve Eliza-
beths Milks, Angligenae, Andrese Hossack ivnioris
qvondam sponsag, principis Dvcissfe Gordon qvon-
dam ancilla;, qvae obiit tertio Octobris, anno Dom.
1G87.

[Beneath this stone is interred the body of Eliza-
beth MiLNS, a native of England, spouse of Andrew
Hossack, junior, and formerly chief maid to the first
Duchess of Gordon, who died 3d Oct. 1687.]
— The first Duchessof Gordon was Lady Elizabeth
Howard, second daughter of the Duke of Nor-
folk. Her husband, the fourth Marquis of Huntly,
was created Duke of Gordon in 1684. He died
at Leith in 1716, she at Edinburgh in 1732.
Although their names are unrecorded at Elgin,
both were buried there.
From a flat slab : —

Heir lyes Elspet Gordon, spous to Alexr. Gor-
don of Upper Dalochie, alies. Major, who departed
May 12, 1690.

The next two inscriptions are from table-shaped
monuments : —

Here lyes Issobell Knight, spous to Androu
Haj% wywer in Fochabers. Shee departed the 13
of Febr. 1712 : Manney hath donn werteusly, but
shee heath excideth them all.

Here lie the remains of James Ross, Esq., who,
with unblemished integrity, conducted for many
years the important affairs of the Great Family of
Gordon ; and, whilst zealously anxious to promote
their interest, raised no fortune to himself. He

departed this life the 8th Sep. 1782, aged 50 years.
And of Katharine Gordon, his wife, who dis-
charged the duties of a daughter, a wife, and a
mother, with a piety and affection offering bright
example to their descendants. She was born Ist
Jan. 1743, died 17th Sep. 1795. Sacred to the
memory of John Ross, Esq. , sometime Professor of
Oriental Languages in King's College, Aberdeen,
who, after passing a long life in the practice of
virtues which rendered him an ornament and bless-
ing to society, was removed to that better world,
where he will meet their just reward, on 9th July
1814, in the 84th year of his age. This humble
tablet has been inscribed by parental affection.

Sacred to the memory of John Menzies, Esq.,
who died loth March 1831, aged 72. The best
eulogium of his character is, that, for the long
period of nearly 50 years, during which time he
acted as cashier to the Duke of Gordon, his employer
never sustained any loss by his incorrectness, or
neglect of duty ; and that the many thousands with
whom he transacted business, were equally satisfied
with the integrity of his conduct, against which no
complaint was ever heard, even from those who
were not his friends.

From a bead-stone (enclosed) : —

Erected by Lieut. -Col. William Marshall, as a
sincere but inadequate tribute to the memory of a
revered parent, 1857. This stone was originally
placed by William Marshall over the graves of his
son Major Alex. Marshall, who died at Keith-
more, 31st Jan. 1807, in his 33d year ; and of Jean
Giles, who died at Newfield Cottage, Dandaleith,
13th Dec. 1824, in the 85th year of her age, whose
remains lie both here interred. Here also lie the re-
mains of William Marshall, Esq. husband of Jean
Giles, a man of virtue and integrity. From a humble
station in life he rose to distinction by the indus-
trious cultivation of a natural talent : eventually
he became Factor on the estate of Alexander Duke
of Gordon, an office which he held for many years,
performing its duties with fidelity, and to the satis-
faction of his Employerand the Tenantry. Although
self-taught, he made considerable progress in me-
chanics and other branches of natural science, to
which his leisure hours were frequently devoted.
But he was chiefly noted for his skill and fine taste
in music, the Scottish airs and melodies composed

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

by him being widely known and appreciated. He
died universally esteemed, at Newfield Cottage,
Dandaleith, 29th May 1833, in his 85th year. Of
a family of six children, besides the above-named
Alexander, Francis, a jeweller, died in Loudon ;
John, a Capt. in the army, died in India ; and
George, a Lieut, in the army, died in Spain. Jane,
an only daughter, widow of John M'Innes, Esq.
Dandaleith, and William, a retired Lieut. -Ool. in
the army, being the sole present survivors.

— William Marshall, who was originally a footman
or page at Gordon Castle, was perhaps second only
to the " famous Neil Gow" as a performer upon
the violin, and probably superior to Neil as a com-
poser of national airs. Marshall's music, which
is still sought after in the North, consists of a
number of beautiful strathspeys, named by him
after people and places that he knew ; and Burns
was so much pleased with jNIarshall's music to his
song, " O' a' the airts the wind can blaw," that he
wrote him a complimentary letter on the subject.
Marshall, who had also a taste for mechanics,
employed much of his leisure in the art of clock-
making, a specimen of which is preserved at
Gordon Castle. A portrait of Marshall, engraved
by C. Turner, from a painting by John Moir
(ancestor of Moir-Byres of Touley), with violin
in hand, is to be seen in many houses in the
Northern counties.

His son, Major Alpixr. Marshall, served in
India, and at the siege of Seringapatam. Capt.
John, of the 26th Regt., was present in the Pen-
insular War, and died of cholera at Madras in
1829, and Lieut. Gi-.orge, of the 92d Regiment,
died from fatigue in 1812. The fourth son,
Lieut.-Col. William Marshall (the erector of
the monument at Bellie), who became a Lieu-
tenant in the Gordon Fencibles in his eighteenth
year, served in almost all the engagements dur-
ing the French Revolution, including those of
Aboukir and Corunua, and Marshall was so
severely wounded at Waterloo, that his right
arm had to be amputated. After this Lieut.-Col.
Marshall was employed in Canada during the
rebellion of 1837, and afterwards in various re-
sponsible military offices at home. He retired

from the service in

5, and took up his resi-

dence in the pretty cottage of Newfield, on the
banks of the Spey, near Craigellachie, where he
died, beloved and re-pected by all who knew him,
on the 29th August 1870, in his 91st year.
(i>. Elgin Conrant oi 2d Sept. 1870.)

The next two inscriptions are from the oldest
of four inscribed monuments within an en-
closure : —

Here lyes the body of George Geddes, late in
Mains of Kempcairn, who dyed the twenty first
day of Octr. 1746. In memory of Catherine
Milne, of the Mill of Towie, and relict of Thomas
Geddes of Dallachy and Todholes ; she survived her
husband 33 years, and died the first Sept. 1821,
aged 87.

In this burying ground are interred the remains
of Thomas Geddes, of Dallachy, who died in 1789,
aged — ; and of his son John Geddes, in Orblis-
ton, who died 23d Dec. 1817, aged 64, by whose
disconsolate widow this simple record is placed over
his grave as a small token of her remembrance of
his affection and worth.
Upon a table stone (enclosed) : —

Geo. Anderson, farmer, Burnside, "a man dis-
tinguished for ardent piety and pure Benevolence,
whose manners were as simple as his morals were
unblemished," d. 1779, a. 69 ; his wf. Helen Shand,
d. 1797, a. 71 : —
Unknown to Pomp, and bred to rural Toil,

To him the Christian'sFaith and Hope were given;
Unskill'd in Art, nor trained in Courtly Guile,

He liv'd to God, and died — to wake in heaven.

In same grave are deposited the remains of the
Rev. John Anderson, who was 27 years minister
of the parish of Kingussie, and 11 of Bellie, pre-
vious to his retirement from the church, and who
died on the 22d of April 1839, in the 80th year of
his age.

— Mr Anderson knew much of the private affairs
of Alexander, fourth Duke of Gordon, and long
acted as Commissioner upon the Gordon estates.
The circumstance of his holding that office
during his incumbency having been brought
before the Church Courts, and the General As-
sembly disapproving of his being engaged in that
capacity, he demitted his charge in 1819. His

IBELLIE, OR FOCHABERS.

mother was a near relative of Mr Shaud, once in
the West Indies, afterwards laird of The Burn,
near Fettercairn (j.u.)

Upon a chest-shaped stone r^

Erected, at the expense of his fellow-servants^
to John Barondon, who died at Gordon Castle,
Aug. 16, 1853, aged 39 :—

It was in the bloom of manhood's prime,

When death to me was sent ;
All you that have a longer time,
Be careful and repent.
O, the grave, whilst it covers each fault, each defect,

Leaves uutaruish'd the worth of the Just ;
His memory we'll cherish with tender respect,
Whilst his body consumes in the dust.

The antiquities of the parish are few — the
80- called Roman Camp to the north of Gordon
Castle, traces of a Druidical temple at Greencairn,
and the Court Hillock, at the last-named of which
places the barony courts of the district had pos-
sibly been held— being almost the only objects
worthy of notice.

As to the proprietary history of the district, it
appears that about 1238 King Alexander acquired
the second teiuds of the lands of Fochobyr, and
others, from the Bishop of Moray, in exchange
for lands and teinds in another part of that pro-
vince. At a later date, other parts of Fochabers
were exchanged for the lands of Wynn (^? Whin-
nyhaugh), and Bynin (? Binns.)

In 13G2, John Hay of Tullyboyle (Tillybody)
had a charter of the whole lands from the Spey to
the burn of Tynet, which are described as lying
within the Forest of Awne, or Enzie. About
twelve years later, the same baron (Reg. Morav.),
with consent of his son, founded a chapel at the
Geth (Gycht), in honour of the Blessed Virgin
and All Saints. This was endowed with au
annuity of £20, also four acres of land at Ladar-
dach, with a house for the chaplain, and pasture
for twelve cows and a bull, sixty sheep and lambs,
two horses, &c., while the jurisdiction of the

foundation was given to the Bishop and Chapter
of ]\Ioray. This place of worship appears to have
been situated somewhere about Gordon Castle.
But the old fairs or markets of S. Catherine,
S. MuNGO, and the Holy rood, which were long
held in the neighbourhood of Fochabers, possibly
show that there were either altarages within the
chapel, or that chapels in different parts of the
parish were dedicated to those saints.

The Hays of Gycht and Enzie were the same
as those of Tillybody, in Clackmannanshire. The
male Hne failed about 1426-8, when Sir Alexander
Seton of Gordon, afterwards Earl of Huutly, mar-
ried as his second wife, J])gidia, heiress of Gycht,
Enzie, and Tillybody, by whom he acquired these
lands. Those of Gycht and Enzie are still in pos-
session of descendants of the Gordons, now repre-
sented by the Duke of Richmond.

It was by the second Earl of Huntly that the
House of Bog of Gight (now Gordon Castle) was
founded. Since then it has been rebuilt, and
from time to time altered and added to, until it
has assumed the palatial appearance which it now
exhibits. The Castle stands in the midst of a
vast park, studded with magnificent old trees, and
laid out with great taste and judgment.

Among the more interesting features within the
policies are the Quarry Gardens — at one time
presenting unseemly holes filled with stagnant
water, and hillocks of quarry debris. That locality
is now the most lovely and enchanting of
places ; and, apart from nice walks and flower-
beds, there are some old carved stones, which fall
more within the scope of our present work.
Some of these, which present, in monogram, the
initials of the first Marquis and Marchioness of
Huntly, are said to have been brought from
Huutly Castle. They are oval-shaped ; but un-
fortunately the centre oruameuts, as well as the
inscriptions, are mostly defaced. The two texts
which follow (Ps. xxxiv. 9 ; Phil. ii. 10), both
dated 1614, are the only parts decipherable : —

TIMETE . DOMINXTH , OMNES . SANCTI . EIVS*
QVIA . NON . EST . INOPIA . TIMENTIB' . EVM.

— As there are traces of "a glory" or halo upon

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS s

the next slab, it had probably beeu adorned with
a carving of Our Saviour —

OMNE . GENV . FLECTATVR .... NOMINE . lESV.

The old market cross of Fochabers is also within
the policies of Gordon Castle. The town, a plea-
santly situated place, is an old burgh of barony.
It consists of a main street, with diverging lanes,
and a spacious square, planted with rows of trees.
It contains the Established Church, erected in
1789, a Free (1844), an Episcopal (1834), and a
Roman Catholic Church (1828) ; also some ex-
cellent houses and shops, a branch bank, &c.

Milne's Institution, which was founded by Alex.
Milne of New Orleans, a native of Bellie, for the
free education of natives of the district, is a fine
building a little to the east of the town.

The river Spey, which is of considerable width
and beauty at Fohabers, is crossed by a hand-
some bridge, with an iron arch of great span,
erected soon after 1829, the floods of August
of that year having carried away the previous
bridge, which was constructed of stone. The
stone bridge consisted of four arches, and was
opened in 1805.

George Chalmers, who must ever be looked
upon as one of the most celebrated of those
men who have brought documentary and other
reliable evidence to bear upon the elucidation of
Scotch History and Antiquities, was a native of
the town of Fochabers. He wrote several books
of National value and interest, particularly " Cale-
donia," of which great work he lived to issue only
three vols. Accounts of Chalmers' life will be
found in all biographies. He was educated at
King's College, Aberdeen, and after a residence
of some years in America, he returned to Eng-
land, when he became a clerk to the Board of
Trade, and died in 1825. The following extracts
from the parish register reg arding the marriage
of his parents, and his own baptism, may be in-
teresting to the admirers of his works : —

Dec. 26, 1742 : "George Lawful! Son to James
Chalmers and Isabel Ruddoch in Fochabers, was
baptized before Witnesses John Chalmers, John
Geddes, Robert Chalmers, and Andw. Mitchell, all
in Fochabers."

— George appears to have been the second of four
sons. The first, Alexander, was born in 1740 ;
the third, Thomas, in 1748, in the note of whose
baptism bis father is described as a " fewer" in
Fochabers ; and the fourth, Peter, was born in
1760. Their mother came from the parish of
Deskford, as is shown by the following entry of
her marriage : —

July 25, 1736: " James Chalmers in ffochabera
and Isabell Ruddach in ye parish of Dessfoord
gave up their names to be proclaimed in order to
their marrige according to Law."

ftXtx (^wMtx,

(S. PETER, THE APOSTLE.)

ING AVILLIAM the LION bestowed the
church of Kulter, " iuxta Abirdene," upon
the Abbey and monks of S. Mary of Kelso, about
1165-99. The gift was afterwards confirmed by
Mathew, Bishop of Aberdeen, within whose dio-
cese the church was situated.

Alan of Soltre, chaplain, who had probably
been an ecclesiastic of the hospital, or monastery
of Soutra, in Lothian, was presented by the
Abbot of Kelso, to the vicarage of the church of
Culter, 1239-40. It is rated in the Old Taxation
at 54s 4d.

In 1287-8, an agreement was made between the
Abbot and Convent of Kelso and the brotherhood
of the Knights of Jerusalem, regarding the Tem-
plars' lands of Blairs, Kincolsi (Kincousie), on the
south side of the Dee, by which a chapel, erected
by the Templars at their house of Culter, was
recognised as a church for the inhabitants of the
above lauds and others belonging to them, with
parochial rights (Reg. Abd.)

S. Peter's Well, remarkable for the fineness
of its water, is situated upon the Glebe Haugh,
east of the church ; and Peter's Heugh is the
name of an adjoining part of the north bank of
the Dee.

PETER CULTER.

The kirk of Peter Culter, surrounded by some
old trees, has a conspicuous site on the north
bank of the Dee, and commands a fine view of
the church and district of Mary Culter, &c. The
date of 1779 is upon the church ; and a slab built
into the north wall, initialed M. J. K., and dated
1715, refers to the incumbency of Mr John Ken-
nedy, who was minister from about 1704 to
'23, his predecessor having been deposed (Scott's
Fasti), " for lying, immorality, and negligence."

The session records shew that " the fabrick of
the kirk fell to the ground vpon the 16th day of
October 1673," and " the sandglasse" having been
broken by the ruins, the session, on 18tli January
following, ordered another glass to " be bought."

The tombstones are numerous. The first quoted
inscription is from a slab built into the outer and
south wall of the church : —

Close to this wall, in front of this tablet, lie the
remains of Sir Alexr. Cuming of Culter, Bart.,
and his Lady, Elizabeth Dennis, co-heiress of
Puckle Church in Glostershire. Where they now
lie was formerly under their own seat in the Old
Church, where they were buried.

— Philip Cumin, son of Jardine Cumin of Inver-
allochy, in Rathen, succeeded to Culter by marry-
ing Marjory, heiress of Sir Adam Wauchope of
Culter. Part of the property belonged in early
times to Alan the Durward ; and subsequently,
in 1247, King Alexander bestowed Culter and
adjoining lands upon Robert, son of Allan of
Wauchop (Nisbet, ii., Appx. 56.)

Alexander Cumin of Culter was created a Ba-
ronet in 1672, and by him, it is said, the oldest
part of the present house of Culter was erected.
Sir Alex, wrote a poem on the death of Bishop
Forbes (Funerals), which thus concludes : —

"Though in few acts man could abridge his playes:
In manle schens divyded are his dayes.
Since then wee see the tapers doe decay,
(When 't 's dark) the candlesticks may be a prey."

The baronetcy of Culter has long been extinct ;
and about 1726, the estates were sold by Sir Alex-
ander Cumin to Patrick Duff, then of Preranay.
It is to the last-named that the following inscrip-
tion at Culter relates : —

To the memory of Patrick Duff of Culter, Esq.
He was born Nov. the 16, 1692. He dyed Oct. 20,
1763. He examined Christianity, believed it firmly,
and loved it warmly. From Christian principles he
practised social virtue ; in relieving distress and
promoting useful arts he delighted. The affection
of his Widow raises this monument.

—In 1721, Mr Duff married his cousin Margaret,
only daughter of William Duff of Braco, by Helen
Taylor, " a woman of very much inferior rank to
him, though come of very honest parents." Miss
Duff, who was only eleven years of age at the
time of her marriage, had no family to the laird
of Culter; and some years after his death her
second marriage is thus recorded (5th Jan. 1769),
" Udny of Udny married to JNIrs Duff of Culter,"
Besides Culter, Mr Duff acquired the " most of
the low country estates of Drum," which adjoined
Culter. He died at Culter House, which Baird
of Auchmedden describes as " one of the most
beautiful and best finished Gentleman's Seats in
the North." Culter is still Duff property, being
owned by R. \\'. Abercromby-Duff, of Fetter-
esso and Glassaugh, &c., Esq., M.P., who married
(1871) a daughter of Sir Wm, Scott of Ancrum,
Bart. P. DuS of Culter was 4th son of Craigstone,
and grandson of Keithmore {v. Mortlach.)

A table-shaped stone, on south side of church,
presents a bold carving of the Irvine arms, and
this inscription, the first, or oldest part being in
Roman capitals : —

Here lyeth Ieane Irvine, spovse to Maister
Robert Irvine of Cvlts, in hops of a blised resvrrec-
tion, who depairted this lyf the 21 of March 167S,
the 32 yeir of hir aige.

Also Robert Irvine, Esq. who died the 10th of
April 1728, aged 89 years. Likewise Margaret
CouTTS, his second wife, who died in 1710, aged 45
years. And Charles Irvine, Esq., who died the
28th of March 1779, aged 83 years. And Euphemia
DuGLAS, his spouse, who died 21st of Deer, 1766,
aged 55 years.

— Sir Alex. Irvine of Drum had a charter from
Walter Caidyow of the lands of Cragtoune of
Petyrcultyr, with pertinents, within the regality

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

of St Andrews and barony of Rescobie, 23d April
1526. His grandson, Gilbert Irvine of Culairlie
(fourtli son of Alex. Irvine, yr. of Drum, who fell
at Pinkie), was the ancestor of the Irvines of
Murthil (Murtle) and Cults. A good part of the
Irvine property in this locality, as above seen,
was bought by Patrick Duff of Culter. From
granite monuments within an enclosure : —

In memory of John Thurburn of Murtle, who
died 31st of January 1861, a^ed 80.

In memory of Barbara-Anderson Thurburn,
third daughter of John Thurburn of Murtle, who
died 5th October 1858, aged 32.
— ]Mr T., who was a native of Keith {q.v.),
bought Murtle in 1821 from the executors of Mr
John Gordon, who bequeathed the Murtle Bur-
saries and Charities to the University and City
of Aberdeen. Mr Thurburn's widow, only
daughter of the Rev. Mr Findlater of Cairnie,
gave £1000 towards the erection of the Thurburn
Cooking Depot in Aberdeen, for the benefit of
AVorking Men. The next two inscriptions are
from flat stones : —

Here lyes the body of Hellen Simpson, laufull
daughter to Patrick Simpson of Concraig, and
spouse to John Milne in Brotherfield. She died
March 25, 1742, aged — years, &c. :—
So, reader, underneath ther lyea
The virtuous, prudent, chaste, and wise ;
Of beauty great, and gentle blood,
The darling of the neighbourhood.
Think then of her bright generous soul,
And first admire, and then condol.
Here lyes under the hope of a blessed resurrection,
Mary Gib, spouse to William Meff, tenant in Bing-
hill, who depf. this life the 18th of May 1710 ; and
William Meff, who dep^t.

Four table-shaped tombstones relate to an Eng-
lisli family named Smith. The Smiths established a
paper manufactory at Peter Culter, which is still
carried on, and is believed to have been the first
of its kind in the North of Scotland. The works
are situated in the Den of Culter, one of the
most lovely and romantic places in the district.
Miss Hester Smith, who died in 1851, aged 70,
(to whom one of the tombstones was erected by

her niece, Jane Anne M'Leod), left the interest
of £100 annually for the repair and preservation
of these monuments. When not required for
that purpose, the money has to be given to the
poor of the parish. The most southerly of these
stones bears : —

Mrs Anne Murray (relict of Alex. Murray, of
Elm Place, Finchley, Middlesex, Esq. ), died 2d Jan.
1841. In the grave adjoining, on the north, are
interred the mortal remains of her father and
mother, Mr Richard Smith, late paper manufac-
turer in this parish, and Martha Reid, his spouse,
&c.

Upon the most northerly stone : —

William Dykak, surgeon, R.N., died 28th June
1830, aged 74. Also Hannah, wife of William
Dykar, daughter of the late Mr Richard Smith, of
Paper Mill, who died 2d May 1848.

An intermediate stone bears the following epi-
taph on Lewis Smith, proprietor of the Culter
paper mills, who died in 1819, aged 42 : —

While manly beauty in meridian bloom,
Untimely hastuing to the ghastly tomb,
Calls from the eye the sympathatic tear ;
Pause, Friend, and shed the mournful tribute
If social manners, with a taste refin'd, [here.
If sterling worth, with unassuming mind,
If filial tenderness possess a charm,
If steady friendship can your bosom warm,
Then, Reader, imitate, applaud, revere,
W^hat triumph'd in the man that's buried here.

Wm. Martin, Grindlawburne, d. 1753, a. 88 : —
Within this narrow house of clay,
The bones of William Martin ly ;
He was an honest man and just,
All honest men might well him trust.
By sweat of brow his bread he M'on,
He liv'd and dy'd an honest man.

Lord, said he, thy strength and grace

1 ever will admire ;

For by thy sending me releif,

Thou'st taught me to aspire.

The heavens thou hast open set.

And rent the vail that I

May upward look, and thy dear Son,

W^ith glory crouud espy.

PETER CULTER,

— Isabella Knowls, spouse of Wm. Martin,

d. , a. 96. The next three inscriptions (here

abridged) are from table-stones : —

The Eev. George Mark, died 23d Dec. 1811, in
the 76th year of his age, and 4'2d of his ministry.

The Rev. John Stirling, 27 years minister of
this parish, died 5th Oct. 1839, in the 54th year of
his age. His widow Helen [Fowler], died 4th
Dec. 1862, aged 66.

— Mr Stirling, who was a native of Dunblane,
left a son who studied the fine arts. In early life
Mr S. painted portraits, also The Sermon, a scene
in a Scotch Kirk, &c. He is presently (1872) at
Tangier, engaged upon a picture of The Court of
the Sultan of Morocco,

Rev. David Gillatlt, minister of the Shiprow
Chapel of Aberdeen, died 20th Aug. 1821, aged 58.
Erected by his Relict and Congregation.

Upon the highest point of a rising ground called
the AVeather, or Wedder Craig, is the " Cup-
stone" indented in the shape of a bowl. It is
commonly called the Doupin'' Stane ; and, accord-
ing to an old custom, the youngest burgess of
Aberdeen present at the riding of the outer
marches of the city, undergoes the ceremony of
being dotqnt or dipt in it !

There is a stone circle on the farm of Eddieston ;
also a single rude stone pillar (the remains of
another circle), on the farm of Milltimber. Cir-
cular stone structures, supposed to be ancient, are
upon the heights above Xether Anguston. Traces
of the so-called Roman camp at Norman Dykes ;
and of the British earth work at Camphill, noticed
in the Statistical Accounts, are now slight. The
"Norman Well" still remains.

The Burn of Culter is bridged both upon the
old and new Deeside roads. There are also stone
bridges over the Leuchars (dated 1710^, near
Waulkmill ; over the Gormack, near Milton of
Drum ; and over the Ord, at Nether Lasts.

An Act of Parliament was passed in 1707 in
favour of Sir Alex. Cumin of Culter and his heirs,
by which they were empowered to hold fairs upon
the muir of Beinshill, on the second Tuesday of

March and October annually, "for all kinds of
vendible commodities." They were allowed to
uplift the " haill profites, tolls, customs, . . .
to proclaim and ryde the sd fairs," &c.

William Forbes, A.M.. author of a poem in
Scottish verse, entitled " The Dominie Deposed,"
was sometime schoolmaster at Peter Culter. The
session records (extracts from which have been
obligingly communicated by Mr Smith, parish
schoolmaster), bear that ou 15th Nov. 1724, " Mr
William Forbes entered Precentor, and is to begin
to teach the school at Whitsunday next." The
school was opened accordingly, and from that time
nothing of any importance is recorded of Forbes
until 2d Jan. 1732, when the minister " acquainted
the session that (the former Precentor, William
Forbes, having entirely turned his back upon his
office, one which acc"^ he was not again to be
received) Mr William Mories, who this day pre-
cented, was the person recommended by the heri-
tors for the s<^ office."

On 23d of same month £10 10s due to the
schoolmaster " for the poor boys in the land of
Culter" were " detained at the instance of William
Forbes, late schoolmaster's creditors ;" and upon
7th Jan. 1733, he acknowledged, by letter, the
paternity of a child by IMargaret Forbes, servant
in Brotherfield. He was then summoned before
the session ; but as Forbes " compeared not,"
and the minister understanding that he " had
gone off a recruit to Ireland," the session were
" obliged to sist further procedure as to him."

" The Dominie" is generally confounded with
'■'■ Rohert Forbes, gent.," a contemjwrary writer,
who translated into the Buchan dialect "Ajax;
his Speech to the Grecian Knabbs." This poem,
like that of "The Dominie Deposed," is a re-
markable production ; and copies of early editions,
with tlie Latin text in the form of foot notes, are
exceedingly rare. I have learned nothing of
the history of Robert Forbes. It is clear
that he was a scholar, also a native of Aberdeen-
shire, and much engaged in the stocking trade —
then, and for long afterwards, a lucrative branch
of business in that county. In one part of his
" Shop Bill," Forbes says that he has " some

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

shanks (stockings) to sell," also caps, gloves, and
napkins. In another part of the poem (Glasgow
edit,, 1755) the following verse occurs :—

"I likewise tell you by this bill,
That I do live upo' Towerhill,
Hard by the house o' Robie Mill,

Just i' the neuk,
Ye canna miss't fan 'ere you will,
The sign's a bulk."

(S. DROSTAN, ABBOT.)

THE church of Insch (vicarla Inmlax)^ in the
diocese of Aberdeen, is rated at 6 merks in
Old Taxation. In 1574 it was served by the same
minister as served the kirks of Clatt, Kinneth-
mout, and Christ's Kirk, and, like these parishes,
Insch had its own "reidare," or schoolmaster.
Being a part of the lordship of the Garioch, the
church of Insch was probably given, as were some
of the neighbouring churches, to the Abbey of
Lindores, when it was founded by the Earl of
Huntingdon.

The present place of worship and burial-ground
are upon a slight eminence near the middle of the
village of Insch. Before being gutted, the kirk
contained some interesting carvings in wood.
Among these were the arms of the Clan Chattan,
■which were set up in the Wardes pew by Robert
Farquharsou, ancestor of the Invercauld family,
then proprietor of Wardes. The only reniaiuing
specimen is in the Drumrossie seat. It consists
of three panels, two with scroll ornaments, and
the third, or centre panel, bears a shield, charged
with a fess between three boars' heads. An
esquire's helmet, surmounted by a demi-soldier
holding an old-fashioned musket horizontally,
forms the crest. Over the crest are the words : —

VKL . TAX . VEL . BELLVM.

— The shield is flanked by the initials, G, G., and
below is the date of 1G78. The same arms are
upon a slab at Drumrosssie House, and both
refer to Gordon, the laird of the period.

The belfry of the church is of an ornamental
character, with floral carvings, also the initials,
M. I. L., (Mr John Logie), and the date of 1613.
The bell is inscribed : —

SOLI . DEO , GLORIA,
ALBERTVS , GELY . FECIT . ABD, 1706,

— Gely was " a ffrench ffounder," who, in 1700,
proposed to recast the bells of the steeple of ''the
colledge" of Aberdeen, a proposal which was par-
tially agreed to.

Some years ago, during the levelling of the
ground on the north side of the kirk of Insch, a
coffin-slab was disinterred. It is about 6 feet long,
by about 18 inches broad, and is preserved in the
outer wall of the vestry. The original carving has
unfortunately, by revision at some late date, been
injured. The slab presents a dedication crossj
and this inscription in Irish characters : —

4- ©rate . pro . antma . ralrulfi : sacrtrotts.

— This is probably the grave-stone of Radulph, a
chaplain of the bishop of Aberdeen, who witnessed
a grant of half a carrucate of land in the parish
of Rayne to the convent of Melrose, about 1172-
99 (Reg. Ep. Abdns., i. 10.) If this conjecture
is correct, this is among the oldest lettered monu-
ments in Scotland — those at Newton of Cul-
samond, in Aberdeenshire, and St Vigeans, in
Forfarshire, excepted.

A tombstone in the churchyard bears the name
of Henry Clekk, and the date of 1600, also a
merchant's or mason's mark, resembling the figure
4, except that a horizontal line crosses the mid-
dle of the lower half of the perpendicular line.
The next oldest date is possibly that upon a
granite slab, placed against the south dyke,
which pi'obably relates to a son of Mr W, Burnet,
who was minister of Insch from about 1661 to
1680. It bears :—

.... 1669 , A . B . SONE . TO . M. W. B,

The next three inscriptions are from contiguous
tombstones : —

Here lyes James Jopp, feuar in Insch, wbo depr.
this life August the 2-, 1672, and of his age 50
years

tNSCH,

Here lyes Andrew Jopp, sometime merchand in
lusch, who dept. this life Feby. 2G, 17-2, aged G7
years ; and his children, Alexji,, Andrew, and
Mary Jopps.

In memory of Jean Jopp, spouse of James -
Staats Forbes of Lochermick, who died 8th June
1822, aged 56 years.

— These inscriptions relate to ancestors of a
burgess family of Aberdeen. One of them was
provost of that city when Dr Samuel Johnson was
presented with the freedom of the burgh— a com-
pliment (says Boswell), " Provost Jopp did with
a very good grace." Near the last-mentioned
slab : —

Jas. Beattie in Insch, died Apr. 17, 1787.
—The above is froai one of several tombstones
which belong to Beatties. One of the family
was a medical practitioner at Insch, and descen-
dants still tenant the farm of Dunnideer. Near
to these tombstones another, but to a different
race (here abridged), bears :—

Sacred to the memory of Joseph Beattie, A. M. ,
for 33 years parochial schoolmaster of Leslie, who
died 7th Jan, 1854, aged 58 years. Margaret
Meldrum, his wife, died 18G1, aged 64 years.
Their eldest son, James, C.E., died 1860, aged 39
3'ears.

Upon a round-headed stone at east end of
kirk : —

Hie jacet cum familia Rev. Alexr. Mearns ; in
hoc templo fideliter ministravit annos, mirum, 60 ;
in hoc sepulchro cum multis lachrimis depositus
est anno 1789.

[Here lies with his Lamily the Rev. Alex.
Mearns, who was a faithful minister of this church
for the wonderfully long period of 60 years, and
was laid in this tomb with many tears, in the year
1789.]

— Mr Mearns, previously schoolmaster at Rothie-
may, was ordained minister of Insch, 19th Nov.
1729, and died 4th Oct. 1789, in his 89th year.
He was a native of the village of Drumrossie, then
a hamlet of some importance, in which woollen
weaving, dyeing, &c., were carried on with energy
and profit. Mr Mearns married Janet Shank,
daughter of a respectable tradesman in the same

place, who died in 1779. By her he had two
sons and three daughters. The eldest son,
Alexander, was minister first at Towie, next at
Cluny. The eldest, and only married daughter,
Janet, became the wife of a manufacturer and
woollen dyer, whose death is thus recorded upon
an adjoining head-stone of a similar shape to
that of her father : —

This is the burial place of Adam Maitland, late
manufacturer in Insch, who died in the year 1781,
aged 57.

A marble slab near east wall of burial ground
bears : —

Sacred to the memory of the Rev. George Daun,
A.M., minister of Insch, who departed this life,
on the 21st day of May 1821, in the 70th year of
his age, and the 31st of his ministry in this parish.
— Mr Daun was previously a schoolmaster in
Elginshire. His successor, a native of the Gar-
ioch, had two assistants and successors, the latter
of whom, the Rev. Adam Mitchell, LL.D.,
died in 18G3, aged 64. Dr M. was previously
rector of the Grammar School, Old Aberdeen,
which he taught with success and reputation down
to the time of his appointment to the church of
Insch, his native parish.

Wm. Breck, feuar, Insch, d. .June 1818, a. 63 ;
hiswf., Janet Milne, d. April same year, a. 58;
their son, Alex., student of divinity, d. 1820,
a. 22 :—

Nipt by the wind's untimely blast,
Scorch'd by the sun's directer ray ;
The momentary glories waste.
The short-liv'd beauties die away.
Yet these new rising from the tomb.
With lustre brighter far shall shine ;
Reviv'd thro' Christ with 'during bloom.
Safe from diseases and decline.
Francis and Peteh Wiseley, d. 17 Feb. 1843,
a. 11 and 9 yrs. respectively : —

In one house they were nursed and fed.

Beneath one mother's eye ;
One fever laid them on one bed,
On one bed both their spirits Hed,
And in one grave they lie.
Alex., s. of Wm. Benzie, farmer, Coldwells, d.
1834, a. 25 y. :—

EPITAPHS. AND INSCRIPTIONS:

Here with the aged lies a lovely boy,
His father's darling, and his mother's joy ;
Yet, Death, regardless of the parents' tears,
Snatch'd him away, while in the bloom of years.

Upon the base of a granite cross : —

In memoriara : William Gartly, reporter
'Scotsman' newspaper, died 6th June 1869, tet. 27 : —

"God's linger touch'd him, and he slept."

The hill of Dunuideer (? Dun-a-tor. or the hill
fort^, is about 875- feet above sea level. It is
conical in form, slopes rapidly on all sides, and
is one of a series of similarly shaped hills in the
same district, which are best seen, as a group,
from Barrahill, in Bourtie.

" Dunnedeur (says Monipennie) is called the
Golden Mountine, by reason of the sheepe that
pasture thereupon, whose teeth are so extraor-
dinarie yellow, as if they were coloured with
gold."

There appears to have been an early vitrified
work, with surrounding trenches, upon the top of
Dunnideer. The vitrified walls enclose a great
portion of the summit of the hill ; and with-
in these walls, at a later period, another fort
had been erected. It is the remains of this later
erection which give so much character and in-
terest to the hill ; but, as will be seen from an
engraving in Cardonell's Picturesque Antiquities,
the ruins were of greater extent in his time (1788)
than they are now. Upon the hill top is a well,
in which there was water in 1867.

The ruins are locally called Gregory's Walls,
from a tradition that King Grig, or Gregory died
at Dunnideer ; but. according to the Pictish
Chronicle, he died at Dundurn or Duu-d-ern, in
Strathern. The fanciful llardyng says that Dun-
nideer was one of the places where King Arthur
held his round-table :—

" AU of worthie Knightis moo then a legion,
At Donydoure, also in Murith region."

But, in the absence of authentic record, nothing
can be said of the true history of Dunnideer, nor
of the age of any of the masonry, the peculiarities
of which have been often and fully described.

One fact only may be noted— viz., that Gregory^ s
Walls are of a similar construction to the remains
upon the Lady Hill at Elgin, and to those of the
old castle at Duffus ; also that these places (which
were inhabited by Edward I.), indicate an earlier
style of building than any part of Kildrummy,
and Kildrummy is said to have been the principal
residence of David Earl of Huntingdon.

But, whatever doubts may exist among " the
learned" as to the origin of the fort of Dunnideer,
the question of the origin of the hill was long
ago solved by Gordon of Rothnie, who, when re-
proving one of his ploughmen for " feiring" a
field in such a fashion that one furrow fell upon
the top of another, exclaimed in a passion — " It's
needless to speak to you, man ! It's been some
idiot like you that rais'd the hill o' Dunnideer !"

Apart from the ruins upon the hill of Dunni-
deer, there are other remains in Insch, which
show that the district was a place of early import-
ance. The sculptured monument called the " Pi-
cardy Stone," and the Earl of Mar's Stone (an
unadorned boulder), are both objects of in-
terest. Some years ago part of a " brass sword"
was found at Dunnideer ; and in 1867, a stone
cist, containing bones and an urn, was got on
Greenlaw, The urn, which was about 4 J inches
wide, bore the common zig-zag markings. Re-
mains of stone circles are upon the farms of Wan-
ton Wells, near Temple, and on Nether Boddam,
also in other parts of the parish.

The Bass is the name of a piece of flat ground,
about five acres in extent, which belongs to the
Parochial Board, and is on the north side of the
village. Nearer the village is the Moatach Well.
The Moot or Moathill of the district had probably
been in this locality, although no trace of it now
remains.

" The Glens of Foudlen," celebrated in the
ballad of the Duke of Gordon's Daughters, are in
the upper part of Insch, in which there are
valuable slate quarries.

But it is of the lands of Drumrossie that the
earliest records exist ; and it appears that in 1257
a gift of the teinds of these, made by the abbot of
Lindores, was ratified by Pope Alex. IV. to the

BERVIE, OR INVERBERVY.

vicar of Inchemabayu. In 1396, Thomas Earl of
Mar gave a charter of the lands of Drumrossie to
Andrew Barclay, lord of Garintully. As before
seen, Drumrossie was afterwards possessed by
Gordons : it now belongs to Mr Leslie of Wartle,
late M.P. for Aberdeenshire.

The Village of Insch is an old burgli of barony,
in which, with other properties, Mr John Ross,
minister of Foveran (called Dr John Ross of
Insch), was served heir to his father in 1680, the
same having been previously held by his grand-
father, who was reader or teacher at the church
of Birse. The superiority of Insch, held in 1724
by Mr Leslie of Balquhain, now belongs to
Colonel Leith-Hay of Leith Hall. There are
in Insch a Free Church, branch banks, and some
good dwelling-houses and shops.

A family named Tyrie long owned the lands of
Dunnideer, where there was a chapel dedicated to
S. John. The Tyries were Roman Catholics, and
reported as such by the minister of Insch to the
Presbytery of Garioch in 1704. One of the
family, James Tyrie, a celebrated Jesuit, who
died in 1597, aged 54, wrote, under the name
of George Thomson, De Antiquitate Ecclesise
Scoticfe. John Knox wrote an answer to this
work, to which Tyrie replied in a pamphlet
(Paris, 1573), which is reckoned rare and valu-
able.

The Tyries of Dunnideer were " gryte Jacob-
ites ;" and it is told that but for the prompt con-
duct of one Roger, a farmer in Insch (some of
whose descendants still hold responsible offices
there), the life of Mr Mearns would have been in
jeopardy from a Tyrie attempting to stab him with
a dirk one Sunday about the '45, while engaged in
Divine service. The residence of the Tyries stood
near the burn of Shevock, upon the southern slope
of the hill of Dunnideer. This family was pos-
sibly a branch of the Tyries of Drumkilbo and
Nevay, in Strathmore (v. Nevay).

"^^x)i^t, or ^Mv^vl»n*vjj.

(?S. MARY.)

THIS district is thus mentioned by Theiner in
the Taxation of Scots benefices for 1275 : —
"De Magistro dd. De Inuleruy, 39 sol." It is
placed by Theiner within the diocese of Bre-
chin ; but is said, by others (Proceed. So. Antiq.
Scot.^, to lie within that of St Andrews, and to
belong to the Chapel Royal of St Mary of Kirk-
heugh of that city. It is certain that Bervie was a
seat of the Carmelite Friars down to the suppres-
sion of monasteries in Scotland (Mem. of Angus
and Mearns.)

The church is said to have been dependent upon
that of Kinneff until 1618, when Bervie was
erected into an independent ecclesiastical district.
But it had its own schoolmaster, or reader, in
1567, who had a salary of £20 a year.

A fair or market was held at Inverbervie in
September (Edinburgh Prognostication for 1706),
on " Latter Mary day"— a name which possibly
preserves that of the titular saint of the church.

The present parish kirk, a neat and commodious
building, with a square tower or steeple, was
erected in 1836. It stands in the principal
street of the town, to the north of the old kirk-
yard. The bell now in use, which was gifted to
the town by the laird of Ury, while provost of
the burgh, bears this inscription : —

GIVEN BY

PROVOST BARCLAY TO THE BURGH OF BERVIE, 1791.

THOS. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT.

The kirkyard is on the south-west of the town,
near the railway station. The west gable is all
that remains of the old kirk ; and the inscriptions
below are selected from some of the tombstones.
The first quoted, and possibly the oldest dated, is
from a much defaced slab. It also bears a shield
charged with a ship in chief, the Rait arms in

base, and the initials P. D : K. R probably for

P. Davidson, and his wife K, Rait : —

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

B\RGES . IN . BERVI
CEMBER . 1634 . . .

DEPARTED . 20

. . DSON
OF . DE-

A much destroyed tomb, with bevelled sides,
bears a shield charged, iu pale, with the arms of
Arbuthnott, and those of Macduff, Thane of Fife.
This impalement is possibly founded upon the re-
puted connection of the Arbuthnotts with the
Clan Macduff, by which, it is said, Hew of Arbuth-
nott received protection for the part he took in
" boiling" Sheriff Melville and " supping his
broo" on the hill of Garvock, in the time of James
I. The following inscription (the concluding
lines of which were printed in Monteith's Theater
o/Moriality, 1713), is upon the same stone : —

HEIR . LYIS . ANE . HONEST . MAN . ROBERT .
ARBYTTINOT . BVRGES . OF , BERVIE . VHO . DE-
PARTED OF IN . THE . YEAR
AND . OF . HIS . AGE AND . MARGARET . MON-
CVIR . HIS . SPOVSE . VHO . DEPARTED . IN . THE .
1663 . AND . OF . HER . AGE 65

HAVING . NOW . FOVND . BY . COMMON . SENSE .
THAT . ALL . THINGS . NOTHING , BE .

I . HEIR . REMANE . VITHIN . THIS . GRAVE .
AS . NOTHING . TO . THE . EYE .

— Margaret Moncur was probably one of the
Moncurs of Knapp, in the Mearus, a branch of
the family " of that Ilk," one of whom, Andrew,
is a witness to a charter by Rait of (?) Hallgreen, t.
Robert III. (Nisbet's Heraldry, i. 185.)

In addition to the following epitaph, a flat slab
also bears that a son and daughter of the same
family died respectively in 1G96 and 1714 : —

^^ Hier lyes AIargaret Mill, lawful spows to
lames Dickie, swmtime cai-penter iu Johnshaven,
who departed this life the 28 of September 1713,
and of hir age 47 years :

Hier lyes on bereaved of her life,

Who in her time was a most wertiovs wife ;

Her works and wertve did so her grace,

Yc might admire her cvmlie face.

Bvt willingly was to leve this world, and

Hoping to be in heaven inthroned ;

With faith continued to her death

Wntill she had any breath.

From a headstone: —

clauduntnr intus fil : David . nat,

Jul. 28mo 175-, mort. Jan. 28mo 174- : fil. Makia
nat. Ap. 12mo 1730, mort. Feb. IQmo 1744. De-
positi hie sunt cineres Helena Austin, conjugis
Gulielmi Clerici, Ludimagistri Ennerbervieusis,
qua? obiit 3tio Id. Jan. anno sal. 1738

[ within lie a son David, born July

28, 175-, died January 28, 174- ; a daughter Mary,
born April 12, 1736, died February 10, 1744. Here
are deposited the ashes of Helen Austin, wife of
William Clark, schoolmaster of Inverbervie, who
died 11th January 1738 ]

— In printing a translation of the Decreet of the
Synod of Perth of 11th April, 120G, regarding a
dispute between the Bishop of St Andrews and
Duncan of Arbuthnott, Mr Pinkerton, iu his
"Enquiry into the Early History of Scotland"
(vol. i. p. xiv,^ says the translation was made
" from the original Latin in the possession of Lord
Arbuthnot about 1700 by a Mr Clerk, school-
master at Bervie." The next inscription is upon
east side of same stone : —

Hie jaceut Magister Gulielmus Clark, Ludi-
magister Bervise, qui diem obiit 9° Deer. 1770,
natus annos 7-. Margareta Lovr, secunda G. C.
uxor, nata Juuii 21, 1710, nupta Aug. 17, 1745,

Martii 16, 1762, N : S : Hora tertia matu-

tina repentino ac insolito morbo correpta spiravit
moribunda, motu, lingua? usu, ac sensibus expers ;
demum sub solis occasum obiit, marito ac tribus
liberis relictis.

[Here lie Mr William Clark, schoolmaster of
Bervie, who died 9th Dec. 1770, aged 7- years, and
Margaret Low^, second wife of W. C, who was
born June 21, 1710, married August 17, 1745, and
who died March 16, 1762. Seized at three o'clock
in the morning with a sudden and unusual illness,
she contiuued to breathe in a dying state, deprived
of the power of motion, of speech, and of her senses,
until about sunset, when she expired, leaving a
husband and three children. ]

— I have ascertained (through the kindness of Mr
J. H. Stewart, the present parochial schoolmaster
of Bervie), that although Mr Clark held the office
of teacher there, no notice of the fact exists in

B Eli VIE, OR INVERBERVIE.

the Presbytery records ; and that in March 1701,
the office was held by Mr James Greig. Mr
Stewart has also learned from ]\Irs Barclay, a
grand-daughter of Mr Clark, that he was the son
of a Lieutenant in the Navy, and of a lady of the
name of Middleton from about Laurencekirk.
The Lieutenant went to sea soon after the birth
of Mr Clark, and was never more heard of ; and
his mother being disowned by her relatives, sup-
ported herself and her son by her own industry.
Two of Mr Clark's sons were watchmakers in
London. One of them, David, died there, and
the other, James, afterwards came to Arbroath.
He had a son who entered the Navy, and two
daughters who were respectively married to manu-
facturers of the name of Kircaldy and Butchart
in Arbroath. Mrs Barclay still lives in Bervie,
and her mother, Ann, a daughter of Mr Clark, by
his second wife, married James Sherret, a tailor
there.
From a table stone : —

W. R. : L C— Here ly the bodys of Willi A3i
Eaitt, tennant in Thre Wells, who departed this
life January 4, 1743, aged 77 years ; and of Ianet
Cook, his spovse, who departed this life 1757, aged
90 years. Also their son John Raitt, sometime
tenant in Hillside, who died 1776, aged 79 years ;
and his spouse Elizabeth Scott, who died 1764,
aged 88 years.

A stone near the last-quoted bears : —

ane honest man in hop of a gloris resvr-

rection, George Fetvs, laf vl hvsband to Margret
Anderson, who departed this life Janvary 24, 1729,
of his age 60.

Abridged : —

Alexander Aberdein, late Deputy Commissary
of Ordnance, Bengal, East Indies, died at Bervie,
Dec. 1810, aged 53.

From a table-shaped stone (enclosed) : —

In memory of the Rev. Robert Croll, who was
upwards of 40 years minister of the parish of Bervie,
who died on the 3d day of June 1820, in the —
year of his age. And his widow, Jean Farquhar-
soN, died 12th February 1837, aged 83 years.

— Mr Croll, who had the merit of being " a self-
made man," was first appointed schoolmaster,
then minister of Bervie. It is said his memory
was so retentive that by hearing a sermon once
read or preached, he could repeat it verbatim. Al-
though he was three times married, the death of
his third wife only is recorded at Bervie. From
a stone adjoining the last-mentioned : —

Sacred to the memory of Miss Isabella Far-
quharson, youngest daughter of the late Alexander
Farquharson of Balfour, who died at the Manse of
Bervie, on the 19th day of April 1816, in the 27th
year of her age.

Upon a head stone : —

A true Philanthropist lies here,
To whom Rich and Poor alike were dear.
James Souter, late Post-Master in Bervie, died
12th July 1845, aged 61. His wife Ann Greig or
Souter, died May 17th 1861, aged 73.

From a headstone, in north-west corner of
churchyard : —

1851 : Erected by James and Ann Burgon, Ber-
wick-on-Tweed, in memory of their son Robert
Cowan Burgon, whitefisher, aged 21 years, who
was drowned, with the whole of his crew, in Ber-
wick Bay, on the 26th of Aug. 1850. His body
was picked up in Bervie Bay by a boat's crew be-
longing to Gourdon, and lies interred here : —
We lost him in the prime of life,

The first unto us given ;
But now we trust he's with his God,
Enjoying bless in Heaven.

On north-east side of burial ground : —

In memory of George Small, founder of the
House of Refuge for the Destitute, Edinburgh :
Born in Edinburgh, 26th May 1782 ; died at Bervie,
11th July 1861.

—Mr Small was a magistrate of Edinburgh at
the time he founded the House of Refuge in that
city. He also established the Lock Hospital (now
amalgamated with the Infirmary), and organised
and superintended the clothing stores, soup
kitchens, and Cholera Hospital, and did many
other kind and humane actions to the poor of

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

the Metropolis (v. Edinburgh newspapers, July
1861.) Mr Small, who was an officer in a fen-
cible regiment until the Peace of 1802, became, in
after life, a partner in the house of Muir, Wood,
& Co., music-sellers, Edinburgh. He retired
from business in 1848, and died in the house of
his son, the Rev. Mr J. G. Small, of the Free
Church, Bervie, author of " The Highlands and
other Poems," &c. Upon a headstone : —

1859 : Erected by James Gilchrist Gibb, in me-
mory of his father David Gibb, who was born in
1783, and died 1858, aged 76 years. A native of
Perthshire, he removed to this place in 1828, and
commenced Flaxspinuing, which business he pro-
secuted up to the time of bis death. An affectionate
husband, a kind father, and a good member of
society, he closed a useful! life by a happy death,
regarding the grave as a temporary abode, and
looking forward in faith to a blessed resurrection.
[Though worms, &c. ]

Bervie was erected into a royal burgh by
David II., who is said to have landed near it on
his return from France with his queen in 1341.
Its burghal importance is still represented by the
shaft of an old market cross in the square, siu"-
rouuded by a few steps.

It is said that Bervie was burned in the time
of Queen Mary, when, in all probability, it had
consisted of only a few thatched houses. In a
scarce and curious volume, entitled " A Journey
through part of England and Scotland," by a
Volunteer, who accompanied the Duke of Cum-
berland to Culloden, the following account is
given of the treatment which the Royalists re-
ceived at Bervie in 1746, on which occasion tlie
Duke was the guest of the parish minister : —

" Here we put up at the Provost's House, a good
honest old Fellow, whose Face shewed -what he
loved. His Wife told us, she had brought out
Wine to present when the Duke and Army came
by, but could get none of her Neighbours to back
her. We were here first obliged to eat Oat-Cakes
in this Journey, which was a great Hardship to
several of our unexperienced Travellers."

The Viscounts of Arbuthuott had a residence
or " Uidgin" at Bervie ; but of it, as of the house
of the Carmelite Friars, the site only remains.

Interesting and varied prospects are obtained
from the bridge of Bervie, including Arbuthnott
and Allardyce on the north, and Craig David on
the south. The present bridge, which has one
handsome arch, was begun in 1797, and fin-
ished in 1799. The first bridge, which crossed
the river about the same point as the present one,
consisted of "2 large arches." It was built in
1695, chiefly through the enterprise of William
Beattie, a bailie of the burgh, who in the same
year successfully petitioned the Estates of Parlia-
ment for the vacant stipends of certain churches
to assist to rejDay his outlay, and to enable him
to finish the undertaking (Acta Pari.) Part of
the middle pier of the old bridge still stands in
the river. Before the time of railways this bridge
was of great importance to the North, and the
town of Aberdeen held a fund which was morti-
fied for the support of the bridge of Bervie.

Hallgreen Castle, in the immediate vicinity of
the town of Bervie, is the chief object of anti-
quity in the parish. The oldest parts, as shown
by dates and armorial bearings, were erected by
Raits towards the close of the 16th and in the
17th centuries.

The first Rait, according to Nisbet, took re-
fuge in the Mearns during the 14th century,
having had to leave his native district of Nairn-
shire for some capital crime. It is certain that
Raits were settled in the Mearns, and held the
lauds of Owres or Uras and others at the period
mentioned by Nisbet ; but it was not until towards
the close of the following century that they had
any connection with Hallgreen.

It appears from the inventory of the title-deeds
of Hallgreen (for the ready use of which I am
indebted to the kindness of Messrs Morice, ad-
vocates, Aberdeen), that the lands of Hallgreen
were partly held under the Crown, and partly
under the family of Arbuthnott. The oldest writ
concerning the property shows that on 12th June
1478, James III. confirmed a charter by Alex-
ander Menzics, burgess of Aberdeen, dated 21st

ORDiaUHILL.

January 1471, in favour of David Rait of Drum-
nagair, " of his Blench Lands of Inuerbervie,
commonly called Hallgreen, with Twa Ninth
Parts of Inuerbervie and their Roods, and Fart
of the Mill thereof ; And an Annualrent of Twenty
Shillings upliftable furth of the Stane of Beuholm,
To be held Feu of the said Alexander Menzies for
payment of £9. 13. 4 Scots."

From the above period until the year 1724, the
same family of Raits were possessed of Hallgreen ;
and from them all the Raits of any note in Angus
and the Mearns, whether landholders, ministers,
farmers, or merchants, claim to be descended.

Some of the Raits of Hallgreen married into
the families of Gardyne, Douglass, Syramers, and
Arbuthnott, The last laird, William, died about
1724, and the lands, burdened by mortgages,
were sold by order of the Court of Session. The
chief bond holder was John Coutts, merchant in
Edinburgh, son of Provost Coutts of Montrose,
and father of the celebrated banker. The pur-
chaser of the lands, at the judicial sale in 1724,
was James, brother of John. Coutts, and a burgess
of Montrose, by whom they were acquired at the
price of £31,500 sterling.

James Coutts was twice married, first to Jane
Vanderheyden, next to Ann Crauford. By his
first wife he had a son, Hercules, who, on 13th
Nov. 1747, gave his father a discharge " of all
legittim portion natural Bairns part of Gear, and
all others which He could claim thro' his Death."
Mr C.'s only son .James, by his second wife, suc-
ceeded to Hallgreen, and was maternal grand-
father of Mrs Scrymgeour-Fothringham of Teal-
ing. About the year 1768, Mr Coutts sold
Hallgreen to the Hon. Thomas Lyon of Pitpointy,
sou of the Earl of Strathmore ; and in 1778 Mr
R. Barclay- AUardyce of Ury purchased the estates
of Hallgreen and Kingornie from Mr Lyon.
Kingornie previously belonged to Mr William
Johnston.

The estate of Hallgreen again changed hands
in 1799, having become the property of Mr David
Scott of Dunninald, by whose son, afterwards Sir
David Scott, it was sold to Mr James Farquhar,
M.P., in 1806. Mr Farquhar died in 1833, and

was succeeded by his nephew, the present laird,
who, about 1840, restored the Castle of Hallgreen.
By more recent improvements Mr Farquhar has
otherwise added to the value, as well as to the
amenity of Hallgreen.

(BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.)

THE office of reader, valued at 20 merks, waa
vacant at Ordiquhill in 1574. The church,
sometimes called TuUehule, or Tillycide (? wood
hill, or hill corner), in old writing's, is said to
have been originally a chapel dependent upon, and
situated within, the parish of Fordyce.

The church was looked upon with suspicion as
an auxiliary to the Papists by the General As-
sembly of 1608, when it was resolved (Book of
Univ. Kirk), " that ordour be takin with the
Pilgrimages in the Chappell callit Ordiquhell,
and the Chappell of Grace [in Dundurcas], and
ane Well in the bounds of Enzie, on the south
syde of Spey." The year before this " ordour"
was issued, it appears that Margaret Taylor, a
woman from Castleton of Rothiemay, " was de-
laitit for passing in pilgrimage to Ordequhill."

Ordiquhill is said to have been formed into a
separate parish about 1622-8, and the church to
have been erected upon the site of a chapel which
was dedicated to S. Mary. This church gave
place to the present building about 1805. The
bell is thus inscribed : —

lOHN MOWAT, ABD. ME FECIT, 1754,

IN USUM ECCLESI^ DE ORDEQUHILL.

SABATA PANGO, FUNERA PLANGO.

[John Mowat, Aberdeen, made me, 1754, for the
use of the church of Ordequhill. Sabbaths I pro-
claim, at funerals I toll.]

The kirk stands in the middle of the burial-
ground, which occupies a hillock, and is sur-
rounded by some good trees. The following is
from a marble slab, within the kirk : —

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

To the memory of the Eev. Egbert Knox, A.M.,
for two years minister of this parish, who died 3d
May 1825, aged 31 years. A token of regard from
his affectionate parishioners.

—Mr Knox was tutor to the Ballindalloch family,
through whose influence he got the presentation
to the church.

The burial aisle of the Gordons of Park is at
the east end of the kirk. Bold carvings of the
family arms, with " S. I. G. of Park," and
mottoes, aj)pear upon the east gable of the aisle.
Over the entrance are the Gordon and Sibbald
arms, with the initials, S. I. G., the motto,
BYDAND, D. H. S., and the date of 1665. The
same initials are prettily cut in monogram upon
a separate slab ; and the following is round the
margin of the stone : —

ERECTED . BY . SIR . lOHN . GORDON . OF . PARK,
AND . D . HELEN . SIBALD . 1665.

— The erector of the aisle was the first baronet
of the family ; and his wife was a daughter of
Sibbald of Rankeilor, descended from the old
Mearns family of that name. Sir Robert Gordon
tells us that " the nixt yeir following ("1617) Sir
Adam Gordoun of the Parke (Cariiborrow his
sone) was knighted." Sir Adam appears to have
been the first Gordon of Park, to which property
and barony, previously known as " Corucarne,"
he gave the name of Park ; and built the Village
of Old Coruhill, which, through his influence,
■was erected into a burgh of barony, with weekly
and yearly markets. By the establishment of
these fairs, an impetus was given to agricultural
industry, as well as to the growth and manufac-
ture of lint, particulars which this well-known
local rhyme appears to celebrate : —

"A' the wives o' Corncairn,
Drillin' \\y their hain-yani ;
They ha'e corn, they ha'e kye,
They ha'e wobs o' claith forhye."

Sir "William, the fourth baronet of Park, who
married a daughter of William Earl of Fife,
joined the llebellion of '45, for which he was
attainted. He died at Douay, about 1751, leaving
two sons and a daughter. Sir William had two

brothers, John and James, to the former of whom,
it is said, he sold the property, or pretended to
sell it, before he joined the Rebels. John left no
lawful issue ; and the heirs of his brother (who
predeceased him), claimed the title, and succeeded
to the estates. To one of them, a marble tablet,
in the family aisle at Ordiquhill, is thus in-
scribed : —

Sir Ernest Gordon of Park, Bart., died 6th
Nov. 1800, aged 55.

— Sir Ernest's widow and a daughter lie in Sfc
Cuthbert's church-yard, Edinburgh (near the
Cluny mausoleum), where two flat slabs are re-
spectively inscribed as follows : —

Under this stone is interred the body of Dame
Mary Dalrymple, daughter of General R. D. Horn
Elphinstone of Horn and Logie Elphinston, and
widow of Sir Ernest Gordon of Park, Bart. She
was born on the 13th day of February 1761, and
on the 3d day of July 1810, departed this mortal
life in peace, and charity with all mankind, and
looking with trembling hope to the mercifuU judge-
ment of a Blessed Redeemer.

In memory of Mrs Mary Elizabeth Gordon,
daughter of Sir Ernest Gordon of Park, Bart., and
widow of Capt. Alexander Gordon, R. N. , who died
at Edinburgh, 24th June 1851, aged 65 years.

— In consequence of male-heirs of Sir William
Gordon being in existence at the time Sir Ernest
assumed the title, it is generally held that he, as
well as his son, did so improperly ; but as the
legitimate male line of both brothers has
failed, the title is extinct. It was a female de-
scendant of Sir W^illiam's younger brother who
married Duff of Drummuir, and brought the
estate of Park to that family, in consequence of
which the Duffs of Drummuir prefix Gordon to
their paternal surname.

The following inscriptions are copied from
monuments in the churchyard of Ordiquhill : —

Hunc infra [tumulum] inhumantur Joannes
MoRisoN, qui fatis cessit Apr. 8, anno 1686, ejus(j
uxor Elspeta Mackay, quce obiit Octobris 3, A"
1702.

STRACHAN.

[Beneath this mound are interred John Mori-
son, who departed this life, 8th April 1686, and
his wife Elspet Mackay, who died 3d Oct. 1702>]

From a plain stone : —

Here is interred the body of John Goodall, late
merchant in Culphin, who died July 14th, 1760,
aged 86 years. Near this place also are interred
the ashes of Margaret Taylor, his spouse, who
died Feb. 16, 1733, aged 48 years, & of George,
Patrick, George, Charles, & William Goodall,
their sons.

— The above were the parents and brothers of
Walter Goodall, who wrote a Vindication of
INIary Queen of Scots, and edited an edition of
Fordun's Scotichronicon, &c. Born about 1706,
Goodall became sub-librarian in the Advocate's
Library at Edinburgh, first to David Hume, and
next to his own countryman, Thomas Ruddiman ;
but being improvident, he died in indigent cir-
cumstances. Chambers says that soon after his
death (28th July 1766), his daughter presented
a petition to the Faculty of Advocates, in which
she stated that the furniture and other moveables
in the house would scarcely defray the expenses
of her father's funeral, and that " she was in such
want of clothes and other necessaries, that she
can scarcely appear in the streets." This sad ap-
peal was answered by the substantial, though
not extravagant, gift of ten pounds sterling.

Wm. Broun, Culphin of Park, d. 1763, a. 56 ;
his wf. Jean PcOBERTson, d. 1781, a. 71 : —
Although by nature's firm decree,

Parent and child must part ;
Yet while apart, like test as this,
Displays a Son like heart.

Margt. Lorimer d. 1854, a. 66 : —

Yet where, O where ! can even thy thunders

fall?
Christ's blood o'erspreads, and shields me from

them all.

Abridged from a table-shaped stone : —

The Rev. Alex. Gray, died 26th Feb. 1823.
Mrs Mary Grant, daughter of the Eev. Mr Grant
of CuUen, died 1815, aged 49.

The earliest recorded proprietor in Ordiquhill
is Sir Walram of Normanville, who, by charter
dated at Forfar in 1242, had a grant of the lands
of Correncrare, Tulichule, and others, which are
described as lying in the waste, or unimproved
parts of the king's forest of Banff.

The Abernethys of Rothiemay and Sal ton had
an interest in the district for sometime before the
year 1492. According to a writer of 1724, the
house of " Park was built, anno m.d.xxx., by a
lady dowager of the Lord Saltoun of Abernethy,
who was herself a daughter of Stuart Earl of
Buchan."

It appears that about the year 1600 Lord
Saltoun disposed of his estates of Corncarn (Park)
and Rothiemay to the Lord Ochiltree, from whom
they were bought by Gordons about 1606. But
it would appear that the Gordons were not allowed
to remain undisturbed in their possessions, for
Sir John of Park as well as his kinsman of Rothie-
may were forced to raise an action against the
Abernethys (Acta Pari., ix. 431), for "tearing
and lacerating the Decreet of lousing the late
Lord Saltoun, his Interdictioun, out of the pblick

Registers and for their fraudulent con-

cealling and keeping uj) of the said Decreet." Tn
all likelihood, from the apparently " fraudulent"
nature of the case, the Gordons had received a
decision in their favour.

Apart from the Established Church, there is a
Free Church at the present village of Cornhill,
about two miles to the north-east, and within a
mile of the railway station of Cornhill.

^ t V ;t r It « n.

(?S. MARY.)

THE kirk of StratJieichin, which belonged to
the cathedral of Brechin, is rated at 20 merks
in the Old Taxation. The incumbent was the
Arch-deacon of the diocese, and in virtue of his
office he had a manse or residence at Brechin. It
stood on the south side of the Bishop's Close in

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

that city ; and his grange or farm, called " the
Arch-deacon's Barns," was near West Drums
(Reg. Ep. Brechin.)

In 1574, the church of Strachan was served
along with those of Nigg and ]\Iary Culter. The
contemporary reader at Strachan, John Irving,
had a salary of £16 and kirk lands.

The church stood within the burial-ground
until 1865-G, when a new place of worship was
erected on the north side of the road. A foun-
tain is placed in the dyke in front of the church,
upon which is the date of 1866, also this in-
scription (r. p. 2 supra,) which is followed by
quotations from John iv. 14-15 ; Rev. viii.
17:—

IN EEMEMBRA.SCE OF

WILLIAM BURNETT-RAMSAY

OF BANCHORY LODGE.

There is also a Free Church at the Kirktown
of Strachan, in which the Rev. Mr D. S. Fer-
guson (sou of a late minister of Maryton) offi-
ciates. He was ordained at Strachan in 1835,
and seceded at the Disruption in 1843. A granite
obelisk in the kirkyard bears that his successor,

The Rev. David Martin, M. A., minister of this
parish, died June 13, 1861, in the 59th year of his
age, and 18th of his ministry.

The following inscription (round the margin
of a flat stone) appears to be the oldest in the
churchyard : —

ta' IIIC . DORMIT , H . AVTHINLECT . VIR . VITJE . IN
TEC.ER . QVONDAM . CIVIS . DEIDONEN : ET . IBIDEM
NAVARCIIVS . OB . AN . 1610 . ET . ^TAT . SV^ . 48.

[Here sleeps H. Auohenlect, late citizen of Dun-
dee, and shipmaster there, a man of blameless life,
who died in 1610, in his 48th year.]

— The surname of Aiichcnleck, or Affleck — one of
some note and antiquity in and about Dundee — is
of territorial origin. There are various places of
the name (? Auch-na-clach, stoney fields), in Scot-
land, one of which lies in the parish of Monikie.
A mural monument, to the right of the en-
trance to the kirkyard, bears this inscription,
upon a marble slab : —

In memory of Colin Campbell, Esq, of Kil-
martin and Blackhall, who died 27th April ISGl,
in his 33d year.

—Mr Campbell, who was an officer in the 92d
Foot, and at the time of his death Major of the
F. & K. Militia, left an only son, who inherits
the estates. Colonel John Campbell (the Major's
uncle), bought Blackhall about 1828 from the
trustees of Mr Archibald Farquharson of Fin-
Eean, Mr Farquharson, who was sometime an
M.P., acquired Blackhall by marrying Miss
Russell, one of the co-heiresses. The house,
which is beautifully situated upon the south bank
of the Dee, is surrounded by extensive and thriv-
ing woods, A goat (the Russell crest), life size,
is upon the top of each of the two principal pillars
of the gateway, prettily cut in stone, with the
motto — CHE SARA SARA (What will be, will be),
Mr Russell of Blackhall was also proprietor of
Strachan, which was bought, about 1822, by the
late Sir James Carnegie, Bart,, father of the Earl
of Southesk. Sir James built the shooting lodge
— a " lovely Highland home" — near bridge of
Dye. In 1856, the property was sold to Sir Tho-
mas Gladstone of Fasque, Bart.

The following epitaph is from a headstone : —

J. Abernethy, tenant, Gateside, d. 1705, a. 36: —
If at this humble urn

An honest relative should come and mourn —
" Here rests my friend" — they weeping at my

grave
Shall cry, — It's all the Epitaph I have.

The next inscription and lines were composed
by Alex. Laing of Brechin, author of " Wayside
Flowers," who wrote some verses on the death of
Grant, also a brief notice of his life: —

In memory of Joseph Grant, author of " Tales
of the Glens," and other pieces in prose and verse,
who died April 14, 1835, aged 30 years. Erected
by his father and mother, Robert and Isobel Grant,
Affrosk, Banchory-Ternan : —

Tho' young in years, and not unknown to fame ;

Tho' worth and genius both had told his name ;

Tho' hope was high, and certain honor near,

He left the world without a sigh or tear ;-—

STRACHAN.

Yes ! trusting in the Saviour's power to save,
No sting had death, no terror had the grave ;
His parting words, in prospect of the tomb,
Were, *' Dearest Mother, 1 am going home !"

— Grant died while the Tales of the Glens were
passing through the press. It is an interesting
little volume, and preserves many pieces, both in
prose and verse, illustrative of the history and
traditions of the Mearus. Since the stone was
raised to Grant's memory, the deaths of his father
and mother have been recorded upon it. The
former died in 1868, aged 82, and the latter in
1855, aged 71.

Strachan was granted by William the Lion
to William Giffard (ancestor of Lord Yester),
who was sent on a mission to England in the year
1200. At a later date Alan the Durward is said
to have had a residence upon the Castlehill, about a
mile west from the Kirktown, where Fraser, Thane
of Cowie, had a stronghold in 1351. The once
powerful, and still common surname of Strachan,
in Angus and the Mearns, is said to have been
assumed from this locality. The place itself seems
to have been named from its abounding in rivers
and streams, the Gaelic words, Stratli-a'en, or
Srutlian.1 having some such meaning.

The Lady Bridge, which maij indicate the
name of the patron saint of the church, is between
the kirk and Whitestone. The bridge of Dreip
between the Kirktown and Glen Dye, and that
of the Feugh, near Banchory-Ternan, are ro-
mantic and picturesque objects. Views of the
Bridges of Dye and Feugh, also of the house of
Blackball, are given by J. S. Paterson, drawing
master, Montrose, in a series of interesting local
views, with short notices (folio, about 1825.)

The Bridge of Dye was built at the cost of Sir
Alex. Fraser of Durris, assisted by a mortification
of 2000 merks, left by Mr George Meldrum
[? Melville] , minister of Alford. By Acts of Par-
liament (1681 and 1685), tolls were allowed to be
levied for persons and animals, &c., for the pur-
pose of keeping the bridge in repair.

There is also a bridge across The Spital Burn,
a name which invariably implies that the place so
called was a Jiospiiiiim, or place of refreshment for
wayfarers. In Strachan there was a Spital near
the lodge of Glen Dye, for the convenience of
travellers by the Cairn-o'-Mounth road, which, in
old times, was one of the chief thoroughfares be-
tween the Highlands and the Lowlands (v. Fet-

TERCAIRN.)

Those welcome retreats, which were one of the
many holy and benevolent institutions of the Early
Church, were planted in almost all the passes of
the country. They appear to have been con-
ducted upon much the same principle as the famous
hospice of St Bernard on the Alps, and were occu-
pied by churchmen, who were accountable for
their doings to the Bishops of the Church, or the
Prior of the Abbey upon which they were de-
pendent.

But, if certain names of places in the locality
and tradition are to be relied upon, something
more than refreshment and shelter were required
by travellers crossing The Cairn., since not a few
places are pointed out as the haunts of robbers
and murderers, stories of some of whose deeds
are given in Grant's Tales of the Glens. The
curious affair of Dr Rule and an apparition in a
" deserted house," as related in Wodrow's Ana-
lecta, has formed the basis of a ballad in the
Scottish Journal (i. 214), entitled " The Murder
of Cairn o' Mount."

" The Stane o' Clochnaben" (? the hill of the
stone), an immense granite rock which projects
from the face of Clochnaben, is a striking feature
in the district. It is seen from many different
and distant points ; and, according to local rhyme,
it is one of two prominent landmarks : —

" There are two landmarks off the sea —
Clochnaben and Beuachie."

It is said that the Rev. Andrew Cant, who
played a more prominent than consistent part
during the times of the Covenant, was the son of
the laird of Glendye. It is certain that Earl
Marischal held a large part of Strachan during the
Civil Wars, and that the Highlanders, on more

EPITAPHS, AND WSCRIPTIONS:

occasions thcan one, plundered his lands of " horss,
nolt, and scheip." Spalding also relates, 1644,
that " ane feirfull vnnaturall fyre, quhilk kyndlit
of itself, brynt the bigging" of the EarVs town of
Gellen, including " ane byre with nolt and
oxin, none knowing quhairfra it cam ;" an
event which Spalding quaintly remarks, "seimit
to be ane prognostick of far gryter fyre raisit on
this Earllis landis."

Dr Thomas Reid, author of the Inquiry into
the Human Mind, was born at the manse of
Strachau in 1710. His father was parish minister,
and his mother, who had twenty-nine children by
her husband, was a daughter of Mr Gregory of
Kinairdy, a relative of the famous mathemati-
cians of that name (v. Maknoch.)

'^iVlltUtt, or %i\ms,

(?S. RUFFUS, OR S. MAELRUBHA.)

I^HE church of Edeinjn, or Id vies, belonged to
^ the diocese of St Andrews, and was dedi-
cated by Bishop David in 1243. It is rated at
15 merks in the Old Taxation.

James Victie, parson of Edevyn, swore fealty
to King Edward in 1296.

In an ordinance issued by the Bishop for the
purpose of changing the site of the manse of
Idvies in the year 1388, the new ground is de-
scribed as being bounded on the east of the
church by a ford upon the Vuany, at a heap of
stones, near the foot of the rock, called Craignacre
(Reg. Prior. S. Andree.) A well or spring in the
locality still bears the name of Sinruie. This
is probably a corruption of the name of S. Ruf-
Fus, or S. Makluubha, to whom the kirk may
have been dedicated. There are other wells in the
district, one is called I'othel {? twatJiil, the north)
well, a second the Medicie well (a sort of chaly-
beate), and a third the Spout.

It is said that the old kirk stood upon the lands
of Gask, in a field called the Kirk-shed, from

which it was removed to its present position about
the beginning of the last century. Possibly an
old font, which lies in a neglected state in the
burial-ground, was taken fi-om that place. It
presents a grotesque carving of a human face.

After the Reformation, the kirk of Idvies, and
those of three adjoining parishes, were served by
one minister, at a stipend of £133 6s 8d and
kirk lands. David Guthrie, reader at Idvies, had
£20 of salary.

The date of 1655 is upon the " kirk ladels,"
which corresponds with the time of Mr John
Balvaird, who was translated to Glamis (Scott's
Fasti. ^ I am told that the kirk bell bears the
words, " Bell of Idyie."

The present church, which has a square tower
at the west end, is in good repair. An inscribed
tablet in the porch bears this account of the
building : —

Hanc c-edera, Rev. Davide Carrutheks ijas-
tore, D. Paterson et J. Carrie presbyteris, A.D.
MDCCCXXV, Joannes Baxter de Idvie, Thomas
Gardyne de Middletoun, Alexv^nder Lyell de
Gardyne, Jacobus Mudie de Pitmuies, Joannes
Watt de Kinneries, domini pra;diorum in parochia
jacentium, denuo struendam curarunt. Andrea
Spence, architecto, Don. Mackay, Jac. Milne,
Geo. Fyfe, artificibus.

[John Baxter of Idvie, Thomas Gardyne of
Middletoun, Alex. Ly'ell of Gardyne, Jas. Mudie
of Pitmuies, and John Watt of Kinneries, j)roprie-
tors of lands situated in this parish, caused this church
to be rebuilt in 1S25, the Rev. David Carruthers
being minister, and D. Paterson and J. Carrie,
elders. Andrew Spence, architect. Don. Mac-
kay, Jas. Milne, and Geo. Fyfe, artificers.]

The Middletoun pew, in the south-east corner
of the kirk, contains five oak panels, all charged,
in pale, with the Gardyne arms, and those of the
wives of various lairds. A contemporary panel
presents the Gardyne and Arbuthnott coats, ini-
tialed I. G : E. A. These initials refer to John
Gardyne and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir J.
Arbuthnott of that Ilk. This lady bore twenty-
four children to her husband (c. Inverkeilor.)
The other shields (which are modern) exhibit the

RIRKDEN, OR ID VIES.

Gardyne arms, and those of (1), Watson of Barry ;
(2), Graham of Duntrune ; (3), Wallace (of Ar-
broath) ; and (4), (a saltire wavy, between a
heart in base and chief, and a rose, sinister and
dexter, for (?)

The Gardynes of that ilk appear to have lost
the lands from which they assumed their surname,
during the latter half of the 16th century (v. Me-
morials of Angus and Mearns.) James Gardyne
of Lawton, bought a part of the lands of the
Middletoun of Gardyne about 1682, the remainder
having been subsequently acquired from an
ancestor of the present laird of Gardyne. The
property of Middletoun, upon which there is a
neat mansion-house, is possessed by Mr T. M.
Bruce-Gardyne, representative, through a female,
of the Gardynes of that ilt. A slab built into
the farm offices at Middletoun bears the initials,
D. G., the date of 1692, also the Gardyne arms
and motto, my hoip is only in the lord.

The laird of Lawton, and two namesakes, joined
their fortunes with the " Royal Stuarts" under
the Earl of Panmure, in the respective positions of
captain, lieutenant, and adjutant. They were all
at Sheriffmuir ; and the laird of Lawton, and
Charles Gardin of Bittistern (Bellastrine^, were
among the prisoners (Patten's History), who were
brought to Stirling on the 14th of Nov. 1715.

The Castle of Gardyne, {v. Inveekeilor), is
occupied by the present laird, Alex. Lyell, Esq. ;
and a granite monument, within an enclosure, at
the east end of the kirk of Kirkden, bears this
record of his father and some of the family : —

Erected by EIi;^abeth Gibb Lyell, in memory of
her beloved husband, Alexander Lyell, Esq. of
Gardyne, who died Nov. 1852, aged 68 years.
And of their children, viz. : —

Thomas, who died Nov. 1821, aged 6 months,
Charles, ,, June 1825, ,, 8 weeks,
Andrew, ,, Aug. 1842, ,, 11 years,
Jane, „ Dec. 1842, „ 13 years.

Also Dr Robert, who unfortunately lost his life
on the night of the 3d July 1857, in the 32d year
of his age, while quelling the Insurrection at Patua
during the rebellion in India, and whose remains
lie there.

— Mr Lyell, who devotes his time to agricultural
pursuits, and the improvement of his property,
writes that the Lyells of Gardyne are descended
from

"Walter Lyell, hereditary town-clerk of Mon-
trose, who was the son of James Lyell of BaUma-
leddie and Jean Hay, daughter of William Hay
of Urie. He was born in 1595, and first married a
Miss Hamilton, from the South Country, by whom
he had one son, Mr David Lyell of Ballhall, and
Minister of Montrose, who had two sons — 1. Mr
James Lyell, advocate, who died unmarried ; 2. Mr
Peter Lyell, married to Dowager Lady Halkerton,
who also died without issue.

' ' Walter Lyell married for his second wife

Findlayson, daughter of Findlayson of Gagie,

by whom he had one sou— Thomas Lyell of Dysart,
— from whom I am descended.

" I may also remark that in 1798 my ancestor,
Thomas Lyell of Gardyne, and merchant in Mon-
trose, who married Marjory Renny, daughter of
Patrick Renny of Usan, pulled down a large por-
tion of the old Castle of Gardyne, and re-built a
large portion of the present house.

"It appears from my old charters, 1. that, in 1602,
Andrew RoUock, son of Sir Walter Rollock, con-
veyed the whole lands and barony of Gardyne to
Sir Robert Creighton of Cluny, who held it two
years ; 2. Sir Robert Creighton of Cluny conveyed
to James Curie, the same subjects, in 1607 ; 3.
James Curie to Jean Connolly in 1610 ; 4. Jean
Connolly to Margaret Connolly in 1620 ; 5. Mar-
garet Connolly and Sir John Scott of Newburgh,
to William Ruthven in 1623 ; 6. William Ruthven,
son of the former, to James Lyell, merchant in
London, in 1682."

The church-yard of Kirkden contains several
tombstones. The oldest, so far as I have noticed,
(from a flat slab, with sand glass, skull, and
cross bones), bears this inscription :—

(^ Heir lyis Robert Dvthie, hvsband to
Evphane Gvdlet, somtyme in Balmadie, who died
in Desem. 1667, and of his age the 47 :
I rest in hope
and shal Aryse
To reigne with Christ
►J- above the Skyes.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS^

Another slab, with the name of Agnes Dall,
is dated 1668. From an adjoining stone, broken
and dateless : —

LLiAM , Stevinsone . hvsband . to

Beatrix Stv

Novr. . and . of . age . the .59

The next epitaph is from a monument erected
by Jaimes Lesly, in memory of his wife (date
defaced) : —

A N E .
TO . SPIK
THIS . S-VTES
A . VYEP
D . VYES

; P T E A F
THY . PEAISEE
THOV . VAS
VERTOVS . AN
OF . CHILDREN
CAKFOVl . AND . TO . THY . NE
GHBOVRS . KYND . ANE
HONAST . VOMAN . AND . OP
A . LIBRAL . IIYND

From a table-shaped stone : —

In hopes of a blessed resurrection, here lyis the
dust of HoBERT Alexander, sometime Teunent in
Parconon, late husband to Isobel Scot, betwixt
whom were procreate six children, vizt., William,
Jean, Isobel, Robert, John, and Thomas Alexander.
He died the 19 of June 1738, of age 43 years —
The penetrating art of man,
Unfold this secret never can,
How long men shall live on the Earth,'
And how, or where give up their Breath.
The person of whom this I write,
Ah ! dy'd by a mournfuU fate ;
An old clay chimney that downfall
Kill'd both his servant and himsell,
Which should alarm men every where
For their last hour well to prepare.
That death may never them surprise ;
For as the tree falls so it lies.
Quce mea sors hodie eras fore vestra potest.
[My fate to-day may be yours to-morrow.]

An adjoining stone, embellished with carvings
of fire-tongs, a shovel, and broom, and a rose and
thistle, bears this epitaph upon Isabella Clark,
who died in 1740, after bearing 13 children to her
husband Wm. Scott, blacksmith :—

Here rests the bones of six and on
WhoB ghosts are to the heavens gon ;

A parent with 5 children mo

Doth live, while death may call us so.

The next inscription is from a broken slab,
richly carved. Graceful and well-proportioned
figures of Justice, with a balance in hand, and of
Faith, with an open book, respectively flank the
first four lines : —

As death leaueth the,

So shall judgment find the.

Deal] justly— fear no death.

I . H : I . E.

Here lyes Janet Roy, spouse to John Hay in
Easter Idvie, who departed this life Gth of Novem-
ber 1716, and brought forth by her six children,
tuo sons, David and John, and four daughters,
Margaret, Issobel, Jannet, and Agnes Hays.

John, a. 16, son of David Hay and Margt.
Morgan, d. 1744 : —

Here lyes a youth, an eldest son,

But ere a man away he's gone,

And left his parents both to mourn.

While here below they do sojourn.

Their hopes of him no doubt were great,

Which the more sorrow does create ;

A good advice he had to give

To those behind him he did leave.

Oh, fading, fleeting, empty show,

Is every comfort here blow ;

But cease from fears which you annoy —

He's enter'd into his Lord's joy.

David Hay, a. 5, another son, d. 1746 : —
Here lyes a child, of sons the last,
Where with this family was blest ;
He like a morning flower appear'd,
By him his parents' hearts were cheer'd
But what are children but a loan —
When God calls back, are we to groan ?
He's gone to heav'n and got the start :
Long to be there, you'll no more part.

Janet Greig, wf. of Wm. Mill (1730) :—

Let none suppose the Relicts of the Just,
Are here wrapt up to perish in the Dust ;
No. Like last fruits her time she fully stood.
Till being grown in Faith, and ripe in good —

1451287

KIRKDEN, OR ID VIES.

With steadfast Hope that she another day-
Should rise with Christ — with Death here down
she lay.

The Poor her almes ; the World her praise ;

The Heavens her soul ; and the Grave her body has.

Upon a plain headstone : —

Here lies interred the body of the Reverend Mr
Iames Moir, who was ordained minister of the
Gospel at Kirkden, the 30th of April 1735, and died
the 28th of January 1753.

— Mr ]\loir was assistant to ]\Ir Ferguson of
Arbroath when he was appointed to Kirkden. A
plate for collecting " the offering" bears his name,
and the date of 1735. His initials also appear
upon a slab (built into the east side of the kirk-
yard gate), along with this couplet : —

M.LM.
^Sr All ye who enter at this gate

now prepare for your last state.
1739.

From a flat slab : —

Erected by William, James, Elizabeth, & Mary
Cowie, &c. , Elizabeth and Grizel Knox, in memory
of the Revd. W^illiam Milligan, minister of Kirk-
den, who died [in the] 89th year of his age, and
49th of his ministry, Nov. 15, 1823.

Adjoining the last quoted : —

Erected by Margaret Carruthers, in grateful re-
membrance of her uncle the Rev. David Carru-
thers, late minister of this parish, who died 21st
Novr. 1846, aged 61 years.

RoBT. Taylor, farmer, Backboth, d. 1772, a. 65 : —

Deus dedit, Deus abstulit ;

Benedictum sit nomen Dei. [Job i. 21.]

— Backboth, which is in the parish of Carmyllie
(qv.), was once the site of a church. The site is
still pointed out, not far from the inarch between
Dunnichen and Carmyllie.

Idvies was a thanedom, and the names of two
of the thanes, Gyles and Maiise, are on record ;
also those of persons who bore the surname of
Idwy.

Notices of some of the old proprietors of Idvies
will be found in Mem. of Angus and the Mearns.
It need only be here said that the property of
Idvies was bought from the heirs of Mr John
Baxter, bank agent, Dundee, by Mr J. C. Brodie,
W.S., in 1865, and that Mr Brodie, who is Crown
Agent for Scotland, and a son of Brodie of Lethen
(descended from Alexander, son of Brodie of that
ilk), has very much added to the value and ap-
pearance of Idvies. Besides new carriage drives,
and large additions to, and alterations upon, the
mansion-house, gardens, and offices, the farm-
steadings over the property are being renewed,
or otherwise made suitable to the present ad-
vanced state of agriculture.

Pitmuies belonged to a cadet of Airlie in the
time of Guynd, who (c. 1682), says it is "a good
house, well planted, and lyes pleasantly on the
water of Evenie." Pitmuies is now the property
of Mr Mudie, the worthy representative of an old
Forfarshire family (v. Inverkeilor.) It is near
the Guthrie railway station, where there is a
sculptured stone, which, according to tradition,
had some connection with the defeat of the Danes
at Barry.

The village of Friockheim (formerly " Friock
Feus"), was begun about 183-. It is now a
populous place, situated on the east side of the
parish, and holds of JNIr Bruce- Gardyne of Middle-
ton. In the vicinity is a well-kept cemetery, with
a number of tombstones.

An Extension Church, opened in 1835 in con-
nection with the Establishment, was erected into
a quoad sacra parish in 1870. The Rev. Mr Thos.
Wilson, the first minister of the church, seceded
at the Disruption, when a Free Church was
erected at the village.

The river Vinny is crossed by a number of
bridges. One of two arches, which joins the
parishes of Kirkden and Dunnichen at the village
of Letham, is dated 1820. The bridges at Pit-
muies House, and Pitmuies Toll, were built re-
spectively in and 1771, and that at Hatton

IVIill is dated 1819.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

(S. GRIG, OR S. CYRICUS, MARTYR.)

^T is supposed (Skene's Chronicles of the Picts),
Jt that the church of St Cyrus, also called
Ecclesgri(j, was founded by Grig, or Ciric, who
succeeded to the Pictish throne about A.D. 877.

Some writers suppose that there was a priory
at St Cyrus. This opinion appears to be founded
Tipon a charter by William the Lion, who (Reg.
Prior. S. Andree), grants and confirms to the
monks of St Andrews the church of Eglesglrg,
■with all its just pertinents, in free and perpetual
alms gift^ with the chapel of S. Rule, and with
the half carucate of land in which the said chapel
is situated, by all their righteous and ancient
marches ; and with the Ahhey land of Eglesgirg
by all its ancient and righteous marches, and
with common pasture to the canons, and their
own dwelling on the foresaid lands, along with
my thanes (or stewards), and along with viy men
throughout the whole parish of Eglesgirg, &c.
The expression " my men" in this sense means
the puri nativi—ihQ serfs, or tillers of the soil —
who were at, and for long after the date of this
charter, conveyed along with property in Scot-
land from one landholder to another.
■ The site of the chapel of S. Rule is unknown ;
but in 1242, the church of EgglesgercTi was dedi-
cated by Bishop David of St Andrews (Concilia
Scotise.) It is rated in the Old Taxation at 60
merks. In 1574, Mr Alexander Allardes, who had
"his awin pensioun, &c.," officiated there and
at Aberluthuot, now Marykirk. John Burnet
was reader at Ecclesgrig, and had a salary of
£17 15s G'iid.

The ancient church had a romantic site at the
foot of the highest rocks, locally called " the
steeples," near the sea, and thither the people
repaired for worship until about 1632, when a
new church was built upon " the brae heads," near
the site of the present edifice. The site of the
old church can be traced in the

NETHER, OR LOWER KIRK-YARD.

Interments are still made there ; and the Stra-
tons of Kirkside had their burial-place near the
east end of the kirk. An old tomb (enclosed),
ornamented with curious heraldic and mortuary
devices, presents these traces of an inscription : —

MARGARETS . LEONIS . Qy M . OBllT ....

1646 , ^TATis . sv^ . 68 .......

— This was the wife of Arthur, the first Straton
of Kirkside. He acquired the lands by purchase
from the Lord of the Regality of St Andrews ;
and in 1657, his son Mr Arthur was served heir
to these, as well as to the towns and lands of
Scotston and Marchrie (^indg. Mercury), 8a;. The
last-mentioned were within the barony of Wit-
stou, and regality of Lindores.

The male succession of the Stratons of Kirk-
side failed in Joseph Straton. He was succeeded
by his nephew, Joseph Muter, afterwards General
Sir Joseph, who, in virtue of his uncle's will,
assumed the surname of Siraton. Upon a massive
monument of Peterhead granite is the following
succinct account of the General's career : —

Sacred to the memory of Sir Joseph Straton of
Kirkside, Companion of the Bath ; Knight of the
Guelphic Order of Hanover, and of the Order of St
Vladimir of Russia; Lieut. -General in the British
Army ; youngest son of Willm. Muter, Esq. of
Anufield, Fifeshire, and Mrs Janet Straton of Kirk-
side, Kincardineshire. This brave and accom-
plished oflficer entered the army in early life, and
served with distinguished honor during the Pen-
insular War and at Waterloo, under Field Marshal
the Duke of Wellington. At the commencement
of the battle of Waterloo he commanded his own
regiment the 6th Dragoons untill the fall of the
gallant Ponsonby, to whose brigade it belonged,
when the command of the brigade devolved upon
him. Towai-ds the close of the action Sir Joseph
Straton was wounded, and upon the termination
of the war, in reward of his services, he had various
Military Honors conferred upon him. He died
Colonel of the Inniskilling Dragoons, at London,
2.3d Oct. 1840, in the 63d year of his age, and is
interred here by his own desire.

ST. CYRUS.

— Sir Joseph Straton was succeeded by a nephew,
to whose memory a handsome granite monument
(erected by his widow), about H feet in height,
with a medalHon of Mr Straton by Steele of
Edinburgh, is thus inscribed : —

In memory of George-Thomas Straton of Kirk-
side : Died 16 Feby., 1872, aged 68.

— According to tradition, Stratons possessed
Lauriston from a remote period. They certainly
owned lands somewhere in the Mearns in the
time of Edward I. In 1411, Straton " of Lau-
riston" fell at Harlaw. The tower of the old
fortalice still stands at Lauriston, adjoining the
modern mansion-house ; and at Chapeltoun, a
little to the eastward, stood an ancient place of
worship, dedicated to S. Laurence (v. Mem. of
Angus and JNIearns.)

Another monument, with the Straton and
Ogilvy arms impaled, and the motto, tento,
bears : —

This monument was composed by Robert
Straton, Here table tacksman of the Lands of
WardroptoD, descended of the autient family of
Lauriston for a burying .....

Upon a more modern tablet, batted to the stone
from which the above is copied : —

In memory of Robert Straton, who erected
this monument anno 1731, and died 4th March
1740 : also his spouse Katherine Burnet, who
died 29th Dec. 1744 ; also their son Robert, who died
28th Oct. 1764, aged 80 years ; also his spouse
Girzal Lyon, lawful daughter of the Rev. Mr
Patrick Lyon, sometime minister of the Gospel at
Roscobie, who died 11th Oct. 1765, aged 74 years :
had issue George, Katherine, Janet, and Helen.

— The lands of Warburton gave surname to a
family in old times, one of whom, John of Ward-
roperisthone, granted a charter of " Wardroperis-
thonue in the Marnys," to Sir John of Inch-
martin, knight, 1331, in exchange for certain
lands in the Carse of Gowrie, (Spald. Club Mis.,
V. 10.)
From the door lintel of a roofless aisle : —

ANNO . DOM. 1673 . MAGISTER . DAVID . CAMP-
BELLVS , ECCLESI.*; . GREGORIAMiE . PASTOR . HVNC

TVSrVLVM . POSVIT . VBI . SEPVLTA . lACET . CHARIS-
StMA . VXOR . JLiRGARETA . CARNEGY . ET . 4 . FILII
FILIiE . 5 . DVO . NEPOTES . CVM . TRIB' . AMICIS.

[A.D. 1673. Mr David Campbell, pastor of St
Gregory's church, erected this tomb, where lie in-
terred his dearly beloved wife Margaret Garnegy,
4 sons, 5 daughters, 2 grand-children, together with
3 friends.]

— Mr Campbell was previously minister at
Careston. While there, on 4th April 1643, he
was (^Brechin Sess. Records), "contractit with
INIarat Carnegy in this paroch : caur for them
both, Alexr. Carnegy of Cuikstoune." Carnegy
of Cookstone, near Brechin, was a cadet of the
Southesk family. Wodrow says that Campbell
was a non-conformist ; but this (Fasti) appears
to be a mistake. Dr Scott also states that Camp-
bell attended the army to Newcastle in 1640. In
1674, he was served heir to his father, John
Campbell, in the sunny half lands and town of
Cowbyre, in the lordship of Cupar, and county
of Perth (Retours.)

The Grahams of Morphie had their chief
burial place here, but no stone bears their name.
The only old funeral monument, so far as I know,
which belongs to the family, is a slab within the
church of Kiuneff {q.v.) The Morphie aisle at
St Cyrus, long ruinous, was recently rebuilt by
Mr Barron Graham, who is laird of Morphie, and
representative of that branch of the Grahams.

Mr Graham of Morphie, who studied at the
Royal Academy, London, followed the profession
of a painter for several years, until his eyesight
was accidentally injured. Since then he has
amused himself with collecting coins and medals,
&c.,with the view of illustrating the progress of art
from the earhest period. Besides Morphie, Mr
Graham owns Stone of Morphie, a property so
named from an undressed stone which stands
in the farm-yard. The stone is about 11^ feet
high, varying in breadth from 3 feet 4 inches
at bottom to 2 feet 4 at top. It varies in
thickness from about 2 feet 4 to 1 foot 9 inches.
Tradition connects " the Stone o' Morphie,"
and a place called the Dane's Den, with the
Danish conflicts of Malcolm's time. Be this as

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

it may, when a search was made some years ago,
humau remains, " of large size," were found
below the stone, which proves it to have been a
funeral monument. Owing to erroneous infor-
mation, the late Sir Jas. Simpson, in his Address
to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, stated
that the stone had been destroyed.

The Grahams of Morphie (says Nisbet) were
an ancient branch of the house of Graham, in the
time of Robert I., and the lands of Morphie were
confirmed to them by Robert II. There were
three Knights in the family of Morphie ; and
owing to the part which the Grahams took in the
Civil Wars, and other causes, the lands were
sold for behoof of creditors, after the death
of the last lady of Morphie (who was a sister of
Claverhouse), about 1727. The bulk of the pro-
perty fell into the hands of Scott of Brotherton ;
but the Mains of Morphie was re-acquired by the
son of the above-named lady, who served in the
Warsof Queen Anne. The present laird excambed
the lands of Balindarg, near Kirriemuir, for those
of Stone of Morphie.

It was to his kinsmen, the lairds of Morphie
and Fintray (Spalding Club Misc., vol. v.), that
the second Marquis of Montrose, by letter dated
30th March 1661, requested the provost and
magistrates of Aberdeen to deliver the hand of
his celebrated father, which had been placed upon
a pinnacle of the Tolbooth of that City by order of
the Scots Parliament. According to a contem-
porary record, " that member of his fatheres,"
which had been buried in the church of St
Nicholas, was disinterred, 25th February 1661, by
the local authorities, and put in a coffin "coverit
■with ane reid crimpsone velvit cloth, and caried
by Ilarie Grahame, sone to the Laird of Morphye"
to the Town House, accompanied by the magis-
trates, the inliabitants " goeing before in armes
. . . . with sound of trumpet and beat of
drum," and there the hand was to be kept until
requested to be given over to the son of " the
laite murtherit Marques."

The following is from a monument which was
built into the wall of the old kirk : —

This monument was erected by Alexr. Webster,

tenant in Ston-of Morphie, and Bonsetter, in me-
mory of his wife and children, viz., his wife Jean
Stevenson : Hellen, Jean, John, James, Alexr.,
Margret Websters.

— A group of five ill-proportioned human figures
are represented upon the monument. One is in
the act of setting the bones of another's arm ; a
dwarf looking figure has its hand round the knee
of another twice its size ; and a fifth, also of small
stature, is represented holding up its arms in the
attitude of wonder ! The date of 1759 is upon
the top of the gravestone ; and round a sandglass
are the words : —

As runs the glass, man's life doth pas.

memento MORI.

Another tombstone (table-shaped), belonging to
the same family, is thus inscribed : ^

Here lies James Webster, sometime tenant in
Stone of Morphie, who departed this life the 24 of
December 172-4, in the SS^l year of his age. As also
tuo of his daughters, Mary, who died in infancy,

14 June 1714, and Isobel

He was a person very well esteemed, and his
wonderful skill and success in curing vast numbers
of distressed people made him equally useful and
beloved while alive, and now justly regretted.

From a table-shaped stone : —

Heir lies interred the corps of ane discreet man

named David Walker, somtyme de-

partit this lyfe the 7 of October 1693 years, and of
his age 55 : —

Remember all as yov goe by

Vpon lasting eternity :

And that e'er long yov all mvst

Betvrn again vnto the dvst.

The next seven inscriptions are from head-
stones : —

Francis Graham's wife (1747) :—

Remember, man, as thou goest by,
As thou art now, so was I ;
Into that palace I will look.
Where Christ hath gone before,
To pave the way into his flook.
And keep an open door. &c.

ST. CYRUS.

Katren, dr. to Geo. Barclay, d. 1780, a. 29 ;—
When first I dreu ; the breath of
Life : I nothing kneu at all : yet
Long before my Death I kneu
That I with Adam fell
my body lays neer to this stone
Waiting the morning call :
When Christ will take me by the
hand : he is my all and alL

Alex. Roberts d. 1798 ; his wf. Catherine
Straton, d. 1795 : —

If honour wait on pedigree,

And ancient blood we boast ;
I claim descent from Adam,

Who of mankind was first.
From Noah next my line I have,

Through Cambria's hardy sons,
To Scotia's bleak, but friendly clime,

In earth to lay my bones.

1798.— Robert Burness and Janet Ritchie,
was married 10th April, and had the following issue
[8 children recorded, 4 of whom appear to have been
alive in 1798] :—

All shall die and turn to dust ;

We hope to rise, and be with Christ.

Anonymous : —

The saints are Pilgrims here below,
And tow'rds their country heaven go.

David Spankie, writer in Montrose, son of Wm.

S., tenant. Brae of Pert, was drowned, 2d Aug.

1807, while bathing, a. 21 :—

Low here his mouldering body laid.

Now wrapt in death's oblivious shade ;

I trust his soul dwells with the blesst,

In mansions of eternal rest.

Let every one who reads his fate,

Reflect on life's uncertain date ;

And learn to run their worldly race,

That they through Christ may die in peace.

His parents hope to meet again

Their son, beyond the reach of pain.

And sin, and death, when saints shall rise.

To reign immortal in the skies.

Abridged : —

Robert Brown, died 1822, aged 88. "He was an
elder in said pariah for 51 years."

Within an enclosure, near the south-west
corner of the burial-ground, a neat monument,
with marble slab, bears the following inscription
from the accomplished pen of the late Mr James
Burues of Montrose : —

To the memory of George Beattie, writer in
Montrose, who died 29th Sept., 1S23, in the 38th
year of his age. This monument was erected by the
Friends who loved him in life and lamented him
in death. In his Disposition, he was just, chari-
table, and benevolent ; in his Principles, firm and
independent ; in his Genius, forcible and pathetic ;
and in his Manners, plain and social. His virtues
are deeply engraved in the hearts of those who
knew him, and his literary productions will be ad-
mired while taste for original humour and vigorous
expression remain.

— Beattie was the son of a crofter and salmon-
fisher at Whitehills, in this parish. His father
subsequently held an appointment in the Excise.
Young Beattie wrote, besides other poems, that of
"John o' Arnha'," a humorous and satirical pro-
duction, in the style of Burns' " Tam o' Shanter."
Beattie's poems, which have been often printed,
possess more than ordinary merit, and his sad end
has a melancholy interest : He died in the solemn
and lonely spot where his remains lie buried.

THE UPPER KIRK-YARD.

As before stated, the parish church of St Cyrus
was removed from the sea-shore to the present
site, not far from the top of the cliffs, and at the
Village or Kirktown, about the year 1632. This
was during the incumbency of Mr Andrew Col-
lace, who was previously minister at Garvock,
and latterly at Dundee (_Scott's Fasti.)

A Free Church stands near the railway station.
It was built for the Rev. Dr Alexander Keith,
author of the Evidence of the 'Iruth of the
Christian Religion, and other works, who seceded
at the Disruption in 1843. Dr Keith, whose
father was minister at Keith-hall {q.v.)^ suc-
ceeded Mr Trail at St Cyrus in 1816.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS^

The corner stone of an inclosure, called Lauris-
ton's Aisle— a,n aisle of the old parish church-
bears the initials, in monogram, of I. S : E. O.

Within the same enclosure were interred the
remains of Alexander Porteous, Esq., of Lau-
riston, who died there on the 7th of June 1872,
in his 74th year. Mr Porteous, who made a for •
tune abroad, is said to have been the first to send
into this country from India samples of jute— a,
kind of flax, to the successful management of
which, it may be said, the manufacturers in the
counties of Forfar and Fife, &c., are indebted for
their fortunes. IMr Porteous, who was also the
principal promoter of the Montrose and Bervie
Railway, belonged to Crieff in Perthshire, and
married a sister of Mr Scott of Brotherton, by
whom he leaves a family.

A new kirk was erected in the burial-ground
nearly twenty years ago. It contains two hand-
some marble tablets. One of these, built into
the east wall, bears the arms of the family of Orr,
and motto, true to the end, also elaboi'ate
carvings of war trophies, and this inscrij)tiou : —

To the memory of William-Adam Orr of
Bridgeton, in this parish, Companiou of the Bath,
Colonel in the lloyal Artillery, and Aide- de-Camp
to the Queen, eldest sou of the late William Orr,
Esqre. of H.M. Ceylon Civil Service, and of
Bridgeton, who, after an honorable and distinguished
career in the service of his country, died at Weston-
super-Mare, on the 11th of Sept. 1869, from the
effects of illness contracted during the arduous
campaigues of 1857 and 1858, in Central India.

This tablet is affectionately dedicated to a beloved
brother by his sorrowing sister.

—The second slab is in the north wall (F. Leigh-
ton, inv. et sculp. ^ It has a handsomely carved
border ; and a group in relief (within a circle
near the middle of the slab) represents a female
kneeling by the couch of an invalid. Below the
group is the following iuscriiition, together with
a verse from Ps. 88 : —

In memory of Sutherland -George -Gordon
Orr, Commandant of the 3rd Eegt. of Cavalry,
Hyderabad Contingent, who, after many years of
distinguished service, fell a victim to his enduring

courage, June 19th, 1858, aged 42 years. To him
who, uniting every domestic with every knightly
virtue, was thus prematurely summoned to the
grare, this tablet is erected by hia wife, as a faint
token of a love for which there is no expression.

—Mr Patrick Orr, W.S., who bought the pro-
perty of Bridgeton towards the end of the last
century, married Marjory, daughter of Mr Wm.
Gibson of Little Fithie, in Farnell. Mr Orr was
long sheriff -clerk of Forfarshire, in which office
he was followed by a son, also named Patrick.
An elder sou, William, succeeded to Bridgeton,
and was the father of the two officers above
commemorated, and several other children.

Their uncle, Mr John Orr, Accountant-
General at Madras, died at Edinburgh about
1845. He left a considerable fortune, the in-
terest of £1000 of which he bequeathed to the
parish of St Cyrus to be distributed annually in
the odd manner thus prescribed by his will : —

"To the Clergyman of the Established Church
of Scotland, Parish of St Cyrus, County of Kincar-
dine, for the time being, 1 give and bequeath for
ever the annual interest accruing from the sum of
One thousand pounds sterling — the interest to be
divided into five equal portions, and appropriated
as follows : —

"Fimt: One portion to be applied to the pur-
chase of tea, sugar, meal, candles, flannel, and any j
other comforts that may, by the Clergyman, be j
thought proper, and given by him to such Poor and '
Needy Parishioners as he may think fit — this dis-
tribution to be made (if possible) at the season of
Christmas ; —

" Second : Another portion to be given as a dona-
tion to the Tallest Woman belonging to the Parish
who may be Married during the year ; —

" Third: Another portion to be given to the
Shortest Woman belonging to the Parish who may
be Married during the year ; —

" Fourth : Another portion to be given to the
Oldest Woman belonging to the Parish who may
be Married during the year ; and,

' ' Last : The remaining portion to be given as a
donation to the Youngest Girl belonging to the
Parish who may be Married during the year.
These sums to be paid to the respective parties, or,

ST. CYRUS.

in the event of death, to the heirs of the deceased,
by the Clergyman, on the Thirty -first day of De-
cember each year. The Clergyman should ascer-
tain the height and age of every woman married in
his Church during the year, and distribute the
several portions according to his judgment — his de-
cision in every case to be final."

• — The mansion-house of Bridgeton, which under-
went tasteful alterations during the late laird's
time, is situated upon the north side of the Mon-
trose and Bervie turnpike. Bridgeton belonged
at one time to the Stracbans of Thornton.

The inscriptions copied below are from tomb-
stones in the church-yard : —

Here lyes Bessie Smith spovs to William
Burnet who died both in the year 16S8 of ages SO
and 80 tvo years : —

Death is the end of al tribvlation,

And therefor to wyse men a swit consolation.
— The above couplet is followed by an inscription
in Greek capitals, to this effect : — " To him that
overcometh will be given the fellowship of angels."
From an adjoining slab : —

Hier lyes Dauid Broun, lavfvll son to Dauid
Brovn and Effie Vill, indvellers in Miltovnhavien,
vho departed this lyf the 6 of Febrvary 1697, and
of his age 12 yiears.
From a flat stone : —

Hier lys Iohn Hoge, svmt5Tne in Gapes Hall,
who departed this lyfe the 24 of Svptember, and of
age 57, in the year of God 1703 : —

Grim death arests me hier to ly,

To rest vntil the iudgement day ;

Yet me to life God will restor,

Vhom I vill praise for ever more.

— " Gapes Hall," or Gapieshaugh, was Straton

property from before 1631, until about 1669,

when it belonged to a Mr George Gordon. It is

now part of the Ecclesgreig estate.

The next inscription is from a brass plate, fixed
into an obelisk of freestone : —

Here lie the mortal remains of the Rev. James
Trail, minister of St Cyrus, at which place he died
on the 1st day of May 1816, aged 59. This monu-
ment was erected by Ann Burn, his widow, and
Thomas Trail, and James Dow of Montrose, his

executors, to mark the spot where his ashes are
deposited, and as the last tribute of regard they
had it in their power to bestow towards a near and
beloved relative. They Mould tell his worth, but
that the Tomb is not the proper place for praise ;
and they know that on such a subject humility and
silence would have been considered a more suitable
proof of their attachment by the departed spii'it of
their Friend.

— Mr Trail, who was a son of the Eev. Robert
Trail of Panbride, published a translation from
the Latin, of a curious, and now scarce, Descrip-
tion of the County of Angus in 1678, by the
Rev. Robert Edward, minister of Murroes.

In memory of Agnes Campbell, spouse of James
Watson at St Cyrus, a very successful midwife there
for nearly 40 years, who died 24th !May 1822, aged
6S. She will be longest remembered by those who
knew her best.

Erected to the memory of Mr Alexander
Anderson, 33 years parochial schoolmaster, who
died 15th May 1834, aged 67. Also of his spouse,
Mary Campbell, who died 4th January 1846, aged
74 years.

Stone cists, urns, human bones, and also imple-
ments of the stone and bronze periods, have been
found in different parts of the parish, particularly
in the localities of Morphie and Canterland.
About twenty years ago, bones were discovered
in a cave near Warburton, including, as some
supposed, remains of certain extinct, or ante-
diluvian animals.

The ruins of the Kaim of Mathers stand upon
the top of an isolated rock, which juts into the
sea. According to tradition, this stronghold was
built by Barclay, the laird of Mathers, who joined
the Mearns barons in boiling Sheriff MelviUe
upon the hill of Garvock. This strange etory,
and the cause of the building of the castle are told
by Balfour, in " the Kaim of Mathers, a tale in
Scottish verse," which first appeared in the Dim-
dee Magazine for July 1822. The following Unes
are copied from it : —

"The land of Mathers all was hys,
And on its steeple shore

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

A fearful rocke looks o'er the waves,

A-lysteiiing to thaer roar.
So there tliae tiuyld a lordlie Kaim

All onne the stonie rock,
Which mote defle the Sovereign's arm»,
And eke the tempest's shock."

A little to the eastward of the Witston fishing
station, is the entrance to a cave of considerable
height and length. It is frequented by seals and
other amphibious animals ; and although easily-
reached at neap, is inaccessible at spring tides.
According to tradition, the cave stretches as far
inland as the Castle of Lauristou ; and it is further
said that a blind bag -piper and his dog having
found their way into it, the wail of the pibroch
and the howl of the dog were heard for some days
below the kitchen hearth of the old fortalice. In
course of time the sounds died away ; and bleached
human and animal bones having been found in
or about the cave, the peasantry had no difficulty
in identifying them as those of the luckless miu-
Btrel and his faithful companion I

The mansion-house of Ecclesgreig, which has a
commanding position to the north of the village
of St Cyrus, is surrounded by well kept grounds
and thriving woods. It was greatly improved
and enlarged by the late laird, whose remains
■were interred in a private burial place, which was
consecrated by the Bishop of Brechin. It is
situated within the policies ; and there, shaded by
yew trees, which are planted in the form of a
cross, a coffin-slab of Aberdeen granite bears this
inscription : —

In memory of William Forsyth-Grant of Ec-
clesgreig : Born 10th Feby. 1804 ; died 18th Oct.
1863.

We have a building of God, an house not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2d Cor. v. 1.

—Mr Forsyth- Grant, who was a gentleman of
large benevolence, acquired Ecclesgreig from a
maternal uncle, who was a native of Strathspey,
Mr Grant was succeeded by a son, late Captain
in the 3d Hussars, who married a daughter of
Colonel Orr of Bridgeton. The remains of Col.
Orr also lie at Ecclesgreig, and the pedestal of a
handsome granite cross, of the wheel pattern,
about six feet in height, bears an inscription

similar to that upon the monument within the
parish church of St Cyrus.

The house of Ecclesgreig was called Mount
Cyrus at one time, and at an early date the house
and lands were known as Crigie. They bore the
latter name in 1659, when they formed part of
the Morphie estate, and were possessed by John,
son of Sir Robert Graham of Morphie.

There are several hamlets within the parish.
The Kirktown is the most considerable, and
next to it in size is the village of Roadside. The
established church and parish school, both of
which are ornamental buildings, are situated at
the Kirktown ; and at Roadside are a handsome
school and school-house. The last-noticed were
erected by, and maintained chiefly through the
liberality of, the late Mr G. T. Straton of Kirk-
side, who, although long an invalid, was an
unostentatious and liberal benefactor to the people
of St Cyrus. A little to the westward of the
Straton school, a fountain of freestone bears these
words : —

1870 : Erected by Mrs Straton of Kirkside,
for the benefit of the Village.

The hamlets of Milton of Mathers and Tangle-
ha', are situated to the eastward, and close by
the seashore. The former of these was erected into
a burgh of barony by the name of INIiltonhaven
(v. Mem. of Angus and Mearns), and both are
inhabited chiefly by a fishing population.

Some of the bridges in St Cyrus are objects of
interest, particularly that which crosses Den
Finella, on the east side of the parish. Besides
being the reputed scene of the death of Lady
Finella, who is said to have killed King Kenneth
III., Den Finella is a singularly romantic and pic-
turesque place, with fine waterfalls and walks.
The railway viaduct crosses the lower part of the
den ; and a bridge on the Montrose and Bervie
turnpike is dated 1815. The old bridge is a little
to the north of the last-mentioned.

Before the Lower North Water bridge was
erected, the parish of St Cyrus was reached from
the west, or Montrose side, by a dangerous ford
and a ferry-boat. The ford was near the Mills of
Kinnaber, and the boat was at the Poii'age, or

GARTLY, OR GRANTULY.

Pontage Pool. The pool, which has been cele-
brated by George Beattie in his poem of " John
o' Aruha'," was a favourite haunt of the Water-
kelpie, who, in allusion to the assistance he gave
at the building of a mansion house at Morphie, is
said to have warned passengers of impending
danger at the pool, by giving vent to the following
plaint, and malison against the Grahams : —
" Sair baok an' sair banes,

Carryin' the Laird o' Marphie's stanes ;

The Lairds o' Marphie canna thrive

As lang's the Kelpie is alive !"

The bridge upon the tiurnpike road (which ad-
joins the viaduct of the Montrose and Bervie
railway), consists of eight arches ; and the follow-
ing inscriptions (the one copied from a tablet at
the south-east end of the bridge, the other from a
slab built into the opposite parapet), give a con-
cise history of the building : —

[1-]
^rabclkr : Pass safe and free along this Bridge,
built by Subscription, to which the Town of Mon-
trose, and the two adjacent Counties, contributed
a large share. The work was first projected, and
a liberal sum directed to be given by Thomas
Christie, Provost of Montrose. He died before
the Subscription was opened ; but the design wai
ablj- taken up and successfully followed out by his
eldest son, Alexander Christie, the succeeding
Provost, an active and public spirited citizen, who,
with the assistance of a Committee of the Sub-
scribers, happily brought the work to a period.
The foundation was laid, October 18, 1770, and
the work was finished, October IS, 1775. John
Smeaton, John Adams, and Andrew Barrie,
were the architects. The same Andrew Barrie,
mason in Montrose, and Patrick Brown, mason in
Dryburgh, were the undertakers. The Bridge and
the Approaches cost Six Thousand Five Hundred
Pounds Sterling.

[2.]

This Building Erected A.D. 1775.

His Majesty gave in aid to it, out of the

Annexed Estates, £800 stg.

Viator, tvto transeas ; sis memor beneficii Eegii.

[Traveller, pass over in safety ; be mindful of the

King's bounty.]

^HVtht, or (^X^XXXXXX^,

(S. ANDREW, APOSTLE.)

ff% RANTULY was one of the mensal churches
^& of the Bishops of Moray.

In 1574 Mr George Nicolson had a stipend of
£53 6s 8d Scots as minister of Gartly and three
adjoining parishes, and John Leslye, the contem-
porary reader at Gartly, had a salary of 20 merks.

The present church — a long narrow building —
was erected in 1621, during the time of Mr Wm.
Reid, who (Scott's Fasti), " taxed the faults of
his parishioners bitterli, and not ia the language
of Scripture, quherby the people, insteade of being
edified, wer moved to laughter and derisione."

The church belfry is an ornamental work, and
upon it are three slabs with these words : —

. . YIS . IS . . . RETHE
BVLT . 1621

10 . KOS . meason . 1621.

The bell bears an inscription in Latin, nearly
similar to that at Ordiquhill (supra p. 27.) It ia
locally rendered thus : —

" John Mowat made me,
For the use of Gartly,
To call upon the Clergy,
And mourn for the Dead."

According to a writer of 1726, " the church
has an aisle wherein the house of Huntley ia
buried." This was possibly the Frendraught, or
Crichton Aisle, which entered from the nave of
the church. The site is still indicated by a mound
on the south side of the kirk.

Spalding states that "the ashes and brynt
bones" of the unfortunate barons and their
servants who perished at the burning of Fren-
draught in 1630, were put in " sax kistis in the
haill, which, with gryte sorrow and cair, wes had
to the kirk of Garntullie, and thair bureit."

The church of Gartly, which has been fre-
quently repaired, is a sorry fabric, and the sur-
rounding burial ground, although it contains a
number of monuments, presents little of general

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

interest. One dateless stone, fixed to the south
wall of the kirk, bears this brief iusciiptiou : —
Mr Geo. Gordon, Gartly,
an honest man, regarded by all, aged 92.

From the area of the church-yard : —

Sub spe beatse resurrectiouis hoc jacent tumulo
et contumulantur in uno coguati Pater, c' Filii
Filice' Mater.

Alexander Smith, sometime in Drumbulge,
dyed Novr. the 20th 173G, aged GO years ; and his
spouse Bessie Christie, dyed March 17—, aged
43 years, &c.

[In this grave lie buried together, m the hope of
a happy resurrection, a Father and Mother, with
their Sons and Daughters.]
From a table stone : —

Wm. Jessiman, born in Currilaar, died there
1801, a. 84; his sp. Elspet Burges, d. 1759, a. 43 :—
The smiles of fortune or her frowns

They never could me move.
My heart was fixed on God, my hope
Was in his boundless love.

The next three inscriptions are from table-
shaped stones : —

Here lyes Elizabeth Chalmers, who died in
Kirkhill, the 4th of Aprill 1768, aged G3 years,
lawfull spouse to the deceased Mr John Chalmers,
sometime notary public in Ersfield, in the parish of
Kinnethmont. Also Janet Chalmers, spouse of
Alex. Ingram in Coxton : she died7 Jany. 1814, aged
73years. Alsoherson John Ingram, farmer, Coxton,
who died 14th April 1859, aged 88 years [2 drs. re-
corded dead.] Also his wife Janet Green, who
died on the 14th February 1871, in her 78th year.
Keraembcr, man, as thou goest by,
As thou art now, so once was I.

Here lies interred the mortal remains of James
Sangster, sometime farmer in Moshead, who
departed into Eternity upon the 13th April 1800
years, after he had troad the stage of Time for the
space of 70 years : —

At Angel's voice and Trumpet's sonnd.
Shall dust arise, and bones be joined.

Under this stone is laid all that was mortal of
James Black, son to James Black in Daugli, late
Lieutenant in His Majesty's 98th Regiment of Foot,

who departed this life 18th of Dec. 1789, in the 25th
year of his age. His merits were such that they
are to be held in estimation of all who knew him
v.'hile memory can record worth. As also Marv
Garioch, espoused to James Black in Daugh, who
departed this Ufe the 9th of Jany. 179G, in the 73d
year of her age.

Abridged : —

Alexander Mitchell, who erected this

stone, died 9th Jan. 1840, aged 94 years, and ie
here interred

From a headstone : —

In memory of George Forbes, late farmer in
Whitelumbs, who died in 1833, aged 84 ; also of his
spouse Christian Thomson, who died in 1822,
aged 41.

It may be worthy of note that, within the
kirk-yard of Gartly, lie the ashes of a female, who,
according to local story, was lost by her husband
on the day of her marriage, and whose remains
were forgotten by him upon that of her funeral !

While both incidents show the convivial state
of society at the time, it would be ungenerous to
look upon the latter act (for the former is not un-
known in Scotland even at the present day), in
any other light than that of the widower's anxiety
to show hospitality to those who attended the
funeral of his wife, many of whom had come from
distant parts of the country.

The facts of both cases are these : — A well-to-
do farmer in Gartly was married at a considerable
distance from his own residence ; and, when the
bride left her father's for her new home in Gartly,
she tvas placed, as was then customary, upon the
pillion behind the bridegroom. When the bride-
groom arrived at his house, he called to the
friends, who had assembled to welcome the pair
home — "'Tak'doun the gudewife, sirs!" "There's
nae gudewife here !" was the reply, to which the
bride,i:room, after a short pause, answered — " I'll
wager yon was her 'at gaed kbit i' the burn o'
Aul' liayne !" Messengers were despatched in
s.^arch of the lost bride, who was found in a house,
near the scene of the disaster, drying her garments
by the side of "a blazin' ingle !"

It is told, as a sequel to this " slip," that when

TANNADICE.

the same woman died, and when the fuueral pro-
cession was sorae distance upon the road to the
kirkyard, thewidower suddenly called out, " Stop,
stop, sirs!— there's a mistak' here !" Strange to
say the remains of his wife had been forgot to be
placed into the cart (there being but few hearses
in those days), in which they were to be conveyed
to their last resting place I

Besides the parish kirk, at which, in 1650
(Acta Pari., vi. 608), a servant of Leith of Hart-
hill was killed in cold blood by two of Leith 's
brothers, there were at one time three places of
worship in Gartly. One of these stood at Kirk-

ney (S. ), the second at Talathrewie (S.

FixNAx), and the third at Brawliukuow (S. .)

According to tradition, an infant son of the Baron
of Gartly was drowned in the Bogie, in a pool
still called Lord John's Pot, while being carried
home, after baptism, from the chapel at Brawlin-
know.

Barclays, of the Towie race {v. Gamrie), were
designed lords or barons of GrantuUy from at
least 1367 ; and Sir Alexander, the laird of the
period, fell at the battle of Arbroath in 1445-6.
About a century afterwards, the lands of Gartly
appear to have passed from the Barclays to Gor-
don of Auchendown ; and upon the death of Sir
Patrick Gordon of Auchendown in 1600, the
Marquis of Huntly succeeded as heir male.

The castle of Gartly, of which unfortunately
very little now remains, stood upon the farm of the
Mains of Gartly. According to Chalmers, Mary
Queen of Scots rested at Grantuly both on her
way to and from the North. It was also the
scene of a ballad, called " The Barone o' Gairtly,"
which tells that the baron's lady, during his
absence in the wars, became the wife of Gordon
of Lesmore, and that, the baron having consulted
" weird sisters" in a cave on the Binhill of Cairuey
regarding the affair, revenged the insult by burn-
ing the castle of Gartly, its faithless lady, and
the rest ef the inmates.

Tillieminit is perhaps the most beautiful of the
many romantic glens and corries in Gartly ; and

there, upon a slab built into a gable of the farm
steading, is a shield bearing a much defaced coat
of arms, probably those of Gordon.

The parish of Gartly, which is wholly the pro-
perty of the Duke of Richmond, is situated partly
in the county of Aberdeen and partly in that of
Banff.

A Free Church was erected on the north side
of the Bogie in 1844, the parish minister having
seceded at the Disruption of 1843.

There is a neat hamlet, with some shops and
an inn, at the railway station of Gartly, from
which the pretty district of Strathdon, and inter-
mediate localities, may be reached daily by the
mail car.

(S. TERN AN, BISHOP.)

X'^ the year 1187, Pope Gregory VHI. granted a
Jt confirmation charter of the church of Tanedas
to the Prior and Canons of St Andrews (Reg.
Prior. S. Andree) ; and in 1242 (Robertson's
Concilise), the kirk of Tanatheys was dedicated
by Bishop Bernhame.

The church was a rectory of St Andrews, and
is rated at 40 merks in one copy of the Old Taxa-
tion, at 8 merks in a second, and at £16 6s 8d
Scots in a third. The old orthography of the
name is as different as the rating ; for, besides
the examples above given, the name is spelled
ThancJiais and Tannadyse, &c.

In 1567, I\Ir James Rait was minister of Tan-
nadice and Aberlemno, with £100 Scots of stipend.
In 1574, Alex. Garden was reader, with a salary
of £16 and kirklands. The patronage of the
kirk belongs to St INIary's College, St Andrews.

The present kirk, which is a neat building, was
erected in 1846 ; and, on 4th March 1866 (the
day upon which the widow of the late Rev. Mr
Buist died), the internal fittings were much in-
jured by an accidental fire.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

The church-yard has been considerably enlarged
towards the east ; and the old portion, trenched
a few years ago, has been otherwise improved.
But, as some of the old lying and table-shaped
monuments have been set upon end (a sin which,
unfortunately, is not confined to Tannadice),
certain portions of the inscriptions are buried.
The following is from a stone in the position re-
ferred to : —
tSf Hear lyes Iean Yovng, spova to David

Greige at the

the 27 of December 16S6, and of her age 19 years :—
Thir lines engraven doe record
This Jean nov is with the Lord,
Her body in the grave doth rest in peace,
Her sovl vith saints above hath place.
Heaven keeps the sovl, here the body lies,
In earth she lived both virtvovs kind and wise.

From a headstone : —

Here rests the bodys of James Wilson, sometime
in Baldoukie, who died the 25 day of Aprile 1678,
of age 60 years. And Jean Wobster his spouse,
who died the -7 of March 1718, of age 78 years.
And James Wilson, his son, sometime in Bal-
doukie.

A stone (ornamented with carvings of a cheese-
press, the culter of a plough, &c.) bears : —

David Cuthbert, tenant in Mains of Murthill,
raised this stone over the remains of his late spouse
Margt. Mitchell, who died 14th May 17G7, aged
68 years 6 months. She bare him seven children,
vizt., Thos., David, Margaret, Elizabeth, Helen,
Jean, and John, of whom Helen died 3 years and
JouN 6 weeks of age : —

Think, ye that on these mouldring Ashes tread,
Yourselves must soon be mingled with the dead ;
Prepare, prepare ye, for the silent Tomb :
The dreaded Dungeon, or the expected Dome :
Or, when the nearest, dearest joys forsake,
And all is lost which Earth could give or take ;
Pleasure is fled, and Beauty quite defac'd.
The Pdeh lie stript of all, the Proud disgrac'd :
Or, where the Saints are husht to sleep in Peace,
While all their Labours, all their sorrows cease,
Where in firm Hope, the Friends of Jesus rest,
To rise Immortal, & be ever blest.

Upon a small headstone, embellished with car-
viugs of pen-knives, inkstands, open books, &c. :^

This stone was erected by David Dakers, school-
master in Tannadice, in memory of his spouse Mar-
GRET BiNNY, who died the 2Sth of March 1728
years, of age 68.

— The above-named were maternal ancestors of
David Dakers Black, Esq. of Kergord, author of
the History of Brechin, &c.

Another part of the church-yard contains a
monument to the memory of the late schoolmaster,
Mr Herald, who died in 1863, aged 58. It was
erected by some of his old pupils, and the inscrip-
tion, which is in Latin, was composed by Mr
JaS; Whamoud, now schoolmaster of Dalziel, and
author of an interesting volume entitled " Jamie
Tacket."

It was at a meeting of the heritors and minister,
presided over by Mr Wedderburn of Islabank,
24th Jany. 1824, that Mr Herald was admitted
schoolmaster of Tannadice. As the minute of
Mr Herald's appointment presents some peculiar
features, the extracts from it, given below, may
not be uninteresting, particularly since the good
old Parochial system of education in Scotland has
now given place to a National system. The
minute provides —

"Firat: That the person elected shall have no
right till Whitsunday first to any accommodation
or emoluments, excepting the schoolroom and
school fees ; the half year's salary to be collected at
the ordinary time, and in the usual way, by the
schoolmaster, and to be put under the management
of the Kirk Session and Heritors, to be applied for
the behoof of the family of the late Mr Wm. Elmsly
sometime schoolmaster ; —

" Second : No cockfigbting to be permitted in the
schoolroom, under any ijretence, under the penalty
of two pounds to the poor of the Parish, to be pro-
secuted for by the Kirk Treasurer ; —

" Thi7-d : That he shall assist the Minister of
the Parish, or any other in teaching any Sabbath
School, the latter may institute ; and,

"Lastly: They, viz., the Meeting, unanimously
made choice of Mr Wm. Herald, assistant Teacher
to Mr John Reid, Kirriemuir, to be Parochial
Schoolmaster of the Parish of Tannadice ; and, on

TANNADICE.

his being found properly qualified by the Presby.
tery of Forfar to teach the branches of literature
following, viz., The reading of English in the most
approved manner and Grammatically, also writing,
arithmetic, Book-keeping, Practical Mathematics,
Land Surveying, and Latin, as fully as to qualify
the Pupils for entering into an University, the
meeting find him entitled to the emoluments and
fees arising from the ofifice under the condition first-
mentioned."

Four marble slabs, inserted into a freestone
monument (on the south side of the burial-
ground), are respectively inscribed as follows : —

[1.]

Sacred to the memory of the Eev. John Buist,
who died at Tannadice, on the 9th Dec. 1845, in
the 92d year of his age, and 50th of his ministry.
And of Margaret, his youngest daughter, born at
Tannadice, 12th June 1812, died at Edinburgh, 1st
Aug. 1846. Also in memory of Margaret Jeffer-
son, wife of the Rev, John Buist, who died at
Hamilton, on the 4th March 1866, in the 86th year
of her age.

And of George Buist, LL.D., F.R.S., their
eldest son, who died at Calcutta, 1st Oct. 1860,
aged 55 years.

[2.]

Sacred to the memory of Jessie-Hadow Hunter,
the beloved wife of Dr G. Buist, Bombay, who died
at that Presidency, on the 5th May 1845, aged 27.
[3.]

Sacred to the memSry of James Buist, merchant,
Dundee, second son of the Rev. John Buist : born
at Tannadice, 10th July 1810, died at Dundee, 28th
March 1844.

[4.]

Sacred to the memory of John Buist, third son
of the Rev. John Buist, who died at Tannadice, 7th
June 1824, in the ninth year of his age. Also of
Charles Buist, his fourth and youngest brother,
who died at Dundee, 3d Dec. 183G, in the fifteenth
year of his age.

— The Rev. Mr Buist, who was a native of Abdie,
in Fife, gained a premium at St Andrews in 1782
(Scott's Fasti), for the best Discourse on the
Evidence of the Authenticity of the New Testa-
ment Scriptures. Mr Buist had a great sense of
humour, and was ready at repartee. It is told

that on one occasion, when acting as Presbytery
Clerk, a late minister of Forfar remarked, on look-
ing upon a paper that Mr Buist was writing
out—" You have got a cypher too many there,
Mr Buist." To which Mr Buist (who was the
senior of his reverend brother), sharply retorted —
" We have always had a cypher too many here
since you came amongst us I"

In regard to Mr Buist's eldest son, it need only
be said that he was a person of great literary
attainments. He died while Editor of the Bombay
Times, having been previously engaged upon se-
veral provincial newspapers in Scotland. He
wrote, among other works, an interesting guide-
book to the scenery of the Tay between Dundee
and Perth, as seen from the steam-boats ; an Ac-
count of the Visit of George IV. to Scotlaud, &c.

George Sandeman, d. 1822, a. 28 : —

All ye in life's gay morn who come,
To view this youth's grass-cover'd tomb.
Know that you to the grave are nigh,
For youth as well as age may die.
In early life, then, serve thy God,
Ere thou art laid beneath the clod.
That those who to thy grave draw near.
To drop the sympathetic tear.
May truly say, as of this man —
He was an honest Christian.

Charles Sandeman (1824) : —

His was the soul that sympathy could touch.
His was the heart that friendship's flame did

warm ;
And he the pilgrim, who at death's approach,
Lean'd for salvation on his Saviour's arm.

John Cummin, a. 74 (1849) :—

An honest man here lies at rest.

As e're God with his image blest ;

The friend of man — the friend of truth —

The friend of age, and guide of youth :

In paths of vice he never would abide,

For even his failings lean'd to virtue's side.

When the Old Statistical Account of Tannadice
was written by Dr Jamieson, author of the Scot-
tish Dictionary, about 1793, there appears to

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

have been a sculptured stone at the church ; but,
unfortunately, no trace of it now remains.

Tannadice was a thanedom, and farmed by the
king down to 1363, when, along with that of
Glamis, it was given to John of Logy, probably
the father of Margaret Logy, who became the
Queen of David II. (Mem. of Angus and the
Mearns.) After the forfeiture of Logy, both
thanedoms reverted to the crown, and were again
farmed for the interest of royalty.

In 1369 (Reg. Mag. Sigill.), the same monarch
granted a charter at Perth in favour of William,
the son of John, who is described as " our bound
and born serf of the thanedom of Tannadice."
It also declares the said William to be "our free
man," as well as those that shall issue from him
and their posterity. The same charter provides
that William and his descendants shall freely
dwell in any part of Scotland they may deem
expedient, and that they shall be free and at rest
from all born servitude for ever. This interesting
charter, which forms an additional illustration of
the position of the jmri natlvi of Scotland to that
before given (v. p. 36), had doubtless been granted
for some special service to the crown, the nature
of which has not been recorded.

It was in 1371-2, that King Robert IL con-
ferred the thanedoms of Glamis and Tannadice
upon Sir John Lyon, who married Princess Jane ;
and the Earls of Strathmore assume one of their
titles of Baron from Tannadice.

A collateral branch of the Lyons, who still hold
the estate of Glenogil, in Tannadice, is descended
from David, the first Lyon of Cossens, second son
of the fifth Lord Glamis. A door lintel at Mains
of Ogil is thus initialed and dated, " 16— G. L :
LN.-80."

Notices of Marcos, Morthil, and other old lands
in Tannadice, are given in the Land of the
Lindsays, and need not be repeated here. The
modern mansion-houses are, as may be supposed,
of various ages and styles of architecture, and are
pleasantly situated upon the respective properties.
The more considerable of these, Tannadice House,
was built by Dr Charles Ogilvy ; Marcus Lodge
by Col. Swinburn ; and Downie Park by Col.

Rattray. There is a private burial-place at
Downie Park, where there was, and possibly still
is, a tablet thus inscribed : —

Sacred to the memory of departed worth. Lt. Col.
WilliAjW Eattkay of Downie Park, late in the
Hon. East India Company's Bengal Artillery ; born
30th Octr. 1752, died 20th Decemr. 1819, aged 67
years.

— Col. Rattray married a daughter of Mr Rankin
of Dudhope, and his remains were removed to tho
burial place of that family in the Howff at Dun-
dee. The estate of Downie Park, which was ori-
ginally part of the Inverquharity property, has
been recently purchased by the Earl of Airlie,
and that of Tannadice by Wm. Neish, Esq. of
Clepington, near Dundee. Since Tannadice was
acquired by Mr Neish, he has doubled the size of
the house, and otherwise improved the property.

The river Noran rises in the parish of Tanna-
dice ; and, in Glenogil, it has a romantic and
pleasing course, with some pretty waterfalls. It
is crossed by stone bridges at Wellford, Court-
ford, and at Nether Careston, where it joins the
South Esk. The bridge at Justenhaugh, on the
Esk, about a mile above the Kirktowu of Tanna-
dice, was built in 1823.

S. Ennan's, popularly called St Arnold's Seat,
is the most conspicuous hill in the parish, and is
about 800 feet above sea level.

There is a Free Church at jNIemus, about half
way between the kirks of Tannadice and Cor-
tachy.

§nnotinv.

(S. BRIDGET, VIRGIN.)
f^JlIE church of Dunothyr wag dedicated by
X David, Bishop of St Andrews, in 1276.
The kirk and chapel of Danotyr are rated at 40
merks, in the old Taxation.

Towards the close of the fourteenth century,
the church of S. Ninian was transferred from the

DUNOTTAR.

rock upon which the ruins of Dunottar now stand,
by Sir Wm. Keith, to the banks of the Carron,
near the site of the parish kirk.

A chapel forms part of the ruins upon the rock
of Dunottar at this day ; and some of the older
bits — particularly the lower parts of the door
lintels — are of considerable antiquity. A deep
ravine, near the castle, is called S. Ninian's
Den ; and the chapel mentioned in the old
Taxation roll, had probably occupied the site of
the parish kirk of Dunottar.

In 1567, John Christisua was minister of Dun-
ottar and Fetteresso, for which he had " jc merkis
with the thyrd of his benefice extending to . . .
. ." John Paton was reader at Dunottar, with a
salary of £20 Scots. In 1576, John Wylie was
reader, with a salary of £16 and kirk lands ; and
the contemporary minister was Mr Andrew Mill,
" his stipend jclvjlb. xijs. ijd. with the manse and
kirkland of Fetteresso," &c.

The present kirk of Dunottar, which was
erected in 1782, has been recently enlarged ; and
the bell was made at Aberdeen in 1783.

The burial aisle, or vault, of the Earls
Marischal is ujron the east side of the kirk-yard.
It had never been roofed, and appears to have
been constructed for a recess tomb. The recess
only remains. A shield upon the door lintel
bears the Keith arms, also

1582 : G. K.

— The above refers to George, 5th Earl Marischal,
the founder of Marischal College, Aberdeen. He
succeeded his grand-father the year before the
date upon the aisle; and, dying at Dunottar Castle
in 1623, was interred within the aisle at the
church of S. Bridget of Dunottar.

Sir William Keith, who married the heiress of
Sir Alex. Fraser of Cowie, was the first Keith
of Dunottar. He was descended from Hervie,
who acquired the lands of Keith in East Lothian
from King David I., from which he assumed his
surname (Chalmers' Caledonia.) The family of
Keith Marischal, ennobled in 1455, was attainted
in 1716, for their adherence to the Stuarts.

The Hon. Jas. Keith, brother of the tenth Earl
Marischal, was perhaps the most illustrious mem-
ber of his family. It need only be here re-
marked, however, that, having been attainted
along with his brother, he entered the service
of the King of Prussia, in which he rose to the
rank of Field-Marshal. After a career of great
bravery, he fell at the battle of Hochkirchen,
where his body, stript by the Austrians, was acci-
dentally discovered by his friend, Count Lasci,
who had it hurriedly interred within the church.
It was afterwards more decently buried by the
local curate ; and eventually removed to Berlin
by order of Frederick the Great, who had a
marble statue erected to the Field-Marshal's
memory. This marble has recently given place
to a statue of bronze, a duplicate of which tl e
King of Prussia was pleased to present to Peter-
head. Upon the pedestal of the lattei : —

FIELD-MAESHAL KEITH,

Born at Inverugie, 1696,

Killed at the Battle of Hockirchen, 14 Oct. 1758.

The Gift of King William of Prussia to the

Town of Peterhead, August 1866.

Prohus vixit, fortis ob'tit.

— The castle of Inverugie is a roofless and pic-
turesque ruin, about a mile north-west from
Peterhead ; and the baptism of the future Field-
Marshal is thus recorded in the register books of
the parish of St Fergus, now in the custody of the
Registrar- General : —

" 16 June 1696 : The Earl of Marchall had a
Son baptized called James-Francis-EdwaivD, befure
these witnesses', John Earl of Errol, Charles Lord
Hay, & Sir William Keith of Loudquharu."

— The following inscription, composed by Me-
tastasio, copied from Douglas' Peerage (vol ii. p.
196), is upon a tablet which was erected in the
church of Hockirchen, by Sir Robert Keith-
Murray of Ochtertyre, Bart., soon after the death
of his cousin, the Field-Marshal :—

"Jacobo Keith, Gulielmi Comitis Marescalli
Hered. Regni Scotise, et Marite Drummond, lilio,
Frederici, Borussorum Regis, summo exercitu
Prajfecto, viro antiquia moribus et militari virtute

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

claro, ejui, dum in prselio, non procul hinc, incliua-
tam suorutn acieui, mente, manu, voce, et exeinplo
restituebat, puL^iians ut heroas deoet, occubuit, anno
1758, meuse Oct."

[To Jajies Keith, son of Eurl William, Heredi-
tary Marischal of the Kingdom of Scotland, and
Mary Drummond, Commander-in-Chief of the Army
of Frederick, King of Prussia, a man distinguished
for his primitive character and military qualities,
who, while he was striving by voice and example,
to revive the drooping courage of his troops in an
action fought not far from this spot, fell lighting
with heroic bravery, in the month of Oct. 1758.]

The Marischal aisle, and a mutilated stone,
upon the latter of which are the supporters of
the family arms, the initials E. K., the date of 1635,

with the words dochtek

DEPARTET are the only traces of the

Keiths in Dunottar church-yard, if we except a
marble slab, built into the dyke on the left of the
gate. The slab is thus inscribed : —

D. 0. M. S. [et] Memorise Elizabeth.^ Keith,
eximise virtutis et vera geuerositatis, quae obijt
trigesimo Mali 1695. Georgius M'Kenzie, miestis-
simus conjunx, [ponendum] curavit.

[Sacred to God the Best and Greatest, and to the
memory of Elizabeth Keith, a lady of eminent
virtue and truly honourable birth, who died on
the 30th May, 1695. George M'Kenzie, her dis-
consolate husband, caused this monument to be
erected.]

A well-sculptured skull occupies a niche on the
right of the church-yard gate ; and a grave-stone,
which long formed a step to the church door,
presents the date of IG-iO, and the words —

AKCHIBALD BISSED ANE HONEST MAN

Adjoining the Marischal aisle, a flat and ela-
borately carved stone bears : —

Heir lyes a famovs and worthy gentillmaa
William Ogilvy of Lvmger, and Catharin Stka-
QViiAN his spovs. He being 76 yeirs of age he
departed his lyfe in peace 3 Jany. 1650, & shee
being 89 yeirs of age departed hir lyfe the 28 of
Febr. 1651.

—Mr Ogilvy of Lumgair (;? Ljn-fjar, the rough
linns), was the son of the laird of Balnagarrow

near Kirriemuir, and descended from the Inver-
quharity family. His wife was a daughter of
Strachan of Bridgeton, and a niece of Thornton.
Their only son, George, married a daughter of
Douglas of Barras ; and, from the share which
Ogilvy and his lady had in saving the Kegalia,
when in charge of Dunottar Castle, he was created
a baronet (Nisbet, ii. ; infra, p. 170).

About thirty-five years after Ogilvy's gallant
defence of Dunottar Castle, a hundred and sixty-
seven men, women, and children were brought
from the west of Scotland, and imprisoned in one
of its dungeons, for their adherence to the Cove-
nant (Wodrow's Hist., iv.) Nine of them died
at Dunottar, and a plain head-stone, with inscrip-
tion in interlaced capitals, bears this record of
their death : —

HERE . LYES . lOHN . STOT . lAMES . ATCHISON .
lAMES . RUSSELL . & . WILLIAM . BROUN . AND .
ONE . WHOSE . NAME . WEE . HAVE . NOT . GOTTEN .
AND . TWO . WOMEN . WHOSE . NAMES . ALSO . WEE .
KNOW . NOT . AND . TWO WHO . PERISHED . COME-
ING . DOUNE . THE . ROCK . ONE . WHOSE . NAME .
WAS . lAMES . WATSON . THE . OTHER . NOT . KNOWN .
WHO . ALL . DIED . PRISONERS . IN . DUNNOTTAR .
CASTLE . ANNO . 1685 . FOR . THEIR . ADHERENCE .
TO . THE . WORD . OF , GOD . AND . SCOTLANDS .
COVENANTED '. WORK . OF . REFORMATION . REV .
JJ CH . 12 VERSE .

— It was in 1793, when on a visit to the Rev. Mr
Walker, that the future Sir Walter Scott " saw
for the first and last time, Peter Paterson,
the living Old Mortality,'" who was then engaged
in retouching this inscription (Lockhart's Life
of Scott, i. 210.) A table-shaped stone bears the
name of the said Mr Walker, also those of his
parents : —

In memory of the Rev. James Walker, who was
minister of this parish from a.d. 1736 to 1772,
where he died aged 66 ; and of Margaret Shank,
his spouse, who died a.d. 1769. Also, of their
only son, the Rev. James Walker, who succeeded
his father as minister of the same parish, where he
continued from the time of his settlement, 23d
July A.D. 1772, to his death, on the 2Gth Nov. 1813,
in the 63d year of his age.

DUNOTTAR.

Heir lyes ane lionest man William Lintovn in
Stonehaven, hvsband to Agnes Richie, vha de-
pertet ye 31 Ivlie 1644.

From an adjoining head-stone : —

Here lies Tiios. Herdman, 1st husband to Mary
White. He was principal servt. to Wm. Earl
Marishall, and died ye 31 of May 1713, aged 36
years. &c.

The following inscription (from a plain head-
stone, on the north side of the Marischal aisle) m
prefaced by a quotation from Psal. xcv. 3 : —

Mr Alexander Dawson, parochial schoolmaster
of Dunnotter, died at the schoolhouse in Stone-
haven, on the morning of Wednesday the 13th day
of January 1S30, in the 79th year of his age. Mr
Dawson was a native of the parish of Cabrach,
in Aberdeenshire. He attended Marischal College
for his vr-'rifmical education, where he distin-
guished himself in the science of Mathematics. He
was appointed Parochial Schoolmaster of Dunnotter
in the year 1780, and continued in that office till
his death. This monument to his ruemory is placed
at his grave by a few of his Friends who had a
regard for his worth as a single hearted and in-
genious man.

Anonymous (1756) : —

Reddenda ex terra terra ;
Sic super nascitur ;
Sic itur ad astra.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
[Earth from earth must be returned,
Such is the second birth.
Such is the path to the skies.
Thus passes away the glory of the world. ]
Erected by John Ross Hutchinson, E.I.C.C.S.,
in memory of his grandfather the Rev. Robert
Memess, Episcopal Clergyman in Stonehaven for
63 years, who died Feb. 2, 1818, aged 90 years.
And his spouse Elizabeth Ross, who died 17th
June 1813, aged 78 years. &c.

— Of Mr Memess, who appears to have been a
person of great individuality of character, and
common sense, many anecdotes are still told in
the district. When a discussion took place on one
occasion regarding the difference between Popery
and Presbytery, he quaintly remarked — " In one

respect they are quite the same— they baith tak'
siller for sin I"

Here lyes a virtuous gentlewoman Helen
Griegory, spouse to James Scot, mercht. in
Stonehaven, who departed this life Appril 1737,
aged 78 years.

Abridged : —

William Gregory, late feuer in Drumlithie,
died April 12, 1796, 'aged 95 years, Christian-
Smith, spouse to Wffl. Gregory, feuer in Drum-
lithie, died April 20, 1788, aged 87. &c.

From a table-shaped stone :—

To the memory of Alexander Straton, late
merchant in Stonehive : he died the 7th day of
May 1743, aged 67 years. And of Christta^
Robertson, his spouse, a virtuous wife, an affec-
tionate mother, and benevolent friend ; she died
the 20th day of Oct. 1763, aged 83 years. Also of
Thomas Straton, Esq., their son, who died in
Jamaica, May 1777, aged 73 years, with a most
unblemished charactei, esteemed by all his con-
nections. He acquir ■'. a genteel fortune, which he
left to his surviving sisters. Here lies interred
Patrick Cushnie, who died 23d of May 1790,
aged 38. Also Elizabeth Straton, his spouse,
who died the 24th of Nov. 1792, in the 36th year
of her age. And their son, the Rev. Patrick
Cushnie, M.A., incumbent of St Mary's, Montrose,
who died 10th June 1869, in the 90th year of hia
age, and 69th of his ministry.

There was a burial place at

THE BOG WELL,

upon the brae, behind the county buildings at
Stonehaven. Two inscribed slabs mark the spot :
both are embellished with mortuary emblems, and
tlie words memento mori. The first quoted has the
letters M. T. in monogram. According to tra-
dition the place was set apart for the burial of
those who died of the plague, a statement which
the first-quoted inscription appears to bear out : —

[1.]

HEIR . LEYS . ANE . HONEST . MAN . MAGNVS .

TAILLIOVR . SEYMAN . QVHA . DI

IN . STANEHYVE IME . OF . PEST . 1608.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

[2.]

HEIR . LYES . ANE . HONEST . MANS . BEARNES .

ALEXANDER OKIE . SONES . LAWFWL .

TO . ALEXANDER . BROKIE . WHO . DEPARTET . THE .
12 . OF . IWNE . OF . THE , AGE . OF . TVALF . AND .
NYN . YEIRES . OLD . IN . ANO . 1648.

It was from King Grig, or Circ, that the name
of the Mearns (" Magh-Circin, or the plain
of Circin"), originated; and the "Viri na
Moerne," or Men of the Mearns, as the inhabit-
ants were called even at that remote period
(A.D. 877-89), had their stronghold at Dunottar,
then " Dunforther." This is probably the oldest
known form of the name ; and, in regard to its
meaning, the Bishop of Brechin kindly suggests
that " Dun-forther would be the hill of the road
— Fotlier or For being equivalent to the Irish
Bother, a highway."

King Donald, who succeeded Grig on the
Pictish throne, is recorded to have dispersed his
foes at Fotherdun (Fordoun), and to have died at
Dunforther, " where he lies on the brink of the
waves" (Skene's Chron. of the Picts.) It also
appears that Constantine, king of the Scots, pene-
trated into Pictland, in A.D. 934, as far as Dun-
foeder (Dunottar) ; and soon thereafter (c. 954),
it is stated by the same authority, that Malcolm
was slain by " the men of the Mearns at Fodre.
sach," or Fetteresso. According to tradition, the
body of Malcolm was buried in a gravel mound
to the west of the gate of Ury. It is certain
that, in 1822, a human skeleton was found there
in a covering of a superior description to those
generally met with (Prof. Stuart's Essays).

The ruins of Dunottar stand upon an isolated
rock which, long ago, had been almost surrounded
by the sea. In Slezer's print (c. 1680), some of
the buildings appear to be thatched, and a flag is
displayed upon the tower. The existing ruins
are those of the buildings which were erected by
the Keiths, to whom the rock belonged from
about the end of the fourteenth century, when
(c. 1390) the square tower was built. Accord-
ing to story, the tower existed in the time of

Wallace ; but record shows that in his day
the rock was the site of a church only, which,
in all probability, had taken the place of the older
castle, and been raised over the ashes of king
Donald. An admirable plan of the rock and
buildings of Dunottar was made in 1872 by Mr
A. Gibb, F.S.A. Scot., by whom the Sculptured
Stones of Scotland, &c., were drawn and litho-
graphed for the Spalding Club.

There are some carved stones at Dunottar, all
of a late date. A triangular-shaped slab (pos-
sibly the upper lintel of a window), dated 1645,
bears the initials, E. W. M., with the Keith arms,
and motto, Veritas vincit ; also those of
C. S. E. M., with the Wintoun arms, and motto,
HAZARD YiT FORVAHD. Thesc initials and arms
refer respectively to the seventh Earl Marischal,
and his first wife, Elizabeth Seaton, the latter of
whom "departed this lyffe at Dunnottar of a
fewer, one Sunday, 16 of Junij 1650, aged 28."

The Castle of Dunottar belongs to Sir Patrick
Keith-Murray of Ochtertyre, baronet ; but the
house and the greater part of the lands of Dunot-
tar are owned by VV. N. Forbes, Esq. of Auch-
ernach (infra, p. 151.)

Many years ago fragments of sculptured stones
were found upon the top of the isolated rock near
the harbour of Stonehaven, called Dunicare. The
rock has a fine grassy top, and upoft it are traces
of a rude building, which some believe to be the
remains of a religious house, or of the residence of
a recluse or hermit. (Sculp. Stones, i. pi. xli J

The town of Stonehaven, anciently Stanehythe,
is prettily situated on the west side of the Bay,
where there is a good harbour. Stonehaven is
a burgh of barony, and became the seat of the
County Courts after the suppression of Kincar-
dine as the county town (v. Mem. Angus and
Mearns).

Stonehaven contains a tolbooth and the old
market cross. Episcopal and U.P. Churches,
also a few modern, and a good many antiquated
dwelling houses. The house is still shown in
which the Duke of Cumberland slept, when on
his way to CuUoden ; and the following extract
from the " Journey" of a Volunteer, previously

COWIE.

quoted (v. p. 26), gives a graphic picture of the
housing of the Duke's followers at Stonehaven : —

" We put up here to lodge at a Doctor's, named
Laivson, who kept a Public House, his Wife was
lame, and he none of the wisest of his Profession ;
but had fjreat Quantities of Wormwood, Sage, and
other Herbs, hanging up in the Room where we
supped ; the Dust of which, diffused itself amongst
our Victuals, and gave it no small Relish."

The river Carron, which divides the parishes
of Dunottar and Fetteresso, is crossed by several
bridges. The key-stone of the principal bridge is
thus inscribed : —

Theobald Barclay, 1150;
Mathers, 1351 ; Ury, 1647 ; Cond . 1781.
— The first of these dates appears to refer to the
time the Barclays came to Scotland, the next two
to the periods at which they acquired the pro-
perties named, and the last to the building of
the bridge itself.

a^ at Wit,

(S. NATHLAN, and S. MARY.)
IX5HE chapel of Collyn, which is situated within
X the parish of Fetteresso, and about a mile to
the east of Stonehaven, was dedicated by William,
Bishop of St Andrews, in 1276, " ita quod nullum
prejudicium generetur matrici ecclesie de Fethy-
ressach" (Robertson's Concilia Scotise.)

The ruins of the chapel of Cowie have a ro-
mantic position upon the top of a cliff adjoining
the sea. The east wall is pierced by three lancet
windows of the First Pointed period; and the
aumbry, although much destroyed, is still an
object of interest, near the north-east corner of
the church. The chapel had possibly been sup-
pressed as a place of worship, some time before
1567 (i)ifra, p. 75.)

According to Keith's Remarkable Things, the
chapel of Cowie was " demolished by reason of
the superstitious resorting thereto ; and a certain
man, called William Rait of Redclock, brought

away some of the roof of the chapel, and built a
house therewith, and in a little thereafter the
whole house rained drops of blood." (Duncan's
Descrip. of the East Coast, p. 10.)

There was an altar at Cowie dedicated to the
Virgin ; and the following rhyme, which contains
the name of the principal patron of the church, is
still preserved among the fishermen at Cowie : —

" Atween the tairk, and the kirk ford,
There lies Saint Nauchlan's hoard."

The area of the ruins of " the kirk of Cowie,"
contains some plain tomb -stones. The first two
inscriptions, quoted below, refer respectively to
the father and aunt of Cosmo Innes, Esq., the
well-known literary antiquary, and Professor of
History, in the University of Edinburgh : —

[!■]

Here rests John Innes, formerly of Leuchars,
and for many years sheriff-substitute of this county,
who died 10th May 1827, in his 80th year.
[2.]

In memory of Jean Innes, who died 26th June
1831, aged 82 years.
The next is from a table-shaped stone : —

To the memory of Mary Seaton, who died the
18th June 1815, aged 74 years. This stone is
erected by John Innes of Cowie, in whose family
she served faithfully and affectionately nearly half
a century.
A flat stone, at west end of the kirk, bears : —

Here lyes the body of Iohn Neper, late seaman
in Muchall, who departed this life the 28th day of
March 1706, aged 90 years.

At the opposite end of the kirk, but in less
correct orthography, is this record of the death of
another patriarch, and some of his descendants : —

1799 G K . A M. In memory of
George Keith let Tenant In
Edeslau Who died No the
1st 1798 aged 90 years also
Ann Middleton his EsPous
Who died Deer the 29 1792
Aged 72 years also ther son
James who died June the 3 1771
Aged 24 years also five of ther
Children who died In Infency

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

Besides the above records of nonogenarians,
four other tomb-stones Calso within the church),
present these instances of longevity, viz. : —

Mary Maix died 1806, aged 97, her son,

Thos. Briugeford ,, 1825, ,, 84.
IsoBEL Howie ,, 1836, ,, 96.

Elspet Smith „ 1868, „ 81.

Wm. Smith „ 1853, „ 88, liis wife,

Elspet Donald ,, 1868, „ 87.
The oldest visible grave-stone at Cowie (with a
shield, and mortuary emblems, &c.), bears : —

^- IIIC . lACET . VIR . PIUS . HONESTIS . GEN . .

lOANNES . AUCHINLECK . DE . TOUNHEAD .

DE . COWIE . QUI . OBIIT . ANNO . ^TATIS . SU^ .
QUADRAGESIMO

[Here lies a pious man of respectable parentage,
John Auchinleck of [? in] Townhead of Cowie,
who died in the 40th year of his age ]

The next five inscriptions are from adjoining
tomb-stones : —

In memory of the worthy & Reverend Mr Egbert
Thomson, Episcopal Minister at Stonehive, who
died ye 7th of Nov. 1737, aged 75 years. Also
ye Body of Mrs Ann Lindsay his spouse ; she died
May ye 24th 1729, ag«d 68.

— Mr Thomson was the first Episcopal minister
at Stonehaven, and the existing church, in the old
town, was built for him.

[2.]
1778.— Here lyes the body of the Rev. Mr John
Troup, late Episcopal Minister at Muchalls, who
departed this life at Muchalls the 17th of August
1776, aged 75 years. And Pv,ebecca Mouat, his
spouse, died the 4th of June 1791, aged 77 years.
Also three of their children, Isobel, Rebecca, and
Irvine.

— Mr Troup, along with his Episcopal brethren
of Drumlithie and Stonehaven, suffered six
months' imprisonment, for contravening the Act
which prohibited Episcopal ministers from preach-
ing to more than four persons at a time, exclusive
of their own family. It is said Mr Troup carried
a bagpipe to jail with him, and that on bis way
thither he played the Jacobite air of " O'er the
water to Charlie I"

[3.]

1837 : To the memory of the Rev. George
Garden, who for 41 years was minister of the
Episcopal Congregation of Stonehaven. He died
13th Nov. 1834, aged 72.

[4.1

Beneath, in hope of a glorious resurrection, rest
the remains of the Rev. James Smith, for 27 years
pastor of the Episcopal Congregation of Muchals,
who departed this life on the 16th day of March
1854, aged 52. This stone has been erected by the
Members of the Congregation, as a testimony of
gratitude for the care he bestowed on their wants,
both Spiritual and Temporal. [The death of a
daughter, aged 5 years, is also recorded.]

In the same grave with the ashes of Messrs
Thomson and Troup lie those of Messrs Garden,
Smith, and Ironside, to the last-named of whom
a tomb-stone, ornamented with a Celtic cross, &c.,
is thus inscribed : —

[5.]
►J- Georgius Ironside, Eccl : Scot : Sacerdos, in
Xto obdormivit iiij Non : Oct. MDCCCLXI. Det
illi Dominus invenire misericordiam a Domino in
ilia die.

[George Ironside, priest of the Scottish Epis-
copal Church, fell asleep in Christ, 4th Oct. 1861.
May the Lord grant that he may find mercy from
the Lord on that day.]

The next inscription (from a head -stone) re-
lates to a person whose " genius" lay in construct-
ing eight-day clocks, " which he made from
beginning to end ;" and in being a superior weaver
of bed-covers, and table-cloths, &c. : —

To the memory of William Kilgour, an original
genius, who exercised the craft of a weaver at
Glithnow for the long period of sixty-two years in
the same house. He departed this life on the 12th
day of March 1837, at the advanced age of 86 years.
By his friends : —
Here lyes the man, for ought we know,
That liv'd and died without a foe.
Now mould'ring here beneath that clod —
An honest man's th' noblest work of God.

1866 : In memory of Anne Edwards, born 22d
Novr. 1794, died 11th June 1866. Erected by the

ABERDOUR.

family of the late Arthur Duff-Abercromby of Glas-
saugh, and Elizabeth Innes of Cowie, as a mark of
esteem and appreciation of her character during the
30 years she resided with them.

Besides the parish church, and the Chapel of
Cowie, there was at least one other religious house
in Fetteresso in old times, to which a burial place
was attached. The site, which is called

THE CHAPEL OF ELSICK,

is situated near the mansion-house of Elsick.
Traces of the church still remain within the
burial-ground ; and the only tomb-stone, now
visible, is thus inscribed : —

Here lyes Georg Hepburn, indweller was at
Gilibrans, who departed this lyfe the 2d day of
Kouember 1702, and was of age 67 years, who lived
in the foresaid place since the year 1680.
— " Gilibrans," and a great extent of surrounding
territory, which, not long ago, was owned by
about a dozen different lairds, constituted the
estate of Elsick, as held by the family of Banner -
MAN. One of them was created a baronet in
1682 ; but, owing to the decline of the family for-
tunes, they lost all territorial interest in the dis-
trict, with the exception of the old kirk-yard,
until the present baronet re-acquired the estate
and mansion-house of Elsick.

The more immediate ancestors of the Ban-
nermans of Elsick were merchants in" Aberdeen.
According to tradition, the name originated from
the family having been bannermen, or standard-
bearers, to the kings. It is certain that, as far
back as 1373 (inf. p. 287), Donald Bannerman was
king's physician, and held property in Newhills.

(S. DROSTAN, ABBOT.)

I^HE ruins of the old church of Aherdovyr are
Jt. picturesquely situated within the burial-
ground, which overlooks the romantic den and bay

of Aberdour. Mess Johii's Well springs from a
rock on the left side of the bay, and S. Drostan's
Well is on the right.

S. Drostan died at Glenesk, in Angus, in the
year 809. His remains were conveyed from Glen-
esk to Aberdour, where they were deposited in a
" tumba lapidea," or stone coffin, and were long
believed to work wondrous cures upon the sick
and afflicted. Interesting notices of Aberdour,
ecclesiastical and territorial, will be found in the
Book of Deer (Spalding Club), edited by Dr John
Stuart ; and of S. Drostan, in Kalendars of
Scottish Saints, by the Bishop of Brechin.

In 1318, Bishop Chein erected the church into
a prebend of Old Machar.

The church of Aberdour is rated at 28 merks
in the Old Taxation. In 1574, along with the
kirks of Gamrie, Philorth (Fraserburgh), and
Tyrie, it was served by Mr David Howesoun, as
minister ; and Alexander Ramsay was the con-
temporary reader, or schoolmaster at Aberdour.

The earliest parts of the old kirk of Aberdour
possibly belong to the 16th century ; but the
piscina, or lavatory, and a hexagonal baptismal
font, seem to be of an older date. The latter
was brought from Chapel Den, about four miles
to the westward, where, it is said, there was an-
other place of worship.

The nave of the old church of Aberdour is used
for interments. The east portion is walled off
and divided into two separate aisles. A stone
panel, over the entrance to the more easterly
aisle, bears these words : —

This Sepulture luas erected by
Chas. Leslie, Esq., M.D., Fraserburgh, 1819.

The following is abridged from a marble slab
within the same aisle : —

To the memory of Margaret Robertson, wife
of William Leslie of Coburty, who died 3d July
1808, aged 52. William Leslie, Esq. of Coburty,
died Dec. 1814, aged 69. Their sons and daughter,
William Leslie, died 11th Aug. 1819, aged 37;
Grace Leslie, died 3d March 1821, aged 32;
Charles Leslie, M.D., who died at Memsie, 11th
March 1839, aged 64.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

— Dr Leslie, who was a native of Rosebearty, and
a medical practitioner in Fraserburgh, married
the heiress of Rlemsie.

The burial aisle of the Bairds of Auchmeddea
is to the west of the last-mentioned. It contains
three stones, inscribed as below, each of which
present carvings of the Baird arms : —
[1]

HIC . lACET . HONORABILIS . GEOROIVS . BAIRDE .
DE . AVCHMEDDEN . QVI . OBIIT . 20 . MAII . 1593 .
ANNO . AVTEM . ^TAT . SV^ . 76 .

[Here lies the honourable George Bairde of
Auchmedden, who died 29th May 1593, in the 76th
year of his age. ]

[2.]

BAIRD . DE . AVCHMEDDEN . QVI .

OBIIT . 23 . DIE . MENSIS , FEBRVARI

[3.]
1559 : lAcoBVS . baird . de . avchmedden .

HOC . MONVMENT SVORVM . ANDRE.E .

OEORG GEORGII . BAIRD . DE . EODEM

QVORVM . CORPORA . HIC . SEPVtTA

ET . OBIERVNT . 10 . FEB . 1543 .

MAII . 29 . 1593 .;"... 1620 . et . feb , 12 .

1642 . AC . ETIAM . ANN^ ER . ET .

ELISABETHS . KETHE . MATRIS . ET . PROAVjE .
EIVSDEM .

[1559 : James Baird of Auchmedden [erected]
this monument [to the memory] of his ....
Andrew, George .... George Baird of
the same, whose bodies are here interred, and [who]
died 10th Feb. 1543, 29th May 1593, ....
1620, and r2th Feb. 1642 ; and also to the memory
of Ann .... ER, and Elizabeth Keith,
mother and grand-mother of the same. ]

— The erector of the monument from which the
third inscription is copied, was high sheriff of
Banffshire, and took an active part in the public
affairs of his time. He was knighted by Chas. II.,
and married Christian, daughter of Walter Ogilvy
of Boyne. Her initials and arms are also upon
the monument.

The half-obliterated name of Ann Fraser
refers to a daughter of Lord Saltoun, who <vas the
mother of Sir James Baiid. Sir James' grand.
mother, Elizabeth Keith, wife of the first-named

George, was a daughter of Keith of iruup,
brother to Earl Marischal. The name aUo;.;etlier
obliterated (between the two Georges) h;id been
that of GiLBKKT Baird. He was third iii suc-
cession, and died 23d Feb. 1620, havinti h.id, liy
his kinswoman, the heiress of Ordinliuivys, uo
fewer than thirty two sons and dauglitL-r.s. It
was in 1597, during the absence of this land, that
James Chein from Peuuan, and others attacked
the house of Auchmedden. In a conteuipurury
account of the affair, it is stated that the assiil-
ants "clam to the tops of thair hous&i^, k;iist in
Btanes at the chymney," and shot the lady " tlirovv
the claythis, sche being grit with barne ; for feir
of the quhilk schot," it is added, "she .scliortlie
thairafter pairtit with the said barne."

In the year 1534 Andrew Baird, a son of Baird
of Posso, in Peebles, and designed of Laverocklaw,
in Fife, bought the lands of Auchmedden from
Stewart, Earl of Buchan. The cliarter is attested
by George Baird of Ordynhuiff and others, ihe
Bairds held Auchmedden until 1750, when it waa
sold to Lord Haddo by William Baird, who juinud
in the rebellion of 1745.

Mr Baird married a sister of the first Earl of
Fife, by whom he left a numerous family, none
of whose descendants now remain, except those
of his daughter Henrietta, who married Francis
Fraser, Esq. of Findrack (infra, p. 239.) It
ought to be added that Mr Baird wrote two in-
teresting works, one, which gives an Account of
his own Family, has been edited by his descendant,
W. N. Fraser, Esq. ; and the other. Genealogical
Memoirs of the Duffs, has been privately printed
by Major Gordon-Duff of Drummuir, accomj^anied
by a photographic portrait of the author. The
above notes regarding the Bairds are made up
from the first of these books.

The property of Auchmedden, which has been
in several hands since 1750, now belongs to Jas.
Baird, Esq., one of the Gartsherrie family.

An aisle on the south side of the ruins of the
church was erected by Mr Gordon of Aberdour.
It contains a handsome marble tablet, with the
Gordon and Rose arms, quartered ; also an inscrip-
tion to the following effect : —

ABERDOUR.

To tlie memory of William Gordon of Aber-
dour, who died 11 Nov. 1839, aged 67 ; and of his
wife Mary Rose, eldest daughter of William Rose
of Ballivat, who died IS Jau. 1828, aged 49 ; and
of their children : John, who died in October 1802,
in infancy ; Alicia, who died 2 August 1810,
aged 14 ; Anna, who died 4 Feb. 1822, aged 16 ;
Elisabeth, who died 28 Augt. 1826, aged 16 ;
Alexander, lieutenant of the Coldstream Guards,
who died 1 April 1818, aged 20 ; George, who died
in Surrey, 7 Dec. 1820, aged 7 ; and William, who
died at St Kitts, 18 June, aged 40.
— The father of the above first-named Mr Gor-
don was tenant of the Milltown of Aberdoiir, also
factor for tlie 3d Earl of Aberdeen and for General
Gordon of Fyvie. lie bought tlie estate of Aber-
dour, and founded the village of New AberJour.
His son, who died as above in 1839, sold the
estate shortly before his death. It is a tradition
that the Lieutenant fell in a duel with a French-
man, who appears to have been a good marks-
man, for it is added that he had previously shot
three or four antagonists under similar circum-
stances. Lieut. G.'s grandfather died in 1785.

Having accidentally heard of a carved stone in
the more westerly part of the nave of the church,
and on the site of the old pulpit, I had diggings
made when at Aberdour sometime ago, and dis-
covered, at the depth of from one to two feet, an
interesting slab of freestone, measuring four feet
nine inches by two feet ; but it is unfortunately
broken. It is embellished in the centre with a
cross, terminating in a fleur-de-lis at the top ;
and at the foot, within a circle or belt, there is a
shield charged with three cinqiiifoils in chief, and
a martlet displayed between two cinquifoils in
base, for White. The following inscription is
carved in relief round the margin of the stone: —

Heir . lye . . . hone . Qvhyt . svtym . in

ArDLAHIL . QVHA , DECEISIT . YE . XI . OF . Oc.

1590.

—In a letter from the centre inscription-
panel (which is blank), are the Annand arras,
with supporters. Below is the motto, sper abo.
On the left, the initials, D.A.D., and on the
right " Obiit 1326." The Annand and Fraser
arms, with the initials, A. A: iSI.F., and motto,

ET SALUS are over the east panel. Upon

it is the following inscription, which, though but
recently restored, will, owing to the inferior sort
of stone employed, require soon to be renewed : —
Monumentum marmoreum honorabilis Alexax-
DRi Annand, baronis quondam de Ochterellon, qi i
obiit ix Julii, A.D. 1601 ; ejusque pise conjugis,
Margarets Eraser, filia? quondam do de Philorth,
quae obiit Aug., A.D. 1602.— Salus per Christum.

[The marble monument of Alexander Annand,
the late honourable baron of Ochterellon, who died
9 July 1601 ; and of his pious spouse Margaret
Eraser, daughter of the late laird of Philorth, who
died Aug. 1602.]

Over the panel, on the west, are carved the
Annand and Cheyne arms, with the initials A. A :
M.C. ; and motto, mors ciikisti vita nostra.
The panel bears the following renewed inscrip-
tion : —

Sub hoc quoque tunmlo resurrectionem expectant
corpora Alexandri Annand de Ochterellon, filii
dicti Alexandri, qui obiit , et caxse suae conjugis,
Margaretae Cheyne, filial do de Esselmont, quse
obiit

[In this tomb also await the resurrection, the
bodies of Alexander Annand of Ochterellon, son
of the said Alexander, who died , and of his

beloved wife Margaret Cheyne, daughter of the
laird of Esslemont, who died

— Henry Annand, who left a widow called Mar-
jory Cullen, and who was succeeded by his son
Alexander in Ouchterellon 1505-6 (of which tho
Earl of Crawford was superior), is the first An-

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

naud I have foiuKl mentioned in connection with
these hitids. Alexander, son of the baron who
died in IGOl, was served heir to his father in
August of that year ; and the inscription (hist
quoted) appears to refer to him and h.h wife
Margaret Cheyne. From the Poll Book of Aber-
deenshire (1G9G) we learn that the laird of Auch-
terellou was married, had three daughters, and |
two sons ; but the surname of the laird of that I
period is not given. Anan, or Annund, is a ter-
ritorial name, and the family were early settled
in Forfarshire (Mem. of Angus, p. 288}. where
they subsisted down to about 1500, and were
long proprietors of lands adjoining the chief re-
sidence of the Earls of Crawford. The Auchter-
ellon branch had probably sprung from the Angus
stock, and may have acquired a footing in Buchan
through the Crawfords. Of the " Ubiit 132G"
I can offer no conjecture.

Within a railed inclosure, in front of the An-
nand monument :^

To the memory of Keith Turni: n of Turnerhall,
this stone is erected by his sorrowing widow. He
was born January 20, 1768 ; departed this life Oct.
20, 1808, and was, by his own desire, laid into the
grave of his beloved mother, Elizabeth Urquhaet
of Meldrum, born July 10, 1735; died Feb. 28,
1786. Also to the memory of his widow, Mrs j
Anxa-Margaret Turner of Turnerhall, ob
Oct. 1823, a'. 50 years.

—The author of the View of the Diocese of Aber-
deen (1732), says that Turnerhall [previously
Eosehill, formerly Hilton], was purchased for him
(Mr Turner) by a rich merchant, who had returned
home from Poland to Aberdeen, and was extremely
desirous that, seeing he had no children, one of
his own name should have the estate, which should
be so denominated as to preserve his memory.
The above Keith Tukxeu is called John in Burke's
Landed Gentry.

Two fragments, from the Waterton aisle, which
stood on the south side of the old church, are
built into the church wall. One stone, with the
Forbes and Ramsay arms impaled (the latter with
3 mullets or stars round t!ie head of the eagle), is
initialed and dated, I. Y .W -. J R., 1G37, also the

motto, SALVS PER CI1RI8TVM VIVK VT VIVAS.

The other fragment bears the fi Hewing words
incised : —

Built by I : F. of W. ... son to W. F. of
Tolqu . . . & 1. E. dauf to Balmain, in 1637-
Rebuilt by T. F. of W. and M. M. in 1755.
— Forbes of Waterton appears to have acquired
the property, and to have " finished the house" of
Waterton, during the early part of the 17th cen-
tury. His wife was a sister to the first baronet
of Balmain ; and the historian of the Forbes's
says that "she bare to him Sir John Forbes of
Watertoune, with diverss oyr bairns."

James Bowman, builder and farmer, KeMton of
Fechil, died Aug. 14, 1806, aged 85. Margaret
Taylor, his spouse, died Aug. 15, 1805, aged 78.
Katherine (their dr.) died 1790, aged 45 : —

Stay, reader, stay, remove not from this tomb,

Before thou hast considered well thy doom.

The grave that next is opened may be thine ;

With patience, then, sustain thy mortal load,

And daily strive to walk approved by God,

That when thy body's numbered with the dead,

Thy soul may rest with C'hi-ist, thy living head.
— Apart from the above lines, there are eleven
others extracted from IMichael Bruce's poems, be-
ginning "The curtain of this grave." Elaborately
carved masonic emblems adorn the lower part of
the stone.

Mrs Janet Forrest, sometime residing in Peter-
head, died 1 March 1812, aged 48.

Several tombstones bear the name of Ligert-
wood. two of which are respectively inscribed : —

James LiGERTWOOD, born in Cairnhill, June 11,
1681, and died there Januai-y 5, 174.5.

Here lys in hopse of a blessd Ressurrection, the
Dust of John Ligarwood, sometime in tartie, wh°
died Suptmb 27, 1767, aged 74 yeai's.

Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Nathaniel
Grieve, M.A., clergyman of the Church in Scot-
land, and Incumbent of the Episcopal Church,
Ellon. He died at x\berdeen 18 Feb. 1863, in the
84th year of his age, and 00th of his ministry.

Upon monuments on the east side of the kirk
door : —

Rev. Andrew Moir, minister of Ellon for 32

ELLON.

years, died Feb. 1774, aged 73. His wife Jean,
died Oct. 1789, aged 74. Their daughter Jean
MoiR [erector of the tablet], died 16 Sep. 1816,
aged 70.

— Mr M., who succeeded Mr Milue (the first
minister here after the abolition of Episcopacy),
was father of the Rev. Mr Moir, M.D., of Peter-
head, who married a Miss Byers of Tonley, in
Tough. Through this marriage the present pro-
prietor, Mr Moir, succeeded to that estate.

Rev. James Milne, minister of Ellon, died 31
May 1797, aged 79. Mrs Elizabeth Ker, his
spouse, died 28 May 1807, aged 73.

The following are upon monuments on the west

side of the church door : —

Elizabeth Gordon, spouse to the Kev. Thomas

Tait, minister of Ellon, died 8 Jan. 1804, aged 50.

Her nephew, James Gordon, son to the Eev. John

(jlordon, minister of Cabrach, died at Ellon, 7 July

1808, aged 13 yrs. The Rev. Thomas Tait, died

Aug. 1810, aged 67.

The Rev. Robert Douglass, died 21 Dec. 1831,

aged 48, and in the 21st year of his ministry.
The Rev. William Brewster, died 27 Aug.

1859, aged 07, and in the 16th year of his ministry

in this parish.

Erected by the U. P. C'ongi-egation of Savoch of

Deer, in memory of their late pastor the Rev. John

Hunter, who died 3 June 1865, in the 32d year of

his ministry, and the 61at of his age.

The Episcopal Church of S. Mary " on the
rock" stands on the south side of the Ythan, near
the bridge of Ellon. A stained-glass window of
one light, in the north wall, bears, in the chief or
centre compartment, a representation of Christ,
with lantern in hand, illustrative of the text,
" Behold, I stand at the door and knock.'' In
the lower compartment, Christ is represented re-
lieving a lamb from a thicket of thorns, with the
words, " I am the good shepherd." The follow-
ing is in the base line of the window : —

Charles-Napier Gordon, died 16 June 1864.
— A marble tablet, on the south wall, is thus in-
scribed : —

In memory of Charles-Napier Gordon of Esle-
mont, and hia sisters Harriet, Frances, and

Georgina, son and daughters of George Gordon of
Hallhead, and his wife Henrietta Hope Napier.
— Gordon of Hallliead was nephew to George,
Earl of Aberdeen, and his wife was a daughter of
Lord Napier. The Gordons of Hallhead, in
Leochel-Cushnie, who became extinct in the male
line on the death of the above-named Charles-
Napier Gordon, were descended from George,
son of Thomas Gordon of Daach of Ruthveu, who
acquired Hallhead towards the close of the 14th
century. Eslemont was long a part of the exten-
sive estates of the family of Cheyne.

The Antiquities of Aberdeen and Banff (vol.
iii., Spald. Club), contain valuable charters and
other information regarding Ellon, from 1157,
when Pope Adrian IV. confirmed to the See of
Aberdeen the lands which Master Philip held in
Ellon, down to a late date.

It would appear that in 1387 an inquest was
made conceining the property of the church of
Ellon, by which some peculiarly interesting pay-
ments were found to belong to it, such as the
hereditary rights and duties of the scologs or
scholars, who were apparently the forerunners of
the readers and parochial teachers of this country.
In Ellon, the " soologs' lands" were bound to fur-
nish four clerks for the parish church, able to read
and sing ; while another part of the same lands
had to find a dwelling-house for the scholars.

The lands of Candellon (? Candle- Ellon), were
burdened with the payment of 24 wax candles
yearly for the high altar of the church of Ellon;
and the lands of Ferley were held by vassals who
bore the surname of Flrlly, on the tenure of
maintaining a smithy at the town of Ellon.

In regard to the proprietary history of the dis-
trict, it need only be stated that Ellon formed an
important part of the great territory of the old
Fkrls of Buchan. It was the seat of justice for
that earldom ; and upon the moot hill, or Earls'
hill, these barons received formal investiture of
the earldom. This mound, which was removed
many years ago, stood below the bridge of Ellon,
opposite to the New Inn. The Earls' hill was the
last part of the Buchan property which descended

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

■with that title ; and about the middle of the 17th
century it belonged to the Earls of Paumure ;
afterwards to those of Strathmore.

The proprietors of the estate of Ellon, formerly-
called KtrmucJcs, were Hereditary Constables of
Aberdeen, the seal of one of whom, Wilyeame
Kynidy, 1487, shows a key and baton, saltire-
Forbes of Waterton was at one time laird of Ker-
mucks ; and, during the early part of the 18th
century, the property belonged to Gordon, '' son
of a farmer in Bourtie, a merchant in Edinburgh,
and once a bailie there, and a rich man." He
built "a very great house," the picturesque ruins
of the tower of which, now ivy-clad, only remain.
From James, a Bordeaux merchant, and a de-
scendant of the above-named Gordon, the third
Earl of Aberdeen bought the lands of Ellon and
Waterton, &c., in 1750. His Lordship died at
Ellon House in 1801, aged 80 ; and on the death
of his second son, the present proprietor suc-
ceeded, by whom the estate of Ellon has been
vastly improved and beautified. A freestone
slab, ornamented somewhat in the style of the old
sculptured stones of Scotland, stands upon a
mound near the east gate of Ellon. It is com-
memorative of a meeting of the different members
of Mr Gordon's family under their paternal roof,
and is thus inscribed : —

►l- IN MEMORIA.

THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS MEET AGAIN AT HOME.

ADVENT 1862.— DEO GRATIAS. ►J-

The bridge of Ellon, which crosses the Ythan,
and consists of three arches, is dated 1793. It
was built at the expense of the third Earl of
Aberdeen, the road trustees having previously
agreed to make the Aberdeen and Peterhead
turnpike to suit the locaUty chosen by his lord-
ship for the bridge.

Places called the Kirkiiill of Turnerhall, and
the Chapkl of Savoch, in this parish, possibly
indicate sites of early places of worship.

^ V fl (J u «.

(S. PALLADIUS, APOSTLE.)

FORDO UN is believed to have been one of the
earliest seats of Christianity in the north of
Scotland. After the death of S. Palladius, who
came to Fordoun in the 5th century, it is said
that his relics were long kept tliere in a silver
shrine.

The aisle, or S. Palladius' Chai:)el, is all that
remains of the old church. It has been for long
the burial place of the families of Glenfarquhar
and Monboddo. No stone preserves the names of
any of the Falconers of Glenfarquhar. They were
descended from William de Auceps, hawksman to
William the Lion at Kincardine Castle; and are
now represented by the Earl of Kin tore. Sir
Alexander Falconer of Glenfarquhar, who
left several legacies for educational purposes, was
father of the 4th Lord Halkerton, and the last of
the family that was buried in the vault below. Lord
Falconer, who died in 1685, whose eldest son be-
came 5th Lord Halkerton, was of the Glenfar-
quhar branch ; and Catherine, daughter of the
5th Peer, was the mother of Hume, the philo-
sopher and historian.

A chest-shajDed tomb (within S. Palladius'
chapel), embellished with bold carvings of the
Irvine and Douglas arms, and the initials C.R.I :
E.D., is thus inscribed : —

1668. — In spem beat;e resvrrectionis hie velvti
svfiitvs thalamo svaviter in Domino obdormit dux
RoBERTVS Irvin, a Monboddo, Dominvs, qui pie
fatis cessit 6 Ivlii, anno salvtis hvmanaj 1652,
et aitatis sva; anno 80 : —

C'onjvge, progenia felix, virtvtis, honesti

Cvltor, et antiqvis exorivndvs avis,

Hoc cvbat Irvinvs mouvmento. Caatera norvnt

Mvsa et vitiferis Scqvana clai-vs aqvis.

[1668. — In the hope of a blessed resurrection,
here, as in a perfumed chamber, sweetly sleej^eth
in the Lord, Captain Robert Irvine of Monboddo,
a gentleman who piously yielded up his spirit
(as above) : —

FORDOUA^

Happy in his consort and in his offspring, a man
of virtue and honour, descended from an ancient
family, Irvine reclines in this tomb. Moreover,
the ]\Iuse had knowledge of him ; also the Seine,
famed for its vine growing waters. ]
— Capt. Irvine, who was of the Drum family, mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Douglas
of Glenbervie. From them, through a female,
was descended the well-known Jamks Buknktt,
Lord ]\lonbodilo, author of several metaphysical
books, and who died at Edinburgh, 27 May 1799,
aged 85. One of his daughters was the " Fair
Burnett," celebrated by the poet Burns. Another
daughter (who died about 1833, and was buried
at Fordoun), became the wife of Mr Williamson,
keeper of the Outer House Rolls at Edinburgh.
The present laird, Capt. Burnett, is their grand-
son. The property came to the Irvines by mar-
riage with the daughter and heiress of Strachan
of Monboddo, a descendant of the old house of
Thornton. Part of Monhodachyn, and other lauds
in Fordoun, were given to the Monastery of Ar-
broath, by Robert Warnebald, and his spouse
Richenda.

The new church, erected in 1828-9, stands to
the north of the old aisle. Upoi> the bell—
Thomas Meares, London Foundhy, 1835.

A marble slab in the lobby, above the north
door of the tower, is thus inscribed : —

In memory of Alexander Crombie of Phesdo,
who lived much respected and beloved, and died
deeply regretted, Nov. 21, 1832, aged 66 years.
In him the Poor of this parish lost a most generous
benefactor.

— Mr Crombie, who was an advocate in Aberdeen,
bought Phesdo and Thornton. He was succeeded
by his cousin-german, Dr Crombie. author of
the Gymnasium, &c., whose eldest son is now laird
of Thornton. Phesdo became, by purchase, the
property of the late Sir John Gladstone, bart.

[in churchyard] :—

Heir lyes a faithfvl brother Thomas Crol, vho

departed the 27 of April 1678, of age 81 ; and his

spovs Christian Covt;', de. Ap. 28, 1608, ag. 72 :—

Theirs non in qvestion this will call.

Which I write on their dvst,

That to the poor they liberall.
And wer to all men ivst.

Upon a stone lying at south side of aisle : —
Heir lyes a faithf Bard spovs to

Ia departed the 9 of De

Love convgal in . . . lyfe keeps amity,
Bvt death doth come and break society ;
Yet heir is love com . . . behold and see.

That vith death st got the victory.

Together they did live, together dy.
Together ver both bvried in one day ;
Together they within this grave do ly.
Together they shall ring with Christ for ay.

Heir lyes a faithfvl brother Iames Farqvhar,

vho departed this lyfe the 9 of December 1671, and

of his age the 81.— LP : M.B.

William Lay : —

Here lies William Lay,
Sometime in Tippertie,
W^ho dejjarted this life
The last Sabbath of April 1725.

ISOBEL LOUSEN, 1706 :—

Deset nor proud she coud not endure,
But still a mouther to the poor.

George Watson's wife, 1764 : —

This dust which now obscurely lies.
Once animated was by one
Whose amiable qualities
Seldom, if ever, were outshone.

David Walker, d. 1772, a. 43 : —

This dust which here doth rest in sacred peace.

Once lodg'd a soul eurich'd with every grace ;

A safe companion, and a friend approv'd.

In death regretted, and in life belov'd.

Well pleased. Heaven crown'd his virtues with

success,
And soon receiv'd him to the seats of bliss ;
At life's mid age he gain'd that happy shore,
Whei-e friends unite, & death can part no more.

David Watson, by his widow, Jean Milne, who
composed these lines, 1825 : — •
Deeply the Widow and the children mourn
The best of husbands, & the Father kind ;
Their earthly joys & hopes were from them torn,
When he to dust his mortal frame resigu'd.

David Glass, mason, aged 46, "died in conse-

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

of a fall from the old church when taking it
down on the 17th April 1828."

Upon a table-shaped stone on north side of
church : —

Here are interred the remains of Dr James
Badenoch of Whiteriggs, who died 26 Dec. 1797,
in the 54th year of his age. Also of Mrs Axne
Grahame, his wife, who died 6 Aiigt. 1815, in the
63d year of her age. Erected by their son James
Badenoch of Arthurhouse.

— Dr B., who was grandfatlier to the present
J. Badenocli-Nicolson, yr. of Glenbervie, married
a daughter of the laird of JMorphie, sister to Lady
Arbuthnott.

Alex. Milne, A.M., who, having been 46 years
schoolmaster of Fordoun, died 16 Dec. 1812, aged 72.
Upon a flat stone : —

Captn. James Leslie, 15th P^egt. of Foot, died
at Kair, April 1, 1791, aged 55 years. Erected by
his son, James Leslie, merchant, Canada.

Within a railed enclosure, on the left side of
churchyard gate : —

James Gammell, Esq, of Drumtochty, died at
Drumtochty Castle, 15 Sep. 1825, aged 89, and is
interred here. Janet Giels, spouse of the said
Jas. Gammell, died 28 April 1818, aged 79, and is
interred at Greenock. Their son William Gam-
mell, died in infancy. Lieut. -Gen. Andrew
Gammell, interred in Westminster Abbey; and
Lieut. -Col. William Gammell, interred at Martin-
ique.

A granite pillar, with square base, surnwuntcd
by an urn, erected in 1850, bears the fullowing
inscription round the column : —

This monument is erected to the memory of one
of Scotland's first and most illustrious martyrs,
George WiSHARTof Pittarrow, in this parish ; and
as a testimony of gratitude to the great Head of the
Church, for the work of the Reformation, on be-
half of which his servant suffered. He was born in
1513, and was burned at St Andrews, 1st March
1546. ' The righteous shall be in everlasting re-
membrance. '

— Charters show that Wisharts were settled in
this district as far back as the year 1200 ; and
that they exsisted down to the early part of the
17th century. The old house of Pitarrow was

demolished about 1802. Some carved stones re-
lating to the Wi-sharts are still to be seen at
Pitarrow. The Wisharts were succeeded in these
lands by Carnegie of Kinnaird in Angus ; and Sir
James (great-grandfather of the present Earl of
Southesk), sold Pitarrow to a younger brother,
George, one of whose descendants resold the lands
to Mr Crorabie, late of Phesdo.

On north wall of parish school, formerly on
south wall of old church : —

Under the fiat stone, 5 feet south from this wall,
lies the body of James Leith of Whiteriggs, who
died 20 Feb. 1788, aged 63. And on the south side
of that stone, lies the body of Margaret Young,
his wife, who died 6 April 1783, aged 58. The
virtue of their lives made their deaths lamented,
and this stone is in gratitude erected to their me-
mories by their children. There are also interred
the body of Margaret Hacket, his mother, who
died in April 1765, aged 56. And Doctor Charles
Leith, his brother, who died 6 of May 1731, aged
56. And also of two of his children, PiAMSAY
Leith, and Leith, who died in infancy.

A stone, within an iron-railed enclosure, at
north side of parish school, bears : —

Sacred to the memory of James Arnott, Esq.,
who died at Arbikie, in Forfarshire, 3 Dec. 1799 ;
and of his wife, Janet Leith, who died at Edin-
burgh, 29 Aug. 1827 ; and of their two younger
sons, Charles Arnott, Esq., formerly solicitor in
London, who died at Leithheld Cottage, in this
parish, 21 Sept. 1841, and whose body is here in-
terred. And David Leith Arnott, Esq., a Major
in the East India Company's service, who died in
India, 19 Oct. 1840. And of their j'oungest daugh-
ter, Helen Arnott, who died in Montrose, 21
Feb. 1807. James Leith Arnott, grandson of
said James Arnott and Janet Leith, died at Edin-
burgh, 10 Novr. 1818, aged 2 years.

[On west front of same stone] : —

James Leith of Whiteriggs or Leithfield, and
Margaret Young spouses, whose names are men-
tioned on a tablet erected near this stone, left six
children, viz. Alexander Leith, died at sea in
Jan. 1805, aged 53. John Leith, died at Surinam,
in 1805, surgeon of the 16th regiment of Foot, aged
49. James Leith, died at Madras, 12 Nov. 1829,
a Major-General in the service of the East India

FORDOUN—ECHT.

Company, aged 65. Janet Leith, or Arnott,
wife of James Arnott, mentioned on tlie other side,
died at Edinburgh, aged 73, leaving a family.
Margaket Leith, died at Edinburgh, March 13,
1835, aged 77. Elizabeth Leith, died at Edin-
burgh 29 April 1841, aged 81. Erected by the
three surviving children of the said James Arnott
and Janet Leith.

— Mr Leith of Whiteriggs was father of Major-
General James Leitb, long Judge Advocate-
General in the East Indies. " Judge Leith"
bouglit AN'hiteriggs, and gave it the name of
Leithfield. His nephew, James Arnott, W.S.,
succeeded.

Janet Eraser, relict of the Eev. Lewis Eeid,
minister at Strachan, died at Manse of Fordoun,
26 Jan. 1798, aged 88. The Revd. Alexander
Leslie, minister at Fordoun, died Sep. 15, 1807, in
the 74 year of his age, and 49th of his ministry.

Margaret Reid, relict of the Eevd.

Alexander Leslie, died at Fordoun, June 20, 1829,
in the 92d year of her age. Their daughter Grace,
died at Manse of Fordoun, Dec. 23, 1837, aged 62.
Their daughter Janet, died at Bathlodge, 18 June
1850, aged 80 ; Their daughter Eliza, relict of
William Lindsay of Oatlands, died at Aberdeen,
22 July 1855, aged S3 ; and the Revd. James,
D.D., their son, died at ilathlodge, 20 March 1858,
aged 94, having resigned his charge at Fordoun, in
1843, after being minister there for 55 years.

The parish of Fordoun contains many interest-
ing historical and topographical features, such as
the ruins of the royal residence of Kincardine
Castle, the sculptured stone at S. Palladius'
chapel, &c. ; as elsewhere described by the writer
of these notes.

The Fordoun portion of the parish has been
Arbuthnott property from at least 1608.

According to the Aberdeen Breviary, the Pict-
ish Saint Erchard was a native of this parish ;
and it is generally agreed that John of Fordun,
author of the Scotichronicon, was connected with
it either by birth or residence.

Lord RIONBODDO, previously referred to, and
James Beattie, professor of Natural History in
Marischal College, Aberdeen, were also natives
of Fordoun.

The Luther, which is bridged in various places,
washes the base of the hill upon which the
church stands. It flows through a pretty dell,
the beauties of which are celebrated in Beattie's
Minstrel, the poet having been schoolmaster here.

The burying-place of Chapelyard (S. Cather-
ine), on the west side of the parish, near the site
of the old town of Kincardine, contains two small
head stones, bearing respectively these names and
dates :— AViLLiAM Rdss, 1739 ; and William
Taylor, 1786. It is marked by a few trees,
and an enclosing wall.

In 1707, Sir D. Carnegy of Pitarrow had a
grant (Acta Pari., xi. Appx. 144), to hold two
fairs, in addition to that of Palladius, or Paddy,
which were named respectively Cammock and S.
John's— the first to be held on the last Tuesday
of May, the other on the 3d Tuesday of June.
Another fair, called Lady Market, was held at
the kirk of Fordoun on 6 July.

A somewhat odd case of obstructing the design-
ing of a manse and glebe took place at Fordoun
in 1601, as fully set forth in Pitcairn's Crim.
Trials, vol. ii. p. 362.

(S. FINCAN, VIRGIN.)

THOMAS, son of Malcolm of Lundin, granted
the church of Eych, Hachtis, or Heijth, to
the monks of Scone, about 1220.

The present parish church was built about
1804, when Mr Forbes of Echt gave a new bell
in exchange for the old one, which was dated
1783. This bell was preserved at Dun Echt
House until lately, when it was accidentally
broken. I'he front of the loft of the old kirk
was ornamented with carved panels, some of
which, dated 1688, are preserved at Whitehill
Cottage.

[in churchyard] :—
I.E :M.L. — Here lies Iohn Elphinston, late of
Bellabeg, who departed this life the 10th day of

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

Oct. 1742, aged 70 years. Also Mary Leslie, his
spouse, who departed this life the day of
17 , aged years. Likewise Jean Elpiiinston,
their daughter, who departed this life the Gth day
of February 1752, aged 29 years.
— Elphiustone, who sold the small estate of Bel-
labeg, in Strathdou, to Forbes of Newe, is said
to have gone to the Mill town of Culairlie, in
Echt, to reside with a daughter who was married
to the farmer. The date of his wife's death has
never been cut upon the stone. The Elphin-
stones of Bellabeg are supposed to have been de-
scended from the Lords Eljjhinstone, who held
Kildrumy and other lands on the Don,

Erected to the memory of William Smith, A. M. ,
who died 21 October 1830, aged 22. In 1829 he
completed his studies at the Divinity Hall of the
U. S. Church, where he displayed talents calculated
to inspire hopes of future eminence and usefulness
in the church, had it pleased the Lord to sj)are
iim : —
Ere yet his lips proclaim'd to guilty men
That Grace Divine which he had liv'd upon,
The silver cord Avas loosed ; Affection mourns
An only Son, an only Brother, dead.
The church below, a choisest Jewel lost.
And Friendship, all bereaved, adores, and weeps.
Revd. Alexander Henderson, died 30 May
1813, aged 57.

Eevd. William Ingram, died IGth May 1848,
aged 79.

Cairns and tumuli lie along the base of the hill
called the Barmakin of Echt. Some remarkable
specimens of the so-called Druidical circles are
also in the parish. These, as well as the entrench-
ments which surrounil the Barmakin, are described
in the Old and New Statistical Accounts of the
Parish. The summit of the Barmakin, which is
from 800 to 900 feet above the level of the sea,
is flat, and contains, within the upper rampart,
about an acre of ground. Theie are a series of
entrenchments, with gates, or entrances, farther
down the hill. It is one of those ancient struc-
tures, known as British forts, of which class are
the two Caterthuus, near Brechin, and Glenshiora,
in Badenoch. Amusing stories of odd sounds

having been heard at, or near the Barmakin,
which were supposed to foretell the coming
struggle of the hapless reign of Charles I., are
told in Gordon's Scots Affairs (vol. i., pp. 56-8.)

There was anciently a chapel at Munksecht
(S. ), now Monecht.

Thomas, or Thorn of the Loch^ a natural son of
Alex. Forbes of Brux (Alistcr Cam), is said to
have acquired Echt by marrying INIarjory Stewart,
the heiress, and neice of the Earl of Mar, 1437-60.

The estate of Echt now belongs to Lord Lind-
say, heir apparent to the Earldom of Crawford,
and author of the Lives of the Lindsays, &o. Dun
Echt House, an elegant castellated mansion, has
been recently erected by Lord Lindsay, almost
under the shadow of the Barmakin.

(S. COLUMBA.)

§COLUMBA's well is marked by a tall pave-
« ment slab, near the gate to the House of
Glenmoriston, which, with similar stones, erected
some years ago, give a strange, weird look to the
locality.

The family of Glenmoriston bury within the
cemetery of S. Columba, where there are several
handsome monuments. From some of these the
following inscriptions are copied : —

This stone is erected here in memory of the much
honoured John Grant, leard of Glenmoriston, who
died 1730, aged 79.

A.D. 1840 : Alexander Grant, son of John
Grant, fifth laird of Glenmoriston, and his spouse
Janet Mackenzie, grand-daughter of Capt. Alex-
ander Mackenzie of Gairloch, ancestors of Capt.
George Grant of the Indian Army, has erected this
monument as a token of affection, esteem, and re-
gard, with which he cherishes their memory. They
died at Bre, about the year 1730. — Deut. 32, 7 ;
Prov. 10, 7.

The tomb of James Grant of Burnhall, W.S.,
2d son of Patrick Grant of Glenmoriston, by
Henrietta, daughter of James Grant of Euthie-

GL ENMORISTON— ESSIE.

murclius, died 1834, aged 66 j^ears. His family,
James, died at Barbadoes, 1829, aged 20 ; SiMOX-
Fraser, died at Edinburgh, 1829, aged 11 ; JoHX
Charles, E.I.C.S., Bengal, died at Singapore,
1836, aged 28, at whose desire this tomb of his
father and family was erected. Helex, spouse of
Alexander Macdonald of Berbice, tlied at Daw-
lish, Devonshire, 1840, aged 34.
— John -More Grant of Culcabock (son of Grant
of Freuchy), had a charter of the lands and barony
of Glenmoriston from King James IV. From
this John -More, the i^resent Grants of Glenmoris-
ton are descended. If the above inscriptions are
right, the pedigree of this family, as given in
Burke (Baronage, 1850), appears to want revision.
Sacred to the memory of Patrick ]\I'Donell,
M.D., H.E.I.S., only child of Donald McDonell of
Aonach, and of Barbara Grant, his spouse. Born
at Inmerick, Glemuoriston 1798, died at Maudivie,
in Cutch, Bombay, 1825. Erected by his father
similar to the tomb placed over his remains by his
brother officers in India.

This place belongs to Fixlay M'Leod, piper,
Glenmoriston, who died 1842, aged 70. [Here fol-
low the names of several children. ]

Upon a shield built into the wall : —
Erected by Peter M'Leod, son of Finlay M 'Leod,
piper to Glenmoriston. 1848.

Glenmoriston and Urquhart ai'e united parishes
in Inverness-shire. There are a number of burial
places in both districts, which mostly bear the
names of local saints.

Urquhart Castle, situated upon a rock over-
hanging Loch Ness, is one of the most imposing
and picturesquely situated ruins in Scotland. It
had been a place of great size and strength ; and,
in addition to the ordinary means of defence
known in old times, a peculiar arrangement ap-
pears about the windows, by which molten lead,
or other destructive substances, could be poured
upon the heads of invaders. It was besieged and
taken by the forces of Edward I., 1303. In 1509,
it and the barony of Urquhart came to the chief
of the Clan Grant, and now belongs to the Earl
of Seafield.

AT FOYERS.

Beautifully situated upon the south bank of
Loch Ness, in the parish of Abertarf, near the
old mansion house and the celebrated Falls of
Foyers, stands an obelisk, ornamented with the
Eraser and Grant arms, and an urn upon the top.
A marble slab, sunk into the pedestal, presents
nicely executed carvings of two angels in alto-
relievo, with upcast eyes, and the words, "Thy will
be done — I am ready." The monument also bears
this simple inscription : —

Sacred to the memory of Jaxe, spouse of Thomas
Fraser of Balnain. She was the only child of Simon
Fraser of Foyers, and of Elizabeth Grant, his wift.
She added to superior personal graces and talents
of the first order, the humblest piety, the sweetest
temper, and the most devoted filial affection. Her
spotless life was closed by a tranquil and christian
death, on the 7th of July 1817, in the 22d year of
her age. Matt. v. & 8.

— It is told that the site of this monument was a
favourite retreat of the young lady whose memory
it preserves, and of whose excellence and worth
many interesting traits are yet remembered in the
district. The first Fraser of Foyers was the
fourth son of Hugh of Lovat and Kinnell, who
died about 1410. Elizabeth Grant (Mrs Eraser's
mother) was a daughter of Glenmoriston.

(S. .)

T^ff HE churches of Est'ij and Neuyth, both in the
e^ diocese of St. Andrews, were respectively
rated at 14 and 20 raerks each. In 1309, Robert
the Bruce gave the advocation and donation of
the kirk of Essy to the monks of Newbattle.

The parishes of " Essie and Neva" were unite
in 1600.

The ruins of the old church of Essie are pic-
turesquely situated upon a rising ground, close to
the burn of Essie, which is the most considerable

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

rivulet in the parish. It rises among the Sidlaw
hills, from which it flows through the Glen of
Dunoon, and falls into the Dean, not far from the
old kirk.

The church of the united parish, erected about
30 years ago, is conveniently situated, and nearly
eq^ui-distant from the two old churches.

Within the area of the ruius of Essie church
a mutilated tombstone bears the arms of Lamy
and Forbes, also these remains of an inscription : —

.... loANNis . . AMMEE, qvontlam de Dvn-

kennie, qvi obiit 26 die mensis Septembar

D.L: 1603: C. F.

— Lamies were designed of Dunkenny from at
least 1542. Subsequently the estate belonged to
Bishop Lindsay (a cadet of Edzell), who died in
1640. Lamies reacquired it before 1682. Pos-
sibly they were of the old stock, and may have
been ancestors of the present laird, Capt. L'Amy,
whose father, James L'Amy, was long sheriff-
depute of Forfarshire, and died in 1854.

[in churchyard] : —

Thomas White (1665) :—

We ar bvt earth, and earth is bvt fvme ;
We ar bvt novght, as novght we doe consvme.
John Lyon and wife (17 — ) :—

This man and his wife was diligent,

And in their dealings just ;

Who every way was excellent,

But now they ly in dust.

Waiting till Christ come in the skies,

With angels all around,

Commanding them straight to rise

And be with glory crowu'd.
David Wightoun, a. 75 (1717) : —

Below this Tomb there lyeth thus,

Fan David Wightoun in the Bush ;

A Eabie Father was indeed ;

As you may see this tomb to read.

In English and arithmetic both

He could both write and spell ;

In Greek a great proficient —

In Hebrew did exoell.
William Gibb, Balkerrie (1737) :—

Remember man, that against Death,

There is not an antidote ;

Be rich or poor, or what you may,

You'll die & be forgot.
D. Chisholm's mother (1774) : —

She honoured as she bore the Cln-istian name,
Her closet nourish'd her celestial flame ;
Her social hours with love & pleasure flew,
The love no art, no guile the pleasure knew.
Unclouded virtue shone thro' all her life —
The blameless virgin, & the faithful wife ;
Long she endur'd affliction's sharpest pain
But turn'd her crosses into heavenly gain.
All this her husband, & her son who witnessed

this express'd, —
Go live like her, & die for ever blest.
Eev. Adam Davidson, ordained minister of
Essie, Dec. 1702, died Oct. 1720 :—

His soul still breathed upward, and a last,
Arrived above — the mantle's here downcast.
Rev. Alexander Finlayson, ordained minister
of Essie, Sep. 1721, died 1731.

Excepting the name, and a spring well, there is
now no trace of the " Chapel of the Blessed
Mary at Balgownie, in the parish of Essie," of
which there is charter evidence in 1450.

Isabella, Countess of Mar, in the time of
Eobert III., gave a charter of the lands of the
Kirktown of Essy to Walter Ogilvy ; and his
successor, Alexander Ogilvy of Auchterhouse,
gave 10 merks out of the barony of Essy, for the
fouudation of a chaplain within the Cathedral
Church of Brechin.

(S. — .)
l^HIS church is sometimes called Kirhinch, or
M> the kirk on the island, the knoll or inch upon
which it stands having been at one time sur-
rounded by a marsh, or swamp.

The date of 1651 is upon the ruins of the old
church ; and the door lintel is also inscribed,
16 : D. N. 95. Upon the surrounding wall : —
Built by Subscription, 1843.

NEVA Y—KIRKMTCHAEL.

A mutilated tombstone withia the area of the
church bears these traces : —

.... YRIES . IN . N E . FOLLOVS

— This is all that remains of an inscription which
is locally said to have read when entire— "Here
ly the Tyries in Nevay, honest men and brave
fellows." Tyries were designed of Lunan in the
15th century. They were long proprietors of
the estate of Drumkilbo, in Meigle ; and one of
them was slaughtered by Crichtou of Ruthven,
1581. The family was knighted, and Sir Thomas
of Drumkilbo was at Aberdeen with Montrose,
in 1644. There were Nevoys of that ilk, one of
whom, Sir David, a lord of Session, assumed first
the title of Lord Reidie, afterwards that of Lord
Nevoy.

MjUIGARet, wf. of David Barrox, Lieut., R.N.,
d. 1827, a. 55 :—

Oft shall sorrow heave my breast,
Whilst my dear Margaret lies at rest ;
Oft shall reflectiou bring to view,
The happy days I've spent ■ndth you.

David Barron, on two sons (1853) :—
Here are reposVl two goodly youths,

Which loving brothers were ;
Endu'd with grace beyond their years,

And virtues very rare.
Such was their life that we may hope,

They're gone beyond the sky.
To sing and spend, without an end,

A sweet Eternity.

A remarkable sculptured stone, which lay long
in the burn, now stands between the burn and
the old church of Essie.

A circular mound, at Castleton of Essie, ap-
pears to have been the site of a baronial residence ;
and at Ingliston, traces of a large encampment
are said to have existed towards the end of the
last century.

Alex. Ogilvy, sheriff of Angus, had the barony
of Neve, on the resignation of William Cunning-
ham of Kilmauris (t. Rob. III.), out of the farm
of which he gave 10 merks to the foundation of a
chaplain in the kirk of Auchterhouse.

(S. MICHAEL, ARCHANGEL.)

THE church of KirkmicheU in Banffshire, was
a mensal church of the Bishops of Moray ; and
the district belonged, in property, to the M'Duffs,
the old Earls of Fife. S. Michael's AVell ad-
joins the church where, at one time, " the winged
guardian, under the semblance of a fly, was never
absent from duty," and which the superstitious
invoked to their aid on all emergencies, whether
of life or of death !

The church, a plain building, erected in 1807,
stands upon the haugh, on the south side of the
Aven. It contains five monuments. One is of
freestone, and thus inscribed : —

Here lies the body of Ann Lindsay, spouse of
John Gordon of Glenbucket, and daughter of the
Right Hon. Sir Alexander Lindsay of Evelaek, who
departed this life on the 9th day of June 1750 aged
50 years. Also Hellen Reid, spouse of William
Gordon, Esq. of Glenbucket, and daughter of the
Right Hon. Sir John Reid of Barra, who died on
the 5th of May 1706, aged 52 years ; and Lilias
McHardy, spouse of John Gordon, Esqr. of Glen-
bucket, and daughter of William McHardy, late in
Delnilat, who died May 30, 1829, aged 78 years.
And of Elspet Stewart, spouse of Charles Gordon,
Esq. St Bridget, and daughter of William Stewart,
Esq. BaUentrewan, who died 2d February 1856,
aged 03 years.

— A slab in the churchyard, which has disappeared
within the last year or two, bore the following
epitaph to the lady first-named in the above in-
scription : —

Here 1 the body of M

Lindsey, lady Glenbucket, d to the Hon.

Sir Alexander Lindsay . . Evlack, who in the
50th year of her . . . departed this life on the 9th
of June 1 . . . : —

Her stately person. Beauty, Great,

Her charity and lowly heart ;

Her meekness and obedience ;

Her chastity, and her good sense,

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

Do all combiue to eternise,
Her fame ami praise above the skies.
—The Gordons of Glenbucket were descended of
those of Rothiemay, whose grandfather was of the
family of Lesmore (Nisbet). The Lindsays of
Evelick (Perthshire), were descende:! of a younger
brother of Sir Walter of Edzell. In I0G6, a
baronetcy was created in the Evelick branch of
the Lindsays. The Reids, who bought Barra
about 170 years ago, were created baronets iu
1707.

Another tablet, within the kirk, commemorates
the death of John Stewart (of the Auchnahyle
and Lynchork family). Captain in H.IM. 39th
regt., who died at Bangalore, E.I., iu 1835, aged
46 ; also two of his brothers, Robekt, who died
at Jamaica in 1824, aged 25, and Charles, ]\LD.,
86th regt., who died at Kurrachee, E.L, in 1844,
aged 40, &c.

Upon a circular marble slab, built into the south
wall, embellished with the Grant arms, is this
inscription : —

To the memory of Patrick Grant, Esq. of Glen-
lochy, lately of Stocktoun, who died 15 April 1783,
aged 74 ; and of Beatrix, his wife (daughter of
Donald Grant, Esq. of Inverlochy), who died 24
January 1780, aged G9. This monument is erected
in testimony of filial affection and gratitude to the
best of parents, by John Grant, Chief -Justice of
Jamaica.

— A table-shaped stone, outside the church, is in-
scribed as above, except that it bears to be erected
" to the best of parents by Francis Grant of Kil-
graston." This branch of the Grants is descended
from John of Freuchy, 4th sou of Grant of Grant.
The above-named John, long Chief-Justice of
Jamaica, bought the estate of Kilgraston, in
Perthshire. He died issueless, and was succeeded
by his younger brother, the above Francis Grant,
who married a daughter of Oliphant of Rossie,
and died in 1819. Francis was succeeded by his
eldest son John, who married a sister of Lord
Gray. Lord Gray and his elder sister having
both died without issue, IVIi- Grant's daughter
(widow of the Hon. Mr Murray), is now Baroness
Gray. Sir Francis Grant, P.R.A., a well-known

portrait painter, is the fourth son of the above
Francis Grant ; and the 5th son is the brave
Lieut. -Gen. Sir James Hope Grant, late Com-
mander-in-Chief at Madras.

A beautifully executed monument of Aberdeen
granite (upon which are carvings of the insignia
of the Bath, a sword and shield cross ways, from
which medals are suspended, and inscribed,
NivE, victoria, and to the bpitish army,
1793-4), bears :—

Underneath lie the mortal remains of Williaji-
Alex-^nder Gordon, Lieut. -General in H. M.S.,
Colonel of the 54th regt, of foot, C.B. Born at
Croughly, 21 March 1769, died at Nairn, 10 Augt.
1856, aged 87.

— Two monuments relating to the same family
are within the church. One to James Gordon,
Esq., Croughly, who died in 1812, aged 86, and
his wife Anne Forbes, who died in 1818, aged
82 (the jjarents of Lieut.-Gen. Gordon.) The
second monument is to Robert Gordon, Esq.,
who died in 1828, aged 47, and to several of his
children.

Upon the top of a table-shaped tombstone in
the churchyard : —

To preserve this burying ground, and in pious
regard to the memory of Finlay Farquharson of
Auchriachan, who possessed this place since 1569,
son to Findlay Farquharson, Esq. of Invercaiild ;
likewise William Faequharson who died anno
1719, aged 80 years, who was the ninth man of that
family who possessed Auchriachan, and Janet
Grant his spouse, who died anno 1720, aged 78.
Also William Farquhaeson, son of Inver ....
who died anno 1723, aged 30, and Elizabeth Far-
quharson his spouse, who died anno 1772, aged 78 ;
also Sophia McGrigor, who died 15 May 1769
aged 59, spouse to Robert Farquharson in Auch-
riachan, who erected this monument, 1789.

The said Robert Farquharson died in 179—.
William, his son died in Aprill 1811, and Alex-
ander, the last in the male line, died 11 Nov. 1835,
aged 78. Janet Fai-quharson, Piobert's eldest
daughter, married James Cameron, Ballenlish, and
this tablet is renewed by their son, Angus Cameron
of Firhall, 1851 :—

These bodies low lie here consign'd to rest,

With hopes with all to rise among the blest :

KIRKMICHAEL.

Sweet be tlieir sleep, and blessed their wakening.

Reader ! pray for those that pray for thee.
— " Achriachan, which, for about 200 years, was
the inheritance of a branch of the Farquharsons,
is now (1775) the property of the Duke of Gor-
don."

Within a railed enclosure, upon a handsome
granite cross : —

In memory of Capt. James G ordon, who died at
Ivybauk, Nairn, 9th April 1867, aged 90. He
served in the Peninsula with the 92d Highlanders,
and received the war medal with seven clasps. He
was also present at Waterloo, and received the
medal. He never made an enemy, or lost a friend.

Near the above is the following record of an-
other race of gallant Highlanders : —

Capt. Robert McGregor, of the Clan Alpine
Feucibles, and 14th Battalioji of Reserve, died at
Delavorar, 5 Oct. 1816, in the SOth year of his age.
His sons, Peter, Lieut, l/thregt. of foot, was killed
at the head of the Grenadiers of that regt. , at the
storming of Fort Chumera, in the East Indies, in
the 26th year of his age ; John, Lieut, in the 88th
regt., was killed at the attack on Buenos Ayres, in
the 17th year of his age ; James, Lieut. H. P. 84th
regt. died at Delavorar, in his 32d year. [The
deaths of other members of this family are also re-
corded. ]

A rudely-shaped cross, formed out of a slab of
gneiss, about five feet high, with a hole pierced
through the shaft, between the arms of the cross,
stands beside the monument to Captain James
Gordon. It is said to have been used by the
natives for resting their spears or lances upon
when tliey came to Divine service ; and a story is
told of some of the more sacrilegious of the High-
landers having killed a priest by the side of the
stone, for his being too strict iu demanding at-
tendance at church !

This, however, had very possibly been the cross
of S. Michael, round which, iu byegone times,
the people of these parts (as w as customary else-
where), had assembled for the purpose of buying
and selling commodities— markets having been
originally held in churchyards, and upon Sundays.

As such, it is a relic of much local interest, and
possibly of high antiquity.

A chapel dedicated to S. Buidget stood near
Tomintoul in old times ; and a spring in the lime-
stone rock of Craigchalkie is known by the name
of S. Jessie.

The Village of Tomintoul, which was begun in
1750, occupies the top of a bleak hillock. It con-
sists of one street, about half a mile long, built
on both sides, with a market square near the
middle of it. Many of the houses are ruinous.
As a whole, the place has few attractions for
tourists, unless about Delnaboe, where there are
some fine bits of romantic scenery. But were the
means of communication less dilEcult between the
Dee, the Don, and the Spey, by the way of Tomin-
toul, it would improve the place, as well as the
habits and tastes of the people.

A quoad sacra church and manse were erected
at the village about 1826. The Roman CathoHca
being a numerous body in the district, have
a chapel, school, and priest's house here. This
inscription is over the front of the chapel : —

Bene fundata est Domus Dom. supra firmam
petram. Deo sub tutela B. Mari^ Virginis et B.
MicHAELis Archangeli dcdicata 1837.

[The House of the Lord is well founded on a firm
rock. Dedicated in 1837 to God, under the pro-
tection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the
Blessed Archangel Michael. ]

The adjoining cemetery contains several neat
tombstones. One of these, erected in 1843, pre-
sents some orthographical peculiarities : —

Trouble sore, I shurely bore '

Physicians was izi vain
Till God above, by his great love,
Reliev'd me of my pain.
Adieu dear friends who laid me here
Where I must lie till Chiist appear
And on that day I hope it '11 be
A joyful rising into me.

EPITAPHS, AND mSCBIPTIONS:

(THE VIRGIN MARY.)

THE burial-grouud of Cupar-Augus is upon
the site of the Abbey, which was founded
by King Malcohn in 1164. It is said to have
been previously used as a Roman camp.

A monument to a monk of the monastery,
who died in 1450, bears the effigy of a priest
incised, the upper portion of which has been
broken and lost within the last few years— pos-
sibly at the recent rebuilding of the church.
When the stone was in its more entire state,
these words were round the margin : —

.... monarljfas . "at . ciipvo . qtit . obiit . anno .
tini . miUcsimo . qbaBttngcixtcsima . qtqgcsio

Another slab, preserved at the manse, appears
to be the tombstone of Archibald Macvicar,
who was provost of the collegiate church of Kil-
mun, Argyllshire, 1529-48 : —

%lit . iarrt . Diis . arcijibalti' . m'bir . olim
prpos . Be . kilmbu .

I have been told by old residenters of frag-
ments of other two monuments : one bore : —
asaiUijclmiis . trc . ittontrfuxo

The other ; —

(Silbcvtiis . iic . Iljag

— The first of these monuments had referred to
someone of the family of Montifix, orMusciiEX,
lords of Cargill, near Cupar, of which lauds they
had a grant from William the Lion. They were
considerable benefactors to the Abbey, and failed
in the male line towards the middle of the 14th
century, when one of three coheiresses became
the wife of Sir John Drummond, ancestor of the
Earls of Perth. By her husband she had, with
other issue, Annabella, Queen of Robert III.,
and mother of James I. of Scotland.

The other fragment belonged to the Hays of
Errol, who were by far the largest benefactors to
the Abbey. It may have been part of a recess
tomb, the front of which (engraved in Memorials
of Angus and Mearns), still remains, as well as

the mutilated effigy of a knight in armour. Pos-
sibly two of the figures in the panels are intended
to illustrate the absurd story of the Hays and
Luncarty. Tl'.e Hays were descended of an
Anglo-Norman baron who settled in the Lothians
in the 11th century. He had two sous who be-
came resi^ectively the ancestors of the Hays of
Errol, and the Hays of Tweeddale. The male
line of the latter branch is still carried on ; but
that of the former failed in the person of Charles,
twelfth Earl of Errol (v. p. 43.) The Hays of
Errol had their burial place here ; aud, according
to " the coppy of the Tabill quhilk ves at Cowper
of al the Erles of Erroll quhilk ver buryd in the
Abbey Kirk thair," as printed in the Spalding
Club Miscellany (vol. ii., pp. 347-9), the seventh
Earl, who died at Slains in 1585, was laid at
Cupar, beside fifteen of his ancestors. There
were two Gilberts Hay buried here, one in
1333, the other in 1436, to the last of whom the
fragment above referred to had possibly related.

In south-west lobby of the church, two marble
tablets are respectively inscribed as below : —

Erected by the parishioners of Coupar-Angus,
to the memory of their late worthy pastor, the
Rev. John Halkett, who died 21 April 1828, in
the 51st year of his age, aud 21st of his ministry.

Adjoining the above : —

In memoriam parentis amautissimas et percara;
quae A.D. 1771, obiit 68 annos nata, filius Robt"s
Robertson, M.D., F.R.S., F.A.S.L., Nosocomij
Reg. Grenovic Medicus ; Itemque, in memoriam
Ann^ sororis sute, hoc marmor ponendum curavit.

[To the memory of a most loving and very dear
mother, who died A.D. 1771, aged 68 years ; and
also to the memory of his sister Ann. Robert
Robertson, M.D., F.R.S., F.A.S.L., Physician to
the Royal Hospital, Greenwich, caused this tablet
to be erected.]

— Dr R. wrote numerous books and essays relat-
ing to his profession. I have been unable to learn
anything of his parentage ; and have to thank
H. F. Prowse, Esq., senior clerk, Royal Hosijital,
Greenwich, for the following interesting parti-
culars of his official career : — " Robert Robertson,
M.D., was appointed Physician of the Institution

COUPAR-ANGUS.

20th Dec. 1790, aud was superannuated on his
full salary of £500 per annum, 30th Nov. 1818,
after a period of upwards of fifty years' service.
During the time of his holding the ofRce of Phy-
sician, he was also a member of the Board of
Directors ; and continued to be a member of the
same until its dissolution in May 1829. He died
30th Sept. 1829. I may add, as a tradition
amongst us, that he married when over sixty
years of age, and saw two of his children attain
the age of twenty-one years."

The following inscriptions are from tombstones
(erect, fiat, and table-shaped), in various parts of
the burial-ground : —

Heir lyes ane honest woman named Anna Blak,
spovs to lohn Makfarland, who depairted the 16
day of Apprile 1685, and of her age 61 years.

Heir layes George Malice, son to Androw Malice
and Margaret Pinkerton in Cowper, who depr^ed
24 day of Apryl 1685, of age 10 years.

O dear child, since We Can not

Thy converss here Enjoy,

W^ell heast to the Where thou shal be,

Happy without Anoy.

Heir laycs ane honnest man Alexander Thom,
who departed in May 1684, and of his age 60 ; and
Cristan Christy, his spoves, died the 24 of March
1701, of hir age 62, indvellers in Bilbo. &c.

1799 : To the memory of George Nicol, Esq. of
Pleasenthill, this stone is erected. He died the 3d
Janr. 1798, aged 53 years.

Erected by the Relief Congregation, Coupar
Angus, to the memory of Jajvies Stewart, builder
there, who died 3 Aug. 1861, aged 85 ; and who
generously conveyed his whole property, heritable
and moveable, for the support, in all time coming,
of the preaching of the Gospel iu the Relief Church,
Coupar Angus.

Jean Porter (who d. 1800, a. 45), bore twelve
children to her h. Geo. Stevenson, farmer, Bal-
brogie (who d. 1836, a. 84) :—

Alexander, Jean, Robert, & Agnes,

Are here laid in the dust ;
The twelth is with her iu the coffin laid —

Submit to death we most.

Erected by the Kirk Session to the memory of
John CxISLpbell, taylor in Cuper Angus, who be-
queathed £100 ster. to the Poor of the Parish, and
directed the interest to be ajDplied by the Kirk
Session. A native of Badenoch, he resided the last
30 years in Cupar, & died the 23d day of May 1814,
aged 50. [Acts xx. 35, cut in Greek characters.]

Upon a plain head-stone : —

Sacred to the memory of Mr Thomas Bell,
comedian, late of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh,
a respectable performer, an agreeable companion,
and an honest man. While ou the Stage of life he'
encountered some of the rudest shocks of adversity,
and felt the chill gripe of penury in many a
checquered Scene j but, possessed of a happy equa-
nimity of temper, a social disposition, and a well
informed mind, the arrows of misfortune fell power-
less. On the 31st of August 1815, the Curtain of
fate dropt on the Drama of his existence, and ha
Betired from the Theatre oi the world, to the sorrow
and regret of all who had the pleasure of his ac-
quaintance.

Erected by the Dundee Eccentric X Society, in
testimony of their esteem and respect for Mr Bell,
an honorary member.

—In noticing the death of Mr Bell, the Dundee
Magazine (Aug. 1815) says that " he went under
the appellation of ' Cousin -Bell.' He was de-
scended from a very respectable family in Ireland .
and commenced his theatrical career (we beUeve)
in Dundee, when the celebrated ' Old Bland ' was
manager. Mr Bell was a very respectable per-
former, an agreeable companion, and an honest
man."

Thomas Edward (1799) :—
Each revolving year,
Each hour of Life's short span,
Damps the bige hopes,
And points Mortality to Man.

The following, said to have been at Cupar-
Angus, is copied from the Dundee Magazine for
1799,p. 221:-

" Erected hy the deceast George Small, and hia
mother Margaret Husband, and all her children,
Except John"

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

The only remaiuing portion of the ancient Ab-
bey of Cupar stands at the south-west corner of
the church-yard, and consists of an arched door-
way flanked by buttresses. The remains of stone
cofiins, mouldings, and monuments, are frequently
found in the kirk-yard. About four years ago a
mutilated slab was disinterred. It bore the fol-
lowing inscription, which has been kindly com-
municated by the Rev. Dr Stevenson : —

►f-IIIC . lACET . VENERABILIS . PATER . DOMINUS
lOHANNES . SCIIANWEL . QUONDAM . ABBAS . HE
CUPRO . QUI . OBIIT . A . D . M . 1) . VI.

[Here lies a venerable father in God, John
SciiANWEL, late of the Abbey of Cupar, who died
A.D. 150G.]

—According to the Rccj. Ep. Brechin., (i. 220),
Thomas (?^ Schauvel was sub-prior of Cupar in
1500, and is a witness to a deed by Abbot John
Campbell regarding the lauds of lledgorton, dated
Gth May of same year.

Carved stones are to be seen in some old houses
at Cupar ; and other bits are placed round the
watch-house which stands near the middle of tlie
burial-ground. As in most cases, this building
was put up during the resurrection-mania. It
bears the followiiig inscription : —

1829 : Erected by Subscription of the Parish,
supplemented by Measrs Jn. Storrier, Wm. Don,
Wm. Hunter, Wm. Gellatly.

Towards the close of the last century, when the
old waulk, or fulling mill of Cupar-Angus was
taken down a door lintel was discovered which
bore representations of the objects mentioned
below, also these names : —

Andrew Chapman and Marget Tod,

[The waulk-mill sheers, and the pressing brod.]

A sayirig, embodied in the three lines which
follow, had, possibly, at the time been illustrative
of the characteristics of the places named, but
when is not condescended upon. The first-named
parish joins Cupar on the south, and the latter is
upon the north side of the Isla : —

Kettius for singin' j
Cupar for riugin' ;
Bendochy for preachin' .'

The annexed wood-cut (from Memorials of
Angus and the Mearns, in which there is an ac-
count of the Abbey of Cupar), is part of the tomb
to the Hays of Errol, referred to at p. 72, i>vfra.

amsM^msss

FETTERESSO.

(S. CAR AN, BISHOP CONFESSOR.)

fpi HE church of Fethiressach and its chapel, the
<*t latter of which stood at Cowie (siqn-a, p.
53), are rated at 20 merks in the Old Taxatipn.
Both places of worship belonged to St Andrews ;
and in 1246, the kirk of Fethirassach was dedi-
cated by BishoiJ David.

In 1425, Bishop Wardlaw converted the church
of Fetteresso into a prebend, and gave it and its
pertinents to the royal chapel of S. Mary de riipe,
or Kirkheugh, of St Andrews.

The bell upon the church bears : —

FETTERESSO, 1736 ;

and the belfry is dated 1737. The church con-
sisted of a nave, with an aisle upon the north
side. Both are now roofless ; but the walls, which
are clad with ivy, are pretty entire, and occupy a
rising ground in the middle of the church-yard.
Being situated upon the banks of the Carron, and
close to the hamlet of the Kirktown, with its tile
and heath-covered cottages, and surrounded by
spreading trees, the locality is altogether one of
much picturesque beauty. It ought to be stated
that the preservation of the old kirk is due to the
good taste of the late Lieut.-Col. Duff of Fet-
teresso, who bought the fabric to prevent its being
demolished.

A skew-put stone bears . . 16 . A. F. ; and
the date of 1720 is upon one of the lintels of the
aisle. An arched door-lintel, cut from a single
block of red sandstone, and the remains of a piscina
(built up), are both objects of some antiquity and
interest. A fragment of a grave-stone within
and over the north-west door, presents these de-
tached letters : —
patr nnno

A shield in the east wall, with the arms of
Mowat and Rait (?) impaled, and boldly carved,
along with the initials, I, M : A — , is a 17th cen-
tury work. This may have been part of a tomb to
the Mowats, who were at one time iu (Jlithnu.

The following inscriptions are from monuments
u-itlun the Old Kirk. The first is from a mutilated
slab, in the area, and upon it is a shield charged
with the Hay arms : —

HEIR . LYIS . FRANCI .... SON

TO . THE . LAIRD . OF . WRY . 1610.

MEMENTO . MORI.

— The Hays of Errol acquired Ury about 1413,
from Fraser, thane of Cowie, of which thanedom
Ury formed a portion. In 1648 Ury passed, by
purchase, to Colonel Barclay (iii/ra, p. 82.)

A marble slab, built into the south wall of the
kirk, bears this inscription : —

To the memory of theRevd John Ballantyne, late
pastor of the United Secession Church, Stonehaven,
who died Dec. 5th 1830, in the 51st year of his age,
and 24th of his ministry. He was a man greatly
distinguished for his intellectual endowments and
religious worth ; exemplary for personal Godliness,
and the diligent discharge of his official duties ;
zealous in teaching the young to remember their
Creator, and wise and condescending in the edifica-
tion of all who were placed within the sphere of his
usefulness. His body lies 10 feet to the north of
this monument, erected by the members of his con-
gregation and some others, who enjoyed his friend-
ship, and admired his character.

— Mr Ballautyne, who was a native of Kiughorn,
in Fife, wrote An Examination of the Human
Mind, &c. (r. "Recollections" of Mr Ballau-
tyne, by the Rev. Dr Lougmuir. Abdn. 1862.)

From a table-shaped stone (enclosed) within
the area of the old kirk : —

Under this stone are interred the mortal remains
of Margaret Kemp, wife of George Thomson,
minister of this parish. She died on the 4th day
of June 1836, aged 56 years. And also the remains
of the said George Thomson, who died on the 15th
July 1862, in the 88th year of his age, and the 62d
of his ministry,

— Mr Thomson, who was a native of Grange, in
Banffshire, left considerable means, the greater
part of which he bequeathed to build and endow
a church in the Glen of the Cowton. A church and
manse have been erected in terms of Mr Thom-
son's will ; and in August 1872, the Rev. Mr

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

Keith was inducted to the charge, v/hich is known I
by the name of Eickarton.

Besides that of Rickartou, there is also a kirk at
CooKNEY. It occupies an elevated position about
a mile north of Muchals Castle. This church
was built about 1816, siuce which time it has
been much enlarged to accommodate an increasing
population ; and the district was erected into a
quoad sacra parish in 18—. A school adjoins the
church, and the manse is a little tathe s.-west.

The original church of Uookney stood near to
Newhall. It was built about 17G0, and was called
the Sod Kirk, in consequence of the walls and
seats having been constructed of turf. According
to tradition, the Sod Kirk was the grateful offer-
ing of a seaman who was saved from a vessel
which wag wrecked upon the neighbouring coast.
Witliin an enclosure, in the north-east corner
of the kirk of Fetteresso (surmounted by the Duif
arms and motto, virtute et opera), two slabs
are respectively inscribed : —
[1.]
" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."
Robert William Duff, Esq. of Fetteresso, died
22d March 1S34, a<:;ed 66 ; Mary Abercromby
Duff of Glassaugh, his wife, died 6th Nov. 1833,
aged 65. They were endeared to their family and
friends by their benevolent dispositions, and genuine
integrity of heart. This monument is erected in
veneration of their memory, by their affectionate
son, Robert Duff. The mortal remains of their
eldest son and heir Robert Duff, Esqre. of Fet-
teresso and Culter, repose beside those of his parents.
He died aged 71, the 30th December mdccclxi, re-
spected, lamented, regretted by all who knew him.
[2.]
George Duff died the 8th July 1793, aged two
years. Erected by his parents in memory of this
promising child.

— Admiral Duff acquired Fetteresso about 1782.
He married his relative, Helen, 4th daughterof the
Earl of Fife, and dying in 1787, was succeeded
by his son, the above-named R.-Wm., who wag
Lieut.-Col.of the Forfarshire IMilitia. Lieut.-Col.
Duff married the only child of George ]\Iorrisou,
Esq. of Haddo, and by her, he succeeded to the

estate of her grand-father. General Abercromby of
Glassaugh. Their grand-son, M.P. for Banffshire,
is now proprietor of Fetter&sso, &c. {ivfra, p. 17.)
Admiral Duff and the lairds of Whitehills, Culter,
and Hatton of Auchterless, were sous of Patrick
Duff of Craigston, who had five children by his
first, and twenty-one by bis second wife.

Eour marble tablets, built into the south side
of the north aisle, are respectively inscribed : —

Sacred to the memory of Lieut. -Colonel William
PiICKARt-Hefburn of Rickarton, who died in Lon-
don in 1807. And of Mrs Janet Rickart-Hep-
EURN, his spouse, who died at Stonehaven, 2d Oct.
1842.

[2.]
Robert Rickart-Hepburn, Esquire of Rick-
arton, died 17 August 1837, aged 39.
[3.]
In memory of Catherine Jane Hepburn, eldest
daughter of RoJjert Rickart-Hepburn, Esquire of
Rickarton, who died 7th May 1844, in the ISth
year of her age ; and also of her sister Juliet, who
died 22d July 1844, in the 15th year of her age.
Malachi, iii. 17.]

[4.]
In memory of Robert William Rickart-Hep-
burn, Esquire of Rickarton, Kincardineshire, who
died at Rickarton on Wednesday 2Sth October 1857,
in the 30th year of his age. [Matt. v. 7.] This
tablet is erected by his widow.
— Lieut. -Colonel W. R.-Hepburn was sometime
]M.P. for Kincardineshire. He was the eldest
son of Catherine, daughter and heiress of David
Rickart of Rickarton, and of her husband, James
Hepburn, of the Congalton family. The last
laird, who died in 1857, was succeeded by an
uncle. The first Rickart of Rickarton was de-
scended from the Rickarts of Arnage in Ellon,
v;ho were at one time merchants in Aberdeen.
A tablet in north wall of same aisle bears : —

Sacred to the memory of Alexander Gordon of
Newhall, who died 16th May 1849, aged 85 years ;
and Margaret Leith, his wife, who died 3d May
1845, aged 75 years.
—Mr (iordou was the sou of a farmer in Gartly.

PETTERESSO.

He made money in Jamaica, and left an only-
daughter, -who married the late Dr Thomson, a
medical practitioner in Stonehaven.

The next inscriptions are from monuments in
various pai-ts of the Church-yard : —

ELSPET . CHALMER . SPOVS . TO .

AKDROV . MIL . QVHA . DEPART ... OP . AGE . . 3 . .

— The above is from the grave-stone of the wife
of Mr A. Mill, senior. She died in 1610, and was
the mother of the minister mentioned in the next
inscription. His tombstone has been lately placed
upon two stone rests. U]3on one of the rests are
the words — " The grave of Mr Andrew Milne,
minister of Fetteresso, 1605-40."— The following
is upon the face of the stone : —

HIC . lAOENT . MAMTVS . KEVERENDVS . FIBELISQ' .

DEI . SERWS . MAGR . ANDREAS . MILEVS . IVNIOR .

35 . ANNI3 . MYSTES . FETTERESSANVS . ET . CON-

IVNX . EJ' . CHARA . F^MINA . GENEROSA . VIZ .

KATHARINA . ^RESKINA. CVM . EOR' . LIBERIS . 18 .

IS . OBIIT . 12 . OCTOBRIS . DIE . ANNO . DOI . 1640 .

.ffiTATIS . SV^ . ANNO . 58 . EA . FATIS . CESSIT . KAL .

MARTII . ANNO . 1631 . uETATIS . 44 . AC . KATIIA-

RINA . FARQ'rSONA . AVIA . PRJEFATI . MINISTRI ►J-

SECVR' . RECVBO . MVNDI . PERT^SVS

^ INIQVI ►J-

ET . DIDICI . ET . DOCVI . WLNERA . CHRISTE

►J- TVA -^

M,A.M : K.^ : K.P : M.I.M : C.I.

MEMENTO . MORI . VITA . LABITVR.

[Here lie a revered husband, and a faithful
servant of God, Mr Andrew Milne, junior, for
35 years minister of Fetteresso, and his beloved
wife Katherine Erskine, a lady of honourable
birth, with 18 of their children. He died 12th Oct.
1640, in the 5Sth year of his age, and she on 1st
March 1631, in her 44th year. Here also lies
Katharine Farquharson, grand-mother of the
foresaid minister. Weary of an unjust world I rest
secure, having both learned and taught thy healing
wounds, Oh Christ.]

— Mr Milne, junior, succeeded his father in the
church of Fetteresso. The latter began life as a
teacher in Montrose, and was preceptor to James
IMclvill, who describes him as "a lerned, lionest,
kynd man .... vcric skilfull and diligent'' (Diary,

p. 21.) Mr Milne was api^oiuted first to the
church of Dunlappy, and afterwards to Dunottar
and Fetteresso {sup7-a^ p. 49.) In consequence
of the elder Milne's services to the Church, and
owing to the smallness of the living at Fetteresso,
" quhilk is not able to sustane him convenientlio
as becometh," King James, in 1601, made a special
grant to him of the third of the stipend of Cowie.
Milne had much intercourse with Erskine of
Dun ; and his son's wife may have been in some
way related to that family.

One tomb-stone, name defaced, is dated 1600.
Upon another slab, of date 1668, these words only
are traceable : —

.... ANE WERTOVS woman IEAN GORDON ....

From other two fragments : —

HERE LYES ..... ANDER FALCONER . . . TVELF
IVNE 1604, OF AGE SO, AND

lACOBVS EST lAM OCTOGENARIVS 4

FEB . ANNO . 10-2.

From a flat stone : —

Heir lyes ane godly and vpright man, Villiam
Greig, sometyme in Elfhil, vho departed the 27
yeir of his age, 23 Dec. 1648 : —

And he come vho is Sharons fragrant rose,
To give his angels charge to be his train ;

This is throvgh Christ his sweit bed of repose,
While from the dvst all flesh shall ryse again.

A stone (upon which the Mowat and Harvey
arms are impaled) bears : —

Heir lyes a godly and provident man John
MowAT, somtime in (jrhthno, who departed 6 of
Ivlii 1655. IsoBEL Hervy, his vcrtvos spovs, who
departed the 1 of Avgvst 1650.

Near the above : —

X Heir vnder lyeth in hope of a blessed resvrec-
tione, the bodie of ane honcste man, David Mackie,
vho dyed the j4 May 1068, late indvellar at the
Milne of Covie, of age 40 yrs. ; and heir lyes his
brother Robert Mackie, vho dyed 24 Novr. 1661,
age 50 years.

R.M:D.M: A.C.
Ovr lyfe is shorte, and tis fvUe of sorrovc,
Vere here today, and straight are gone tomorrove.

Two tablets, within an enclosure at the east
end of the old kirk, arc inscril)ed as follows ; —

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

[1.]
Burial jjlace of the Rev. John Hutcheon, min-
ister of this parish for 37 years, died 27th Feb.
1800, aged 67. Mary Morison, his wife, daughter
of Provost James Morisoii of Elsick, died 11th Aug,
1775, aged 32. David Hutcheon, advocate in
Aberdeen, died 10th Dec. 1832, aged C7. Alex-
ander, their eldest son, died in the Island of St
Vincent, in the year 1812, aged 46. Mary, their
second daughter, died 19th April 1704, aged 63.
Also two sons, James and John, who died in infancy.
This tablet was erected by Isodel, their only sur-
viving daughter, relict of the Eev. William Paul,
Professor of Natural Philosophy, King's College,
Old Aberdeen, in memory of her beloved parents
and their deceased children, who are aU buried here
except the said Alexander.

[2.]
Sacred to the memory of Mary, daughter of
Robert Farquhar, Esq. of Newhall, who died May
1786, aged 23 years ; and of Hobert, son of Capt.
Arthur Farquhar, RN., C.B., &c., who died 14th
Sept. 1816, in the 5th year of his age ; and of Dr
Peter Grant, sometime physician in Aberdeen, who
died at Mansefield, 23d Feb. 1837, aged 76 years ;
and of Amelia Farquhar, his spouse, who died at
Mansefield, 1st Dec. 1838, aged 69 years.

—The first Farquhar of Newhall was Robert, a
merchant and stationer in Aberdeen, who married
to his second wife the eldest daughter of Provost
Morison of Aberdeen, laird of Elsick. The above-
mentioned Mary and Capt. Arthur were by that
marriage. The latter, who became a Rear- Ad-
miral and K.C.B., died in 1843 ; and another son
died a general officer in the East India Company's
Service.

The next two inscriptions (the last of which
is abridged) are from table-shaped stones (en-
closed) : —

Beneath this stone arc interred the remains of
Alexander Silver of Balnagubs. Having ac-
quired a moderate fortune abroad, he purcliascd tlie
residence of his Ancestors, the place of his Birth,
in this parish, and for many years after he lived to
enjoy it, beloved, esteemed, and respected, as a
husband, father, friend, and neighbour. He died

30th December, 1791, aged eighty-two. Also his
daughter Ann, who died 17th August 1784, in the
fourteenth year of her age.
Abridged : —

GeorCxE Silver of Netherley, died 25th Sept.
1840, aged 72 ; Jane Smith, his spouse, died 2d
Dec, 1830, aged 59. [3 sons & 5 daughters, aged
from 4 to 19 years, recorded dead, also] George,
who died at Madeira, 7th April 1843, aged 35 ;
John, Lieut. 2d Pi,egt. Bengal Fusiliers, died at
Rangoon, 4th Nov. 1853, aged 30. James, died at
Bath, 8th July 1870, aged 54 , also three of his
children.

— The estate of Netherley passed, by purchase,
some years ago, from the Silvers to Horatio Ross,
Esq., the celebrated deer-stalker. It now belongs
to W. N, Forbes, Esq. of Dunottar.

A head-stone lies below one of the monuments
above-noticed. It presents some ornamental car-
vings, amongst which is a shield charged with a
pair of compasses and a square. It has reference to
the parents of the first Silver of Netherley, and is
thus inscribed : —

Here under lyeth Agnes Silver, spouse to John
Silver, wright at Maryculter, who departed the 8th
of Feb. 1721, and of her age 35.
From a monument (enclosed), near west gate : —

Here lie intei-red the remains of Dr William
NicoL, who died at Stonehaven, 25tli Nov. 1827,
aged 62 years. Also of his fifth daughter, Grace,
who died 18th March 1811, aged 20 months.

— Dr Nicol, who was the son of a local farmer,
and a medical practitioner in Stonehaven, mar-
ried Margaret, daughter of Mr Dyce of Baden toy,
in Bauchory-Devenick, a merchant and burgess
of Aberdeen. Dr Nicol had six daughters, all of
whom married opulent merchants, and an only
son, James-Dyce, The latter, who entered a
mercantile house in India when little over four-
teen years of age, made a fortune abroad. On
returning home, he added Ballogie and others to
his paternal estate ; and represented his native
county in Parliament from 18G4, until his death
in 1872. He was buried in the church-yard of
Birse, in which parish his residence and property
of Ballogie arc situated.

FETTERESSO.

Wm. Cruickshank, tenant, Mountboys, d. 1795,
a. 74 .—

"He was admitted an Elder of this parish in 1754,
the duties of which he discharged with great in-
tegrity till his death. A consummation devoutly
to be wished for by every good man was, by the
kindness of Providence, appointed for him. On hia
way home from church he was instantly translated,
without a groan, from earth to heaven. "

Donald Christie, d. 1813, a. S3 ; his wf. Jean
Cameron in 1809, a. 79 : —

" They lived happy in the fear of the Three onk
Dhia mor prisdl ; and, as time passed on, their hope
in the Branch grew strong." &c.

In memory of William Monctjr, late sergeant
in the 71st Regiment of Foot, who, after suffering
the fatigue and calamity of war, viz., in Spain and
at Waterloo, died in peace at Toadstack, in Fetter,
esso, the 24th Oct. 1816, aged 32 years :—

Fix'd is the term to all the race on Earth,

And such is the condition of our Birth ;

No force can death resist, no flight can save.

All fall alike, the fearful and the brave ;

Live to the Lord, that thou may'st die so too,

To live and die is all ye have to do.

From a head-stone : —

In memoriam : Robert Dutiiie, late baker in
Stonehaven, who died 8th May 1847, aged 49 years.
Robert, eldest son of the above, died 4th January
1865, aged 39 years.

— The last-mentioned in the above inscription
contributed several articles in prose and verse to
local periodicals and newspapers. A volume of
his poetry, prefaced by a Alemoir of his life,
appeared some time after his death. He left a
collection of MSS. on local history, which was
diposed of by his widow.

Robert Christie, Skaterow, d. 1856, a. 31 : —
Paiu was my portion, physic was my food.
Sighs was my devotion. Drugs did me no good ;
Till Christ my Redeemer, who knows what is

best.
To ease me of my pain, has taken me to his rest.

Jas. Robertson, d. at Futteresso, 1863, a. 63 :—
Tlmt James had failings must be confcss'd,
But he had virtues by few posscss'd.

1844 : Here are interred the remains of Thomas
Tait, who, after discharging with faithful assiduity
for upwards of half a century the duties of a teacher
at Gateside of Muchalls, died there 21st May 1837,
aged 86. This stone is erected to his memory by
some of the many persons, who gratefully remem-
ber the benefits conferred by his tuition in the days
of their youth. Euphemia Mearns, his wife, died
21st Dec IS-S, aged 81.

In memory of Alexander Fielding, late ser-
geant-major, Sappers and Miners, H.E.I.C.S., a
native of Stonehaven, who, after serving with dis-
tinction at Delhi, and other seiges and battles,
during the mutiny in India, died from sunstroke
at Bareilly, 25th May 1858, aged 31 years. Erected
by his widow.

It was about 1813 that the old kirk of Fetter-
esso was disused, and a new place of worship
erected. The present church stands about a mile
to the east of the old one, and within the lobby
are two marble tablets inscribed as follows : —

[1.]

Sacred to the memory of John Lumsden, Esq. of
Blairmonmonth, whose remains are interred in the
burying-ground of his relatives, church-yard of Fet-
eresso. He died 1799, aged 84.
—Blairmonmonth, now Blairmormoud, or Know-
sie, is at the foot of the hill of Mormoud, in
Buchau, Aberdeenshire.

[2.]
To the memory of Captain William Gavin, a
native of this parish, who was born Nov. 14, 1736,
and died Dec. 1, 1792. This monument is erected
by desire of his affectionate wife, Margaret
Garioch, of the family of Mergie, who, having
survived him fifteen years, was buried by his side
in the church-yard of Fetteresso. As a Soldier, he
had the merit of raising liimself from a Private
station to the rank of Captain in the 51st Regiment
of Foot, in which he continued to enjoy the esteem
and respect of all who knew him — a steady, brave,
and experienced officer : As a Man, he was possessed
of a most enlightened mind, strictly honourable and
benevolent ; of a Disposition so mild, inoffensive,
and amiable, that he was generally beloved while
living, and regretted when he died.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

— The Gariochs of Mergie were a branch of those
of Kinstair, in Alford. They were followers of
tha Stuarts, and " Alex. Garrioch, Ensign," was
among the prisoners that were brought to Stirhng
Castle on 14th November 1715.

THE URY BURIAL PLACE

is situated in Tie Hotvff Park, upon one of the
most elevated spots on the estate. It is sur-
rounded by a stone dyke and some trees, and hag
much the appearance of a place of worship.

The Friends, or Quakers, occasionally met in
it, and some of them, although not Barclays, are
interred there. The vault was added to by the
first Baird of Ury, so that what was originally
the outer and north wall, now separates the old
part, where the Barclays lie, from that of their
successors.

Capt. Barclay (infra, p. 88), was the last of bis
name who possessed Ury. He married Mary
Dalgarno, by whom he had two daughters. One
of them attained woman-hood, and married first
Mr Samuel Ritchie, secondly Mr James Tanner.
She had three sons and one daughter by her first,
and one daughter by her second husband. On
12th Jan. 1859, Mrs Tanner was served " nearest
and lawful heir in general" to her father ; and in
18G9 she resumed her family name of Barclay-
Allardice. In 1870, she claimed the Peerage of
Strathern, Mouteith, and Airth, before the House
of Lords — a claim which was previously made by
her father as heir to these Earldoms, through his
mother {v. Sir H. Nicolas' Histoi-y of the Earl-
doms of Strathern, &c., Lond. 1812.)

As above stated, the northern portion of The
Uowff is set apart for the Bairds. Alexander
Baiud, Esq., of the Gartsherric family, who
bought Ury in 1854 for about £120,000, died at
London in 18G2. He erected the present man-
sion-house of Ury, and was succeeded by his
brother John Baiud, Esq., who died at Naples
in 1870. Both brothers wei'e interred in The
Hoirjf at Ury ; and the last-mentioned was suc-
ceeded by his eldest son.

A tablet over the entrance to the Barclay por-
tion of "the aisle, bears this inscription : —

Auno 1741 couditum auspicio Roberti Barclay de
Ury, sumptibus autem fratris sui, Davidis Barclay,
mercatoris Londononsis, ad majorum cineres tegeu-
dos, nenipe Avi, Colonelli Davidis Barclay de Ury,
filii et hasredis Davidis Barclay de Matheris ; Patris,
Roberti Barclay de Ury, Apologite Auctoris ; nee
noil Matris, lectissimaj ob vitaj sanctimoniam et
raram boneficeutiam qua miseris et regris quotidie
opitulabatur. Exemplum lueidum posteris iudica-
tum est moribus ; ingenio, candore, et sanguine
clari, cultores verai religionis erant.

[Built in the year 1741, under the auspices of
Robert Barclay of Ury, but at the expense of hia
brother, David Barclay, merchant in London, to
cover the ashes of hia ancestors ; viz., of his Grand-
father, Colonel David Barclay of Ury, son and
heir of David Barclay of Mathers ; of his Father
Robert Barclay of Ury, author of the Apology ;
and also of his Mother, pre-eminent for holiness
of life, and for the rare benelicence displayed by her
in the daily relief of suffering and sickness. In
their lives a bright example was set to posterity,
and they were distinguished by their intelligence,
their candour, their lineage ; and also for their
sincere practical piety.]

— D. Barclay, the erector of the aisle (second son
of the Apologist), entertained successively Queen
Anne and the first three Georges, when they
visited the city on Lord Mayor's day. From his
second son Alexander, by his first marriage, is
descended Arthur-K. Barclay of Bury Hill, Esq.,
Surrey, who claims (Burke's Landed Gentry) to
be the male representative, and chief of the old
house of Mathers and Ury.

The best account of the BarcLays is given by
Nisbet (Heraldry, Appx., vol. ii., pp. 236-41.)
The first inscription, quoted below, is from a free-
stone monument within The Ilorcff, at Ury : —

(1.) Theobald de Berkeley, born A.D. 1110,
lived in the time of Alexander the First and David
the First, Kings of Scotland. (2.) Humphrey, hia
son, cousin of Walter de Berkeley, Great Chamber-
lain of the Kingdom, became owner of a large
domain in thia county, and from the lands of Bal,

URY HOWFF.

feith, Monboddo, Glenfarquhar, aud other portions
of it, granted to the monks of Aberbrothwick,
donations that were confirnaed by William the Lion.
(3.) PiiCHENDA, his only child, renewed and made
additions to these donations, aud her grants were
coufii-med by K. Alexander the Second. (4.)
Dying without issue, she was succeeded by Johk
DE Berkeley, brother of Humphrey, who dis-
possessed the monks of all these donations, but
was obliged to compromise and give them instead,
a portion of his lauds of Conveth, aud that trans-
action was contirmed by K. Alexander the Second.
(5.) Robert DE Berkeley, son of John, had con-
curred in his father's compromise with the monks.
(6. ) Hugh de Berkeley, son of Robert, obtained
from King Robert Bruce a charter over the lands
of Westerton in Conveth. (7.) Alexander de
Berkeley, son and successor of Hugh, married
Catherine, sister of William de Keith, Marischal of
Scotland, A.D. 1351, and by that marriage added
to the paternal estates the then extensive domain
of Mathers, conveyed by charter from the Marischal
confirmed by King David Bruce. (8.) David de
Berkeley, 2d of Mathers, married the daughter
of John de Seton. (9.) His son, ALEX-iNDER de
Berkeley, 3d of Mathers, married Helen, daughter
of Grahame of Morphie. (10.) Their son, David
de Berkeley, 4th of Mathers, who built an im-
pregnable castle called the Kaim of Mathers, and,
according to tradition, there took refuge on account
of his concern in the murder of Melville, the
Sheriff;* married the daughter of Strachan of
Thornton. (11.) His son, Alexander, 5th of
^Mathers, married the daughter of Wishart of Pit-
arow ; he changed the spelling of the family name
to Ba)-daj. (12.) His son, David Barclay, 6th
of Mathers, married Janet, daughter -of Irvine of
Drum. ( 13. ) Alexander Barclay, 7th of ^tlathers,
son of David, married the daughter of Auchiuleck
of Glenbervie ; and, anno 1497, sold the lands of
Slains and Falside to Moncur of Knapp. (14.)
George B.\rclay, 8th of Mathers, his son, married
the daugh^r of Sir James Auchterlony, of Auch-
terlony and* Kelly. (15. ) His son, David Barclay,
9th of ]\Iathers, mariied, first, the daughter of Rait
of Hallgreen, by wliom he had a son, George ; and
second, Catherine Home, and to John, his son by
her, he gave the lauds of Johnston. (16.) George
B.VRCLAY, 10th of JNIathers, elder son of David,
* V. above, p. 14.

married first, the daughter of Sir Thomas Erskine
of Brechin, Secretary to James V. of Scotland ;
second, the daughter of Wood of Bonuington, to
his son by her he gave the lands of Bridgeton and
Jackston. (17. ) Thomas Barclay, 1 1th of Mathei's,
elder son of George, married the dai;ghter of Straiten
of Lauriston. (18.) David Barclay, 12th of
Mathers, son of Thomas, was born anno 1580.
Polite and accomplished, he lived much at Court,
incurring extravagant expenses, to the great im-
pairment of his fortune, wherebj^ he was obliged to
sell five valuable estates ; he married first, Eliza-
beth, daughter of Livingston of Dunnipace, by
whom he had five sons and a daughter ; second,
Margaret Keith, grand- daughter of Earl Marischal.
To his daughter he gave a handsome fortune, to
his sous a liberal education ; the two eldest died
young. David, the third, became eminently con-
spicuous ; Robert, the fourth, was rector of the
Scots College at Paris ; James, the youngest, a
Captain of Horse, fell gloriously at the Battle of
PhiUiphaugh. (19.) Colonel David Barclay, the
first of Ury, third son of David 12th of INIathers,
was born anno 1610, at Kirktonhill, the ancient seat
of the family. Instructed in every accomplishment
of the age, he entered as a volunteer the service of
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, in which he so dis-
tinguished himself as to gain the favour of that
Monarch ; but called home by the Civil Wars which
distracted Scotland, he was, anno 1646, placed in
the Colonelcy of a Royal Regiment of Horse, aud
was repeatedly entrusted with the command of an
army, and the military government of considerable
portions of the kingdom, in all which positions he
acquitted himself with skill and bravery, and ren-
dered important service to his country. In 1647,
he married Catherine, daughter of Sir Robert Gor-
don of Gordonston, who was second sou of the Earl
of Sutherland by Jane, daughter of the Marquis
of Huntly, and was also cousin to King James the
Sixth of Scotland. The estates of the Barclays of
Mathers having been nearly all disposed of by his
father, the Colonel acquired, by purchase from Earl
Marischal, the barony of Ury, aud there fixed the
residence of the family. He sat in the Scots Par-
liament as representative successively for Suther-
landshire aud the counties of Angus and Mearus.
See his gravestone adjacent hereto.

Six separate tablets are inserted into uiches iu

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

the west -wall of the aisle, from which the fol-
lowing inscriptions are copied: —

[1.]

The grave of Colonel David Barclay of Urie,
son and heir of David Barclay of Mathers, and
Elizabeth, daughter of Livingston of Dimipace.
He was born Anno 1610 ; bought the barony of
Urie, 1648 ; having religiously abdicated the
world in 1666, he joyned the Quakers, and died
12 of October 1686.

— Col. B. was the first of his family that joined
the Quakers. He became farmer, but had little
knowledge of agricultural affairs ; and being a per-
son of great bodily strength, it is recorded tliat
he often had recourse to it, and effectively, not
only to enforce obedience from servants, but to
protect the rights of property from the incursions
of his neighbours. The Livingstons of Dunipace
were descended from a second son of Sir Alexander
of Calendar, ancestor of the Earls of Linlithgow.
[2.]

The Grave of Kobert Barclay of Urie, Author
of the Apologie for the Quakers, son and heir of
Colonel David Bai'clay of Urie, and Katherin,
daughter of the first Sir Eobert Gordon of Gordon-
ston. He was born Dec'J'' 23, 1648, and died Oct^''
3, 1690. Also, of his wife, Christian, daughter
of Gilbert MoUison, merchant in Aberdeen. She
was born, anno 1647, and died Febry 14, 1723.
— Mr Barclay was born at Gordonston, near
Elgin, the seat of his grand-father. The Gordons
of Gordonston are descended from Sir James, 4th
son of the 2d Earl of Iluntly, by his wife Anna-
bella, daughter of James I.
[3.]
The Grave of Robert Barclay of Ury, son and
heir of Robert Barclay of Ury, and of Christian,
daughter of Gilbert MoUeson, merchant in Aber-
deen, and eldest son of Thomas Molleson, of
LauchintuUy. He was born March yo 25th 1672,
and died March the 27th 1747.
— The estate of LauchintuUy is in the parish of
Kemnay, and Thomas Mollison was long town-
clerk of Aberdeen. During Montrose's wars,
Gilbert Mollysone and several other citizens were
detained for a short time by the Covenanters

" vnder guard as prisoners in the lauch counsell
hous" of Aberdeen. The following relates to
Robert, suruamed the Strong {v. No. 7 below) : —
[4.]
The grave of Robert Barclay of Ury, son and
heir of Kobert Barclay of Ury, and Elizabeth
O'Brian, daughter of James O'Brian, Esq., of
London, and son of Colonel O'Brian of the King-
dom of Ireland. He was grandson to Eobert
Barclay of Ury, Author of the Apology for the
Quakers ; was born 20th July 1699,. and died 10th
October 1760.

— The above Robert, who was of a turbulent
and quarrelsome disposition, was fond of travel-
ling through the country incognito. When on
one of these excursions, it is told that he arrived
at Panmure on a dark winter's morning, and going
straightway to the brewhouse, the brewer, who
was an Englishman, and taking Barclay for an
itinerant mender of old brass, exclaimed — " You
are well come tinker, for my Lord's kettle re-
quires mending." "What say est thou, fellow ?"
said Barclay in a rage ; and, with a cudgel which
he had in his hand, he struck the brewer over the
leg and thigh, and broke both bones. When Earl
William of Panmure heard of the occurrence, and
guessing it to be Barclay, his Lordship traced him
to the House of Fothringham, and there made
him sign an obligation which secured the brewer
in a small pension from the estate of Ury, which
he lived long to enjoy.

[5.]
The grave of Une Cameron, wife of Robert
Barclay of Ury, and daughter of Sir Evan Cameron
of Lochiel." She was born March 1701, and died
March 1762. Also of Jane Barclay, her daughter,
who was born in 1726, and died August 1750.

—According to tradition, the Camerons of Lochiel
are descended from a younger son of the royal
family of Denmark, who assisted at the restora-
tion of King Fergus of Scotland in 404 ! It is
certain that the Camerons had possessions in
Lochaber, and were a powerful clan before the
time of James L The above named Sir Evan
Cameron joined the Royalists at Killiecrauky, and
was thrice married, his last wife being Jane,

URY HOWFF.

daughter of Barclay of Urie, so that his daughter
Une married her cousin german.
[6.]

The grave of Anne Barclay, the eldest daughter
of Robert Barclay of Ury, great-grandson of Robert
Barclay of Ury, Author of the Apology for the
Quakers ; and Sarah Anne Allardice of Allardice,
daughter and heiress of James Allardice of Allar-
dice. She was born 13 September 1777, and died
29th October 1782.

— Sarah Anne Allardice, who brought the estate
of Allardice to the Barclays of Ury, was the
grand-daughter of Lady Mary Graham, a lineal
descendant of King Robert II. of Scotland, and
heiress of line of the Earls of Airth and Monteith.
Until the above failui-e of the male line, the
Allardices appear to have been regularly repre-
sented, and to have held the lands from which
they assumed their surname, from the time of
King William the Lion.

On the east wall of the aisle four monuments
bear respectively the inscriptions undernoted :—
[7.]

To the memory of Robert Barclay of Allardice,
Esquire, 5th of Ury, ^r eat -grandson of the Apologist,
who was born at Ury in 1731 ; and having acquired
by marriage the estate of Allardice, thereupon as-
sumed that additional surname. Inheriting from
his father, Robert the Strong, symmetry of form and
great muscular power, he excelled in aU the athletic
exercises, Succeeding to Ury on his father's death,
in 1760, while it was yet in the rudest condition,
he zealously devoted towards its improvement the
energies of a vigorous mind, stored with a thorough
knowledge of agriculture, attained by assiduous
study of its theory and practice, in the best districts
of England. Accordingly, he brought into high
cultivation 2000 arable acres, planted 1500 acres of
wood, and executed the manifold operations con-
nected with such works, in a manner so unexampled
and successful, that his practice became the con-
ventional standard over an extensive district, and
placed him m the foremost rank among Scottish
agriculturists. By the grant of feu-rights on his
estate of Arduthie, he laid the foundation of the
New Town of Stonehaven, and lived to see it be-
come a populous and thriving community. By un-
animous election, he represented his native county

in three successive Parliaments. Distinguished by
his loyalty and patriotism, and honoured with the
intimate friendship of the great Wdliam Pitt, and
other eminent statesmen of the time, he died at
Ury, the 7th of April, 1797.

— Mr B. wrote an interesting paper for " Archseo-
logica Scotioa" (vol. 1) on Agricola's engagement
with the Caledonians under Galgacus, in which
he gives grounds for believing that a great battle
(possibly that of Mons Grampius), was decided at
Kempstone Hill, near Arduthie.
[8.]

To the memory of Une-Cameron, wife of John
Irmes, Esquire of Cowie, M'ho was born in 1778,
and died at Cowie in September 1809. Mary,
bom in 1780, who died in 1799. James Allardice,
born in 1784, who died in the Island of Ceylon in
1803. David, Major in the 28th Regiment of Foot,
who was born in 1786, and died at Otranto, in Italy,
in 1826. Rodney, born in 1782, who died in 1853,
all children of Robert Barclay AUardice, Esquire of
Ury, and Sarah-Anne Allardice of AUardice, heiress
of line of the Earls of Airth and Monteith.
— The above John Innes was the eldest son of
the first Innes of Cowie and Breda, by a daughter
of Davidson of Newton, who was a merchant, and
sometime Provost of Aberdeen. Mr I.'s father,
who died in 1788, was commissary of Aberdeen,
and 2d son of Innes of Edingicht. His youngest
son, William, bought Raemoir about 1820 ; and
Cowie now belongs to the Raemoir branch of the
Junes'.

The following inscription, which is cut upon a
tablet of white marble, inserted into a black
marble panel, presents an incorrect carving of
the Barclay arms, accompanied by those of Airth
and Monteith: —

[9.]

In memory of Robert Barclay Allardice,
Esquire of Ury and Allardice, heir of line of the
Earls of Airth and Monteith, born August 25th
1779, died on the 1st of May 1854, in the 75th
year of his age.

[Upon a slab, which covers the grave] :—

Robert Barclay Allardice, of Ury and Allar-
dice, born 25th August 1779, died 1st May 1854.
— Robert Barclay-AUardice, to whom the last

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

two inscriptions refer, was a Captain in the Army.
In early life be was celebrated for pedestrian and
athletic feats ; latterly he acquired fame as an
improving agriculturist. His Essay on Training
Pedestrians, &c. (published along with Thom's
account of Barclay's great feat of walkiog 1000
miles in 1000 hours), is now a much more rare and
original j^iece of writing than that of his Tour to
the U.S. and U. Canada, which he undertook in
1841. Captain Barclay was one of the last ex-
amples in the district of " the fine old country
gentleman." He was remarkable for unostenta-
tious kindness and warmth of heart ; and, in con-
cluding a genial notice of his career, the author of
" Field and Fern" justly remarks that, " at home,
his habits were very quiet and simple. He was
always ready with his subscription for any good
object, and every Monday 20 or 30 people would
be waiting for him about the front door after
breakfast for their sixpences, of which he carried
a supply in his waistcoat pocket. On New Year's-
day he had always his friends to dinner, and he
sat obscured to the chin behind the round of beef

which two men brought in on a trencher

For sometime before his death he had suffered
slightly from paralysis, but a kick from a pony
produced a crisis, and two days after, when they
went to awake him on the May morning of '54,
he was found dead in bed." Like many other
human beings, he found a faithful companion
in one of the kindliest of the lower animals. It
predeceased him, he had it buried in the old
garden, and placed a stone in the wall beside
its grave with this inscription : —

To the memory of Dan, the faithful companion
of R. Barclay Allardice, Esq. of Uiy f^. sixteen
years. Died 5th Feb. 184G, aged 17. A favourite
Dotr.

Both civilly and ecclesiastically, the district of
Kolly, or Cowie, was of early importance. The
forest, which stretched almost from the Dee, to
the sea at Cowie, was royal hunting ground ; and
the castle, which stood upon a headland near the
kirk of Cowie, where the green mound, formed
by the debris of the ruins, still remains, was an

occasional residence of our kings long before there
was a castle upon the noble rock of Dunottar, or,
possibly, before there was a harbour at "the
Slanehythe,'^ or Stonehaven. Subsequently, when
the thanedom of Cowie was given away by the
Crown, the Frasers continued to have their prin-
cipal residence at Cowie ; and one of them had a
royal charter by which the town of Cowie was
erected into a burgh of barony.

It is also worthy of note that a great part of
the road through " the Cowie Mouuth," between
Stonehaven and Aberdeen, lies in this parish.
Although traversed now a-days by an excellent
turnpike, it had, for many ages, consisted of dan-
gerous swamps and gullys ; and from the fact of
these being filled up with native boulders, and a
track of road thus formed, it acquired the well-
known name of the Causey Moss, or Causey Month.
It is interesting to know that in these old times,
there were worthy benefactors of their race,
some of whom, by gifts or mortifications of money,
gave needful aid towards the suj^port of this great
thoroughfare. Among others, was Paul Crab,
who, in 1384, mortified a sum of money out of
his lands of Kincorth, in Nigg, to assist in its
support and maintenance. The road terminated
at Kincorth, where there was a ferry boat, by
which passengers and goods were carried across
the Dee. To the readers of Sir W. Scott's
works, the Causey 3Ioss, which, even yet, has a
bleak and uninviting aspect, will be familiar under
the name of " the muir of Drumwhackit."

The Castle of Muchals, about four miles north
and east of Stonehaven, is, however, a pleasing
object for the student of bygone times, it being an
interesting specimen of the architecture of the
17th century. The ceiling of the large hall is orna-
mented (as that of Glamis) with pargetted plaster-
work, containing the heads of Roman Emperors,
and classical heroes of antiquity, &c. ; also this
admonitory legend : —

. . . CEDE ADVEESIS REBVS NEC CREDE SECVNDIS.

On the left of the building, a slab, with an in-
scription, in beautifully interlaced letters, puts
the history of the building past all doubt : —

THIS . WOllK . BEGYN . ON . THE . EAST . & .

GAMRIE.

^ORTH . BE . ALR . BVRNET . OF . LEYLS . 1619 :
ENDED . BE . SIR . THOMAS . BVilNET . OF . LEVIS .
HIS . SONNE . 1627.

— Further evidence of its history is given over a
chimney in the interior, upon which is the date of
162'i, Sir Thomas' monogram, and this motto :—

ALTERIVS NON SIT QVIS VTILE POTEST.

The lands of Muchals were part of the exten-
sive barony of Cowie, which Sir Alex. Fraser ob-
tained from The Bruce. They belonged to the
Hays of Errol before the Buruets acquired them.
More recently, Silver of Netherley possessed the
lands and castle, which now belong to the trustees
of the late Dr Milne of Madras, and are a part of
the property from which certain of the school-
masters in Aberdeenshire receive well-merited
augmentations to their livings. An excellent
view of Muchals Castle is given in Billings. Pos-
sibly from the umbrageous and rocky nature of
the burn of Muchals, it may have been of old the
haunt of badgers or wild boars, as the Gaelic
words Muich-alt favour some such meaning.

Not far from Muchals stands a neat Episcopal
church, dedicated to S. Ternan.

Pathick Panter, of the Newmanswalls family,
secretary to James IV., was sometime rector of
the kirk of Fetteresso, as was also Alex. Gordon,
a son of Gordon of Haddo, who succeeded Bishop
Elphinstone in the See of Aberdeen.

Andrew Steven, or Stevenson, who was
schoolmaster at Fetteresso in 1634, wrote a life
of Bishop Forbes of Edinburgh in Latin verse,
published in the Spottiswoode Miscellany.

The Kev. Dr Longmuir of Aberdeen, a native
of Fetteresso, is a voluminous writer ; and among
other publications, is the author of a ■guide book
to Dunottar Castle, &c.

The New Town of Stonehaven was founded
about 1760, by Kobert, the 5th Barclay of Ury,
who, shortly before, purchased the property of
Arduthie, upon which the new town is built. It
is a well planned, clean, salubrious place, and a
favourite resort for sea bathing. The town con-
tains some nice houses, churches, and banks, and
has a population of about 3000. The present
parish church, erected in 1813, stands to the

north-west of the town, and in point of elegance
outstrips most of our landward churches. The
walks in the neighbourhood are numerous and
picturesque ; and there is a chalybeate spring on
the south bank of the Cowie, almost under the
railway viaduct. It has an elegant fountain, of
Peterhead granite, above which a tablet is thus
inscribed : —

ST kieran's well.

ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION, 1860.

— There were two SS. Kteran, the one was a
bishop, the other an abbot of Ireland ; the feast
of the one is held on 5th March, the other on 9th
September. It may be added that S. Serenus,
Caranus, or Caiian (the patron of Fetteresso),
under the name of Corinnu, is said to have died
amongthe Picts. — (LiberdeArbuthnot,p.lxxxiv.)

(S. JOHN, EVANGELIST.)

Jtfl'HE kirk of Gameryn was gifted to the Abbey
^ of Arbroath byAVilliam theLion in 1189-98,
and was subsequently confirmed to it, along with
the chapel of Troup. In 1250, the whole of the
church property, with the tithes of the parish,
were reserved to Arbroath, the vicar only re-
ceiving the altarage and two acres of land.

The old church, which is difficult of access, was
used until 1830, when a new house was erected at
a more convenient spot. The old church is quite
a ruin, partly roofed, and picturesquely situated
upon a kaim, or slope, overlooking the sea, at the
mosc precipitous and crooked part of the coast,
in the vicinity of hills or knolls, remarkable for
their pointed or peaked appearance. As Cam-
ruie in Gaelic means the "pointed kame or slope,"
possibly the church may have had its name from
the physical appearance of the locality in which it
is situated.

The east half appears to be the most ancient
part of the ruin, the west having been added at a
comparatively late date, possibly during the last

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

century, when the walls of the east portion may
have been heightened. Although, according to
an inscription cut in characters of the 18th cen-
tury over the lintel of the west window : —

THIS CHURCH WAS BUILT 1004,

it is more probable that the oldest existing portion
had been built much about the time that the
Barclay monument (noticed below) had been
erected. There is an awmbry, with fluted mould-
ings, on the east wall. Another on the north
wall, as well as an awmbry or press on the south,
have plain lintels.

Three round holes, each about the size of a
human skull, in the more modern part of the
north wall, are said to be the places where the
skulls of three Danish kings were once preserved.
These unfortunate foreigners are said to have been
killed in an engagement which local story avers
took place at Gamrie between the Danes and
Scots in the time of Malcolm I., to which circum-
stance also is popularly attributed the origin of
the name of the parish.

A monument of some pretensions in design,
and beauty in execution, built into the east wall
of the church, bears this inscription : —

patrtcius . bVlag . Z . f)oc . me . firve . fecit.
f)ie . inret . Ijonorabilis . tie . patricius . barclag .
ins . tic . tollg . qui . obiit iti . mrius
aito . iiti . m"^ . q'"" ct . ioneta . ogiug . etus .
sponea . quae . obiit . cnta . iie . menrs . iamtarti .
ano . 5m . m" . qbi"^ . qualirnse'' . septimo.

[Here lie an honourable man Patrick Barclay,
laird of Tolly, who died on the day of
anno Domini 15 ; and Janet Ogilvy, his spouse,
who died Januaiy 6, 1547.]

— The Barclays of Tolly or Towie early possessed
lands in Gamrie, having held those of Melros
towards the close of the 14th century, possibly
also those of CoUane and others at the same time.
It was in the Castle of CuUen, in Gamrie, that
William Barclay, an eminent scholar and father
of the author of the Argenis, was born in 1541 ;
and it was a descendent of those scholars who be-
came a field- marshal in the Russian army, and
figured during the wars of Napoleon. It seems
doubtful (whatever may be averred to the con-

trary) whether the Barclays had any connection
with Tolly or Towie until the time of Robert the
Bruce, who gave a charter of these lands to Walter
Barclay of Ktrko, knight. It is certain that Sir
Walter of Kyrko followed Bruce, and suffered in
his cause, for in 1305, when King Edward made
his last attempt upon Scotland, Barclay's lands
were among those which the English king was
petitioned to give to his follower Gilbert Peach.
Barclay was subsequently accused of treason, but
acquitted, along with Hamelinus de Troupe,
the latter of whom was possibly a vassal of the
old lords of the lands from which the surname
was assumed.

The Barclays appear to have held Tolly until
the failure of the male line, which took place dur-
ing the early part of the 17th century, when
Isabella, heiress of TuUie, married Charles, 2d
son of the 6 th Earl of Lauderdale. The date of
Patrick Barclay's death has not been filled in
upon the above monument. His wife had possibly
(though not mentioned in peerage books) been
a daughter of Ogilvy of Findlater. Some in-
teresting notices of the Barclays of Towie will be
found in Pitcairn's Criminal Trials of Scotland.
Probably the Tolly race was a branch of the
Berkeleys of luverkeillor, afterwards of Mathers
and Ury. (v. p. 81.)

A stone with a bold carving of the Keith arms,
with a boar's head in base, the initials A. K., and
motto, victoria limes, is thus inscribed round
the margin : —

Heir lyis the rycht lionorabil Alexander Keyth
of Trvp, depairtit yis lyf the xxv of Marche 1G05.
— The first Keith of Troup was Sir Robert the
Marischal,'who married the heiress, and granted
a charter of that barony to his second son John
in 1413. This John was progenitor of the Keiths
of Northfield, one of whom was served heir to the
barony of Troup, &c., 1628. George Keith of
Northfield was served heir to Sir Robert the
Marischal in 1782. A mutilated stone, also within
the old kirk, bears : —

Heir et Cvminc his spovs, qvho ....

September 1G95 zeirs.

Another slab has this simple motto : —

GAMRIE.

Bessy Strachan, and Mrs Bathia Forbes, ladies
of Troup, .1781.

— According to Burke, Major Garden, son of the
last Garden of Banchory, entered the service of
Gustavus of Sweden, and returning to Scotland
in 1654, bought the lands of Troup, and married
Betty, a daughter of Strachan of Glenkindie.
By her he had a son, Alexander, who married
Bathia, a daughter of Sir Alex. Forbes of Cragie-
var. The same authority shows that these last-
named were the grand-parents of Francis, Lord
Gardenston, a well-known judge in the Court
of Session, and founder of the village of Laurence-
kirk, iu the Mearns. The elegant frame of a
monument only remains, which was raised in the
old kirk of Gamrie to the late Lord Garden-
stone, who died in 1793. He was succeeded by
his nephew, not his brother as Burke says, for Lord
G.'s 2d brother and the laird of Troup both died in
1785. Lord G.'s younger brother having married
the heiress of Glenlyon, assumed the additional
name and arms of Cumphell, which continue to
be used by his descendants. It was to Lord
Gardenston's elder brother Alexander, who
died 21 Dec. 1785, that a tenant of Coullycan, iu
Gamrie, addressed the following letter (here printed
for the fii'st time), iu which his claims to a renewal
of the lease of a mill are so quaintly set forth.
It was addressed " To the Onerable Laird of
Troupe," and runs thus : —

"Culy Can, June 7, 1785.

" Oneribel Sir, — Gif it plies your onari I hop
you wil lat me know how you ar to set this Mil
and I will ofer as much as aney on can gif. And
my forbiers2 his bin heir so Long ; and my Gran-
mother coifreds your oner of the Gandis* when non
could Dow, when you was a child ; and when
you fantit your grandfather, the old leard, sed
whow5 that he ould shuts her, and shi was nar did
for fier ;7 and when you Gru^ beter he promest to
my Granfether [that] him nor yet his son, nor his
sons son, would never put on9 of his Generation out
of Culy Can. And when your onars fethar cam
horn, and heerd whou that your lif was seavt, he

1, Please your honour. 2, Ancestors. 3, Cured. 4, Jaun-
dice. 5, How. 6, Shoot. 7, Nearly died from fright. 8, Be-
came. 9, One.

shuk hans we myio granmother, and said, Onest
Mady,il I trow, ho [tlio'] my fethar flegati^ you for
kilenis a Sandey ; but it is you that his kepit him
in live, and it shal no be forgotten to you nor yours,
and my fokl-1 shal niver Gari5 your fok flit ;16 and
your oner promest the sam to her when you was a
very young Gentleman, and I hop your oner his
mor Gretated,i7 and likwis mor Goudnes, nor to
brak ther word and your ane word, or to be on
gretfouis to them that seved your lif, when non but
them could a savt it ;19 and so God bUs your oners
Humlet Sert, and alwise unto death,

"James Morrison.

" Becas I was not Goud at writin letterss right, I
hafe goten a frind to do it for me.

" God blis your Onar remember me."

The churchyard of Gamrie, which is strewn
with "moisty bones and broken skulls," and other-
wise ill cared for, contains numerous monuments.
From these the following inscriptions are se-
lected : —

This stone is dedicated by lames Wood in Doun,
to his deceased father Robert Wood, who departed
in Dec. 1683 ; as also here lyis Mary Reid, spous
to lames Wood in Doun, w^ho died July 27, 1702.

Under hope of a blessed resurrection, here lyes
the ashes of Iohn Ross, sometime in the Mdl of
Fortrie, who departed this life Aprile 17, 1699.

Here lyes the ashes of Barbara Reid, spous to
Iohn Ross, somtyme at Mill of Fortrie, who de-
pairted this life December the 18, 1690 ; as also the
ashes of Iames Eoss, somtime in Ballgrien, lawful
son to the saids Iohn Ross and Barbara Reid, who
died Sept. 13, 1727 also here lyes Alex-
ander Ros, son to lames Ross in Balgreen, who
depairted March the 7th 1707 ....

Here lies interred the ashes of Marget Roger,
spouse to Iohn Ord att Shore of Crivie, who died
Jan. the 15, 1754 ; as also the ashes of Marget
Watt, spouse to Iohn Ord, sometime at MiU of
Melross, who died Jan. the 7, 1707. This is erected
by Alex., and John Ords, their lawful son and
gi-andson.

10, Shook hands with my. 11, Honest Magdalene. 12,

Frightened. 13, Killing of Alexander. 14, Fulk, 15, Make,

16, Remove. 17, Gratitude. 18, Ungrateful. 19. Could have
saved it.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

The next three inscriptions are on the north-
east side of the church, and upon table-shaped
tombstones of white marble : —

Inscribed by James and Alexander Chalmers,
merchants in Banff, in memory of their parents
William Chalmers, merchant in Gardeustouu,
who died 3 June 1809, aged 82 ; and Helen
Strachan, his spouse, who died 9 Feb. 1811, in
her 71st year. By laudable industry, joined with
the strictest integrity, by a faithful discharge of
the relative duties of life, and an uniform course of
Christian piety, they lived respected, and died
sincerely regretted.

Sacred to the memory of James Clalmers, Esq.
late merchant in Banff, who died 19 Feb. 1829, aged
69. During a period of 50 years, extensively en-
gaged in business, lie uniformly maintained a cha-
racter of the strictest integrity ; faithfully dis-
charged all the relative and social duties ; and
accpiired the esteem of a numerous and highly re-
spectable circle of acquaintances. He died uni-
versally regretted. This tablet is erected by his
surviving brothett" Alex. Chalmers, Esq. of Clunie,
as a testimony of his affectionate regard.

Sacred to the memory of Alexander Chalmers,
Esq. of Clunie, who departed this life 11 Aug. 1835,
aged 70. He lived exemplary for generosity, be-
nevolence, and disinterested integrity, and died in
the hope of a blessed immortality. This is erected
as a humble tribute by his afflicted widow Elspet
Chalmers.

— It was on the death of Alex. Chalmers of
Clunie, and by mutual consent, that the large
amount of £70,000 was placed at the disposal of
trustees, for the "founding, erection, and endow-
ment of an hospital and free dispensary of medi-
cines," &c., at Banff, to be called Chalmers'
Hospital. This building, which is a large and
imposing structure in the Elizabethan style of
architecture, has an airy position upon the rising
ground, overlooking the Seatown. It has been
in operation for some years, and been the means
of supplying medical attendance and support to
many, who could not brook the idea of receiving
parochial relief, and were otherwise unable to pro-
cure the necessary comforts of life, which are so
very essential in time of distress.

Wm. Watt, sliipinr. , Gardeustone, on 3 children,
(1763) :—

When low in dust the mortal part doth ly.
At Christ's right hand, the soul doth dwell on high ;
Then repine not parents, at your childrens' death.
The flowers which bloom in spring, cut off are first.
Kenneth Fimister, shipbuilder, who was put
on shore hear the 13 November 1832, aged 50 yeais.
Pleaced hear by his son John Fimister, carpenter
in Burghead, in remembrance of his Father : —
]My voyage is mead, my sorrow is o'er.
The troubled sea of life I'll cross no more.
My life was short, reader take notice.
Where I am now, you all most surely come.

The tradition of the lauding of the Danes at
Gamrie, and their defeat, have been already al-
luded to. In the New Statistical Account of the
Parish, tlie affair is detailed with marvellous mi-
nuteness !

On the opposite side of the den from the old
church, a conical mound, called the Castlehill,
presents traces of old walls. Upon this and ad-
joining hills, and at a height of more than 150 feet
from the present sea level, shells of various kinds
are found embedded in the sand. These sand-
hills were a favourite retreat of the late Hugh
Miller ; and are still visited by students of the
interesting science of geology.

The ruins of " Wallace's Castle" on the farm of
Pitgair (the rough hollow), overhanging the valley
and burn of INIinonie, consist of two huge masses
of vitrified walls, of much the same period, i^os-
sibly, as the ruins of the castle of Kinedar, or
King-Edward. We know that this castle was a
seat of the ancient Earls of Buchan, the first re-
corded of whom was a contemporary of William
the Lion ; also that his castle of Kinedar was oc-
cupied by Edward I. in 1296 ; and as the Earl of
Buchan was then lord of most of the district,
possibly " Wallace's Castle" was erected either
by him or some of his vassals.

Of the later proprietary history of certain parts
of Gamrie, it is recorded that in 1226 Alex. II,
confirmed the lands of Lethenoth to the monks of
Kinloss, which lauds had been previously granted

FARNELL.

to them by Robert Corbett. Glendowacby was a
thanedom in the time of Alex. III., and valued at
£20 a- year. It was given by Bruce to Hugh of
Ross. In later times, the Earls of Buohan, and
Moray, had an interest in Glendowachy. Doune
was also a thanedom, of which John of Bothuille
had a grant in 1365.

{■>. S. NINIAN, BISHOP CONFESSOR.)

THE kirk of Ferneval was a deanery of the
Cathedral of Brechin, and is rated at 20
merks in the Old Taxation.

In 1574, Faruell and Cuikstoun {infra, p. 92),
along with four other churches, were served by
one minister, who had a stipend of £202 4s 7d
Scots. Thomas Sewan, who had " the haill
vicarage" and kirk lands, was the contemporary
reader or schoolmaster at Farnell.

The present church (erected in 1806), stands
within the church-yard, upon a rising ground
near the Row, The bell is inscribed : —

lOHANNES . EVRGERHVYS . ME . FECIT.
ANNO . 1662.

A freestone monument, with a beautifully in-
terlaced cross, and a representation of the Fall of
our First Parents, &c., which was found upon the
site of the old church, was some time ago pre-
sented to the IMontrose Museum by the Earl of
Southesk. It is a late type of the well-known
Sculptured Stones of Scotland, and may possibly
have been erected over the grave of a now un-
known ecclesiastic of Farnell. This interesting
stone was first engraved in Mr P. Chalmers'
Sculptured Monuments of Angus, and afterwards
in the Sculptured Stones of Scotland.

When the kirk-yard of Farnell was being ex-
tended and improved in 1870, the workmen came
upon a line of coffins on the east side of the
church, which were carefully constructed of stone
slabs. The heads of two crosses were also dis-
covered. One is pierced with four holes, and the

other presents a plain cross in low relief upon one
side of a circle, the satne figure, in an unfinished
state, being upon the reverse. Two coffin-slabs
were also found : one shows traces of the figure of
a sword, and the other has a smooth unorna-
mented surface. Upon another fragment, the
base of a Calvary is incised, together with two
or three old English letters in reUef ; and a Dedi-
cation Cross is built into the kirk-yard dj^ke.

With the exception of the bit above noticed,
the oldest lettered fragment at Farnell bears :—

.... AGNES DAIS CHIL

JAMES DA MAEGAKIT YO

IN CAECAEI AIRTED IN

IS ■. . 1G3S

Several other fragments, less legible than the
above, were discovered at the same time ; as well
as two flat tomb-stones. The last-mentioned are
both embellished with mortuary emblems, and
respectively inscribed as follows : —

[1.]
D. E : I. S. Heire lyes interd vnder this ston
IsOBEL Shilgreene, spovs to David Enererity,
indweller in Fithie, who departed this life the 27
November 1675 years, and of hir age 70.
Remember man as thov goes by,
As thow art now so was I ;
As I am now so mvst thow be,
Remember man that thov mvst dye.
Anno Dom. 1676— Memento mori.
— Shilgreene is a territorial name, probably as-
sumed from the property of Shielagreen in Aber-
deenshire. The surname of Enereritij is of like
origin, and assumed from luverarity in Angus.

[2.]
W. T : A. A :B. C : I. A.
Heir lyes Barbra Crichton, spose to Androv
Andrson, indvelers in Villen Yeards, vho departed
this lif the year of God 1717, and of age 53. Also
heir lyes Walter Tyler, husbaut to Barbra Crch-
ton, age 49, 1698.

Memento mori — My glas is run.

— Andrew Anderson in Willanyards, 1729, was
reported by the factor for the York Buildings'
Co., to be " a Right honest like man^ pretty well
upon it, and has the Town very well plenished."

" N

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

A marble tablet (enclosed) is thus inscribed : —

Sacred to the memory of Dame Christian Doig,
relict of Sir James Carnegie, Bart, of Southesk.
Died Novi-. 4th 1820, aged 91 years.

— This lady was the daughter of David Doig of
Cookstou, near Brechin, by his wife, Magdalene,
heiress of Symers of Balzeordie, iu Menmuir.
Symers' were designed of Balzeordie from the
middle of the 15th century (Laud of the Lindsays),
and Doigs held property in Brechin (Reg. Ep.),
from before 1532, of which city some of them
were chief magistrates, 1700-41. Reswallie, in
Eescobie {infra, p. 158), was owned by Doigs
during parts of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Doig was the name of a churchman of Dun-
nichen in 1372. About a century afterwards,
James Doig is celebrated by Dunbar, the poet, as
"the wardraipper of Venus' bour," or wardrobe
keeper to the Queen of James IV. But probably
the most eminent person of the name, in modern
times, was Dr David Doig, a native of Monifieth,
and master of the Grammar School of Stirling,
whom Lord Karnes pronounced to be "a genius;"
and said he loved him because he told him " his
mind roundly and plainly" (Memoirs of Kames.)

A free- stone monument, which stood within
the old kirk, bears this inscription : —

Sepulchrum Mstri Davidis Carnegy de Craigo,
decani Brichinen :, rectoris hujus ecclesire, qui
primo fuit ecclesiastes Brechinen : annos 2, postea
hujus ecclesipe pastor fidelissiraus annos 36, qui
placide ac pie in Domino obdormivit anno Dom.
1G72, setatis sufe 77. In hac urna simul cum eo
recubant prior ejus uxor Helena Lindesay, ac
decern eorum liberi. Placuit hie inscribere aua-
gramma a seipso compositum.

Magistro Davidi Carnegy'

anagramma

Grandis Jesu, due me Gratia.

distichon

Dum dego in terris expectana gaudia cceli,

Me ducat semper tua Gratia, Grandis Jesu.

[The burying place of Mr David Carnegy of
Craigo, dean of Brechin, and rector of this church.
He was at first minister at Brechin for 2 years ; and
afterwards, for 36 years, the most faithful pastor

of this church. He calmly and devoutly fell asleep
in the Lord, A. D. 1G72, in his 77th year. In this
tomb, along with him, are laid his first wife Helen
Lindsay, and ten of their children. It seemed
good to inscribe here an anagram composed by
himself.

To Master David Carnegy,

(Anagram)

Great Jesus ! guide me thro' Grace.

(Distich)

While I dwell on earth expecting the joys of heaven,

May thy Grace ever guide me, Great Jesus !]

— Dean Carnegy, who was descended from a laird
of Cookston and Unthank, was the founder of the
Carnegys of Craigo. His seal, attached ,to a
letter of 5th March 1663, exhibits (^sans difference
and colour), a shield with an eagle displayed and
a cup upon the breast, surmounted by the letters
M. D. C. The charge of the cup was afterwards
exchanged by the Craigo family, for that of an
open Bible, in allusion to the Dean's profession.

The Dean's first wife was a daughter of Bishop
Lindsay of Edinburgh. Two of his sons were
churchmen. Robert, the youngest, was an " ex-
pectant" {infra, p. 210), and the eldest, James,
was long minister of Barry. In a deed of 1703,
David Carnegy is described as " lawful son and
heir to said Mr James." The Dean left 800
merks, or about £44 2s 8d sterling, to the poor of
the parish of Earn ell.

Mr Carnegy's predecessor in Farnell was Mr
Dugald Camjabell, who went there iu 1581. He
was moderator of the General Assembly in 1606,
and died before 8th July 1633 — the date of Dean
Carnegy's presentation to Farnell. Mr Campbell
married Katherine Mackure, daughter of a carver
and burgess of Edinburgh (Scott's Fasti). A hand-
bell at the Manse of Farnell, which j)robably be-
longed to Campbell's time, is initialed M. D. C.
It also bears a monogram, which appears to be
composed of the letters, W.A.T.H.
From a monument beside Dean Carnegy's : —

Sacred to the memory of the Rev. James Wilsoit,
minister of Farnell, who died on the 18th of Octo-
ber 1829, in the 74th year of his age, and the 52d of
his ministry, justly and universally regretted by all

FARNELL.

who knew him. Also to his two sons, James and
George, the former of whom died an infant, the
latter in the 22el year of his age. Also to his
mother, Ann Burnett, and his sisters, Margaret
and Catherine, all of whom are interred here.
— Mr Wilson was translated from Maryton to
Farnell in 1794. His father was minister first
at Edzell, and next at Kinnaird, where he died
in 1787 {inf., p. 92.) The minister of Farnell
married a daughter of Sir W. Nicolson of Glen-
bervie, Bart., and had two sons and five daugh-
ters. Mr David Smith, parochial schoolmaster
at Farnell, married the eldest daughter, by
whom he had Mrs Day of London, and other
children. Another daughter, who married Dr
Badenach of Arthurhouse, in Garvock, was mother
of the present laird of Arthurhouse, J. Badeuach-
Nicolson, Esq. Mr Nicolson, who passed as an
advocate in 1855, has published an edition of
Erskine's Institutes of the Law of Scotland,
which has been favourably received.
From a head-stone on south side of the kirk : —

1810 : Erected by the Reverend Andrew Fer-
gusson, minister of Marytown, in memory of his
Grand-father, the Reverend David Fergusson,
who was admitted minister of Fernell in the year
17 IG, and died in 1751 ; and of his father the
Reverend David Fergusson, who succeeded him
in the above year, and died in 1793. Here also are
interred their spouses, Anna Russel, and Janet
Mitchell, with some of their children. [Dan.
xii. 3.]

— The first Mr Fergusson of Farnell gave two
silver communion cups to the church, one of
which is thus inscribed : —

This Communion Cupp, and another like to it,
were gifted to the church of Farnwell, by the Rev.
Mr David Fergusson, late minister of the Gospell
there, 1751.

A monument, immediately to the south of Mr
Fergusson's, is thus inscribed : —

Sacred to the memory of David Lyall, Esquire
of Gallery, who was born at East Carcary, in Feb-
ruary 1733, but who left Scotland, and went to
Gottenburgh in 1757, where he resided as a mer-
chant till 1787, when he retui'ned to his native
country to enjoy the fruits of his industry, and the

society of his relatives and friends. He was much
respected for his integrity, benevolence, and charity,
and died upon the 29th December 1815, in the 83d
year of his age.

—In May 1783, Mr Lyell, merchant in Gotten-
burgh, gave " £250 scots to be distributed to the
most indigent and needful of the poor" of Far-
nell. He died unmarried, and the lands of Gallery
passed to James Gibson, a sister's son, who
assumed the surname of Lijall (infra, p. 212.) A
stone at Farnell thus records the death of Mr
Gibson's parents, and a brother : —

1818 : Erected to the memory of James Gibson,
who was born 22d March 1719, and died 16th Feb.
1817 ; also of Margaret Lvall, his spouse, who
was born in July 1731, and died in August 1786 ;
and of David Gibson, their son, who was born 8th
April 1760, and died in his seventh year.
— The father of the above-mentioned James
Gibson also belonged to Farnell, but left his
native country for Riga after the Rebellion of
1745, in which he took part. He became a mer-
chant in that city, where he long resided and
died. Some members of his family also settled
there.

The next three inscriptions — (the first two
from table-shaped stones, the third from a granite
obelisk) — relate to a family v/ho have been tenants
upon the Southesk estate for considerably over
two hundred years : —

[1.]
Here lies Robert Lyell, who dp'", this life tha
14 Oct. 1707, age 43, and 3 of his children, viz.
Patrick Lyell dpi', this life Jun 24, 1710, of age
14 ; Robert L. dpr. 28 of Nov. 1706, age i y. ;
Ann L: dpr. April the 9, 1701, of age 2 year : —
Under this monument of stone.
Here rests in peace the bones of one,
Robert Lyell, call'd by name,
Who fear'd God, & hated shame.
Like to the glass, man's life does pass,

And all are born to die ;
Or as the sun, his time does run,

Till 't grasp eternitie.
Pallida mors a^quo pulsat pede
Pauperum tabernas, regumque turres.
Candide lector, vita nostra qua fruimur brevis est.

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

And also in remembrance of James Lyall, some-
time tencaut in East Carcary, and afterwards tenant
of Mains of Gallery, who died there, the 27th day
of Feb. ISOS, in the seventy- second year of his age.

[Pale death knocks with impartial foot at the
cottages of the poor, and the palaces of kings.

Candid reader, the life which we enjoy is short.]

[2.]
In hope of a blessed resurrection, here lyes Isobel
Mitchell, who was spouse to Charles Lyell, ten-
nant in Carkary, who departed this life the 12 of
April the year of our Lord 1727, and of age 50 years.
Likewise two of her children, to wit, Robert, who
departed July 1707, and Walter, who died March
1717. Also here tyeth Charles Lyell, husband
to ye s^ Isobell Mitchell, who departed this life
March the 2Sth 1729, aged G3 years. Also here
lyeth John' Lyell, who succeeded his father Charles
in Carkary ; he departed this life September 13,
1736, aged 34 years, with one of his children called
Margaret. She died in the 3d year and 8 month of
herage. Also Margaret MuDiEhisspouse, whodied
20th Dec. 1761, aged 59 years. Also James Lyall,
tenant in Carcary, who succeeded to his father
John. He departed this life the 14th day of May
1806, in the 75th year of his age. Also of Isobel
Spence, his spouse, who died at Brechin the 26th
day of January 1813, in the 71st year of her age.

— Margaret Mudie was a daughter of the laird of
Pitrauies ; and Isobel Spence belonged to a family
that were notaries public and town clerks in
Brechin for more than two centuries. The latter
was the mother of the first-named in the next
inscription : —

[3.]
In memory of Egbert Lyall, factor on the
estate of Southesk from 1817 to 1850. Born at
Carcary, 27 Novem. 1778 ; died at Arrat, 13
January 1863. Of his wife Elizabeth Campbell,
who died 25 April 1832, aged 52 years ; and of his
second wife, Mary Brown, who died 11 June 1854,
aged 59 years.

— Mr Lyall was succeeded in the office of factor
by his second son, now at Old Montrose.

The grand-father of Sir Charles Lyell, Bart.,
the celebrated geologist, was descended from one
of the brothers named in inscription [2.] He was

bred a merchant in Montrose, became a purser in
one of H.M.'s ships during the American war, and
bought Kinnordy about 1780-3. He was suc-
ceeded in 1796 by his son, who was a lawyer by
profession, and published a translation of Dante.

Wm. son of John Cobban, shoem. in Greenden,
d. 1786, a. 26 :—

Death, fierce is thy firie dart.

No Forester like the.
Who cuts the cyder while it grows,

And spars the withered tree.

John Brimner, hd. of Helen Smith, d. 1791, a. 75:
'Tis here the fool, the wiae, the low, the high,
In mix'd disorder, and in silence ly ;
No more beneath life's weighty load he goes,
But in this chamber finds a quiet repose.
O humbling thought. Pride must be thus disgrac'd,
And all distinctions here at last effac'd.

(£i\\x\\$X^\x\\, or giwniuvl

(? S. RUMON or RUMALD.)

£\UYGSTOUN, or CUIKSTOUN, was the
^«$£ " parish kii-k of the Prebendary callit the
Subdeanerie of Brechin."

A place near Quygston is called Rumens Cross.
This may possibly indicate not only the name of
the saint to whom the church was dedicated, but
also the site of an ancient cross. Of the cross
there is now no trace ; and S. Rumald, whose
feast is held on 1st July, was probably the patron
of the kirk.

When the kirk or chapel at Quygston became
" altogidder ruynous and decayit," Sir David
Carnegie of Southesk, who died in 1598, had it
rebuilt upon a site nearer to his own man-
sion. The district was formed into a parish at
that time under the name of Kinnaird, and it
continued to be a separate cure until the death
of ]\Ir George AVilsou in 1787, (supra, p. 91),
when the parish was divided between those of
Farnell and Brechin. The only existing memorial

CUIKSTOUN, OR KINNAIRD.

of Mr Wilson of Kinnaird is a sun-dial in the
manse garden at Faruell, which had probably
been brought there by his son. It is inscribed,
"1767, Mr. G. W."

The old burial-ground, which is within the
deer park, and to the west of Kinnaird Castle,
■was enclosed, some years ago, by the Earl of
Southesk. It contains a number of tomb-stones.
One bears a bold carving of the Rait arms,
and this inscription in raised Roman capitals : —

Heir lyes Henrie Rait, son to Mr David Eait,
minister of this place, vho departed this mortal life
in the 18 year of his age, October 1669 : —
The tender grse it springs, it flovrs, it fades.
The day begins, ascens, declines, in shades ;
Frail mans like grase, his life a day, and most
Rvn ovt his race, and be disolved in dvst.

— Mr David Rait was one of three ministers who
were commissioned by the General Assembly, in
1 644, to supply the north-west parts of Ireland.
He was settled first at Newburgh, next at Dairsie,
and finally at Kinnaird, where he died sometime
before 2d Feb. 1676. His father was minister
of Mains, near Dundee (Scott's Fasti.)

James Kar, spouse to E. Simpson (16-0) : —

MEMENTO . MORI.
nVE . DOE . NOT . THIS . FOR . NO . WTHER . END.
BWT , THAT . OW^R . BWRIAL . MAY . BE . KEND.

Jas. Soutter, hammerman in Nether Tenements
of Oaldhame, d. 1760, a 54 :—
Here James lyes claid with a mournfull shade,
Hath teft his Friends and Loving spouse sad,
And now is gone above the stars to sing,
Eternall prais to his imortaU King.

THE SOUTHESK FAIMILY
BURIAL VAULT

occupies a rising ground, to the south of Kinnaird
Castle, at the end of avenues of grand old trees.
It is surrounded by a freestone wiill, covered with
ivy ; and is entered from the west by a handsome
gateway. Two stone panels flank the gateway

upon the north and south sides respectively. The
former of these presents a carving of the Southesk
arms, and the latter those of Southesk and Lau-
derdale impaled. Below the respective shields
are these inscriptions : —

[1.]
Carnegiorum gentis insignia, cujus princeps,
Carolus, Comes Southesquius, natus est Lonidni
Anglorum, die 7 April anno 1661 patr ..... rto,
Comite Southesquio, matre Anna, filia natu maxi-
ma atque hajrede Gul., Duels Hamiltouii, obiit in
Arce sua Leucharensi, die 9 Augusti mensis, anno
jerre Christianas 1699. Hasc ianua extructa atque
ornata est a Maria M.etellana eius coniuge anno
sal. hum. 1704,

[The arms of the Carnegie family, whose chief,
Charles, Earl of Southesk, son of Robert, Earl
of Southesk, and Ann, eldest daughter and heiress
of William, Duke of Hamilton, was born at London,
in England, 7th April 1661. He died at his Castle
of Leuchars, 9th Aug. 1699. This gateway was
erected and ornamented by his wife, Mary Mait-
land, in the year of human salvation 1704.]

[2.]

Charles, Earle of Southesque, was married on
Lady Mary Maitland, second daughter of Charles
Earle of Lauderdale, brother and heir to lohnDuke
of Lauderdale, by whom he had a son James, now
Earle of Southesque, & two daughters. Lady Anna
and Lady Mary Carnegy, whom he survivd :
Thes are the Armes of the said Charles Earle of
Southesque & Lady Mary Maitland, Countes of
the same, who put up thir coats, & built this gate,
in the year 1704,

The burial vault, which has an arched roof, is
near the middle of the enclosure, and an orna-
mental stone cross is placed over its entrance-
The cross was erected by the present Earl of
Southesk, who had the ground and dykes put into a
becoming state of repair.

A neat marble monument is erected within,
and upon the north wall of the enclosure, to the
memory of the Earl's first wife. Lady Catherine
Noel. She was the second daughter of the Earl

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS i

of Gainsborough, and died 9th of March 1855,
leaving three daughters and a son. There is
a similar monument, upon the south wall, to
the memory of his Lordship's father and mother,
who died in 1849 and 1818 respectively,

A free-stone slab, which lies within the enclo-
sure, bears this inscription : —

HEIR . REST . IN . THE . LORD . A . GENTLEMAN
CALLED . CHARLES . CARNEGY . WHO . DYED . THE
15 . DAY . OF . lANVAR . 1655 . YEARS . AND . OF
HIS . AGE . 60 . YEAR.

— The Carnegies of Southesk first acquired a
portion of the lands of Kinnaird in 1401, and
the rest of the property became theirs in course of
time. The valuation roll of Angus for 1682
shews that the parishes of Faruell and Kinnaird
both belonged to the " Earle of Southesque" with
the exception of the small estate of " Litle
Feithy." The Earl's estate within the two parishes
was valued at £'243;3 Gs 8d Scots, and the latter,
which was acquired by the Carnegies, during the
early part of this century, is set down at £133
6s 8d Scots.

Sir David Carnegie of Kinnaird, who was raised
to the peerage in 1616, took an active part in the
affairs of his country. Probably he made im-
provements upon his Castle of Kinnaird, for, in
1656, his son wrote, on his father's behalf, to the
Earl of Panmure, who at once granted the re-
quest, " for Libertie to win some stones in the
quarrell of Buthergill, the lyke q'of," adds Lord
Carnegie, " he (the Earl of Southesk) has not in
any part of his owne ground."

The fifth Earl of Southesk was attainted for
the part which he took in the Eebellion of 1715 ;
but the titles were restored to the present Peer in
1855. His Lordship was also created a Knight
of the Thistle in March, 1869, and a British
Peer iu November following.

The Carnegies previously bore the surname of
Balindard, which was assumed from the lauds of
BaUnhard, or Bonhard, in the parish of Arbirlot,
the property of the Earl of Dalhousie. But, on
excarabing these lands with AValter of Maule,
about 1350, for those of Carnegie, in the parish of
Carmyllie, and barony of Panmure, John of

Baliuhard and his descendants dropt their old
surname of " Balinhard," and assumed that of
Carnegie {infra, p. 249.)

A history of the Carnegies, edited by Mr Wm.
Eraser of Edinburgh, was printed for private
circulation by Lord Southesk, in two vols. 4to,
This shows that the family writs are better cared
for now than they were in 1646, when the Earl
wrote in regard to a " bond given iu to him by
Argyll," that, " Be reasone of the troubles my
writes are not presently beside me ; and if they
were," adds his Lordship, " they are so confusedly
cast togither, that I cannot fall vpon it in a
sodantie."

During the spring of 1868, a Pict's House, or
underground chamber, about ten feet long, was
discovered to the west of the farm-house of
Fithie. Among other evidences of human occu-
pation, it contained the remains of an urn of I'ed
embossed Samian ware, also bones of animals, &c.
These relics are now in the National Museum,
and an account of " the find" is given in the
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scot-
land, vol. viii.

The lauds of Farnell belonged at one time to
the Cathedral of Brechin ; and the Castle of Far-
nell was a palace or residence of the Bishops of
that diocese. It was visited by Edward I. iu
1296 {v. Mem. of Angus and Mearns.) One of
the skew-put stones bears the sacred monogram
ii)s; and another has the crowned jiH, as sym-
bolical of the Virgin — both here represented : —

Kinnaird Castle, which was remodelled by the
present Earl of Southesk, is one of the finest

LONGSIDE.

buildings in the district. It stands within a park
of about 1000 acres in extent, which is well
stocked with deer, and studded with many fine
old trees. It is described by Guynd (c. 1682),
as " without competition the fiynest place, taking
altogether, in the shyre."

The Pow runs through the parish of Farnell,
and is crossed by two stone bridges. One bridge
is near the church, the other near the junction of
the Pow with the South Esk. The former is dated
1802, and the latter was originally built in 1617,
to accommodate James VI., when on a visit to his
friend Lord Carnegie. This appears from the
Kirk-Session records of Brechin, in which, under
date of 18th Oct. 1620, it is stated that a collec-
tion was ordered to be made "for help to the
Pow bridge betwixt Kinnaird and Auld JMontrois
qik ovr Sovereigne K. James the Sext caused lay
over for leading of his Maties provision to Kin-
naird in anno 1617 yeiris."

(S. — ).
!!^IIE parish of Longside was formed out of that
JL of Peter-Ugie, now Peterhead. The church
was erected in 1 620, under the name of " the ower
kirk of Peter-Ugie ;" and its disjunction was rati-
fied by Act of Parliament in 1637. In 1611, it
acquired the name of Longside, and was "erectit
in ane severall paroch kirk be it selff, and dis-
vnited fra the said mother kirk of Peterugie"
(Acta Pari.)

Mr Alex. Martin, brother of the minister of
Peterhead, appears to have been the first minister
of the parish. Being there only for a few months,
he was succeeded by Mr Alex. Irvine, who de-
mitted about 1661. From that period to the
present time, there have been eight incumbents.

The old church of Longside, which stands
within the burial ground, a little to the south of
the new kirk, is a long, narrow building, with an

ornamental belfry. Upon the west side of the
belfry are the Sibbald arms, and the initials,
A. S. Mr Abraham Sibbald was minister of Old
Deer at the time of the building of the church at
Longside, but I am not aware that he, or any of
his name, had an interest in the latter parish.

The Bruce arms, dated 1620, with the initials,
G. B., and the words, " MR. meason," are also
upon the belfry ; and these, as at Gartly (snp.^ p.
43), may indicate the name of the builder of the
church. A third slab presents the initials, A. R.,
accompanied by a mason's mark.

One of the skew-puts upon the church exhibits
the initials, G. B : E. M., and the date of 16 . .
Upon another are the Keith and Cheyne arms,
quarterly. This quartering has reference to the
marriage of Keith with the heiress of Cheyne of
Inverugie, by w'hich the Keiths acquired the
gceater part of their territory in Buchau.

The area of the old kirk, which is now used for
burial purposes, contains several tomb-stones.
The oldest, formerly in the church-yard, is thus
inscribed : —

Here lyes the corps of Androv Taylor in Over
Kinmundy, who departed ovt of this lyfe the 23
of Apryli 1712.

The rest of the monuments within the kirk are
modern. One was erected by Keith Forbes, Esq.,
solicitor in Peterhead, who is said to be the last
direct male descendant ef Forbes of Brux. A
second monument bears this inscription : —

Erected in memory of James Bruce, Esquire of
Innerquhomery and Longside, second son of James
Bruce, late farmer, Middleton of Innerquhomery,
and Barbara Gray, his spouse : Born at Middleton
3d June 1787, died there IGth May 1862.
— Mr Bruce, who acquired a fortune as a ship-
owner, &c., bought the above-named estates from
Mr Fergusson of Fitfour about 1820-24. His
landed property was heired by a nephew, and
upwards of £40,000 were willed to the clergy of
the Presbytery of Deer, for distribution among
the non -pauper poor within their bounds, Roman
Catholics excepted !

The supposed builder of the church may have
been an ancestor of " laird Bruce," for the sur-

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

name is one of the oldest in the parish. Besides
a tomb-stone, which Mr Bruce erected to his
parents in the church-yard, there are several
other monuments to the same race. One of these
bears the following epitaph : —

Alexander, Margaret, aud Helen Bruce, by
their parents, Alex. Bruce and Margt. Cuming,
Nethertou of Inverquhomry. Erected 1771 :—
Here lies, consigned a while to promis'd rest
In hope to rise again among the blest,
The precious dust of one whose course of life
Knew neither fraud, hypocrisy, nor strife.
A Husband loving, and of gentle mind,
A Father careful, provident, and kind,
A Farmer active, with no greedy view,
A Christian pious, regular, and true.
One who, in quiet, trod the j)rivate stage
Of rural labour, to a ripe old age.
Belov'd by neighbours, honour'd by his own ;
Liv'd without spot, and dy'd without a groan.
Long may his humble virtues he rever'd ;
Long be his name remember'd with regard ;
And long may Agriculture's school produce
Such honest men as Alexander Bruce.

He died April 25, 17S5, in the 81st year of his age,
and 51st of conjugal felicity with his one beloved
wife Margret Cuming, who survived him only 3
months, and was then laid down here, aged 78.

None of the monuments at Longside can be
called ancient. The oldest is possibly that of the
Keiths of Ludquharn, in whom a baronetcy was
created in 1629 (Douglas' Baronage.) Only traces
of the family arms are to be seen upon the
tomb, which is built into the east dyke of the
kirk-yard. Ludquharn also came to the Keiths
by marriage ; but the family and title have been
long extinct. The property now belongs to
James Russell, Esq. of Aden.

There is possibly no older date upon any grave-
stone in the church-yard, than that in the follow-
ing inscription : —

Here lyes ane honest werteous man called Thomas
Duncan, sometym of Elneruerdy, who depairted
this life the 8 of September 1094, and of his age
58 years ; and Margaret Robertson, who de-
perted this life the 8 Sept. 1G97.

— In the Poll Book of Aberdeenshire (1696),
Margaret Robertson, " widow of Invervcdy," is
described as a portioner of the lauds of Kiumundy
and as having above 500 merks, and under 5000
merks of stocked money.

Here lyes the corps of Francis Duncan, some-
time Chamberlain to Kiumundy, who departed this
life the 20 of June 1716, of age 89 ; also Jean Reid,
his spous, who departed this life the 15 of August
1706.

— About the time above referred to, Nether Kiu-
mundy belonged to a branch of the Gordons of
Pitlurg and Straloch.

The next two inscriptions relate to ancestors of
Dr Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury : —

[1.]

Sub hoc lapide cineres Gulielmi Tait, carpen-
tarii in Ludquharn, et Agnetis Clerk, ejus con-
jugis ; ille, humauaj salutis, 1725, aitatis suib 57 ;
ilia, 1739 aitatis 79 anno, obierunt ; necnon Joan-
Nis, Gulielmi, alterius Gulielmi, et Agnetis Tait,
sobolis eorum qui pra;decesseruiit, sepulti sunt.
Hie quoque conduntur exuviae Tuom-E Tait in
Thunderton, filii S. D. Gulielmi et Agnetis natu
maximi, qui in arte lapidaria, dum potuit, gnavus,
in alenda familia failix, moribus probus, auimo
fequus, vicinis amicus, tandem, annorum satur,
fideejue et spe fultus, ad patres migravit anno 1770,
a3t. 79. R. I. P.

[Under this stone are interred the ashes of Wil-
liam Tait, cartwright in Ludquharn, and of Agnes
Clerk, his wife, who died, he in the year of human
salvation, 1725, aged 57, and she in 1739, aged 70 ;
and also of their children, John, William, a second
William, and Agnes Tait, who predeceased them.
Here also are laid the remains of Thomas Tait, in
Thunderton, eldest son of the above William and
Agnes, who, dilligent, while strength permitted, in
his calling of stone-mason, happy in his family,
a man of virtuous character and even temper, and
a friendly neighbour, at length full of years, and
sustained by faith and hope, departed to his fathers,
in the year 1770, aged 79. May they rest in peace.]

[2.]

To the memory of George Tait in Redbog, who,

after having liv'd 48 years in the fear of God, and

love of all good men, was, upon the 30 th of May

LONGSIDE.

1758, killed by the fall of a stack of timber at
Peterhead, justly lamented by his friends, and
sincerely regretted by all who knew him : —
Stay, reader, and let fall a tear.

On looking at this stone ;
But call not anything severe,

That Providence has done.
Expecting death, the good man lives.

Prepared from day to day ;
And when God's will the summons gives,

He's ready to obey.
This good man lived by all belov'd,

And dy'd by all deplor'd ;
Dwelt here awhile, and then remov'd,

To dwell with Christ the Lord.

— The above-named George was third brother of
Thomas Tait, and his wife was Ann, daughter of
Alex. Mundy, in Ennervedie. She was baptised
28th Nov. 1713, and died 14th Sep. 1772, after
having had a family of three sons and four
daughters, (v. Burke's Landed Gentry.)

Taits have been long resident in Longside.
One of them lived at Savoch in 1625, and others
were located, down to a pretty late date, in dif-
ferent parts of the parish. Probably the more
important of the family were Alexander and
John, the former of whom was in Mains of Lud-
quharn in 1729, and the latter in Mains of Kin-
mundy in 1741 (Par. Reg., v. y.) The bridge over
the Ugy, near the railway station at Longside, is
said to have been built by Thos. Tait, mentioned in
inscription [1.] lie is also locally said to have
been the great-grand-father of Archbishop Tait.

In connection with the fact of Dr Tait being
the first Scotchman who has filled the Archiepis-
copal chair of England, and the travelling about
London on underground railways, the following
curious prophecy of IGOl, by Richard Burbage,
of the Globe Theatre, Loudon, may be said to
have been fulfilled : —

'• A Scot our King ? The limping State

That day must need a crutch.
What next? In time a Scot will prate

As Primate of our Church.
When such shall be, why then you'll see,

That day it will be found,
The Saxon down through London town,

Shall burrow under ground."

John, the son of Thomas Tait, acquired the
property of Harviestou, in Clackmannanshire,
about 17 — ; and about 1805, his son Craufurd
Tait, Esq. (the Archbishop's father), bought the
adjoining estate of Castle Campbell from the
Duke of Argyll. Both properties now belong to
Sir Andrew Orr, a publisher in, and sometime
Lord Provost of, Glasgow.

A table -shaped tomb-stone at Longside bears
this epitajth : —

And, is she gone, the once so lovely maid ?
Gone heuce, and now a dear departed shade !
Call'd from this world in early dawn of life,
Where but beginning to be called a wife ?
Ye virgin tribe, whom chance may lead this way,
Where brightest beauty moulders in the clay,
Behold this stone, nor be asham'd to mourn
A while o'er Mary Alexander's urn —
Then pause a little, while these lines you read,
And learn to draw instruction from the dead : —
She, who lies hei-e, was once like one of you,
Youthful and gay, and fair, as you are now :
One week beheld her a young blooming bride,
In marriage pomp, laid by her husband's side :
The next we saw her in Death's livery drest,
And brought her breathless body here to rest.
Not all this world's gay hopes, nor present charms,
Nor parents' tears, nor a fond husband's arms,
Could stamp the least impression on her mind,
Or fix to Earth, a soul for Heaven design'd ;
Camly she left a scene so lately try'd,
Heav'u call'd her home, with pleasure she com.

Embrac'd her sorrowing friends, then smil'd, and
. dy'd.

Here lies the body of Mary Alexander, spouse
to John Robertson, mariner in Peterhead, who de-
parted this life January the 3d, 1767, aged 24 years.

Also from a table-shaped stone on the south
side of the church : —

S. M. of James Aebuthnot in Rora, an affec-
tionate husband, a tender parent, and faithful
friend. Conspicuous for benevolence of heart and
integrity of conduct, he gained the esteem of alL
Possessed of the virtues which adorn the man and
the Christian, his life was amiable, and his end was
peace. He dy'd Apr. 16th 1770, aged 73 :—

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

Happy the man whose God, who reigns on high,
Hath taught to live, and hath prepared to die ;
His warfare o'er, and run his Christian race.
Ev'n Death becomes the messenger of peace —
Dispells his woes, then wafts his soul away.
To endless glory of eternal day.

Here also ly in hopes of a blessed immortality,
Margaret Gordon, his spouse. An affectionate
wife, a tender mother, and sincere friend. She
dy'd Nov. 1st, 1783, aged 84. Here are also de-
posited the remains of Elspet Arbutunot, their
daughter, an amiable young woman, who, upon the
15th day of Nov. 1750, in the 21st year of her age,
her soul to God.

The next inscription is from a marble slab, fixed
into an upright monument, within an enclosure,
on the north-east side of the church-yard : —

Glory to God above. Sacred to the memory of
the Revd John Skinner, for 64 years and upwards
Episcopal clergyman in this parish, whose attain-
ments as a Scholar, and Scriptural Research as a
Divine, of which many written documents remain,
acquired him a name, never to be forgotten in the
Church in which he exercised his ministry, while
his Pastoral Labours in the charge committed to
him endeared him almost beyond example to the
sorrowing flock, by whom, in testimony of their
heartfelt regard, this monument is erected.

On the 16th day of June 1807, aged 86 years, he
slept the sleep of death in the arms of the Eight
Rev. John Skinner, Bishop of the diocese of Aber-
deen, his only surviving son, who, with his family,
and other numerous descendants, shall never cease
to feel the most devout and lively veneration for
the talents, the acquirements, and character of a
progenitor, who lived so justly respected, and died
so sincerely lamented.

[From a flat stone, in front of the above] : —

In the same grave over which the adjoining
monument is placed to the memory of her venerable
husband, lie the remains of his beloved wife Grizel
Hunter, who died on the 21st day of Sept. 1799,
in the 80th year of her age, having shewn herself,
through life, the humble Christian, and, for nearly,
58 years, a partner of every conjugal virtue.
" When such friends part, 'tis the survivor dies."

— Mr Skinner was a native of Birse, Aberdeen-
shire, where his father was schoolmaster. His
mother was first married to Donald Farquharson,
laird of Balfour, in the S9,nie parish. She sur-
vived the birth of her son only about two years.
His father afterwards went to Echt, where he
died in 177G. In obedience to his own expressed
wish that — " Where the Pitcher breaks let the
shells lie ; but let not a stone tell where / lie" —
no monument marks the grave of Mr Skinner.
An epitajjh, however, was composed to his me-
mory by his eldest and youngest sons, which is
engrossed in the sederunt book of the Kirk-session
of Echt. It is here printed from a copy, kindly
made by the late Mr Malcolm, schoolmaster: —

" Dilectissimi parentis, Joannis Skinner, M.A.,
scholar in hac parochia per 50 annos magistri dig-
nissimi, qui in officio ad extremum sedulus idem et
probatus, in alenda prole, qua pater optabat, qua
pauper potuit liberalitate, felix, animo ffiquus,
moribus inculpatus, religionis tenax, ad vitia se-
verus, jucuudus amicis, discipulis charus, probis
omnibus in pretio habitus, tandem octogenarius et
secunda quam per 40 annos habuerat conjuge nuper
orbatus, dysuriai morbo intra biduum extinctus est.
May 220 1776."

[Erected to the memory of their beloved parent
JouN Skinner, M.A., for 50 years a most deserv-
ing schoolmaster of this parish. He was diligent
and approved in his office to the last, and success-
fully brought up his children with all the liberality
that the limited means of an affectionate father per-
mitted. He was even in temper, blameless in cha-
racter, strict in the observance of his religious
duties, a stern reprover of vice, pleasant to his
friends, beloved of his scholars, and esteemed by
all good men. He died at length of dysuria, after
an illness of two days, 22nd May, 1776, in his SOth
year, having been a short time before bereaved of
his second wife, with whom he had lived 40 years.]

— Mr Skinner of Longside is believed to have
written the contemporary epitaphs printed in this
notice of Longside. An excellent account of his
Life is prefixed to his Poetical Pieces (Edin. 1809),
to which the reader is referred. It need only be
here said that, among other works, Mr Skinner

LONGSIDE.

wrote An ecclesiastical history of Scotland, which
is much sought after. His name, however, is
more generally, and popularly associated with his
poetical writings, of which TuUochgorum, the
Ewie wi' the Crookit Horn, &c., are too well
known to require coiaament ; and every reader of
Burns is aware of the friendly nature of the cor-
respondence which passed between these two
great masters of Scottish song, Mr S. lived in a
thatched cottage at Linshart, with little more ac-
commodation than " a but and a ben ;" and there
he reared a large and meritorious family, one of
whom became Bishop of Aberdeen long before
his father's decease, {v. p. 32.) Mr Skiuuer con-
tinued to reside at Liushart until 4 June 1807,
when it was thought advisable to remove him to
the house of his son, the Bishop, at Aberdeen ;
but he survived the change only for the short
space of twelve days, when he died as above.
Combined with his scholarly acquirements, and
devotedness to his church and people, he possessed
" infinite humour," which he enjoyed and exer-
cised almost to his last moments. Being at a
marriage in the parish soon after he came to the
district, and remaining to enjoy the festivities
beyond the time that a worthy dame thought
scarcely decent for a minister, she took the liberty
of advising Mr S. to leave the company by sayiug
that — " If ye dinna gae hame, sir, folk '11 be
speakin' aboot ye !" to which he curtly replied —
" Maybe, gudewife ; but I'll wager there'll be
naebody readier than yersel' !" It is also told
that a poor woman called one day at Linshart,
while he was busily employed in some matter of
importance ; and, with the view of not being de-
tained by her, he at once gave her some pecuniary
assistance, when the woman, in the gratitude of
her heart, exclaimed — " May the Lord bless you
and your family, sir ; an' may ye a' be in Heaven
the nicht !" " I'm very much obliged to you, my
good woman," quo' the old man, "for all your
kind wishes ; only, you needua be so particular as
to the time .'"

William Kidd, d. 1834, a. 84 :—
Tho' 84 be long, 'tis gone and past,
And here in i)eace I'm resting at the last.

Peter and Margaret Sangster, Kinmundy,
died, aged respectively 25 and 29 years, in
1791-98 :—

Reader, suppose thy neighbour's case thine own,
And breath a fellow feeling o'er this stone.

Francis Greig, Torhendry, d. 1786, a. 72 :—
The man of honest heart, and prudent head,
Is lov'd while living, and esteemed when dead,
And such was he whose epitaph we read.
S. M. In dutiful remembrance of an attentive
husband, an exemplary parent, an agreeable neigh-
bour, an expert farmer, in business active, in ad-
versity cheerful, in principle conscientious, in prac-
tice irreproachable, the sensible man and sincere
Christian — this small monument of family love is
laid over the mortal part of Andrew Kidd, who
dy'd in Kora, March 10, 1795, aged 75 :—
Peace to his body in its bed of rest,
Till call'd to join the soul it once possest,
And soul and body be for ever blest.
His spouse Elizabeth Seller, died Dec. 27,
1801, aged 79.

Near Mr Skinner's monument, enclosed by a
low wall, a stone with a long laudatory inscription,
is prefaced by these words : —

S. M. Dy'd Febr. 3, 1790, in the 85th year of
his age, and 58th of his ministry, John Brown,
A.M., minister of Longside, &c. [v. p. 58.)

On the right of the churchyard gate, two in-
scribed monuments, the oldest in Latin, the other
in English, record the death of two of the parish
ministers : —

The Pv.ev<i John Lumsden, 15 years minister of
the parish, died January 1732, aged 47 : His wife's
name -was Frances Fullarton.

The Rev<i William Greig, aged 72, died on
Sunday 17 Aug. 1828, " having that day preached
to his ijeople. " His wife Margaret Skinner, died
7 Oct. 1827, aged 69.

Amelia Milne, widow of Charles McDonald,
Burnside, in memory of her beloved son William,
whose life was taken away near the Kirktown of
St Fergus, on the 19 Nov. 1853, in the 29th year

of his age The secret of his death is

with the Lord, who also hath the record of his
humble faith, his Christian character, and his

luo

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

blameless life, to be all disclosed on tbat great day
when He shall come to jud^e the world in right-
eousness, and give to every one according to his
deeils.

— It was for the murder of this person tliat Smith,
au unqualified medical practitioner at St Fergus,
was tried at the Spring Assizes, Aberdeen, in
1854. It appears that Smith had effected an
assurance on the life of M'Donald, and met him
by ai:)pointment on the evening of 29th Novem-
ber, when the young man came by his death from
a pistol shot. Smith, who afterwards went to
New Zealand, was acquitted on the verdict of not
proven ; but the insurance money was never paid
to him.

Near the north dyke of the churchyard, a
granite obelisk bears : —

Erected in ISGl to indicate the grave of Jamie
Fleeman, in answer to his prayer — "Dinua bury
me like a beast. "

— This singular being was born at Ludquharn in
1713, and died at Kinmundy in 1778. His re-
markable sayings and doings are narrated in an
interesting pamphlet entitled The Life and Death
of Jamie Fleeman, the Laird of Udny's Fool,
by Rev. Dr Pratt, Episcopal minister, Cruden.
It ought to be added that Dr Pkatt, who was
also the author of " Buchan," and other meri-
torious works, died on 20 March 1869, beloved
and respected by all who could appreciate unob-
trusive worth, and real merit.

A handsome Episcopal church, built of native
granite, with nave, side aisles, and chancel, also a
central tower about 90 feet high, is the most
striking object m Longside. It was founded
in 1853, and dedicated to S. John. A stained
glass window of three lights, illustrative of the
principal events in the life of Our Saviour, orna-
ments the church ; and a brass below the window
is inscribed to Mr Skinner: —

In memoriam admodum Reverendi Joannis Skin-
ner, M,A., per sexaginta quatuor annos hujus
gregis pastoris, qui natus iij Octob. J721, obijt l(i
Jun: 1807.

The south window of the chancel contains a
painting of S. John, with the following : —

M. S. JoANNis CuMMiNO, qui per multos annos
in hoc grege curam pastoralem fidelissime exercuit.
— Mr C, who was a grandson of Mr Skinner,
died pastor of this place in 18 — , and a portrait
of him, by Mitchell, is preserved in the vestry.

There is a painted window of two lights in
the south aisle ; one picture is illustrative of
the Lord's Prayer, "■ Thy kingdom come, thy will
be done ;" another of the text, " Suffer little
children to come unto me." Brasses record the
death of John Hutchison, late in Monyruy,
who died in New Zealand, 1863, aged 54 ; and
his wife Catherine Arbuthnot, who died 1856,
aged 43. Another window of one light, repre-
senting the good Samaritan, is in memory of
Rop.ERT Cheves, who was born in 1791, and died
in 185G.

The Established and Free Churches are also
good plain buildiugs ; and the village of Long-
side, which is on the increase, contains some neat
dwelling houses.

The Reverend Charles Arbuthnott, Abbot
of the Scots College of St James' in Ratisbon,
who died 19 April 1820, aged 84, was a native of
Longside. So highly was the Abbot respected
for his worth and learning by the German Princes,
that, when it was resolved, by the Diet of Ratis-
bon, to secularise the church lands of the Empire,
an express exception was made in the Abbot's
favour. The respect and esteem for him never
abated ; and his funeral was attended by the
highest dignitaries in Germany.

(BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.)

T^HE church of Grange was originally a chapel
<*£> belonging to tlie Abbots of Kinloss, to
which Abbacy the lands of StratJti/lo/] with their
pertinents, &c., were granted by William the
Lion, 1195-0.

GRANGE, OR STRATHISLA.

101

Grange was formerly a part of the parish of
Keith, from which it was disjoined in 1618.

The old church, which stood in the burial
ground, was in a ruinous state in 1793. In 1795,
the present kirk was erected upon an adjoining
mound

Alexander, the first Duff of Braco, who
died in 1705, was buried in the aisle of the old
church, where there was a handsome monument
to his memory, now buried, or otherwise lost. It
was in consequence of the failure of the male suc-
cession in the person of William, son of the above
Alexander Duff, that Alexander's next brother of
Dipple succeeded to Braco ; and it was the eldest
son of William Duff of Braco and Dipple who was
the first Earl of Fife.

A slab of Portsoy marble, encased in free
stone, built into the churchyard dyke, is thus
inscribed : —

Alexander Kerr, doctus, non doctor, ecclesite
hujus ab instaurata religione pastor secundus,
varum officii fideli exercitio nemini secundus, vir
magni iugenii ac indefessi laboris, donis omnibus
foris domique mystoe necessariis abunde refertus
veritatem, pietatem, charitatem, voce, vita, exemplo
docuit, coluit, promovit. Hie, ubi vires exantlavit,
exiivias deposuit, anno Dom. 1G93, minister ii 43,
aitatis 06. Memento mori.

[Alexander Kerr, a learned man, although not
a doctoi-, second pastor of this church after the Re-
formation, but second to none in the faithful dis-
charge of his sacred duties ; a man of great ability
and unwear-ied activity, richly endowed with all
the gifts necessary to a minister at home and
abroad, taught, cultivated, and promoted, by voice,
life, and example, truth, piety, and charity. Here,
where he spent his strength, he laid down his re-
mains, A.D. 1G93, in the GGth year of his age, and
the 43d of his ministrj\ Ptemember death. ]

Upon another stone : —

Associataj August 16, 1606 : Hie coquiesctit in
Doino, Ana Gordona, uxor piissima D. Air. Keri,
symmystai Grangen. , natapque 4 code busto.

[Associated (married) Aug. 16, 1600 : Here rest
together in the Lord, Anna Gordon, the most pious
wife of Mr Alex. Kerr, joint minister of Grange,
and four daughters, in the same tomb.]

Upon the wall of the burial aisle of the Innes'
of Edingicht, the gate of which is dated 1816 : —

This monument is erected by John Innes of
Mwiryfold to the memory of Thojias Innes, of
JVlAviryfold, his father, who lyes here interred. He
died the 12 of Sept. 1754, aged 73 years.
—Thomas Innes of Muiryfold was a son of the
laird of Edingicht, and long factor for the Earl
of Fife, in which capacity he was succeeded by a
son. Another son was a W.S. in Edinburgh,
and became founder of the family of Innes of
Netherdale, in Marnoch. The Innes' of Edin-
gicht are cadets of Innes of that ilk in Moray-
shire, and have held the property of Edingicht
from about the middle of the 16th century. On
the death of Sir William, the 8th in succession
from Robert of Innerniarkie and Balveny, who
was created a baronet in 1628, the title descended
to John of Edingicht, whose 2d son is the present
baronet. It is told that one of the family of
Edingicht, who was an officer in the army,
when on his way to Holland during the war to-
wards the close of the last century, was repri-
manded by his commander for not having a proper
hat on his head, upon which Innes jocularly re-
marked (in allusion to the coming struggle, and
the source from which, if spared, he meant to
supply himself), " that there wad soon be mae
hats than heads !"

Upon a tablet built into the wall of the church-
yard : —

Mr Arciid. Camreel, minister of Grange 22
years, was Diligent in Office, Learned in Science,
the Animated Friend, and Chearful Companion.
He lived 00 years. Died the 10, was buried here
his birth day, the 19 October 1774. His intimate
Friend and Trustee, John Innes of Muryfold,
erects this monument.

James Shepherd, Poolside of Keith, d. 1817,
a. 83 :—

As a mark of respect for his virtuous life

Now reaping the fruit of his gain,
This stone is erected by Isobel his wife.
Till in glory she meet him again.
Isobel Birnie, wife of .J. Shepherd, d. 18.32, a. 84.

Upon a table-shaped stone : —

102

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

A morte et potestate sepulcliri nuUi redemptio.
Vive memor lethi. Beati iu Domino qui obeiuit.
Hie eonduntur cineres Patricii Wilson, quondam
in Cantlie, et Isojbell.e Strachan, ejus conjugis,
qui mortem obiere, ille Apr. 4, 1723, ilia Dec. . .
1709. P.W. I.S. Hie itidem GuL. Wilson, eorum
natu filius minimus, et Alex. Gairden, eorum
nepos, flore retatis exuvias deposuere.

[From death and the power of the grave there is
no redemption. Live mindful of death. Blessed
are they who die iu the Lord. Here lie the ashes
of Patrick Wilson, sometime in Cantlie, and of
IsoBELLA Strachan, and his wife, who died 4 April
1723, and Dec. . . 1709, respectively. Here also
are laid the ashes of William Wilson, their
youngestsou, and of Alex. Gairden, theirgrandson,
who were cut oif in the flower of their age.]
An adjoining monument beai'S : —

Sacrum memoriae, Georgii Wilson, nuper in
Cantly, qui mortem obiit 22 die Martis, A.D. 1742,
oetatis su;« 04. Hoc amoris et doloris monumeutum
uxor superstes et mcerens posuit.

[Sacred to the memory of George Wilson, late
in Cantly, who died 22 March 1742, in the 64 year
of his age. His surviving and sorrowing wife
erected this monument in token of her love and
grief.]

— This was the father-in-law of James Ferguson,
the astronomer. His mother-in-law (whose death
is not recorded upon the stone) was Elspetii,
daughter of Archibald Grant of Edin Valley,
She died 29 Jan. 1771. It was on 31 May 1739,
that " James Ferguson,' in the parish of Keith,
and Isobel Wilson" were married at Grange.
They had one daugliter and three sons, all born
in London, where the two eldest sons died respec-
tively in 1772 and 1803. The youngest son died
in Edinburgh in 1833. The daughter Agnes, who
was born in 1745, was, says Dr E. Henderson, in
bis Life of Ferguson (p. 468), " remarkable for
her beauty and intelligence ; she suddenly dis-
appeared about the end of July, or early in Aug.
1763, and was never more seen by her parents.
Our late researches regarding her show that she
was decoyed by a young nobleman and taken to
Italy. He abandoned her, and she,- being pro-
bably ashamed to return to her parents, whom

slie had disgraced, to maintain herself, wrote
articles for the magazines. She afterwards be-
came an actress, for a brief period. She ulti-
mately led an irregular life, and died in poverty
iu a miserable garret, in Old Round Court, Strand
(now removed), 27 January 1792, aged 47 years."
Ferguson himself was born in a secluded but
picturesque spot on the Deveron, at a place called
the Core of Mayen, in Rothiemay, Banffohire,
upon the left side of the road from Rothiemay to
the kirk of Maruoch. His parents were in poor
circumstances. He was the 2d son of John Fer-
guson and Elspeth Lobban, and was born 25 April
1710, and died at London 16 November 1776.
For other interesting particulars, see i)v Hen-
derson's Life of Ferguson.

John Priest died, Nov. 1803, aged 62 : —
As pensively you pass,
Above the silent dead.
Improve your time — note this —
And at your leasure read
from
Psa. 37-3, 6 ; Prov. 3, 5, 6 ; Isa. 1, 16-18 ; 53,
6, 13 ; Matt. 7, 7, 14 ; John, v. 39-40 ; Rom. viii.
1, 14 ; 2d Pet. 1, 5, 11 ; Rev. 23, 12-17.

Revd. Andrew Young of the Associate Congre-
gations of Keith and Grange — " after the disjunc-
tion of the two congregations in 1785, minister of
Grange only" — died 21 May 1788, in the 37th year
of his life, and 12th of his ministry.

Ptevd. John Primrose of the Associate Congre-
gation, Whitehill, Grange, died 28 Feb. 1832, aged
81, and in the 43d year of his ministry.

Revd. .John Smith of the Wesleyan Methodist
Society, sometime missionary iu Barbadoes and St
Vincent, West Indies, died 17 Sep. 1855, aged 27.

A recently erected mural tablet to the memory
of the father of ]\Ir Duff, who, under the assumed
name of Andrew Halliday, is the author of several
popular plays and other works, bears : —

The Rev. William Duff, 23 years minister of
Grange, died 23 Sep. 1844, aged 53.

The district of Grange, or Strathisla, having
belonged to the Abbey of Kinloss, the whole lands
were anciently held under the superiority of that

GRANGE.

103

house (v. Records of the Monastery of Kinloss, by
John Stuart, LL.D.) The monks had a castle,
or residence, upon the knoll now occupied by the
church of Grange. It was surrounded by a ditch ;
and about 1574, a "tour, fortalice, and orchard,"
adorned the mound.

The neighbourhood of the church of Grange
possesses much natural beauty. Near it stands
the hamlet of the Kirktown, with " the noisy
mansion," in which the youth of the district have
been long taught by a most accomplished master.

Although, now-a-days, there is no ale-house
at the clachan of Grange, the door-linlel of the
old hostelry is at Muiryfold, and upon it is this
quaint couplet: —

YE GENTLEMEN, AS YE GO BY,

COME lOIN YOVR PLACE, FOR IAMIE'S DRY.

Besides the Established Church, there are also
Free and U.P., Churches in the parish. The
former is at no great distance from the parish
kirk, and the latter is situated at VVhitehill, where
there has been a congregation for about a century.

A bridge which crosses the Isla, near the church,
"was built in 1699, by Alexander Christie, tenant
in Cautly, for the glory of God, and the good of
the people of Grange." The stone which bore
this inscription is said to have fallen into the Isla ;
and the Kirk-session records shew that the sum
of 100 merks Scots, which was left by Christie
for the maintenance of the bridge, was expended
before 1740. The bridge was originally built for
foot passengers. It was repaired and widened
in 1783, for horses and carts, &c.

The two extracts below, copied from the Kirk-
eession records of Grange, are interesting. The
first shows the gravity with which old Kirk-
sessions treated a seemingly harmless circum-
stance, while the latter implies a belief in another
act of even a more superstitious character than
the former. The first entry, dated 21st April,
1686, is as follows : —

" Isabell Reid compeared for charming, and con-
fessed that she used to charme the eyes for the
mark, by spitting, blowing, into the eye, and re-
peating an orison, one of which she repeated before
the Session, bot denyed that she could charme for I

any other distemper. That in respect it is not an
ordinarie sin, it is referred to the preabyterie."

The next extract (11th June 1683) goes to prove
that a young woman in the parish of Grange was
so sorely afflicted with scrofula, that she resolved
to go to London, in the hope of being cured of
the disease, by the Royal Touch, which was long
deemed to be eflficacious in that complaint : —

"Marjorie Gray being to go up to London for
seeking remedie to her disease, supposed to be the
King's Evil, got a Testificat declairing her to be
free from church censure aud public scandal."

—William of Malmesbury says that Edward the
Confessor was the first prince who pretended to
have the power of curing scrofula ; and that the
miracle was first performed upon a young married
woman. He farther states that the ceremony
was done by the king stroking the afflicted parts
with his hand dipt in water ; also, that the cure
was perfected within a week, and the woman, pre-
viously childless, gave birth to twins in due time !
The celebrated Dr Samuel Johnson was touched
for the same disease, when a child, by Queen
Anne, but without any good effect ; and, doubt-
less, although unrecorded, the visit of INIarjory
Gray to King Charles was attended with no
better success.

Additional Inscriptions at Orange.
The following is from a recently erected mo-
nument within the Edingight burial aisle : —

Near this tablet, mingling with the dust of his
Ancestors, lie the remains of Sir John Innes, of
Balvenie and Edingight, Baronet, who died at
Aberdeen, 23rd March 1829, aged 71. Also those
of his spouse, Dame Barbara Forbes, who died
12th August 1844, aged 74. Of his eldest son, Sir
John Innes, Bart., who died 3rd December 1838,
aged 37. Of his daughter, Barbara, who died
14th March 18G5, aged 61. Also of his grandson,
Alexander, who died 3rd March 1845, aged 3.

— Sir James Innes, Bart., the erector of this
monument, succeeded to the titles and estates of
Edingight on the death of his brother in 1838.
He married a daughter of Alex. Thurburn, Esq.,

104

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

sometime tenant of Drum, and a sister of Wm.
Thurburn, Esq., solicitor and bank agent in Keith
{infra, p. 167.)

In memory of Alexander Howie, carrier, Rotliie-
may, who died on the 14th Sep. 1839, aged 26 years.
This stone was erected by those Merchants in the
district, who were his principal employers, in token
of their respect for his uniform integrity, and his
unremitting attention to business.

The next inscription (from a flat slab), is chiefly
remarkable for its odd orthography : —
Sub hoc Saxo Jacet Alex'" Long
muir Antiquis InteJerrimisque Pro
genitoribus editus qui post
30 Aunor' Stadi' SePtris 11 mo
Anno Supra milU Sep* 20mo
4to fatisCeSit*

trAnsuverie* patres Sic est* [* sic.

trAusib'mus Omnes
Vita in pati«ntia mors in
desiderio
non est mortale qd opto

^Under this stone lies Alexr. Loxomuir, de-
scended from an ancient and most respectable family,
who, after a career of 30 years, died 11th Sep. 1724.

Our fathers have passed away, in like manner
shall we also all pass away.

Life in patience, death in desire, what I wish for
is not mortal.]

—The above inscription probably relates to an
ancestor of the Longmuirs in Keith (infra, p. 166),
one of whom has recently presented his fellow-
townsmen with a handsome public hall. The sur-
name may have been carried to the North from
Ayrshire, where there is a place called Langmure,
In 1477 (Reg. Honoris de Morton), James Lang-
mour, presbyter, witnesses a deed regarding the
Collegiate Church of Dalkeith.

The next two inscriptions (from tablets built
into the kirk-yard dyke), and note, are more fully
given here than below {v. pp. 101-2). The first
slab was " removed from the church" in 1795 :—

[1.]
Associatse Agvst 16, 1666 : Hie coqviescvt in
Doino, Ana Gordona, vxor piGtissia D. Ari. Keri,
symystse Grangen : natseque 4 code busto.

[2.]
Sacred to the memory of the Rev. William
Duff, 23 years minister of Grauge, died 23rd Sept.
1844, aged 53 ; and of his children, James Uuff,
died in infancy, July 1826 ; Mary-Keith Duff,
died Sep. 1848, aged 16 ; John Duff, A.M., died
Feb. 1849, aged 21.

— Mr W. Duff, who came from Dumfriesshire, had
one son who has attained the rank of a General
in the American army, and another, under the
name of " Andrew Halliday," has acquired fame
as the author of several popular plays, &c. The
latter was named after his father's friend and
fellow-student. Sir Andrew Halliday, sometime
Domestic Physician to the Duke of Clarence.

5 U X X \ %.

(S. CONGAL, ABBOT.)
f^HE church of Durris, which is rated in the
«^ old Taxation at 10 merks, was a rectory in
the diocese of St Andrews.

Messrs George Eraser and Archibald Hog were
ministers of Durris in 1568 and 1574 respectively.
The former had probably been related to the
Erasers of Durris, and the latter to the Hogs of
Blairiedryne. I have seen no record of any old
" reidar" at Durris.

After the Reformation the church was attached
to the Presbytery of Eordoun ; but, in 1717, it
was annexed to that of Aberdeen, from which
city it is distant about 12 miles.

The present kirk, which is a plain building,
pleasantly situated on the south banks of the Dee,
was erected in 1822. The bell (sup., p. 27), bears
this inscription : —

lOHN MOW AT OLD ABD. FE. 1765 ;

in USUM ECCLESIiE DE DURRIS.

SABATA PANGO, FUNERA PLANGO.

The burial aisle of the Erasers of Durris is at
the east end of the kirk. It contains a recess
tomb, dated 1594. The Eraser arms, with the
initials, T. F., and motto, constant, are upon a

DURRIS.

105

panel below the date. Sir A. Fraser, chamberlain,
and brother-in-law to Bruce, had a grant of the
thanedoms of Durris and Cowie from that king.

The Fraser tomb has been used by subsequent
proprietors. It was re-edified in 1869 by the late
laird of Durris, who put up six granite slabs, four
of which are respectively inscribed as follows : —

1869 : To the memory of Anthony Mactier,
Esq. of Durris : Died 5th Aug. 1854, aged 81.
■ Of Maria Mactier, wife of the late Anthony

1 Mactier, Esq. of Durris : Died 30th Dec. 1852.

aged 52.

Of Eliza-Kose Mactier, eldest daughter of
Anthony and Maria Mactier : Died 14th Oct. 1841,
aged 16.

Of Henry Mactier, 8th son of the said Anthony
and Maria Mactier : Born 1st Sept. 1836, died
15th Sept. 1836.

— Mr Mactier, who bought Durris about 1837,
made money in India as a merchant. He be-
longed to Galloway ; and his wife was a daughter
of Alex. Binny, Esq., who resided in St Andrews,
Fifeshire. Her uncle, Thomas Binny, Esq. of
Fearn and Maulesden, in Angus, possessed a large
painting, by Sir Thos*. Lawrence, of Mrs Mactier
and her father, &c. — possibly one of Lawrence's
grandest family groups. Mr T. Binny had also
a number of early pictures by Sir H. Raeburn,
Sir J. Watson-Gordon, and Colvin Smith. The
Binnys were come of a burgess family in Forfar.

By judicious management and improvement,
Mr Mactier is said to have doubled the value of
the estate of Durris. He was succeeded by a son,
who sold the property in 1867 to James Young of
Kelly, Esq., F.R.S., paraffin oil manufacturer.

When the Fraser Aisle was undergoing repair,
two mutilated grave-stones, were found with the
following remains of inscriptions : —

[1.]
Here lyes Isobel Fr . . er, spous .... aster

lohn minister of Duries, who departed

this life the 13 of May 1716, in the -2 of her age.
— This is possibly the grave-stone of the first wife
of Mr John Reid, for according to Scott's Fasti,
he left a widow. The same authority states that
Mr Reid, previously schoolmaster at Banchory-

Ternan, was appointed minister of Durris in 1675,
and that he was deposed in 1716.
[2.]

Magister Andreas

Magistri loannis

ris ecclesije Dur

sacrosanctaj ....

heologife studiosus

decimo die Sept.

26 . 17 . .

A walled enclosure, on the west side of the
kirk-yard, is called the Lines Aisle. Although it
was long used as the burial place of the Inneses,
who were lessees of Durris, the tomb contains no
monument. The last of this branch of the family
was John Innes, Esq., sheriff-substitute of Kin-
cardineshire, who was descended from the house
of Leuchars, in Moray, and father of Professor
Cosmo Innes of Edinburgh (sup., p. 53.)

The next four inscriptions are from fiat stones
in the burial-ground : —

[1.]
1715 : 1. F : C. F. Here under lyeth John Fraser
in Mill of Doors, who departed the 6 day of July
1711, in the 63 year of his age.

[2.]
Here lyes William Bisset, late farmer in Darn-
fourd, who died ye 2d ... . 1743, aged 70 years.
Also Isobel Pierie, his spouse, who died Nov. —
1742, aged 70.

Vain mortals, learn from hence to know,
Its vain to search for bliss below,
Since here ye virtuous, wise, and just
Lies mould'ring to his ancient dust.
[3.]
Here lyes the body of William Hogg, late farmer
in Mickle barns, who died 26th Feb. 1751, aged 72
years. We see impartial death cuts down, &c.

[4.]
David Walker, farmer, Mill of Montquigh, d.
1775, a. 76 :—

No lingering sickness, or long warning pains,
The pious want to purify their Stains ;
To pray forbearance from impending fate,
And urge repentance on a death-bed state,
Heaven found him fit in any hour to die,
And sudden snatch'd him kindly to the joy.

lOG

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

The district of Durris— the history and tradi-
tions of which have been given in Memorials of
Angus and Mearns— was a thanedom, with a royal
hunting forest, &c. The castle of Durris stood
where a monument to the late Duke of Gordon
is erected. It was a place of some note during
the times of Alexander III. and Edward I. ; and
(as shewn by Spalding) the house and lands were
oftner than once harried during Montrose's Wars.
A bridge crossed tlie Dee near the old castle
in the time of Alexander III. There are at pre-
sent two iron-girder bridges in the parish — one
at iPark, and another near Crathes, the latter of
which was erected chiefly at the cost of the late
laird of Durris. The Shiach or Fairy's burn— a
pretty Highland stream— is crossed by a stone
bridge near the parish kirk.

The Free Church of Durris and Mary Culter
stands about a mile to the north-west of the
parish kirk of Durris.

Statutory fairs are still held in the parish, near
the Bridge of Park. Probably these represent
" St Coxgal's fair," which (Edinburgh Prognos-
tication for 1706) was held " at the kirk of Doors
in Mernshire."

As in most parts of the country, Superstition
had a firm footing in Durris in old times ; and,
according to story, it wiis fostered there by a
pedagogue who played upon the credulity of his
neighbours by occasionally personating his Satanic
Majesty ! On one occasion he appeared among
the rafters of the church at an evening meeting,
in the guise of a horned ox, with glaring eyes,
and nearly terrified the people out of their wits.
Mr Pieid, minister of Banchory, being in the
locality at the time, was asked to go to the kirk
to lay Satan ; and it is said that, upon seeing the
parson, who was remarkable for strength of body
as well as of mind, " homey" bawled out : —

" What are you doiu' here, Rob Eeid,
Wi' your hard head ?"
To which Mr Reid naively replied : —
" Whether my head be hard or saft—
Come you doon,
Or I'll crack your croon !"

P aui f U t It,

(S. RULE, OR REGULAS.)

^ILCHRIST, EARL of ANGUS, gave the
"^xJf church of Munifod to the monks of Arbroath
soon after the foundation of the Abbey. In 1220,
his grand-son, Earl Malcolm, gifted the Abthane
lands of Monifieth to Nicolas, the son of a priest
at Kirriemuir. About twenty years later (1242)
Countess Maud confirmed a donation to Arbroatli,
of lands, with a toft and croft, on the south side
of the kirk of Monifieth, which were held by the
Culdees, in her father's time (Reg. Vet. de Aberb.)
A number of Sculptured Stones, which were
found at the church of Monifieth, are now pre-
served in the National Museum. They were first
engraved by Mr P. Chalmers of Aldbar, and
afterwards by the Spalding Club. Descriptions
of the locality are given in both these works, also
in Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland, vols. 1. and ix. The engravings upon
the opposite page (kindly lent by the Society of
Antiquaries of Scotland), 'represent two of the
latest discovered of these remarkable monuments.

The church of Monifieth and its chapel, the
latter of which was at Broughty Ferry (/«/>«,
p. 114), are rated (Old Taxation) at 40 merks.

Some writers affirm that a chapel, dedicated to
Our Lady, stood in ancient times upon the Lady
Banks, in the Tay, opposite to Monifieth. This
would imply the existence of a population upon,
or near that spot, which, although at a consider-
able distance from the shore now-a-days, had
likely been of comparatively easy access at the
period referred to. I am told that, within the
last twelve years, the Tay has encroached fully
twenty feet upon the Links of Monifieth.

"Truel Fair at the Kirk of Kinnethmont,
and at Kirktown of Monifieth," appears under
Oct. in the Edinburgh Prognostication for 1706,

In 1574 the churches of Monifieth, Barry, and
Murroes, were served by Mr Andrew Auchenleck,
as minister ; and James Lovell was the contem-
porary reader, or schoolmaster, at Monifieth.

( 107 )

£>

•a

<vs>.\

^?'

[Two Sculptured Stones at Monifieth.]

108

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

The present church was erected in 1812-13.
It occupies much the same site as the pre-
vious building, which possessed considerable archi -
tectural beauty. The bell, which is a fine toned,
prettily moulded instrument, is adorned with two
medallion portraits. It has also a floral ornament
round its rim, and this inscription : —

HENKICVS : IE . SVIS . TOVT . POVR . VRAI.
lACOB . SER . M. F. MDLXV.

[Henry : I am all for truth. Jacob Sermademe, 1565.]
From a marble monument within the church : —

Here lyes the Body of George Dempster of
Duuuicheu, Merchant in Dundee, who died 2d June
1752, in the 75th Year of his Age. And also the
Body of Margaret Rait, his Spouse, who died —
April 1740, in the — Year of her Age. And also
his Father, JOBN DEMPSTER, ^iwi&t&y: of this Parish,
who died April 1710.

— The above inscription contains some inac-
curacies. According to the Kirk-session records,
George Dempster and his wife were interred
within the church of Monifieth, on 2d June 1753,
and 9th May 1741, respectively ; while the Pres-
bytery books show that the minister died in 1708.

The above-named George Dempster was an
extensive general merchant and corn -dealer in
Dundee. He was also chamberlain or factor to
the Countess of Panmure ; and at the time of his
death he not only owned the barony of Dun-
nichen, but also the estates of Newbigging, Laws,
Omachie, Burnside, Restennet, Wester Denhead,
Galry, Hillock, Ethiebeaton, and New Grange,
now Letham Grange. In 1753, these properties
yielded a gross annual rental of £9233 16s Scots,
or £769 8s 4d sterling.

Mr Dempster was married 19th Oct. 1699. His
wife was a daughter of Mr Wm. Rait, minister
of Mouikie, and laird of Pitforthy, near Brechin,
by Margaret Teaman, a daughter of the laird
of Dryburgh. Pitforthy came to Mrs Dempster's
grand-father, who was minister of Dundee, and
Principal of the College of Aberdeen, through his
marriage with the heiress. She was a daughter
of the last Guthrie of Pitforthy, and a niece of
the Rev. James Guthrie of Fenwick, author of the
Christian's Great Interest.

Mr George Dempster took a very decided part
in politics ; and whether owing to that circum-
stance, or to an outburst of the populace at a time
of dearth and scarcity, is not stated ; but it ap-
pears that, during his absence from Dundee in
February 1720, his premises were broken into
and plundered by the inhabitants. This affair is
described in the following letter, addressed by Mr
Dempster to the Hon. Harrie Maule of Kellie : —

" DuNDiE, 27th Febry. 1720.
"Sir, — I am honoured w' yours of the 16th,
signifying your simpathy in my most melanchoUy
affliction. I seed at my Eeturue to this wicked
Place, the Ruins of a well pleuished Hous, Shope,
and Cellars ; and of all the hundreds that Robed me
in a most Barbarous mauer, there is not one secured ;
but, upon the Conterar, are incou raged by the Ma-
gistrals, whose slackness in punishing any of them,
hath, in place of quieting the minds of the People
here, inraged them more than formirly, soet hat if
there were not some souldeirs here to supress the
Mobe, they would be up againe. I am still per-
swaded that, if it were layed before the Parliment,
the Town would be found layable for my damages,
which will amount to £1000 str., Besids the loss
of my pappers, & turning me out of all Bussiness
here, for they are so inraged at me in this place, by
the above incouragement, that they threaten to
asationat me ; wherefor pray lett me have your
asistance."

The minister of Monifieth is said to have been
descended from the Dempsters of Careston and
Auchterless (Douglas' Baronage). A branch of
that ancient family was designed of Pitforthy,
near Brechin, long before that property came to
the Guthries, above noticed. Some of the Demp-
sters of Careston and Pitforthy were merchants
and burgesses of Brechin at an early date. No
fewer than three persons of the surname were
rulers of the burgh in 1641, Robert Dempster
being then a bailie, and Charles and James town-
councillors.

The Rev. Mr Dempster of Monifieth, who
was one of three sons "laufuU to George Demp-
ster, citiner of Brechin," began life as preceptor of
the Maisondicu or Grammar School of his native

MONIFIETH.

109

city. He was afterwards Diinister of Brechin ; and
on his appointment to that living, he was succeeded
in the preceptorship by his brother James. When
the church of Monifieth became vacant in 1675, Mr
Dempster was translated t Pitkerro to
James, Earl of Panmure, in 1685, for the sum of
23,000 merks. About 1705, his Lordship resold
Pitkerro to George Mackenzie, Esq. It now be-
longs to Dick, Esq., whose ancestors were

Dundee merchants. The oldest or more southern
part of the house of Pitkerro, though much al-
tered, was possibly built by the "cashier" of
James YL, aud the northern or later portion,
may have been erected by the jNIackenzies. The
house of Pitkerro, which is well cared for by the
present tenant, John Laing, Esq., merchant, is
surrounded by some line old trees.

Grange of IMonifieth also belonged to the Dur-
hams. It will be remembered that, when on his
way as a prisoner to Edinburgh, in 1650, the Mar-
quis of Montrose was lodged at the house of Grange
for the night ; and, but for the noise of a drunken
outsider, who wanted to gain admittance, Mon-
trose would have escaped from his guard, chiefly
through the stratagem of Lady Durham, who had
him attired in a suit of her own clothes. Guynd
says that the laird of Grange is of " ane ancient
family and chief of his name," and describes the
place as " a good house, yards, and planting, with
salmon fishings in the river Tay." William, the
last Durham of Grange, sold the property about
1702, to R. Martin, Edinburgh {Mem. by James
Neish, Esq., of The Laws.) (v. Appx.)

Good carvings of the Durham arms are built

into garden walls at Monifieth ; aud a tomb-
stone, approiDriated to the sacrilegious purpose of
paving a workshop, presents the family arms, aud
this in-cription : —

HEIR . LYES. ANE. WORTHIE. GENTLEMAN . CALLED
ALEXANDER . DVRUAM . QVHA . DECESD . THE . 17
I'EBERVAR . 1563 . AGED . 05 . YEARIS.

A more modern tomb -stone lies in the same
place. It bears representations of a sailor's com-
pass, a ship's anchor, &c., also this inscription : —

Here lyes under this stone, Andrew Spink, ship-
master in Dundee, who departed this life upon the
31st day of March 1748, aud iu the 44th year of
his age.

The next three inscriptions are from Hat slabs,
upon the south-east side of the kirk-yard. The
first presents three shields, charged with mortuary
emblems ; also this inscription : —
1655.

liEIR . LYE.S . .\NE . FAITIIFVLL . BROTHER
DAVID . MO RAM.

— The surname of j\Ioram or Murham, which
still survives iu the adjoining parish of Barry, is
one of the oldest in Angus. John of Morham
obtained the lands of Panbride from W illiam the
Lion ; and about 1214 he confirmed the King's
gift of that church to the Abbey of Arbroath
(Reg. Vet. de Aberb.) The surname was ori-
ginally De Malherb ; but, on obtaining the lands
of Morham, in Lothian, they assumed Morham
as a surname (Chalmers' Caledonia.) The De
Malherbs held the property of Ilossie, in Gowrie,
and also gave a donation out of it to the monas-
tery of Arbroath.

The second slab is initialed M. I. W : I. M.
It bears a shield charged with three boars' heads,
for Urquhart ; also, these traces of an inscription : —

Monumentum Ioi-iannls

Urquhart Monufuthensis

hoc quod Ianeta

MoRUM charissima erigendum

anno Christi

MDCLXIIII anno Trigesimo Secundo
obiit 10 Cal. lulij anno Salutis humana;

MONIFIETE.

Ill

— Since I last saw the stone with the above in-
scription, the Rev. Mr Young has kindly had it
laid upon its face, and on turniug it over, he has
found traces of Hexameter verse, in which are
the words, " ferulaiu tulit." The inscription
ought possibly to read —

[This monument, to the memory of John Urqu-
HART, schoolmaster of Monifieth, who died 16th
June 1664, in his 32d year, was erected by his
beloved wife, Janet Morum.]

The third stone bears much elaborate carving,
also a shield charged with a flesher's cleaver,
knife, and axe : —

Here lyes Robert Lorimer husband to Christian

Horn sometime flasher in Monifieth who

Here lyes Ianet Finlaw, spoues to Robert Morum
in Monifueth, who died 11th February 1G76, aged
44. Also here lyes Christian Horn, sometime
Spouse to Robert Lorimer, who was flesher in
Mouefieth. She died Dec. 8, 1742, aged QQ.

A marble tablet, within an enclosure on the
north side of the church-yard, is thus inscribed : —

Here lies interred the Body of James Erskine of
Linlathen, who departed this life on the 26th of
August 1816, at Broadstairs, Isle of Thanet, County
of Kent, aged 28 years.

" Thanks he to Cod which (j'lveth us the Victory
throwjh Our Lord Jesus Christ."

Two of his Infant Children, Ann and James-
Katherine, are likewise interred here, and Two in
the Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh, viz. Mary
and Katherine.

— Uavid Erskine, advocate, father of the above-
named James Erskine, was a cadet of the family
of Cardross. He bought the property of Lin-
lathen, &c., from Graham of Fintray about 1805 ;
and married Ann, daughter of Graham of Airth.
His younger son, Thomas Ekskine, LL.D., the
friend of Thomas Carlyle, and author of several
theological works, who died at Edinburgh in
1870, aged 82, was buried at Monifieth. He was
succeeded in Linlathen, &c., by a sister's son,
James Paterson- Erskine, Esq., a cadet of the
Patersons of Castle Huntly, in Gowrie. During
the early part of the 15th century, certain portions
of Linlathen and Craigow (Craigie), belonged to

Fither of Spalding ; and in 1459, David Gardia
and Janet, his spouse, had charters of the lands of
Lunleithein, which were held in ward, on the re-
signation of Thomas, father of David Gardin
(MS. Notes of Scotch Cliarters at Panmure.)

From a table-stone to the eastward of the last-
mentioned monument : —

Here lieth the body of Sir Edward Smith Lees,
forty-five years Secretary to the Post Office of Ire-
land and Scotland, and who, at Broughty Ferry, on
the 24th of September 1846, fell asleep in Jesus.

— This gentleman had the honour of knighthood
conferred upon him when George IV. visited Ire-
land in 1821. His lather, originally from Ayr-
shire, held office under the Government in Ire-
land, and was created a baronet in 1804.

The next inscription is from a flat stone (en-
closed), with a carving of the Scott arms : —

Her lyes ane honest man called Robert Scot,
vho dyed the 3 of December . . the 40 year of his
age, anno Domini 16 . .

— Scotts, waulkmillers at Balmossie, are said to
have had a monument (now lost) at Monifieth,
with these punning lines : —

" On earth I loaulked for many years,
But here I now do sleep ;
Where I shall walk when I awake,
To you's a mystery deep. "

A dateless slab, within same enclosure, has tea
initial letters down the sides, which possibly re-
present those of the names of as many children of
the Websters. Upon the face of the stone :—

This stone was erected by Andrew Webster ten-
nant in Downieken, and Barbara Scott his spouse,
in remembrance of his deceased Grandfather and
Grandmother, vizt. Andrew Webster and Mar-
garet Scott his spouse. He was tennant in Om-
achie and was both interred here.
— These were ancestors of the AVebsters who
bought Flemington and Meathie, the last recorded
of whom (upon a marble slab at Monifieth), Avas
"James Webster of Meathie and Flemington
himself, who died 12th Feby. 1848."
Upon a table-shaped stone :—

Here lyes ane vertuous and honest man, called

ll'i

EPITAPHS, AiVD IMCRIPTIO.VS:

Iames Hill, skipper iu the Ferrie, and husband to
Elspeth Urquhart, who departed the 29 of Decem-
ber 1711, of age 37. Man's life on earth, (siq). p. 9. )

Here lyes ane virtuous woman called Matilda
STiVEisr, spous to George Kirkcaldie, in Balgillo>
wbo died the 8 December 1732, and of age 67.

From a small head-stoue adjoining the grave of
Mr W. D. Bowman, engineer, Pernambuco (son
of Captain Bowman of 93d regiment), who died
at Broughty Ferry in 1872, aged 55 : —

Here lyes James Bowman, smith in Cadgertown^
who died December the 9th day 1753, his age 56.
Round the margin of a table-shaped stone : —

Here lyes Alexander Anderson, husband to
Margaret Sturrock, some time tennant iu Kingennie,
who died May 24, 1722, aged 66. Here also lyes
Margaret Stctrrock, his spouse, who died Novem-
ber 29th, 1746, aged 86. Here also lyes Iean An-
derson, who died May 12th, 1716, aged 22.

— The following is upon the face of the same stone.
It will be seen that the concluding couplet of the
epitaph embodies the same beautiful idea as iu the
modern song of " the Angel's Whisper" : —

Here lyes ane vertuous young woman caled
Elizabeth Andersone, daughter to Alexander An-
dersone and Margaret Storak, who departed the
31 day of March 1711, and of her age 22 :—

O my soul, the Lord prepare thee.

When death comes here, then I must leave thee ;

Wheu death comes here, he stays no man's leasure.

Therefor adeu all worldly pleasure.

But what more pleasure would I have

Then the Lord to bring me to the grave.

Into my grave while I lye sleeping.

The angels have my soul iu keeping.
— Kingennie has long been Wedderburn property.
It still belongs to that family ; and some carved
stones at the old house present their arms and
initials. One is dated 1637, and another with
the Wedderburn and Ramsay arms impaled, is
initialed A. W. : E. R.

The farm gear carved upon the stone, from
whicb the next inscription is copied, and the
blacksmiths' arms, indicative of the origin of the
family, but more particularly a skull, and thigh-
bones, &c., are very elaborate pieces of carving.

Here is interred James Webster, late tenant iu
Balmadoun, lawfull son to William Webster, tenant
in Ethiebeaton, who died the 11th of August 1758,
aged 30 years. Also his only child William
Webster, who died the 1st of Nov. 1710, aged 2
years 6 months, who was procreated by Jean Low
his spouse.

Margret Greig, wife of Robert Tullo, tenant iu
Omachie, who died April 27th 1801, aged 35 years.
Matilda Donaldson, dr. of Isobel Duncan,
Asloody, d. in " a languishing decay," 1708, a. 17 : —
In the cold bed Christ dearest saints must ly,
Till they be wakened by the angel's cry ; —
The bed is cold, the dust lys here cousum'd,
But Christ in grave did ly, and he the grave per-

fum'd.
Their souls dislodg'd, to mansions bright do soar,
Where Christ is gone to keep an open door ;
The clog of earth must stay a while behind —
No guest for Christ till thus it be refin'd.
— Arsludie, now Ashludie, formed part of the
estate of Grange of Monifieth, and was occupied
in 1692 by John Durhame, " whose house was
burned in the nicht, and he in it" (^Session 7ie-
cords, per J. Neish, Esq.) Ashludie belonged to
the Ramsays of Bamff from about the beginning
of the present century. It was bought from that
family in 186- by Alex. Gordon, Esq., mill-
si^inner, Arbroath, who has erected a mansion
house upon the property.

Alex. Paterson, Cotton, Arsludie, hbd. to Marg.
Brown, d. 1784, a. 66 :—

All men live in the same death power,
Who seised my beloved man hour ;
One word to me he could not speak,
Though Hoods of tears ran down his cheek.
David, sou to John Cairncross, mercht., Moni-
fieth, and Agnes Henderson, d. 1744, a. 3 m. : —
Here lyes a hermles bab.
Who only came and cryed
In baptism to be washed,
And in three months old he deyed.
Silvester Steven, d. 1734, a. 20 : —
Life's everlasting gates
For ever had been shott,
Had not the death of Christ
Them pulled up.

MONIFIETH.

113

Since the previous sheet was printed, 1 have re-
ceived a full copy of the inscription from the
tombstone of Mr Urquhart at Monifieth (par-
tially printed on p. 110), which the Rev. Mr
Young has succeeded in deciphering sooner than
he anticipated, the turning over of the slab upon
its face, which was suggested by the Earl of Dal-
housie, having had the effect of completely clear-
ing the stone. The inscription, was probably
composed by the Mr Barclay who (sup., p. 109),
" had for wife the muses nine."

It will be remembered that Orbilius, referred to
in the epitaph, was tutor to Horace, and so noted
for his severity that his pupil calls him " flagosus."
Mr Young suggests that, as the Poet had watery
eyes, Orbilius " perhaps thrashed Horaces© much
in his youth that watery eyes became chronic
with him." The Corycian crocus, which was a
famous and much esteemed perfume, is alluded
to by Horace in Sat. iv., line 68. The inscription
is as follows : —

Monumentum Mr Johannis Urquhart, Paroe-
chi« Monufuthensis moderatoris fidelissimi, quod
Janeta Morum, coujunx amautissima, erigendum
ouravit. Obiit 16 Oal. Julij anuo salutis humana;
MDCLXIIII, anuo Trigesimo Secundo.

Siste, Viator ! proh ! jacet hac Urqvhaet' in urna

Ingenuus, sceptrum qui ferulamque tulit.

Non erat Orbilius pueris, ast instar amantis
Nutricis, tribuens ubera blanda labris.

Mauibus inferias igitur tu fundito vota
C'orycium spiret quae tegit urna crocum.

[The monument of Mr John Urquhart, a most
faithful teacher of the Parish of" Monifieth, which
his most loving wife, Jaxet Morum, caused to be
erected. He died IGth June, lGti4, in his 32nd
year.

Stop, Traveller ! in this tomb, alas ! lies gifted
Urquhart, who swayed the sceptre of scholastic
rule. To children no Orbilius was he, but like a
loving nurse, he fed their infant minds with tender
care. As offering to his manes, then, pour out a
fervent prayer that from the tomb that covers him
the fragrance of the Corycian crocus forth may
breathe. ]

— Mr Urquhart, who appears to have taken his
degree of A.M. at King's College, Aberdeen, in

1618 {Fasti Abd., p. 469), was married to Janet
Moram at Monifieth, on the 24th of October 1656,
and by her he had two sous, William and John,
and a daughter Margaret. The last recorded was
born in 1662, and the baptism of the first-named,
in 1657, was witnessed by Wm. Durhame elder,
and Wm. Durhame, younger of Grange.

These particulars have been kindly furnished
from the Parish Registers in the possession of the
Registrar-General at Edinburgh, together with
the minute relative to the appointment of Mr
Urquhart to the office of parish teacher of Moni-
fieth. As the minute presents some points of pecu-
liar interest, not only to the local, but also to the
general reader, it is given in full : —

"At Monifuithe Febi'. sixt 1653 yeares.
" Which day the heretores & sessione of Moni-
fuith being conveened for ye electing of a School-
master to ye fors"!. parish e & for setling of a pro-
visione vnto him, after publick intimOue had beene
made two severall Lords days out of pulpit that
non might pretend ignorance, all who were present
did declare yt in yre judgement Mr Johne Wrquhard
was fittest to be yre Schoolemaster, who, after he
had presented his testimonials (on qreof uas from
ye Masters of ye Colledg of Old Abd. where he was
educated & made master, the other fromye minister
in Barrie in whose parishe he had resided since his
coming frome Abd.) after yt they wer read was
elected to be Schoolmr to sett the psalmes & to be
clerk to ye Sessione ; and for ye maiutainance of ye
sd Mr Johne it was agried vpone by these heretores
who wer present at his electione & the sessione
fors'l. That euerie ploughe within the parishe
should pay two markes zeirlie vnto him, the one
halfe yreof was to be given presentlie vnto him,
the other halfe at the first of August nixt, & in all
tymes coming at two termes in ye zeir Candlemas
& Lambm'as, everie ploughe thirteenth shilling four
pennies ; the number of the ploughes extending to
fourtie & seven were given vp as foUowes, Moni-
fuithe two ploughes, Burnsyd & Barnhill foure
ploughes, Balmossie thrie ploughes, the milles of
Balmossie on ploughe. Forth on ploughe, Bal-
giilo foure ploughes, the mill of Balgillo halfe ane
ploughe, Lumlethum six ploughes, EflSbetoune
six ploughes, Grange six ploughes, Ardounie two
ploughes, Laws two, Pidditie & Arsludie thrie

114

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

ploughes, Kingenuie two ploughes, Legsland ane
j)lougbe & ane lialfe, Finrack two plouglies,
Oraacliie thrie plotiglies. The minister did pro-
mise to pay foure merkes zearlie during the tyme
of his miuistrie, & the enjoying of his stipend
at the 8*1 kirk. Further it was agried vnto yt
everie gentleman's chyld should give threttie
shillings in ye qrter, euerie husbandmans chyld
twentie shillings, if he be able to pay it ; these
who are lesse able, thrcttin shilling foure
pennies in the qrter. Further, it was agried
vnto yt persones of good qualitie & rank & who
were able, should give tuentie foure shillings Scots
at yre marriage or proclama"ne, qi'cof the Schoolm''
is to have eighteenth shilling and the beddel six
shilling. These y* are of meaner qualitie or lesse
able to pay, twelfe shillings at yre proclamaOne or
marriage. Strangers uho live without the parishe
desyring the benefit of a burial place in the kirkzard
of Monifuithe were oppointed to pay to the
Schoolemi' twentie shilling besyde that which is
due to the beddell for ye graue making. Twelfe
shillings was appointed to be given at ye baptisme
of everie chyld, eight shilling qreof to be given
to ye Schoolemr, Further it was agried vpone
yt the nixt summer there should be a schoole
builded wt. a chamber to ye School mn as
neere the mids of the parishe as could be con-
venieutlie vpon the charges of ye parishioners, the
particular place for building of ye schoole to be
made choise of and condescended vpone by the
greater part of the voices of ye heretores & vther
persones having interest therinto, & that the
scholler's parents or others who hes neerest in-
terest in them shall bring in ye sumer seasone
peets, coales, or truffes to the Schoole for ye vse
of ye Schoolemi' and bairnes in ye winter seasone,
& yt proportionallie according to yre rank & condione.
Furthei'it was agried vpone that ye Schoolem'' should
have libertie to remove at auie Candlemas or Lamb-
mas heirafter, provyding he intimate the same to
ye sessione fourtie dayes befor his removall. It
is agried vpone & inacted by the heretores &
sessione that all heretores residing w'in the parishe
& all husbandmen & labourers of the lands do sett
yre hand to this present act obliedgeing heirby
themselfcs to ye fulfilling of thir premisses.

A double lifcirof was given to Mr Johne Wrqu-
hard for his suretie subscribed be James Lord

Couper, William Durhame elder of Gi-ange, Alex.
Wedderburn of Kingennie, Michael Ramsay of
Forth, James Durhame of Ardounie, heretores ; Mr
John Barclay, Minister^ Hew Maxwell, Hendrie
Dog, William Mill, James Nicoll, elders, & other
elders & deacons who could not subscribe gave
yre consent thervnto.

The " Temple Lands," a name which almost
invariably implies an ownership on the jsart of
the Knights' Templars, are in the neighbourhood
of Drumsturdy Muir.

Besides the parish church of Monifieth, and the
chapel of Broughty Ferry, there were, at least,
three other places of worship within the parish in
old times. One of these, dedicated to S. Bridget,
stood at Kingennie ; a second, known as " Chapel
Dockie,^^ which is a probable corruption of the
name of S. Murdoch, was situated upon the
lands of Ethie-Beatou ; and the third, called
Ecclesmonichtie, was upon the banksof the Dichty,
near Panmure Bleachfield.

It has been conjectured by Bishop Forbes
(Kalendars of Scottish Saints), that S. ]M*Uren,
the daughter of Iluugua and Fiuchen, King and
Queen of the Picts, v?as born at Ecclesmonichtie.
The site is still marked by the Lady Tree ; and,
according to the Chronicle of the Picts, Fincheu
gave Moneclatu (Monichtie), the place where S.
J\J UREN was born, to God, and to the chm-ch of
St Andrews. The kirk of Ecclesmonichtie was
probably dedicated to Our Lady.

Although there is now no hamlet— not even a
cottage, at Ecclesmouichty — and the site is known
chiefly to those who have a taste for archaeological
pursuits, "the towns and lands of Egglismonich-
tie," in the regality of Kirriemuir, are particularly
specified in a charter granted to James Lovell of
Ballunibie, by the Earl of Angus, at Cupar-Fife,
27th Oct. 1619 {Writs at Panmure.)

Tliis charter also conveys to Lovell the lands
of Murrois, Carmoatie, and Labothie, with the
mill and mill lands of the same, in the barony of
Inverarity ; the lands of West Ferry, with the

BROUGHT Y FERRY.

salmou-fishings, called " lie Westcrukis et Ferry-
duris," in the barouy of Dundee ; also the lands
and mills of Balmossie ; the lands of Monifieth
and Jnstingleyis, with cunnielairs ; the Links,
and salmon-fishings in the Tay, together with
Barnhill, Balclochar, Bracq^uhan, and Lie Camp ;
lands to the west of the pont or boat of Moni-
fieth, the salmon-fishings of Polmonichtie, which
are described as adjoining the said pont and a
place called the Blackcraig, all situated within
the regality of Kirriemuir.

But the concentric walls upon the hill of Laws,
or " Lawyes of Easter Athy," are probably not
only the most ancient objects in the parish, but
among the most remarkable of their kind in Scot-
land. The hill, which is about two miles north
from the parish church, is about 500 feet in
height, and the summit, which is oval-shaped,
measures about 500 feet from east to west by
about 200 feet in breadth.

So far as seen, the walls show a series of con-
centric and converging chambers, constructed of
rude undressed stones. Many of the stones are
of great size, and traces of vitrification run
through the work. Stone cists containing
skeletons, and relics of stone and iron have been
found in the course of excavations ; also the bones
of animals, and quantities of charred barley.
This curious work is described in an interesting
paper by Jas. Neish, Esq., F.S.A. Scot., pro-
prietor of Laws, accompanied by plans, in
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scot-
land, vol. iii.

The plan of the work at Laws presents a re-
semblance to the jjaJis of New Zealand ; and, in
all probability, it had been an abode of "our
ancient forefathers"— possibly a township during
the Pictish period. When the late Dr Joseph
Robertson visited this remarkable structure, he
felicitously described it as " the Dundee of the
ninth century !"

At Cairn Greg, to the north of Linlathen, a
stone cist was lately found. It contained an urn
and a spear-head of bronze; and the more in-
teresting object of the symbol of the elephant, so
i-eculiar to the ancient sculptured stones, was

found carved upon a fragment between the covers
of the cist.

The greater part of the district, including the
thanedom of Monifieth, belonged to the Maormors,
or Celtic Earls of Angus, in early times. At a
later date, the lands of Athy were owned by Sir
David of Beaton, who was Sheriff of Angus under
Edward I. ; and from that knight the property
acquired its present name of Ethie- Beaton (u.
Memorials of Angus and Mearns.) Monijieth was
a surname about 1310, as in that year Michael
DE MoNiFOTH was hereditary lord of the Abtheiu
lauds thereof.

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p?V0«Oltt\|, or l]m\\\ $,txx\s,

(S. ) .

THIS place, like the village upon the opposite
shore of the Tay, was called Portincraig in
old times. It is of considerable antiquity; and,
prior to the foundation of the Abbey at Arbroath,
Gillebryd, Earl of Angus, contemplated the erec-
tion of an Hospital at Broughty Ferry.

From earliest record, the chapel of Broughty
Ferry has been dependent upon the church of
Monifieth. The old church stood near the middle
of the church -yard ; but no trace of it exists.
In consequence of the rapid increase of the po-
pulation of Broughty Ferry, handsome churches
have been erected in it by almost every denomi-
nation of Christians.

A Chapel of Ease, in connection with the
Established Church, was built about 1826. Ten
years later, the district was formed into a quoad
sacra parish, and sanctioned as such in 1838.

The old burial-place (recently closed against
interments) is of small area, and situated close
to the river Tay. The oldest tomb-stone is
dated 1C89, and initialed I. B : I. L. A fragment
in the north wall, slightly ornamented, shows
these traces of lettering: —

RET «& lEAN

THE 29 OE MAY THE , , . ,

1729.

116

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

A small head-stone, witli a blacksmith's crown
and hammer, initialed T. S : I. W., bears : —

Here lyes Thomas Smith, husband to Isobel
Weles, who dwelt in the Ferrie, who departed the
— day of lanuarie 1712, and of his age 28.

Margaret Ross, wf. of John Kid, shipmr. in
North Ferry, d. 1785, a. 45 :—

Now she for whom this gravestone's placed

Was in virtue ever steady ;
When asked a reason of her hope.

Had ay an answer ready.
Tho' silent and forgotten here.
She mouldei's with the clod,
The day will dawn, a voice she'll hear
Say, Come and meet your God.
Janet Webster, wf. of David Liddell, shipmr.,
d. 1801 :—

Justice and truth, even from youth,

Adorn'd her deportment ;
Never revenging, nor exchanging

Evil for evil treatment.
Tender dealing, without failing.

Was everly her aim ;
Even to those, who were her foes,

Beneficent and plain.
She had to give, while she did live.

The sample of a mind ;
Ever rejecting, but never respecting,
Resentment of any kind.
George Caithness, shipm., N. Ferry, d. Feb., a.
71, his wf., Agnes Lyell, d. Mar., a. G9, 1801 : —
They were a couple good without pretence,
Bless'd with plain reason, and with sober sense ;
Pride to them unknown, while they drew breath,
Lovely in their lives, undivided in their death.

From a pillar, with urn on top : —

Sacred to the memory of John Kid, late ship-
master, Dundee, who died the 15th April 1800,
aged 61 years. Cura pii diis sunt : —

This life he steer'd by land and sea

With honesty and skill.
And, calmly, suffer'd blast, and storm

Unconscious of ill.
This voyage now finish'd, he's unrigg'd

And laid in dry-dock Urn ;
Preparing for the grand fleet trip,
And Commodore's return.

Besides a new cemetery at Barnhill, an older
burying-place surrounds the quoad sacra church
at Broughty Ferry. The latter contains se-
veral monuments, cue of which, an obelisk of
Peterhead gTauite, bears this inscription : —

In memory of

Thomas Dick, LL.D,,

Author of The Christian Philosopher, &c.

Born 1774 ; Died 1857.

— Dr Dick, who was born in Bucklemaker Wynd,
Dundee, was at first a preacher in the Scottish
Secession Church, but afterwards becamea teacher
and lecturer, and ultimately adopted literature as
a profession, A few years before his death, the
Queen was pleased to confer a pension upon Dr
Dick, in recognition of his literary labours.

Besides the elegant modern churches before re-
ferred to, and the many costly villa-residences
which have been erected in and around the town
of Broughty Ferry by Dundee merchants and
others, Broughty Castle and the old military fort
upon the hill or law of Balgillo are both objects of
antiquarian interest.

The Castle, which has a commanding position
upon a rock, near the mouth of the Tay, has been
called " the Gibraltar of Forfarshire." It was
given to the Earl of Crawford, when he was
created Duke of Montrose in 1488 (Lives of the
Lindsays) ; and the property of Balgillo was gifted
by King Robert the Bruce, to Patrick, his chief
physician (Mem. of Angus and Mearns.)

(S. ANDREW, APOSTLE.)

J^ BOUT 1199-1207, the church of Afford was
^Ss given by Gillechrist, Earl of Mar, to the
Priory of Monymusk. The gift was afterwards
confirmed to Monymusk by Pope Innocent and
some of his successors.

ALFORD.

117

The church is rated at 18 marks in the Old
Taxation. In 1574 it was served by one minister,
along with three neighbouring churches. John
Paton was then reader at Alford.

The bell, which appears to bear an inscription
similar to that at Durris (sup., p. 104), was re-cast
in 1761, by John JNIowat, Old Aberdeen, at a
cost of £9 6s sterling, less £3 12s 2d for the old
instrument and the iron work.

The former church bore the date of 1603 ; and
the following is upon the west end of the present
building : —

BUILT A.D. 1804; ENLARGED A.D. 1826.

A marble tablet within the church bears : —

The late Mr Joseph Taylor of London, a native
of this parish of Alford, left, in 1816, to the Poor
here, £100 sterling, and desired this inscription to
be put up as an example to others.

The following inscription, kindly communicated
by the late Rev. Dr Gillau of Alford, is from a
slab below the pulpit : —

H. I. GuLiELMUS Badenoch, A.m., Eccles. Cor-
tacheusis in Com. Angus XII an., hujus autem
EccliiB VIII an. Pastor, qui vitam LVIIl an™,
explevit V die Feb. M.D.C.C.XLVI. Virtutis
amans & veritatis, fidem quam docuit Christianam
factis probavit et charitatem. Dorothea etiam,
filia unica, gaudium breve VIII mensium, qua; ob.
XXVI Mar. M.D.C.C.XLII. Conjugi, quocum
feliciter vixit VI an., et filiolaj ab ubere rapta;
Barbara Forbes hoc monumentum non sine lachry-
mis posuit.

[Here lies William Badenoch, A.M., minister
of the church of Cortachy in the county of Angus
for 12 years, and of this church for 8 years, who
closed a life of 58 years, Feb. 5, 1746. A lover of
virtue and truth, he exemplified in his life the
Christian faith and charity which he inculcated.
Here also lies Dorothy, his only daughter, a brief
8 months' delight, who died March 26, 1742. To
her husband, with whom she lived happily for 6
years, and to her little daughter, torn from her
breast, Barbara Forbes, not without tears, erected
this monument.]

— There is an inscription at Cortachy to the
memory of Ann Farquharsou, Mr Badenoch's
first wife.

Fragments of a monument, which stood within
the old church, are preserved at the west end of
the present building. These consist of a skeleton
and three human figures, all rudely carved. The
skeleton, which is upon the base of the monument,
lies in a horizontal position, and a nude, winged
figure is upon the top. Two clothed figures,
which fiank the inscription-panel, have scrolls
upon their garments, which are respectively in-
scribed— Fertre Deum (fear God), and Nosce te
ipsum (know thyself.) The panel bears : —
Within this isle inter\l behind these stones,
Are liious, wise, good Mary Forbes' bones;
To Balfluig daughter, and of blameless life.
To Mr Gordon, Pastor here, the wife.

Expiravit Apr: 27, A.D. 1728, JEt. suce 46.
— Mr Gordon, who was Professor of Divinity in
King's College, Aberdeen, before he came to Al-
ford, was translated to Alloa in 1736, where he
died about 1750. He wrote notices of some of the
parishes in Aberdeenshire. Being the first Pres-
byterian minister at Alford, and, as is said, of a
haughty disposition, he was called The Bishop.

His wife was probably born in the Castle of Bal-
fluig, a considerable part of which still remains,
with the date of 1556 over the entrance door. The
first Forbes of Balfluig was John, fourth son of
Forbes of Corsindae. John Forbes, who sold the
estates in 1753, is said to have gone to Rotterdam.

A head-stone (upon the south side of the kirk)^
bears a shield, charged with the Forbes arms, also
this inscription : —

Here lyetli Mary Moreson, laful spouse to John
Forbes in Mains of Balfluig, uho dyed the 30 Jan.
Here lyes J : Forbes, who died in Kinstair,
Jany. 11, 1751.

The next four inscriptions are from an enclosure
on the south side of the church. The first is from
a panel built into the church wall, and the others
are from coffin-slabs, or Templar tombs of free-
stone, each of which has an ornamental cross upon
the top : —

[1.]

John Farquharson, Esquire of Haughton, in-
closed this burying ground for himself and family,

A.D, MDCCCXXVI.

118

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

[2.]
>^ Here restetli the body of Iohn Farquhaeson,
Esf|iure, who departed xiv May m :D :ccc:liv, aged
Lxxvi years.

[3.]
4- Here resteth the body of Mary-Anne, wife
of lohu Farquharsou, Esq. , who departed the xviii
Oct. M : D : ccc : Li, aged LXIV.

[4.]
►f- Here lyeth the body of Andrew Farqukar-
soN, Esq., of the xxxviii Bengal Light Infantry,
son of Iohn Farquharsou, Esq., died viii No\'.
M : D : ccc : XLix, aged xxxi. Haughton.

— The first Farquharsou of Haughton was " John
Farquharsou in Breda," who bought the lands of
Over and Nether Haughton, and others, with
salmon fishings on the Don, from William Reid,
in 1721-22. These he conveyed to his eldest son,
John, in 1730, on whose death, in 17-J:5-G, his
second brother, Francis Farquharsou, accountant
in Edinburgh, served himself heir to the property.

In 1750, Mr Farquharsou acquired the superi-
ority of the aforesaid lands from John Forbes of
Alford ; and in 1753, he bought from the same
gentleman the lauds of Archballoch, IMorescroft,
Gamphrey's croft, and the lands and barony of
Alford, which comprehended Balfluig and Well-
house, &c. It is the last-named ]\Ir Farquharsou
■who is spoken of by the celebrated Sir William
Forbes of Pitsligo as his own and his mother's
best and earliest friend.

Mr Farquharsou, who died 28th Feb. 1767,
married Grizle Strachan. Leaving no issue, he
conveyed his estates to his nephew, Alexander
Ogilvie, eldest son of the Rev. Mr Ogilvie of
Rhynie, Mr F.'s nephew, who assumed the sur-
name of Farquharson, married Miss Mary Hay ;
and, dying in 1787, was succeeded by his son,
Francis, who was also an accountant in Edin-
burgh.

It was the last-named laird who added Brainley
in 1794, also Little Endovie, and Kinstair in 1800,
to the Haughton estates. He died in 1808, and
was succeeded by his brother John, who made out
the family burial-place at Alford, The last-men-
tioned, who married Mary-Anne, a daughter of

Sir Archibald Grant of Monymusk, Bart., and
died in 1854, bad a numerous family, of whom
the present laird (who has courteously supplied a
note of the above particulars of his family) is the
fifth and youngest son. He married a daughter
of Gen. Sir Alex. Leith of Freefield and Glen-
kiudie, and has issue.

The House of Haughton, which is pleasantly
situated upon the south side of the Don, was
erected in 1791 by Mr Francis Farquharsou. It
has lately received extensive additions and im-
provements, and was visited a few years ago by
Her Majesty the Queen.

The Farquharsons of Haughton are said to have
sprung from the Cumins of Altyre (Douglas'
Baronage.) The present laird bears the Cumin
garbs, along with his maternal and paternal coats.

A granite tablet, built into the south wall of
the church, bears this inscription : —

In memoriam Joannis Davidson de Tillychetly,
qui obiit 31° Mar. 1802, retat. Gl, ejusque conjugis
Ann^ Farquharson, et libcrorum Henrici, Jo-
annis, Jacobi, Alexandri, Olivarii, et Jan^,
qui omnes adhuc adolescen. obierunt, et cum patre
hie i-equiescuut ; tilii etiam Caroli, qui in insula
Grenada medicinam exercens decessit ccelebs, A.D.
1804, ;etat. 30. Posuit hoc marmor solus diet,
liberorum superstes Duncanus Davidson de Tilly-
chetly, 1845. Duncan Davidson of Tillychetly &
luchmarlo, died 8th Decemr. 1849, iu the 77th year
of his age, and lies interred iu the church-yard of
Banchory. 1850.

[To the memory of John Davidson of Tillychetly,
who died 31st March 1802, iu the Gist year of his
age ; and of his wife Ann Farquharson, and of
his children, Henrv, John, J^ijmes, Alexander,
Oliver, and Jane, who all died young, and rest
here with their father ; also of his son Charles ;
who died, unmarried, iu the island of Grenada,
where he was practising as a physician, in 1804, in
the 30th year of his age. Duncan Davidson of
Tillychetly, the sole survivor of the children of the
aforesaid, erected this monument. ]

— The ancestors of the Davidsons of Tillychetly,
luchmarlo, and Desswood lie at Tarland, where a
flat stone, with a curious inscription, marks the

ALFORD.

119

spot. Mr Duncan Davidson (siqn-a, p. 4), was
an advocate in Aberdeen. A daughter of the
present laird of Inchmarlo is the lady of Sir Fran-
cis Outram, whose father distinguished himself so
greatly in India that, among other honours, he
was created a baronet. He married a daughter
of James Anderson, Esq., corn-merchant, Brechin,
by whom he had his successor in the title.

In 1696, and for sometime afterwards, the pro-
perties of Tillychetly and Carnaveron belonged
to a branch of the Gariochs of Kinstair. The
above-named John Davidson bought Tillychetly
from Gariochs ; and, according to Tradition,
Carnaveron was given in dowry with an illegi-
timate daughter of a laird of Craigievar, who
married a person named Stewart. However this
may be, the Barony Court Books of Craigievar
(M.S., 1707-66), shew that a Duncan Stewart in
Norham was bailie of the Court in 1723 ; also
that in 1729, the same person is designed
" Duncan Stewart o/Carnavern." Duncan's last
appearance as bailie is upon 5th June 1732 ; and
in 1735, James, "sou of Duncan Stewart of Car-
naveron" held the same ofSce.

It is interesting to find that the same authority
confirms the tradition (infra, p. 174), of the
Stewarts having borne the name oi AllanacJt, for,
it appears that in 1724, when Duncan Stewart
in Norbara paid his own rent, he also paid 15s.
Scots " for Peter Alanach Ms hrotlier his part of
a custom wedder for Whitsunday 1725."

The above-mentioned were ancestors of the
Rev. Patrick Stewart of Kinneff {q.v.), who was
sometime laird of Carnaveron. He had a family
of sons and daughters ; and the property now be-
longs to the descendants of one of the daughters.
She married a medical practitioner of the name of
Stewart, and went abroad.

Upon a broken table-shaped stone on west side
of Haughton enclosure : —

Sacred to the memory of the Revd. Alexander
Johnston, late minister of the Gospel at Alford,
who died the 2d of March 1778. Margaret SyME,
his spouse, who died the 16th September 1802.

— Mr Johnston was ordained minister of Alford
in 1746, and in 1751 he married Margaret,

daughter of the Rev. Walter Syme of Tullynessle.
Mrs Johnston's elder brother, Mr James Syme,
minister of Alloa, married Mary, eldest sister of
Dr Wm. Robertson, the historian, by whom he
left an only daughter, who became the mother of
Lord Brougham.

The next inscriptions are from various parts of
the kirk- yard to the west of the west walk : —

Here lys below this stons,

Pious, wirtus, Iean AVisharts bons,

Wife to John Bain

Some time in Bridgend* [*prou. Brhjaln.

Of Knockaudoch.

All that was dicent & descret,

Did in her parts & in her person meet ;

She mead apper thro hir wnbilemeshd life,

The tender & the loving wife,
Who departed this life the 4 day of Febry, 1759,
aged 42 years.

A flat stone is adorned with a nude figure stand-
ing upon a globe : it bears a sandglass in the right
hand, a scythe in the left, and a libel issuing from,
the mouth is inscribed— F/t-e hie memor mortis.
Below the figure is this inscription :—

Here lies Jean Connan, who departed life April
5, 1751, aged 73 : —

Expect, but fear not Death, Death has not power,
To cut the threed, till Time point out the hour,
Death's patent's void, till Time set to his seal,
From whose joint sentence there is no appeal.
Hold Death in mind, hold Time in high esteem,
Time lost since thou cannot recall, redeem,
Waste not thy Time in vain on trivial things,
On Time the chain of thy Salvation hines.

From one of several tomb-stones, belongiug to
a family named Benton : —

Here lies Barbra Bruce, spouse to Wm. Benton,
farmer at Mickle Endovie, who died Nov. 17SS,
aged 50 .... .

The next three inscriptions are on the east side
of the church-yard. The first is upon a flat slab :

Alexr. Thomson, farmer in Mains of BalUmcre
lies here interrd. He died May 2, 1767, aged about
80 years. He was a dutiful husband, an affectionate
parent, an obliging neighbour, & kind & affable
■even to the poorest. Jean Gairdne, his relict

120

EPITAPHS, AND UVSCRlPflONS:

•who lived comeudably with him uear 50 years, has
purcliasecl this stoue to his memory, not without
grief iudeed ; but considers that tis most certain
all must die.
Upon a plain head-stone : —

Here lys Iean Aitken, lawfuU daughter to
George Aitkeu in Hoodhouse of Alfoord, aged three
years, dyed May 17, 1724.

— The " Hoodhouse" or Headhouse, is an old
term for an inn or hostelry. The Headhouse was
generally situated near the parish kirk, as were
those of Alford and Clatt.

A mausoleum upon the estate of Breda, near
the Don, is surrounded by a cluster of trees. It
was prepared for, and withiu it was buried, the
first I\Ir Farquharson of Breda. He was a son of
the laird of Cluny in Braemar, who was familiarly
known as " the muckle factor of Invercauld."
The factor sold Cluny to Invercauld ; and his son,
having made money in the West ludies as a sur-
geon, bought Breda from a sister of Mackenzie of
Seaforth. Dr Farquharson's wife, by whom he
had no issue, was a daughter of Mr Robertson,
portrait painter, Edinburgh. After a lengthened
litigation, the late Mr Robert Farquharson, some-
time provost of Paisley, and a thread manufac-
turer there, succeeded to Breda {infra, p. 283).

Several objects of antiquarian interest have
been discovered in the parish of Alford. I'hese
consist of ancient dwellings, flint-arrow heads,
stoue axes, aud bronze weapons. A stone mould,
probably for metal castings, now in the National
Museum, was found upon the farm of Dorzel ({'.
Proceed. So. Antiq. of Scotd., vol. iv. ; O. aud
N. Stat. Accts.)

The Battle of Alford, which was fouglit be-
tween the Covenanters aud the Marquis of Mon-
trose, 2d July, 1645, is supposed to have taken
place to the north-west. of the village of Alford.
The Covenanters were defeated on that occasion ;
and Montrose lost George, Lord Gordon, Mowat
of Balquholly, and Ogilvy of Milton of Keith.
Lord Gordon was " buried in the cathcdrall
church of the Old Toun of Aberdeen, hard by
his mother." The other two officers are said to

lie at Alford. The Battle of Alford is celebrated
in a ballad of that name ; as is also the Chase of
Callivar, which refers to a local superstition (v.
Laing's Thistle of Scotland, and Repertory of
Scottish Ballads, Abd., 1823-34.) ,

The Earl of Mar possessed the greater part of
Alford at an early date, and granted certain lands
there to William of Rossy, 1418.

Parts of Kinstair and Endovie were acquired
by Lord Forbes from the widow of James of
Garviach about 1467. These were possibly the
first lands which the Forbes' possessed in Alford.

William Garioche of Tillychetlie, and George,
portioner of Kinstair, were at the meeting of tt>e
heritors and others in 1C33-4, when an obligation
was entered into " for the constant provisione of
ane schoole at the kirk of Alfoord." The last-
named subscribed the deed with his " hand at the
pen ledd l)e the notar," because he " could nott
writ." The surname of Garioch or Gerrie is
still common in the district. Sometimes it takes
the odd form of Heriegerrle. It is evidently of
territorial origin, and had been assumed from the
well-known district of The Garioch.

On the 30th of September 1720, the laird of
Balfluig left an annual sum of £2 sterling for the
benefit of the parish school-master ; and the late
incumbent, the Rev. Mr M'Connach,* in order
to testify his gratitude for the donation, had a
portrait of Balfluig painted for the schoolroom.
'I'his was done by the late John Philip, R.A.,
while Philip and his friend Stirling were painting
studies, in the schoolroom of Alford, during the
vacation of 1854, for their respective pictures of
The Collecting of the Offering, and The Sermon
{sup., p. 19.)

* This W'Orthy man (Infra, p. 281), who was
nearly 50 years parochial teaeher of Alford, had a
favourite dog, which died in 1870. It was buried
within its master's garden at Crobhlar, wdiere the
following epitaph, upon a brass plate, is fixed to a
fme old lir : —

To mp favourite Dog, Forres.
Almost imbued with human mind,
Throughout life faithful, true, and kind ;
JicMieath this verdant fir-tree's shade,
My good Dog, Foeres, now 'S laid.
IGth May 1870.

MURROES.

121

The principal bridge in the parish crosses the
Don about two miles above the Alford Railway-
Station. It consists of three arches, and was
built in 1811. A wire bridge, dated 1869, crosses
the Don near Montgerrie.

Mr George Melvill, who was minister at Alford,
1668-79, built and endowed the bridge over the
Burn of Leochel. He also founded three bur-
saries at Bang's College, Aberdeen, and gave a
gran t towards the building of the Bridge of Dye,
in Straclian (supra, p. 31.)

A considerable village has arisen at Alford
since the opening of the branch line of railway ;
and important monthly markets are now held
there. The Village contains a good inn, some
neat houses, and shops ; also handsome Episco-
pal, and Free Churches.

Puj^rioije^.

(S.

IF^HE chm-ch of Muraus, with its chapel, were
cA. given to the Abbey of Arbroath, by Gilchrist,
Earl of Angus, 1211-14. The church belonged
to the diocese of St Andrews, and is rated at 20
merks in the Old Taxation.

The chapel stood in the den, to the south-east
of the House of Ballumbie, where the site is still
shewn. In 1574, the church of Ballumbie was
served by Mr Cristeson, minister at Dundee, and
that of Murroes by Mr Auchinleck of Monifieth.
William Oliver was the name of the contemporary-
reader at Murroes. He was probably descended
from David Olifer, who (Reg. Aberb.), was de-
signed of Gagie in 1457. It is also recorded in
1574, that " Ballumby neidis na reidare." The
parishes were probably united about the close
of the 16th century, since Henry Duncan, who
was minister at Ballumbie, and having Murroes
also in charge, removed to the latter (Scott's
Fasti) about 1590.

It appears from a dispute which arose iu IMr

Edward's time regarding the teinds of Ballumbie,
that 40s. were paid " for evrie pleughe" upon
the two Powries, the two Gagies, Westhall, and
Brichtie ; and as Mr Edward could see " no
reason hou Balumbie can be exempted from pay-
ing vicarage, according as the rest of the pleughes
of the parioche," he closes his note of "Informa-
tion" upon the subject by stating, that
"seavin chalders victuall to be the constant
and perpetual stipend of the said kirk of Murroes
in al tyme coming by and attoure the vicarage
teinds of the said parioch ipsa corpora and tuentie
merks yearlie furth of the tack dutie and teinds of
the lauds of Balumbie according to the decreitt
of the ijlatt in anno 1618."

The church and church-yard of Murroes are
upon the west side of the burn of Powrie, near
the old house of Murroes. The church is a plain,
but neat building, erected in the time of the Rev.
Mr John-Ikvine Cuurie, who died 20th July
1863, in the 43d year of his ministry. The in-
junction, Ora et lahora (Pray and labour), is
carved over the east door of the kirk, and that of
Laus et honor Deo (Praise and honor be to God),
is over the west door.

The Jougs^ a well-known instrument of punish-
ment, which old Kirk-sessions employed in the
case of scolds and Sabbath-breakers, are fixed into
the south wall of the kirk. A stone panel, upon
the same wall, is thus inscribed : —

A.D. 1843

Christo, Luci mundl, et humarwe salutis Auctori,

hac cedes consecrata est. I. I. G.

[This church was consecrated to Christ, the Light

of the world, and the Author of human salvation,

in the year of Our Lord, 1843.]

The burial vault of the Fothringhams of Powrie
is upon the north side of the kirk. The remains
of a figure, holding a shield with the Fothringham
arms, is built into the adjoining dyke. Over the
entrance to the family pew is a fine carving of
the Fothringham and Gibson arms, initialed,
T. F : M. G., and dated 1642. These have re-
ference to Thomas Fothringham and his wife,
Margaret, a daughter of »Sir Alex. Gibson, Lord
Durie, and a grand-daughter of Sir Thos. Craig

12-2

EPITAPHS, AND INSCPiIPTIONS .

of Riccarton, Lord Advocate, now represented by-
Sir Wm, Gibson-Craig, Baronet. A slab within
the church, with the names of the same laird
and lady, exhibits sevea shields, labelled with
the names, and charged respectively with the
arms of

FOTIIRINGnAM. LYNDSAY.

GIPSONE. SCOTE.

CRAIGE. iERTUE.
HERIT,

According to tradition, the Fothringhams
came to Scotland from Hungary with the Queen
of Malcolm Canmore. Record shows that Hugh
of Foderiugeye, of the county of Perth, did hom-
age to King Edward at Berwick-upon-Tweed,
in 1296 ; also, that Thomas, sou of Henry of
Fodringhay, had a confirmation charter of the
lands of Balunie, near Cupar Angus, which lie
upon the confines of Perthshire, in 1378 (Rag.
Rolls ; Reg. Mag. Sigill.) There was a knight,
Sir Hugh, in the family of Fothringham, about
1370 (Laing's Ancient Scottish Seals, i. 223.)

The lands of Wester Powrie, which belonged
to Malcolm of Powrie, and were held of John
Ogilvy of Easter Powrie, are said to have been
given to John of Fothringham on his marriage
■with a daughter of Ogilvy of Auchterhouse.
Lord Lindsay (Lives, i. 145), says that Thomas
Fothringham of Powrie was the " familiar sq^uire"
of David Earl of Crawford, from whom he re-
ceived various lauds out of gratitude for " faithful
service and constant attentions." His Lordship
also gracefully remarks that " The Fothring-
hams were always closely allied iu blood and
friendship with the House of Crawford, and the
hereditary regard has manifested itself most
kindly to our behoof in the present generation."

By tlic marriage of the father of the late laird
of Fothringham with. Miss Scrymseour, he ac-
quired the property of Tealing which adjoins
that of Powrie. In consequence of this alliance,
the lairds of Powrie prefix Scnjmseour to the sur-
name of Fotlir'ingliam. James Scrymseouk-
FoTiiKiNGHAM, Esq. of Powrie and Tealing, died
in 1857. He was succeeded by his son Captain
Thomas, who married Lady Charlotte Carnegy,
sister to tlie Earl of Southesk. He died in 1864,

at the early age of 27, and was buried in the
family vault at Murroes.

The first inscription, below, is from a table-
shaped stone at the west end of the kirk. A
rudely carved angel at the top of the grave-
stone is represented blowing a trumpet. Two
blank shields, also the initials, A.E., precede the
inscription, and below, amidst the words—

" EXPERGISCIMINI & LAVDATE, HABITATORES

PVLVERis " (Awake and sing, ye dwellers of the
dust^, are four nude figures (two standing the
others kneeling), with uplifted arms iu the
attitude of prayer. Besides the above text iu
Latin, the same (Isa. xxvi. 19), is repeated upon
the stone in Hebrew characters ; and iu the latter
(as the Rev. Mr NicoU kindly informs me), the
reference to the chapter is given, but not that
to the verse. 1 Cor. xv. 62, is also cut in Greek,
but not being a correct copy of the original, the
text may have been given from memory.

The following inscription (in incised and inter-
laced Roman capitals), occupies the chief part
the tomb-stone : —

Alexander . Edvardvs . ci
VIS . Deidonanvs . Qvi . 22 . Ma
II . Ann : DoM : 1655 . ^etatis . an :

G7 . NEPTESQVE . BIN^ . MaG

dalena . Edvarea . Qv^ . vr
TJE . bien.se . 4to . Ann : Dom : 1650*
& . Marthe . Edvaroa . QV^. . VI

TJE . MENSE . ITIDEM . 4tO . ANN : DOM :
*1660 . OEIERE , HIC . HVMANTVR . [*SIC,

— j\Ir Robert Edward, son of the above-named
Alexander Edward, citizen of Dundee, was pre-
sented " to the paroche kirk of the Murrays, per-
sonage and viccarage thereof," by Patrick, Earl
of Fanmure, 8th ]\Iarch 1648. The A\aluations
of the Shire of Forfar, 1649 and '53, show that
Mr Edward owned' two wadsets, one of which,
Crachie or TuUoes, he had from the Earl of Strath-
more. He also appears to have been a man of
means, for down to past 1676 he had considerable
sums of money lent upon the Ballumbie and
Powrie estates, &c.

Mr Edward is best known as the author of a
Description of the County of Angus, in Latiu,

MURROES.

123

which was accompanied by a map of that shire.
It was engraved by Gerard Vale and Peter
Schenk of Amsterdam, at the expense of the
Earl of Panmure, whose arms are upon the map,
and to whom the work was dedicated. Upon the
30th of Oct. 1671, the Earl gave Mr Edward " 60
rex dollars to be bestoued on the printing of the
map of Angus" (Documents at Panmure ;) but the
publication, which was a broadside, did not appear
until 1678. Edward's Angus was translated by
the Rev. Mr Trail of St Cyrus (gup., p. 41), and
published at Dundee in 1793 (13 pp. 8vo.) In
1832, another edition (12mo), appeared at the
same place, but neither has the map.

Mr Edward wrote another work, entitled The
Doxology Approven (Edinr. 1683, 12mo.) It con-
tains a curious dedication to the Earl of Aberdeen,
then High Chancellor of Scotland, in which the
author attributes " all the Miseries and Confu-
sions in this Land" to schism in the Chui'ch. He
describes King Charles as "a glorified Martyr;"
and compares the Earl to " the wise and greatly
beloved Daniel," now sitting suj)reme judge " in
that very City and Judgment-seat, where your
Father suffered so sad and unjust a Sentence."

Mr Edward married Jean Johnstone, who was
" ane old, infirm, and indigent gentlewoman" in
1697. In that year she had an assignation of the sti-
pend of INIurroes from Lord Panmure, in return for
having " bein at ye trouble and expense to invite
and procure several) preachers from tyme to tyme
to discharge the duty of a minister" at Murroes.

Besides the twin-children named in the above in-
scription, Mr Edward had at least four sons, who
all grew up and were educated for the church.
I have not ascertained the date of Mr Edward's
death ; but, in 1696, when his son, " Mr John
Edward, governor to Sr. James Fleeming's son,"
had an assignation of the stipend of Murroes from
Lord Panmure, it is said that " there hath been no
minister serving" at Murroes " for severall years
past."

Mr Charles Edward, who had been appointed
" conjunct with his father," appears to have left
the parish, temporarily at least, sometime before
27th August 1692 ; for of that date, the Lishop

of St Andrews recommended that Charles' brother,
" Mr Robert, who was rabled out of his own
church," should supply that of Murroes. A fourth
son, Mr Alexander Edward, became minister of
Kemback, and was deprived as a non-juror.

The minister of Kemback appears to have had
a taste for architecture. He was much patronised
by the Earl of Panmure ; and many of the im-
provement.s which his Lordship made about Pan-
mure House and Brechin Castle were executed
after plans by Mr Edward, who also acted as in-
spector of works. Indeed, so highly had Mr
Edward recommended himself as a draughtsman,
that the Earl of Panmure, along with eleven other
noblemen and gentlemen of Scotland, agreed, on
6th Oct. 1701, to give Mr Edward £10 each to
assist him to travel through England, Flanders,
Holland, and part of France, " for veiwing, ob-
serving, and takeiug drawghts of the most Curious
and Remarkable buses. Edifices, Gardens, Or-
chards, Parks, plantations, Land Improvements,
Coall-works, mines, waterworks, and other Curi-
osities of Nature or Art that shall occurr in his
traveling Throw the saids places."

This very interesting document, which is pre-
served in the archives at Panmure, shows an
anxiety on the part of certain of our Scotch
nobility and gentry, not only to improve and
beautify their native country nearly two hundred
years ago, but also a wish on their part to de-
velope, by comparison with foreign practices, its
mineral and other resources. It is just possible
that the publication of Slezer's Theatrum Scotia;,
and of similar works which appeared in England
and on the Continent about the close of the 17th
century, had suggested to the Earl of Panmure
and his colleagues the idea of sending Mr Edward
abroad. I am not aware, however, that any
effect was given to this laudable proposal. It
is just possible that the disasters consequent
upon the Rebellion had prevented its being
carried out. I have seen no evidence of Mr
Edward's having gone abroad, or that any of
the guaranteed subscriptions were paid except that
of the Earl of Panmure, for which there is a dis-
charge by Mr Edward among the family papers.

124

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

From a table-stone, near to that of Mr Edward : —
Erected by Colonel Henry Imlach, in the service
of the East India Company, to the memory of his
father, the Rev. Alexander Imlach, during
XLVII years minister of this parish, who died the
V day of Nov. MDCCCVIII, aged LXXXI years ;
and of his mother Susan Ogilvy, who died the
ninth day of Sept. MDCCXCI, aged LXTII years,
both interred under this monument. Also to the
memory of Ann Imlach, his sister, who died the
third day of May MDCCLXXX, aged XVIII years,
and interred near this place.

— Mr Imlach obtained the church of Murroes
through the influence of the Airlie family, his
wife having been a daughter of Ogilvy of Baikie.
He was previously a teacher at Kirriemuir.

Here lys William Gibson, sometime in Hole of
Murhouse, who died the 13 day of October 1710,
and of his age 61 ; and Agnes Nicol, his spouse, to
whose memory Alexander Gibson, there son, hath
caused this monument to be erected —

This couple lined a uirtuous life

While here they did remain ;

Their honesty and uprightnes.

No blot did ever stain.
Also his son, Alexander Gibson lyes here, he dyed
April 17, 1739, aged 45 years.

Upon a stone with a bold carving of a black-
smith's hammer and " royal crown," &c. : —

Heir lyes ane honest man, William Covper,
hammerman, vho dCcit in Leigsland vpon the 18
of November 1649, and of his aig 63 yeirs. And his
spovs Matild Wobster, vho deceisit vpou the 5
of Avgost 1646, and of hir aige 70.

A flat slab, at the east end of the kirk, with
the following simple inscription, marks the grave
of a foreigner, who came to this country to study
farming, and died of fever, at the age of 2G : —

Peter Orloff Bergstrome, from Wermeland,
Sweden, died at Westhall, xxiv Nov. mdccclvi, is
here interred. I sleep, but my heart waketh. —
Song V. 11.

Upon the face of a prettily carved slab : —

This stone is erected at the expense of George
Arklay, farmer in West Hall, in memory of his
spouse Alison Arklay, who died May 28, 1773,

in the 20 year of her age ; and their son Peter
Arklay, who died Dec. 1773, in the 3d year of
his age .....

From a monument (within an enclosure) ad-
joining the above : —

In memory of David Arkley, Esq. of Cleping-
ton, who died 2nd Augt. 1822, aged 74 years ; and
of Margaret Criciiton, his spouse, who died 19th
Novf. 1836, aged 86 years. Their son, Silvester,
died 12th Feb? 1794, aged 12 years.

— Mr Arkley was sometime tenant of Ethie-
beaton ; and upon succeeding to the fortune of a
relation in London, he bought Clepington, near
Dundee. His son, IMr Peter Arkley, bought
Dunninald, near Montrose It now belongs to his
two grand-daughters; and Clepington was sold,
some years ago, by Mr P. Arkley's second son
to Mr Wm. Neish, now of Tannadice.

Sacred to the memory of Peter Arklay, and
Helen Kerr, his spouse, who lived in this parish.
Hellen Kerr died 2d June 1810, aged 86 years ;
Peter Arklay died 23d May 1811, aged 87 years.

From a head stone (enclosed) : —

Erected to the memory of David Miller, Esq^.
of Ballumbie, who died 19th July 1825, aged 71 ;
and of Jane Miller, his daughter, who died 4th
Feby 1820, aged 17 years.

— Mr David Miller, who was a tenant farmer,
bought the property of Ballumbie in April 1804,
from the Hon. Wm. Maule of Panmure. The
present mansion-house was erected by Mr Miller
in 1810. From the trustees of his son, John, the
property was bought in January 1847, by the
trustees of the late Mr Wm. M'Gavin, merchant,
Dundee. It was afterwards arranged for with
them by his brother, the present proprietor,
Robert M'Gavin, Esq.

Ballumbie was long the property of the LoveUs,
who were among the most potent and influential
of the old Angus barons. They came to Forfar-
shire during the loth, and had an interest in
Ballumbie down to the early part of the 17th
century, when it was bought by the Earl of Pan-
mure (v. Mem. of Angus and Mearns.) The
Castle of Ballumbie is described by Guynd (c.

MURROES.

125

1682), as '' ane old ruinous demolished liouse ; but
a very pleasant place." The old portion, which
joins the new house, and is used as a stable, has
some of the characteristics which distinguish the
towers of Dunottar and Edzell, the former of
which was built towards the close of the 14th
century, as was probably also the latter.

Anonymous : —

Its pride and its pomp are all naked and bare ;

And ruin, and pale destitution are there.

From a marble slab fixed into an obelisk of
freestone : —

To the memory of James Horne, for upwards of
26 years schoolmaster of this parish. He died on
the 14th day of December 1840, aged 52 years.
Erected as a mark of esteem and regard by a few
of those who enjoyed the benefit of his valuable
instruction in their youth, and his disinterested
friendship in their maturer years.

Si sapis, utaris totis, Viator, diebus ;
Extremumque tibi semper adesse putes.

[Traveller ! if you are wise, usefully employ all
your days, and think that your last is always at
hand. ]
Two granite crosses (enclosed), respectively bear :

George Rajmsay-Ogilvy of Westhall.
Taken 22nd Nov. 1866, aged 44. *i> Jesu mercy.
[2.]
Ann-Mary Ogilvy,
Born 22nd April 1854. Taken 2d July 1865.
— Mr Ramsay- Ogilvy was a grandson of the Rev.
W. Ramsay, minister at Cortachy, by a daughter
of John Ogilvy of Jamaica, a son of the laird of
Westhall. Mr R.-Ogilvy, who passed as an
advocate in 1844, was sheriff-substitute first at
Forfar and latterly at Dundee. He succeeded to
Westhall on the death of a maternal aunt, when
he assumed the additional surname of Ogilvy.
Mr R.-Ogilvy's only cliild having predeceased
him (as above), he left Westhall to his cousin-
german, the Rev. Mr Ramsay (now Mr Ogilvy-
Ramsay), formerly minister of the parish of Kir-
riemuir, now minister of the beautiful parish of
Closeburn.
Beatons were designed of Westhall about 1526 ;

and in 1577, Sir Walter Graham of Fintry and
others were delated for communing with Robert
Beaton of Westhall, who was concerned in the
murder of Ramsay, tutor of Laws, in 1568 (Pit-
cairn's Crim. Trials.) Westhall was Beaton pro-
perty until past 1631. In 1662, it was possessed
by the coheiresses of Tliomas Scott, a bailie of
Dundee (Retours.) It belonged to the Pearsons
of Balmadies (.«"/>., p. 160), in, and long after the

time of Guynd ; and was acquired by Ogilvy,

about 17—.

The most important discovery of pre-historic
remains which has been made in Murroes, is
that of a weem, or Pict's house. It was of the
ordinary form, and about 36 feet in length. The
sides were constructed of pavement siabs, similar
to those found at Gagie quarries, &c. A notice
and sketch of the weem are in Proceedings of the
Society of Antiquaries, vol. viii.

Although Murroes was a part of the Earldom
of Angus, the Earls of Crawford appear to have
held a considerable interest in it during the early
ages. In 1450, Alexander, Earl of Crawford,
gave a charter of Wester Brichtie to David
Fothringham of Powrie ; and in 1463, the same
Earl gave Richard Lovell of Ballumbie, and his
wife Elizabeth Douglas, whom the Earl styles
" his oye," a charter of the lands of Murroes.
In the year 1473, Alexander, Earl of Crawford,
gave an annual of twelve merks out of the last-
named lands towards the support of a chaplain in
the parish church of Meigle (MS. Notes of Scotch
Charters at Panmure.)

The Fothringhams had residences both at Pow-
rie and at Murroes. There are still the remains
of two houses at Powrie, the elder of which, with
arched dining hall, and chambers below, was pro-
bably erected in the 15th, and the latter building,
which is still roofed, probably belongs to the 17th
century. The old house at Murroes, now occu-
pied by farm labourers, possibly belongs to the
same period as the last-mentioned. Guynd says
that Powrie and INIurrocs are " both good houses,
sweet and pleasant places, excellent yards, well

12G

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

planted parks, and hay meadoas, and dovecoats
extraordinary good."

Nothing now remains of the " very good house"
of Easter Powrie, mentioned by Guynd, although
there were traces of "the castle" about 1794.
Tradition says it was a residence of the old Karls
of Angus.

The charming little chateau of Gagie, which
has a secluded site on the south bank of the Burn
of Murroes, is kept in good repair, and made an
occasional residence by the proprietor, John
Guthrie of Guthrie, Esq. A '4oupin'-on-stane,"
or steps for assisting one to get on horseback, is
in front of the house ; and a cluster of four mag-
nificent yew trees is in the garden.

In the adjoining summer-house, a door or
window-lintel exhibits the Guthrie arms, with the
initials, W.G., and the date of 1014. These have
reference to William Guthrie (second sou of
Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk,) by whom the
lands of Gagie were bought from Sibbald of
Rankeilor in IGIO. The same person had a por-
tion of Hallton and Milton of Guthrie, 29th Dec.
1574. On 11th June 1603, he purchased llavens-
bie, in Barry, from John Cant, and in the charter
of these lands William is designed brother-german
to Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk (Fcnnili/ papers,
kindly lent by John Guthrie of Guthrie, Esq.)
The first Guthrie of Gagie is said to have married
Isabella, daughter of Leslie of Balquhain. A
shield, on the front wall of Gagie House, bears
the Leslie coat, with the initials, I. L.

Another slab, originally over the old entrance,
or court gate to Gagie, bears an elaborate carving
of the family arms, with the " label," or heraldic
mark of a first son. The coat, which is initialed,
I. G : I. H., and dated 1737, belongs to the time
of John Guthrie of Guthrie, and his wife Jean,
daughter of the Rev. James Hodge of Long-
forgan. Their son became the twelfth baron of
Guthrie, and they had two daughters who were
married respectively to John Scrimgeour of Tcal-
ing, and William Alison, merchant, Dundee.

The only bequest for educational purposes,
■which has been made to the parish, is that by Mr
George Sibbald, surgeon, Argyll Square, Edin-

burgh, who was a native of Murroes, and died in
1SG3. He left £200, the interest of which is to
be applied by the minister and elders " towards
the education of a boy and girl," natives of the
parish, and each for the space of two years. Mr
Sibbald, some of whose relatives are still in Mur-
roes, may have been a descendant of the old lairds
of Gagie and Raukeilor.

It would appear that in 1724, the wants of the
teacher and pupils were so ill cared for by the
heritors, that the Rev. Mr Marr was compelled to
petition the Commissioners of Supply to " modify
a salary" for David Crombie, schoolmaster, and
also a sum to build a school and school-house,
" the parish being defective in both." A hundred
merks Scots, or £5 10s 5d sterling, were settled
as " a competent salary" for the teacher ; and a
sum was also named for building purposes. It
appears, however, that a long time was allowed
to elapse before the necessary house accommoda-
tion -was supplied for the master and his pupils.

Like most Scotch parishes, Murroes, at tlie
date last-mentioned, and for long afterwards, was
in a very poor condition socially. In 1794, Mr
Imlach writes (Old Stat. Acct.), that more money
had been made in Murroes by farming, during
the previous thirty years, than for two hundred
years before ; and adds that the farmers " even
use some of the luxuries of life" !

It may be added that a belief in some of the
superstitious of the darker ages lingered in Murroes
down to a late date. Not long ago, when the
body of a suicide was found in the parish, it was
buried in the clothes in which it was discovered,
and upon the north, or shady side of the kirk,
which was long believed to be the peculiar pro-
perty of his Satanic jNIajesty !

When the grave of the unfortunate man was
opened, his snuff-mull, and the sum of Cs Cd in
silver, and a penny in copper, were found in it.
These had been buried along with the body ; and
as it was conveyed to the kirk-yard in the parish
hearse, the feeling was carried to such a height
that the hearse was never again used, but allowed
to stand in a shed and rot !

LOCHLEE.

127

(S. DROSTAN, ABBOT.)

gT DROSTAN founded the first church in
Glenesk. He died there about A.D. 809,
and his remains were carried to, and buried at
Aberdour, in Aberdeenshire (supra, p. 55.^

Down to ] 723, when Lochlee was erected int(J
an indej^)endent parish, it was attached to that of
Lethnot (q-v.) These, and other points in the
history of the district, are given in " the Land of
the Lindsays," including notices of the families of
De Glenesk, Stirling, Lindsay, and ]\Laule. The
Glen now wholly belongs to the Earl of Dalhousie,
as representative of the last-named family.

The ruins of the kirk of S. Drostan of Glenesk
stand in the old kirk-yard, at the north-east end
of the Loch of Lee. The cemetery is enclosed by
a wall, and surrounded by some venerable trees.
To the north of the burial-ground are the ruins
of the house and school of the author of " Lindy
and Nory," to whose memory a granite monument
was raised by public subscription, upon which is
the following : —

Erected to the memory of Alexander Ross, A. M. ,
Schoolmaster of Lochlee, author of " Lindy and
Nory ; or the Fortunate Shepherdess," and other
Poems in the Scottish Dialect. Born, April 1G99 ;
died, May 17S4.

How finely nature aye he paintit,
0' sense in rhyme he ne'er was stintit,
An' to the heart he always sent it
" Wi' might an' main,"
An' no a'e line he e'er inventit
Need ane offen' !

— Ross was a native of Kincardine O'Neil, and at
one time assistant teacher at Laurencekirk. He
married the daughter of a farmer in Logic Cold-
stone, and her grave is marked by a head-stone
thus inscribed ; —

This stone was erected by Mr Alexr. Ross,
schoolmaster at Lochlee, in memory of Jean Cata-
NACii, his spouse, here interred, who died May 5th
1779, aged 77 years :—

What's mortal here? Death in his right woud

have it ;
The spritual part returns to God that gave it ;
While both at parting did their hopes retain
That they in glory woud unite again,
To reap the harvest of their Faith and Love,
And join the soog of the Redeem'd above.
Memento mori.

The above, also the next four inscriptions, are
attributed to Ross. The first is from a mural
and much decayed tablet, built into the north-east
dyke :—

Hoc jux . . monumentum coudiuitur cineres
JoANNis Garden a Midstrath Armigeri, necnon
Catharine Farquharson, conjugis ejus dilec-
tissimje, qui matrimonio conjunct! 29"° Oct., 1G9G,
per annos 42 vitam conjugalem degerunt, tandem
apud Invermark diem obieruut supremum, hie
26^0 Aijrilis, 1745, retatis 73 ; ha)c vero 24'o Novem-
bris, 1738, «tatis 63.

Quos Hymen th , erat annis ;

Queisq' dedit multos viv ;

Peracto vitae, summo cu , ,

Componit tumulo, nosce, , ....

Ast probos, provides, beuevolos, atq' benignos,
Veridico vivens buccinat ore Fama.
Hunc tumnlum extruxit Robertus Garden, A.M.
verbi Divini ad Sti Fergusij praico ex fdiis ejus

174.

[Beside this monument are laid the ashes of John
Garden, Esq. of Midstrath, and Catharine Far-
quharson, his dearly beloved wife, who, having
been united in marriage 29th October 169G, lived
together in wedlock for 42 years. The former died
at Invermark, 2Gth April 1745, aged 73 ; and the
latter, 24th Nov. 1738, aged 63 :—
" When Hymen in their youth in marriage bound,
Whom with long life and mutual bliss he crown'd,
Together having finished Life's career,
And won the crown of spotless honour dear.
Know passenger ! these now by heav'uly doom
He lays united in one friendly tomb, —
Let Truth anJ Fame with loud acclaims approve,
Their prudence, truth, beneficence, and love."]

— The poetical portion of the above translation fs
from Thomson's edition of Helenore (Dundee,
1812.) The erector of the monument was minis-

128

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

ter of St Fergus, in Buchan, from 24th Sep. 1745,
until his death on 7th Nov. 1772. It appears
from the Poll Book that the above-named John
Garden was living in familia with his father at
Midstrath in Birse, the year of his marriage. He
sold the property of Midstrath about 1722.

The Gardens came^to Gleuesk as factors for
their relative. Garden of Troup, who leased the
estates from the York Buildings' Company. They
were also factors for the family of Panmure ; and
the last of their race, Miss Garden, died at Brechin
nearly forty years ago.

The allusion to the military life of Mr Charles
Garden in the next epitaph, which is upon a slab
in front of the mural tablet, has reference to the
part which he took in Mar's rebellion. He was
at Sheriff muir, and taken prisoner there : —

Here lie deposited the Bodies of Charles Gar-
den of Bellastreen, Gent., who died upon 22ud
Nov. 17GI, aged above 90 years ; and of Mrs Mar-
garet Garden, his eldest daughter, aged above
GO years : —

Entomb'd here lies what's mortal of the man,

Who fill'd with honour Life's extended span ;

Of stature handsome, front erect and fair,

Of dauntless brow, yet mild and debonair.

The camp engaged his youth, and would his age,

Had cares domestic not recaU'd his stage,

By claim of blood, to represent a line.

That but for him was ready to decline.

He was the Husband, Father, Neighbour, Friend,

And all their special properties sustain'd.

Of prudent conduct, and of morals sound,

And who at last with length of days was crown'd.

— In 1G96, James Garden of Bellastrain, in Glen-
tanner, is rated at £1 of poll, but (as the record
bears), " he classing himself as a gentleman, his
poll is £3, and the generall poll for himself, his
wife, and three children in familia,'''' is £4 10s. In
" A.ne List of Papists" which was furnished to the
Presbytery of Kincardine O'Neil in 1704 (Black-
hall's Narrative), it is stated that " Bathia Gar-
dyne, spouse to Charles Gardyn of Ballastreiu,
is and hath been ane obstinate papist."

Here lies Daniel Ciiristison, who departed this
life June 4th, 1751, aged 3G .—

From what befalls us here below,
Let none from thence conclude.
Our lot shall aftertime be so —
The young man's Life was good.
Yet Heavnly wisdom thought it fit,
In its all sovereign way,
The flames to kill him to permit,
And 30 to close his day.
— The quaint allusion in this epitaph to future
punishments had possibly been suggested from the
fact of Christison having been accidentally burned
to death among a quantity of heather. 'I'he next
two inscriptions are from a stone near the above ;
Here is reposed the Dust of David Christison,
farmer in Auchronie, who died 20th Decer. 17G1,
aged 61 years, a Man of Integrity and veracity,
and charitably disposed to the Indigent. He left
of children, John, David, Charles, Hugh, Jean, and
Magdalene, by his spouse Helen Mill.

Here lies Helen Miln, spouse to David Christi-
son, late Tenent in Auchrony, who died December
19th, 1775, aged G4 years : —

Stop, Passenger, incline thine head,
And talk a little with the Dead ;
I had my day as well as thou.
But worms are my companions now.
Hence then, and for thy change prepare,
With bent endeavour, earnest care,
For Death pursues the as a Post,
There's not a moment to be lost,

1800 : Donald Nicol, who died October 9th,
1799, aged 85 years ; and David Nicol, his son,
who died August 11th, 1798, aged 52 ; are interred
here : —

The grave. Great Teacher ! to one level brings.
Heroes and Beggars, Galley-Slaves, and Kings,

— This couplet is from the Earl of Orford's
epitaph on Theodore, King of Corsica, who, after
long confinement for debt in the King's Bench
prison, was released in 1756, and died the same
year. His remains lie in St Anne's Church, Dean
Street, London.

Erected by the Revd. Peter JoUy, 57 years Epis-
copal Clergyman, Lochlee, in memory of his son
James, who died 14th of March 1798, aged 10 years.
And also of his spoupe, Jean Dieack, who died
May 12tii 1809, aged 56 years.

LOCHLEE.

129

— Mr Jolly, who was the first resident Episcopal
clergyman in Glenesk from the time of the Re-
volution, resigned his charge in 1840. He retired
to Brechin, where he died in 1845, aged 82, uni-
versally respected by all denominations of Chris-
tians for his unobtrusive, kindly disposition. One
of his daughters was the wife of the late Bishop
Moirof Brechin.

Glenesk was long a stronghold of Episcopacy.
On 16th Aug. 1745, Bishop Rait confirmed about
70 of that congregation, and on the previous day
he confirmed about 25 persons in the dwelling
house of the clergyman (Rev. Mr Lunan's Diary,
MS.) The strength of Episcopacy in Glenesk
and its neighbourhood attracted the attention of
the Government ; and in 1746, not only did the
Royalists burn the meeting-house in Lochlee, but
they also carried the minister a prisoner ou board
a frigate which was lying off Montrose. The in-
cumbent of that period was IMr David Rose, who
dweltatWoodsideof Dunlappie. Hewas the father
of the Kon. George Rose, and great-grandfather
of Lord Strathnairn. The Episcopal church and
parsonage are at Tarfside, where a hand-bell is
preserved, which bears this record of the generosity
of the old minister : —

MK . DAVID . KOSE . GIFT . TO . GLENESK . 1728.

— Accounts of Mr Rose and his family are given
in the Land of the Lindsays; also, infra, p. 294.

From the sides and edges of a head-stone in
the old kirk-yard of Lochlee : —

Her lays Donald MDonel, Margaret Ddfs,
John MDonel, and Margaret Tohou, May the
21, 1733.

Remember man as thou goes by,
Death, Judgment and Eternity.

The next two inscription are also from head-
stones : —

Here lies Margaret Campble, spouse to David
CouTS in Drowstie, died 5'li Septr. 1794, aged 24
years. Also his mother, Jean Gibe, died 18^^ March
1794, aged G5 years.

— Droirsiie, which is a corruption of the name of
S. Drostan, was a hamlet or village in Lochlee,
where there was an alehouse. The hostelry is

referred to by Dr Beattie in his address to Ross
on the publication of his poems of Helenore, &c.

The next inscription relates to one who had
some celebrity as a local rhymester. He tenanted
the farm of Glencatt, a remote place to the north
of the farm of Baillies ; and, like most of his
contemporaries in the Glen, he had doubtless
enjoyed many a " pint at Drousty :" —

1846 : Erected in memory of John Milne of
Glencatt, who died on the 2d Septr. 1818, aged 50
years ; and his spouse, SirsAN Farqtjharson, who
died on the 2d Sept. 1843, aged 75 years. They
left two daughters, ^Magdalene and Agnes.

THE NEW CHURCH-YARD.

A new parish church was erected at Lochlee in
1803. It stands about a mile to the east of the
old kirk, between the Mark and the Brawny ;
and there the deaths of one nonogenarian and
two octogenarians are recorded upon head-stones.
Another stone (enclosed) bears the following re-
cord of the first person that was interred within
the New Burial-ground : —

Erected by the Revd. David Inglis, minister of
Lochlee, in memory of his mother Christian Inglis,
who departed this life on the 15th day of July 1808,
in the 73d year of her age. Nos omues metam pro-
peramus ad unam.

— The erector of the above-mentioned tombstone
died at Lochlee, 28th January 1837, in the 66th
year of his age, as recorded upon a marble slab,
fixed into the top of an adjoining chest-shaped
monument. Another marble slab (in the same
stone) bears that Edward Hart, son of General
Hart of Doe Castle, Kilderry, Ireland, died at
the manse of Lochlee, 1st May 1836, in his 26th
year. Mr Hart's brother wrote some verses to
his memory, the first of which is engraved upon
the tomb : —

Far from his father's home he rests,

Cut of hi early bloom. ;
Triistlntj to God and his behests,

He sank into the tomb.

130

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

The next inscription which was " written
under the direction" of the late Rev. Mr John
Whyte of Lethnot and Navar — a brother of the
two young men whose deaths are recorded —
discloses a painful instance of accidental drowning
which occurred during a snow storm, and while
the brothers were employed collecting their
father's sheep : —

Davidi Whyte an. 27, ejusque minori fratri
Akchibaldo Whyte, an. 18, natis, qui cum tor-
rentem rapidum transilire couarentur, qua, dejectu
gravi in barathrum profundum, etpnijruptis utrinque
rupibus clausum, prteceps defertur, prior hoc jam
facile superato, fratrem in gurgitem conspicatus
delapsum, amore pio, necnon ejus servandi spe
vaua impulsus, se statim e6dem prajcipitavit, unc\que
miserrime periit, Gleumarki valle, parochia comi-
tatus Forfarensis Lochleio, Sext. Kal. Nov. A.D.
1820. Horum mortis immaturae, nee minus pietatis,
ingeuii, amoris mutui iusignis, caeterarumque vir-
tutum eximiarum, flentibus amicis heu quam subito
abreptorum, hoc monumentum pro suo ingenti
desiderio posuit pater Jacobus Whyte.

— The translation (reprinted from Land of the
Lindsays, p. 74), was made by the late Rev. Mr
Whyte :—

["In memory of David Whyte, aged 27, and of
bis younger brother, Archibald Whyte, aged 18.
As the two brothers were proceeding to leap across
at a spot where the Mark, contracted by craggy
rocks on either side into a narrow and rapid torrent,
anon pours headlong over a high precipice into a
deep eddyiug abyss, when the elder, having already
crossed with facility, perceived that his brother
had fallen into the impetuous stream, urged by the
impulse of holy afiectiou and by the vain hope of
saving his life, rushed in heedlessly after him, and
both lamentably perished together, on the 27th of
October, 1820, in the glen (or valley) of Mark,
parish of Lochlee, and county of Forfar. To com-
memorate the premature death, as well as the
illustrious example of mutual affection, the talents,
the piety^ and other excellent endowments which
adorned the hapless brothers — alas ! so suddenly
snatched away from their weeping relatives— this
monument was erected by their bereaved and dis-
consolate father, James Whyte. "j

A head-stone (near the kirk-yard gate) bears
the following inscription : —

1811 : Erected by William Reid, shoemaker in
Aberdeen, in memory of his son George, who
perished among the snow about the end of Jauy.
1810, within the bounds of this parish, in the 30
year of his age.

Vos igitur estote parati : quia qua hora nou
putatis, Filius hominis veniet,

— When Reid's grave was opened for an inter-
ment in 1873, fragments of clothes were found,
also a bonnet in good preservation. The
text is from Luke xii. 40.

A number of ancient funeral cairns have been
found in various parts of the Glen, as noticed in
the Land of the Lindsays. But the most conspi-
cuous " cairns" are two modern erections, the
one upon the Rowan hill, the other upon the
Modlach. The former, which is pyramidical in
•its form, was lately erected by the Earl of Dal-
housie, in honour of the ancient Family of
Maule ; and the latter, which consists of a tower,
with a place for shelter, was built a good many
years ago, by the St Andrews Lodge of Free-
masons, Lochlee.

A neat Free Church with spire, also a commo-
dious manse, and the new parish school and school-
house, are to the east of the hamlet of Tarfside,
and in the pretty district of Cairncross, out of
which a davoch of land was given by Morgund,
son of Abbe (the lay Abbot of Brechin^, to his
sou Michael, in the year 1230 (Note from Dr John
Stuart.)

But the most picturesque parts of Gleuesk are
in the neighbourhood of Invermark, where the
old roofless and ivyclad tower of the " lichtsome
Lindsays," with its ingeniously constructed yett,
or gate of wrought iron, stands upon a rising
ground at the foot of Glenmark.

In the same locality, but upon a more elevated
sjwt, is Invermark Lodge, the shooting quarters
of the Earl of Dalhousio. The Lodire overlooks

LOCHLEE.

131

the Loch and water of Lee, " the auld kirk-yard,"
the peak of Craigmaskeldie, and a variety of other
points of great natural beauty. This grand
" Highland Retreat" is also interesting to " all
good and loyal subjects," for there the Queen,
and other members of the Royal Family, have
been guests of its noble proprietor.

The North Esk river rises from the Loch of
Lee, and after a course of from 30 to 40 miles, it
falls into the sea near Kinnaber. Ponskeenie, a
picturesque old bridge of three arches, near Dal-
brack, and another of one arch, which is just being
erected by the Earl of Dalhousie across the ford
at Gleneffock, are the only stone bridges upon the
Esk to the north of the Gannochy.

A stone bridge was built over the Taif or Tarf
about 1750. It was carried off by the floods of
1829, when the present structure was erected.
The bridge across the Turndhd or Turret, wliich
separates the parish of Lochlee from that of
Edzell, is also of modern date, as is that over the
Brawny, near the parish church. The old bridge
over the Mark, improved in 1870 by Lord Dal-
housie, was contracted for at Droustie, 11th April
1755, by John Montgomery, mason in Pitcain-
laich. The work was estimated to cost £31: sterling,
exclusive of the materials, which were to be
brought to his hand ; but it was agreed that if
Montgomery should show himself to be "a real
Loser thereby," his loss was to be made up when the
work was completed. The bridge, which was to
be ready for traffic on the 29th of September fol-
lowing, was to be 12 feet of breadth, with " be-
twixt fourty and fourty-four foot of an arch."
{Oricjinal Contract, kindly communicated by the
Rev. Mr Walter Low.) A mutilated tablet upon
the bridge bears : —

"This Bridge was Built on General Contribu-
tions, chiefly of the Parishioners of Lochlee . . .

Besides the old foot-path, or Priests^ Road from
Ponskeenie to Lethnot, there is a rugged road
through Glenturret to Charleston of Aboyne.
Another road leads from Lochlee by Glenmark
and Mount Keen to Ballater, &c. Though seldom

travelled, save by tourists, it was by the last-
named route that Her Majesty the Queen, and
the late Prince Consort and suit came incognito
from Balmoral to Fettercairn in 1861.

The royal party were met on Mount Keen by
the Earl of Dalhousie, and lunched in a cottage
occupied by one of his Lordship's foresters. From
this they passed, en route, through the wild pass
of Glenmark, and refreshed themselves at the
Toher-na-clachan-gealaich (the white stone well),
where there is a copious spring, famous for its
clear and cooling water. A fine view is obtained
from the spot, which is about 60 yards east of the
Mark, and about 300 yards from where the Lad-
der Burn joins the Mark.

In commemoration of the Royal visit, and the
sad loss which followed to the Queen and the
Country by the death of the Prince Consort,
Lord Dalhousie had a memorial erected at the well.
It is composed of six roughly-hewn arches of
native granite, which converge to a centre — not
unlike the top of St Giles' steeple at Edinburgh —
and rise to the height of about 20 feet, the whole
being finished by a cross of hewn freestone.
Upon the centre arch is this inscription : —

Her Majesty Queen Victoria

and his Royal Highness the Prince-Consort,

visited this Well, and dranh of its refreshing ivaters,

on the 20tk September 1861,

the year of Her Majesty's great sorroio.

— The following is round the margin of a basin
©f freestone, into which the spring falls : —

Best, Traveller, on this lonely green,
And drb^, and pray for Scotland's

132

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

(THE BLESSED VIRGIN.)

ifJfiHE church of Ahirlothenot, which is rated at
cE) 20 merks in the Old Taxation, belonged to
the Priory of St Andrews, and was dedicated by
Bishop David in 1242.

The name of AUrluilicnot appears to have been
assumed from the burn of Luthnot, which runs
past the village of Marykirk. An early, but
dateless charter (Reg. Yetus de Aberbrothoc),
shows that a piece of land was granted to the
church of Mariiigtun, which lay to the west of
the burn of " Luffenot," and extended to a bridge
called " Stanbrig," on the North Esk. This
charter not only proves the existence of an early
bridge upon the river ; but it also discloses the
interesting particular, that the donor, " Willelmus
Auceps," or William the Hawker, (who is the
first recorded of the old family of Falconer of
Halkerton), offered a turf of the land upon the
altar of the church as a symbol of investiture.

In 1574, the churches of Eglisgreig and Aber-
luthnot were both served by one minister (sup.,
p. 36) ; and Thomas Ramsay was the contem-
porary reader at Aberluthnot.

The name of the parish was long ago changed
from Aberluthnot to that of ]\Iary-Kirk. Before
the old church was re-roofed, it contained a
ceiling of carved oak, an escutcheon of the Hal-
kerton family, and an inscribed tablet, notices
of which, along with a copy of the inscription,
are given by Mr Brymer, in liis excellent Account
of the Parish, in 1793. The inscription is as
follows : —

Hie in Domino reqniescuut parentes mei cha-
rissimi M. Jacobus Raitus, pastor vera Evangeli-
cua, qui prsefuit huic ecclesise 25 annos tideliter,
noa sine magno emolumento ; tunc vitam cum morta
commutavit, calend. Mali, anno 1642, tetatis sum
59 ; et dilcctissima ejus conjux, Isabella Black-
BURNE, qu;b obiit 19 Januarii, anno 1637, astatis
suaj 32. Parentavit filius, W. 11.

[Here rest in the Lord my dear parents, Mr
James Rait, a true minister of the Gospel, who, for
25 years, presided faithfully over this church, not
without great benetit, and then exchancfed life for
death, 1st May 1642, at the age of 59 ; and his
beloved wife Isabella Blackburn, who died 19th
Jan. 1637, aged 32. Erected by their son, W. R.]

— -The erector of the above monument succeeded
his father in the church of Marykirk; and al-
though he was unsuccessful in his application for
the living of Meumuir (Land of the Lindsays, p.
338), he was afterwards translated to Brechin.
He was made Princi[)al of King's College, Aber-
deen, in 1661, and during the following year
became one of the ministers of Dundee. He was
a cadet of the House of llallgreeu, and his wife
was heiress of Guthrie of Pitforthy, near Brechin,
sup., p. 108.) His mother was probably related
to William Blackburn, a contemporary burgess of
Aberdeen, who took a great interest in church
matters.

The old kirk consisted of a transept, with a north
and a south aisle. The north aisle, which be-
longed to the Barclays of Balmakewan, presents
a carving of the Barclay arms, initialed LB,, and
dated 1653. The south aisle, which belonged to
the Strachans of Thornton, contains an awmbry,
a font, and an elegant tomb. The date and ini-
tialsof'A . 1615 . S," upon a slab built into the
outside of the west wall, probably refer to the
time that the aisle was erected.

The old ceiling of the Thornton aisle was
painted with armorial bearings. Among a variety
of carvings, the tomb bears the Strachan and
Forbes arms, with these initials and date : —

S.LS

61 . D.E.F.

A marble tablet, flanked by pilasters, bears
an inscription, which is here printed as it now
appears : —

Epicedium threnodicum . . memoriam faaminas
lectissimic, Dominai ELizABETHiK Forbes^, Do-
miuaa a Thornton, a^ternitatis candidate, . . .
meritorum . . . nissima, puerpera, immaturo
fato . . . repta est, dum annum ajtatis vigesi-
mum quintum agebat, die decimo lanuarij . . 61 :

MARYKIRK.

133

Cujus fragrantissse memorise, licet . . . . de mon-
umentis oinni asre perennioribus abuiide satis litatum
sit, hoc tam . . magnifico mausoleo, parentaudum
curavit conjunx ipsius puUatus, D. lacobus
Strachanus a Thorntone, asques auratus.

Siste, viator, habes summi monument

Virtutis tumulum, Pieridumq' vid . .

Omnis una fuit brevis hfec quam con

Lux nuper patria? ..... levis umb

Aurea si tantas fudere crepuscula

Luxisset, quanto sydere

Quanta fuit pietas quam stemmatis

Enthea mens, roseus quam sine sente sinus.
Quautus et oris honos ; Phctnix vixitq' oaditq',

Qualem non poterant reddere decem,

At matura polo cecidit Christoq' ; quid

Ignavi.numerant ssecula, facta boni.
Mors ipsa non separabit.

[A funeral song to the memory of a most excellent
woman. Dame Elizabeth Forbes, lady of Thorn-
ton, who, possessed of all the merits that can adorn
her sex, became a candidate for eternity 10th
January IGGl, in the 25th year of her age, having
died prematurely in childbed. Altho' her worth
is i^reserved by monuments more lasting than any
brass, her sorrowing husband, Sir James Strachan
of Thornton, knight baronet, has caused this mag-
uiCcoiit tomb to be erected to her most fragrant
memory.

Stop, traveller, you have before you a monument
of the deepest grief ; you see the tomb of a virtuous
and accomplished lady — one who, lately a light to
her country, now flits an unsubstantial shade.
If the golden dawn showed so bright a light, with
what splendour would the noontide have shone ?
How great was her piety, how befitting her illus-
trious race was her inspired intellect, how thorn-
less her rosy bosom, how great the graceful dignity
of her look ! A Phcenix, she both lived and died,
such as not ten ages could reproduce. But she
died ripe for Heaven : — What more was needed ?
The slothful reckon ages, good men deeds. Death
itself shall not part us.]

— The above-named lady, who was married in
1654, when her husband was designed of Inches-
tuthell, was tliird daughter of Forbes of Waterton
and his wife Jean Ramsay of Balmain {supra, p,,

60). Lady Strachan left a son and two daughters,
who were brought up and educated by their ma-
ternal grandiuother ; but, it appears, notwith-
standing the high eulogium which the baronet
passed upon his lady, he took so little interest in
her offspring that, in 1665, their grandmother
raised a summons against him for having ne-
glected his affairs, and abandoned his children
(Watertoune Faviihj Papers.) Elizabeth Forbes'
son possibly grew up and succeeded to the title
and estates, for in 1692, John Strachan of Belly,
son of Sir James Strachan of Thornton, married
Isobel, daughter of Sir John Forbes.

Alexander Strachan, who succeeded his grand-
father in 1606, and married a daughter of Sir
William Douglas of Gleubervie, and a sister of
the 10th Earl of Angus (Doug. Peer.), was created
a baronet in 1625. ' He had several successors in
the title ; but, so far as I am aware, no reliable
genealogy of the family exists. The once power-
ful branches of Carmyllie and Glenkindie are sup-
posed to have been offshoots of the Strachaus of
Thornton ; and the name is believed to have been
assumed from the district of Strachan, in Kincar-
dineshire. The property of Thornton is said to
have come to the Strachans by one of them mar-
rying the daughter and heiress of Thornton of
that Ilk, in the time of David II. (v. Mem. Angus
and Mearns.)

It may be added that, in addition to Hugh
Strachan, or Ramsay (infra, p. 165), Dr Oliver
gives the names of other five of this race who be-
came Jesuits. Among these is Alexander, eldest
son of the sixth baronet of Thornton, Avho " suc-
ceeded to the title and its slender income," and
died at Liege in 1793. He was for some time
tutor in a private family, and was succeeded by
his brother Eobert, who was long a mercantile
clerk, and died at Exeter in 1826, aged about 90

There were other two brothers. One went to
America, and the other is said to have taken the
title on the death of Sir Robert Strachan, after
which it was assumed by his nephew, who died
at Cliffden, Teignmouth. It is added that Sir
Alexander, the Jesuit, was offered £5000 to give

134

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

up his family paj^ers to Admiral Sir Richard
Strachan, and that, poor as he was, he refused
the bribe. The Thornton papers are said to be
in the possession of a family in Devonshire, to
whom Sir Robert left any little that he died pos-
sessed of.

The property of Thornton now belongs to
Alexander Crombie, Esq. of Pittarrow ; and the
old family residence has been altered and
added to by Mr Crombie with much taste and
j udgment.

The square tower of Thornton Castle is dated
1531, and the weather vane bears, " 1680." The
round tower, at the north-east corner, which is
supposed to be the oldest remaining portion of
the building, although dateless, exhibits a carving
of the old family araas. The family arms, with
the initials of Sir James Strachan and Dame
Elizabeth Forbes, and the date of 1662, are also
upon the north wing of the building, or that
part which connects the two towers.

It was probably during the time of the last-
mentioned Sir J. Strachan, and possibly by some
family arrangement, that Thornton passed to the
Forbeses, since about or soon after the year 1686,
the property was acquired by James Forbes of
Saach or Savoch, in Foveran parish (^Watcrtoune
Family Papers). In a deed of 1723, Thomas
Forbes of Thornton is described as the son of
the late James Forbes of Auchmacoy, in Logie-
Buchan.

Mr Troup of Hartville, Bridge of Allan, who
is presently preparing an Account of the Forbeses,
kindly writes that James Forbes of Thornton,
who died in 1713, was succeeded by his eldest
son, Thomas, and that the affairs of the latter
became so much embarrassed, that the estate was
sold in 1763, by authority of the Court of
Session,

The only memorial at Mary kirk to the Forbeses
of Thornton is a mutilated slab within the
family burial aisle, which exhibits these traces
of an inscription : —

Hie iacet Philippus Fo de

Thornton Natua 22do Dec

obiit 2do Octob

The Ta-vlors of Kirktouhill hare an inclosed
burial-place, but no monument, within the area
of the old kirk of Marykirk. Robert, a younger
son of Tailzour of Borrowfield, near Montrose,
was the first of this family. He bought (as the
present laird courteously informs us) the lauds
of Kirktouhill and Balmanno, from James Aik-
man in 1755 ; and married a sister of Sir James
Carnegy of Pittarrow, afterwards of Southesk,
by whom he had a family. Mr Taylor died about
1780, when the properties were both sold. Kirk-
touhill was bought by Colonel David Gairdner,
and Balmanno by Mr Alex. Smith ; and from
them the estates were re-acquired, in 1797 and
1798 respectively, by the grand-father of the
present laird, who made a fortune in Jamaica.
He also changed the spelling of his name from
Tailzour to Tai/lur.

Kirktouhill, which is within the barony of
Rescobie, was anciently called the Kirktown lands
of Aberluthnot. The lands were held of the
Priory of St x\ndrews ; and in 1540, Cardinal
Beaton gave a charter of Kirktouhill to David
Barclay of Mathers. Barclay gave the lands of
Johnstone, near Laurencekirk, to his eldest son
John, by a second marriage. In a letter of 5th
October 1660, Barclay of Johnstone says that
" the Earle of Northesk and my uncle Cadam
have now ended their differences" — a statement
which proves the relationship betweeen the Bar-
clays of Johnstone and those of Caldhame at that
time. Carved slabs, embellished with the Bar-
clay arms, are still to be seen at Caldhame {injra,
p. 138.)

The present church of Marykirk, which stands
on the north side of the burial-ground, was
erected in 1806. Within, and upon the east wall,
a marble monument is thus inscribed :—

The Eevd. James Siiand, A.M., minister of this
parish from 1S05 to 1837, and previously of the
College Church, Aberdeen, son of James Shand,
Esquire, merchant there, born ISth August 1757,
died 5th Jany. 1837. Margaret Farquhar, his
wife, born 11th August 1767, died 11th January 1840,
daughter of Alexander Farquhar, Esq., Kiutore,
by his wife Eliaabeth Harvey, great-grand-daughter

MARYKIRK.

135

of James Harvey of Kilmuiidy, and his wife Mar-
garet Baird of Auchmedden. He was an accom-
plished scholar, a kind husband and father, and a
devoted pastor — In all the relations of life she was
equally exemplary. Both were united in that faith
and hope which vanquish death, and realize the
rest which remaiueth to the people of God. This
tablet is affectionately dedicated by their surviving
sons to the memory of the best of parents. Be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of
life,

— Charles-Farquhar Shand, third son of the
above-named minister of Marykirk, passed as an
advocate in 1834. He edited an edition of the
Funeral Sermons and Orations on Bishop Patrick
Forbes, for the Spottiswoode Society, in 1845.
The volume contains, among other interesting
matter, a copy of the Latin inscription in the
Thornton aisle, as it appeared in 1828, accom-
panied by a poetical translation of the verses.
In 1860, Mr Shand was appointed Chief Justice
of the Mauritius, and in 1869, be received the
honour of knighthood.

The church-yard of Marykirk was levelled and
otherwise improved in 1868, in the course of
which some old gravestones were discovered. One
of these presents a shield, charged with the Mont-
gomery and Mclvill arms, &c. The words —
" Died in Apryl 5, 1591," are below the shield;
and the following inscription, in rudely incised
capitals, is given round the border of the stone : —

Here lyes Margret Melvil, who died ye 20
Apryl 1686, hir age 60 years. She uas spous to
Robert Montgomry,

Whos corps interd belou

Lyes hyd from eyes
Whose souls advancd with Chryst

Above the skjes.

— Melvill is an old surname in the Mearns, but
that of Montgomery is almost unknown to the
district. A heart-shaped piece of ground, to the
south of Hatton House, is still called 3Io)/t(/o)ii''r}fs
Knap. It appears to have been surrounded by a
marsh ; and, according to tradition, it was the
site of a castle which was tenanted by a family
named Montgomery. They are said to have led

a lawless and predatory life, and to have made
themselves so obnoxious that their neighbours
assembled and drove them from their stronghold.
No writer makes allusion to this castle ; but tra-
dition further affirms that, before leaving the
place, Montgomery " hid a kettle -full of gold in
the Knap !"

The next inscription is partly round the margin,
partly upon the face of a well-proportioned slab
of red sand stone. Near the bottom of the stone
are the initials, A. G., the date of 1630, also
boldly executed carvings of a blacksmith's shovel,
tongs, a hammer, the horns of an anvil, a horse
shoe, &c. The first portion of the inscription is
cut in relief, and the last three lines are incised : —

Heir , lyes . Adame . Glyge . smith
IN . the . Hill . . . Morphye . some
tyjie . howsband . to . isobel . low
who. departed. the . 10. of. awg\yst

Adam . Gle died in April

1698 . AGED . 86.

John Gleig died May 15, 1737, aged
83; IsoBEL Gleig died March 4th,
1761, aged 78.

— "John Gleig," (great-grandson of " Adame
Glyge"), was the father of Provost Gleig of Mon-
trose. Elizabeth, daughter of Provost Gleig,
married James Burnes, cousin-germau to Burns,
the Poet. Mr Burnes, who was a writer in, and
sometime Provost of Montrose, had a large family,
among whom were Sir Alexander and Charles,
who both fell at Cabul ; Sir James, K.H. ; and
Adam. The last-named succeeded to his father's
business in Montrose, where he died in 1872. He
was much esteemed for his upright conduct, as
well as for his great humour, and generosity of
disposition.

Dr Gleig, Bishop of Brechin (the father of the
present venerable and accomplished Chaplain-
General of the Forces), and the Rev. Mr Gleig,
parish minister of Arbroath, were both descend-
ants of " Adarae." Their fathers were both
blacksmiths by trade ; the former followed his
useful calling at Boghall in Arbuthnott, and the
latter at Balrownie in Menmuir. Some members
of the Montrose branch of the family were famous

13a

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS^

for the manufacture of " Jews' Harps," or trumps
— a fact which has made the name of Gleig
familiar to the lovers of that instrument in many
parts of Scotland.

The next inscription is also one of some general
interest, in so far as it marks the grave of the
mother of David IIkkd, the celebrated collector
of Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, Heroic
Ballads, &c. : —

Here lyes Marget Low, spouse of John Herd,
sometime tennent in Muirtoun of Be .... n, who
died 14th Dec. 1751, aged 60 years :^

A loving and a virtueous wife she was,
That few or none could her surpass.

— It has been stated by Chambers, and other bio-
graphers, as well as in the recent reprint of Herd's
Songs, that he was born in St Cyrus ; but about
1853, while searching the parish records of Mary-
kirk for anothef purpose, I came accidentally
upon the following entries of the marriage of
Herd's parents and his own baptism : —

Nov. 14, 1730 : The qch day were contracted in
order to Marriage, Jon Hied & Margt. Low,
both in this parioch. Caurs for the pledges, Da.
Hird, in Balmakelly, for the Bridgroom, &
William Low, in Deuside, for the Bride. Married
on Dec. 29th.

Oct. 23, 1732 : This day W3s baptized David
HiRD, lawU. son to John Hird and Margat Low,
in Balmakelly. before these wittnesses, David &
William Herd, both iu Balmakelly.

— These extracts, which first appeared in AVillis'
Current Notes for Nov. 1854, were accompanied
by a suggestion, founded on the authority of the
Retours (Kinciirdine, No. 88), that Herd's motlier
might have been descended from a family of the
name of Low, who were proprietors of Little and
Nether Balmakelly, in 1655.

Herd's father appears to have removed from
Balmakelly to, probably, the " Muirton of Bcn-
liohn,''^ for the final letter n in the destroyed word
looks like part of an in. Be this as it may, David
Hkkd died at Edinburgh, and was buried in the
Buccleuch Church-yard of that city, where a
tablet (which is being fast obliterated by the
.weather), is built into the north wall. The tab-

let, which it is to be hoped will soon be re-lettered,
&c., is about 16 feet west of the east dyke, and
bears this suggestive inscription : —

29 feet south from this stone are interred the
remains of I\Ir David Herd, v/riter : a man of
probity, of a kind and friendly disposition, of mild,
tolerant principles, and of taste in ancient Scotish
Literature. Not solicitous to shine, nor anxious to
become rich, he lost few friends, and made few
enemies. These qualities had their influence ; for,
they averted many of the wants and evils of de-
clining years. He died a true believer upon the
10 June 1810, aged—.

— Sir W. Scott, who characterises Herd's work
as " the first classical collection of Scottish Songs
and Ballads," says that he was known and gene-
rally esteemed for his shrewd, manly common
sense and antiquarian science, and that from his
hardy antique mould of countenance, and his
venerable grizzled locks, he was known among
his acquaintances by the name of Greysttil.

Tlie liext inscription, from a tombstone near to
that of Herd's mother at Marykirk, possibly
relates to some of his relatives : —

This stone is erected to the memory of JNIargaret
Herd, late spouse to James Strachan, who died
March 30, 1763, aged 50 ; and of their sou, David
Strachan, who died iu infancy. James Strachan
died June 6, 1782, aged 73 years.

The next two epitaphs are from headstones : —
John Lyal, Potbeidlie, d. 1742, a. .53 : —
Deaths shade is made the hiding place,
When uordly troubles do increase ;
When conuerts young are called home,
Before those troublous days do come,
It warning giues to older sort
To fly to Christ, their chief support,
Though ye be young as well as I,
Yet faith will learn you how to dy.

EoBERT Hill, schoolmaster, d. 1784, a. 69, in the
45th year of his office : —

Thou hast the promise of eternal truth,

Those who live well, and pious paths pursue,
To man and to their maker true.
Let 'em expire in age or youth,

Can never miss
Their way to everlastiug bliss.

MARYKIRK.

137

The following instances are given to show the
long ages attained by some of the old residenters
of the parish : —

Margaret Clark, died 1833, aged 96 ; her
daughter Elizabeth Sheret, died 1864, aged 90.

Alex. Pyper died at Rosehill, 1825, aged 72 ; his
spouse Elspet Cruickshank, died 1846, aged 84.

David Towns, Arrat's Mill, predeceased his wife
in 1729 :—

Heel order Death, that porter rude,

To open the gates of brass ;
For, lo, with characters of blood
Thy husband wrote thy pass.
At Jordan deep then be not feared,

Tho' dismal-like and broad ;
Thy sun will guide, thy shield will guard —

Thy husband paved the road.
Heel lead thee safe, and bring thee Home,

So still let blessings fall
Of grace while here, till glory come —
Thy husband's bound for all.
David Wood's wife, aged 21 (1796) :—
.Stop, passenger, here and read —
The living may get knowledge from the dead :
Here lies the mortal part of a beloved wife
Who only lived 5 months a married life.
Beside her father's dust and mother's.
At the left side of a sister and brother's —
Our family 7 in one arrangement be : —
Consider this, man, that all must die.

The church at Sauchieburn, now occupied by
the Independents, was built by the Bereans in
1773. One of the two remaining tombstones
bears the curious inscription given below. The
composition of the epitaph is ascribed to Mr
M'Rae, a Berean preacher ; and the person com-
memorated, (a son of Robert Wyllie, aged 12
years), is said to have been accidentally scalded
to death in a cauldron of boiling water : —

Oh, that it were with me,

As in the days of old.

With children about me,

In number manifold.

But here mine only son,

In this dark grave is laid,

Who hindered not his father

To sleep into his bed.

Because that the oppressor,
Upon his side had power ;
And none to comfort me,
Altho' I mourned sore. — (1789.)

A pair of silver communion cups belonging to
the parish bear : —

Given to the Kirk of Aberluthnott by David Mel-
vill and Jean Eait of Pitgarvie, 1715.

— It appears that David Melvill was in Pitgarvie
in 1699, as in the month of March of that year
his " victual house" was broken into, and " several
pockfulls of meal" stolen from it, by Wm. Ed-
monstone, and his three sons, who lived at Bog-
muir near Fettercairn, for which, and a number
of other thefts, the elder Edmoustone was sen-
tenced " to be hanged on a gibbet till he be dead."
— (Black Book of Kincardineshire.)

Aberluthnot was anciently a thanedom.

It is just possible that one of the stones, about
six feet long, which was found in the walls of the
old church, had covered the grave of some of
the lairds of Mary kirk. It " was carved round
the edge ; had the impression of a large broad
sword, suspended at no great distance from the
top, the whole length of the stone. Opposite to
this sword was engraved a figure of an elliptic
form, from which jjroceeded a lance or spear,
nearly the same length."— (Old Stat. Acct.)

At Balmanno (anciently a seat of the Auchin-
LECKs of that ilk), ia S. John's Well, where,
possibly, there had been a place of worship in old
times. With some probability, a like inference
might be drawn from the ancient spelling of In-
glismaldie (Ecclesmadie), and Maidie's (? IMag-
dalene's) Well. A circular hollow in the woods
of Hatton is called the Popish Kirk, where, it is
said, there was once a chapel.

There was an Episcopal church at the village of
Luthermuir ; and there, in 1782, Bishop John
Skinner of Aberdeen, son of the author of Tul-
lochgorm, was consecrated. The church was sub-
sequently removed to Rosehill, near the bridge
which crosses the Luther, on the Laurencekirk road,
where it long remained. It is from this place

138

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

that the Earl of Xorthesk takes his second title
of Lord Rosehill.

Inglisiiialdie was acquired by Sir John Car-
negie, afterwards Earl of North esk, in 1635, by
whom, or bis successor, the castle was erected.
Like many castles of the jjeriod, the beams in the
ceiling of the hall were painted with scripture
quotations ; but these are now covered by lath
and plaster. Inglismaldie was afterwards bought
by Lord Halkerton, and came by heirship to the
Earls of Kiutore.

There was also a castle at Caldhame. From
this property the Earls of IMiddleton took the
title of baron ; and it was here, while sitting in
his chair, that jMontrose's soldiers shot the father
of the first Earl of Middleton. A carved stone,
built into the farm offices, is inscribed lavs deo.
Two other slabs bear shields : One with the ini-
tials I. B., and the date of 16-7, is charged with
the Barclay arms. The other, initialed A. B :
I. S., bears the same arms impaled with those of
Wood. More recently Caldhame became the pro-
perly of Keiths ; and a stone slab, built into the
wall of the bridge at Caldhame, bears a shield,
with the arms partially effaced, and this inscrip-
tion : —

1744 : George Keith of Caldhame.
Renewed, 1783.
— This bridge, which crosses the Luther on the
road between Fettercairn and Montrose, and con-
sists of three arches, was first built by Keith,
who gave £100 Scots towards its maintenance.
If not required for that purpose, the interest of
the money has to be expended annually among
the poor of the parish, not on the poor's roll.
The last Keith of Caldhame left an only daughter.
She married Ogiivy of Lunan, and he sold the
estate.

Just the year before the bridge of Caldhame
was built, Keith's house was broken into by Ran-
dell Courteney, an Irishman, who effected an
entrance by going down the kitchen chimney.
(Scots Magazine.) Courteney was hanged near
Fettercairn, at a place still known as Randell's
Knap, 21 Sep. 1743.

According to old charters, there was a stone

bridge across the North Esk, near to where the
burn of Luthnot joins that river, as early as the
12th century. The present Marykirk Bridge
consists of four arches, each of 58 feet span : its
extreme length is 350 feet. The bridge was
founded in 1811, and opened for traffic in 1815,
at a cost of about £10,000.

The church bell of Marykirk is dated 1826.
It is said that a previous bell was broken by
being hit by a stone by some of the Duke of
Cumberland's soldiers in 1746. It is also told
that one Sunday, while the bell was cracked, a
waggish schoolmaster, or precentor, handed a
paper to the minister as he entered the pulpit ;
and, believing it to be a bona fide production re-
garding a dying parishioner, his reverence gravely
announced, at the proper time, that " the prayers
of the congregation were requested on behalf of
jSIaru Bt/I, in great distress .'"

1 ^ W 1 11 I c.

(S.

I'f'HE church of Newti/l, in the diocese of St
gb4b Andrews, dedicated by Bishop David in
1242, was given to the Abbey of Arbroath by
King William the Lion.

The present church, built in 1767 (which is
about to be replaced by a new edifice), stands upon
a slight eminence at the west side of the village.
In early times it had been surrounded by a marsh,
A tablet is fixed into the outside of the south
wall, upon which is the following inscription : —

Post mortem vita. Infra conditiir qnod reli-
quum est Jacobi Alison, hujus paroechite quon-
dam incolaj et decoris ; nisi quod viri praestautis-
simi supersunt et vigent virtutes hoc marmore
perenniores : rara soil prudentia intaminata fides, et
pietas nescia fraudis. Pater fuit facillimus, conjux
charissimus, et certus amicus, omnibus a'quus,
benevolus, et charus, et ut cetera complectar,
eximie probus. Itaq, cum honesto, humili, forti,
sanctotj^ auinio, hominibus, maritis, socijs omnibus
exemplum consecrasset integerrimum, terris animo

NEWTYLE.

139

major, ad similes evolavit superos. Natus erat
.... denatus 4 Feb. 1737.

Mors certa est, incerta dies, incertior hora ;

Consulat ergo animo qui sapit usq, suo.

[Beneath is laid what remains of James Ausok,
sometime an inhabitant of this parish, and its orna-
ment, save that, more lasting than this monument,
the virtues of a most excellent man — viz., rare pru-
dence, unsullied honour, and piety without guile —
survive unimpaired. He was a most indulgent
father, a most affectionate husband, and a sure
friend — just, kind, loving to all ; and, to sum up,
a man of distinguished probity. Accordinglj^, after
he had set before husbands, companions, and men
iu general, a most perfect pattern of integrity,
humility, fortitude, and piety, his soul, fitted for a
nobler sphere than earth, soared aloft to join the
society of kindred spirits in the realms above. He
was born .... and died 4 Feb. 1737.

Death is certain, the day uncertain, the hour
more uncertain. Let him then who is wise ever
consult the interests of his soul. ]

— Mr Alison was long factor and manager of the
estates of Belmont for Lord Privy Seal Mackenzie,
iu which office he was succeeded by his son
Patrick. The latter died proprietor of Stonee,
part of Balbrogie, and Newhall, &c., near Cupar
Angus, in the year 1795, on which occasion, Mr
P. Alison being a trustee appointed by the
celebrated Geo. Dempster of Dunnichen to act
alonpf with him in the administration of a grant
by Mr James Taylor, of Middlesex, of certain
funds for the education of poor children in the
parish of Kettins, {q. r.) — Mr Dempster, in
offering the vacant office to Mr Murray of Lin-
trose, wrote that gentleman the following cha-
racteristic letter upon the subject, which is here
published for the first time : —

"Skibo, by Tain, Dec. 19, 1795.
"Dr. Sir, — I learn from Mr Blair of Dundee
that poor Peter Alison has paid the Debt of nature.
There is a little mortification for poor scholars in
the Parish of Ketins, which he took the trouble to
manage. I wish you would do me and the poor
Children in that Parish, the favour to take charge
of this Fund. If you will have that goodness, this
Letter will be Authority enough for Mr Alison's

Ex's to deliver up the Book, and Col. Fothering.
ham's Bond to you. A minute should be made in
the Book of your being chosen Trustee in Mr Ali-
son's Poom, which j\Ir Hallyburton would sign
now, and I the first Time I come to that Country.
I beg to offer respectfull Compliments to Mrs Mur-
ray and Capt. Murray, and that you ^vill consider
this offer as the secret mark of respect, with which
I am, Dear Sir,

" Your most obedient and most humble Servant,
"George Dempster."

Several monuments are built into the west wall
of the churchyard. Not long ago, the oldest of
these presented familiar quotations from Horace,
&c. These stones, however, have been removed,
to make room for a pavement slab, which bears
that " this ground was purchased from the Kirk-
sesion of Newtyle as certified and recorded."
The following Latin inscription (surmouted by a
shield bearing the Blair and Pattullo arms im-
paled), is still in good preservation : —

Hie reqviescit vir prvdens, ac gravis, generosa
de Balgillo familia ortus, Magister Gvlielmvs
Blairvs, qvi placide ac pie obiit 16 ISTovem. an.
Dom. 1656, setat. svse 58. In cvjvs memoriam
conjvnx ejvs amantissima Evphana Pattvllo
hvnc tvmvlvm extrvxit jvxta evm, ex qvo filiam
habet octennem, sepelienda.

Vivit post fvnera virtvs.

Cvjvs hie tvmvlvm cernis nvuc incola cceli est,

Corporis exvvias qvam premis abdit hvmvs.

[Here rests a grave and prudent man, descended
from the honourable family of Balgillo, Master
^yILLIAM Blair, who died calmly and piously (as
above). This monument has been erected to his
memory by his most loving spouse Euphana Pat-
tullo, who intends to be herself buried beside him,
by whom she has a daughter eight years of age.
Virtue survives the grave.

He whose tomb you see now lives on high.

And 'neath your feet his lifeless ashes lie.]
—There were Pattullos contemporary lairds of
Kinochtry, near Cupar-Angus, Patrick Blair,
4th of Balthayock, had charters of Balgillo
in Angus, 1393. One of the Balgillo Blairs was
knighted.

Possibly the partial mutilation of the above

140

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

tomb and the late purchase of the ground were
effected by a family named Watson, once farmers
at Auchtertyre, to whom there are two or three
monuments within the enclosure. One of these,
with armorial bearings, and the motto, have
FAITH, is thus inscribed : —

Sacred to the memory of George Watson, Esq. ,
Bannatyne House, and Jean Rose, his beloved
wife. He, as a magistrate and man, was most
justly esteemed. She was sole heiress of the
ancient families of Moray, and Kiunaird of Culbin
in Morayshire. As a mother and wife most exem-
plary. All who knew her loved her. 1813.

— It is stated in the Kilravock papers Cp. 82),
that " John Rose, now of Bredley, who by Jean
Kynaird, a daughter of the familie of Culbin, is
father to Hugh and John Rose." This fact
probably bears out the statement in the inscrip-
tion. Hugh, the last of the Watsons who farmed
Auchtertyre and Keilor, born 1787, died 1865,
was eminent as an agriculturist.

The following inscriptions are from tombstones
in the surrounding burial ground : —

Heir lyis aue famos honist man Georg Mitchel,
of age 52, indvaler in Balmav, d. 1625 ; and his
spovs C. B. Andro Mitchel, and his spovs I. E.
Heir lyis Isobel Mitchel, spovs to A. S. :—
Death, oft deplor, bvt in thy dealing ivst,
Pvtis vith the sped, the sheptor in the dvst.

Upon a stone bearing a shield with the arms
impaled (a cheveron, with a rose in base), and
the initials T. M : M. H. :—

Heir lyis ane famovs honest man Ihon Movo,
being of age 66, deperted the 2 of Agvst in an.
1632, he being hvsband to Magrat Halden.

The following inscription is from the oldest of
four stones erected to the memory of members
of the same family. Direct descendants still
survive as merchants in Dundee, &c : —

Heir lyis Iames Iobson, son to lames lobson and
Barbry Scot his spovs, indveler in the Haltown of
Nevtyl, vho departed in Ivly 16G0, of age 9. And
heir lyes Barbray Scot, his mother, frvgall and
vertvovs, departed March 24, anno 1684, of age 67.
My glas is rvn,

Near the foregoing . —

Heir lyes ane honest man Iames Ramsay in

Avghtertyr of age 50, with his wif

Ianet Whitton, died 15 Octor '73, of age 52 : and
Iames Ramsay y"" son died 11 Nov '77, of age
20 ; as also Iames, David, George, and Ianet
PtiVJiSAYS, laefvll children to W^iliam P^amsay and
Agnas Lovnie, in the said tovne.
Wm. Ramsay, in Auchtertyre, a. 36 (1682) : —
Vnder this stone interred doth ly

This man of honest fame ;
And of his wirtues while he liv'd

His name doth fresh remaine.
Who to his wife and pai'ents both

A help and comfort was ;
But now the Loi-d hath crowned him
With joy in heavenly bless.

Upon a flat stone, initialed G. M : K . B : M. B.,
and dated 1675, is the following epitaph in the
form of an acrostic. It will be seen that Gii.kert
MiLLE was the name of the person commemorated,
that he was the father of twenty-six children by
two wives, and that he attained the long age of
100 years : —

Great is the Wonders God hath Worked

In Heaven, and Earth, and Sia ;

Lykuays he many mercies hath,

BeStoued Wpon Me.

Euen in this World, an Hundred Years,

Remain'd I honestlie ;

Tuo Weded Wives the tym I had ;

Much Comfort was to Me.

In Wedlocks Band ue Procreat

Lauffully Ws Betuix ;

Loues Pledges, Whos Right number wer,

Euen tuo tymes tenn and Six.
My Spritt to God, I do committ,
My Body to the Graue ;
When Christ shall com and jidg shall sitt,
Shall them Both Recauie.
Upon a stone near the middle of churchyard : —

Heir lyes the bodies of Iohn Don, and Barbra
Thom, his spovse, iudvellers in Hill of Kellor. His
age 60, hir age 65. They both dyed in the month
of Ivne '98.
A stone, near the south wall, bears: —

Here lys ane honest man Allexander Badan,

NEWTYLE.

141

w^ 4 wiues, and 4 children, who departed this life
luly 18, 1702, of age 59. All dyed iu Bvrnmovth.
Also James Badan, hvsband to Agues Horn. He
dyid in Denhead, 1715, aged 36 : —

That tyrant Death of him did us bereave.
But we beleive that C4od did him receive.

AnnWilkie, wf. of David Baxter, d. 1753, a. 59: —
that men in this world would live, said I,
As not to be ashamed to live, nor afraid to die ;
For all our friends and neighbours to us dear.
Unto our lives can't add a single year.
The righteous need not fear the sting.
For Christ will them to heaven bring.

Heir lyis ane honest man Iohn Sliders, and
IsoBALL Marten his spovs, indvellars in Ballmav.
She died May 1678, her age 56. He died 18 Apryl
1702, of age 75. Isoball Sliddrs, dovghter to
Iohn Sliddrs and lanet Small, of her age 9 yeirs : —

This honest man Is from us gone,

Whose body Lyes Within this Tomb ;

His honest Reputation ShaLL

Remain To Generations ALL ;

His Blessed Soull for Ever more,

Doth magnify The King of Glore.
Heir lyes ane honest man William Iackson,
merchant, and hvsband to Anna Meal, indwellers
in Newbigging, with seven children, sons and
davghters. He departed the 16 ilay of March 1703,
of his age 61 : —

The man here lyes who did always

While here he being hade ;

.... wpright both to God and man,

To what he did or said.

A small stone cross bears : —

In memory of Wee Maggie, daughter of David
Duncan, leader of the psalmody in this parish.
Died 4 June 1864.

Upon an obelisk : —

George Browster, schoolmaster of the parish
of Newtyle, died 17Feb. 1838, aged 82, andinthe52d
year of his incumbency. Erected by the pupils of
the deceased, who, during his day on earth, faith-
fully and usefully discharged the duties of his
office in this parish. — 1840.

Invitum sequitur honor.

A plain headstone, near the south-east corner
of the kirk, presents this inscription : —

Erected at the instance of Robert Small, farmer
in Boghead, in memory of his father Robert Small,
who died 1771, aged 72 : —

Here lies the dust of Robert Small,
Who, when in life, was thick, not tall ;
But what's of greater consequence.
He was endowed with good sense.
how joyful the day in which
Death's pris'ner shall be free,
And in triumph o'er all his foes
His God in mercy see. [Revised 1838.]

There was a chapel (S. ) in old times upon

the Hill of Keilor, about a mile west of the village
of Newtyle, not far from which stands a sculp-
tured stone. A weem, or underground chamber,
and other traces of early occupation, have been
found in the same locality.

Hatton Castle, a picturesque ruin, south of
the village, bears the date of 1575, which cor-
responds with the period of the 4th Lord Oliphant,
whose ancestor. Sir Walter of Aberdalgie, had a
grant of Newtyle and Kinpurnie, from Robert I.,
iu 1318. These lands continued iu the noble
family of Oliphant until the early part of the 17th
century, when they were sold to Hallyburton of
Pitcur, from whom they passed, in the course of
50 or 60 years, to a son of the celebrated Sir
George Mackenzie. An observatory, the roofless
walls of which form so striking an object upon
the summit of Kinpurnie hill, was built by Lord
Privy Seal Mackenzie ; and the property was
inherited by the Stuart-Wortley family, now
represented by Lord AVharncliffe.

Bannatyne, or Ballautyne House, near the
church, which is in excellent preservation, built
about 1589, belonged to the family of George
Bannatyne, the collector of the ancient poetry
of Scotland. It was in honour of him that the
famous literary society of Edinburgh— the Ban-
iiatijne Club — was named.

142

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS;

^ utlti I.

(S. PETER.)

THE kirk of DotJiol, in Elginshire, was a pre-
bend of the cathedral of Moray, and was
given to it by Gilbert, eldest son of the Earl
of Strathern, 1224-4-'.

In 1630, the parishes of Uuthil and Rothie-
murchus were united.

A rude baptismal font, of granite, stands at
the church of Duthil. According to the Old
Stat. Account (vol. iv. p. 311), the kirk was built
in 1400, which is possibly a misprint for 1600, or
some later date. It stood until about 1826,
when the present house was erected.

A mausoleum of granite, belonging to the Earls
of Seafield, adjoins the church ; and there, it is
said, the Grants of Castle Grant have had their
place of burial since the year 1585. The first of
the Grants is said to have been Gregory (sheriff
of Inverness in the time of Alexander II.,)
who married a daughter of Bisset, lord of Lovat.
From that time the surname frequently occurs in
charters and other authentic documents. It was
in consequence of Sir Ludovick Grant having
married Margaret, daughter of the 5th Earl of
Seafield, that Grant of Grant succeeded to the
estates and titles of the Earldom of Seafield, &c.

The following inscription, upon a marble tablet
within the church, relates to a grandson of the
under-mentioned minister of Abernethy, who was
previously at Duthil : —

Capt. William Grant, 27th Regt. Bengal N.I.,
Assistant Adjutant General of Affganistan, eldest
son of the late Major Grant, Aiichterblair, was
killed in miction at Gundermiick, during the dis-
astrous retreat of the British Army from Cabool,
on the 13 of January 1842, aged 38 years. Erected
by his bereaved widow.

The next bears the names of the uncle and
grand-father of the above Capt. W. Grant : —

Erected by James Augustus Grant, Esq. of View-
field, in memory of his ancestors of the family of
Milton, who have had from a remote period their
last resting place here ; and where too are deposited

the remains of his father, the Revd. John GranT,
minister of Abernethy, who died 21 January 1820.

— It is told that the minister, having several sons
in the army during the Peninsular war, was in
the habit of reading the newspapers upon Sun-
days to his congregation, when anything of
importance occurred regarding the progress of
events.

The following is upon a stone witliin an en-
closure : —

Alexander Grant of TuUochgorm died 28
February 1828, aged 97, and Makgaret Grant,
his wife died 15 April 1850, aged 67.

Alexander Grant of Tullichgriban, Esq., died
22d Feb. 1829, aged 98 years ; and his widow
Margaret Grant, died 15 April 1849. Erected
by their only child, Isabella-Elizabeth, wife of
General Sir Lewis Grant.

John Grant, and Elizabeth Lumsden, his
spouse, both departed this life on the 9th Feb.
1806. Their son, Colonel Sir ]\Iaxwell Grant,
K.C., died 22d Oct. 1823.

— The above refers to one of the Muckroch family,
the first of whom was the 4th son of Sir John
Grant of Grant, who was knighted by James VI.,
and died soon after the year 1625. Muckroch
castle, the ruins of which still remain, is said to
have been built in 1598 ; also, that the lands of
Muckroch were excambed with the laird of Grant
for those of Rothiemurchus.

Margaret CtnviiNG, died 20th June 1/90, aged
82, wife first of Robert Grant, farmer, Aangormack,
next to Patrick Cuming, farmer, at Easter Duthil.
"Name what a Consort, a Parent, and a Friend,
in her station, should be — and she was that."

A rough slab, upon which a hammer, square,
chisel, and a gun, are rudely carved, bears this
brief inscription : —

Here lyes Donald Cuming, son of Patrick Cum-
ing, Duthil. 1774.

The next three inscriptions are from tombstones
erecte<l to certain of The Men, as they are locally
called : —

Duncan Cuming, merchant. Bridge of Endy,
Coilum, Rothiemurchus, who died 21 Feb. 1839;

D UTFIIL—IN VERA VON.

143

aged 65, "was the last 26 years of liis life efTec-
tually called to an enlightened mind to love and to
believe the Holy Scripture."

John M'Intosh, late farmer, Torspartan, died
27 Nov. 1843, aged 65 : — "A man distinguished for
zeal, love, sweet communion, was, for the last 35
years of his life, called to repentance. He was
gifted with a spirit of love, prayer, and charitable
feelings to distressed souls, persuading them to fly
from the wrath to come. This is erected by his
affectionate neighbours, as a token of their regards
towards him."

George Cameron, farmer, TuUochgorm, died 5
Feb. 1848, aged 79 :— " For the last 28 years of his
life he was brought to sharp repentance, to be a
self-denying Christian, and to have love to the
brethren. "

— The Men were those who professed to have
been brought to a sense of their error by some
miraculous means, after which they made it their
business to go about and expouud the Holy Scrip-
tures to their neighbours. The appellation of
The Men of Ross has been long given to laymen
of that county, who acted in the way indicated.
The Men of Duthil had great faith : not long ago,
in the time of The Men above named, when the
Spey changed its course at a particular spot,
The Men believed that Providence had made it do
so in obedience to their prayers, and had the same
recorded upon a stone, which they placed at the
point where the river had diverged !

The district of Duthil appears to have been the
property of the Earls of Strathearn, prior to the
time it fell into the hands of the Cumins, the old
lords of Badenoch. It was afterwards owned by
Sir John (grandson of Gregory Grant of Grant),
who is said to have married the heiress of Cumin,
and thus acquired the lauds. Duthil is still held
by a descendant of Sir John, the Earl of Seafield,
who is accounted chief of the Clan Grant. He
married the youngest daughter of the late Lord
Blantyre, and has issue, Viscount Reidhaven,
born 1851.

On the west side of the burial-ground, unmarked,
•as yet, by any monument, lie the remains of Jan

Manndacu, or Lom, the celebrated Jacobite
poet, who, after the defeat of his party at Cul-
lodeu, found, in his flight from the battle field,
an asylum in the farm house of Lochauhully,
where he died, after a brief illness, caused by
fatigue and disappointment.

Although there are few objects of antiquity in
the district, it can boast of many curious and in-
teresting traditions ; the more noteworthy of which
have been preserved by Sir T. D. Lauder, and by
local writers, particularly by "Gleumore," in his
Legends of Strathspey.

Ij n V ^ V « V (itt .

(S. FETEPv.)

ALCOLM, Earl of Fife, gave the church of
Inverhoven, and a davoch of land, to the
Bishop of Moray, 1228. Inveravon was the seat
of the chancellor of the diocese ; and the vicarages
of Kuockando, in Moray, and Urquhart, in Inver-
ness-shire, depended upon it.— (Shaw's Moray.)

The church, erected in 1809, stands on the
south bank of the Spey; and S. Peter's Well,
which was once considered an effectual cure for
most diseases, is about 400 yards south-east of
the church. At no distant date, votive offerings
were found in the well ; and Peter Fair, now
held at Dalnashaugh, stood near the consecrated
fountain.

A sculptured stone, with a raven, and other
carvings, lies within the site of the old
church. The burial aisle of Grant of Ballandal-
loch, a recent building, stands apart from the
church. It contains three tablets. The first,
which is of Peterhead granite, bears : —

A tribute of filial affection and grateful esteem
to the memory of Sir George Macpherson-Grant
of Ballaudalloch and Invereshie, Baronet. Born
25 Feb. 1781 ; died 24 Nov. 1846.
— Sir G., who was long M.P. for Sutherlandshire,
was created a baronet in 1838, He married
Mary, eldest daughter of Carnegy of Craigo, in

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

Angus. Their third son Thomas, W.S., Edin-
burgh, succeeded to the valuable estate of Craigo,
&c., on the death of his cousin Thomas, the last
of the male line of that branch of the Carnegys.
(v. p. 90.) Sir G.'s eldest son John, to whom
the next inscription refers, only survived his father
four years : —

This tablet is placed here by Dame Marion-
Helen Campbell, in memory of her beloved husljand,
Sir John Macpherson-Grant of Ballandallocli and
Invereshie, Bart. Born 3 Augt. 1804; died 2d
Dec. 1850.

The following, from a marble slab, records the
death of Sir John's wife, who was a daughter of
Campbell of Ballimore, Argyllshire : —

This tablet is placed here by Sir George Mac-
pherson-Grant of Ballandallocli and Invereshie,
Baronet, in memory of his beloved mother, Dame
Marion-Helen Campbell. Born 12 Oct. 1810 ;
died 5 June 1855.

— The Invereshie branch of the Macphersons claim
descent from Gillies, od son of Ewan Baan (the
fair Ewan), who lived in the time of Alex. II.
He was of the clan Chattan ; and the succession
of the clan having devolved uiDon the sons of
Muriach, a parson or priest, the family is said to
have assumed the name of Macparson, or son of
the parson. George Macpherson of Invereshie
and Dalraddie married Grace, daughter of Colonel
Wm. Grant of Ballaudalloch. On the death of
his descendant. General James Grant, the Ballau-
dalloch estates came to George Macpherson,
nephew, and subsequently heir of William of
Invereshie, when he assumed the surname of
Macpherson-Grant, and, as above noticed, was
created a baronet. This family claim to be de-
scended on the Grant side from John (son of
Patrick of Grant), who lived during the first half
of the 16th century.

Besides the burial aisle in the churchyard, a
mausoleum, now surrounded by wood, erected in
1807, occupies an elevated position in the west
corner of the Bowmoon park, overlooking Ballau-
dalloch Castle and a great part of Strathspey.
Here, by special request, were deposited the
ashes of the above-named General Jas. Grant.

The mausoleum is a square building of native
granite, with a column rising from the centre,
overtopt by a vase. A marble tablet irpon the base
of the column is thus inscribed : —

Memoriaj sacrum Jacobi Grant de Ballandal-
loch, in exereitu Britannico Ducis, undecimaj pedi-
tum legionis, Prtefecti, atqiie Castelli de Stirling
Custodis, nati— die Novembris 1720, qui deces-
sit 13 die Aprilis 1806. Hoc monumeutum posuit
Georgius Macpherson-Grant de Ballandalloch.
— The body of the General rests in the vault be-
low. The outer casing consists of a coffin-shaped
tomb of light grey marble, set upon a large
granite slab. Upon the top of the coffin are the
Grant arms and motto, surrounded by nicely
sculptured banners and other troi^hies of war.
The following inscription (of the same import as
that in Latin), is upon the top of the tomb below
the family arms : —

James Grant of Ballandalloch, General in Hia
Majesty's Army, Colonel of the 11th regiment of
foot, and Governor of Stirling Castle, born —
Nov. 1720, died 13 April 1806.
— Gen. G., who succeeded to Ballandalloch on the
death of his nephew, Col. W. Grant, about 1770
greatly.distinguished himself during the American
War, and was some years Governor of Florida.

The following inscriptions are selected from
tombstones in the kirkyard of Inveravon : —

Heir lyes ane honest man caled Willam Mc-
WiLLiE, who livid in the Cories, who departed the
10 of Ivne 1685 ; and Ketren Gordons his spovse.

Here lyes the James Stuart, late

fai'mer in Cottertown of Balindalloch, who departed
this life the 3 of . . . 1749, aged . .

An enclosure, on the south side of the kirk,
contains a number of tombstones to Grants who
have tenanted farms in Inveravon. From these
the next two inscriptions are copied : —

From motives of filial esteem and respect for the
memories of John Grant, formerly in Glenarder,
who died 12 Nov. 1797, aged 84 years ; and William
Grant, who was some time farmer at Dalnapot,
who died 16 Jan. 1815, aged 39, this stone was
placed over them by Peter Grant in Craigroy,
grandson of the former, and brother of the latter.

INVERAVON.

145

Here lies the body of Charles Grant, farmer at
Boat of Aveu, who died Feb. 4, 1758, aged 76, and
of his spouse, Anna Cummixg, who died Aprile 20,
1736, aged 63. In memory of them, John and
Alex. Grants, their sons, erected this stone.

—Those recorded in the last-quoted inscription
were the direct ancestors of Jas. Grant, writer,
Elgin, who was fifteen years provost of that city,
and projector of the railways from Elgin to
Craigellachie, and to Lossiemouth, &c.

William Grant, Esq., many years tacksman of
Tombreckachie, terminated his earthly course with
high and well merited esteem, on Saturday 3 June
1815, at the advanced age of 85 years.
Two separate and adjoining stones bear : —

James Grant, farmer, Pitgavenie, near Elgin,
died 1771 : He was a iDious and honest man, a
tender husband, a most dutiful parent, and a good
neighbour. His remains ly interred under this
stone, which was placed over them by his son,
Mr James Grant, minister of Inuerauen, who died
3 Feb. 1795, in the 77th year of his age, and 43d
of his ministry.

Mrs Maroaret Macgregor, died 7 Dec. 1841,
daughter of Jas. Macgregor, Esq. of Pittyvaich.*
The Eev. Wm. Grant, minister of Invei-avon, died
12 April 1833, in the 75th year of his age, and 41st
of his ministry.
Within an enclosure : —

Sacred to the memory of Thomas Stewart, Esq. ,
late of Pittyvaich,* who departed this life, 5 Feb.
1815, aged 74.
In area of old kirk : —

The Rev. Wm. Spence, minister of the Gospel at
Inveravon, died 30 July 1807, in the 46th year of
his age, and 12th of his ministry.

This stone was erected here by John Hendeie
who died the 24th Dec. 1815 in the 63d year of his
age with the concurrence of Penual Cameron his
spouse who died 7 May 1818 in the 57th year of
her age. &c.

Peter Hay, merchant and farmer in Dalchwrich,
placed this stone here on his burying place, and his
remains are interred under it. He died Dec. 30,

• The expression " of must, in the above, as in many similar
instances, be taken advisedly. The parties so designed are
often merely tenant-farmers.

1793, aged 73 years. He was a fair trader, an
honest man, and peaceable neighbour. Death is
certain, sin is the cause of it, but Christ is the cure.
Upon a granite headstone : —

Captain GRANrr, tacksman of Advie and Mol-
derie interred here May 1828, aged 90 years. He
was the 7th in descent from Duncan the 9th laird
of Grant, and 6th from Patrick Grant of Ballan-
dalloch, who held the lands of Advie, first in wadset
and afterwards in tack. His youngest son Capt.
Lewis Grant of the 71st Eegt., died May 1812, of
wounds received at the assault of Fort Napoleon and
in the Tagus, when cheering and leading the High-
landers to victory. Erected by Coll. W. Grant of
Cloghill in memory of an honourable father, and a
gallant brother ; also to his grandson, Charles
Grant Campbell, Esq., Assistant Surgeon, R.N.,
who died at Rio de Janeirt), S. America, 6 Feb.
1851, in the prime of life, and faithful discharge of
his duty.

This stone is placed here in memory of William
Falcener, late farmer in Pitchaish, who died at
Mains of Kinermouy, 4 May 1793, in the 74th year
of his age ; and of seven of his children, who died
infants.

An adjoining stone records the death of his wife

Anna Rose, in 1821, aged 78, also that of a num-
ber of their descendants. Three sons were mer-
chants in New York, and another died farmer
of Kinermony, 1849, aged 81.

Alex. McDonald, farmer, Paikhead of Pitchash,
d. 1809, a. 84 :—

Heav'nward directed all his days.
His life one act of prayer and praise ;
With every modest grace inspired.
To make him lov'd, esteem'd, admired.
Crown'd with a cheerfulness that show'd
How pure the source from whence it flow'd.
Such was the man whose thread, when run,
Finding the appointed time was come,
To rest he sunk, without one sigh.
The saint may sleep, but cannot die.
Upon a headstone: —

Erected to the memory of James McDonald, Esq. ,
late of Morant Bay, Jamaeca, who died at Charle.<5-
ton of Aberlour, 6 April 1836, aged 42 ; Francis
McDonald, Esq. of ISIorant Bay, died 19 June 1833,
aged 38, natives of this parish.

146

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

A costly tomb, composed of blue granite, with
three marble slabs inserted, bears that —

Charles Stewart, Esq., Deskie, who died 30
Sep. 1826, aged 74, was upriglit in principle, dis-
interested in character, and the poor man's friend.

His widow, Mary, daughter of the late Jas.
Gordon, Esq., Croughly, died 27 March 18.38,
aged 66.

Ann-Margaret, daughter of the above, spouse
of Harry Lumsden, died 18 Nov. 1835, aged 27.
Chas.-Geo. Lumsden, Asst. Surg. K. R. Hussars,
died at Meerut, Bengal, 1862, aged 30. [Two other
sons and a daughter are recorded.]

Upon a table-shaped stone within same en-
closure : —

This stone is erected here by Robert Stewart,
tenant in Wester Deskie, in memory of his spouse,
Elspat Gordon, who died Jan. 31, 1781, aged 50
years, who bore to him eleven children.

The parish being very large, burial-places were
numerous. Apart from that at Inveravon, there
■were others at Chapelton, Haugh of Kilraaichlie,
Lagmore, Bhuternich, Downan, &c. That of

DOWNAN,
which is picturesquely situated near the junc-
tion of the Livet and the Avon, is still used
for interments, and contains a number of tomb-
stones. From one of these the following inscrip-
tion is copied : —

McLac Achbreack t>. 1818 ag 90 '^ also
HIS SPOUSE Grace Grant d 1814 ag 81.
— From a better- cut version of the above, upon
the reverse of the same stone (where the last age
is given as 80), it appears that the first named
was Georgp: McLaciilan, farmer, Auchbreck.

The foundations of the old place of worship,
which appears to have been a small building, may
be traced near the middle of the enclosure at
Downan. A stone slab bears a cross incised on
both sides. It appears to be an object of some
antiquity ; and, according to tradition, near it
lie some of those who fell at the battle of Glen-
livet, which was fought not far from it, between
the armies of James VI., and those of the Popish
Earls of Errol and Huntly, in 1594.

There was long a Roman Catholic seminary at
Scalan ; but on the institution of the College at
Blairs, in Mary Culter, the students were trans-
ferred to that place, (r. p. 115.)

Handsome Roman Catholic chapels stand at
Tombae, and at the Braes of Glenlivet. (S. Mary.)
Over the principal entrance to the first (" The
Church of the Incarnation"), are the words —
christo et pur.*; virgini.
A monument, built of granite, contains three
separate tablets, thus inscribed; —

4* Sacred to the memory of William Gordon,
Esq., Minmore, who died 5 Nov. 1829, aged 74
years. R. I. P.

<^ Death, I will be thy death. Osee, ch. 13.
Expecting a blessed resurrection, the mortal re-
mains of Anne, the beloved wife of James Petrie,
Esq. , here repose,

In the/ea?' of the Lord, which, &c.
In fait/!, without which, &c., please God.
In hope, the anchor, &c., sure and iirm.
In char'dij, which never faileth.
She placidlj' resigned her spirit to its Creator,
7th Sepr. 1858, aged 47 years :—
' ' Her children rose up, &o.
' ' Her husband, and he praised her.
' ' Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain.
' ' The woman that f eareth the Lord, she shall
be praised. Prov. ch. xxxi. Requiescat in pace.

►^ IHS. Sacred to the memory of Mary
Stewart, spouse of Capt°. William Gordon, Min-
more, who died 1 Octr. 1842, aged 63 years ; of
their son, Capt°. John Gordon, H.E.I.S., who
died at Singapore, 4th July 1833, aged 27 years ;
of their daughter, Elizabeth-Stewart Forbes,
who died at the Convent of Mercy, Glasgow, 10
April 1834, aged 32 ; of their 3 sons and daughter,
who died in infancy. Of Lewis Gordon, Esq., for
many years Secretary to the Highland Agricultural
Society of Scotland, who died at Aberdeen, 23
January 1839, aged 72. And of Sir Charles
Gordon, who died at Edinburgh, 25th Sepr. 1845,
aged 52. Requiescant in pace.
— Gordons have been long resident at Minmore,
and it is from one of them that the present
(Gordons of Abergeldie are descended in the male
line. (v. p. 108.) The above Sir Charles, who

INVERAVOy.

147

married a sister of Angus Fletcher of Dunaus,
Esq., was trained by his uncle, and ultimately suc-
ceeded him in the office of Secretary to the High-
land Agricultural Society.

Interesting, and pretty complete specimens of
so-called Druidical circles are at Ballandalloch,
I^agmore, Belleville, and Balnellan, at the last-
mentioned of which places fragments of a sculp-
tured stone are built into the walls of the farm-
steading.

The ruins of the castles of Drumin and Blair-
findy are striking objects in the landscape. The
first, of which three sides of the old keep remain,
appears to have been a building of the 15th
century, and the latter of the 17th. The former
is situated so as to command the passes of the
Avon and the Livet ; and the latter, which is
near Miumore, in Glenlivet, is locally said to have
been a hunting seat of the Earls of Huntly.

T'he castle of Ballandalloch, near the confluence
of the rivers of Avon and the Spey, has been
recently enlarged and improved. It is a fine
castellated chateau, situated in a tastefully laid-
out lawn, surrounded by old trees. It commands
a good view of the suri-oundiug country, and con-
tains capital examples of the works of some of the
more eminent of the old painters. 1 he family
arms are carved upon a panel over the front door,
below which, flanked by the words —

Erected 1546 ; Restored 1S50—
is tliis text, which was upon the old building : —

VE LORD SHALL PRESERVE THY GOING OUT
AND THY COMING IN.

— ^fhe date of 1602, and the initials P.G., are
upon the back or oldest portion of the house.

The bridge over the Avon, near the entrance
to Ballandalloch Castle, was first built by General
Grant in 1792 ; the present bridge, and that across
the Livet at Downan, were built in 1803 and 1835,
respectively. Those over the burns of Pitchaish
and Tommore in 1816, and 1826. The two arches
of the old bridge which crossed the Livet, from one
group of rocks to another, have a singularly pic-
turesque character, and are admirably suited for
a picture. These are possibly of contemporary

date with the castle of Blairfindy, for the use of
the lords of which, the bridge was jjrobably
erected.

But the old house of Kilmaichlie, which occu-
pies a height on the left bank of the Avon, with
its rows of old trees, is possibly the most beauti-
fully situated of all the residences in the district.
It was long a summer retreat of the Man of Feel-
ing, by whom its beauties have been described
in No. 87 of the Lounger.

Extracts from the KirJc-session Eecords
of Inveravon.

The following extracts, selected from the Kirk-
session Records of the parish of Inveravon, may
interest the general, as well as the local reader,
since they bear upon some curious obsolete cus-
toms and historical events. Among these the
applications of the " currachers," or ferryboat
men to, and the restrictions put upon them by
the Kirk-session, together with the destruction of
the boats of Spey, and the burning of the house
of Pitchaish in the time of the JNIarquis of Mon-
trose, are possibly not the least curious.

In the first extract, dated 20th Mai'ch 1636, it
is stated that : —

AUister MoAUim, " corrachar at Awin," applied
to the Kii'k-session for "2 marks of ye comone
good for atteitdiug ye Watter on ye Sabboth day,
and for ferreing ye people to yo kirk."

Subsequently (18 Nov. 1638) : —

" Johue More, the curracher, gaif iu a siipplica-
tione to ye Sessioue desyring support to buy a cur-
rach, wherevpou the Sessione condescendit to give
him his request pi'oviding alwayes he should be
readie on the Sabboth day to attend the currach
and ferrie the people over the water, comeing and
going from the sermone." He received "two
merkis to that effect."

The term " scourger," as applied in the next
extract (1 May, 1636), appears to have been
equivalent to that of " rung the beggars" of a
later date, and of a policeman of the present time: —

"Jobne Dow admitted scourger to hold out
strong Beggars and ith'" vagabonds o*^ of ye parish,
and for his fie a peek of victuall in ye weeck.'

148

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

The following is dated 12 June 1636 :—

William Lesley in Dalraachie, was prohibited,
under a penalty of £10 "not to resett ane stragler
woman called Marie Dow." Subsequently (23
Apr. 1637), Donald Dow, potter (?) to the baron of
Kinnachlon, was also prohibited from reseting the
same woman (whose character is less delicately
given at this date), " aither by nycht or by day."

The next two extracts, dated respectively 20lh
Oct. 1639, and 6th April 1640, show the sort of
articles which were given as pledges for the ful-
filment of contracts of marriage, also the penalty
imposed upon the illiterate of those days : —

David Ross ratified a promise of marriage with
Margt. Gordon, to be performed within 20 days
instant, " A targe for y^ woman, and a doller for
ye man, layed in pand in ye k. offrs hand vntil the
day appointed forsaid."

Thos. McJames contracted with Jonet Bayne—
" a targe layed in pand for the man, and a sword
for the woman, and yat for thair performance ; and
to get the Lords prayer, the Belief, and lOcomande-
ments w'in 20 days inst."

There are few Session records of the period
that do not contain entries similar to the follow-
ing, which is dated 10th July 1642 :—

The " practice of Pennie bry dells" was ordered to
be discontinued; and it was also "ordained that there
sail be no trouble nor pley, nor pyper, nor violer
at anie brydell under the paine of ane doller."

Many of the people of Inveravon and Kirk-
raichael, &c., were, until the introduction of
reaping machines, in the habit of going to the
south of Scotland and hiring themselves as reapers,
at which they were considered expert hands.
This practice appears to be of an older date than
is generally known, for nearly 230 years ago it
was looked upon as an evil to the district ; and the
Kirk-session (4th Sept. 1642), made a minute
touching the case as follows : —

" It wes regrated yat monie servants went out
of ye cuntrie the tjone of haruest, and liued vpon
the cuntrie the whole winter tyme. Therefore it
wes ordained that whosoeuer went out of y° cuntrie
W^out the minister's testimonial! should be comptd
vagabounds ; and ye Pvesetters of these wUn the

parish agayne, except they brought w' them a
Testimonial! from the minister where they wrought
in haruest, sail pay 10 libs."

The next entry (12 Mar. 1643), bears upon a
not uncommon feature in the art of witchcraft,
and the alleged way by wliicli the charm was
effected : —

" The said daye comperat M.irgaret Walker and
gaif in a bill of complaint against Allaster McCraw
his wyff, for slandering her, alleadging yat ye said
Margaret Walker hade taken awaye Allaster
McCraw his wyffs milk, by going betuixt her and
the fyre." Mrs M. was ordered to acknowledge
her guilt before the pulpit.

Tlie next two extracts (dated respectively 21>
Sept. 1644, and 16 Feb. 1645), relate to the
doings of the Great Montrose, or his army, when
on their march from the north to Balveny castle.
It is said that a portion of the present building of
the house of Pitchaish is that which was erected
after the destruction of the one referred to in the
second extract : —

"About this tyme James Grahame, sometyme
Earle of Montrose, joyned with the Irishes and
troubled the whole cuntrey, and thus hindered botli
convention and discipline of the kirk."

" No preaching nor collection, the minister him-
self having left his awin hous, the Enemy's armie
of Irishes being in the cuntrey ; at the q'k tyme
the boats of Spey were broken ; and the lious of
Pitchaish wes burnt immediatelie after the light of
Inuerlochy."

The following (4 May, 1645), shows the un-
settled state of the times consequent on the Civil
Wars, and the weakness of the executive of the
kirk : —

" The minister regraited the pitiefull case of y*-'
parish where, that no delinquents could be broght
to make yair repentance or paye anye penaltyes,
Notwithstanding yat he hade taken caution of
sundrie who hade gotten anie benefit of ye kirk
fra him, and yat there could be als litle order
gotten of ye cautioners as of ye delinquents them-
selfs, the fovr honest men [i.e. the elders] who
were put ansured, they coidd not help the busines
bot regrate it. Likewayes in respect tlie heads of
ye cuntrey were not at home, the one-half being

STRATHDOK or INVERNOCHTY.

149

against the other, some with the Enemye, and some
in garrisone houses."

Under 3d August 1C45 is this salutary resolu-
tion : —

It was resolved that "no ayl nor aquavitse sould
be sold in tjone of divine seruice, in respect through
the troubles of ye tymes the people taks occasion to
abyde from the Kirk, to fall out in pleyea and
scolding."

The next extract (10 Aug. 1645), has reference
to a common sort of transgression : —

" A tumult being in ye kirk yeard in tyme of di-
vine service, after try all it wes found yat Grisall
Roy and Mariorie Audersone were scolding and
flyting in ye kirkzeard, and y^fore being both
apprehended were pntly put in the Jouggs, and
ordained to acknoledge their fault publickly the
nixt Sabboth befor the congregation."

Considering the nature of the offence, the above
may have been a fair punishment for the delin-
quents ; but that shadowed forth in the next ex-
tract (16 August 1704), so far as it relates to
"children not capable of church censure,'' must
be viewed in a very different light : —

"Ane Act against Clavies. — That whereas it
hath been the custome and practise of many in this
parish of Inveravine, to goe about yi" folds and
corues with kindled Torches of firr, Superstitiouslie
and Idolotrouslie asscribing yt power to the fire
of sanctifieing yr comes and cattell q^^^ is only
proper and peculiar to the true and living God, a
practise proper rather to the heathens who are
ignorant of God, than to be practisd by them y'
live under the light of the glorious Gospell ; There-
for, the Session did, and hereby doeth enact that,
whosoever shall be found guiltie of the fors<i super-
stitious and heathenish practises, shall be proceeded
agst as scandalous persons, and censured according
to the demerit of y'" crime ; and if it shall be found
that they be children not capable of church censure,
that in y' case, their names be keept in record,
and they declar'd incapable of any church priviledge
when arrived att the years of discretion, or any
testimoniall from the session, till they remove the
scandaU."

(S. ANDREW.)

RpHE church of Inuyrnochy was given to the
M, Priory of Monymusk by Gilchrist, Earl of
Mar, 1199-1207. It was afterwards (July ] 256),
with consent of Thomas, Earl of Mar, erected
into a prebend of the cathedral of Aberdeen.
In May previously, his Lordship, on presenting
Sir John of Marr, rector of Invernochty, to the
rectory of the kirk of Dauachyndore (Auchindoir),
vacant by the death of Sir Thos. of Meldrum, re-
quested the Bishop of Aberdeen to join the latter
church to the former ; but that does not appear
ever to have beeia done.

The present church stands upon the south bank
of the Don, oj^posite to where the water of Nochty
joins the Don. An old church, built in 1757, was
erased in 1851, and the present edifice erected at
a cost of about £2500. It has a spire, is a
spacious and neatly finished place of worship, and
contains a number of monuments.

Forbes of Newe :—
The burial place of Forbes of Newe, the chief
heritor of the parish, is at the east end, separated
from the nave of the church by a low railing. It
contains four monuments, one of freestone and
three of white marble. The first, which bears a
carving of the Forbes arms, flanked by the initials
W. F. : H. F., is thus inscribed : —

Here lyes William Forbes of New who depart . .
the 10 of lanvary 1698, the 76 yeir of age :—
Remember man, as thou goes by,
As thou art now, so once was I ;
As I am now, so must thou be ;
Remember man that thou must die.

— According to the Poll Book, the above Forbes
had a wife, a daughter, and two sons living with
him in 1696. He is said to have been the first
Forbes of Newe; and possibly his wife was a
kinswoman of his own. "William Forbes, younger
of New, a gentleman," his wife, and three children
are charged under the same list. The exact con-

150

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

nection between the above-named Forbes and the
present family is not established. In 1494, Dun-
can Forbes pursued certain persons for withhold-
ing from him the tack and mailing of Inuernochty
and Bellabeg, with their pertinents, at which time
these estates were Mar property. Bellabeg after-
wards belonged to Gordon of lluntly, subsequently
to the Lords Elphiustone. (v. p. 65).

Forbes of Newe claims descent from Wm., of
Daach, 2d son of Sir Alex, of Pitsligo. The fol-
lowing inscription is from a marble to the memory
of the undoubted progenitors of the present
family of Forbes of Newe : —

Sacred to the memory of the Rev. George Forbes,
eldest son of John Forbes of Bellabeg and minister
of the Gospel at Lochell, lie died at New, August
30, 1799, in the 62nd year of his age, and 37th of
his ministry, and was interred in the burial ground
of the family within this church, where three of
his cMldren are also buried : — Christian, born
August 4, 1770, died June 12, 1782 ; and two other
daughters, Christian and Katharine, who died
in eai'ly infancy. Likewise Katherine Stewart,
only daughter of Gordon Stewart of Drummin,*
and spouse of the said George Forbes, who died at
New on the 3d November ISOS, in the GSth year
of her age. [c. note* p. 45.]

The next mentioned John Forbes, who realised
a large fortune as a merchant in Bombay, bought
the property of Newe, &c., in his father's life-
time. In addition to the improvement of his
property, he left large donations to public charities
in Aberdeen and elsewhere : —

To the memory of John Forbes, Esquire of Newe
(formerly of Bombay), second son of John Forbes,
Esquire of Bellabeg. Born there 19th September
1743, died in Fitzroy Square, London, 20th June
1821, and buried in this church. A dutiful son,
an affectionate brother, a warm and steady friend ;
his amiable mannei's and goodness of heart endeared
him to aU who knew him — his active benevolence
was extended to all who stood in need of assistance.
But, tke "widow and fatherless" in India and in
Britain, were the special objects of his protection.
This monument was erected by his nephew, Sir
Charles Forbes, Baronet of Newe and Edinglassie.
1837. Altius ibunt qui ad summa nituntur.

— Mr F., who died unmarried, was succeeded in
the estates of Newe, &c., by his nephew Charles,
who also spent part of his life in Bombay, where
he was so much esteemed that the inhabitants
erected a statue of him, executed by the late Sir
F. Chan trey. He was long an M.P., created a
baronet in 1823, and died at London, 2Uth Sept.
1849, aged 76. It was he who erected a tablet
to two of his grandchildren, which is thus in-
scribed : —

In memory of Harriet-Boycott Forbes, eldest
child of John and Mary Jane Forbes, born in Lon-
don the 24th May 1830, died at Edinglassie the
27th June 1835, and buried in a vault in that part
of the burial ground of Newe, which lies without
the church. This monument was erected by her
grandfather Sir Charles Forbes, Baronet of Newe
and Edinglassie, anticipating the intention of her
fond parents to record the early promise of mind
and heart of one of the most interesting of children.
But, before this was carried into effect, it pleased
the Almighty to take to himself another of the
children of the same parents, John Forbes, their
second son and fourth child^a lovely infant. Born
in Aberdeen the 1st August 1835, died at Edin-
glassie the 18th January 1836, and buried in same
grave with his sister.

— Sir Charles was succeeded by a grandson, who
died at the age of 19, in 1852, when the succes-
sion devolved upon an uncle of the last, and third
son of the first baronet. It ought to be men-
tioned that, on the elevation of Sir Charles to a
baronetcy, his tenantry in Strathdon raised a cairn,
or pile of native granite, upon the hill of Lonach,
in which there are two stone tablets with inscrip-
tions. One is in Gaelic, the other (an interpreta-
tion in English), runs thus : —

Baronet's Caii-n : The Tenantry of the lands of
Newe, Edinglassie, Bellabeg, and Skellater, m testi-
mony of their aiTection and gratitude, have erected
this pile to their highly distinguished and beloved
landlord. Sir Charles Forbes, Bart., M.P., on his
elevation to the dignity of a Baronet of the United
Kingdom, by His Majesty George IV., in 1823.

The Forbeses of Acchernach
have three tablets on the south wall of Strathdon
church, two of marble and one of granite : —

STRATHDON, or INVERNOCHTY.

151

Sacred to the memory of Charles Forbes, Esq.
of Aucliernach, who lies here with his forefathers
for upwards of 200 years. Died 5th May 1794, in
the 64tli year of his age. Likewise to the memory
of his wife Janet, daughter of Francis Fraser,
Esq. of Fiudrack, who died 4th Deer. 1770, aged
30. Also their sous Francis, who died in infancy ;
George, Lieut, in the 3rd Regt. Madras Cavalry,
died at sea, in India, 10th April 1796, aged 26 ;
.James, a Lieut, in the 72nd Highland Regt. , died
9th June 1804, in the 24th year of his age. This
monument is erected by his son Nathaniel, Lieut. -
Gen. in the Honble. E.I.C.S., 1845.
— ISIr Charles Forbes was governor or keeper of
the Castle of Corgarff, which was bought by the
Government after 174G, and was long used as a
barracks for soldiers, at first with a view to over-
awe the Highlanders, and finally as a check upon
smuggling, which was extensively carrried on in
the district.

Sacred to the memory of Major General David
Forbes, C. B. , H. M. 78th Regt. , or Ross-shire High-
landers. Born 13th January 1772 ; died 29th March
1849, whose remains are deposited beneath this
stone in the same grave with his father, Charles
Forbes of Auchernach : also to his sons James, born
13th September 1820, died 19th April 1821 ; and
David, born 10th March 1824, died 26th April 1825.
— The following refers to the father of the present
laird of Auchernach and Dunottar, &c. : —

In memory of Nathaniel Forbes of Auchernach
and Dunottar, Lieutenant-General H.E.I. C.S. and
Col. of the 24 Reg. Madras Native Infantry, eldest
son of Charles Forbes of Auchernach, by his wife
Janet, daughter of Francis Fraser of Fiudrack.
Born at Corgarff Castle, February 2, 1766 ; died in
London, August 16, 1851, in the 86 year of his age.
Erected by his son William-Nathaniel Forbes of
Auchernach and Dunottar.

— Lieut.-Gen. F. (who was heir and representa-
tive of the Forbeses of Skellater), saw much
service in India in the war against Hyder Ali
and Tippoo Saib, and held high commands. He
bought Dunottar about 1832.

Forbes of Inverernan : —
The first of these Forbes' was Black Jock; to
whom, as bailie of Kildrummy, the Earl of Mar

wrote the celebrated letter regarding the rising
of 1715. Black Jock was the eldest son of Skel-
later by a second marriage ; and being out in the
rebellion, was taken prisoner, and died at Carlisle
the night before the day on which he was to
have been executed. His son, by the widow of
M'Gillivray of Drumnaglass, succeeded to Inver-
ernan, and married Jean, daughter of Alexander
Alexander of Auchmull, a bailie in Aberdeen.
Their eldest son, who died unmarried, made the
entail of Inverernan, and was succeeded by his
next brother, Alex. Forbes, to whom there is a
marble tablet, on north wall of church : —

To the memory of Captain Alexander Forbes
of Inverernan, born the 25th of July 1744, and died
at Forbes Lodge the 5th of June 1819. Erected by
his friends of the Clan, and others, in honor of a
man whose kindness of heart, and hospitality to
young and old, was never exceeded in the Strath.

— It was this gentleman, on the threatened inva-
sion of Scotland by the French, that commanded
the Sti-athdon men, who had formed themselves
into a Volunteer Association for the defence of
their country. He married Elizabeth, a daughter
of Grant of Clury, Strathspey. She was the
mother of Major Alex. Forbes, also of Mary-
Anne, the wife of the Rev. Dr Forbes of Blelack.
A tablet bears this record of Major F.'s death : —
To the memory of Major Alexander Forbes of
Inverernan, whose remains are inteiTed underneath.
He died on the 20th July 1830, in the 55th year of
his age, esteemed and respected by all who knew
him for his highly upright and honourable prin-
ciples. Erected by his affectionate widow, Mar-
garet-Sarah Forbes.

— This lady was a daughter of Duncan Forbes-
Mitchell of Thainston, 2d son of Sir Arthur
Forbes of Craigievar. She had a son and daugh-
ter, the former died in London in 1827, aged 15 ;
and the latter, who married Wm. M'Combie, Esq.
of Easter Skene and Lynturk, died in 1835,
aged 26. (v. Skene.)

On the south-west of the church-yard:—
The burial place of George Forbes, D.D., of
Blelack and Inverernan, 25 years minister of the
parish of Strathdon. Possessing the respect and

152

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

confidence of his Parishioners as a faithful pastor and
friendly counsellor, his death was deeply lamented
throughout this district. Born at Lochel, 8th April
1778; died at Aberdeen, 16th February 1834.
Erected, in affectionate remembrance, by his dis-
consolate widow 1835. His widow, Mary-Anne
Forbes, daughter of Captain Alexander Forbes of
Inverernan, died 19th April 1848, aged C8 years.

— The above were the parents of the present laird
of Inverernan, who distinguished himself in the
late Persian war. He is a C.B., and a General
in the H.E.I.C.S. A marble cross, within the
kirk, records the death of an infant son of Gen.
Forbes ; and an adjoiuiug slab that of his second
brother, who died at Bombay, 1849, aged 30.

Anderson of Candacraig : —
Within, and upon north wall of the church : —

This stone was erected in the year 1757, by
Charles Anderson of Kandocraig, in memory of his
Predecessors, the Andersons of Kandocraig, in-
ter'd here for seven generations past. Charles
the Eight, died 10th March 1770, aged 05. Mors
janua vitse.

Sacred to the memory of Alexander Anderson
of Candacraig, who, in succession to eight genera-
tions of his ancestors interred here, died 13th of
March 1817, aged 05 years. This monument of
filial love and regard for an afi'ectionate parent is
erected by Captain John Anderson of the 28th Re-
giment, his eldest surviving son, 1st of August 1820.

Sacred to the memory of Major John Anderson
of Candacraig, who departed this life Deer. 24th
1835, aged 45 years. This tablet is erected as a
tribute of sincere affection and regard by his dis-
consolate widow, Catherine Anderson.
— This lady was a dr. of Alex., Duke of Gordon,
by Jean Christie, his second wife. {v. Bellie.)
The value of Duncan Anderson's lands in the
Strathdon part of Migvie-Tarland, is stated in the
Poll Book (1696) at £200 Scots, where his lady
is charged, also two sons and three daughters,
then living in familia. The Andersons held
Candacraig until within these few years, when it
was bought by Sir C. Forbes of Newe, from a
sister's son of one of the Andersons, now or lately
resident in Canada.

Upon a marble tablet in north-east wall : —

In memory of Hugh-Robert Meiklejohn, eldest
son of the Revd. Robt. Meiklejohn, minister of
Strathdon, and Lieut. H.E.I.C. Engineers. Killed
at Jhansi in Central India, 3rd April 1858, aged
xxii years. Gallantly leading one attack of the
Stormers he was the first to scale the wall and
there fell dead, deeply lamented by all who knew
him. Erected by the inhabitants of his native
Strath to testify their high admiration of his bravery
and moral worth, their sincere sorrow for his pre-
mature death, and their heartfelt sympathy witli
his bereaved family.

— A monument in the churchyard records the
death of the Rev. Mr Mkikle.joiin, and his wi-
dow, Eliza-Gkant, daughter of Forbes of In-
verernan, the first died in 1859, the latter in 1863.
The next two inscriptions are from tablets in
north-west wall of the church : —

Sacred to the memory of Mrs Christian Stuart,
daughter of James Gordon, Esq., Croughly, who
was born 21st November 1760, died 28th February
1821, aged 54, and was interred in the burial ground
of her husband's family within this churchyard,
where two of her daughtei's both named Mary-
Forbes, who died in early infancy, are likewise
buried. Sacred also to the memory of her eldest
son John, who died in the East Indies, 13th April
1813, aged 22. \v. p. 70.]

Sacred to the memory of Jonathan Michie,
Esq., Captain in the Honourable East India Com-
pany's Bombay Marine, who died at Aberdeen on
the 25th August 1811, aged 42 years, and is in-
terred in this churchyard. Inscribed at the desire
of his son, Lieutenant Jonathan Michie of the Bom-
bay Military Establishment. 1815.

A massive mausoleum on the left of the church-
yard gate bears two tablets, with the following
inscriptions : —

This mausoleum was erected to perpetuate the
memory of Mary Forbes, who was the wife of
Major Daniel Mitchell. Her uncommon affection
for her husband, parents, brothers, and sisters, and
her kindness to all her friends, joined to a delight-
ful benevolence, which never overlooked the humble
nor forgot the distressed, are here recorded for
example's sake. She died in London, 27th August
1829, aged 53, and her remains rest within.

STRATH DON, or INVERNOOHTY.

153

— This lady, daughter of the minister of Leochel,
was aunt to the present Sir Charles Forbes of
Newe. Her husband was a descendant of Thomas
Mitchell, a burgess and provost of Aberdeen, who
bought Thainston, near Kin tore, about the end
of the 17th century. The second tablet bears : —

He who raised this tomb now reposes within.
Daniel Mitchell, Major in the Hon. East India
Company's Service, who departed this life on the
17th Feb. 1841, aged 64. He fell asleep in Jesus
in the hope of a glorious resurrection. This tablet
is erected by desire of his surviving wife Mary,
daughter of the late General Hay of Rannes, in
remembrance of a most beloved, respected, and
deeply lamented husband.

A monument in the churchyard bears this in-
scription : —

Here ly the remains of Robert Farquharson of
AUerg, who died Jany. 31st 1771, in the 77th year
of his age. And of Isabel Anderson his spouse,
who died Febry. 18th 1749, in the 70th of her age ;
And of their grand-child" John, James, Margt,
& Jean : —

Friend would'st thou triump o'er the grave ?
Would'st thou with joy thy dust redeem ?
Belive in him w ho came to save.
His cross the way to bless supream.
EoBT. Farquharson, their son, died 16th April
1793, aged 73. Jean Grant, his spouse, died 3rd
July 1800, aged 80. Isobel, their daughter, died
2nd April 1791, aged 40 years. Memento mori.

A marble tablet within, and on south wall of
church, bears : —

Erected by his widow in afifectionate remem-
brance of PtOBERT Farquharson, Esq. of AUargue
and Breda. Born the 13th of January 17S3 ; died
the 14th of February 1863 ; and of their son Robert
Farquharson, younger of AUargue : Born 22nd of
July 1828 ; died 9th of November 1858.

—John Farquharson of Olderg, " his wyfe and
fyve children, to wit, Andrew, Gustavus, Ro-
derick, Georg, and Jean Fergursous," appear in
the Poll Book for 1696. Breda is a small pro-
perty in Alford. The last-named laird was a
thread manufacturer in, and sometime provost of
Paisley, (r. p. 122.)

The following inscriptions are selected from
tombstones in different parts of the kirkyard : —
John Lumsden was minister here forty four years.
Mary Duff his first, and Barbara Lumsden his
second wife, with their two children, jNIary and
Hary Lumsdens, were all buried here before he
died himself.

Mr D. McS. Heb. ix. 27 : It is appointed unto
men once to die, but after this the judgment.
II Thess. 11. 5 : Remember ye not that when I was
yet with you I told you these things. Mr D.
McS., M.A. Here ly the ashes of the Revd. and
worthy sert. of Jesus Christ, Mr Donald M'Sween,
minr. of the Gospel at Strdou, who died June
the 8, 1730, aged 38 :—

A watchman faithful, honest, just,
Who ner betrayed his sacred trust.
Whose love to Christ and to his flock
Breathed in all that er he spoke.
Hug. )

Eliz. > McS. children. Memento mori.
Hel. \
—Mr Gordon, the writer of the Old Stat. Acct.
of the parish (vol. xiii., p. 184^, says that, accord-
ing to tradition, the inhabitants of Strathdou
were "rough and uncivilized in their manners" —
that hostile lairds would have rushed upon one
another in the churchyard on Sundays with their
durks and shabbies, and that, on one occasion, a
laird cut off the head of Mr Baxter, a minister, at
the manse-door, with a Lochaber axe ; also, that
Mr M'Sween was attempted to be smothered with
a wet canvas, when at family prayers one even-
ing ; but being a man of considerable bodily
streugth, he was able to save himself ! Luckily
the people have changed with the times, for even
on the occasion of the Lonacli annual gatherings,
it is but rare that impropriety of conduct is to be
seen ; while their courtesy and hospitality to
strangers are worthy of imitation in many parts
of the Lowlands. Near the above : —

This monument is erected by Alex. Stuart of
Edinglassie to the memory of Margaret (Jran-
STOWN, his wife, a person honbly. descended, politely
educated, judicious, prudent, and agreeable, es-
teemed and regarded : she died June 22, aged 45,
A.D. 1752. The said Alex. Stuart, Esq., writer to
the signet, a man eminent in his profession, much

154

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

esteemed, and universally regretted, died the 19tla
day of Septr. aged 87 years, A.D. 1787.
John Simpson, farmer, Shanuach, d. 1780, a. 79:—
With temper meek his bread he wan,
He lived and died an honest man.

Erected to the memory of John McHardy, late
farmer in Easter Corryhoul, who died 26 Nov. 1813,
aged 60, and whose ancestors has been theie for
upwards of 600 years. Done by the care of his
sons Jos., Jas., N°., Cha^., and Alex''. McHardys.

Under this stone lies interred the dust of Archi-
bald Forbes of Deskrie, who died at Mill of Keith,
the 3d of Dec. 1793, in the 80th year of his age.

Hocce in sepulchro iacet Donald Downys, vir
[eximia] pietate, incorrupta fide, pauperum fautor,
pater non contempta prole, beatus obiit A.D. 17 , .
natus ....

[In this tomb lies Donald Downys, a man of
genuine piety, untainted honour, a benefactor to
the poor, and the father of no contemptible off-
spring. He died happy A. D, 17 . . aged , .]

Here lies the dust of seuen generations of Dun-
bars, and Nathaniel Dunbar who liued at Mill of
New. This stone is erected for Helen Yewen
spous to Corneleies Dunbar at Mil of Bellabeg. She
died Feby. 16, 1762, aged 49. Erected by hir son
Nathaniel Dunbar.

Both under this stone doth ly the bons and ashes
of James and John Ross, lafull sons to George
Ross in Bednagaugh. James died lulie 8, 1758,
aged 28 ; John died Dec>-. 6, 1763, aged 24 .-—

Be mindful of your Redemer while you have
breath,

For young years cannot shun death.

Here lyes the bons and dust of Georg Grassich
in CouU of Earnonside, who dyed Febry. 19, 1742,
aged 63 years. Also Isobel Ogg, his spouse, who
dyed Octr. 28, 1747, aged 60 years.

— Gr«55icZ; has been long a common surname in
Strathdon ; a marble tablet within the church
records the death of Patrick, in Foggymill iu
1823.

Interred here Iohn Michie in Culquhanny, who
died luly 13, 1760, aged 81 ; and Jannet Grassich,
his spous, who died Octr. 6, 1755, aged 70. This
stone was put on by Hary Miche their sou, &c.

— Culquhanny is now the seat of a well-known
inn. Part of the old castle still remains, under
which, it is said, there is a weem, or Pict's house.

The oldest antiquities in the parish are the
'' eirdhouses" or weems at Glenkiudie, Buchaam,
and Newe, plans and descriptions of which will
be found in the Proceedings of the So. of Anti-
quaries of Scotland, vol. iv.

The Doime of InvernodiUj, upon which a castle
of the old lords of the district appears to have
stood, is the next most interesting object iu
Strathdon. The Douue is about 30 feet in height,
and the top, which is oval shaped, contains about
half an acre of ground. Remains of ancient
buildings are to be seen upon the west and south,
from which it would appear that the walls had
been constructed of stones and strongly fused
lime, and built in much the same style as those of
the castle of Kinedar, or King Edward, which
was inhabited in the 13th century.

The Doune appears to have been originally
formed, as was the Bass of Inverurie, by deposits
from a number of streams, and from a variety of
points, which had met at a particular spot. Thus
formed by nature, and from the Doune command-
ing the chief passes fi'om the north Highlands to
the Lowlands, the top of it was subsequently
levelled; and ditches and trenches, constructed
round its base, which in early times had made it
a pretty secure dwelling-place.

The ditches which surround the Doune, or
mound of Invernochty, were supplied by water
from the burn of Bardoch, which rises in the hill of
Braigheach, and joined a large swamp or morass
upon the north. The ditches contained water
until about 1823, when the new turnpike road
was made, and the burn of Bardoch was deepened,
with the view of draining the foss and the neigh-
bouring marshes.

Along the top of the west embankment, and
other parts of the Doune, traces of a number of huts
are visible, in which, possibly, the retainers of the
ancient lords of the fort, and their spare aeimals,
were housed. As was the case at Dunottar, pro-
bably the original church of Invernochty stood

RESCOBIE.

155

upoa the Doune, if, indeed, it had not been the
precursor of the castle ; and a number of mounds,
not unlike graves, may be seen towards the east
side of it. But, until the top of the Doune is
thoroughly excavated and trenched over, there is
no means of ascertaining whether these surmises
are well founded. Excavations were made some
years ago on the south side of the surrounding
foss, when a log of oak was found, supposed to
have been part of the drawbridge of the castle.
At the same time the square chamber on the left of
the entrance to the fort, and some other parts of
the ruins, were brought to light.

Charter evidence shows that the Earls of Mar
were the old proprietors of the district ; and
that Adam of Strachan, who had charters of
Glenkindie in 1357, was among the earliest and
most important of the landowners under Mar.

In 1512, John Mackkalloun had half of the
lands of Invery, Thirueis, and Edinglas ; and in
the year 1550, Lord Elphinston had charters of
Corgarff and Skellater, &c., all within the lordship
of Mar.

Culquhanny Castle, of which only part of the
keep remains, is said to have been built by Forbes
of Towie in the 17th century. Corgarff Castle,
reputed to have been originally a hunting seat
of the Earls of IMar, was burned down in 1571,
during the feuds between the Forbeses and the
Gordons ; and some are of opinion that Corgarff
was the scene of the burning of Lady Forbes,
&c., celebrated in the ballad of Edom o' Gor-
don, (v. Towie). The castle, afterwards rebuilt,
was bought by Government in 1746 from Forbes
of Skellater, and used as a military station.

There has been a royal bounty mission station
at Corgarff for nearly 150 years, where also are
a school and a burial ground.

" Andekmas fair" was held at Strathdon in
Nov., and S. John's fair in Aug. annually.

The bridges in the parish are numerous. That
of Pooldhulie, which is the oldest and most ro-
mantic, bears to have been erected by Alexander
Forbes of Inverernan, in 1715. The bridge of Luib
was built by Sir C. Forbes in 1832 ; and the
Nochty, near the church, is spanned by a sub-

stantial iron bridge. Two bridges have also been
thrown across the Don, near Newe Castle, upon
each of which is an iron plate, embellished with
the Forbes arms, and this inscription : —

Erected by Sir Charles Forbes, Bart., of Newe
and Edinglassie, 1858, from a bequest by his grand
uncle, John Forbes, Esq. of Newe.

(S. TRIDUANA, VIRGIN.)

THE church of Roscolbi, with its chapel, be-
longed to the Priory of St Andrews. The
present church, built in 1820, stands upon the
north side of the " lake of Roskolby," a fine
sheet of water, which is mentioned in a note of tho
marches of Dunnichen in the 13th century.
Upon the kirk bell : —

A.N.D.R.E.A.S E.H.E.M A.N.N.O 1.6.2.0.

In consequence of recent improvements, the
church, although a plain building, and the burial
ground, once neglected and ill cared for, present
a peculiarly neat appearance. A monument
within, and in the south wall of the church is
thus inscribed : —

To the memory of James Gordon, sometime
teacher in this parish, who expired in the pulpit of
Forfar on the 15 day of June 1808, in the 25th year
of his age, while delivering part of his probationary
trials with a view to accept of the presentation
made to him of this church and parish. He was
the only son of Peter Gordon, lately teacher in this
parish. This stone was erected by his widowed
mother as an expression of her irreparable loss.
A marble slab upon the east wall bears : —

In memory of John Farquhar, Esquire of Pit-
scandly, who died 30 June 1808, aged 67 years.
And of Roby-James Farquhar, his son, who died
16 Feb. 1819, in his 22d year.

Upon a stone in the churchyard, which relates
to the same family : —

To the memory of John Farquhar of Pitscandly,
who died 14 June 1844, aged 49 years. Also of
Susannah-Floyd Farquhar, daughter of John

15G

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

Farquhar of Pitscandly, and sister to the above,
who died 10 Feb. 1822, aged 23 years. Also of
Emily-Lake Farquhar, daughter of John Far-
quhar of Pitscandly, who died 21 Jan. 1839, aged
7 years.

— Colonel Farquhar of Mounie (descended from
Robert Farquhar of Mounie and Tonley, once
provost of Aberdeen), had three nieces who became
his co-heiresses. Oueof them, Elizabeth, bought,
about 1731, the estate of Pitscandly. She married
James, eldest son of Stormonth of Kinclune, in
Angus, who assumed the surname of Farquhar,
Being " out in the '45," he was taken prisoner
and condemned to death ; but on the day before
his intended execution, he was reprieved through
the interest of Mrs M'Niell, a sister-in-law of
his own. A flat tombstone in the churchyard,
with the initials, E. F., and the date of 1764,
covers the grave of the above-named Elizabeth
Farquhar. Mr Taylor- Farquhar, sometime in-
cumbent of St John's Episcopal Church, Forfar,
is proprietor of Pitscandly, through his wife,
Mary Anne Farquhar, a daughter of the laird
who died in 1844. IVIrs Farquhar succeeded to
her sister Sarah some years before her marriage.
Pitscandly was long in the posse.'^sion of the
Lindsays, the last designed of which, John Lind-
say, granted a disposition of the lands to George
Lauder, 7 Nov. 1726, from whom the property
was bought by Miss E. Farquhar. Her son,
Thomas, got a crown charter of, and was infeft
in Pitscandly, 23 June 1766.

A marble, inscribed as follows, which was taken
out of the wall of the last church, lies below the
loft stair of the present one : —

M. S. Caroli Gray de Carse, Armigeri, homi-
nis probissimi, qui obiit 28vo Aprilis 1768, a^tat.
86 : et Jacobi Farquhar de Balmoor, Armigeri,
amici ejus devinctissimi, priscae virtutis viri, qui
obiit 31mo Decembris, 1759, a;tat. 66. Hoc marmor
Elizabetha Farquhar, vidua, marito fratrique caris-
simis, et Gualterus Gray, prioris haeres, grato
animo propatruo bene mereuti, posuere 1769.

[Sacred to the memory of Charles Gray of
Carse, Esq. , a very worthy man, who died 28 April
1768, aged 86 ; and of James Farquhar of Bal-
moor, Esq., his most devoted friend, a man of pri-

mitive virtue, who died 31 Dec. 1759, aged 66.
This monument was erected in 1769 by Elizabeth
Farquhar, widow, in memory of her dearly beloved
husband and brother, and by Walter Gray, heir of
the former, in gi'ateful remembrance of his re-
spected grand-uncle. ]

— The above Charles, son of Gray of Balbunno,
in Perthshire, a cadet of the Lords Gray, bought
the estate of Carse about 1741. He was suc-
ceeded by his grandnephew, Walter Lowson, the
son of a farmer in Auchterhouse. On succeeding
to Carse, Walter Lowson (as shown by the above
inscription), assumed the surname of Graij. He
was father of Charles Gray of Carse, who died
in 1850. The grand-daughter of the latter is now
proprietrix of Carse. She married a son of Hunter
of Burnside. He died in 1861, and was buried in
a private cemetery on the hill of Carse. {v. p. 32.)
The erector of the above monument gifted two
silver communion cups to the church of Rescobie ;
both are thus inscribed : —

Rescobie Kirk, 1779 : Donum Dominse Eliz.
Farquhar, conjugis et viduae Caroli Gray de
Carse, Armigeri. Vivit post funera virtus.

A handsome freestone monument, built into the
outer and south wall of the church, has been re-
cently renewed. The canopy, which is supported
by two pillars, is ornamented with a carving of
the Lindsay arms, &c. ; and the tablet presents
this inscription : —

Monumentum hoc in memoriam suorum parentum
Mr David Lindsay, pastor de Mary-Toune, extruen-
dum curavit. Juxta hunc lapidem depositaa sunt
reliquiaj Dom : Henrici Lindsay, quondam de
Blairifedden, qui obiit anno Dom : . . setat. 72 ; et
uxoris ejus Alison Scrimseur, familise Scrimseur
de Glasswal, quai obiit anno Dom. 1651, a-tat. . . ;
necnon filii eorum Dom. Davidis Lindsay" pastoris
de Rescobie, qui obiit anno Dom. 1677, fetat. 62 ;
& ejusdem duarum conjugum Marjor.e Lindsay,
filiiB Lindsay de Kinnettles, & Beatricis Ogilvv,
filiaj . . . Ogilvy de Carsbank, quas obiit anno
Dom. 1716, ffitat. su;e 89. Ibidem loci quoque sepulti
suntuonuulli ejusdem Davidis liberi, quorum nomina
cceli injuria & prioris cippi vetustate perierunt. —
Hoc monumentum positum fuit anno , & instau-
ratum anno 1752.

RESGOBIE.

157

[Mr David Lindsay, minister of Marytown, caused
this monument to be erected in memory of his
parents. Beside this stone are deposited the re-
mains of Mr Henry Lindsay, late of Blairiefedden,
who died in the year .... aged 72 ; and of his wife
Alison Scrimseur, of the family of Scrimseur of
Glasswal, who died in 1651, aged . . ; and also of
their son, Mr David Lindsay, minister of Rescobie,
who died 1677, aged 62 ; and of his two wives
Marjory Lindsay, daughter of Lindsay of Kin-
nettles, and Beatrice Ogil\-y, daughter of Ogilvy
of Carsebank, who died in 1716, aged 89. In the
same place also are buried some of the said David's
children, whose names have perished through the
age of the former (grave) stone, and the action of
the weather. This monument was erected in the
year . . . . , and restored in 1752.]

— John, the first recorded Lindsay of Blairifed-
den, who flourished 1535-9, had a son slaughtered
by Ogilvy of Inverquharity, before the year 1588.
The Kinnettles Lindsays were of the Evelick
branch, {v. p. 70.) Scrimgeour of Glasswell was
of the Dudhope race, and directly sprung from a
burgess family of Dundee. Ogilvys were long in
Carsebank, Thomas Ogilvie having been served
heir to his father in it and in the lauds of Kirk-
ton of Aberlerauo, in 1657. This monument,
is upheld by a payment from the town of Arbroath,
which was specially left for its maintenance.

A marble on the south wall of the church re-
cords the death of the following persons, whose
graves are also marked by a table-shaped stone in
the area of the burial ground : —

The Rev. William Rogers, minister of Rescobie,
died 10 Sep. 1842, in the 60th year of his age, and
34th of his ministry. His wife Agnes Lyon,
eldest daughter of the Rev. Dr Lyon of Glamis,
died 30 July 1816, in the 30th year of her age.
Ann, youngest daughter of Mr John Oldham,
Millthorpe, Nottinghamshire, his second wife, died
19 June 1841, in the 56th year of her age.

There are a number of gravestones in the
churchyard ; from some of these the following in-
Bcriptioos are selected : —

Heir lyes Alexander Simpson, qvha deperted
the 3 Mali 1616, he being of age 58, ane verteovs

and trev man in his tym Agnes

Rynd

— Rynd or Rhyud, although now a somewhat rare
surname in Angus, is of considerable antiquity in
that county. Murdoch of Rhynd had a gift from
David II. of a part of the royal hunting forest of
Plater, near Finhaven ; and about the same time
a Patrick Rhynd was alderman of Forfar. Rhynds
were subsequently designed of Casse, or Carse
(now Carse-Gray) ; and it is interesting to notice
that William Rynd of Carse was one of the four
Angus lairds who were sureties to the Privy
Council for the printing of the first Bible in Scot-
land. Besides Carse, the Rhynds also owned
Clocksbriggs, where a stone is initialed and dated
A.R : I.S. 1659 ; but the property passed by mar-
riage during the last half of the 17th century to
Alexander Dickson, a pdlio, or dresser of skins
in Forfar, a descendant of whom, also Alexander
Dickson, made up a title to the property in 1751,
as heir of his great-grandmother's brother, Thomas
Rinde of Clocksbriggs, or Clach-hrecks (a place
abounding with freckled stones.) The following
inscription upon a table-shaped stone at Rescobie
refers to a brother of the last-named, who suc-
ceeded to the estate in 1776 :—

David Dickson of Clocksbriggs, died 12 Sep.
1803, aged 60. Mary Cuthbert, his wife, died

8 July 1816, aged 72 a son James, an

officer on board the "Generous Friends," an East
India ship, which was lost in the China Seas in
1802, is supposed to have perished in the 2'2d year
of his age. A daughter, Isobella, died 1821,
aged 37.

—On the death of Mr D. iu 1803, he was suc-
ceeded by his eldest son, Major Diokson ; but by
a family arrangement with a brother-in-law, the
estate was held by the latter until about 1853,
when it was acquired by a son of Major Dick-
son's younger brother, Alexander. The last-
named died in the year 1865, aged 82, and it was
his eldest son, David Dickson, who acquired
Clocksbriggs and Rescobie, and built the
present chateau or mansion-house at Clocks-
briggs. He was long a merchant at Dunkirk, in
France; and "in consideration of his personal

158

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

exertions for improviog the industry and com-
merce of that district, and the northern parts of
the Empire at large," he was created by the Em-
peror Napoleon III., a Knight, and OfBcer of the
Imperial Order of the Legion d'llonneur. But,
by a sad accident, on 10th Nov. 1869, while
driving near Dunkirk, Mr Dickson's horses took
fright, and, leaping into an adjoining canal, both
Mr Dickson and his coachman lost their lives.
Miss Dickson, who was iu the brougham with
her father, narrowly escaped from sharing the same
fate. Mr Dickson's remains were buried at Res-
cobie, beside those of his wife, who predeceased
him by about ten years.

Another tombstone bears this record of the
Rhynd family: —

Under this stone of Catharine Burns,

. . . . hn Burns of Clocksbriclges, and Margaret
Eeind his spous, who departed this life Sept. 1718,
of age . . years.

Upon a flat tombstone : —

{^ Heir lyis a faithfwU sister Ianet Dal, spovs
to David Dog of Resvale, vho lived vith hir hvs-
band 15 yeir, and died the 8 of ApriU 1658, being
the 37 yeir of hir age.

— Doigs appear to have owned Reswallie for a
considerable period, {v. p. 89.) It was bought in
1816 by Mr William Powrie, a Dundee merchant,
whose son, the present laird, has greatly improved
the property. Mr Powrie is a well-known and
successful student of geology.

Upon a stone, with a shield bearing the black-
smiths' crown, pincers, and a hammer :

S®» Heir lyis a faithfvll brother Iames Pyot, who
depairtit in Tvring the 15 of lanvar 1643, ye 72
yeir of his age. Ianot Fitchit his spovs bvir to
him 13 bairns. Alexander, lames, lohn, Patrik,
Wiliam, laine Pyots . . . Daigite.

Tvmvlo hoc conditvs est Thomas Dall, qvondam
in Balgaies, qvi obiit 12 Feb., 1675, a-tatis 63, tan-
dem Agnas Bellie, ejvs vxor, decessit 2<io Martii,
1682, setatis 70. Cvra loannis Dall, in Milldens, et
Margaretse Finlo, vxoris ejvs, monvmentvm hoc
extrvxtvm est vt signvm debiti amoris et reveren-
tise erga parentes.

[In this grave are laid Thomas Dall, sometime

in Balgaies, who died 12 Feb. 1672, aged 63 ; and
Agnas Bellie, his wife, who departed 2 March
1682, aged 70. This monument was erected by
John Dall, in Milldens, and Margaret Finlo, his
wife, as a mark of dutiful love and respect for
parents.]
John Espline (1717) : —

Like to the seed in earthy womb,
Or like dead Lazarus in the tomb,
Or like Tabitha in a sleep,
Or Jonas like within the deep,
Or like the moon or stars in day,
Ly hid and languish quite away ;
Even as the grave the dead receives,
Man being dead he death deceives.
The seed springs, and Lazarus stands,
Tabitha wakes, and Jonas lands ;
The moon appears, and stars remain,
So man being dead shall live again.

Archd. Peter's children (1721) : —

man line thou ane upright life,
Whateuer to the befalls ;
Then dubbel hapy shalt thou be
When God by death the calls.

John Coulie (1731) :—

Unconstant earth, why do not mortals cease
To build their hopes upon so short a lease ?
Uncertain lease, whose term's but once begun.
Tells never when it ends till it be done.
We dote upon thy smiles, not knowing why.
And while we but prepare to live, we die ;
We spring like flowers for a day's delight,
At noon we flourish, and we fade at night.

Alex. Hay's father, &c., died in 17 — : —

Know mortal as these once blossoming Hays ,
Were by Deaths sythe too early cutted down ;
So thou must too as fading flowers decays,
With .... blessed soon.

A stone, with a much obliterated quotation
from Ovid (Met. b. x., 1. 33-4), bears: —

Here lyes Iohn Walace, who lived in Finnes-
toun. He died in the moneth of May 1688, bis
age 87 years ; and his wife Catharine Piter died
iu May 1687, of age 60.

Margt. Stroak, wi. of Thos. Wallace, d. 1759,
a. 51 :—

RESCOBIE.

159

T his stone in memory of this old race.
H ow man comes here with a peal face :
O man may see in ages all,
M an that is born he must fall ;
A s soon's our Saviour on earth he came,
S oon made interest for mortal man.
W hen he saw them in misery,
A ssumed their ransom for to pay ;
L et us ever mind this dear price :
L o our Redeemer was not nice.
A s soon as he saw man in sin stood —
C ome I'll redeem you with my blood :
E vermore be favoured into bless.

Alex. Smith, and wife, Janet White (1772) :-
When this man liv'd upon this earth.
The Lord endu'd him with some wealth ;
And in his days, when he did live,
He studied the poor for to relieve
With money, councel, & help of hand ;
This is the truth you'l understand ;
But now these two lies in the grave,
Till the last trump do them relieve.

Ann Smith's husband, &c. (1811) : —

My husband's here, and daughter dear.

Also a son of mine :

In dust doth lie ; but yet on high :

I hope their souls doth shine.

I've other five this date survives.

Two daughters, and three sons ;

May they with grace, pursue their race

Till once their glass is run.

CHAPELYARD.
(?S. MADOC.)

From a well near the burial-place being called
S, Madoc, it is probable that the old church or
chapel had been dedicated to that saint. His
name ia variously written ; and according to Dr
Reeves (one of the most learned of Irish archseo-
logists), the names of S. Moedoc, Moque, and
AiDAN, are of the same origin.

The burial-ground of Chapelyard occupies a
knoll south-east of the Aldbar railway station.
This was possibly the site of the chapel which was
dependent upon the kirk of Rescobie in the 13th
century.

The Untie of the doorway in the surrounding
wall bears:— ANO mdclxix. The Piersons of
Balmadies, now of The Guynd, bury here ; and
as noted below, a number of tombstones within
the enclosure bear inscriptions relating to that
family. Fourteen separate headstone, in one line,
present the inscriptions undernoted : —

Elizabeth Piersone, spovs to lames Piersone,
died 1669.

Iames Piersone of Balmadies died the 7 of De-
cember 1673.

—It was possibly the above-named James Pierson
who had a ratification charter in 1641 (Acta Pari.,
v., 621), of the lands and barony of " Auchter-
meggities. vtherwayes callit Belmades, with the
milne," &c., of which his parents, Alex. Pierson
and Isobella Beaton, had a feu-farm charter, in
1624, from "Johne lait pretendit archibischop
of St Androis." The lands were held under pay-
ment of a money rent of 20 pounds Scots, and
owed suit to the archbishop's courts at Rescobie.

Dam Margret Mvrray, spovs to Mr Alexander
Piersone of Balmadies, vas born the 9 of Ivne 1625,
died the 12 of Septer 1694, and vas hier interred
the 26 of said moneth.

Memento mori : Mr Alexander Piersone of
Balmadies vas born the 3 of Febri 1626, died the 13
of March 1700, and vas heir interred the 26 of the
said moneth.

Mrs Margaret Lindsay, daughter to Sir Alex-
ander Lindsay of Evliek, first married to the laird
of Findourie, and thereafter to James Piersone of
Balmadies, to whom she bore seven sons. She died
about the 56 year of her age, on the 11 or 12 of May
1714, and here interred on the 18, a virtueus and
religious lady. Memento mori.

Airs Elizabeth Arbuthnot, sister German to
the present laird of Findourie, died of a deceiy
about the 18 year of her age, a beautiful, virtuous,
and religious young lady, and was here interred
some years before her mother's death. Memento
mori.

The Arbuthnotts of Findowrie were descended

from Robert Arbuthnott of that ilk, who died
about 1450. The last male representative of
Arbuthnott of Findowrie died April 22, 1745,

160

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

when the property passed to Carnegy of Balna-
moon.

1746 : ExuviaB mortales Iacobi Piersone de Bal-
rnadies, animi in Deum pij, in familiam vers pa-
terni, in paciscentes justi, in omnes benevoli, hie
unionem et prremia expectant. Nati 3 Nov. a:D:
1666 : Denati SOMartij, 1745. Memento mori.

[1746 : The mortal remains of James Piersone
of Balmadies, a man who was gifted with a dispo-
sition pious towards God, truly fatherly towards
his family, just towards those with whom he had
dealings, and benevolent to all, here await reunion
and reward. (Born and died as above).]

James Piersone, son to the laird of Balmadies,
died of the smallpox on the 6 of August 1714, about
the 18 or 19 year of his age, and uas here interred
on tlie 9 ditto. A promising young gentleman.
Memento mori.

William Piersone.

Alexander Piersone.

Susanna Small.

Archibald Piersone, son to Mr Alexander Pier-
sone of Balmadies.

John Piersone, son to Mr Alexander Piersone
of Balmadies.

1763 : Here lies interred the mortal part of Mr
Iohn Piersone, lawful son to James Piersone of
Balmadies, who died on the 16th of February 1763,
aged 64 years. A devout worshipper of his creator,
and sincere lover of all mankind.

Three headstones, standing apart from those
above noticed, bear respectively the inscriptions
quoted below : —

John Piersone Taylor.

To this grave are committed the mortal remains
of Anne Fraser, daughter to Iohn Fraser of Kirk-
ton, who was born on the 9 of May 1723, O.S.
Married to Ptobert Pierson, advocate, in October
1740, to whom she bore five children, lames, Iohn,
Mary, Margaret, and David, all alive, and she died
on the 9 of luly 1761. A lady greatly esteemed for
her benevolence, and other amiable qualities. Me-
mento mori — Mind death.

Here are interred the mortal remains of Robert
Pierson of Balmadies, advocate, an affectionate
Husband, a loving Parent, an easy Landlord, the
poor man's Friend, never intended nor delighted to
harm or injure any person, who departed this life

the fourth day of April 1763, aged sixty two years
one month and seventeen days. Sic transit gloria
mundi. Memento mori.

The following inscription is said to have been
composed by the late Rev. Mr Aitken of St Vi-
geans, the betrothed of Miss Pierson : —

Here lies the corps of Mary Pierson, youngest
daughter of the late llobert Pierson of Balmadies,
Esq. She was born the 26th of Augt. 1746, and
died the 10th of Nov. 1771 :—

Mildness of temper, innocence of mind,
And softest manners were in her combin'd ;
Sincere and open, undisguis'd by art.
She form'd no wish but what she might impart.
Easie and social, chearful and resign'd
Harmless thro' life, the sister and the friend.
In early age, call'd to resign her breath,
Patient in sickness, undismayed at death,
A sister's grief ('tis friendship's sacred claim),
Pays this small tribute to a sister's name.
Two headstones bear respectively : —
Mr Archibald Pearsone of Westhall.
Elizabeth Gairden, his spovse.
— The surname of Pierson, or Pearson, is of old
standing in A ugus. It occurs in the records of
the Abbey of Arbroath in 1506, when Abbot
George granted Thomas Pierson a charter of " ly
Rude" with pertinents, in the Almory of that
town. A tombstone at Arbroath, with a much
effaced inscription, bears the Pierson arms and the
date of 1589. Archibald Pierson, designed of
Chapleton, was sheriff-depute of Forfar in 1642 ;
and the family were proprietors of Lochlands and
Barugreen before 1653, in which year Thomas
Pierson was served heir to his grand-father. These,
doubtless, were ancestors of the Piersons of Bal-
madies, now represented by the laird of The
Guyud.

The following is upon a monument within a
railed enclosure : —

Sacred to the memory of Margaret Ouchter-
lony, second daughter of John Ouchterlony, Esq.
of The Guynd, and widow of James Pierson, Esq.
She died at The Guynd, 21st March 1849, in her
78th year : —

Dear as thou wert, and justly dear,
We will not weep for thee ;

RESCOBIE.

161

One thought shall check the starting tear,

It is — that thou art free I
And thus shall Faith's consoling power

The tears of Love restrain —
Oh ! who that saw thy parting hour

Could wish thee here again ?
— The Ochterlonys of The Guyud are represented
through the female line by J. A. Pierson, Esq. ;
and since the property of Balmadies was sold by
the Piersons, it has been in the possession of
several lairds. It now belongs to Sir C. M.
Ochterluny, Bart., who calls the property by bis
own family name Sir C. is probably descended
from the old stock of Qc\\iev\c^ of that ilk, since
Maj.-Gen. Sir D. Ochterlony, who was of that race,
and created a baronet in 1816, obtained a second
patent in 1823, re-creating himself a baronet with
remainder to the present Sir C. and his legitimate
issue. Sir David (who was born at Boston, New
England), was the grandson of Alex. Ochterlony,
laird of Pitforthy, near Brechin, whose eldest son,
Gilbert, succeeded to that property, and was
also designed of Newton Mill.

Besides the monuments to the Piersons, a few
others are within the enclosure of Chapelyard.
Four record deaths nf a family called Scott, who
have long tenanted the farm of Millden, one of
whom RoBKRT, died in 1836, aged 92 An ad-
joining stone shows that George Shakp, mason
in Edinburgh, died whilst superintending the
building of the mansion house of Balmadies, 14
Feb. 1821, aged 42. Another headstone (of the
17th or 18th century), bears this simple inscrip-
tion : —

Iames Ogilvie. Iohn Ogilvie.
Upon another, of apparently the same period,
is merely the name of

William Grime.
—In 1635, a charter of alienation of the lands of
Balmadies, &c., was granted by a William Grime,
burgess and merchant in Montrose, to James
Pierson.

It is told in monkish chronicles that S. Tkidu-
ANA, to whom the church of Rescobie was dedi-
cated, lived an " eremitical life at Rescoby," along

with two other virgins, that S. Trtduana was a
person of great beauty, and to evade the wiles of
an amorous chief, she removed to Dunfallandy in
Athol. She was followed there by certain of the
chief's retainers ; and on being told by them that
it was the lustre of her eyes that their chief so
much admired, she plucked them out, fixed them
upon a stick, and sent them to her lover ! She
died at Restalrig, near Edinburgh, and was buried
there. In allusion to the story of S. Triduana
having plucked out her eyes, Sir David Lindsay,
in satirizing upon images in churches, says : —
" Saint Tiodwel eke there may be seen,
Who on a stick halh both her een."

" St Trodlin's fair," held of old at thekirkstyle
of Rescobie, was long ago removed to the town of
Forfar ; but the stone at which the baron courts
were held, and market custom collected, still
stands within a small triangular-shaped piece of
ground (at the east door of the church of Res-
cobie), the property of the Earl of Strathmore,
who is patron of the parish.

Some good examples of Picts' houses, or under-
ground chambers, were found upon the farm of
^V'eems some years ago ; but, unfortunately, these
were closed up soon afterwards.

Two large boulders at the Blackgate of Pit-
scandly mark the site of ancient graves, in which
locality, it is said, a battle was fought between
the Picts and Scots, when Feredeth, the King of
the Picts, was slain. One of these stones was
ornamented by circular markings. At Balhag-
gardy and Wellton there are other stones of the
old sculptured type.

All historians agree that it was in the castle of
Rescobie that King Donald Bain was so long im-
prisoned, and had his eyes put out with red hot
irons, and where he eventually died. It is sup-
posed that the castle stood upon some of the hil-
locks adjoining the loch. So far as known, the
only remaining traces of an ancient strong-
hold or fort in Rescobie, are those of Kemp Castle,
upon the top of Turin Hill, of which a good de-
scription is given in the New Stat. Account
Scotland.

162

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

(S. MEDDAN.)

THE kirk of Erolyn, in tlie diocese of St
Andrews, was dedicated by Bishop David in
1242. The present building, which is in the barn
Btyle of architecture so long common to churches
in Scotland, was erected in 1783.

A cofBn-slab, of soft red sandstone, with a
sword and hunting horn, &c., carved upon the
sides, and an ornamental cross upon the top, lies
in the churchyard. The shaft of the cross bears
the following brief record (in Roman capitals) of
persons whose history and connection with the
parish are unknown to the writer : —

LYIS . HEIR . ROGEE . AND . YOFAN . ROLOK .
QVA . DIED . IN . RIDIE . 1640.

The oldest visible tombstone in the churchyard
bears the name of Androv Bright, and the
date of 1606. The next in point of antie^uity is
within an enclosure. The coping stones of the
walls are embellished with carvings of the five
passion wounds of Our Saviour, the scourge, the
pillar to which Christ was bound, the spear and
the pincers, and three fleur-de-lis. The inscrip-
tion is as follows : —

This bvrial bvildet by Mr Villiam Malcolm 1609.
Discs mori vt bene moriaris
Pvlvis et vmbra svmvs.
M. V. G : G. M.
Heir lyis Girsel Mathov, spovs to Maister
Villiam Malcolm, minister at Airlie, qwha departed
this lyf the 23 day of Febrvair, and of hir age 38
zeu-, 1609.

Upon a flat stone in area of kirkyard : —

Heir lyes David Cardean, who departed the
thrid of May 1662, and his aig was 74 : and Elspat
Stil his spovs who departed the Fovrt of Ivnij
1662, and hir aig was 68.

Hvic tvmvlo lachrimas gemitvscive impende, viator.
Discite, mortales ! pvlvis et vmbra svmvs.

Remember al as ye go by,

As ye are nov so ons vas I :

As I am nov so most ye be,
Remember man, for al most die.
[Traveller ! upon this tomb bestow a tear, a sigh,
Learn, mortals ! dust are we ; our lives like shadows

fly-]

Robert Smith's spouse (1748) : —

Sure death may kill, but cannot give surprise
To those whose views are fix'd beyond the skies ;
He with his spear the vital spring untied,
And sore my spouse did sicken till she died.
With winged flight her soul did speed away,
E'en to the regions of immortal day ;
Her husband, children, left to weep & moan,
The best of wives, the kindest mother gone.

John Archer on his parents (1764) : —

This worthy pair both free of fraud,

Made Truth their constant aim ;

You might depended on their word,

For still it was the same.

They lov'd to live with aU around

In unity & peace ;

And with a spotless character,

They finished their race.

Patrick, son of Thos. Davie, a. 11 (1760) :—
We of this child had great content,
For to get learning of his God & Christ was his
Tho' soon cut of the stage of time, [intent,

We dar not to refleck that we so soon did part,
For it was his Letter will.
That he God's counsel should fulfill.

Robert, son of R. Lounan, a. 13 (1746) : —
While nature shrinks to be dissolved,

Relentless Death strikes hard ;
Xor blooming youth, nor parents' tears,

Procure the least regard.
The lovely child fond parents boast,

Sunk in a sea of grief ;
Hard fate — fret we 'gainst Heaven ? No,

Submission gives relief.

The chapel of S. John stood near Baikie, where
there was a loch and castle in old times, but the
chapel site is unknown. Apart from Baikie, the
parish of Airlie contains several interesting ob-
jects of antiquity, such as the underground cave
at Barns, the castle and den of Airlie, S. Med-

KINQOLDRUM.

163

den's Knowe, &c., all of which are described in
the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland (vol. iv.), and in Memorials of Angus
and the Mearns. A coffin slab of an early type,
with cross and sword, &c., incised, found near
the manse, was wantonly broken by masons, and
used in repairs which were being made upon the
adjoining ofl&ces some years ago.

(S. — )

THE church of Kinc/oudrum, in the diocese of
Brechin, was given, along with a toft in
" the shyra" (shire, a division) of the same, to the
Abbey of Arbroath, by King William the Lion.
But, in consequence of the fragments of ancient
sculptured stones, and the old skellach, or bell,
which have been found at Kingoldrum, it is sup-
posed to have been the site of a church of a much
earlier date than the one given to Arbroath by
King William.

The old bell, which had been coated with bronze,
is made of sheet iron ; and when discovered in
1843, a bronze chalice and glass bowl were got
beside it. These latter are supposed to have been
lost ; but the bell was presented to the National
Museum by the Rev. Mr Haldane, whose know-
ledge of, and favour for, local history and anti-
quities are well known in the district. A curious
bronze cross and chain, found in a stone cist near
the church, are also in the National Museum, the
gift of the same gentleman.

The present church was built in 1840, upon or
near the site of the previous building, which is
Baid to have been erected before the Reformation.
A coffin slab (of soft red sandstone, about 6 feet
long, embellished with a cross in relief, and a
sword incised), lies in the burial-ground. Luckily
this slab is more valued by the minister than that
which was so wantonly destroyed at Airlie.
Like the latter, it had doubtless marked the grave
of some person of local note — possibly that of an

old laird of Balfour. A handsome mausoleum,
erected in 1863, marks the burial-place of the
Farquharsons, sometime lairds of Baldovie and
Balfour, upon which a marble slab is thus in-
scribed : —

►I* The sepulchre of John Farquharson and
Elizabeth Eamsay of Baldovie ; and of their
Children. Elizabeth, born 4th January 1768 ;
died ISth June 1855. Agnes, born 26th March

1769 ; died in infancy. Thomas, a magistrate and
deputy-lieutenant of Forfarshire, born 3d October

1770 ; died 21st November 1860. He was the last
male representative of the Farquharsons of Broch-
dearg, in lineal descent from the Chieftain Fiudla
More, the Royal Standard-Bearer, who fell in de-
fence of his country, on the field of Pinkey, 10th
September 1547, and was interred in the neigh-
bouring cemetery of Inveresk. R. I. P.

—John Farquharson, son of Alex. Farquharson,
farmer, Inzion, Lintrathen, came to the estate of
Baldovie by marrying Miss Ramsay, the eldest
niece of Dr Ogilvy. Their son Thomas added
the adjoining lands of Balfour to the property,
and was succeeded by his cousin, Capt. Mitchell,
a native of Lintrathen, whose father was long
factor to the Earls of Airlie. Capt. Mitchell
who erected the mausolem, died unmarried in
1865, aged 84. Besides numerous private legacies,
heleft£50,000toerectand endow an institution for
the support of poor and aged priests of the Roman
Catholic Church. Balfour and Baldovie, which
were sold after Captain M.'s death, were bought
by Sir Thomas Munro, of Lindertis, Bart.

The churchyard is kept in good order ; and the
following inscriptions are selected from some of
the tombstones : —

Heir lyes ane honest woman called Isobel
Wricht, spovs to Olifer Smal in Kiugovthervm,
vha departed lanvar, ano 164r-, and of hir age -9.

Janet Buchan, wf. of John Dick, farmer, Aa-
creavie, d. 1748, a. 62 : —

Below this stone are here reposed

The ruins of a Tent,
Where divine virtue deigned to dwell,
But, all ! how soon were spent

164

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

Her mortal j^ears ; the tyrant, Death,

Resistless gives the thrust ;
The virtuous wife, and virtuous Tent,
Stricks down into the dust.
James Duncan d. 1742 : —

What havock makes impartial death

On all the human kind ;
Ganst him a virtuous life's no gard.

Nor yet the purest mind.
And most all clay — yes, it is destian'd

For every sack [sex] and age.
The old and bowed, and young robust,
And infantes quit the stage.
Upon a table-shaped stone : —

Here lyes Iames Watson, who lived att the Mill
of Kingoldrum, who departed this life the first day
of January 1719, and of his age 95 : —

Eeader, repent ere tyme be spent.
Think on a future state ;
Do not delay another day,
In case it prove too late.

The monks of Arbroath bad the sole right to
hunt in the forest of Kingoldrum, from which, by
special order of Alexander III., all were excluded
who had not permission from the Abbots. The
Castle of Balfour, of which a mere fragment re-
mains, is said by some to have been built by
Cardinal Beaton, while Abbot of Arbroath. It
is more probable, however, since Balfour was held
of the Abbots by Ogilvys from at legist the year
1478, that the castle had been erected by one of
that family.

Stone cists, flint weapons, and other traces of
the early inhabitants, have been found in various
parts of the parish. There are also some pecu-
liar-looking entrenchments, and stone circles,
upon the Skurroch Hill, to the west of the
manse ; where, in later times, the body of John
Cattanach, the victim of a dreadful and pre-
concerted murder, was buried in a marl pit. The
particulars of this murder, which occurred in the
barnyard at Meikle Kenny, 11th June 1746, as
well as the account of the cost of the execution of
two of the persons implicated, are printed in
Montrose Standard of 27th March 1863.

A spring, called NeiVs Well, is in the vicinity
of the church. A tablet over the manse door
bears the initials of Mr James Badenoch, minis-
ter, and writer of the Old Statistical Account of
the parish : —

M. I. B. VERITAS VICTRIX. 1792.

(S. MAELHUBHA.)

THE name of Keith first occurs about 1195, in
King Willam's grant of Grange to the Abbey
of Kiiiloss. The church of A't/, or Keyth, which
was a mensal church of the Bishops of Moray,
was granted to the cathedral of Elgin about 1203.
In 1214-24, it is called Keth-Malruf, being a
combination of the names of the place and of the
saint, to whom the kirk was dedicated. There
is a valuable and interesting history of S. Mael-
rubha and his churches, by Dr Beeves, in Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scot-
land, vol. iii.

The present church of Keith, which was built
in 1816-19, cost nearly £6000. It is conveniently
situated at some distance from the churchyard.
Painted boards (certainly not in keeping with
the neatness of the internal architecture of the
building) are placed over the entrance door. One
bears the names of those who have contributed to
a fund which was begun by Miss Innes, late of
Maisley, for the benefit of Poor Householders in
Keith, the total sum of which amounts to about
£819 ; another fund for the same purpose was
founded by Major Peter Duncan, to which he
alone gave £850. The bequest of £150 by John
Thurburn of Murtle, for the purchase of coals,
is also recorded ; as well as that of a like sum by
Robert Green, solicitor, for the support of the
Sabbath School, and the purchase of Bibles.

A pewter basin is inscribed round the margin
— " This Baptising Bason belongs to the kirk of
Keith, 1777.'* The beU now in use is modern ;
and the previous instrument, though tongue-

KEITH.

165

less, but otherwise sound, is possibly the more
harmonious of the two. It is preserved in the
steeple, and has this inscription upon it : —

lOHX MOWAT SIE FECIT, OLD ABD. 1755 ; \T SOXAT
CAMPANA, SIC SONAT VITA CIVIVM PAR(EOCHI^ DE
KEITH. SABBATA PANGO, FVNERA PLANGO.

[John Mowat, Old Aberdeen, made me, 1755. As
sounds a bell, so sounds the life of the parishioners
of Keith. Sabbaths I proclaim, at funerals 1 toll. ]

The old kirk, which stood in the churchyard,
was a long narrow building (99 by 28 feet), with
an aisle, also outside stairs to the lofts. It is said
that there were thirteen lairis in Keith at one
time, and that each of them had a door in the old
kirk, which led to their respective pews. The
only part of the old building which remains (traces
of the foundations excepted), is that which con-
tains a monument to the wife and family of
Strachan of Thornton. It is of freestone, embel-
lished with the armorial bearings of Strachan and
Rose, also a monogram, and this inscription : —

Sub scamuo D^. Kiunmiunitie cineres lectissim<e
feminai D. Kath. Ross.e D. de Thorntone, cuius
fctiamsi fragrautissimje memorise monumentis omni
aere perenniorib' abunde satis litatum sit hoc tamen
mauseoleo parentandum duxit coniunx ijjsius pul-
latus D. lac. Strachanus de Thorut : huius eccle-
site pastor. Obiit puerpera 6 Apr. anno 1G89
.... quiescunt et hie GuL., Kob., et Joshue
Strachanus filii eorum.

[Under the Kinminnitie family seat lie the ashes
of a most exemplary woman, Dame Kath. Rose,
Lady of Thorntone, to whose most fragrant me-
mory, although amply perpetuated by monuments
more durable than any brass, her mourning husband
Mr James Strachan of Thorntone, pastor of this
church, deemed the erection of this mausoleum a
becoming tribute of respect. She died in childbed,
April 6, 1689 .... Here also rest William,
Robert, and Joshua Strachan, their sons.]
— It is said that the above jNIr Strachan succeeded
to the baronetcy of Thornton in theMearns: there
is also a place called Thornton near Keith. The
striking coincidence is recorded {v. p. 134), of a
lady of Thornton having died in 1661, under the
same painful circumstances as the above ; and the
similarity of the diction of the prefatory part of

both inscriptions is worthy of note. The follow-
ing notices of Mr Jas. Strachan and his son are
from the late Mr Griffin's MS. notes upon a copy of
Dr Oliver's Collec. for a Biography of the Jesuits :
— " James Ramsay of Thornton, alias Sir James
Strachan, Episcopal minister at Keith, ejected at-
the Revolution," had a son Hugh Ramsay or
Strachan, born in 1672, who was converted in
1693 by Dr Jamieson, then a priest at Aberdeen.
He was sent to Rome ; but, in passing through
Douay became a Jesuit. He returned a mis-
sionary to his native country in 1701, and died at
Douay in 1745.

A monument, which also marks the site of a
family burial-place within the old kirk, bears : —
Sacred to the memory of the
Gordons and Stuarts of Birkenburn, 1845.
— The first Gordon of Birkenburn, a son of Les-
more, in Rhynie, acquired the estate about 1550.
The family failed in three co- heiresses about the
middle of the last century. One married Mr
Stuart, minister of Drumblade ; a second, Mr
Milne, minister at Inverkeithny ; and the third,
known as " Lady Catherine Gordon," died in
Old Keith. John Stuart, son of the minister of
Drumblade, sold Birkenburn to the Earl of Sea-
field, and erected the stone from which the above
inscription is copied. A carved panel of the old
family seat is in possession of a lady at Keith, and
thus inscribed : —

THIS . DESK . ERECTED.

BY . A . G . OF . BIRKENBURN . 1604

SOLI . DEO . GLORIA ; INVIDIAM . SVPERAT . lESVS.

[To God alone be the glory ; Jesus overcometh envy. ]

Upon a table-shaped stone, near the north-east
corner of churchyard : —

Hugh Macky, sailor aboard the Antilope man-
of-war, erected this stone to the memory of John
Macky, his dear father, who was born A° 1690,
died A» 1732, aged 42 ; and of

Near the above, a modern head-stone records
the death of a long-lived race, four of whom, it
will be seen, died at the age of 88 : —

Geo. Smith, feuer, Newmill, in memory of his
father Geokge Smith, who died 1812, aged 88 ;

166

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

his mother, Jean Miln, died 1826, aged 88 ... .
his sister, Jean, died 1851, aged 88 ; his wife,
Elizabeth Geddes, died 1853, aged 88. The fore-
said George Smith died 1854, aged 83.

Hear lyes the corppes of thre child riu Alexar.
IvN, and Isbeal Hendrys, lawfol childring to
Robert Hendry, parishoner in Keith, 1G82.

Rudely cut upon the face of an adjoining stone
are the initials — I. L: E. T : I. L., and the date
of 1688. Upon a table-shaped stone : —

This stone is erected in memory of James Glash^vn,
late residenter in Keith, who was born the 11 day
of Dec. 1686 years, and died the 9 day of January
1771 years, in the 85th year of his age. Also of
Anne Baird, his wife, who was born the — day of

17—, and died the 14 day of Sept. 1762 years,

in the — year of her age.

— It was of the above Mr Glashan that Ferguson,
the astronomer, said—" I shall always have a re-
spect for the memory of this man." Ferguson
was employed as a servant upon Mr G.'s farm of
Ardneadlie, now part of Braeheads, or the croft
lands of Keith. While there Mr G. afforded
Ferguson many facilities to pursue his favourite
studies. Ferguson in his autobiography says :
— " My master gave me more time than I could
reasonably expect, and often took the thrashing
flail out of my hands and worked himself, whilst
I sat by him in the barn, busy with my com-
passes, ruler, and pen." (y. p. 102.)

An adjoining stone, in memory of Mr G.'s
daughter-in-law, shows the somewhat remarkable
occurrence of her having given birth to all her
children upon Sundays : —

This stone is erected in memory of Elizabeth
Anderson, daughter of Mr James Anderson, some-
time minister of the Gospel at Keith, wife of James
Glashan, writer, there. She was born 28 Feb.
1751, and died 10 July 1773, in the 22 year of her
age, leaving issue .James, her only son, born Sun-
day, 1 April 1770 ; Jean, her first daughter, born
Sunday, 31 March 1771 ; and Elizabeth, the youngest
child, born Sunday 2 May 1773, after whose birth,
the mother, upon the day above mentioned, of a
consumptive illness, died.

— The eldest daughter, Jean, became the wife of
Robert Stuart of Aucharnie, in Forgue, by whom

she had several children. The survivor of these,
John, LL.D., of Newmill, near Edinburgh, is the
well-known Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries
of Scotland, and of the Spalding Club, a great
many of the valuable publications of which Club,
including the Sculptured Stones of Scotland,
(2 vols, fol.), and The Book of Deer, have been
edited and prefaced by him. Mr Anderson, who
was minister first at CuUen, from whence he was
translated to Keith, iu 1762, died in 1770 ; but
no stone marks his grave, [y. Forgue.]

'J"he following inscription is from the oldest of
three monuments within an enclosure: —

M. S. Adami Longmore, ad collem de Mountgreu
olim coloni, e vita A. S. H. 1770 evocati ; necnon
Margaret^e Ogilvie, anno 1781 demortute, conju-
gum fidorum, parentum charissimorum ; Adamus
Longmore, ab ierai-io in Scotia Regio H. C. P. F.
anno 1809.

[Sacred to the memory of Adam Longmore,
sometime farmer at Hill (or Brae) of Mountgreu,
who was summoned from life in the year of human
salvation, 1770 ; and also of Margaret Ogilvie,
who died in the year 1781 — faithful partners, most
affectionate parents. Adam Longmore, of the Royal
Exchequer in Scotland, caused this tomb to be
erected in 1809.]

Round the margin of a coffin slab of yellow
sandstone, embellished with a floral cross in re-
lief, is the following, which relates to a much re-
spected Scotch Episcopal clergyman : —

►I- Resteth John Murdoch, who for many years
ministered at Rathven, Keith, and Fochabers. Ob.
29 April A. D. 1850, ast. 83.

— The Rev. Dr James F. S. Gordon, of St Andrew's
Episcopal Church, Glasgow, author of a Scotich-
ronicon and Mouasticon, &c., is a native of Keith,
and married a daughter of Mr Murdoch to his
first wife. A table-shaped stoue presents the fol-
lowing : —

John Giles, spiiming- wheel maker in Keith, died
26 Oct. 1787, aged 75 :—

Beneath this stone, iu hope again to rise,
The relics of ane honest man are laid ;
So, Reader, learn superior woi-th to prize,
That what is said of him, of thee be said.

KEITH.

167

Such peaceful neighbour, and a friend so sure,
Such tender parent, and such husband kind ;
Such modest pattern of Religion pure,
In Keith's wide precincts we too seldom find.
His hands industrious, and his heai-t sincere.
Of worldly wise men, he disdained the wiles ;
Go, Passenger ! make haste thy God to know,
And in thy actions imitate John Giles.
In the north-west corner of the burial ground
a marble tablet, within an enclosure, is thus in-
scribed : —

To the memory of James Thurburn of Smail-
holm, Berwickshire, only son of the Rev. John
Thurburn, minister of Kirknewton. This stone is
placed here by his three sous in testimony of their
affectionate remembrance of his excellent qualities,
his sound understanding, his honour and integrity,
which remained unshaken through much adverse
fortune. He died at Drum, near Keith, 9 May
1798, aged 59. His remains are deposited in the
burial ground of Milne of Kinstair, in this church-
yard.

— It is told that Mr T. was brought from the
south of Scotland by the Earl of Findlater for the
purpose of introducing the growth and manufac-
ture of flax into this part of the country, both of
which were long and successfully carried on by
him. But, towards the close of Mr T.'s life, the
trade having become depressed, he, like others
who were extensively engaged in the business,
lived to feel a reverse of fortune, as expressed in
the above inscription. One of Mr T.'s sons, John
(who gave, "in memory of his father, James,"
£150, the interest of which is disbursed in the
purchase of coals for the poor of Keith), died laird
of Murtle, on Deeside ; a second sou, Robert, be-
came an opulent merchant abroad ; and a third
continued farmer of Drum. Another son be-
came a solicitor in Keith. Of the female de-
scendants, one is the lady of Sir J. Innes of Edin-
gigcht.

The erector of the stone which bears the next
quoted inscription was a ploughman to his father
on the farm of Arduach. Owing to a family
quarrel, he left home, enlisted as a private soldier,
and raised himself to the position of a major in
the army : —

This stone was erected by Captain lames McKon-
dachy, in the 93d Regt. , son to lohn McKondachy,
in Arduch, in memory of his mother Margaret
Forsyth, who died the 22d day of lune 1791, aged
64 years.

Within a railed enclosure : —

The Revd. James M'Leajj, minister of this parish
from 1795 to 1825, and afterwards at Urquhart,
Morayshire, where he died 14 Nor. 1840, aged 82.
His wife Elizabeth Tod, died at Keith, 3d April
1816.

— Another slab records the death of five daughters
and two sons. George, born 1801, died at Cape
Coast Castle, Africa, in 1847, of which he had
been sometime governor. He married in June
1838, the celebrated authoress, L. E. L. (Letitia
Elizabeth Landon), who died in October of the
following year. Dr Hugh M'Lean of West Park,
Elgin, is another son of the minister of Keith.

Upon one side of an obelisk of freestone : —

Sacred to the memory of Mary Smith, daughter
of Edward Smith, Fochabers, and widow of Alex.
Mortimer of Excise, burgess of Forres. She died
4 Jan. 1802, aged 62. This tomb is erected by de-
sire of her son, the late Edward Mortimer, Esq.
of Pictou, who was an eminent merchant, and long
chief magistrate of that town. He was also a judge
in the Court of Common Pleas ; and for 20 years
represented the county of Halifax in the General
Assembly of Nova Scotia. He died at Pictou, 10
Oct. 1819, aged 51. [The names of some sisters
and other relatives of Mr M. are recorded upon
another side of the monument.]

A monument near the west dyke of the burial-
ground is inscribed : —

This monument erected to the memory of James
Milne of Kinstair, who died 9 May 1771, aged S3.
Sophia Grant, his wife, who died 25 Aug. 1754,
aged 63. James Milne, at Mill of Towie, his
grandfather, died 1712, aged 83. John Milne,
portioner of Urquhart, his father, died 1709, aged
50. John Milne, younger of Kinstair, his son, died
29 July 1743, aged 29. Jean Milne, his daughter,
died 14 Feb. 1755, aged 26. Six other children

died young, &o all buried 49 feet due east

from this, under a separate gravestone, except the
said John Milne, portioner of Urquhart, who died
at Urquhart, and was buried there.

168

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

A flat stone, iu area of old kirk, bears : —

In hopes of ane blised resurrection, heir lyeth
Ianet Geddes, spows to George Macky in New-
milhi, who depr. this life the 12 of March 1690.

Upon a table-shaped stone : —

Under this stone lies the body of Alexander
Jamieson, a tender husband, a good father, and a
faithful friend, who departed this life May 3, 1773,
aged 81.

James Jamieson, late Master in Eoyal Navy,
died 18 July 1817, aged 82 years. His remains are
interred under this stone, on which his widow,
Janet Jamieson, has caused this simple record to
be engraved.

— This was the Jamie Jamieson mentioned in
Lord Nelson's Despatches ; and with whom Nel-
son sailed when Jamieson was master of H.M.
frigate the Boreas. This tombstone was originally
erected by Jamieson to the memory of his father.
The following is upon a granite head stone : —

Erected to the memory of Major Peter Duncan,
sometime of the 66th Regt. of Foot, who died 16
July 1854, aged 77 years, and was interred here ;
where also lie the remains of his sister Margaret,
who died 13 July 1836, aged 63 years.
— Duncan had the merit of having risen from the
ranks ; and while Captain, he was appointed one
of the guards of Napoleon the First at St Helena.
It is told that Napoleon having noticed a medal
on Duncan's breast, began to examine it one day ;
but on seeing that the decoration was for the battle
of Vittoria, he allowed it to drop from his fingers.
Besides (as before seen) having himself founded
a fund for the benefit of poor householders, natives
of the parish of Keith, Capt. D. also contributed
£134 to the lunes fund, for the like purpose.

The towns of New Keith and Fife-Keith are
separated from each other by the river Isla, which
is crossed on the highway by a substantial stone
bridge. The bridge, built in 1770, was widened
in 1816. The old bridge, which is a fine speci-
men of the strong, narrow, and high pitched arch
of the period, has a stone built into the west side,

dated 1609, upon which are the Murray and
Lindsay arms impaled, and these names : —

THOMAS MVRRAY. IANET LINDSAY,

On the east side : —

ERECTED 1609 : REPAIRED 1822.

New Keith ^ which adjoins what may be called
the ruins of the village of Old Keith, was begun
by Lord Findlater in 1750 ; and Fife-Keith was
founded by the Earl of Fife in 1817. Both are
thriving places, with a considerable population.
The village of Newmill, which was founded about
the same time as Fife-Keith, is about a mile from
the latter place.

Some of the churches, houses, and shops in
New Keith are neat and spacious. The Ro-
man Catholic Chapel, dedicated to S. Thomas,
is in the Corinthian style ; and colossal figures
of SS. Petlr and Paul (after those of Michael
Angelo), are upon each end of the pediment. The
frieze is thus inscribed : —

COLXJMNA ET FIRMAMENT\nM VERITATIS.

— The Chapel was erected chiefly through the
enterprise of the Rev Mr Walter Lovi, R.
C.C., who travelled on the Continent, as well
as through Great Britain, soliciting subscriptions
for its erection. In the course of his wanderings
he met with, and applied to Charles X. of France,
who not only gave a handsome donation in money ;
but that unfortunate Prince also commissioned
M. Francois Dubois to paint an altar-piece for
the chapel. The subject, which represents the
Incredulity of S. Thomas, is a large picture, in
the artist's best manner. It was finished in
1830 ; and the royal gift, with the original date of
it, is upon a plate in the corner : —

Carolus X., Rex Gallorum Christianisslmus, dono
dedif, A.D. 1829.

— After the dethronement of King Charles, Mr
Lovi, fearing that the picture might be lost to
his chapel, went to Paris and had an audience
with Louis-Philippe, who at once delivered it over
to Mr Lovi. It reached Keith in 1831, was
placed in the chapel in 1832 ; and, on 15 Aug.
of same year, Bishop Kyle opened the chapel for
Divine service.

KEITH— KIN NEFF.

169

The parish of Keith, out of which Grange was
formed (v. p. 100), contains few objects of anti-
quarian or historical interest. When James V.
made a pilgrimage to the shrine of S. Duthoc at
Tain, in Oct. 1497, he appears to have slept a
night here, when 18s were paid " at the Kirk of
Keth to the gudwif of the houss,'' and Is 4d " to
the prest that sed mes to the King thair."

Here also the Great Montrose, when on his way
to Edinburgh in 1650, after his betrayal for 400
bolls of meal (!) by his O'.vn companion in arms,
M'Leod of Assynt, was taken upon a Sunday by
his guard, seated upon a pony, meanly clad, but
securely tied by ropes, to hear in the churchyard
the declamations of Mr Kiniumonth, the parish
minister, who chose for his text (1 Sam. xv. 33),
" As thy sword hath made women childless, so
shall thy mother be childless among women." It
is told that Montrose, who soon saw that the
heartless representative of Him who ever spoke
feelingly to sufferers, was to make him the object
of his lecture, smiled, and nobly said—" Rail on,
sir, / am hound to listen to you !"

The bridge at Haughs was erected soon after
1770. According to tradition, the bridge at
Bridgend was built soon after 1678, in which year
the 4th Marquis of Hnntly, afterwards Duke of
Gordon, along with his young Marchioness, were
arrested there while on their marriage trip from
the south to Gordon Castle, owing to the large-
ness of the stream. To prevent the recurrence of
danger and delay at this place, it is said that the
bridge, of which the picturesque arch still re-
mains, was erected soon after.

Two stones (triangular shaped) lie near the
middle of the churchyard. Both are charged in
chief with the Gordon arms, and a fess in the
centre, with those of Innes and Melville, respec-
tively, in base. One stone is initialed and dated,
I. G : E. I. 1677 ; the other, A. G : K. M. 1G93.

A carving of the Oliphant arms, quartered with
those of Ogilvy, is built into the north side of
the Strachan tomb. Charles, 7th Lord Oliphant,
married Mary, heiress of Ogilvy of Milton, a cadet
of the Findlater family, and thus came to estates
in this quarter. In addition to Milton, these

appear to have consisted of Auchynanie, Little
Cantlie, and the Croft and Alehouse of Keith,
which latter, when John Ogilvy succeeded his
grandfather in 1655, was called Craigduffscroft,
or "the croft of the black rock." The tower of
Milton is picturesquely situated upon the craig
or rock referred to, near the Linn of Keith. It
is said to have been erected by Lord Oliphant,
and is sometimes called by his name. It is quite
ruinous, and had never been a building either of
much size or elegance.

George Gordon, who was sometime a medical
practitioner at Keith, his native place, perished
while bathing near the Linn in 1819. He was
accomplished in almost every department of the
fine arts; and, in 1820, prefaced by a memoir of
his brief career, appeared " Elgiva," a long his-
torical poem of more than ordinary merit.

%\ WW tit.

(?S. ARNOLD.)

THE church of JSTine/ belonged to the Priory of
St Andrews, and was dedicated by Bishop
David in 1242: A chapel was attached to it,
possibly that of S. John, which stood at Barras,
or that of S. IMartin, at the Bridgend.

The present church, near which stood S. Ar-
nold's cell, is a sorry fabric, bearing the date of
1760. Round the rim of the bell :—

PIETER OSTENS HEEFT MY GEGOTEN
TE ROTTERDAH AO : 1679.

—The initials, M. I. H. are also upon the west
side of the bell. These last may refer to some
one of the Honymans, four of whom, as will be
seen below, were ministers of the parish.

As is well known, it was within the old kirk
of Kinneff that the Regalia of Scotland were con-
cealed during the time of the Commonwealth.
Those precious articles, which were carried by the
minister's wife from Dunottar Castle, through

170

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

the very ranks of the besiegers, aud by her own
■well-managed plans, and those of the lady of
Governor Ogilvie, were deposited in a hole pur-
posely made for them by the minister below the
pulpit. They remained there until the Restora-
tion ; when they were delivered, by the King's
orders, to the Earl Marischal. But the rewards
for the important service of preserving the royal
insignia, were dealt out in an inverse ratio. John
Keith, brother to Earl Marischal, who knew no-
thing of the affair, having been himself abroad
during the whole transaction, but whose name
had been used in a letter for the sole purpose of
misleading the usurpers, " got" (as Sir W. Scott
has well expressed it) the Earldom [of Kintore],
pension, &c. ; Ogilvie only inferior honours ; and
the poor clergyman nothing whatever, or, as we
say, " the hare's foot to lick !"

A monument, built into the south wall of the
church, on the left of the pulpit, adorned with
the Ogilvie of Barras arms, contains the following
renewed inscription in which "mdclx" has been
erroneously set down for mdclxi : —

iEternce memorise sacrum D. Geoegii Ogilvie
de Barras, Equitis Baroneti, qui Arci Dunotriensi
prjefectus streuue earn per aliquod tempus adversus
parricidarum Anglorum copias tutatus, earn tandem
dedere est ooactus. Non ante tamen quam ipsius
conjugisque suae D. Elizabeths Douglassis opera
Imperii Scotici Insignia, Corona, sciz : Sceptrum at
Gladius, ibi reposita, clam inde avecta atque in hac
Kinneffi rede sacra in tiito essent coUocata. Ob
egregia hac viri in Patriam merita constantemque
et illibatam in Eegiam Familiam jfidem Equitis
Baroneti honorem per literas patentes III. Non :
Mai-t : anno MDCLX. a Hege datas, est consecutus :
auctis ejus Pateruis Insignibus gentilibus quibus
in liunc usque diem famiiia sua utitur. Piegio porro
diplomate Magno Seotite Sigillo munito ei conces-
suni est terrarum suarum possidendarum jus a
tenura quam vulgo Wardam Simplicem appellant,
in Albam quse dicitur tenuram commutaretur. In
utroque hoc instrumento Piegio summa ejus in prin-
cipes sues fidelitas atque egregia merita maximo
cum eulogio commemorabantur. David OGIL^^E,
Eques Barouetus, supra dicti pronepos obiit Non :
Decern : MDCCXCIX. annos natus LXX. Domina
Ogilvie hujus conjux obiit XIV. Kal : Ian : anno

MDCCC. annos nata LIII. Ambo in hao tede
sepulti.

[Sacred to the memory of Sir George Ogilvie of
Barras, knight baronet, who, being in command of
the Castle of Dunottar, vigorously defended it for
some time against the forces of the English parri-
cides, but was at length compelled to surrender it.
Not, however, until, with the assistance of his wife,
Dame Elizabeth Douglas, he had secretly remov-
ed from it the Scottish Regalia, viz., the Crown,
Sceptre, and Sword, and had them deposited and
placed in safety in this church of Kinneff. For
these distinguished services to his country, and for
his firm and untainted fidelity to the Royal Family,
he obtained the rank and title of Knight Baronet,
by letters patent, granted by the King, 5th March
1660 ; the family arms, which his descendants still
use, being added to those of his forefathers. More-
over, by a Royal diploma, under the Great Seal of
Scotland, he was allowed to change the tenure by
which he held his lands from that of Ward to Blench.
In both of these Royal documents, his unwaver-
ing fidelity to his Sovereign, and his eminent
services were mentioned with the highest praise.
David Ogilvie, knight baronet, great-grandson of
the above-mentioned, died 5 Dec. 1799, aged 70
years. Lady Ogilvie, his wife, died 20 Deo.
1800, aged 53 years. Both are buried in this
church. ]

— Governor Ogilvie's lady was a daughter of
Douglas of Barras, 4th son of the 9th Earl of
Angus, She was married to Ogilvie in 1634, by
whom she had an only son. In consequence of
the harsh treatment which she received from the
usurpers, she did not long survive the surren-
der of Dunottar Castle ; but with a nobleness of
heart charactex'istic of her race, she enjoined her
husband when on her death-bed rather to suffer
death than betray his country, a request which,
under much suffering, he firmly maintained.
Governor Ogilvy was the son of the laird of Lum-
gair (r. p. 48), and bought the property of Barras
from his brother-in-law. Sir John Douglas.
Barras was bought by the Trustees of Donald-
son's Hospital, Edinburgh; and the male line of
Ogilvie of Barras failed in the person of Sir
George, the 4th baronet, who died in 1837. (v.
Stracathko.)

KINNEFF.

171

A mutilated tombstone, in the north wall of
the church, upon which are the initials M. I. G ;
C. F., thus eulogises the share which Mr Granger
and his wife, Christian Fletcher, had in sav-
ing the honours of the kingdom : —

Scotia Grangeei cui Insignia Eegia debet
Servata hie cineres relliquia3q' jacent.
Abstulit obsesso psene hiBC captiva Dunotro,
Condidit et sacra qva tvmvlator hvmo.
Prcemia daut superi ; patrii scrvator honoris
Sceptra rotat superos inter athleta chor . .
[Here lie the remains of Granger, to whom
Scotland is indebted for the preservation of her
Royal Insignia. These, when on the very eve of
capture, he removed from Duuotter during the
siege, and concealed in the sacred ground in which
he is interred. He enjoys his reward above ; the
heroic preserver of his country's honour now wields
a sceptre amid the celestial choirs. ]
— Mrs Granger survived her husband, and was
afterwards married to a neighbouring laird, named
Abercrombie. The Presbytery Records of Brechin
show that Mr Granger was licensed before 19th
September 1639, and that on 10th October
thereafter he was a " preacher in IMontrose,"
where he " is ordained with his own consent, to
keep the presbyterial meetings once in three
weeks at least, vnder paine of censure." On 3d
Sep. 1640, he was still a " preacher in Montrose,"
and of that date he desired the Presbytery's
" testimonial of his lyff and qualificatione for the
ministerie directed to the presbyterie of the
Meirns, q"^ was granted." It was about this
time that Mr Granger became minister of Kinneff,
where he died in 1663. He was succeeded by
Mr James Honyman, to whom and his family a
tablet on the right of the pulpit is thus inscribed : —
In memory of Mr James Honyman, brother of
Andrew, Bishop of Orkney, and Robert, Arch-
dean of St Andrews, who was settled minister of
this parish of Kinneff, 30th Sept. 1663, and died
2d May 1693, and is here interred. And of Mr
Andrew Honyman, his eldest son, who succeeded
in the charge, and died 30th Dec. 1732 ; and, to-
gether with his wife, Helen Rait, of the family
of Finlawston, is here interred. (His youngest
brother, Mr James, was settled minister in New-

port, Rhode Island, and left a family, one of his
sons being lately Attorney-General there). And of
Mr James Honyman, his eldest son, and successor
in this charge, who died 16th Jan. 1780, aged 77
years, & is interred here, with his wife Katiierine
Allardyce, daughter of Provost AUai-dyce in
Aberdeen. And of Mr James Honyman, his eldest
son, who succeeded him in this charge, and died
5th Aug. 1781, aged 36 years, and is here interred.
This monument is erected by Mv John, a dissenting
clergyman in England, Dr Robei't, a physician in
Virginia, and Helen, the wife of Robert Edward in
Harvieston, brothers & sister of the last deceased.
— The first Mr Honyman, who died in 1693,
appears to have left a young family ; and his son,
Andrew, was not licensed until 16th Aug. 1700;
on which day Mr James Fleming, presentee to
the church of Kinneff, complained to the Presby-
tery " that y'' is not a manse at Kinneff, and that
the kirk y'of is ruinous." It was on 20th July
1699, that the above Mr Andrew Honyman offered
forcible resistance to having the kirk preached
vacant, to which he himself "pretended" to have
a call from the parishioners ; but having expressed
sorrow for his conduct before the Presbytery, they
agreed, in consideration of his " young brethren
and sisters, of q™ he hath the charge," to give
him the stipend and crop of the parish for the
year 1699. He appears to have ultimately suc-
ceeded to the church ; and it is believed that his
son, who died in 1780, wrote the popular song of
" Hie, bonnie lassie, blink over the burn." The
Honymans belonged to St Andrews. The Bishop
of Orkney was minister first of Ferry-Port-on-
Craig, from which he was translated to, and be-
came Archdeacon of St Andrews. He succeeded
Bishop Sydserf in the See of Orkney ; and in
1668, while entering the coach of Archbishop
Sharpe, at the head of Blackfriar's Wynd, Edin-
burgh, he received a shot in his arm from a poi-
soned bullet, which was intended for Sharpe, from
the effects of which he never quite recovered. The
shot was fired by a religious fanatic named
Mitchell, who had taken part in the risings in the
Pentlaud Hills.

Near the middle of a gravestone, built into tlio
north wall, a death's head and the words memento

172

EPITAPHS, AND imCRIPTlONS :

MORI are rudely carved. Also " de Large," and
the Graham arms, with a mullet or star of three
points ujDon the chevron, -which, as the inscription
indicates, shows that the deceased was third son of
Graham of Morphie. Round the margin of the
stone is this motto : —

HOC . TVMVLO . CONDITVS . EST . VIR . PIVS . ET
GEROSVS . ROBERT' . GRAHAM' . DE . LARGIE . DOMINI
A . MORFE . FL' . TERTi' . QVI . PIE . ET . SANCTE . IN
DOIO OBDORIIT . ANNO . CHRISTI . 1597 . ANNO
^TATIS . SV^ . 37.

[Below the Graham arms] : —

Inventum est hoc monumentum reparanda hac
sede A.D. MDCccxxx.

[In this tomb is laid a pious and honourable man,
Robert Graiiaji of Largie, third son to the laird
of Morphie, who piously fell asleep in the Lord in
the year of Christ 1597, in the 37th year of his age.
This monument was discovered when the church
was repaired in 1830.]

— The Grahams of Morphie (as shewn at p. 36) are
now represented by Barron Graham, Esq., laird
of Morphie, and Stone o' Morphie, &c.

Upon a monument, with the Young arms, &c.
(v. p. 75), in the east wall of the church :—

MemorifB Joannis Yottng de Stank, vicecomitis
de Kincardine, qui obijt quai-to die Martij, anno
1750, aetatis 52, Gulielmus Young, M.D., filius,
hoe marmor posuit.

[To the memory of John Young of Stank, sheriff
of Kincardine, who died 4th March 1750, aged 52,
his son William Young, M.D., erected this monu-
ment.]

— The Duke of Cumberland, when on his way to
Culloden in 1746, was the guest of Mr Young at
Stonehaven. " Stank," is now named BcUfield.
Dr Young's grave, which is within an enclosure
at the east end of the church, is marked by a
monument erected by his sister Mary, which
bears this inscription : —

In memory of William Young, M. D. , of Faw-
syde, who died 9 March 1850 ; and of his wife,
Mary Logie, who died 18 Nov. 1838. Also of
their only child Jane Young, who died 2 March
1834
— Fawsyde passed by inheritance to the late Rev.

Mr Torry Anderson. It now belongs to Dr Wm
Nicol, H.E.I.C.S., late M.P. for Dover. He
was born at Fawsyde, where he has erected a
neat mansion-house and offices.

In early times (1361), it was acquired by Simon
of Shaklock ; and was afterwards owned by
Barclay of Mathers. In the year of the Revolu-
tion Mr Robert Napier was succeeded in Fawsyde
and other lands by his son William. The pro-
perty of Fawsyde, near Tranent, gave both name
and title to a knightly race during the time of
David 11.

A table-shaped tombstone on south side of
church, (which adjoins another almost illegible,
relating to the same family), bears : —

Andreas Lindsay, tenens de Whisleberry, filius
Joannis & nepos alij Joannis Lindsays, diet, prse-
dij tenen., pronepos Jacobi Lindsay, tenen. de
Brigand, & abnepos Rogeri Lindsay, tenen. de
Barras, ab illustri et autiqua familia Liudseorum,
primo de Glenesque, et postea de Edzel designat. ,
orti, diversarum nobilium familiarum ancesterum,
tribus ult. ment. apud Caterline sepultis, hoc posuit
memori£e diet, sui Patris, qui obijt 20 De. 1724,
fetatis 57 ; Joanna Napier, ejus Matris, quse fatis
concessit 30 No. 1743, ajtatis 56 ; (sepultse apud
Bervy) ; Catilirin^e Christy, ejus uxoris, quas
decessit 25 Ap. 1743, ajtatis 38 ; et Catharine.
Lindsay, su£e filias, quaj obijt in pueritia. Obijt
ille Andreas Lindsay 2^° Julii 1761, tetatis vero
57, hic(]j sepultus. Ejus liberi superstites fuere,
Joannis (patris successor in Whisleberry), Hugo,
(scriba in Aberdeen), Joanna (uxor Gulielmi Cruick
shank, civis Aberdonensis), Helena et Anna (adhuc
inuupta') ; Jacobo, filio primegenito (apud Cork
in Hibernia, in Classe Regi mortuo), mense Feb'
ruarii 1759, atatis 30. Joannes Lindsay, qui
patri successit in Whistleberry, obijt 14 Jul. 1809,
an. set. 74, et hujus uxor, Christian Walker
decessit 14 Aug. 1830, an. ret. 94. Ambo hie se.
pulti. Alexander Lindsay, horum filius tenens
de Whistleberry, obiit 6 Nov. 1831, an. set. 68
cujus filia natu maxima, Margaret, innupta de-
cessit 7 Nov. 1831, an. ret. 22. In hoc sepulchro
una contumulati.

[Andrew Lindsay, tenant of Whistleberry (son of
John, and grandson of another John Lindsay, both
tenants of the said farm), great-grandson of James

KINNEFF—CA TERLINE.

173

Lindsay, tenant in Brigencl, and great-great-grand-
son of Roger Lindsay, tenant of Barras, descended
of the illustrious and ancient family of the Lindsays,
originally of Glenesque, afterwards of Edzell, from
whom were descended many noble families, and
who, with the two last-mentioned, are buried at
Caterline, erected this to the memory of his said
father, who died 20 Dec. 1724, aged 57 ; and to his
mother, Joanna Napier, (buried at Bervy), who
died 30 November 1743, aged 56. Catherine
Christy, his wife, died 25 April 1743, aged 3S ;
and his daughter, Catherine Lindsay, died in
childhood. The said Andrew Lindsay died 2 July
1761, aged 57, and is here buried. His surviving
children were John (who succeeded his father in
Whisleberry), Hugh (a writer in Aberdeen), Joanna
(wife of Wm. Cruickshank, citizen of Aberdeen),
Helen and Ann (still unmarried). James, his eldest
son (died in the Royal Navy, at Cork in Ireland),
in the month of Feb. 1759, aged 30. John Lindsay,
who succeeded his father in Whisleberry, died 14 July
1809, aged 74 ; and his wife. Christian Walker,
died 14 Aug. 1830, aged 94 : both are here buried.
AleXjVNDEr Lindsay, their son, tenant of Whistle-
berry, died 6 Nov. 1831, aged 68 ; and his eldest
daughter, Margaret, died unmarried, 7 Nov. 1831,
aged 22 : they are buried together in this tomb. ]

— Descendants of the same family still tenant the
farm of Whistleberry, which belongs, in property,
to the Trustees of Viscount Keith who became,
by purchase, about 1805 and 1810 respectively, a
large heritor in the parish.

John Davidson, weaver, Crossgates, d. 1779,
a. 33 :—

Come see the home for all ordained,
The quiet rest I have obtained ;
No sorrows can bedim your eye,
When in the silent grave you lie.
Charles Stewart, a native of Galloway, was
bred a gardener. He lived upwards of 40 years
in this county, died with a respectable character,
at KinnefF, 25 Augt. 1766, aged 67 years, and is
buried here. This inscription by order of his second
wife, Margaret Clark.

IsoBELLA Duncan, dr. to Ann Jamie, Johnshaven,
d. 1820, a. 17yrs.:—

Ly still, sweet maid, and take your rest,
God takes them first whom he loves best.

[On back of same stone] : —

A Brother lies interred here.

Two Fathers, and a Mother dear ;

In love they lived, in peace they died ;

Their lives were craved, but God denied.
In memory of the Buriall place of William
Strachan, son to William Strachan and Isobel
Moer, who lived a workman in this parish, unmar-
ried, useful, and respected in the neighbourhood,
and died lamented at KinnefF, 20 March 1774,
aged 62.

(?S. CATHERINE.)

I^HE kirk of Katerin, given to the Abbey of
M> Arbroath, was confirmed to it by Turpiu,
bishop of Brechin, 1178-98.

Previously disjoined from Kinneff, Caterline
was afterwards united to that parish. The church
was declared vacant in 1099, at the same time as
that of Kinneff, so that the parishes may then
have been conjoined. In the following year the
laird of Caterline applied for, and received from
the Presbytery, a grant of the vacant stij^end of
Caterline, for the purpose of " repairing the ruin-
ous church of that parish." The old kirk stood
upon the highest point of the graveyard, where a
slightly ornamented slab bears this incised inscrip-
tion : —

TVMVLVS . METELLANE . LIVINGSTONE , SPONS^ .
QVONDAM . ROBERTI . DOVGLASII . A . BRIGfOORD .
QVM . OBIIT . 13 . DIE . MENSIS . IVLII . ANNO .

1647 . ^TATis . sv^ . 30.

[The grave of Madeline Livingstone, spouse of
Pv-obert Douglas of Brigford, who died 13 July 1647,
aged 30.]

— Douglasses (of the Glenbervy branch), were
lairds of Barras ; and Ogilvy, the gallant de-
fender of Dunottar Castle, as before seen, bought
Barras from his brother-in-law, who was a
Douglas. Possibly this inscription refers to the
wife of a scion of Douglas of Barras. Mary,

174

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS ,

daughter and co-heiress of Robert DougLas of

Eridgeford, was married in 1740 to John, Viscount

Arbuthnott.

An adjoining slab bears : —

HIC . lACET . rCElIINA . HONORABILIS . ELIZABETA .
FORBES

Upon an upright stone : —

Here lies an honest gentleman, Roger Lindsay,
once in Barras, who died in the year of God 1619,
aged 61, and his spouse Elizabeth Simpson.
James Lindsay, his son, in Brigend, died anno
1601, aged 52 ; and his spouse Margaret Innes,
and his eldest son James Lindsay, and John Lind-
say, his brother, who caused this stone to be laid
on his two wives, Margaret Molison, and Agnes
Mill, or Milne,

Jas. Watt, boatmaster, Covelin, d. 1705, a. 23 : —
A hopefuU youth lies here enshrined.
Whose life threed's cut by death, confiude
In Golgotha his corps does rest,
Of heavenly joys his soul's possest.

Over the entrance to an enclosure near the
south-west corner of the burial ground : — •

To the memory of William Grant of Hillton,
Esquire, formerly of TuUoch. He died 15 February
1781, aged 65 years. Vixit ut vivat.
—The property of Hilton now belongs to the heirs
of the late Rev. Patrick Steavakt, who was
minister of Kinneff from 1782 to his death in 1830.
His mother was a Grant, and he was buried with-
in the Hilton aisle ; where, with other relatives,
lie his sons, Allan, who succeeded him in the
church of Kinneff, and William, who was long
sheriff-clerk of Kincardineshire.

The first of these Stewarts is said to have been
one Duncan Allanach, who came from Strathdon,
and changed his name to Stewart. He was farmer
of Norham, in Corse, and acquired the estate of
Carnaveron, in Alford, about the middle of the
last century. His son and heir became farmer of
Mondynes, in Fordoun ; and was father of the
above-named minister of Kinneff. Peter (as the
minister was familiarly called), appears to have had
more than an ordinary share of the force of cha-
racter, mixed with the severity and harshness of
manner, which were common in his time, to al-

most all classes of society. Upon one occasion,
when a county gentleman, who had been pre-
viously employed in the Excise, took occasion, at
a meeting in Stonehaven, to denounce the Com-
missioners of Supply for having sanctioned the
making of a road in some part of Kincardineshire,
he concluded his remarks by saying, that no man
of common sense would either have proposed or
sanctioned the making of the road ; to which, it is
told, Peter replied — " Aye, man ! I believe I had
a hand in the proposin' o' the road you're speakin'
o' ; an' I ken 1 sanction'd it ; an' let me just tell
you this, that I winua ha'e my common sense
guwfd by you, or ony ane o' your coat !"

An awmbry, also the fragment of a coffin-slab,
with incised cross and sword, are built into the
wall on the left of the gateway. The gateway is
dated 1817.

There was a kirk at Kingokny (S. ),

ruins of which were visible some GO years ago.
Some say that it was to his paternal estate of
Kingorny that the father of the celebrated Dr
Arbuthnott retired, when he was expelled from
the church of Arbuthnott at the Revolution,
others say he went to Hallgreeu.

There were several castles in Kinneff in old
times. "Whistleberry, of which very little re-
mains, stood upon a cliff overlooking the sea ; and
that of f iddes is still roofed, and used as a store-
house by the farmer. The Knights' Templars
had an interest in Kinneff, as is still shewn by a
farm called The Temple.

An Episcopal church, dedicated to S. Philip,
was erected in 1848, at a short distance to the
eastward of Caterline burial ground, also a school
and schoolhouse. These were raised chiefly through
the exertions of the late incumbent, the Rev. Mr
James Stevenson. He was a native of Brechin,
died in 1868, and is buried in the cemetery which
adjoins the Episcopal Church.

MONaUHITTER.

175

P0nijtt!utt^i\

(S. ).

J^fJHE parish of Monwheeter \{&'s, iovmed out of
^ that of Turriff la 1649, and received its
name from the farm whereon the church was
built.— (New Stat. Acct.)

Mr Adam Hay, a cadet of the Errol family,
succeeded Mr Barclay, who was possibly the first
minister of the parish. Mr Hay was inducted to
the church of Mouquhitter in 1678 ; and his ini-
tials, M. A. H., and the date of 1684, are upon a
triangular-shaped stone at the manse. ]\Ir Hay
presented two communion cups of pure silver to
the church, which are thus inscribed : —

The gift of the E^. Mr Adam Hay, late minr. of
the church of Moutwhitter. Obiit 15 April 1727.

— Two old pewter cups, marked, " Mqr. 1779,"
belong to the time of Mr Johnston. In 1868,
additional communion vessels were gifted to the
church of Mouquhitter, by Messrs George and
James Hepburn, of Bogside and Swanford.

A new and spacious parish church was erected
a few years ago (outside the grave-yard), and the
previous place of worship, built about 1764, was
erased. The bell bears : —

I.E. EROL . PATRON . OF . MOUQUHITTER .
F . KILGOCR . ABERDN . 1689.

A stone upon the old belfry bore " i. e. e.
PATRON ;" and two stones, with carvings of the
Errol arms, are built into the manse garden walls.
Another slab, built over the vestry door of the
new church, is thus inscribed : —

The God of heauen wil prosper ws, therfor we his
servants wil arise and bwUd. Neh. 2, 20. And
we wil not forsake the hovse of our God. 10, 39.

The above, which was preserved within the
lately erased church, had probably been originally
upon the one which, as shown by the annexed
inscription, was erected by William Cuming of
Auchry. His tomb, which formed part of the
wall of the old church, is in good preservation,
and in its original site. It bears the Cumin arms.

(with a buckle between the garbs) and this in-
scription : —

Memorice viri optimi, Gulielmi Coming ab
Achry et Pittuly, Elgini quondam consulis, qui
ptochodochium quatuor inopum mereatorum ibi-
dem mortificavit, ac jjostea templum hoc impensis
suis hie condidit, ac 29 Octob. A.D. 1707, a?tat. an.
74, pie obiit, monumentum hoc posuit uxor ejus
dilectissima, Christiana Gutliry. Observa integ-
rum, et aspice rectum ; finem illius viri esse pacem.
Ps. 37, V. 37. Vive memor lethi ; fugit hora.

[To the memory of an exceUeut man, William
Coming of Achry and Pittuly, late chief magistrate
of Elgin, who there founded an almshouse for four
decayed merchants, and afterwards built this
church here at his own expense, and died piouslj^
29 Oct. 1707, at the age of 74. His beloved wife
Christian Guthry erected this monument. Mark
the perfect man, &c. Live mindful of death ;
time flies. ]

— This William was the first Cuming of Auchry,
at least in modern times. He claimed descent
from the Altyre family (i\ p. 10); and, on selling
the property of Lochtervandich in Gleuriunes, he
bought that of Auchry, about 1670. He was
three times married (according to Douglas) ; and
his eldest son by Christian Guthry (daughter of
Sir Henry Guthry of King Edward), succeeded
to Pittully, and the patronage of the hospital at
Elgin. The PoU Book does not agree with
Douglas, so far as relates to the names of Cum-
ing's sons and the number of his family. Douglas
mentions only a John by a first marriage, and a
George by the third ; but the Poll Book (1696)
shows that, besides two sons, named AVilliam
and Robert, there were five daughters infamilia,
also a sister of " his ladyes," at Auchry. The
property of Auchry was divided and sold about
1830 by the late Archibald Cuming ; and the
principal part of it was bought by James Lumsden,
Esq. Before Auchry was bought by Provost
Cuming, it belonged to the Urquharts. It was
anciently a part of the earldom of Buchan, and
came to the Hays of Errol after the forfeiture of
the Cumins.

Upon a table- shaped stone : —

Sub hoc cippo requiescunt cineres sobrii justique

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

viri, Patricii Wilson, quondam apud Moliudiuum
de Auchry, qui deum pietate, vitam innoceutia,
amicos officiis, proximos benefactis coluit ; moriens
domum laclirymis, amicos luctu, proximos dolore
cumulavit ; liberisque novem una ex uxore relictis,
plurimum desideratus obiit tertio die Maii 1723,
atatis sure quarto tertii supra decimum lustri, ac
monumentum hoc posuit uxor ejus, Isabella Mackie.
Hodie mihi, eras tibi.

[Under this stone rest the ashes of a sober and
upright man, Patrick Wilson, sometime in Mill-
town of Auchry, who shewed piety towards God,
innocence in his life, prudence in his family, courtesy
to his friends, and kindness to his neighbours, and
whose death overwhelmed his family with affliction,
his friends with grief, and his neighbours with sor-
row. He died deeply regretted, leaving behind him
nine children by one wife, on the 3d day of May
1723, in the 64:tli year of his age ; and his wife,
Isabella Mackie, erected this monument. It is my
turn to-day, it will be thine to-morrow. ]
— lu 1C96, the above Patrick Wilson was " a
merchant in Montwhiter," and gave up " his free
stock to be 500 merks," at which period he had a
daughter named Elspet, also a male and female
servant.

A grave-stone, got in the foundations of the last
church, bears this inscription round the margin : —

Heir lyes George Panton, son to James Panton
in Midlethird, vho departed this lyfe December
the 11, 1675.

— Patrick Panton and his wife Margaret Fordyce,
■with their two daughters, occupied Middlethird
in 1G9G ; and of the same date, James Panton, in
Hairmoss, was clerk and collector to the Poll-tax
Commissioners.

Reader, llet a ston the tell That heir lyes the
corps of Thomas Tennant, svmtym in Tepercouan
. . . who departed this life in Ivne 22, anno 1G92.
Here lyes the body of Isobel, lawfull daughter to
James Tennant in Middlegullie. She died the . . .
— Tepercouan, which is probably a corruption of
Tober- Cowan, may indicate the site of a well and
old place of worship, dedicated to S. Cowan, or
Congan. Tepercouan is situated within a mile
of the village of New Byth, and Middlegullie was
a place near the Garmond.

The following is dateless, but about 1780 : —

To keep in memory the burying place of the
family of James Faith, part of whom lies under,
and on each side of this stone : —

Reader, where I am yow will soon be. Are you
young, healthy, and prosperous ? So was I ; but
Death seized me, and I am gone to my place. If I
have lived in the fear of God, and goodwill to man,
think of my happyness ; but if I have done evil —
Beware.
Upon a table-shaped tombstone :—

Erected by Francis Garden-Campbell, Esq. of
Troup and Glenlyon, to the memory of Alexander
Garden, natural son of Col. Garden of Johnston ;
and Robert Gordon, son of James Gordon in New-
bytli. Alexander Garden was drowned in the Ca-
nals of Auchry, 2 July 1806, by adventuring out of
his depth : Robert Gordon gallantly strove to save
his life, and shared the same fate. Reader, take
warning from the awful fate of these two youths !
Shun unavailing danger ; Be ever prepared for
Death.

Near to the above . —

As a Wife, Ann Towie bewails the death of her
loving and beloved husband, John Garvock, cut off
in the prime of life from his infant family ; as a
Mother, she bewails the death of all her pleasant
children, cut off in the bloom of youth, when be-
coming the comfort of her declining years. But
amidst the ruin of her temporal prospects, she has
been enabled to resign herself to the will of heaven,
and to rejoice in hope of tdat happy rest where
friends united in God shall part no more. John
Garvock died in 1771, Jean in 1789 ; Ann and
John Garvock, junior, were buried in the same
grave, April 25, 1790.

Wm. Mann, dyer, Walkmill, Auchry, d. 1802,
a. 92 ; Mary Chasser, his sp. d. 1803, a. 82 : —

Death is the Land of forgetfulness : persons and
properties are soon forgot ; but the righteous shall
be had in everlasting remembrance.

Wm. Beaton's 7 chil. (MiddlehiU), aUd. 1849 :—
This little band in beauty bloom'd.

One earthly home to cheer ;
Death snatch'd the gems to deck his crown,
And hid the casket here.
Alex. Johnston and Barbara Ogston lived in
conjugal union 63 years, and both died in 1767 ;

MONQUHITTBR.

177

same year died, aged 58, their son William John-
ston, who was distinguished by industry, integrity,
and benevolence. His wife, Mary Brown, rests
in the churchyard of Longside. Their son Alex.
Johnston, A. M. , who was minister of this parish
for 54 years, died 1 Feb. 1829, aged 8-1.
—Mr J. wrote valuable notices of the parish for
Sir John Sinclair's Stat. Acct. of Scotland, vols.
vi. p. 121 ; xxi. p. 138. Near the above : —

Eev. Hugh Gordon was minister of this parish
from 1829 to 1843, and minister of the Free Church
of JNIonquhitter from 1843 until his death in June
1866.

— Mr Gordon was a son of the minister of An-
wotb, and a fellow-student at Edinburgh with
the celebrated Edward Irving. He was tutor to
the present Earl of Fife and his brother, by which
means (the living being in the gift of the Fife
family), he acquired the parish church of Mon-
quhitter, which he left at the Disruption. Upon
a marble slab : —

Rev. James Smith, A.M., died 20 Feb. 1853, in
the 53d year of his age and 10th of his ministry.
Erected by his congregation and friends in the
parish.

—Mr Smith, whose father was gardener at Cair-
ness, in Lonmay, began life as a teacher at Tyrie ;
and, prior to becoming minister of Mouquhitter,
he was rector of Banff Academy.

The Village of Cianinestoivn, founded in 1763,
had its name from Joseph Cuming of Auchry.
It has a considerable population ; and apart from
the Established Church, it contains an Episcopal
Church (S. Lukk's), also a Free Church.

There is little to interest lovers of antiquity in
Monquhitter, apart from the points mentioned
in the Statistical Accounts. But some notice of
the Cons, or Cones of Auchry (anciently Fin-
tray), may be acceptable to the reader. They
were a Roman Catholic family ; and the first of
them, according to tradition, was an operative
mason, who built the Castles of Dalgety and
Craigstone. It is further averred that he got the
lands of Little Auchry from Hay of Ualgety,
upon which he erected a fort, called Red Castle

(doubtless so named from the colour of the stone)
to defend himself from the incursions of hia neigh-
bour, Mowat of Balquholly. But it is added that
one day, while looking at Mowat fishing in the
burn of Idoch, the latter, unperceived, raised his
gun and shot Con while standing in the door of
his own castle !

It is certain that Cons were designed of Auchry
before 1539. In the year 1564 the Gordons of
Sheves and Gycht, along with others, were charged
with " the hurting and wounding" of " Maister
William Con of Auchry in diuerse pairtis of his
body, to the greit effusioune of his blude," also
with " striking and dinging with brydill" three of
"his cotteries," &c. William Con, who possibly
died about 1580, was succeeded in that year by a
son, Patrick, in the third part of the town and
lands of Rothibirsbane, in Fyvie. In an action
which was raised by Forbes of Ludquharn, in
1596, against certain persons for forcibly entering
his house and taking away his " haill iusycht
plenessing and writtis," and fearing, in conse-
quence of the superior status and influence of his
opponents, that he might get but scrimp justice,
Forbes informed the King that the laird of Bal-
quhain, lieutenant-depute of the north, "is sister
and brethir bairn" to Patrick Con of Auchry,
" ane of the cheif committeris of the crymis.''
Three years afterwards the same laird of Auchry
was chancellor of a jury at Edinburgh which con-
victed a poor Aberdeen woman for being connected
with a petty theft, for which she was sentenced
" to be tane to the North Loch of Edinburghe,
and thair drownit quhill scho be deid" !

This laird of Auchry, who served under Lord
Errol at the battle of Glenlivet, appears to have
been the father of the learned George Con, or
CoNAEUs, the Pope's agent at the Court of the
Queen of Charles I. It is said that but for his
unexpected death Con would have been made a
Cardinal. He died 10 Jan. 1640, and was buried
in the church of San Lorenzo in Damaso, at Rome,
where an inscription upon his tomb sets forth his
services to the Church, and his lineage. His
mother's name is there given as Isabella Cheyne ;
but upontheunder-meutionedfragment at Auchry,

178

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS,

the initial is M. Alexander Cox, another mem-
ber of this family, was a celebrated Jesuit. He
wrote (1668) against the Rev. Mr Meuzies of
Aberdeen the famous pamphlet of "Scolding no
Scholarship," &c.

The Cons appeir to have been among those
who suffered after the fall of King Charles I.,
about which time they disappear from the dis-
trict. One of them went to Paris, where (from
a letter which he sent to the Earl of Errol in
1690, begging " the litle anuel rent" to be re-
mitted to him which was yearly due from his
lordship's estate) he appears to have been in desti-
tute circumstances. It is said that descendants
of Con now hold high positions in Spain.

No record of the Cons is to be seen in the
church-yard. Some time-worn carvings at " the
Castle" are the only existing traces of them. One
of these may have been a portion of the altar of
their family chapel. Upon it is a rude, but
spirited representation of the sacred monogram,
I.H.S., with some ornamental work — ajjparently
a dove on the left, and a cock on the right, to-
gether with the national emblem of the (?) thistle.
A second stone presents the initials "P. C. 16-1."
A third, buUt into the gable of the farm-house,
initialed P. C: M. C. (Patrick Con, and M.
Cheyue), is adorned with armorial bearings (party
pale, an engrailed fess between two crescents in
chief and a buckle in base, for Con ; quarterly,
first and fourth, three crosses patee fitched, second
and third, three leaves (?), for Cheyne and Mar-
shall of Esslemont), and this legend —

CONSTANT AND KYND.

(S. AP0LLIXAEI8, BISHOP.)

l^HE church of Iniieruryii, a vicarage in the
«t diocese of Aberdeen, was given by David,
Earl of Huntingdon, Lord of the Garioch, along
with other churches in the same district, to his
monastery of Lindores.

The old kirk stood in the burial-ground, south-
east of the town, near to where the Urie joins
the Don. The walls of the church were demo-
lished about the beginning of the present centuryi
and the kirk-yard dykes built with the stones.

It was in 1775 that the old kirk by the river-
side became disused as a place of worship. The
one which was then built at a more suitable spot,
was taken down, and the present edifice erected
on same site, about 1841-2. The bell, re-cast in
1845, bears merely the word, Invekukie.

There are a number of tombstones in the burial-
ground. One, " from inside wall of old church,"
exhibits the Innes and Elphinstone arms upon a
shield, with seated angels for supporters. It lias
also a monogram, and this inscription : —

Heir lyis Valter Innes in Artones, vha depairtit
the 27 day of Ivuii 1016 zeiris ; and Meriokie
Elphinstovne, his spovs, vha depairtit the 15 day
of November 1622 zeiris.

Upon a table-shaped stone : —

Hie mortalitatis posuit exuvias vir pius et probus,
benignus, modestus, Kevdus. Dom. Guls. Watt,
qui in ecclesia de Inverurie rerum sacrarum sategit
ab auuo 1716, ad annum 1755. Theologus insigiiis,
pastor tidelis et prima^vorum a;mulus, maritus amau-
tissimus, patei-que decern liberorum indulgentissi-
mus, quorum octo hie quoque sepeliuntur, quod
dictis recte docuit, factis exhibuit et exemplo suo
confirmavit; aunis tandem maturus animam placide
Deo reddidit. Beati sunt mortui qui in Domino
moriuntur.

[Here lie the mortal remains of a pious, virtuous,
kind, and humble man, the Rev. Mr William Watt,
who was minister of the church of Inverurie from
1716 to 1755. An eminent theologian, a faithful
pastor, a Christian of the primitive type, a most
affectionate husband, and a most ioidulgent father
of ten children, eight of whom are also buried here,
the sound doctrine which he taught in words he
exhibited in deeds, and confirmed by example ; at
length, at a ripe age, he calmly resigned his soul
to God. Blessed are the dead, &c.]

Upon a headstone of Peterhead granite, within
an enclosure : —

Sacred to the memory of the Revd. Robert
Forbes, during 45 years one of the masters of the

INVERURIE.

179

Grammar School of Aberdeen, who died 13 March
1842, aged 80. Mary Langlands, his wife, died
15 March, same year, aged 70. [The deaths of
two youug sons and a daughter recorded.] The
only surviving member of the family rears this
monument in affectionate remembrance of departed
worth.

— The erector of the above, the Rev. Robert
Forbes of Woodside Church, died 21 Oct. 1859,
in the 48th year of his age, and 23d of his mi-
nistry. Jane Harvey, his wife, died 25 Dec.

1855. Their names and those of some of their
family are inscribed upon a fiat stone.

Here lies of Anna Shiels, lawful

daughter to the deceast William Shiels, chirurgeon,
who died May the 29, 1733,

In memory of Joseph McGregor, teacher of
Port Elphinstone School ; born 1817, died 1861.
By pupils and friends in testimony of respect.

William Lundie, watchmaker, and first p<ist-
master of Inverury, died Dec. 29, ISIG, aged 73.
Elizabeth Robertson, his wife, died 12 April

1856, aged 78.

In memory of John Stephen, sometime portioner
and baillie of Inverury, and officer of customs at
Peterhead, where he died 1785. Ann Leith, his
spouse, died 1797.

A granite monument, highly honourable to the
erectors of it, thus commemorates the sudden death,
and marks the burial place of a stranger : —

To the memory of William Buchan, commer-
cial traveller, Leith, who was suddenly taken ill
whilst attending divine service in St Mary's Chapel,
Inverurie, on Sunday 2 Oct. 18G4, and died the
same evening of apoplexy, aged 33 years. This
stone is erected by a number of his friends and
fellow travellers, in remembrance of his personal
worth, and the respect in which he was held by
them.

Within a railed enclosure : —

Sacred to the memory of James Anderson, de-
pute-clerk of Justiciary, who died at Edinburgh, 2
Jan. 1833, aged 66. By his own unaided merit he
raised himself to a situation of great trust and re-
sponsibility, which, for the long period of 45 years
he filled with the greatest credit, and concluded a
life spent in the public service, regretted by all who

knew him. Also Margaret Anderson, his sister,
who died at Edinburgh, 2 June 1850, aged 80.
— Mr A .'s father was a merchant in, and chamber-
lain of, the burgh of Inverurie. He died in 1801,
aged 8- ; and his wife, Elspet Shand, died in
180-, aged 71.

Helen Bruce, d. , a. 28 years : —

O, painted piece of living clay ;
Man be not proud of thy short day ;
For like a lily fresh and green.
She was cut down, and no more seen.

Erected in memory of the Rev. William Forbes,
for many years schoolmaster of Fintray, who was
born in London in 1793, and died at Aberdeen, 28
Feb. 1838, aged 45.

Rev. William Davidson, admitted minister of
Inverury, 6 Sep. 1769, died 17 January 1799, aged
69. His wife Jean Bruce, eldest daughter of
Baillie Robert Bruce of Kintore, died 5 May 1821,
aged 72.

Rev. Robert Lessel, minister of this parish,
died 29 July 1853, aged 96, and in the 53d year of
his ministry. Mary Morrison, his widow, daugh-
ter of WiUiam Morrison, farmer, Little C'olp,

Turriff

— The death of two daughters are recorded, also
that of William Morrison, who died in 1842,
aged 81 ; and Janet, widow of Francis Wilson,
sister of Mr Lessel, who died in 1833, aged 90,
Before being minister of Inverurie, Mr Lessel wuh
schoolmaster at Chapel of Garioch.

In the foundations of the kirk, four interesting
fragments of sculptured stones were found, which
are carefully preserved within the burial-place.
According to old Annalists, the bones of a Pictish
king, called Aodh, or Eth, of the Swift Foot, were
buried " in civitate Inrurin," A.D. 881, where he
died from wounds received two months previously
at the battle of Strathallan. But whether any of
these monuments had marked his grave, or those
of other chieftains of the period, is uncertain, al-
though by no means improbable. Contrary to
the above statement, however, the Pictish
Chronicle says that Aodh was slain at Nurim in
Strathallan, instead of " wounded" by Grig or

180

EPITAPHS, AND INSCBIPTlOiVS :

Grigory, who was one of the most celebrated of
the Pictish rulers. Grig is supposed to have
dwelt for some time among the Picts in the
Mearns, and to have founded the church of St
Cyrus, which stood by the sea-shore, (v. p. 35.)

The carved stones, stone circles, and other
objects of antiquity which have now and again
been found in the locality, (described in the
Sculptured Stone volumes, in the Pi-oceedings of
the Society of Antiquaries, and in the Statistical
Accounts, &c.), show Inverurie to be a place of
high antiquity.

The well-known mound, called The Bass, near
the junction of the Urie and the Don, and the
Coning Hillock near the manse, are apparently
alluvial deposits, of which there are other, though
less remarkable examples, in the district.

It is just possible, although record and tradition
are alike silent upon the point, that The Bass had
been at first chosen as a place of abode by some
devotee, or disciple of S. Apollinaris ; and there
subsequently, in all probability, stood the fort,
surrounded by the original town of Inverurie, in
which King Eth is recorded to have died. The
Bass is believed to have been also the site of the
royal castle of Inverurie, of which Norman, son of
Malcolm, was constable in 1180. This mound
has been always looked upon as a place of great
strength ; and, according to local rhyme, it will
only cease to exist when something like a second
Deluge takes place : —

" When Dee and Don shall run in one,

And Tweed shall run in Tay ;
The water o' Inverurie
Will bear the Bass away."

The town of Inverurie has been long a royal
burgh ; and a portion of the market cross, built
into the garden wall of the hotel, is dated 1671.
S. Pollinar's Fair, held in July, and that of
Latter Lady Day in Sept., were named, the first
from the tutelar Saint (whose chapel is said to
have stood near Manar, of old Badifurrow), and
the second possibly from an altarage to Our Lady
which may have been within the old church.

A writer of 1724 says, that " the town of Inver-
urie has ane long street, lying from nortii-west to

south-east along the water of Urie

[and] no publick buildings save a church and toll-
booth." Matters are very different now-a-days.
A handsome town-hall, &c., were erected some
years ago ; and since the opening of the Great
North of Scotland Railway several new streets
have been made out, and a number of neat dwelling
houses, shops, and bank-offices erected. Besides
the Established, there are Free, Episcojjal, and
Methodist Churches in the town : the last named
is a chaste granite structure, with belfry, &c.

It was to Aquhorties, in this parish, that, in
1799, the Roman Catholic seminary was trans-
ferred from Scalan in Glenlivet ; but in thirty
years afterwards it was finally removed to Blairs.
(v. p. 115.) The Roman Catholic place of wor-
ship at Inverurie (the Church of the Immaculate
Conception), opened 1852, is a neat building.

The Don is crossed by a strong stone bridge of
three arches, built in 1791, at a cost of about
£2000. Bridges cross the Urie in several parts
of the parish, all of which are of later erection
than that over the Don.

k^r^VWX^^^

k^%^A^^W%.VN.XWX^^'V>'

(^ \ ix nu 5" .

(S. FERGUS, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.)

I^HE church of Glampnes was granted by
Jt> William the Lion to the Abbey of Ar-
broath. It was a vicarage of St Andrews, and
dedicated by Bishop David in 1242. It is said
that S. Fergus, who lived in the 6th century,
died at Glamis, and was buried there.

The burial aisle of the Earls of Stratliniore,
which formed, in old times, the south transept of
the church, is in the Second Pointed style of
architecture, with stone roof, groins, and an
awmbry. The bosses bear the Lyon and Ogilvy
arms, &c. The floor is covered with stone flags,
two of which are old tombstones. One of these,
upon which a chalice and cross may be traced,
possibly relates to a priest : it bears the words : —
l)tr . tarrt . tins . bilflms . cl . . . ,

G LAM IS.

181

Upon another slab, is the name, &c., of the lady
of the third Lord of Glamis, who was a daughter
of the house of Dudhope : —

eltjab . scvimgcDur aprilis . an

mP . ccfc . nonages . . .

— Round the margin of a plain, altar-shaped
tomb : —

patrfriis . Igon . qljotia . tiirs . He glami3_. tnilrs .
qfai . obtjt . iij . li . mrsis . marrij . a~x . tiui . m" .

crcc . lii^ Ijic . cij . isoMU . ogilbg. sposa .

ft . q . obijt . xti . "a . lantoarij . ano . tint . m° . ccf c .
Ixiiiiij . orate . pio . aniab' . cccl . . .

[Here rest Sir Patrick Lyon, lord of Glamis,
who died 21 March 1459 ; and Isobella Ogilvy,
his wife, who died 12 January 1484. Pray for
their souls now in heaven. ]

— The last named were the first Lord Glamis
and his wife, a daughter of Ogilvy of Auchter-
house. Sir P. was created a peer before 1450,
and his two eldest sons became resjDectively the
2d and 3d Lords Glamis. The latter (who mar-
ried Elizabeth Scrimgeour) succeeded his brother
about 1487, and founded a chapel at Glamis. He
also obtained a charter (1491) making the town
of Glamis a burgh of barony. He died in 1497.
His eldest son succeeded to Glamis, and three other
sons fell at Flodden. The first Lyon of Glamis
was Sir John (son of Lyon of Forgandenny and
Forteviot), who married Princess Jane (2d daugh-
ter of Robert II. by Elizabeth Muir), by whom
he acquired Glamis and other estates. Since then
the family have been represented in the direct
male line, and the present Earl is the 13th Lord
Glamis. The Lyons, who are of French descent,
came to England with William the Conqueror,
and to Scotland, about the year 1100.

An enclosure, on the east side of the Strathmore
vault, was erected by the late Mr Laing-Meason,
of Lindertis, where one of his children is buried ;
but there is no monument. A triangular-shaped
stone, built into the west dyke of church. yard,
dated 1672, presents nicely carved armorial bear-
ings, &c., and the names of Alexr. Nisbet :
Hellen Wood.

The date of 1792 is upon the present church,
which refers to the time of its being built.

Another date (1603), upon the east gable, is said
to be part of an old tombstone. The bell bears : —

THE REV. JAMES LYON, MINISTER.
CHURCH OF GLAMIS, 1804.

A marble tablet within the church records the
death of 4 sons and 6 daughters of Dr Lyou,
together with the following notices of himself and
his wife : —

To the memory of the Eev. James Lyon, D.D.,
who died 3 April 1838, in the 80th year of his age,
and 58th of his miuistrj^ in the parish of Glammis.
Also of Agnes L'Amy, his spouse, who departed
this life 14 Sep. 1840, aged 78 years.
— Dr Lyon was come of a race of clergymen, his
great-grandfather having been minister at Tan-
nadice, his grandfather at Airlie, and his ov/n
father at Longforgan. They were remotely con-
nected with the Strathmore family ; and one of
the miuisters, whose standard book for texts was
tlie Psalms, wivs laird of the estate of Ogle. It
is told that, while remonstrating on one occasion
with a son for want of economy in his habits, the
youth silenced the old man by quaintly retorting
— " There's nae fear o's, father, as lang as the
hills o' Ogle an' the Psalms o' Dauvid last !" Dr
Lyon's wife was a sister of the late James L'Amy
of Duukenny, long sheriff-depute of Forfarshire \
and both she and Dr Lyon were buried in the
churchyard. Near same place, upon a plain head-
stone, is this inscription : —

Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Principal Play-
fair's daughter ^Margaret, who departed this life
Aug. 1810, aged 35 years.

— Principal Playfair, a native of Bendochy, was
minister, first of Newtyle, next of Meigle. He
married a sister of Dr Lyon, in whose house Miss
P. died. The Principal was the author of several
chronological and geographical works. He had a
large family : one of them was Lieut. -Colonel Sir
Hew-Lyon Playfair, long j^rovost of St Andrews,
to the improvement of which venerable city he
contributed so much ; another was George, In-
spector-General of Hospitals, Bengal, father of
Lyon Playfair, C.B., &c., M.P. for the Univer-
sities of Edinburgh and St Andrews.

Upon a flat tombstone : —

182

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

Heir lyis Patrik Philp, qvha depairtit this lyf
iu May . . clay, the z. of God 1637, aud of his aige
62. Chryst boith in lyf and death is my greatest
advantag. Patrik Philp, hvsband to Isobel
Vright.

Possibly the true age, in the following inscrip-
tion, is 81 ; and the 4 figure at the end of 81 may
be meant as a substitute for the reversed figure
in the date : —

Heir lyis Alexander Cathrov, vha depairtit
this lyf ill Ivli 24, in anno 16^3, and of his aig 814.

The following, beautifully carved in raised and
ornamental letters, is upon a flat stone : —

Hier lyis Thomas Tailyour, and his \'if Aoxis
Philp, soratym in Haystovn, with ther children.
He died the 18 of Feb. 1649, his age 60. She died
the 26 of Febr, 1663, and of age 57.

Heir lyis Agnes Volvm, spovs to Williame Lyon,
in Clippithils, vha depairted 1 of May 1650, her
age vas 62 yeirs.
— " Clippithils" is now called Mossend of Glamis.

Heir lyis Helen and Cathrin Lvke, who de-
pairted the yeir of God, 1650.

Her lyes Wiliam Adam, in the Meltown of the
Glean, who departed from this lif wpon the 28 day
of Apryl 1684, and his age 57.
— "The Glean" above referred to, is the Glen of
Ogilvy. According to Monipennie's Summarie of
the Scots Chronicle, there was a castle there called
Glen. During the Civil Wars the property of
Glen appears to have belonged to a Lady Car-
negie, to whom General Monck, while employed
at the seige of the town of Dundee, granted a pro-
tection in favour of herself, and her tenants, &c.
I am not aware to what branch of the Carnegies
this lady belonged. Neither her name nor her
connection with the Glen, is mentioned in Lord
Southesk's History of the Carnegies. 'I'he " pro-
textion" ("preserved in the Museum of Montrose,
and here printed for the first time), is as fol-
lows : —

" ^Miereas the Lady Carniggee of the Glenn, in
the parish of Glames, desires my protextion for her
person, Childeren, seruants, horses, Catle, sheepe,
their wifes Childeren, & seruants, with their horses

& household goods, together with her tennants
Catle sheepe & household goods. These are there-
fore to require all officers & souldiers vuder my
comand, not to trouble the s^ Lady, her Childeren,
seruants, horses, Catle, sheepe, & household goods,
together with her tennants their wiues, Childeren,
seruants, horses, Catle, sheepe, and household
goods, but permitt them to follou their Lawfull
occasions without moUestation, Prouided, that the
benetitt of this protextion, extend not to any which
are in Armes, & that the sayd Ladie Carrniggie,
her childeren, seruants, & tenant act nothing pre-
judicial!, to the Common Wealth of England.
Given vnder my hand at the Seag*^ of Dundee,
the 20th of Aug: 1651.

" George Monck.
"To all officers & Souldiers

whome thse may concerne."
Near last-quoted inscription : —

Erected by Patrick MoUison, late miliar in Glen
of Ogilvie, in memory of Mergaret Fleming, his
spouse, who died anno 1758, aged 50 : —
This stone is set to celebrate

This worthy woman's praise ;
Whose equal you will harcUy find

For candour now-a-days.
She sober, grave, and virtuous was,

Belov'd by all around ;
She lived in the fear of God,
Now is with glory crowu'd.
The following acrostic, dated 1680, is upon a
stone to the memory of James Bruce, who had
been a retainer of the noble family of Glamis : —
I am nou interd beneath this ston.
Ah Death's propitious to non ;
My name was James, my surname Brvce,
Exasperat against each abuse ;
Sure sanctity my life decord.
Bent to obey my Noble Lord.
Rest, O my soul, in sacred peace,
W . . . as from sin I find releace.

C read and prais,

Each providential act thou seas.

Heir lyes Ianet Langlands, spous to John Blair
in ... . who .... the ... of Ivlie '91, and
her age 77. Heir lyes Iohn Blair, weaver in Blak-
hill, who departed the 9 of October '93, and his
age 75. — 1 was alyve, bvt now am dead, &c.

GLAMIS.

183

Heir lyis Alexander Thornton and Helen
Balbirny, his spovs. They depairted 1652, he in
lanvar 22, his age vas 60 ; she in Decemb. and vas
70 yeirs.

Heir lyes Iohn Blear in the Thorntoun, and his
spous Agnes Mvrr . . He departed this lyfe
wpon the 22 day of Nouember 1687, and of his age
63 ; and she departed this lyfe vpon the 12 day of
Nouember 1689, and her age 52,

Heir lyes Margarit Wilkie, spouse to Andreu
Fairueather at the Barnss of Glamiss, who died
vpon the 2 of May 1688, and her age 23 years . . .

Return to thy rest, my Soul, &c.
— The Barns of Glamis stood within the Castle
Park. The next epitaph is upon a flat stone : —
Dear pilgrims, read this elegy,
And spritualiz mortality ;
Vice I decliu'd, my lyfe was just,
In tillage I betrayed not trust.
David by name, surnamed Kid ;
Kind to the poor, now dignified
In blissed state, triumphant hy.
Death's sting pluckt out, sin's sourse is dry.
Eternal praise to Christ my king.
Lord of all lords, who makes me sing,
Delytfull songs with angels bright.
Enjoying day that's voyd of night ;
Read gravely, pilgrim, mind thy doome —
God raps me up from ill to come.
D. K. [David Kid] E. G. [Elder, Glamis].

Wm. Cruickshank, tailor, d. 1731, a. 61 : —
Rare William, who will not thy name

And memory stiU love ;
Since you the Trade did all around.

So wond'rously improve.
Our Tradesmen justly did to thee

Pre-eminence allow,
Being taught the rudiments of Art,

Or else refin'd by you.
That skill of yours did on them all

An ornament reflect ;
And as you liv'd so did you die,
In honour and respect.
John Budworth, d. 1718, a. 39 : —

Here lyes John Budworth, English born,
Whose life these virtues did adorn —
He was both curteous, kynd and just,
A friend whom on might firmly trust ;

With other gifts both rare and fyne,
Tho' lodged but in a crazy shrine,
Death smot the pott, thus sadly rent
And here to ly, the shells has sent.
Upon a head stone, embellished with " the
hammer and the 7-oyal crown" &c. : —
0, dear John Dalgety ! who can

Thy praises all express ?
A most expert artificer
In iron and in brass.
Discreet was't thou to ev'ry one.

Obliging, just, and kind ;
And still [thy] tongue ingenuous spoke

The language of thy mind.
Such was thy life, that now we hop

Thy soul above doth shine ;
For thy skill, we dedicate,
This Crown as justly thine.
January 28, 1728 : Erected by Agnes Hood in
memory of her husband, John Dalgety, hammer-
man, Glamis, who died 1727, aged 41.

A table-shaped stone (of 17th century), is simi-
larly embellished as the above ; but as the datts,
&c., have never been cut upon it, the stone had
possibly been erected in the lifetime of the
parties named : —

Hier lyes William Lov, sometymes hamer man
and indveller in Glamis, vho depairted this life
the — of — his age — years ; also heir lays
Cristian Bvrn, his spovs, a good and vertvos,
frvitfvl vif, vho died the — of — of age — years.

Andrew Steven's wife (1741) :—

Lo, here lies one who never did

An injury to man ;
Of whom we cannot say enough,

Let us say what we can : —
Her actions all were genuine.

Her words without disguise ;
Kind was her heart, her generous hands

Could not the poor despise.
She liv'd at home, and walk'd abroad,

Still like a harmless dove,

TiU death

Jas. Rhynd, a. 1 y. 5 mo., d. 1734 : —

Here lies a sweet and loving child,

Ah, cover'd o'er with mud ;
Resembling well the lillie fair,

Crept in the very bud.

184

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

But blessed is that happy babe,

That doth thus early die ;
Not pleas'd to dwell with sinners here,

But with the saints on high.
This charming child but just did peep

Into this world, and then,
Not liking it, he fell asleep,
And hasten'd out again.
Agnes Lo\v, wf. of Jas. Badenach, d. 1755, a. 58: —
Good, sober, pious, frugal, chaste.
She wade through trouble, till at last.
The ghastly tyrant struck the blow.
And laid her bones this stoue below.
Helen Gwthrie, spouse to And. Fyfe, brewer,
Glamis, d. April 3, 17 — , a. 55 : —
Below this monument, a jewel

Of womankind doth ly ;
Who night and day was exercis'd

In acts of piety.
No neighbour, mother, nor a spouse.

More worthy was : Her aim
Was to speak truth, and that her word

Should always be the same.
She long'd to leave this sinful earth.

And this poor frail abode ;
Her home was heaven, where now she sings
The praises of her God.
Upon a lying stone : —

Erected to perpetuate the memory of James
Chalmers, musician to the noble family of Strath-
more, who dyed March 3, 1770 : —

When minstrels from each place around,

To meetings did repair ;
This man w^as stUl distinguished

By a refined air.
His powerful and his charming notes

So sweetly did constrain.
That to resist, and not to dance

Was labour all in vain.
He played with such dexterity,

By all it is confest.
That in this grave interred is
Of Violists the best.
Here lyes aue vertuous woman called Ianet
Smith, spouse to lohne Watt in Dunkennie, who
depairted this life upon the 18 day of May 1777,
and of hir age 73.

A box -shaped stone bears : —

James Horn, Bridge End, Glamis, d. 1773, a. 57;
and his wife Katherine Shepherd, d. 1793, a. 86;
both "were distinguished in their time for being
very liberal to the poor."

Upon a slab of "white marble, inserted into the
outer and west side of the Glamis family aisle : —

Sacred to the memory of Esther Hamilton, wife
of Patrick Proctor, factor for the Earl of Strath-
more, who died 28 June 1802, aged 54 years.

An adjoining slab of granite, tastefully set in
sandstone, bears : —

Erected by Esther Proctor Alexander, in memoi'y
of her father Patrick Proctor, who died here in
July 1819, aged 75 years, during 50 of which he
was Factor on the Glamis Estate. And of her
brothers, John, farmer. Mains of Glamis ; Egbert,
W.S. Edinburgh ; George, Bengal Medical Staff ;
Thomas, Bombay Army ; William-David, who
died here, 3d December 1860, aged 74 years, during
40 of which he also was Factor on the Glamis
Estate. David, H.E.I.C. Home Service ; Patrick,
Royal Navy ; and of her sister, Jane, who died at
St Andi-ews, 18th April 1805.
— The erector of the above tombstone was wife of
the late Dr Andrew Alexander, professor of Greek
at St Andrews. It will be seen that her father
(who came from Morayshire, and was a son of the
sheriff-substitute of that county), and her brother
held the factorship of the Glamis estates for the
long period of 90 years. Another tablet bears
the names of Christopher Proctor, and his
wife Annabella Newall, who died respectively
in 1850, and 1847.

Upon an adjoining granite headstone : —

Sacred to the memory of W^illiam Henderson,
Esq., late of Rochelhill, who died 2 Sept. 18G0,
aged 44. This stone has been erected as a tribute
of respect by his relict Helen Chrystal Henderson.
— The property of Rochelhill (which was long a
separate estate), was bought by the late Earl of
Strathmore, and now forms part of the fine pro-
perty of Glamis.

The oldest existing remains of " our ancient
forefathers" at Glamis are, probably, the sculp-
tured stoue monument of St Orlaud, at Cossius,

OLAMIS.

185

the so-called King Malcolm's gravestone at the
Manse door, and the still more remarkable ex-
ample of the same interesting class of antiquities
which stands in the wood on the Hunters' Hill,
near the Plans of Thornton. These have all been
engraved and their peculiarities described in the
work referred to at p. 43.

The Nine Maiden Well was near the old dove-
cot within the castle park of Glamis, where, pro-
bably, stood a chapel which was inscribed to these
holy sisters, who are said to have had their resi-
dence in the Gleu of Ogilvy. According to Boece,
the Glen of Ogilvy was also the place where King
William the Lion's life was saved by his brother-
in-law Gilchrist, after he had been stript of his
dignity as Eatl of Angus, in consequence of
having murdered his wife for conjugal infidehty !
It is further said that the Glen of Ogilvy belonged
to the Celtic Earls of Angus, also that the sur-
name of Ogilvy (? Ogail-buicie, yellow (haired)
youth), was assumed from that district.

The history of the Castle of Glamis, which is
one of the best examples of the Scotch baronial
style of architecture in the kingdom, is so well
known that it need not be dwelt upon (y. Glamis:
its History and Antiquities). It may, however,
be briefly stated that Glamis Castle was a seat of
Alex. III. ; that in 1304, Edward I. gave " les
Chasteux de Glames et de Morthelagh" (Murt-
hil) to Cumin, Earl of Buchau ; that the thane-
doin of Glamis was at one time given to Sir John
of Logic, and that subsequently it was granted by
Robt. II. to Sir John Lyon and his lady. Princess
Jane. James V. resided at Glamis for sometime
during the forfeiture of the estates ; but the castle
of bis time was mostly erased by 9th Lord Glamis,
who built the older part of the present house, which
may be said to have been completed by his grand-
son. Earl John, about 1G21. Since then, how-
ever, many alterations have been made upon it,
the latest by the last and present Earls of Strath-
more, the latter of whom has made out flower and
kitchen gardens of great extent and beauty.

The family chapel within the castle was fitted
up about 1688, and was one of the last conse-
crated for divine service before the disestablish-

ment of Episcopacy. It is a peculiarly quaint
and interesting place, adorned with curious paint-
ings by De Witt. Long disused, it was restored
and re-opened for occasional service by the present
Earl of Strathmore ; and on 21st Sept. 1869, the
first confirmation was held in it by the Right Rev.
the Bishop of Brechin which has taken place for
at least 150 years.

It was the founder of this chapel who improved
Glamis Castle so much ; also Castle Huntly,
in the Carse of Gowrie, to which he gave the name
of Castle Lyon. He took an active part in the
Civil Wars ; and, in 1677, was created Earl of
Strathmore. A few years after the latter event
he went to France for some mouths, during
which he had a particular account of his expen-
diture kept, a few items of which (here printed
from the originals in the archives at Glamis) may
be read with interest, as showing the cost of cer-
tain articles in Paris nearly 200 years ago, as well
as the economy exercised by the nobility of those
days, with whom, it would appear, the " translat-
ing" of their " cloaths" from one fashion to an-
other, was not considered so much infra cliff, as it
might be by some now-a-days : —

Aug. 2, 1683 : Given to my Lord goeing to see
the fireworks, on Lue-dore and a croun, whei'eof
there was a great jiart given for a window to see

them, 14

ffor a flamboe to light him home to the

Academic, halfe a croune, 1 10

ffor a pond of candle, ... ... ... 07

Aug. 15 : ffor a par of shoes to my Lord, 3 10
, , 18 : Payed for four dyets in a Scotts-
man's house, where my Lord useth
to din sovmtims on fish days, ... 4
, , 19 : ffor two f raish eggs to my Lord's

breakfast, 4

Nov. 27 : Translating my Lord's cloaths as
near to the fashione as he could, and
a suit of Liverie to the Freushman,
204 livers, 7

Cossins, from which place a family took theii;
surname, and was designed •' of that ilk," is
about a mile north-east from the Castle of Glamis.
It belonged in property to a branch of the Lyons,

A A

186

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

the first of whom was 2d son of the fifth Lord
Glamis. A stone panel, over the front door of
the present farm-house at Cossius is dated 1627.
It also bears the names of Mr John Lyon and
Mrs Jean Young, with the armorial bearings of
both families, and the following inscription : —

Protegendam prffisidio Dei tradas salvtem, rem,
sobolem, domvm, nee aides vis propius tvas avt
damna tangent ; Devs angelos cvstvdiaj prreficit.

[Commit to the protection of God thy safety, thy
substance, thy family, and thy house, and neither
violence nor mischief shall come near thy dwelling,
for God sets angels to guard it.]

(S. MARNAN, BISHOP.)

THE kirk of Loghel, or LocMld, was given to
the Culdees of Monymusk, by Gilchrist, Earl
of Mar, 1165-70, along with the tithes and half-
davach of land upon which the church stood.
Colin Durward granted additional privileges out
of this district to the same convent about 1210,
which were confirmed ten years later by Philip of
Mon-Fitchet, or Muschet, and his wife Anna,
daughter and heiress of Colin Durward.

The parishes of Leochel and Cushnie were
united in 1796. The ruins of both churches are
within their respective church-yards. Those of
Leochel consist of little more than the west gable,
with the belfry.

The Forbeses of Craigievar have a burial aisle
at Leochel. Although there is no inscription, it
appears that (New Stat. Acct., p. 1116-18), John
Forbes, commissary, and son of the Bishop of
Caithness, was buried here in 1668, " at night,
with torches, in the Laird of Craigievar his yle
and burial-place ;" where also, in 1671, Mr John
Young, minister of Birse and Keig, was buried.
Previously, in 1618, Dr John Forbes, professor
of divinity in King's College, Aberdeen, who died
at Corse in 1618, second son of Bishop Patrick
Forbes, was interred at Leochel.

A plain slab, broken in two, bears this epi-
taph :—

Here lyes Peter Milner, a sober man,

Who neither used to curse nor ban ;

Elizabeth Smith, she was his wife,

He had no other all his life.

He died in July 1784,

Agod 77, or little more.

And she in July 1779,

Years 55, was her lifetime.

With Robert and Jean, their children dear,

Elizabeth Milner, and Jannet Eraser.

Their grand- children.

In Rumlie they lived just neir by

And in this place their dust doth ly.
Upon a head-stone : —

In memory of Joseph Robertson, late merchant
m Aberdeen, who departed this life 18th Feb. 1817,
aged 42 years; and of Christian Leslie, his spouse,
who died 11th March 1859, aged 83 years.
— Mr and Mrs Robertson were married in London,
and had a son and a daughter. The latter is
the wife of Mr M'Combie of the Aberdeen Free
P/-<;v«,andthe former was thelate Joseph Robert-
son, who was curator from 1853, of the Histori-
cal Department of H.]\L Register House, Edin-
burgh. He died 13th December 18G6, aged 56,
leaving a widow and four children. Before this
melancholy event, Sir Wm. Gibson-Craig, Lord
Clerk- Register, having occasion to refer to Mr
Robertson in his official capacity to the Committee
on the AVrits Registration Bill, described him
"as the most learned antiquarian in Scotland,
as a man in the highest reputation at the British
Museum and the Record Office, well known to all
the scholars of England, and highly esteemed by
scholars on the Continent." Professor Cosmo
Innes spoke in equally high terms of Mr Robertson
in April 1864, when the University of Edinburgh
conferred the honorary degree of LL.D. iqjon him.
Dr Robertson, who was born at Aberdeen, and
educated first at Udny, then at Marischal College,
was an early contributor to the local press, and
became editor of several newspapers, among which
were the Aberdeen, and the Glasgow Constitutional,
and finally, the Edinburgh Courant. He and Dr
John Stuart were the founders, as well as " the

LEOCHEL—CUSHNIE.

187

spirits" of the Spalding Club, which, after an
existence of thirty years, and the publication of a
most valuable collection of works upon the His-
tory and Topography of the North-East of Scot-
land, was brought to a close in Dec. 1869.

Dr Robertson edited many of these works, in
particular the Antiquities of the Shires of Aber-
deen and Banff. This work (which is the mine
from which all future writers on these districts
must dig, and to which the compiler of these notes
has been very largely indebted), along with In-
ventories of the Jewels and Personal Property of
Mary Queen of Scots, and the Statuta Ecclesise
Scoticanse, are probably Dr Robertson's chief
productions. But, as the exclusive circumstances
under which these books were printed prevent
their being easily got at, it is through the Pre-
faces of the works of others that Dr Robertson's
name will be best known to the general public,
since but few antiquarian or historical works were
brought out in this country during the last twenty
years of Dr Robertson's life, without tlie treasures
of his mind having been more or less drawn upon
by the authors. His liberality in communicating
information to others was equalled only by the
extent of his own erudition ; while his goodness
of heart, and fund of humour and anecdote, were
best known to his more intimate friends, all of
whom felt, when death closed his busy and useful
life, that they would "never see his like again."
His remains lie in the Dean Cemetery, Edin-
burgh, where a memorial cross, designed by Mr
Drummond, R.S.A., bears this inscription : —

Erected hy Members of the Spalding Club.
Joseph Robertson-, LL.D., F.S.A.,
Curator of National Historical Documents, Register
House, Edinburgh. Died 1866, aged 56.
The next four inscriptions are from monu-
ments also in the old churchyard of Leochel : —

[1.]
In memory of the Rev. James Kellie, sometime
minister of Leochel and Cushnie, who died 12
Deer. 1804. This stone is placed by his brother
Alexr. Kellie. "Remember them who had the
rule over you," &c.
— I\Ir Kelly, who was a native of Morayshire, was

missionary at Portsoy before he went to Leochel-
Cushuie. His successor (to whom the next in-
scription refers), belonged to Logie-Coldstone : —

[2.]
In memory of the Reverend George Andersox,
late minister of the united Parishes of Leochel and
Cushnie, who died the 22d December 1820, in the
54th year of his age and 15th of his ministry. Also
of Margaret Cattanach, his spouse, who died at
Aberdeen, 23d April 1847, in the 79 year of her
age, and of two of their children who died in in-
fancy. This tablet, in grateful affection, is erected
by the surviving membefs of their family.

— Mr Anderson was at one time schoolmaster at
Tarland, and while there in 1799 (Scott's Fasti),
he expressed his sorrow to, and was rebuked by
the Presbytery of Kincardine O'Neil, for drinking
and fighting in a public-house.

[3.]

Underneath this stone doth ly

The bones and dust of Margaret Jaffrie,

Lawfull spouse to Andrew Law,

And daughter to Alexander Jaffrie,

Gardener at Corse,
And to his spouse Elizabeth Smith,
Who died Oct. 2-, 1760, aged 35 years.

[4.]
In memory of Jean Wallace, and of her hus-
band George Bain, " who died 13th June 1838,
aged 65, and was buried by her left hand."

(S. BRIDGET, VIRGIN.)

THE kirk of Cussemj, in the diocese of Aber-
deen, had possibly been bestowed upon the
Cathedral of Old Machar, by the Earls of Mar,
who were the ancient lords of the district.

The church, which was covered with heather
until about 1792, is a roofless and picturesque
ruin, upon the north bank of the burn, and within
the Glen, of Cushnie. The date of 1637 is upon
a skewput stone ; and the bell, which is still in

188

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

the belfry, belongs to the time of Mr Patrick
Copland or Kopland, who became minister of
Cushnie in 1672, and died there in 1710. It is
initialed and dated— P. K. 1686.

There are three niches in the east wall of the
church, and it is said that in these were placed
the armorial bearings of the three principal
heritors of the parish. One of the slabs only
remains. It lies within the church, and exhibits
a rude carving of the Lumsden arms, with the
date of 1637, as upon the skewput of the kirk.

The church is about 14 by 63 feet within walls,
and has two arched doorways on the south. The
first'three inscriptions are from tablets built into
the outer and front wall : —

Here lyes within this wall the precious dust of
the Rev. and excellent Mr William Bidie, minr.
of the Gospel at Cushney, who depar. this life
Feb. 2d, 1730, aged 38 years :—

Wei skilled iu y^ Redemption Scheme,
Immanuel was his darling theme ;
Meek, wise, & harmless, full of zeal.
His life the Truths he preached did seal.
Mors jauua vita;. May M'Kean.
— The initials of Mr and Mrs Bidie are thus in-
scribed upon a stone over the door of the old
manse : —

M. W. B : M. MK. 1727.

The old manse, which is occupied by the farmer
of Kirkton, appears, from a date upon the skew-
put stone, to have been repaired in 1763.

Within behind this ston lyes Thomas Lumsden
of Lyn, who departed this life June the 19, 1726,
and of age 82 years ; & also his spouse Margory
Forbes, who departed this life May 1, 1716, & of
age 63 years ; & Wm. Lumsden their 4 son, who de-
parted this life April 28, 1716, and of his age 28
years ; & 3 of their grand children Alexr. Helien,
and Helien Lumsdens.

A. L.— I. L.— R. L.— T. L.— C. L. 1724.
Mors jauua vitaj.

— " Lyn," mentioned in the above inscription,
■was part of the Cairndye property, in the now
suppressed parish of Kinerny.

Within this wall were buried the ashes of Robert
Lumsden of Corrachrie, who was married to Agnes

Forbes, daughter to George Forbes of SkeUitur,
He dyed April the 20, 1710. This stone was
erected opposite to his grave by his eldist soa
lames. Solum salus per Christum.

—James Lumsden of Corrachree (sou of the
above-named Robert) was minister of Towie {sup.^
p. 229), and was succeeded in Corrachree by his
son. The latter wrote some clever satires, the
best known of which is entitled " The Humours
of the Forest, a comedy," in which an old Deeside
minister is burlesqued under the name of Grumble.
It appears that Grumble courted the daughter of
a poor clergyman while he was schoolmaster of
her father's parish ; but after he got the Hving
of " the See in the Forest," as it is called,
Grumble g£i\e his "poor love "the go-bye, and
married the daughter of another minister, who
was in affluent circumstances. Corrachree, which
is prettily situated in Cromar, near Tarland, was
bought by the late Lieut.-Col. Farquharson, of
the TuUochcoy race {infra, p. 215), who changed
the name to Locjiemar. The remains of a sculp-
tured stone, lately discovered by the Rev. Mr
Michie and Dr Arthur Mitchell, stand iu a field
near the house of Corrachree.

The next inscription is upon the west splay of
the east, and only remaining, window of the old
kirk : —

Befor this ston lyes Alexander Lumsden, laird
of Cushnie, who departed this life May the 1, 1714,
and of age 70 years ; & also his spous Eilizabath
Leith, & David Lumsden of Cushnie, who de-
parted this hfe Desr. the 23, 1718, and of age each
39 years ; & also Ludovick Lumsden.

Hoc, lector, tumulo tres contumulantur in uno
Cognati, Mater, Filius, atque Pater.
Mors jauua vitte.
[Here, reader, three relations in one tomb,
The Father, Mother, Son, await their doom.
Death is the gate of life.]

— The arms of the above-named laird and lady of
Cushnie, dated 1707, are carved over the front
door of the old house of Cushnie, also over the
door of the adjoining meal-mill. The same laird
gifted two communion cups to the kirk, which are
thus inscribed : —

CUSHNIE.

189

THIS . CXIPS . WAS . DEDICATED . BY . ALEXANDER .
LUMSDEN . OF . CUSHNEY . FOR . THE . CHURCH ,
OF . CUSHNEY . USE . l'7'0-9.

— While speaking of communion cups, it may be
added that other two, of silver, were given to
Leochel by John Robertson, laird of Wester
Fowlis, upon which are the words : —

DEDICAT . FOR . THE . CHVRCH . OF . LEOCHEL . 1659.

—Thomas Lumsden, who came from Fifeshire in
the time of David 11., and had charters of Madler,in
Kincardine O'Neil, from the Earl of Buchan, was
the first of his race in Aberdeenshire. Lumsdens
afterwards acquired (1472) the lands of Balna-
kelly, in Cushnie, from the Earl of Rothes ; but
they were not designed "de Cusclmy " until
about 1579-80. Since that time the property of
Cushnie has continued in the family. The old
mansion-house, which stands in a hollow on the
north side of the burn of Cushnie, was lately re-
edified, and about the same time, a new mansion-
house was built upon a rising ground, a little to
the north-west.

The next inscription, from the east splay of the
same window, relates to another member of the
Cushnie family, who died tenant of Titaboutie : —

W. L. J. G.— Here lyes befor this ston Will.
Lumsden in Titaboutie, who depr. this life Novm.
26, 1722, and of age 63 years, and his laufvl son
John Lumsden. A. L : J. S. 1724. Memento mori.

From a table-shaped stone within the area of
the old kirk : —

In memory of the Kev. Francis Adam, who in
a very exemplary manner, for nearly 50 years, dis-
charged the duties of the pastoral office in this
parish, much esteemed by all who knew him. He
departed this life 15th March 1795, aged 90. On
his right side lies his spouse Mrs Jean Thain, and
on his left side, his eldest son, Mr John Adam.

The New Church of Leocoel-Cushnie is
situated upon an eminence, about midway be-
tween the old churches of Leochel and Cushnie.
It was erected about 1797-8, soon after the union
of the parishes, and is surrounded by a burial-
ground, in which there are several monuments.
Two of the monuments are inscribed as below : —

In memory of the Revd. William Malcolm,
minister of Leochel-Cushnie, who died 24th August
1838, in the 47th year of his age, and 17th year of
his ministry. This monument was erected by his
parishioners in token of their high esteem for his
zealous and unwearied labours among them.

Mr Malcolm was previously schoolmaster at

Cushnie. His successor, Dv Taylor, to whose
memory the parishioners have erected a marble
tablet within the church, was a native of Ban-
chory-Ternan. He was sometime Librarian and
Murray Lecturer at King's College, Aberdeen,
and had a great taste for antiquarian and philo-
logical studies. He wrote the iSTew Statistical
Account of Leochel-Cushnie, which contains an
exhaustive notice of the history of the district,
ancient and modern. The following is from a
granite slab in the church-yard : —

la memory of Jessie M'Combie, wife of the
Revd. Alexander Taylor, minister of Leochel-
Cushnie, who died 10th September 1852, in the
24th year of her age. And of the said Revd. Alex-
ander Taylor, D.D., who died 25th March 1872,
in the 66th year of his age, and the 34th of his
ministry.

The Castle of Craigievar (which is still inha-
bited), was begun by the Mortimers of Fowlis,
and finished by an ancestor of the present pro-
prietor, Sir William Forbes, Bart. It is the most
interesting object of antiquity in the district.
Besides its architectural features, which are ad-
mirably represented in Billings' Eccl. and Baro-
nial Antiquities, it presents these inscriptions : —

LVX . MEA . CHRISTVS

— [Christ is my light]— is over the principal
window of the great hall. The date of 1626, and
the next two inscriptions, are upon different^ parts
of the castle : —

DEVS . MEA . COLVMNA.
POST . TENEBRAS . SPERO . LVCEM.

[God is my pillar. After darkness I hope for light.]
A shield upon the staircase, charged with the

190

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

Forbes arms, initialed, and dated, I. F., 1G88,
is encircled by this quaint admonition : —

DOE . NOT . VAIKEN . SLEIPING . DOGS.

The ruins of the Castle of Corse, upon which
are the initials, AV. F., E. S,, and the date of
1581, are situated, quoad clviUa, within the
parish of Coull, as is also the mansion-house of
Corse. The latter was built by James O. Forbes,
Esq., younger brother of Sir William Forbes of
Craigievar,

The old mansion-house of the Gordons of Hall-
head, and that of tbe Lumsdens of Cushnie,
respectively dated 16C8 and 1707, are still objects
of some interest. The castle of the Strachans of
Lynturk is now represented by a plain building,
and the property belongs to Wm. M'Combie, Esq.
of Easter Skene.

Bride's Well, the Bowbutts, and the Caterau's
Grave, are also places of local note. The first
preserves the name of S. Bridget, patroness of
the parish, the next is said to indicate the spot
•where archery was practised in old times, and the
third is known as the last resting place of a riever
who lost his life while attempting to carry away
cattle from the Glen of Cushnie.

Cushnie is one of the most elevated parts in
Aberdeenshire. It has been long proverbial for
the severity of its climate and the badness of its
roads. The former of these characteristics, along
■with certain features of other two districts, have
been preserved in these words : —
" Cushnie for cauld,
Culblene for heat,
Clashaureach for heather."

The following lines were; and probably still
are, descriptive of the agricultural capabilities of
the places named. The first two lie in Corse, the
third in Coull, and the fourth in Tar land : —
" Tillyorn grows the corn,

And Wester Corse the straw ;

And Tillylodge the blawarts blue,

And Caldhame naething ava."

(S. MARY, VIRGIN.)
rjfJUE church of Li/ was gifted to the Abbey of
c3L Scone, by Alexander I., who is said to have
had a residence at Plurley Hawkin, to the west of
the burial ground.

The remains of an octagonial-shaped font, of a
late type, and the upper stone of a quern, lie in
the church-yard. The Mary Well is about a
quarter of a mile to the north of the church.

The present church at Liff, which was built ia
1838, is the church of the united parishes of Liff,
Invergowrie, Logie- Dundee, and Benvie. The
two first- named churches are each rated, in the
Old Taxation, at 8, the third at 12, and the
fourth at 10 marks.

The church bell is inscribed : —

IAN . BVRGERHVIS . HEEFT . MY . GEGOTEN . '96.

Upon a hand-bell at the parish school : —

FOR THE PARISHES OF

LIFFE, ENUERGOWRIE, AND LOGIE :

PAID FOR BY THE POORE 1718 :

ALEX. SCOTT, MINR.

A marble tablet, in the lobby of the church,
bears this inscription : —

This tablet is erected to the memory of Major
Alexander Watt, K.H., late of the 27th Regt.
Bengal Native lufanti-y, who died at Edinburgh,
IStii April 1851, in the 46th year of his age. By his
Brother Officers as a humble token of their respect
for bis worth, and the many amiable qualities by
which he was distinguished during a lengthened
career in India.

— The deaths of Major and Mrs Watt, two sons,
and a daughter, are also recorded upon a marble
monument in the church-yard of Liff. Mrs Watt
died at Landaue, in the Himalaya Mountains, ia
August 1842.

An adjoining tablet, bears an inscription, here
abridged : —

Katherine Webster, spouse to Isaac Watt,
Esq. of Logie, died 2d March 1809, aged 31. Isaac
Watt, Esq. of Logie, died 11th July 1823, aged 51.

LIFF.

191

Margaret Webster, daughter of Robert Webster
late of Cransley, died 18 Nov. 1832, aged 58. The
following family of Isaac Watt, Esq. : Katherine,
died 1821, aged 15 years ; Robert, died at Dundee,
14 Dec. 1840 ; Margaret, wife of Alfred Begbie,
Esq., Bengal Civil Service, died in India, Dec.
1842 ; James, died in India, 18 July 1848, and bis
wife and two children were lost in the ship
" Gentoo," in 1846, off the Cape of Good Hope.

— Isaac Watt, who was a thread maker, and dyer
or litster, in Dundee, sold Logie to Major Fyfe of
Smithfield. The property was afterwards bought
by the late Jas. Watt of Denmill in Fife, by whose
heirs it was sold in 1870.

An adjoining enclosure contains five tablets,
from which the following inscriptions are ab-
ridged : —

Robert Webster, late tacksman at Cransley,
died 23 Dec. 1811, aged 76.

James Webster, Esq. of Balruddery, died 17
May 1827, aged 62. Agnes Hunter, his relict,
died at Corriedale, Strathblane, 20 January 1863,
aged 77.

Patrick, their 5th son, died 29 Aug. 1827, aged
12 years ; Thomas, the 4th son, died at Arthur,
Canada West, 2d Oct. 1857, aged 44.

Agnes, their youngest daughter, died 13 Oct.
1830, aged 20.

Charles, their 3d son, government agent, died
near Trincomalee, 4 April 1845, aged 34.

— The above James Webster, who was a son of
the tacksman of Cransley, bought the estate of
Balruddery in 1806, from Mr Baillie of Dochfour.
His wife was a daughter of Hunter of Seaside
and Glencarse, in Gowrie, and their son Robert
Webster sold Balruddery in 1849, to the late
David Edward, a flax merchant in Dundee.

A monument of light sandstone, on the west
side of the kirkyard, was inaugurated with ma-
sonic honours. An inserted marble slab bears :—

To the memory of James Jack, surveyor of taxes
Dundee, who died there 15 Dec. 1861, aged 77,
whose remains are here interred. This monument
is erected by his Masonic Brethren, as a respectful
record of his worth ; and of his services as a Brother
of the Craft, for the long period of 53 years.

A flat stone, apparently the oldest in the
church-yard, is embellished in the centre with
carvings in relief of a skull and cross bones, and
the motto, in morte vita. Below are the Dun-
can and Durham arms impaled, flanked by the
initials, M. I. D., A. D., G. D. It bears these
words prettily cut in Roman capitals round the
margin : —

. . . R . LYIS . AGNES . DVNCAN . DAVGHTER . TO

MAISTER . lOHNE . DVNC TER . AT . LIFF

VHA . DEPAIR DAY , OF . MAI . 1615

OF . HIR . AGE . 1 . ZEIR.

A table-shaped stone, ornamented with the
" royal crown" of the blacksmiths, with pincers
and hammer, &c., bears : —

Heir lyis ane honest man Iohn Mitchel, por-
tioner of Life, spovs to IsobeU Gairdine. He de-
pairted the 16 of November 1665, of aig 50.

Upon a flat stone : —

Heir layes ane godly yong man Alexander
Leithel, son to Androw Leithel, indvellar in
Gowrdy, who deperted May the 22, ano 1664, and
of his age 26.

A tombstone, with bold carvings of a pruning
knife, hedge shears, and spade, &c., bears : —

Here lys David Cob, lavf vl hvsband to Elizabeth
Hill, sometime indvellar in Govi'die, who departed
this life 1674, and of his age 45 years : —
Death's sneading knife cvtes dovne,

Honest man entombed here lyes.

Upon a stone, on wliich a weaver's shuttle, &c.,
are carved: —

Here lies two godly persons, Keathren Mancur,
who departed this life on the 2 of Agust in the year
1696, and of her age 55 ; and her housband Alex-
ander Rob, on the 9 of September 1712, and of his
age 69.
James Wighton, shoemaker, LifF, d. 1725, a. 53 : —

On stones its needless for to praise our friends
when dead, for when they rise it shall appear to all
the earth what life they lived before their death.
Upon a flat slab : —

Here lyes Agnes Gray, spous to John Couper in
BacksiDe of Liff, who dieD in Agust 1707, and of
hir age 62 : —

192

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

With husBauds tuo I CliUdren

HAD eLeven,
With two of odds I Lived

Sixty-even ;
My Body sLeeps in hoPe,

My souL I GAve,
To Him Who suffered

death, the same to Save.
CAPut in CceLis Mem .... Sequent . .
[The members shall follow their heavenly head.]

A plain head-stone bears : —

This stone was erected by James "Waddel, some-
time brewer in Liffe, in memory of his uncle
William Waddel, who died the 24th May, anno
Domini, 1765, aged 58 years : —

Here lys beneath these sordid stones,

A father to the poor ;
To orphants, and distressed ones

He keept an open door.
Fair honesty and virtus peure.
Did strive in him for place ;
Of chai-ity a publick store
Was lost at his decess.
Now though his body here doth ly,

To moulder into dust ;
His generous soul, the noble part,
In Christ alone doth rest.
— The session records show that Waddels were
brewers at Liff for nearly 200 years, where
they also carried on the trade of bakers.

Upon the site of the pulpit of the old church
of Liff a monument of Aberdeen granite, erected
by subscription, bears : —

Tribute of respect to the memory of the Piev.
George Addison, D.D., for thirty -four years minis-
ter of this parish, who died January 4, 1852, aged
74. [1 Thess. iv. 14.]

— Dr Addison was the son of a miller near Huntly,
Aberdeenshire. He came to Angus as assistant
schoolmaster at Glamis, and was afterwards tutor
iu the Airlie family, by whose interest he was
appointed first to the church of Gleuisla, next to
Auchterhouse, and finally to Liff. His remains
lie near the north wall of the burial ground. His
wife was a daughter of the Rev. Mr Scott of
Auchterhouse, some of whose sons attained high
positions in the army, &c.

(S. )

I^HE kirk of Banevijn or Banevill belonged to
<^ St Andrews, and was dedicated by Bishop
David in 1243. The parish was joined to Liff
in 1758. A bell which belonged to the church,
now at Liff manse, bears these names and date : —

MICHAEL . BVRGERH\TS . M . F . 1G31 :
M . IIENDRIE . FITHIE.

Remains of the old church and of a baptis-
mal font are iu the burial-ground. The enclosure
has been improved by the erection of a new wall,
in the outer part of which two carved stones are
built. One of these is dated 1633 ; the other
bears the arms of Scrimgeour, the second Viscount
of Dundee, impaled with those of his lady,
Isobel Car, or Ker, a daughter of the first Earl of
Roxburghe, also the initials, V. I. D. : L. I. C. ;
and the date of 1643. The latter stone, till
lately, formed the top of a sun-dial, which stood
in the burial-ground. In all probability, it had
been gifted to the parish by Viscount Dundee
and his lady, the former of whom died of wounds
received at Marstou Moor in July 1644. Accord-
ing to Fordun, Alexander of Carron, who did
good service to Alexander I. when attacked by
rebels at Hurley Hawkin, was progenitor of the
Scrimgeours. He was made hereditary standai'd
bearer of Scotland by that King ; and, for his bra-
very and courage, had his name changed to Skir-
misclmr. A descendant was created constable of
Dundee by Sir William Wallace, 1298. Another
of the family fell at Harlaw, 1411. They were
created Viscounts of Dundee in 1641, and Earls
in 1661. The title became extinct in the Scrim-
geours in 1668. Twenty yearslater the Viscountsy
was revived in the Grahams of Claverhouse.
Wedderburn of Birkhill, in Fife, is representative
of the Scrimgeours, through a female, and here-
ditary standard bearer of Scotland.

A tomb stone, partially effaced, with the S

and Blair arms, and the initials T. S. : C. B., i.^
thus inscribed : —

BEN VIE—INVERGO WRIE.

193

Keir lyes ane honest and godly man Thomas

axter and bvrges of Dvndie, qvha de-

partit the ober 1607, of his age 47 zeirs.

A stone with the Hill and Gray arms, (initialed
D. H : A. G :), bears this epitaph : —
Heir lyes Iohn Hill, son to David Hill, maltman,
To Agnes Gray son also, vas the same ;
Of age tvelve years when he from them did go,
It vas on March the eleventh six hvndred fifty tvo.

1G52.
Adjoining above : —

Heir lyes ane honest man caled Thojias Hill in
Balridrie, who departit the 8 of lanevar 1643, and
of his age 69. T. H : E. S : A. H.

Heir lyis ane godly and honest man Iames
Spanzie in Balrvdrie. He departit the 5 of Feb-
rvar 1620, and of his age 67, with his wyfe Mar-
GRET Thein, who dej)artit the 3 of March 1612 :
hir age is 52.

Janet Gikie, spouse to Alexr. Hill, in Fowlis,
died 18 Oct. 1711, aged 32, she having born 5
children ; Ann, the youngest died 1710 : —

How short man's life ! alas, while we live we die —
To know man's life; keep death still in your eye.
Alex. Hill, died 16 Nov, 1756, aged 80.

Five of the old tombstones are initialed and
dated respectively:—!. S., 1623; I. W. 1G30.
P. G. ; A. W: E. M. 1641; A. S. 1G46, me-
mento MORI ; P. G. 1-38.

At the head of the last of these slabs stands a
peculiar example of the sculptured stones, the
existence of which shows Benvie to have been an
early ecclesiastical settlement. Territorially it is
also a place of considerable antiquity. David I.
gave the barony to Walter of Luudin, who was
followed in it by Sir Philip of Vallognes of Pan-
mure, then by the Maules, the last named of
whom held the superiority of Benvie and the
patronage of the kirk down to 1716.

The Scrim geours of Dudhope (Viscounts Dun-
dec), held the lands of Benvie as vassals of the
lords of Panmure, until 1654, when Benvie passed
to John Fithie, merchant in Dundee. Fitliie was
possibly a relative of the minister whose name is
upon the old bell.

Professor Playfair of Edinburgh, also his
brother William (who wrote several works oU
Scoteh history and antiquities), were born at the
manse of Benvie. The future professor succeeded
his father as minister of the united parishes,
which he left about 1783-4, and became tutor to
Mr Fergus.son of Raith. It is told that, while Mr
P. was at Raith, an elder of Liff had occasion to
write him upon some business, and thus addressed
his letter: — "For Mr John Playfair, formerly
servant to the Lord Jesus Christ af Liff, now
servant to Mr Fergusson at Raith" !

^ n V f V 1} w V i r.

(S. PETER, APOSTLE.)

'^'T is said that S. Boniface, who came to
JS> Scotland from Rome, during the 7th century,
planted his first church upon the site of the pre-
sent burial place at Invergowrie, which occupies
a knoll, near to wdiere the burn of Gowrie — the
" flumen Gohriat in Pictavia" — joins the Tay.

The church of Invergoueryn was given by Alex-
ander I. to the Abbey of Scone.

Fragments of two curiously sculptured stones
are built into the south-east window of the ruins
of the church. The remains of a piscina, of a
primitive type, are on the right of the west door ;
and the rude arch or top lintel of the door par-
takes much of the character of that in the lower
part of the tower of Rostinoth, which was also a
foundation of S. Boniface, (v. p. 27.)

The area of the church of Invergowrie is used
as a cemetery by the Clayhills family, and others.
It contains several mural and other monuments.
The tablets from which the first three inscriptions
are copied are upon the north wall : —

Underneath are interred the remains of .James
Menzies-Clavhills, lateCaptain in the RoyalScots,
eldest son of James Clayhills, Esq. of Invergowrie,
and Henrietta Henderson-Kinloch of Hallyards.
He died 5 Nov. 1817, aged 31 years, ten of which
B B

194

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

were devoted to the service of his King aud
Country. As a tribute to the memory of Qualities
the most endearing, of a Disposition the most in-
offensive and mild, of Affections the most cordial
and warm, and of Filial Love and Duty never sur-
passed — this monumental tablet is erected by Them
who mourn as Parents, but resign as Christians, a
prop and comfort of their declining years.

In front of this monumental stone repose the
remains of Jaiies Clayhills, Esq. of Invergowrie,
who dei^ai'ted this life 16 May 1825, aged 72. Plain
and unassuming in his manners, in his habits quiet
and retired, with a spirit of the truest charity and dis-
interestedness rarely excelled, he pursued the noise-
less tenor of his way in the faithful discharge of
the duties of a private, rather than in the bustle
and parade of a public station. As a Landlord he
was humane, just, and bountiful ; sincere, steady,
and beneficent as a Friend ; kind and indulgent as
a Father. This tribute to the memory of his many,
but unobtrusive virtues, is offered by his Widow
and surviving Children, as a small but unfeigned
testimony of their duty and affection.

To the revered memory of ALEXiVNOER Clay-
hills, Esq. of Invei-gowrie. Born 14 January
1796; died IS June 1865.

— Three separate slabs, initialed and dated, cover
the graves of the above-named. A fourth slab
bears—

H. H. C, died 6 April 1829, aged 65 years.
— Clayhills was the name of a burgess family in
Dundee during the 16th century, of whom, in all
probability, was Andrew, minister of Mouifietb,
who died in 1617 ; as well as Robert, the latter
of whom, in 1633, succeeded his father in the
lauds and mill of Baldovie, near Dundee. In
1669, James Clayhills of Nether Liff became laird
of Invergowrie, &c., by the death of a brother's

son. About the male line of Clayhills failed,

and the property came, through a female, to
Menzies of Menzieshill, who assumed the sur-
name of Clayhills. The present laird (Mr Clay-
hills-Henderson) of Invergowrie aud Hallyards,
&c., an officer in the Navy, is a nephew of the
late laird. A fifth slab is briefly inscribed : —
M. M., AGED 76, 1846.

Other inscribed monuments lie in the area of
the church. The first quoted below had been,
when entire, a fine example of its kind, with the
letters boldly cut in relief : —

I . s : I . F

HONORED . FA

HEIR . SLEIPIS . AN]
S . AHNES .

. GODLY •
FIF . HIS .

SPOVS . AIGED . 76 . ZEIRIS .... 1574.

Possibly the next quoted (much defaced by
having been walked upon), had belonged to per-
sons named Black and Fife : —

.... HON . BLA .... ELDER . AND . KIRKMAN .
DEPARTED . 1603 . A . F.

There is another fine stone, dated 1633, with a
shield on the left bearing the Lovel arms, flanked
with the initials I. L. ; on the right a shield with
the initials A. L. only, and between the shields
are the letters M. S. Another slab, in excellent
preservation, bears shields with the arms of Drum-
mond aud liowison, respectively. This inscrip-
tion is round the border of the stone : —

HEIR . LAYIS . ANE . GODLY . HONEST . MAN .
NAMED . lAMES . DROWMAND . LAWFVL . HVSBAND .
TO . lANET . HOVSON . HE . DEPAIRTIT . IN . FEB-
RVARI . 14 . DAY . 1665 . AND . OF . HIS . AGE . 27.
I . D : I . II.

Built into the west wall, aud railed off from
the area : —

In memory of Daniel Mackenzie, Esq. of Ann-
field, son of Kenueth Mackenzie, Esq. of Kilcoy,
Ptoss-shire ; born 1765, died 1829.
— If this inscription is authentic, it is another of
many instances which show the value of such me-
morials, and the necessity of our existing heraldic
books being thoroughly revised. Neither Mr M.
nor his father are mentioned in the published
pedigrees of the Mackenzies of Kilcoy. Another
marble slab bears. —

In memory of Mrs Ann Mylne of Mylnefiekl,
daughter of Alexander Hunter of Blackness ; Boru
1749, died 1852.

The family burial vault of the Mylnes of Mylne-
fiekl is on the north side of the ruins of the
church, where there are three marble monuments
belonging to the family. One of the slabs is to
the memory of —

INVERGOWRIE.

195

Agnes, wife of James Mylne, Esq. : Born 27
Aug. 1765, died 15 Feb. 1S45.

— This lady was a daughter of Scott of Criggie,
in the Mearns. She was mother of the next men-
tioned, who was the last Mylne of Myluefield : —
Sacred to the memory of Thomas Mylne of
Mylnefield, born 28 Nov. 1785, died 22 Dec. 1836.
And his wife Elizabeth- Jane Guthrie, born 8 May
1799, died 14 Nov. 1S39. [A daughter Agnes,
died aged 16, and a son Charles-Kinloch, aged
2 j^ears. ]

Sacred to the memory of John Mylne, aged 38 ;
Ann-Dotjglas, aged 37 ; Thomas-John, aged 35 ;
and Elizabeth-Guthkie, aged 27, children of
Thomas Mylne, Esq. of ilylnefield, and his wife
Elizabeth-Jane Guthrie. They were drowned at
sea, near Sydney, Xew South Wales, on the occasion
of the wreck of the shijj "Dunbar" on 20 Augt.
1857. Sacred also to the memory of James Mylne,
aged 40, their eldest brother, who died at sea, near
Malta, 28 Nov. 1857. Erected in memory of their
beloved Brothers and Sisters, by William, Charles,
and Graham Mylne. [i. John, iv. 12.]

— The above William and Charles were in the
E.I.C.S., and Graham was an officer in the 82d
regiment of foot. Their mother was the eldest
daughter of John Guthrie of Guthrie, (q. v.)
The property of Mylnefield was sold soon after her
death, to Mr Henderson, a farmer near Carnoustie,
who was also laird of Grange of Barry. Mylne-
field was inherited from him by Mr Low, a dock-
gate keeper at Dundee harbour, and Grange of
Barry, by Mr Wighton, a shipowner. The ]Mylnes,
who were designed of Myluefield from about the
close of the 17th century, were descended from a
burgess family of Dundee.

A tombstone in the burial-ground bears the
name of Matthew, and the date of 1C22. Others,
simply initialed and dated (A. M, 1638 ; W. V.
1644; G. B. 1646; I. S. 1682, &c.), lie on the
south side of the ruins of the old kirk. The fol-
lowing inscriptions are from adjoining stones :—

.... nost man nemed Robert Jack, who de-
ported this lyf 2 of laneuari 1661, and of his age
6-, RoBRT Iack, son of Eobrt lack, at the Law
Brig Mil, who decest in auo 1656, and of his age 1.

Heir lyes an honest woman namdd Margrat
Gairdn, spovs to Androv Blak, maltman bvrges
in Dvndie, who decesed the 24 of lanevare 1651,
and of hir age 60 : —

I rest in hop intil the tj^m apier.
That I shal ryse and mit my Savior.

A table-shaped tombstone near the churchj'-ard
gate presents a variety of elaborate carvings, con-
sisting of shuttles and other insignia of the weaver
trade, combined with mortuary objects. The
common verse, beginning, "Stop mortal man,"
&c., is near the centre, and the following round
the margin, of the stone: —

This stone wee David, lames, Robert, Henry, lohn,
and Thomas Cocks erected in memory of Iames
Cock, weaver in Locheye, our father, uho dyed
Oct. 15, 1741, aged 65 ; and of Isobel DoiG, their
mother, dyed March 31, 1733, aged 48, and
W^illiajm, their brother, dyed 1731.

— The above Cockes introduced linen manu-
factures at Lochee — a trade which is still exten-
sively carried on at that place by their descend-
ants, under the firm of Cox Brothers, and Co.
A plain headstone, adjoining the tomb from which
the above inscription is copied, bears the follow-
ing to another of the same race : —

1754 : This stone was erected by Robert Cock
and Margaret Kid, in memory of their lawfuU son
Robert Cock, induellers in Lochee : he died Dec.
20, 1751, aged 9 years: —

mortal man why dost thow in

This world delight to stay ;

And as a drudge by her ay hurled

Even at her fortouns sway ?

She's painted our with pleasures rare

All drest in gaudy hue ;

She flatter can, without compare,

Yet none of them is true.
Upon a flat stone : —

Here lyes David Mullo, taylor, who lined in
Ninewalls, who dyed the 2 of May 17-4, and hia
age 62 years. As also his spouse Margrat Watson,
who dyed the 6 of Aprill 1743, and of her age 74
years, &c. 1849, revised by Peter Watson, Lochee.

Elizabeth Nickol, wf. of Jas. Whitton, d. 1756,
a. 36 :—

196

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS ,

Child, wife^ and mother, dutiful.
In all a pattern wonderful ;
Her grace in life makes now her glory sure,
Her corps may rott, her good name shall endure.
After death — life.

The next two inscriptions are from marble
tablets, within tin enclosure, at east end of the
luvergowrie aisle : —

Underneath this tablet are interred the mortal
remains of the A^ery Rev. Heneage Horslev, A. M. ,
Dean of Brechin, Prebendary of St Asaph, and for
40 j'ears minister of St Paul's Chapel, Dundee. He
was the only son of Samuel Horsley, Bishop of St
Asaph. He was born 23 Feb, 177G, died 6 Oct.
1S47, universally regretted and beloved. This
tablet is erected to his memory by his children,
sorrowing, but not as others, who have no hope.

In the enclosure below this tablet are interred
the mortal remains of Anne Bourke, widow of
John Boui-ke, Esq., of the county of Limerick.
She died at Dundee, 29 Dec. 1836, in the TSth year
of her age, beloved and lamented.
— This lady was a daughter of Edward Ryan of
Boscobel, Tipperary, Ireland. By her husband
she had three sons and one daughter. Two of the
sons died young. The eldest, Richard, who dis-
tinguished himself as a soldier, and as Governor
of New South Wales, &c., received the honour of
knighthood. In conjunction with Earl Fitzwilliam,
he edited the correspondence of the celebrated
Edmund Burke, to whose will he was a witness.
(Burke's Lauded Gentry.) His sister, Frances-
Emma, married the Rev. Dean Horsley ; and a
plain slab within the old kirk at luvergowrie
marks her grave, and bears this brief record of
her death : —

F. E. Horsley, 18 Dec. 1821.

Upon a marble tablet, built into the east, and
outer wall of the Myluefield aisle . —

Sacred to John Smith-Skene, Esq., Captain of
the Royal Navy, and Companion of the Bath, who
died 10 Dec. 1833, aged 63 years.
— Captain S. was made a C.B. iu 1813, and died
at Bin Rock, a villa near Dundee. He saw much
service in his time, having been master of the
'^Egmont" at the battle of Cape St Vincent,

First Lieutenant on board the " Africa" at Tra-
falgar, and Commander of the " Beagle" at the
reduction of St Sebastian. His paternal name
was Smith ; but, upon inheriting some property,
he assumed that of Skene. His son, John, lately
in the Coast Guard, was a Commander iu the
Navy, and long employed in active service iu
various parts of the globe.— (O' Byrne's Navai
Biography.)

The estate of Invergowrie belonged at one time
to the Grays. Three carved stones, possibly taken
from their old residence at Invergowrie, are built
over a private entrance from the Perth road to the
present house. One bears the date of 1601, with
the initials, P. G : A. N., also the Gray and
Napier C?) arms, and the motto,

SS" SOLI . DEO . GRATIAS.

A second slab presents the same arms and ini-
tials, and the words, god . gevis. Upon the
third stone are also the Gray arms, the initials,
P. G., and the legend,

TRVST . IN . GOD.

(S. )

X IKE the kirks of Liff and luvergowrie, that of
SJi Logiin-Dundho was given to the Abbey of
Scone by Alex. I. It was also in the diocese of St
Andrews, and dedicated by Bishop David in the
year 1243.

The church stood upon a rising ground ; and
a burial aisle, erected by the late Major Fyfe of
Logic and Smithfield (in which no interments
have been as yet made), occupies the same site.
According to an inscribed stoue near the gate,
the surrounding walls were

BUILT BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION, A.D. MDCCCXXXVII.

The fragment of a cofBn-slab, possibly of the
14th or loth century, is the only relic of anti-
quity within the ground. It is similar to some
of those fine examples which lie at the church of

LOQIE-DUNDEE — LOQIE-BUCHAN.

197

St Mary, Dundee, with a floral cross upon the
face of it, and an old fashioned sword upon one of
the sides. The shaft of a pillar-mouumeut, with
square hole in top, Hn'.^rcalled " the holywater
staue," stood long in an upright posture, though
now thrown aside, and treated as useless.

The oldest lettered tombstone (so far as I have
seen), is dated 1786 ; and though numerous, few,
if any, of the inscriptions are of general interest.
A plain headstone, near the south-west corner,
bears this tribute : —

To the memory of John Bexxet, cabinet-maker
in Dundee, who died 26 April 1822, aged 47. This
stone is erected by a select number of Journeymen
Cabinet-Makers as a mark of respect and esteem
for a kind master, and a sincere friend ; and their
high sense of the genuine integi'ity of conduct, and
warmth of feeling which distinguished through life
him who lies below.

JoHX, son of Alex. Rattray, d. 1839, a. 6 y.
Sm. :—

And must this body die ?

This mortal frame decay ?

And must these active limbs of mine,

Lie mouldering in the clay ?
There are some private burial-places near the
west side of the enclosure : one belongs to Edward
Baxter, merchant, Dundee, laird of Kincauldrum,
and father of W. E. Baxter, M.P. for the Mon-
trose District of Burghs, presently Secretary to
the Admiralty. It contains a handsome freestone
monument, with a marble tablet, upon which are
recorded the death of Mr E. Baxter's first wife,
EuPHEMiA Wilson, who died at Balgay House,
22 Aug. 1833 ; also that of his second wife,
Elizabeth Jobson, who died 2 July 1842 ;
together with two daughters who died young.

Owing to the overcrowded state of Logic bu-
rial-ground, it was closed, with certain exceptions,
against further interments, by order of the Privy
Council, 19 Feb. 1870. It was used chiefly for
the district of Lochee, now a populous and thriving
suburb of Dundee ; for the better accommodation
of which, a new cemetery is about to be formed
upon the adjoining property of Balgay.

As the more interesting antiquarian and histo-
rical peculiarities of the united parishes of Liff^
Benvie, Invergowrie, and Logic, are given in the
Sculptured Stone Monuments (vol. i.), and in the
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries (vols,
ii., v., vi.), as well as in both Statistical Accounts
of Scotland, &c., notices of these matters are pur-
posely omitted here.

It may only be mentioned that the districts of
Invergowrie and Logic were both famous at one
time for the abundance and purity of their water
springs ; and that, before the Monikie supply was
brought into Dundee, the water from these springs
was used in that town for all important culinary
purposes. The water was driven through Dun-
dee in barrels, and the qualities of the respective
springs were loudly extolled by the different
vendors. Of the former, it was declared that,
" lavergowrie's crystal spring,
For Tea, surpasses everything !"
while of Invergowrie's rival, the people were as-
sured that —

" Of a' the wells that's here about,
There's nane compar'd to Logie Spout !"

^ « i je - g u ^ It it n.

(?S. ANDREW.)

KING DAVID II., in 1361, gave the patron-
age of the kirk of Logie in Buchan to the
Cathedral of Old Machar. In the following year
the Bishop conveyed the church itself, with its
teinds, to the same house, of which Logie-Buchan
was a mensal church.

The Ythan runs through the parish, and the
kirk stands upon a rising ground on the south side
of that river. The belfry is dated 1737 ; and the
bell inscribed : —

LOGIE BUCHAN, 1728.

The Buchans of Auchmacoy, patrons of the
church, had their burial-place within it, where
two marble tablets are respectively inscribed as
under: —

198

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

As a mark of affection and regard for the memory
of Robert Buchan, third son of Thomas Buchan,
Esq. of Auchmacoy, assistant-surgeon, H.E.I.C.S.,
who died at Cawnpore, 4 Sep. 1825, in the '24th year
of his age. His brother, John, died in London,
4 Feb. 1829, aged 22 years, and is interred in the
burjang-ground belonging to the Church of St
John, Waterloo Road, London. Also in memory of
EuPHEMiA TuKNER, widow of the late Thomas
Buchan, Esq. of Auchmacoy, who died at Edin-
burgh, 22 Dec. 1S32, and whose remains are in-
terred here.

— This lady was eldest daughter of Robert Turner
of Menie, in Belhelvie. The other marble records
the death of her husband and eldest son : —

Sacred to the memory of Thomas Buchax, Esq.
of Auchmacoy, who died on the 12 Aug. 1819, and
was interred in the family burying-ground within
this church. Also, in remembrance of his eldest
son Thomas, who died at Marseilles, in France,
3 Dec. 1818, aged 21 years, and was interred in the
Protestant burying-ground of that city.
— The present laird of Auchmacoy, who succeeded
his father, married a daughter of Garden Duff
of Hatton, Esq., by whom he had a son and
daughter. The former, Thomas, died at London
in 1866, aged 29, after which his father erected a
mausoleum near the mansion-house, where the
remains of his son rei)Ose. It is said that the first
of this family was a son of Cumin, Earl of Buchan ;
and that the laird of the period, contrary to the
wish of his chief, adheriug to The Bruce, was
allowed to retain his lands, on the condition of
taking a new name, whereupon he assumed
that of Buclian. The property of Auchmacoy, as
originally held by this family, had been of small
extent, for in 1309 two-thirds of it belonged to
William of Strathbogie. But in 1505, from an
inquest which was held regarding the lands of
Alexander Buchan of Auchmacoy (whose son An-
drew had married Marjory Craufurd), the estates
appear to have been considerable. Gen. Thomas
Buchan, who saw much service abroad, and
afterwards succeeded Viscount Dundee in the
command of the forces of Scotland, was a son of
the laird of Auchmacoy and his wife Margaret
Setou. The General, who was also connected

with the rising of 1715, " dyed at Ardlogie in
Fyvie, and was buried in Logy-Buchan, a.d.

M.DCCXX. . . ."

The following is upon a table-shaped stone in
the churchyard, besides which a marble tablet,
within the kirk, records also the death of Mr
Paterson : —

The Rev. Wm. Paterson, 42 years minister of
this parish, died July 4, 1816, in the 65 year of his
age. Anna Ogilvie, daughter of Jas. Ogilvie,
Esq. of Culquhins and Baldavie, died 17 March
1792, aged 36. Mr Paterson remarried Mrs Jane
Mair, daughter of the Rev. John Mair, minister of
Rayne, and widow of the Rev. Alex. Fullerton,
minister of Footdee, who died April 4, 1833, aged
75. John- James Paterson, M.D., surgeon in the
Bengal medical establishment of the H.E.I.C.S.,
died in England, March 21, 1837, aged 49. Mar-
jory, a daughter, died at Aberdeen 23 Aug. 1841,
aged 57.

Within an enclosure : —

Rev. George Cruden, minister of Logic Buchan,
after an incumbency of 33 years, died 11 Sep. 1850,
in the 77th year of his age. His wife Suphia,
daughter of the Rev. Wm. Eraser of Tyrio, died
18 Dec. 1839, aged 58.

— ]\Ir C. wrote the Statistical Accounts of Logie-
Buchan in 1842, and of Old Deer in 1794,
where he was then schoolmaster.

The greater part of Logie-Buchan, on the for-
feiture of the Cumins, was granted to the Hays
of Errol by Robert the Bruce.

It is said that there were two family chapels
here in old times, one at the Dovecot (which
is still a picturesque object on the right of the
turnpike road from Ellon to Peterhead), the
other at the Old Yard of Auchmacoy. There
was also an Hospital, on the banks of the Ythan,
with a house and some land attached to it, for
the support of two old people. It was upheld
by the lairds of Auchmacoy ; and, in 1725, the
house is said to be " in good repair." It possibly
stood near to the present boat-house — a ferry boat
being still the means of direct communication be-
tween the north and south sides of the Ythan.

BOYNDIE.

199

The well-known Scotch air of " Boat o' Logie,"
is said to have originated from this place.

Apart from Auchmacoy, the properties of Tarty,
Birnis, Fechil, and Tippertie, &c., are in Logie-
Buchan, the last-named of which supplies bursaries
to the Aberdeen College, in the gift of Turner
of Turnerhall (r p. 60^. It was Innes of Tippertie
and some other non- subscribing lairds who, in
1644, at the head of about 80 horsemen, defeated
the Covenanters while they were plundering
the lands of Tarty, from which (says Spalding)
the Covenanters returned " in tuais," in threis, in
fouris, and not in ane bodie, schamefully bak
agane to Abirdene."

(S. BRANDAN, ABBOT.)
fTfHE kirks of Inuirbondin and Bane/, with
cSj certain lands in the neighbourhood, were
gifted by King William the Lion to the monks of
Arbroath. Both churches (which are separately
rated in the Old Taxatio, the latter being much the
more valuable), aj)pear to have been subsequently
united, possibly about the time of the Reforma-
tion, but were again disjoined in 1G34.

The ruins of the old kirk of Boyndie, with the
belfry uj)on the west gable, stand upon a knoll
near to where the burn of Boyndie falls into the
sea. The belfry bears the initials of I. L. F.
(James, Lord Findlater), and the date of 1740.
The bell is dated 1770.

Over the door of an aisle, upon the south side of
the ruins, in raised capitals : —

Lord I have loved the habitation of thy hoiise
and the place where thine honour dwelleth. This
entry door to the church was put up by me James
Ogilvie of Culphin, who was an elder at this place
fourty six years bypast, at the present year of God
1723.

— This Ogilvie, who gave two silver communion
cups to the parish, which are still in use, was after-
wards designed of Culvie, in Marnoch.

An arched building on the north side of the

ruins, once tlie burial vault of the Ogilvies of
Boyne, has long been used for the interment of
some of the less potent resident parishioners.
Within it a stone is thus inscribed : —

Here lyes the body of James Bvres, principal
servant in the Family of Findlater for above 20
years, and tacksman of the farm of Dallochy. A
man who performed the duties of his station with
the strictest fidelity, prudence, and diligence, much
beloved by the ^^oble Fmnili/ in which he served,
by whom this stone is erected. By his early death
the world lost a worthy member of society, his re-
latives a kind and an affectionate f jiend, and the
poor a generous benefactor. Died 6 Oct. 1784, aged
46. An honest man's the noblest work of God.

Within area of old kirk : —

To the memory of the Stuarts, foi-merly of
Ordens, this being the burial place of that family
for many ages. This stone is placed by the Rev.
James Stuai-t, one of their descendants, late Rector
of Geoi'ge Town Pai-ish, South Carolina, and
Chaplin to the King's Rangers in North America,
1785.

— The erector of this tomb left a considerable
amount of money for educational and charitable
purposes to the parish. Ordens belonged to
Stuarts in 1724, . for how long before or after I
am not aware, but it was held of the Earls of
Findlater.

An enclosure, in the south-west corner of the
kirk contains four separate tablets. The oldest
bears : —

This lair belongs to James Milne, sometime at
Mills of Boyndie, Alexr. Milne at Mill of Aluah,
and John Milne at Mill of Boyndie, his sons.
This stone is erected by James Milne at Nether
Mill of Boyndie, eldest son to the s'l John Milne.
Anno 1739.
Upon next oldest monument : —

Erected by James Mill in Mill of Boyndie, in
memory of his eldest son James, who was born
April 1770, and died Septr. 1788; and of his brother
JoHX, late in Boghead of Ord, who was born June
1718, and died Deer. 1792. And also in memory
of the said James Milne himself, who died 14th
June 1807, aged 85 years. His widow, Isabel
Milne, who died 25th June 1823, aged 81 years.

200

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

is also interred here. His youngest sou, Alexr.
Milne, Lt.-Col. of the 19th Regt. of Foot, died at
Denierara, 5th Novr. 1827, aged 48 years.

The above are freestone monuments ; and the
following inscription is upon a marble slab, en-
cased in yellow freestone : —

Near this place are interred the remains of John
Milne, Esq. , surgeon in Banff, who died in conse-
quence of a fall from his horse, May 29th 1833, in
the 26th year of his age. Distinguished by active
yet unostentatious benevolence. Air Mdne, both
in a professional and private capacity, uniformly
shewed himself a warm friend to the poor, by
whom his untimely fate is deeply deplored. Nor
to them only was he an object of regard. By the
openness of his manners, the warmth of his friend-
ship, and the integrity of his conduct, he had
endeared himself in no ordinary degree to the com-
munity at large. To perpetuate the memory of
one who, in the morning of life, and in the active
discharge of duty, was so suddenly and unexpect-
edly lost to the world, a number of friends, to
whom that memory is dear, have caused this
monument to be erected. September 12, 1833.

Upon a freestone tablet : —

Sacred to the memory of John Milne, late
farmer at Mill of Boyndie, who died there 25th
May 1849, aged 78 years. And of his spouse
Jean Milne, who died there 11th June 1835, in
the 63rd year of her age. Here also are interred
the remains of their children, Hobert Milne, who
died 8th February 1833, aged 23 years. John
Milne, who died 20th May 1833, in the 26th year
of his age, (as recorded on the adjoining tablet),
and Abercromby Milne, who died 9th June 1848,
aged 30 years. Their son, Archibald Milne, died
in New Zealand, 1842, in the 35th year of his age.
And their son, "William Milne, Collector of Cus-
toms at Old Harbour, Jamaica, died there 7th May
1850, aged 36 years.
From two separate stones in church -yard :—

Here lyes George Gill, in Warielip, under hope
of a blessed resurrection, who departed this lyf
April 3, 1689. Blessed are the dead, &c.

Here lies the corps of honest Iohn Watt, late
farmer in Blairmaid, who departed this life upon
the 9th day of March 1758, aged 73 years.

The district of Boyne was a thanedom, in whicli
there was a large hunting forest, of which Sir
John Edmonstone had a charter in 1368. About
1485 the lands and thanedom of Boyne came by
marriage to Sir Walter OgUvy, a son of the knight
of Lintratheu, in Angus. The Castle of Craig of
Boyne, on the west side of the burn of Boyne, of
which very little remains, is the reputed seat of
the old thanes ; and during the Civil Wars the
laird found it a safe retreat from Montrose and
his soldiers. While searching lately among the
slender traces which remain of this stronghold,
particularly in the kitchen midden, Mr Garland,
farmer of Cowhyth, found bones of animals of the
chace, &c., also needles and pins made of bone.
Some of the latter are prettily formed and polished ;
one (in the National Museum) has the letters IJ,
or b. 0. E. m. cut upon it.

The more modern castle, once a residence of
the Earls of Findlater, and inhabited until about
1745, is among the most imposing and pictur-
esquely situated ruins in the north-east of Scot-
land. Vandals, however, have been allowed to
make sad havock upon these ruins, for scarcely a
dressed stone of any interest has been left about
the place; although, from the excellent view of it
given by Cordiner in his Remarkable Ruins (1791)
the lintels, &c., were then wonderfully entire; also
the walls painted with figures and legends.

The present church, which is nearly two miles
distant from the old one, was built in 1773. A
Methodist Chapel was erected in 1838, and a
Free Church in 1843, at the fishing village of
Whitehills. The Earl of Seafield is patron, and
sole heritor of the parish.

In 1681, Sir Patrick Ogilvie of Boyne had a
royal warrant to hold two yearly markets in
Boyndie, one in the Muir of Whitehills on the
2d Tuesday of May, the other on the Muir of
Culfin on 2d Tuesday of October, as well as for
a weekly market to be held at Portsoy.

S. Brandan's circle, upon the farm of Bank-
head, now represented by three rough boulders,
one of which exhibits cup-shaped markings, and
almost all other antiquities in the parish worthy
of remark, are noticed in the Stat. Accounts, &c.

MAINS.

201

Thomas Ruddiman, the celebrated gram-
Jioarian, was the son of a farmer at Raggel, where
he was bora iu 1674. Mrs Buchan or Simpson,
the daughter of the keeper of a small iun, and the
founder of a sect of religious fanatics, also belonged
to this parish. When on her deathbed in 1791,
she assured her few remaining apostles, among
other cant and blasphemy, that she was the verit-
able Virgin Mary, and Mother of Jesus !

(S. NlNfAN, A DISCIPLE OF S. MARTIN.)

SfilffllE old name of Mains wasi Strathdichty-Co-
M> miii.% or the Earl's- Strathdichty. Along
with the kirk of Strathmartin, that of Mains was
given to the Abbey of Arbroath, by Gilchrist, Earl
of Angus. The parishes were united iu 1794.

Both churches were in the diocese of St An-
drews; and under the name of StrathccJttyn, that
of Mains was dedicated by Bishop David in 1242.
Plains of Fintrij was a later name for the parish.
Jt is said that the name of " Fiutry" was im-
ported, and given to the district by the Grahams,
from their older property of that name in Stir-
lingshire. The abbreviated form of Mains
had arisen from the old name of the locality,
which, in 1485 (when " Robert Grahame de Fyu-
tree," and his eldest sou had a tack of the
teiud sheaves from Abbot David of Arbroath), is
described as " le manys Slradichyne-Comitis."

The burial-ground of Mains (lately surrounded
by a dyke, and put in decent order), is near
the castle, and upon the north side of the Gelly
burn. The burial aisle of the Ghaiiams of Fin-
try, which was reserved by the family when the
lands were sold, formed the south transept of the
kirk, of whicli it is the only remaining part. It
was lately re- edified and adorned with a carving of
the Graham arms. The gable is pierced by three
lancet windows. Upon the west side of these,
and within the aisle, a stoup for holy water, in a
late style of the Perpendicular, projects from the

wall. A carved stone (18 by 24 inches) embel-
lished by a peculiar representation of the Annun-
ciation (now built over the window in the south
transept), was found, iu 1868, while digging a
grave. The pot and lily rest upon a shield charged
with the Graham arms. The lily is held by a
winged angel kneeling on the left — on the right
stands the Virgin, with nimbus and uplifted
hands, in the attitude of prayer. The ribbons
remain, but the legends are effaced, and the whole
work is considerably mutilated. In all proba-
bility, this formed a portion of the altar of the
old kirk, which, along with the south aisle, if not
the contemporary church itself, had possibly been
erected by Sir David Graham and his wife Mar-
garet Ogilvy, whose initials, &c., as shewn below,
are upon certain parts of the adjoining castle.
A curious lancet window of one light, hewn out
of a single stone (possibly taken from the kirk),
is built into the wall of the old manse.

The first Graham of Fintry was Robert, eldest
son, by a second marriage, of Sir William (an-
cestor of the Dukes of JNIoutrose), by a daughter
of king Robert III. Robert Graham married a
daughter of Lovel of Balumby, by whom he had
two sons and two daughters. The daughters
were married respectively to Erskine of Dun and
Haliburton of Pitcur. The youngest son, along
with his father, had a lease of the teinds of Balar-
gus and Finlarg, in Tealing, 1485, from the Abbot
of Arbroath. From young Graham, who is
called "of Balargus," were descended the family
of Claverhouse and Duntrune, now represented by
Miss Stirling-Graham, the accomplished authoress
of Mystifications, &c.

Of the marriage between Graham and Balum-
by 's daughter, an interesting proof exists, in the
form of a coffin -slab, which had been taken from
the burial place, and now lies upon the top of the
court-yard wall. It is embellislied with a Calvary
Cross upon steps; also, two shields,— one bears
the Graham arms, the other those of Graham and
Lovel impaled. These words are upon the arms
of the cross :— __

in . mara . cijns . mara.

Robert Graham's eldest son married a daughter
c c

202

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

of Douglas, Earl of Angus, and had a sou and
successor, who was knighted. Sir David (grand-
son of the last-mentioned), married Margaret,
daughter of Ogilvy of Airlie ; and probably the
older part of the Castle of Mains was built in his
time, since traces of the initials D. G. and
D. M. O., and the date of 1556, appear upon
the arch of the court-yard, or outer entrance to
the house. To his time, also, possibly belongs the
stone altar-piece above referred to. Upon a
slab, built into a late portion of the castle : —

PATRIAE . ET . POSTERIS . GRATIS . ET . AMICIS. 1582.

Sir David's eldest son and heir, to whose time
the above inscription belongs, having taken part in
the " Popish plot" of the Earls of Huntly and
Errol, was beheaded at Edinburgh in 1592.
His son, who became a staunch Royalist, married
a daughter of Ilaliburton of Pitcur. The square
tower of the castle, which gives so much cha-
racter to the building, belongs to his period.
Upon a skew-put stone are the Graham arms,
and the date of 1650.

This Graham became 9th laird of Fintry, and
from him the present representative of the family
is descended. This branch of the Grahams has
now no landed interest in Angus, the greater part
of their estates having become, by purchase, the
property of Erskine of Linlathen. (v. p. 112.)

The burial ground contains a number of tomb-
stones. One (with a bold carving of a mascle,
with a cross at each point), is inscribed : —

Hie sitv . . . nestvs vir, Alexander Mathov,
bvrgen : de Dvndee, qvi obiit die 23 mensis Octo-
bris, anno 1585, a^tatis sva3 53. Discito ab exemplo,
mortales, discite nostro. Svm qvod eris. Onuiia
svbjecta mvtabilitati.

[Here lies an honest man, Alexander Matiiov,
burgess of Dundee, who died 23 Oct. 1585, aged 53.
Learn, mortals, learn from my example. I am
what thou shalt be. All things are subject to
change. ]

Some tombstones exhibit curious carvings : one
has the beaters of a waulk mill upon it, others
weavers' looms, shuttles, &c. ; but the common
objects are mill-rinds, and mill-stone picks, there
having been, at one time, a number of meal and

barley mills upon the Dichty. A gravestone,
ornamented as last mentioned, initialed I.B: I.M.,
and dated 1655, bears this epitaph : —
Wnder this ston interd lyes he,
Who 40 two zeers livd wt ws,
At mil & kil right honestlie,
And wt his nighb'' dealt he thvs ;
But death in Apryl 55,
Fro of the stage did him reove.
earth, earth, earth,
Hear the word of the Lord. ler 22. 29.
Upon a flat stone, with armorial bearings : —

Heir lyes ane godly honest voman, named
Kathrine Fvf, spovs to Thomas Nicoall in Bal-
raovre, vho depairted this lyfe the 2 of lanvar, the
year of God 1648, and of agge 32.

Adjoining the above, with the carvings of a
mill-rind and millstone pick : —

WiL ... ME PaWLL : lONET lOBSON. 1645.

A table-shaped stone, initialed I. D : G. Y.,
bears : —

Heir one beneath this ston consvming lyes, on
wirtves honest . . . Iohn Dvff by nam, who,
while he lived he vas beloved of al, and did deses
the 11 of Nov. 1654, and of his age 60 : —
I rest in hop intil the tym apier,
That I shal rest, and mit my Sawior.

The following, embellished with the shoemakers'
crown and cutting knife, preserves an old spelling
of the surname of Batchelor : —

Hir lyes a godlay and onest man called Iames
Besler, bvrges of Dvndie, vha departet this lif
November 29, 1665, and of his age 84. Iames
Beseler, shovmakr.

Heir lyes ane godly honest man, Walter Gib,
who deceast the 25 Awgwst 1664, and of his age . . .
Tiios. Thomson, hbd. to Margt. Clerk, d. 1736,
a. 65 :—

He who with .... did me bless,

With riches, life, and breath ;
Me from these three did take away,
By sickness and by death.
Helen Donaldson, wife of Jas. Kinnaird, d.
1738, a. 63 :—
To honour the dead we may be bold,
Our father Abraham hath us told. Gen. 23.

MAINS.

203

William Buick, Gutherston (1751) : —
Among the rest of Adam's race,

That in this workl liv'd ;
There's one confin'd within this Tomb

Who upright was and pious.
He while in life was very just,

Gave every man his due ;
But now he is exalted high,
In Heaven we hope he's now.
An oval-shaped slab of white marble, which
fell out of a mural monument, bears : —

This stone is erected by his widow, to the
memory of James Marshall, surgeon in Peter-
head, who died at the Mains of Fintry, on the 8th
of August 1813, aged 28 years.
— Dr M. " late of the Wiuchelsea Indiaman," was
the son of a retired naval officer, who subse-
quently sailed a vessel from Peterhead. Dr M.'s
wife was a daughter of James Skelton, a ship-
owner at that port.
Robert Airth, d. 1763, aged 12 mo : —

This charming child most comely was.

And pleasant once a day ;
But now, alas, he lowly lies
Here in this bed of clay. &c.
Charles Peebles, schoolmaster of Mains, d. 20
July 1801, a. 66, his wd. Ann Crabb, d. 7 Dec.
following, a. 64 : —

How useful they in training youth.
When thoughtless of the paths of truth

They need the guiding reins ;
The East and West, the South and North,
Doth testify from proved worth
Of youth spent at the Mains.
There is a burial ground, containing a number
of modern tombstones, at the present parish
church of Mains. The church was erected in
1800 ; and a tablet within it is thus inscribed : —
Sacred to the memory of Charlotte, Lady
Ogilvy, sole proprietor of the estate of Bank, in
the parish of Strathmartin, eldest daughter of
Walter Tullideph, Esq. of the Island of Antigua,
and relict of Sir John Ogilvy, Bart, of luverqu-
harity, late of the Scots Grays, &c., who died at
the age of 72. [No year given].
— Lady Ogilvy's father was a descendant of Prin-
cipal Tullideph of St Andrews. Tullideph Hall

is now called Baldovan House, and Baldovan is
the present name of the estate of Bank. The
first Ogilvys of luverquharity and Airlie were
brothers of Sir Walter of Lintratheu ; but the
seniority of the two first named brothers is, as
yet, a matter of doubt. In 1625, a baronetcy
was created in the luverquharity branch.

The Castle of Mains is one of the most pictur-
esque ruins in Angus, and has been sketched and
painted by David Uoberts, and other modern
artists. The oldest portion is quite a ruin ; but
it is to be hoped that it will be preserved from
further decay. The latest building, which is at-
tached to the south side, is inhabited. According
to tradition, the old Earls of Angus had a castle
here. It is further said by Boece, that Mains
was the scene of the reputed murder of a sister of
William the Lion, by her husband. Earl Gilchrist,
(r. p. 185.) Be this as it may, it is certain that
the district belonged in property, after the days
of the Earls of Angus, to Malcolm Ramsay, pos-
sibly of Auchterhouse ; afterwards to Adam Irvine ;
next to the Grahams.

The Gelly burn, which runs through the ro-
mantic dell between the castle and the burial-
ground had, at one time, the name of Syvan ; and
Synnivie, or Sinivee, is the name of a copious
spring which issues from the crevice of a rock in
the den — a name which may be a corruption of
that of S. NiNiAN, the patron saint of Mains.

Near a dovecot, built in imitation of a ruined
castle, and upon the north side of the Dichty,
stood the reputed birth place of the celebrated
John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dun-
dee. He was mortally wounded at Killiecrankie,
27th July 1C89, and buried in the family vault
at Blair Athol, from which, it is said, his bones (?)
were secretly removed, at no distant date, and
reinterred within the precincts of an Episcopal
Church in Aberdeenshire.

The following oddly expressed entry, dated
Oct. 5, 1726, occurs in the Session records :—

" David Duncan at Mill of Mains had a daughter
baptised Ann brought forth by Isobel Johnston his
spouse before the congregation."

204

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS ^

(S. MARTIN.)
RflllE kirk of *S'<ra</<ec/i/m-ilfrt/-/nMvas dedicated
^ by David, Bishop of St Andrews, iu 1249.

The church was suppressed as a phice of worship
■when the new one was erected at Mains ; and part
of the materials of the former kirk were employed
in building the latter.

Sir John Ogilvy (whose ancestral burial-place
is within the parish church of Kirriemuir), has a
burial vault upon the site of the old kirk of Strath-
martin. The last interred there was Lady Jane,
second wife of Sir John Ogilvy, and daughter of
Thomas, Earl of Suffolk. Lady Jane, who died
28th July 1861, was remarkable for her friendly
manner to, and substantial sympathy with, the
poor. As the founder of the Asylum for Imbecile
Children at Baldovan, and of The Home at
Dundee, her name will long live in the hearts of
the sorrowful and the penitent.

On the west of the graveyard (also within an
enclosure), lie the remains, unmarked, of Admiral
Laird. He was the sou of a corn -merchant in
Dundee, and distinguished himself during the
American war. He bought the estate of Strath-
martin about 1785 for £15,500, upon the im-
provement of which he expended nearly as much
again. The rental is now over £4000 a-year.
Admiral Laird died in 1811, and was succeeded
by his grandson, Colonel Laird, of the F. and K.
Militia.

At the time the kirk of Strathmartin was de-
molished the burial ground was about double its
present size, the public road and certain cottages
on the north side of it being within the old
boundary. The burial place (were it properly
cared for) would be one of the loveliest iu the
district. It is upon a rising ground on the north
bank of the Dichty, surrounded by old trees, and
enclosed by a stone wall. It contains a number
of tombstones, from which the inscriptions quoted
below are selected : —

Heir lyes ane godly honest man Iames Hvntee,

hvsband to Isobel Wat. He decest November 6,
year of God 1664, of age 58. Her childi-en Patrick
and Ianet.

The first part of next inscription is carved iu
raised characters, round the edge of a table-shaped
tomb, the rest is incised upon the face of it : —

Heii' lyes ane godly honest man loHN Havl,
sometyme at Baldiven Mill, with Cathrn Ramsey,
his loving yovng wife,

Both in on grave vntU the tym acord
That they shall heir the earch angel of the Lord :
Ovr sovl doth bend ovr bodes straicht and even.
As with it selfe it wold theme raise to Heaven ;
Bvt al in value it vudergoes svch toyle.
The body will not leave its native soyle.
Age pvls it downe, and makes it stoope f vU low,
Till Death doth give his fatall overt lirow ;
Then throvgh the bodies breach the sovl doth rise.
And like a conqverovr movut the skies,
To its eternal rest from whence it came,
As is ther bodies in tombe heir lyes,
to wit, John Havll at Baldiven Mill, who died in
l^ace the 22 of March 1648, and of his age 55 yeirs,
with his beloved spoves Catrin Rajisay, who did
deeese the 4 of lanvari 1666 zeirs, and of her aige
77 zeirs, both in on grave heir lyes.
Adjoining the above : —

Here lyes an godly honest man called Iohn
Thane, husband to Elspit Edentoune, who duelt
in Kirktoun of Strickmartin, who departed the 1
day of Agust 1677, and of his age 51 ; and besides
him lyes Elspit Edentoune, his spous, who de-
parted the 29 day of Agust 1679, and of hir age 56.
Another stone bears : —

Heir lyes David Thain, who deceased the 26 day
of February 1(570. Blessed are the dead, &c.

Upon a stone lately removed from its place, and
laid against south dyke : —

Here lyes aue vertous honest woman Isobel
Mathew, last spous to Iohn Boyack, maltman
burges in Dundie, who died 22 of October 1690,
and of her age 60 :—

From dust I cam, and thither do returne.
Who here abids till tribes of earth shall mourn ;
Till heaven and earth wrapt in a scrol shall be,
And Christ with saints coming in clouds ile se,
WTien soul and bodie united shall again.
Be lifted up to Christ for to remaine.

STRATHMARTIN.

205

A table-shaped stone, with a weaver's loom and
shuttle carved upon it, bears : —

Here lyes ane godly honest man Iames Ander-
SONE, husband to lean Baxter, induellers in Bal-
kelou, who departed this life lanury 26, the year
1090, and of his age 70 : —

Among the earth, beneath this stone.

Doth his forefathers lie ;
And this has been their burial plac,
Since man's remembrie.

Carvings of a loom and shuttle accompany next : —
Heir lyes an honest man Andrew DA\^DSON,
husband to Margrat Alavar, induellers in Auelien-
herrie, who departed this life the 30 of May 1695,
and of his age 56, and 2 of their children : —

A godly man lyis here

Who was good to the poor.

He keeped ay good companie

And ordor in his familie.

He's gone to Heaven to his rest,

Among the angels that are blest.
Jas., son of Thos. Low% flour mill, Dundee, d.

1752, a. 18 y. :—

Thy name ay, thy fame ay,
Shall never be cutt off ;
Thy grave ay, shall have aye,
Thy honest epitaph.
John Robertson, Cotterton of Strathmartin, d.

1753, a. 74 :—

Heir lyes a godly honest man.

All men that knew him said —
He was an elder of the church,

And a weaver to his trade.
These words gave comfort unto him
AVhen God's word he did read —
If that the Son did make him free.
He should be free indeed.
Alexr. Bell, tenant, Kirkton, d. 1759, a. 78 : —
I lived almost eighty years.
Within this vale of tears ;
At last cold death on me laid hands,
Whome every mortal fears.
And hath my body here enclosed
Within this grave of earth ;
When Christ's last trumpet gives the call
T shall come forth in mirth.
When to his heaven he shall mc bring,
With songs of melody,

I shall his praises ever sing.
To all eternity.
Upon the face of a table -shaped tombstone : —

1800 : Erected by Geo. Brown, shipmaster, Dundee,
in memory of his father, brothers, and sister. His
father James Brown, late farmer of Balmedown,

died 26 March 1785, aged 62 j^ears

His brothers, James, died 9 March 1788, aged 25
years ; John died 28 March 1795, aged 32 years : —
While here on earth John did remain.
He liv'd at peace with every man ;
And yet a Murderer took his life —
But all comes from his Maker's hand.
While on this earth they lived hear.

They serv'd the Lord with all their mind ;
Now in the heav'ns we hope they sing.
Where man and angels are combin'd.
On north edge of same : —

Farewell, vain world, Iv' had enough of thee.

Now carles what thou sayest of me ;

Thy love I court not, nor thy frown I fear.

My days are past, my head lies cover'd here ;

If fault in me, be sure take care to shun.

Look to yo'rself, for to death you soon must come.

When the burial-ground of Strathmartin was
enclosed, and subsequently in the course of digging
graves, the different fragments of sculptured stones
were discovered which are now to be seen at the
Kirktown. The largest of these, which bears the
representation of two serpents, was found in the
bottom of a grave in 1813, and through the good
offices of the present venerable schoolmaster, it
was placed in its present position. In connection
with this and the sculptured stones, which stand
near Strathmartin Castle, and upon the farm of
Balkello, in Tealing, and not at Ballutheron, as
is commonly said, there is an interesting legend.
Though well known, it may be briefly repeated.

Long, long ago, the farmer of Pitempan had
nine pretty daughters. One day their father
thirsted for a drink from his favourite well, which
was in a marsh at a short distance from the house.
The fairest of the nine eagerly obeyed her father's
wish, by running to the spring. Not returning
within a reasonable time, a second went in quest

206

EPITAPHS, AND imCRIPTIONS

of her sister. She, too, tarried so long, that an-
other volunteered, when the same result happened
to her, and to five other sisters in succession. At
last the ninth sister went to the spring, and there,
to her horror, beheld among the bulrushes, the
dead bodies of her sisters guarded by a dragon !
Before she was able to escape, she too fell into the
grasp of the monster ; but not until her cries had
brought people to the spot. Amongst these was
her lover, named Martin, who, after a long
struggle with the dragon, which was carried on
from Pitempan to Balkello, he succeeded in
conquering the monster. It is told that jNIartiu's
sweetheart died from injuries or fright ; and the
legend adds, that in consequence of this tragedy,
the spring at Pitempan was named the Nine Maiden
Well; and the sculptured stone at Strathmartin,
also St. Martin's Stane, at Balkello, were erected
by the inhabitants to commemorate the event.

It is further asserted that the incentive cry of
Strike, Martin ! by the maiden to her lover, when
he first encountered the monster, gave name to
the district; while the following rhyme is popu-
larly believed to indicate the cause of the dragon's
rapaciousuess, and the progress of the conflict be-
tween it and the victor : —

It was tempit at Pitempan,

Draiglet at Ba'dragon,

Stricken at Strickmartin,

An' kill'd at Martin's Stane !

People still alive in the parish recollect of nine
graves, near the east end of the old kirk of Strath-
martin, which were pointed out as those of
the nine sisters ; and it is uniformly added that
the stone with two serpents carved upon it stood
at the head of these mounds. I am also told tliat
no interments have been made in these graves dur-
ing the recollection of the oldest inhabitants.

So much for tradition. Probably this inter-
esting romance was an after thought, and may
have been founded upon the fact of serpents and
certain nondescript animals being represented
upon the stones at the Kirktown and Balkello.
In addition to this, we know that the church was
dedicated to S. Martin ; and that there was a
chapel in Strathdichtie, which was inscribed to

the saints, known as the Nine Maidens, The
latter place of devotion may have stood at
Pitempan, since the Irish words Pit-teamp-an
signify a small church, or temple situated in a hol-
low. To indulge further in etymological specu-
lation, one might trace the origin of the name
of Baldragon to the Irish Bal-dreighan, a town or
place abounding in black thorn, or sloe bushes.

The fatal well, which is about 100 yards from
the reputed site of the old farm-house of Pitem-
jjan, and on the south side of the burn, was
recently covered by a flagstone. The well at Bal-
dragon, situated in a hollow below the farm-house,
remains open ; and Martin's Stane, where the
serpent is said to have been killed, stands upon
Balkello farm, embellished with a transfixed serpent.
Another stone, with "the elephant," and other
carvings common to such relics of antiquity, is in
a dyke near Strathmartin Castle ; and a number
of fragments of the same interesting class have
been found from time to time in the kirkyard.

The Dichty, which runs through the united
parishes, is bridged in various places. Two of the
bridges were erected through the influence of
Admiral Laird, and one by the Corporation of
Bakers, Dundee, all before 1794.

The Rev. David Maxwell, " minister and
chief heritor of Strathmartin," who died 6 June
1774, left the interest of £100 sterling for the
education of four poor scholars ; but, like many
similar bequests, through mismanagement or other-
wise, this has been long lost to the jmrish, Mr
Maxwkll, who was one of the last descendants ■
of the old lairds of Tealiug, was translated to
Strathmartin from Essie and Nevayin 1751. He
left two daughters, who were long annuitants upon
the estate of Strathuuirtin.

(S. DONAN, ABBOT.)
iTJfJHE kirk of Ochtirles and its pertinents were
<& confirmed to Edward, Bishop of Aberdeen,
by Pope Adrian IV., in 1157. It was a parsonage

AUCHTERLESS.

207

belonging to Old Maclicir, of which cathedral the
parson was chanter.

According to Dempster, S. Donan's staff,
which was long preserved at Auchterless, cured
fever and jaundice ; but was destroyed at the
Reformation, S. Donan's fair stood at the
Kirktown of Auchterless. The bell bears : —

PETER , lANSEK . ANNO . DM . 1G44.

The church, built in 1780, was repaired in 1832.
In the east end of it are two wood carvings. One
bears a fess between three boars' heads erased,
possibly for Gordon, the other quarterly, a lion
rampant, and three papingoes, for Ogilvy of
Dunlugas, dated 1644, and initialed P. G : I. O.

The Duffs of Hatton have a mausoleum, or aisle,
on the south-west of the church, adorned with
their arms and motto, &c. Three marble monu-
ments, built into the north wall of the church,
refer to this family. The first inscription quoted
below relates to the first Duff of llattou (i'. p.
76):-

To the memory of Alexander Duff, Esq. of
Hatton, born 1 Jan. 1688, died 27 Dec. 1753 ; and of
Katherin Duff, his spouse, who died 23 Dec. 1758,
aged 75. Also in memory of their son, John Duff,
Esq. of Hatton, born 14 Jan. 1727, died 2 Aug.
1787 ; and of his spouse Helen Duff, born 21 June
1744, died 2 Oct. 1802. There are also interred of
their family here, Alexander Duff, Esq. of
Hatton, their eldest son ; two sons named John ;
two daughters named Bathia ; two daughters
named Ann, and a daughter named Katharine.
On left of the above : —

To the memory of Alexander Duff, Esq. of
Hatton, born 26 March 1718, died 3 Nov. 1764,
who, to a native goodness of heart, sweetness of
disposition, and universal benevolence, joined the
social virtues of the husband, father, and friend.
This marble is inscribed by the Lady Anne Duff his
widow, 1765.

On right of last quoted : —

To the memory of John Duff, eldest son of
Garden Duff, Esq. of Hatton, born 14 June 1807,
died 27 April 1829, whose goodness of heart, and
amiable disposition, endeared him to his family,
and all who knew him.

— Dying unmarried, John Duff was succeeded in
Hatton by the father of the gentleman named in
the next inscription, which is carved upon a neat
cross of white marble : —

Garden-William Duff of Hatton, died 17 Sep.
1866, aged 52.

From tombstones in churchyard of Auchter-
less : — •

Hear lyes ane very honest man called Georg

Uamsay, who de]parted lyfe to blessed

eternity Ag. 10, 1685.

In hope of a blessed resurrection, here lyes in-
tei-red the body of louN Downie, sometime mer-
chant in Kirktown of Auchterless, who departed
this life the first day of lanuaiy 1754, in the 52
year of his age. His spouse Elspet Murdoch,
died Jan. 19, 1770, aged 77.

Here lyes ane honest man Alex. Co . . some-
tyme in Kirktoun of Auchterless, who dyed Aprill
2, 1719 ; and Elspet Broun, his spouse who

died

Geo. Sandison, Petts, Fyvie, hd. of Barbara
Eeedford, d. 1782, a. 34 :—

Silent grave, to thee I trust,
This precious pile of worthy dust ;
Keep it safe, sacred tomb,
Until a wife, or child, shall ask for room.
Upon a headstone : —

Adam Maitland, late servant in Cushnie. He
was deaf and dumb from his birth, yet the ready
and intelligible manner in which he communicated
by signs his ideas on a great variety of subjects
clearly proved that Mind may exist when neither
Speech nor Hearing are bestowed by the Author of
our Being. He died 9 Jan. 1822, aged 68. Erected
by Andrew Jamieson in Cushnie, in memory of a
man who had faithfully served his father and him
for upwards of forty years.
Near the above : —

Rebecca Paterson, died 23 March 1819, aged
88. As a small tribute of respect for the fidelity
with which she discharged her duty as a servant
in his family for three generations, and during the
long period of 80 years, this stone is erected to her
memory by Andrew Jamieson, Cushnie.
— Hector Jamieson is described as " grassman,'»
or cottager, on the farm of Cushnie in 1696 and

208

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

John Patorson was the name of the principal ser-
vant on the farm. There were several Maitlands
in the parish at the same time, as tenant-
farmers, weavers, &c. In south wall of church : —
Near this stone are deposited the remains of
George Barclay, M.D., ijhysician to the Aber-
deen Infirmary, who died 20 Dec. 1S19, aged 27.
Endowed with a cheerful, mild, and affectionate
disposition ; respected for his talents and acquire-
ments, and for zeal and benevolence in his pro-
fession ; his early death was the occasion not only
of sorrow to his friends, but of regret to the com-
munity in which he lived.

Built into the church wall, upon the right, and
outside of east door :—

►J- Sacred to the memory of Mrs Elizabeth
Roberts, late of Darra, in the parish of Turriff.
Died 18 April 1834, aged 68. Erected by her
affectionate brother, George Patei'son, of the Island
of Grenada, West Indies, 1838.

George and Robert Middleton (1816) : —
Once lovely youths.
Called from this lowly state away,
Ere they the prime of life had seen ;
Who met their end without dismay.
Because their lives had blameless been.

A table-shaped stone bears : —

James CRUiCKSHAi^K, in Toukshill, died 13 Jan.
1814, aged 71. His mother, Margaret Topp, died
1709, aged 64. He endowed a bursary at King's
College, another at Marischal College, each of £20
a-j^ear, and astricted to the names of Cruickshank
and Tapp or Topp, or otherwise to accumulate ; and
left handsome charities and legacies to his friends.
Inscribed in testimony of respect to the said James
Cruickshank in Toukshill, New Deer, by Alex.
Cruickshank, in Middlehill, his nephew, 1818.

Built into outside wall of church : —

Here ly Christin Haures, spouse to Mr Alex.
Ross, min''. at Achterles, vho departed this life Oct.
5th 1710, and of her age 22. Also James, Isobell,
and Kaih : Rosses, his children by Eliz: Ogilvie,
his 2d spouse. She dy'd May 17, 1720.

Upon a lying stone : —

Rev. Alexander Rose, died 7 Dec in

. . . year of his age, and 17th of his ministry.

Upon a marble within the church : —

The Rev. George Dingwall, the faithful minister
of this parish for the long period of 50 years, was
born at Smallburn, Auchterless, 3d March 1786,
died 15 January 1862.

— Mr D. left two bursaries of £4 10s each to the
school of Auchterless, also one of £15 to the Uni-
versity of Aberdeen. He was the son of a farmer
at Smallburn, where his ancestors had long re-
sided.

A conspicuous monument bears an inscription,
of which the following is an abridgement: — •

William Chalmers, late in Kirktown of Auch-
terless, born 22 June 1720, died 14 April 1804.
Marjory Thomson, his spouse, died Sep. 15, 1806,
aged 80, &c. A son, John, born 28 Aug. 1760,
died 4 Feb. 1805. A daughter Margaret, born 26
Sep. 1767, died 10 Feb. 1827. Other three sons,
James, A.M., born 25 April 1763, died 22 July
1846 ; Alexander, born 2 May 1765, died 13 Sep.
1848 ; and George, died at Turriff, 9 April 1852,
aged 96.

— The three last-named in the above inscription
erected "Chalmers' Infant School" at Turriff,
and endowed it with £20 annually. They also
left about £300 a-year to various public charities
in Aberdeen, &c. The first brother was a mer-
chant in Auchterless, the second a farmer there,
and the third a stocking merchant, &c., in Aber-
deen.

An old religious house, dedicated to S. Mary,
stood near the farm house of Seggat, beside the
Holy Well, which was much frequented by the
superstitious, and where votive offerings were fre-
c^uently deposited. There was also a burial ground ;
but no tombstones remain.

Stone circles, three of which (concentric) are
at Kirkhill, were at one time pretty common in
the parish.

In the reign of Alex. III. the barony of Seggat
was valued at 15 merks ; and that of Auchterless
was held on the reddendo of paying a sparrow
hawk annually. Of the last property, Alex, (son
and heir apparent of Irvine of Drum), and his
wife, Janet AUardice, had a charter in 1499.

A UCHTERLESS—LOGIE-MONTROSE.

209

Before that date Auchterless belonged to Demp-
sters, a family that long held the property of
Careston in Angus, as hereditary doomsters to
the Scotch kings, also the office of justiciary to the
Abbots of Arbroath.

Of this family was Thomas Dempster (v. TuR-
■riff), who records in his Ecclesiastical History of
Scotland, that Malcolm Ardes, a Carmelite
friar, who flourished early in the 14th century,
and wrote an account of the battle of Falkirk, &c.,
belonged to Auchterless. Also James Laing,
whom (in speaking of the Popish writers against
Knox), Dr McCrie characterises as the " most im-
pudent of all liars !'' Of a different type was
Henry Scougal, who resigned the chair of Phi-
losophy at Aberdeen, and retired to Auchterless,
from which, after recruited health, he became
Professor of Divinity in the same University. His
tombstone is in the College-Kirk at Aberdeen.

It was at Auchterless, on 12th January 1775,
that Peter Garden died at the age of 131. The
Scots Macjazlne remarks that he retained his
memory and senses to the last, and lived under
ten sovereigns. (?) .... It is also said that he
saw Henry Jenkins in London, who died in
1670, aged 169, who, when young, carried arrows
to be used by the English at Flodden. A now rare
portrait of Garden was painted by James Walls,
and engraved by H. Gavin.

(S. MARTIN.)

BISHOP DAVID of St Andrews, in the year
1213, dedicated the church of Logij^ under
the name of " Logic Cuthil," In the Register of
IMinisters (1574), it is called " Logymontrois,"
at which time, along with the kirks of Pert, Men-
inure, and Fearn, it was served by one clergyman.
Mr William Gray, of whom the celebrated James
Melville speaks so highly in his Diary, was then
incumbent.

The churches of Logic and Pert were first pro-
posed to be united in 1645, but it was not until
1661 that the union was ratified by Act of Par-
liament. Down to 1775, both church fabrics were
maintained and served (probably alternately) by
one minister. The present church of the united
parish, rebuilt in 1840, stands nearly half way
between the old places of worship. The patronage
of Logic belonged to the Archbishop of St.
Andrews, and that of the united j^arish is alter-
nately exercised by the Crown and St Mary's
College, St Andrews.

The old kirk and burial-ground have a secluded
and romantic site upon the west side of the North
Esk, and there the principal scene of George
Beattie's poeiu of " John o' Arnha" is laid.
S. Martin's Den (near which stands a Free
Church, called "the Den Kirk"), preserves, along
with a spring well, the name of the titular saint
of the parish.

Until the old church was restored as a burial-
place for the Carnegys of Craigo, little more re-
mained of it than parts of the south, north, and
east walls. It appears to have been a sixteenth cen-
tury building, with three lancet windows, or
lights in the east end, and an arched doorway on
the south. The old awmbry, much defaced, is
preserved in the north wall. The restoration of
the building, which is in the Decorated style, has
been done with much taste. Lights have been
inserted in the south wall ; and, in the west, or
entrance end, round the arch of the door, in raised
antique Roman capitals, is this text :—

I am the resurrection and the life : he that be-
lieveth in me, though dead, yet shall he live.

Over the doorway are two shields, one charged
with the Carnegy arms, the other with those of
Grant and Macpherson, quarterly : the Carnegy
eagle (in allusion to the founder of the family
having been a churchman), bears an open book,
instead of a cup, upon the breast. Over the
shields is the date of the restoration of the building,
1857, also a triangular window near the middle
of the gable. Neat stone crosses are upon each
of the gable points ; and the interior displays a
roof of open timber. Near the middle of the

D D

210

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

north wall, a marble tablet, set iu light coloured
freestone, is thus inscribed : —

Here lie the remains of Thomas Carnegy of
Craigo, Esq. ; and of Mary Carnegy, his spouse.
He died 9th June 1793, aged G4, and was sur-
vived by his Widow for many years, which she
devoted to the exemplary j)erformance of all the
duties of an aCfcctionate mother. She died 20th
Novr. 1815, aged 65, leaving in the minds of her
children the greatest love and admiration of her
many virtues, and an earnest wish to profit by her
example. Their second daughter, Elizabeth, wife
of the Hon. Lord Gillies, has erected this monu-
ment as a testimony of her affection and gratitude
to her Parents.

— Mrs C. was the secoud daughter of James
Gardyue of Middleton. A flat slab in north-east
of the aisle covers the graves of her son and his
wife, a sister of Sir Geo. M. Grant of Ballin-
dalloch : —

David Carnegy of Craigo, bom 9 March 1776,
died 10th Nov. 1845. Mrs Carnegy of Craigo,
born — Sep. 1779, died 24th Sept. 1856.

On south of last mentioned : —

Mary Carnegy, second daughter of David
Carnegy of Craigo, born 4th May 1811, died 23d
Feb. 1847.

A third slab, in front of the marble monument,
bears this record of the last male descendant of
the Carnegys of Craigo : —

Thomas Carnegy of Craigo, born 9th March
1804, died 12th June 1856.

— As before shown (v. p. 90), the founder of the
Craigo Carnegys was David, miuLster at Farnell.
He had a sou, Robert " expectant," who preached
occasionally, but the Presbytery found such fault
with him iu not " exerciseing when his turn is,"
and as he gave no satisfactory excuse, except
that he had occasion to go "about weigh tie
affaires," he appears to have lost the kirk of
Farnell, to which, on 1st May 1673, Mr John
Lamy was translated from Maryton. The last-
named Thomas Carnegy left the property to
his cousin Thomas Grant, W.S., Edinburgh, son of
Sir George Macpherson-Grant of Ballindalloch.

The tombstones iu the burial ground arc few

iu number, and of modern date. Possibly the
oldest, which is much effaced, lies at the east end
of the kirk, and bears to have covered the grave
of a " religious man." The three following in-
scriptions are from other gravestones : —

Robert Findlay, Tolmants, hd. to Margt. Read,
d. 1742, a. 60 :—

All who pass by, behould survie.

Think on this afull shrine ;
Hers moistie bons and broken skuls,

And graves all over green.
But whers the souls, those deathless things

That left these bodies hear ?
Ise not give ansuer, but reffer
Till Christ our lord appeir.
James Croll, Law of Craigo, d. 1728, a. 21 : —
Faith makes vs sones and hcres to the most high.
Faith leads to gloriovs immortallity ;
By faith the povr of Satan wee defie,
If on Christ's merits wee by faith relic ;
And if trv faith wnto the end endvre
Yovr evidence for Heauen is good and sur.
Alexander Valentine, d. 1794, a 60 ; his wf.
Janet Cairo, d. 1823, a. 92 :—

My friends in Christ that are above,

Them will I go and see ;
And thou my friends in Christ below,
^Yill soon come after me.

Mr Wm. Cruden, sometime minister of Logic-
Pert, was the author of at least two volumes, one
of Hymns (Aberd. 1761), the other, Nature Spi-
ritualised, in a variety of poems (Lond. 1766).

(S. .)

THE old kirk of Pert is a picturesque ruin by
the side of the turnpike road from Brechin
to Laurencekirk. Possibly the church and parish
were erected by Superintendent Erskiue of Dun,
to whom the greater part of the district belonged
in property, and iu whose time the kirk is first
mentioned.

PERT.

211

The bell, which is preserved in the belfry, is
inscribed, Pert 1704. The south-west skew-put
stone of the kirk has the odd figure of a hammer
incised upon it ; and, from the style of tlie build-
ing, the ruins appear to be those of the kirk of
Erskine's time.

Though undistinguished, the ashes of John
Falcon EU, who was Bishop of Brechin from
1709. repose here. He was a cadet of the noble
family of Halkerton, died at Inglismaldie July 6,
1723, and is described as " a good and grave man
and very modest, tall, black, and stooi^ing."

Seven separate stones, which appear to have
been pillars or supports of a table -shaped tomb,
lie in the burial-ground. The carvings are date-
less, but clearly the work of the 18th century.
They bear respectively tlie words quoted below,
and the emblems, &c., described : —

UNDER . THIS . STONE . BOOTH . LY . TUO . PERSONS
WHO . KEEPT . ANE . HONEST . FAMILE . BUT . NOU
THEY . ARE . PAST . INTO . ETERNITY.

— The figure of a thistle follows the above words.
Below the following quotation from Horace the
sower of the parable is represented : —

PALLIDA . MORS . ^,QUO . PULSAT.

PEDE . PAUPERUM . TABERNAS . REGUMQUE , TURRES.

— The figures of death, a dart, a scythe, and a
coffin, are carved after the next :—

KOMMANDING . DEATH . THAT . CROUL . DEART
DOUNE . THRO . AND . VOUND , OUR . HEART.

— Alongside of Adam and Eve at the forbid-
den tree : —

HOMO . DAMNAVIT.
MOSES

is represented striking the rock. A harp and lily
accompany the figure, and name of —

KING . DAUID.

upon the seventh stone is the word,

ARON.

The chief priest wears a mitre, breastplate, and
a long robe ; and carries a censer suspended from
the end of Aaruii's Rod: The rod is represented as
a round-headed, short, knotty stick.

A burial vault or aisle is on the north of the

church, and a marble tablet, within the ruins, is
inscribed to

Mary Allardice, daughter of James Allardice,
Esq. of that Ilk, in the Mearns, second wife of
James Macdonald, Esq., long sheriff-substitute of
that county, and only son of Thomas Macdonald,
advocate, Aberdeen. She died at Inglismaldie,
4 January ISOl, in the 75th year of her age. The
said James Macdonald died 23 August 1809, aged
83. They lived upwards of forty-two years together
in greatest happiness, and in the practice of every
Christian virtue, beloved and revered by their
family, and by all who knew them. This stone is
erected by their only daughter Mary, only sur-
viving child of six children, and wife of Charles
Ogilvy, Esq. of Tannadice. Also, here lyes the
body of Margaret Ogilvy, daughter of the above
Charles Ogilvy, and Mary Macdonald, who died
25 Oct. 1805, aged 3 weeks.

— Mary Allardice (whose mother was a daughter
of Milne of Balwyllo, provost of Montrose), was
aunt of Saraii-Ann Allardice, who married
Robert Barclay of Urie (v. p. 83). In 1785,
Mrs Barclay was served eldest nearest lawful heir
portioner of AVm. the last Earl of Airth and Mou-
teith, brother of her great-great-grandmother.
Mi-s Barclay, divorced in 1793, afterwards mar-
ried John Nudd ; and dying in 1833, aged 78,
was buried at Sprcwston in Norfolk. (Sir II.
Nicolas' Earldom of Strathern, &c., p. 119.) Mr
Ogilvy of Tannadice was the son of a physician in
Forfar (v. pp. 11, 33).

So far as I have seen the following is tlie oldest
dated inscription at Pert : —

16G2 Heir lyes Iannet Gorme, somtym spovs
to lames Strahavchn, vho depairtcd in the year of
God the 28 of Decembr.

An adjoining tombstone possibly belongs to
the same race. It bears : —

Here lyes Robert Willack, who departed this
life in the year 1705, of his age 67, Agust 10
.... Margret Smith and Isabel Stkachan his
spouses.

Upon a table-shaped stone, dated 1G64 ;—

Beneath this stone coverd is the body of Ihone
Robertson, bvt that pairt vhich better is, avay to

212

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

Haven is gone. The patlie of Death is to be trodn
by al and every one, vho in the earth doe dvol ; bvt
faith it overcomes. ....

Alex. Rennv's wife (1696) :—

Mors certa est, incerta dies, hora agnita nuUi ;
Extremam quare quamlibet esse puta.
— Eccl. xii. 7, here follows cut in Hebrew cha-
racters, then this translation of the preceding : —
FraU man, uncertain is thy death,

Uncertain is thy day ;
Non knovs the hor of his last breath,
Then look for it alvay.
Here lyes Iames Hodgston, who departed this
lyfe in the year 1720, of his age SO, Octob. 12 day,
and of WiLiAM Hodgston, his son, and Ianet
FvLERTON his spovse.

A headstone, within an enclosure, belongs to a
family named Buchanan, farmers, North Water
Bridge. The first recorded died in 1751, aged
70 ; the last in 1845, aged 80. Upon one side is a
circle, with four grotesquely shaped male figures :
their feet are turned towards the circle, and over
their respective heads are the words : —

I DO RING . I DID RING.

I ONCE RANG . I SHALL KING.

— Angels blowing trumpets are also represented ;
and this couplet carved upon a ribbon : —
The trumpet shall sound, the dead shall rise,
To meet Christ Jesus in the skies.
John, son of Robert Grey, d. 1755, a. 20 :—
Ingenious youth, he's gone.
Oh, thou resistless fate:
Hei-e virtues in him shone
Not feigned, but innate.
Great happiness we trust
Rewards his pietie ;
And raisd will be his Dust
Years endless bhst to be.
John Durward on his "relations." (1804) :—
Here rests together on the lap of earth
The Sire, the Father, and the Infant Child,
To teach survivmg friends in this their day
To shun the things of time, and look to Heav'n.
Alex. Kirkland, st. of divinity, d. 1822, a. 19 :—
Whose turn is next ? this monitory stone,
rroclaims, oh ! Reader, 'tis perhaps thine own ;

No beauty, strength — can stay the fatal doom.
No virtue, worth — prevent the op'ning tomb ;
Then trust in him whose arm is strong to save
Who gives thee hope beyond the closing grave.
Within an enclosure at east end of ruins : —

Sacred to the memory of James Lvall, Esq. of
Gallery, who died 20 March 1851, aged 87.
— Mr Lyall, whose paternal name was Gibson, in-
herited the estate of Gallery through an uncle
(v. p. 90). Sometime before 1576, the barony
of Galraw, in Angus, belonged to the Lords
Oliphant ; but in less than a century afterwards
Lord Halkerton was proprietor. The house,
which is pleasantly situated near the North Esk,
is said to have been erected by Fullerton, a cadet
of the Kinaber family. Near the west wall of
the burial ground at Pert : —

Erected by the United Presbyterian Congi-egation
of Muirton, to the memory of the Rev. James
Renwick, who was 23 years and 7 mouths pastor
of that congregation. Died 22 Oct. 1845, in the
60th year of his age.

"A workman that needeth not be ashamed."
— At Muirton (now Luthermuir, in the parish of
Mary kirk), there has been a Seceder church from
an early period.

Near the last-meutioued tombstone another is
inscribed : —

This monument was erected by Ann Lunau, in
memory of her Brother, the Revd. Master Alex-
ander LuNAN, here interred, who was Presbyter
of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, fii-st at Blair-
daff, and last at RosehiU, where he departed this
life on the 29tli Sept. 1769, aged 66 years. [Job
xix. 26.]

— Mr Lunan was ordained at Aberdeen by Bishop
Gdderar, 28th October 1729, preached his first
sermon from John xii. 35, in the meeting house at
Wartle, on the Sabbath thereafter ; and, on 9th
Nov. following, he entered upon his duties in a
heath -covered place of worship at Blairdaff, in the
parish of Chapel of Garioch. On 28th October
1730, he received orders as a Presbyter ; and his
congregation appears to have been not only highly
respectable as regards the status of its members,
but also in point of numbers, for, according to IMr

PERT.

213

Lunan's MS. Diary (now before us), he was in
the habit of dispensing the Sacrament to from
270 to 300 persons annually. But though his
labours were thus successful, since his successor
(even after a remonstrance on his own part
and on that of the Bishop), only succeeded in
getting forty members of the congregation at
Blairdaff to bind themselves to give him a dwell-
ing house and a money stipend of 234 merks yearly,
or about £13 sterling, it is not hkely that Mr
Lunan's salary had been much better.

It was in April 1744, that Mr Lunan received
a call from the congregation at North Water
Bridge. It was subscribed by Lord Halkerton,
the lairds of Balmakewan, Gallery, and Stra-
cathro ; and Mr Lunan made his " first appear-
ance amongst them" on the 23d of that month,
having read prayers, and preached at Gallery,
from Job xxii. 21. There being no church at the
time of Mr Lunan's induction, the congregation
of North Water Bridge assembled " in Dalidies,
a house belonging to Stricathrow," where they
continued to meet until the 26th of August there-
after, when their own place of worship was
opened, upon which occasion Mr Lunan " spoke
to the people" in brief, but suitable terms. There
Mr Lunan continued to discharge the duties of
his sacred office with faithfulness and acceptance
down to the time of his death. Of the 2G3 males
and 244 females whom Mr Lunan baptised in his
time, he performed the last of these ceremonies in
his own house at Rosehill on the 3d of August
preceding his demise. Mr Lunan's father was
Episcopal minister at Daviot in Aberdeenshire,
and wrote a 4to volume on the Mystery of Man's
Redemption (Edin. 1712), which he dedicated to
Sir James Elphinstone of Logie, bart.

Next to the old kirk, the chief object of general
interest in Pert, is the bridge which crosses the
North Esk. It consists of three arches, and is
supposed to have been originally built by Super-
intendent Erskine of Dun, who died in 1591.
Near the south-west end, a tablet bears the Royal
arms of Scotland, with the motto,

NEMO . ME . IMl'VNE . LACESSIT.

— Upon the north-west are the Erskine arms,
below which,

KINE . OF . DVNE.

Wodrow says that this bridge was used as a
sort of prison for the Covenanters, when on their
way from the west of Scotland to Dunottar
Castle in 1685, and that soldiers were posted at
both ends of the bridge to prevent escape. Some
writers aver that there were no parapets upon
the bridge at that time ; but this appears to be a
mistake, since, in 1669, David Erskine, then laird
of Dun, appHed to Parharaent to be allowed to
levy custom or toll for the bridge, with the view
of placing " ston rails and ledges" upon it, and
putting it into a generally good state of repair.
For this he was permitted to exact certain pay-
ments for the space of twenty years, from " each
foot persone carying burden," and for all "bes-
tiall, loads, and others, . . . that shall happen to
croce the said North water Bridge." (Acta Pari,
vii. 654.) The necessary repairs and improve-
ments had been made before Mr Ochterlony
wrote (c. 1682), for he says that the bridge,
" built by one of the Lairds of Dun, but not
altogether finished, [had] raills put upon the same
of very good hevven stone, amounting to a great
expence, by the present Laird of Dun."

Before the Marykirk Bi-idge was built (v. p.
138), there was a ferry boat at Craigo.

A great fair or market was held at the North
Water Bridge in old times upon Sundays as well
as week days. The Brechin Presbytery Re-
cords (Oct. 12, 1643), state that " the Sabbath
was profaned by ane market holden at the North
Water Brig ;" at which the Presbytery were so
alarmed that they ordained Mr Montgomerie,
then minister of Pert, " to take notice off those
that frequents that market, and acquaint ther
ministers therewith, that they may be punished
as Sabbath breakers."

It was in this locality, in a clay-built cottage,
removed not many years ago, that James Mill,
father of John Stuart Mill, the celebrated political
economist, was born. Mr Mill, who died at Lon-
don, was buried in the vault underneath the
parish church of St Mary Abbots, Kensington,

214

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

Middlesex. A marble tablet, iu the south aisle of
the church, is thus inscribed : —

To the memory of James Mill, Esquire, author
of "History of British India," "Analysis of the
Human Mind," aud other works. Born April G,
1773, died June 23, 1836, and buried near this place.

(IU t « t It 1 1,

(S. NINIAE, OR S. MANIR.)
ISpilE kirk of Creythyn, or Crclhi/, belonged to
M> the Abbey of Cambuskenueth. In 1606,
the kirk and kirk lands were given to the Earl of
Mar, as part of the temporal lordship of that
monastery.

The time of the union of the parishes of Crathie
and Kindrochet (now Braemar), is not quite clear.
In 1574 both churches were vacant ; and the
readers were respectively named John Wilson and
James Play.

The ruins of the old kirk stand v/ithin the
burial-ground of Crathie, on the north bank of
the Dee. A new place of worship was erected
upon a rising ground on the north side of the
turnpike road. It is a plain square building,
with pavilion roof; and, when resident at Bal-
moral, IIkr Majesty and suite attend Divine
service in it. There is a neat Free Church, near
Lochnagar, on the south side of the Dee.

A monument set up against the east wall of the
Farquharson burial aisle, in old kirkyard, bears
the date of 1702, and the initials R. H : E. 2E.
The Farquliarson aisle (at the east end of the old
kirk), contains three tablets, inscribed as under-
noted : —

1699 : Within these walls lie the remains of
Alexander Farquharson of Monaltrie ; John and
Francis, both of Monaltrie, his sons ; Robert, his
youngest son, and several other children, who died
in their infancy. Here also are interred Anne Far-
quharson, the wife of Alexander ; Anne Ogilvie,
the wife of John ; and Isobel Keith and Helen
Baird, the wives of Robert. As also, Amelia,

Francis, and James, the children of Robert and
Helen Baird. For their memory this stone is
erected with the warmest filial and fraternal affec-
tion by WiUiam Farquarson of Monaltrie. 1808.

— The first Farquharson of Monaltrie was Do-
nald, Cson of Donald Farchar, eldest son of Fiiila
Mo}-), forest ranger to Jas. VI., and bailie of
Strathdee to the 4th Earl of Huntly. Donald
exchanged his patrimony of Castleton of Brae-
mar, for that of Monaltrie, with the Earl of
Mar about 1600. His son, also Donald, having
been appointed bailie of Strathdee in his father's
lifetime, was surnamed Donald Oig, or Donald,
junior. Donald Oig was the most famous of his
race in the traditions of Deeside, not only from
the part he took in the Civil Wars as chief of his
clan, but as bailie to the Marquis of Huntly ; and
Spalding relates, in speaking of his slaughter at
Aberdeen (15 March 1G45), that he was " a brave
gentilman, and aue of the noblest capitans amongis
all the hielanderis of Scotland." His eldest son
entered the French service and died abroad ; the
second succeeded to the property, and, when an
old man, about the year 1700, pecuniary straits
compelled him to sell Monaltrie to Alexander,
younger son of Farquharson of Invercauld. It is
this Alexander (the first of the second race of
the Farqubarsous of Monaltrie), who is the first
named in the above inscription. This branch, of
which there were four lairds, held Monaltrie for
three generations. The most famous of these was
Francis (2d son of Alexander), who commanded
his clan at Culloden, where he was taken prisoner.
He was conveyed to London, tried, and con-
demned to death ; but, on the evening preceding
the day appoiuted for his execution, he received a
reprieve, aud ultimately a pardon, without know-
ing to whose kind intercession he was indebted.
His hair, from the light colour of which he was
known as Baron Ban, hung over his shoulders iu
long flaxen curls ; and by the grace thus added to
his handsome person, it is said that a lady of in-
fluence at Court was captivated, and procured the
timely respite which saved his life. He was suc-
ceeded in Monaltrie by his nephew William, who
purchased Ballatcr and Tullich from the last of

CRATHIE.

215

the Inverey Farqulaarsons. lu 1827 he sold
Monaltrie to Invercauld, to which family, as next
of kin, William Farquharson's whole estate de-
volved, on the death of his widow, (v. p. 107).

Erected A. D. 1824 by James Farquharson Esq.
Balnabodach, Sacred to the memory of James
Farquharson of Tullochcoy, who died in 1760 ;
and his spouse May Farquharson, who died 1729,
Peter Farquharson of Tullochcoy, born 1733,
died 1801 ; Isabella Forbes, his spouse, Ijorn 1733,
died 1780. George, Francis, and Donald, their
sons, the former died 1787, the two latter in their
infancy. James and Katherine, son and daughter
of James Farquharson, Balnabodach and Tullochcoy,
The son died in 1805, the daughter in 1807, Ann,
daughter of James Farquharson of Balnabodach,
and wife of Dr Robertson, who died at Indego,
31 August 1842, aged 34.

— James F. of Inverey, a younger brother of
Donald, first of Monaltrie, was ancestor of the
Tullochcoy branch of the clan. He took an active
part in Montrose's Wars, and after the slaughter
of his nephew, Donald Oi(j, at Aberdeen, he com-
manded the Deeside Highlanders, and was at the
battle of Alford, to the success of which he ma-
terially contributed. His wife was Agnes Fer-
guson, daughter of the minister of Crathie, by
whom he had a large family. To his son Lewis
he gave the property of Auchendryne, and to James
that of Tullochcoy, in Aberarder. The latter
married Agnes Ochterlony, daughter of the minis-
ter of Fordoun, in the Mearns, and built a new
mansion house at Tullochcoy, upon a lintel of
which, still extant, are carved in relief : —

I, F. : A. O. 1693,

— Their son, James (who died in 1760), married
a daughter of Monaltrie ; and it is a tradition
that Tullochcoy having joined the Farquharsons
at CuUoden with seven sons, he and they all fell in
battle, and the succession devolved upon the
above Peter, when a boy, in 1746. Peter's wife
was a daughter of John Forbes of Newe ; and
about 1770 Peter sold Tullochcoy to Farquharson
of Invercauld. Late in life he removed to Belna-
bodach, in Strathdon, a farm which some of his

descendants still occupy. The first mentioned in
the following tablet was Peter's eldest son : —

In memory of James Farquharson of Balna-
bodach, who died at BaUater, 10th October 1843,
aged 85 years ; and Isabella McHardy, his wife,
who died at Balnabodach, 9th September 1827,
aged 64 years. This tablet is erected as a mark of
filial respect and afi'ection by their three sons,
Peter, John, and Alexander Farquharson, 1844,
Also of their younger brother, George Farquhar-
son, who died at Balnabodach, 26th December,
1841, aged 38 years,

— Peter and John (above-named) obtained com-
missions in the H.E.I.C.S. The first died at
Ballater in 1849, aged — , where a marble tablet
is erected to his memory in the church ; and the
latter is Lieut.-Col, Farquharson of Corrachree,
Logie-Coldstone. He is the oldest surviving
grandson of the last laird of Tullochcoy, also repre-
sentative of the Inverey family, the direct line,
with its branches of Balmoral and Auchendryne,
having become extinct.

I have to thank the Rev, Mr Michie, school-
house, Logie-Coldstone, for these interesting
notices of the Farquharsons, by whom the facts
have been kindly culled from family papers.

Upon a flat stone near N.AV. corner of church-
yard of Crathie : —

Here is interred the body of the Revd. Mr Mur-
doch Maclenan, late minister of the Gospel at
Crathie, who, after a life of piety and benevolence,
died 22 July 1783, in the 82d year of his age, and
50th of his ministry,

— According to the poet Burns, Mr M. was author
of the celebrated Jacobite ballad of Shirra' Muir.
Mr M., when a preacher within the bounds of the
presbytery of Kincardine O'Neil, was ordained
" itinerant missionary" in the united parishes of
Crathie and Kindrochet, 19 Oct. 1748 ; and ou
11 May thereafter he was inducted minister in
room of Mr Mclnnes, who was translated to Logie-
Coldstone. The heritors described Mr McLenan
to the Presbytery as a " person of prudence,
literatur and piety." He married Margaret
Forbes, by whom, who survived him, he left no
children. A granite tablet bears : —

21(

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

Sacred to the memory of Rev. Archibald
Anderson, M. A., minister of this parish, who died
8 Nov., 1866, aged 77 years, having faithfully dis-
charged the office of the ministry in the Mission of
Braemar for 9 years, and in the parish of C'ratbie
for 26 years. [Rev. 14-13.] Erected by the resi-
dent parishoners of Crathie and Braemar.

Although Braemar and Crathie were thinly
peopled at one time, there were four chapels iu the
latter, and seven iu the former district, apart
from an hospital at the Cairnwell, and the two
parish churches. Manor houses were also abun-
dant, all of which, with three exceptions, were
occupied, in 1732, by Farquharsons. Invercauld
has all along been the more important residence
of that clan ; and at the present time, but for the
absence of " old ancestral trees," it is possibly
one of the finest Highland seats in the country.

Balmoral, or, as the name is anciently written,
"Balmoran" (? Bal-mohr-a'en'), was also Far-
quharson property, until purchased from that
family by the Earl of Fife. From Lord Fife's
Trustees the estate was bought by the late Prince
Consort, when, for the better accommodation of
royalty, the old house was taken down, and the
present spacious building of granite erected, in
and around which the various accessories corres-
pond in elegant simplicity and good taste.

The plateau, upon the left of the principal
entrance to the grounds, is ornamented by a
bronze statue of the late Prince Consort, by
Theed, which was erected by the Queen. It pre-
sents this inscription : —

ALBERT, 15 October 1867.
Near the above, a handsome granite obelisk,
about 30 feet in height, bears upon the west side
of the plinth : —

THIS OBELISK WAS ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF

H. R. H. PRINCE ALBERT,

OF SAXE COBURG AND GOTHA,

CONSORT OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA,

BY THE SERVANTS AND TENANTS UPON THE ESTATES

OF BALMORAL, ABERGELDIE, AND BIRKHALL, AS AN

HUMBLE TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION FOR THEIR BELOVED

MASTER, 1862.

Several memorial cairns are upon the summits
of adjoining mountains, the most considerable and
important of which is the " Albert Cairn" upon
Craiglourachan. It has four sides, is pyramidical
in form, and constructed of native granite. Upon
the east side are the initials of the Queen and
Royal children, and the date of "21st August
1862." Upon the north side : —

TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF

ALBERT,

THE GREAT AND GOOD PRINCE CONSORT.

ERECTED BY HIS BROKEN HEARTED WIDOW,

VICTORIA R.

21ST AUGUST 1862.

Upon another dressed slab, a few inches below
the above, is this quotation : —

He being made perfect in a short time,
FulHlled a long time :
For his soul pleased the Lord,
Therefore hasted He to take
Him away from among the wicked.
Wisdom of Solomon, chap, iv., verses 16 and 14.

— In connection with the death of the Prince
Consort, it may be added that a magnificent
mausoleum was erected at Frogmore, where his
remains were deposited ; and that, over the door,
within a portico, is the following inscription in
bronze : —

ALBERTI . PRINCIPIS . QVOD . MORTALE . ERAT

HOC . IN . SEPVLCHRO . DEPONI . VOLVIT

VIDVA . M(ERENS . VICTORIA . REGINA,

A.D. M.D.CCC.LXII.

VALE . DESIDERATISSIME ! HIC . DEMVM

CONQVIESCAM . TECVM ;

TECVM . IN . CHRISTO . CONSVRGAM.

[The mortal remains of Prince Albert were
deposited in this tomb by his sorrowing widow,
Queen Victoria, a.d. 1862. Farewell, most deeply
regretted ! Here at last shall I rest with thee ; with
thee in Christ shall I rise. ]

— The " Leaves from a Journal," lately published
by Her Majesty, contains, as all readers know,
many interesting notices of the happy time which
the Queen and the late Prince spent on Deeside ;
and it is gratifying to know that Her Majesty has
shown a tangible interest in these parts of the

DRAEMAR.

217

country by granting £2500 of the profits of that
work, for the general education of young men
belonging to, or resident in, the district. This
gift, which is to form bursaries in connection with
the parish school of Crathie, the school of Girnock,
and the University of Aberdeen respectively, is to
bear the name of The Balmoral Bursaries ; and
the patronage is vested in Her Majesty, and her
successors in the Balmoral estate.

(S. ANDEEW, APOSTLE.)

THE kirk of Braemar, anciently Kpidrochet,
so named from its having stood near the
old bridge of Cluny, was given by Duncan, Earl
of Mar, to the priory and canons of S. Maky of
Llonymusk, about 12.30, together with an acre of
laud, &c., in Aucatendregen, or Auchendryne.

There is a mission church at Castletown of
Braemar, which is, or was, supported by Royal
Bounty ; also a Free Church, together with a
Roman Catholic Chapel and a resident priest.
The parochial burial place, which is well kept, is
a short way below the village, on the south side
of the Dee, surrounded by trees. An aisle, &c.,
belonging to the Farquharsons of Invercauld,
occupies the site of the old church, being the
highest point in the churchyard. The burial
place is behind, and three marble tablets within
the aisle, are respectively inscribed as follows : —

Sacred to the memory of John Farquhahson, of
Invercauld, who died in 1750. Sacred also to
the memory of James Farquharson, of Invercauld,
his son, who died 24 June 1805, aged 83 ; and
Amelia, Lady Sinclair, his spouse (daughter of
Lord George Murray), who died in 1779. They
had eleven children, all of whom, with the excep-
tion of the youngest, Catherine, died before them.
Mary, Matilda, Jane, John, and George, lie in-
terred with their parents in the ground adjoining ;
Charlotte, at Aruhall ; Fanny at Lisbon ; and
Amelia, Margaret, and A>,n, in the burying
ground, North Leith.

— John Farquharson, the first named in above in-
scription, entertained the Earl of Mar, when en-
gaged in organising the rising of '15. He received
the command of Mar's own regiment ; and, along
with " Old Borlam," conducted the division of
the army which invaded England. He was left
in charge of the bridge of the Ribble by Forster :
being defeated, he was taken prisoner, but soon
afterwards set at liberty, from which time he
betook himself to the more useful and peaceful
occupation of improving his estate, which he
gradually added to, first by the purchase of Glen-
muick, next by that of Castletown of Braemar, &c.
Convinced of the hopelessness of tlie cause of the
Stuarts, he not only declined to join in the re-
bellion of 1745, but sent his son with a company
of Braemar men, which were joined to the brave
43d, to aid the reigning Sovereign. But his
daughter (facetiously styled Colonel Anne), wife
of the chief of the Clan Chattan, joined the cause
of the Stuarts with so much ardour that she went to
the field in person, on which occasion she took her
own husband prisoner ! At a subsequent stage of
the proceedings, she saved the Prince from being
captured.

James Farquharson, who died in 1805, added
greatly to the extent of his estates, and planted
most of the timber, for which the property of
Invercauld has been so long famous. His wife.
Lady Amelia Sinclair, was the widow of the 8th
Lord Sinclair, and daughter of Lord George
Murray, Lieut. -Gen. of Prince Charles' army in
1745. Her good deeds deserve to be recorded and
imitated ; — When married to Mr Farquharson,
she found great idleness and misery throughout
Deeside ; and the primitive plan was in use of
spinning lint on the distaff, and winding wool on
the big wheel. The little spinning wheel, though
common in most parts, was then unknown in the
district ; and about 1755 she applied to the Board
of Trustees to aid her in procuring small wheels,
and a mistress to teach spinning. After much
labour and opposition to her scheme, by those who
were to be benefited by it, and the awarding of
premiums to the more expert scholars, she ulti-
mately succeeded so well that there were no fewer

E E

218

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

than 129 unmarried women and little girls who
received premiums on 1st January 1763 ; and the
quantity of linen yarn then brought to Tnvercauld
for inspection by Lady Sinclair was supposed to
be worth at least £300 sterling. Lady S. also gave
a great impetus to cattle rearing, and to the cul-
tivation of dairy produce, which are now of such
such importance to the district. (Old Stat.
Acct. xiv., 342.^ Upon the second tablet : —

To the memory of Catherine, youngest daughter
and heiress of James Farquharson of Invercaiikl,
born 4 May 1774, died 27 Feb. 1845. To the
memory of James PtOSS-FAKQUiiAESON, her hus-
band, Capt. Pv,.N., (2d son of Sir John Lockhart-
Ross, of Balnagowan, baronet), who died at Edin-
burgh, 5 Feb. 1809, aged 38 years. This tablet
was ei-ected after his mother's death by her affec-
tionate son, Aug. 1845.

— According to Nisbet, the clan Farquharson de-
rive their descent from the Shaws of Rothie-
murchus, who were descended from a son of Mac-
duff, Thane of Fife. Faequhar, who lived in
the times of Roberts IT. and III., was a son of
Shaw, and having settled in the Braes of Mar,
his sons were called Far quliar- sons : The great-
great-grandson of Farquhar, known as Finlaij-
More, fell at the battle of Pinkie, while carrying
the royal standard. The Farquharsons of luver-
cauld continued to be represented in the male line
until 1805, when the above-named James was
succeeded by his only surviving daughter, who
married, as recorded in the last-quoted inscrip-
tion, the second son of Sir John Lockhart-Ross.
Mrs Ross -Farquharson continued the same
course of improvement which had been so suc-
cessfully followed by her father. She purchased
the lands of Rhiueaton and Micras from Captain
Macdonald (ancestor of Col. Macdonald of Rossie
and St Martins), and those of Monaltrie from her
cousin, William Farquharson. To her son, the
third tablet bears the following inscription : —

Sacred to the memory of James Farquharson,
Esq. of Invercauld. Born April 25, 1808 ; died Nov.
20, 1SG2. This tablet is erected in affectionate re-
membrance by his eldest son, Lieut. -Col. Farquhar-
son, of the Scots Fusilier Guards.

— Mr F. married a daughter of Gen. Dundas of
Sanson, by whom he had a large family. She
died in Aug. 1869. Their eldest son (erector of
the tablet above referred to), succeeded to the
estates. He married Miss Oswald of Aachen-
cruive, Ayrshire, by whom, who died 8th August
1870, he has two sons and one daughter. The
late Mr F. was much esteemed by all who knew him ;
and a granite obelisk, upon a knoll on the north
bank of the Dee, opposite to the Castle of Brae-
mar, bears the following inscription, which shows
how much he was respected by those who had the
best opportunity of judging of his true character: —
In memory of James Farquharson, Esq. of In-
vercauli], by his Tenantry and Servants, to whom
he was greatly 'attached. Born 25th April 1808;
died 20th Nov. 18G2. The righteous shall be in
evcrlasthig remembrance. — Psalm cxii. C.

James CtRuar, Tominrau, d. 1807, a. 72 :—
Four hundred years have now wheeled round,

With half a century more ;
Since tliis has been the burying ground,

Belonging to the Gruers.

A flat stone upon a timber frame bears : —

DAVIDSONS SEPULCHRE.

— Quotations from Job xix. 23-7, follow the
above ; but no names of deceased persons or dates
are given. Upon a table-shaped stone : —

►J« Sacred to memory of the Roman Catholic

Clergymen who are interred here. The Rev.

Forsyth, who died Nov. 8, 1708. The Rev. John
Farquharson spent the evening of his days as
Chaplain to his nephew Alexander Farquharson,
Esq. of Inveray, and died at Balmoral, Aug. 22,
1782. The Rev. Charles Farquharson, served
the Catholic Mission in Braemar for many years,
and died at Oirdesrg, Nov. 30, 1799, the two former
were sous of Lewis Farquharson, Esq. of Auchen-
dryne. The Revd. William M'Leod, died June
3, 1809, much and justly regretted : —

They died to live, that living worth regard,
And with like virtue, seek the same reward.

— Possibly Mr Forsyth was in some way

related to Hendric Forsyth (the son of a lawyer
in Edinburgh), who died in 1690, and is charac-
terised as "a man of great merit." Of the two

BRAEMAR.

219

above-mentioned Farquharsons (whose mother
was a daughter of Farquharson of Allanquiech),
Dr Ohver, in his valuable Collections illustrating
the Biography of the Jesuits gives some interest-
ing particulars, of which the following is an
abridgement : He tells us that, on returning from
abroad, in 1729, Mr John Farquharson was
placed at Seaforth, afterwards at Strathglass, in
Inverness-shire, where he acquired a competent
knowledge of the Gaelic, and, by degrees, formed
an immense collection of Gaelic poetry. The
origiualfolio IMSS., in his own handwriting, which,
unfortunately, have been lost, he deposited, in
1772, in the Scotch College at Douay, among
which were Ossian's poems and many other works.
He was taken prisoner about 1745 whilst saying
mass, and conveyed to Edinburgh in his sacer-
dotal vestments. After many sufferings he was
liberated, went abroad, and afterwards returned
to Scotland, where he lived with his nephew of
Inverey, and left £200 towards the Mission. His
brother, Mr Charles, who was buried in the
same grave, was first settled at Glengairn ; but
having been taken prisoner along with his brother,
he went to Douay after his release, then to Dasant,
where he was Prefect of Studies. He returned to
his native district in 1782 ; and, by request of
Bishop Geddes, wrote an account of the religious
changes which had taken place on Deeside. Dr
Oliver has preserved the name of " William
Macleod," possibly the priest named in the above
inscription ; and Mr Griffin (whose copy of Dr
O.'s work is now before us, covered with valuable
MS. notes), adds, " Born 7 April 1720 ; came to
Mission 28 Feb. 1752." In 1732, the Farquhar-
sons of Inverey and Balmoral were brothers. In
1715, Inverey was forfeited when his estate was
reckoned worth £281 sterling a year. Auchen-
dryne is that part of the Castletown of Braemar
which lies on the north side of the Cluny.

In front of the Invercauld aisle, a fiat stone is
thus inscribed : —

►f< Erected to the memory of Peter Grant, some
time farmer in Dubrach, who died at Aucheudryne
the 11th of Feb. 1824, aged 110 years. His wife
Mary Cumming, died at Westsidc, parish of Leth-

not, in Forfar Shire, on the 4th Feby. 1811, aged
65 years, and lies interred in the churchyard of
Lethnot.

— Dubrach (as Grant was commonly called), join-
ed the rebel army under the Mackintoshes, and
became a sergeant-major. It is told that, like
most of the rebels, he felt much annoyed at not
being allowed to come at once into close quarters
with the enemy, and that, in the heat of his ar-
dour, he cried out to his superior officer—" O,
lat's throw awa' thae f ushionless things o' guns, .
'er we get doon upo' the smatchets wi' oor swords !"
Grant was taken prisoner, and carried to Carlisle,
but contrived to escape by scaling the walls, and
fled to his native hills. In course of time he and
his family went to Lethnot, in Angus, where they
rented a small farm. While there. Grant's ad-
ventures were made known to George IV., who
settled a pension upon him, which, after his death,
was continued to his daughter, Annie. The late
Lord Panmure (then the Hon. Wm. R. Maule),
had a portrait of Dubrach, painted by Colviu
Smith, which is now at Brechin Castle (Laud
of the Lindsays). The Scots Magazine says that
more than 300 people attended Dubrach's funeral,
that upwards of an anker of whisky was consumed
by the company before lifting the body, and
that three pipers were stationed at the head of
the coffin, who played, " Wha widna fecht for
Charlie's richt !"
Upon a loose slab in churchyard : —

Alexr. McDonald, soldier, ....

Leys Regt. 1751.

Upon a table-shaped stone : —

Inmemoryof Charles Watson, innkeeper, Castle-
town Braemar, who died Aug. 2, 1828, aged 46.
He bequeathed the bulk of his fortune for the
Education of Youth of a certain class, in the parish
of Braemar. He was son of John Watson and
Catherine Craig, who formerly kept the same inn.

Here is the burial place belonging to Finlay and
Lauchlan M'Intosh, May 24, 1770.

To the memory of Peter PiOy, for 51 years a
faithful and attached servant in the Invercauld
Family, by whom this stone is erected. Died Aug,
4, 1851, aged 68.

220

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

In remote times the lordships of Braemar and
Strathdee belonged to the Earls of Mar, whose
male line became extinct in 1377 {v. Kildrummy.)
Mar fell into the female line, and after a long
lapse of years, and much litigation, the estates
and titles were awarded to the fifth Lord Erskine.
It was his lineal descendant, the 11th Earl of Mar,
who proclaimed James VII. King of Great Bri-
tain, and planted his standard at Braemar, on 6th
September 1715, upon the spot now occupied by
the buildings of the Invercauld Arms Hotel.

There was a castle or royal residence at Kin-
dochet, from which Robert II. dated several
charters ; but tradition avers that, long before his
time, Malcolm III. had a hunting seat there,
which stood upon a rock overhanging the water
of Cluny.

The present Castle of Braemar, which has been
frequently used as a garrison for soldiers, built
soon after the '15, occupies an eminence upon the
south bank of the Dee, below the village of Castle-
town. The previous Castle of Braemar, inhabited
by the English under Cromwell, was burnt by
the Revolutionary army.

Corrimulzie, now a favourite and charming
Highland residence of the Earl of Fife, about
three miles above Castletown, though mentioned
in old charters, does not appear to have been
occupied as a dwelling place until a comparatively
late period. A magnificent view of hill and valley
scenery is obtained from this locality ; but these,
as well as Balmoral and other interesting por-
tions of the Dee, will be found illustrated and
described in Black's " Tourist." An account of
the tenure of Balmoral from 1451 is printed as an
appendix to the illustrated edition of the Queen's
"Leaves," from notes of the Early History of
Strathdee and Braemar, M.S, in the possession of
Her ]\Iajesty, by John Stuart, LL.D.

It ought to be added that the peaks and snow-
covered corries of Lochnagar ("3789 feet above sea
level), form the extreme background to Balmoral
Palace. This hill is also a fine object in the land-
scape when viewed from various points of Dee-
side, particularly as seen from near the old kirk
of Tullich. Along with the mountains of Cul-

bleen and Morven, that of Lochnagar early in-
spired the muse of Lord Byron, who spent some
of his early days upon the banks of the Dee,
where,' as in every part of the country — notwith-
standing the late attacks which have been made
upon his character, by, apparently, one of the
most unwomanly-hearted of women — Byron's
name is held dear, and his memory venerated.
Where, in this age of monument-raising, or to
whom more worthily, could a more fitting spot be
found in Scotland to erect a cairn to that truly
great genius, than upon some part of " dark Loch-
nagar," where the natural grandeur of the moun-
tain, or its outline, would remain unskaithed ?

Two ancient cists, or graves, about 33 inches
long, by about 20 wide, constructed of rude flag-
stones, and covered with a quantity of land stones,
were found in 18G3, near the top of an eminence
called the Tom of the Boltchach, upon the farm
of Lochnagar Distillery. The bones appeared to
have been calcined.

The principal bridges in the united parishes are
over the Cluny at Castletown, and the Dee at In-
vercauld and Balmoral.

(THE BLESSED VIRGIN.)

THE church of Dan belonged to the cathedral
of Brechin, and became attached to Sir David
Lindsay of Gleuesk's foundation of the Nunnery
of Elcho, Perthshire.

In 1583, on the representation of John Erskine,
the "vicarage of Dwu, and personage of Eglis-
johne," with the teinds of both, were united into
one parish. The parsonage of Eglisjohn, which
was " of auld ane chappell erectit for pilgramage,"
consisted only of about one plough of land ; and
at the time of the annexation it is stated that it
had been " wanting ane kirk" for " mony zeiris
bygane." The site of the chapel of Eglisjohn is
still pointed out near Langley Park house.

lu 1834, a new place of worship was erected in

DUN.

221

a field to the west of the old churchyard. Upon
the bell :—

R. BARCLAY, MONTROSE, 1815.

It is said that Kuox preached at Dun when on
a visit to his friend John Erskine, the Superin-
tendent of Angus and Mearns ; and the pulpit
now in use is popularly believed to be that from
which Knox held forth. This appears to be a mis-
take, since the date of 1615 is upon a shield on the
back of the pulpit. The shield bears the Erskine
and Wishart arms, quarterly, also the initials I.
E. ; above is the injunction — preach the vord.
The pulpit is ornamented with floral carvings,
but of a later style than the time of Knox.

The old kirk is used as the burial aisle of the
Erskines of Dun. A pavement slab within it is
initialed I.E ; M.G., and dated 1703. It also
presents the well-known quotation from Horace,
" Mors aequo pede pulsat regumque," &c., and a
reference to 1 Cor. ch. 15, 17. There are several
coffins here. Two are covered with crimson velvet,
ornamented with coronets, and inscribed plates.
One of the plates bears : —

ARCHIBALD, MARQUIS OF AILSA, K.T., F.R.S.

Died Sept. 8, 1846, aged 76.
Upon the plate of an adjoining coffin : —

MARGARET ERSKINE OF DUN,
MARCHIONESS DOWAGER OF AILSA.

Died 1848, aged 76.
— Archibald Kennedy, who succeeded his father
as 12th Earl of Cassilis, was created Marquis of
Ailsa. His wife was the youngest daughter of
John, the last male descendant of the Erskines
of Dun. John Erskine died in 1812, and was
succeeded in Dun by his eldest daughter Alice.
At her death in 1824, Dun came to Marchioness
Margaret's second son, the Hon. John Kennedy-
Erskine. He married Lady Augusta Fitzclareuce
(afterwards Lady Hallyburton), by whom he had
W. H. Kennedy-Erskiue, now laird of Dun, and
two surviving daughters. One daughter became
the wife of the late James Hay Erskine Wemyss,
M.P. for Fifeshire, the other that of the Earl of
Munster. The lineage of Kennedy of Cassilis is
well known. In regard to that of Erskine of
Dun, it may only be said that Robert of Erskine

obtained the lands of Dun about 1360-1 ; and
that John, grandson of Sir Robert of Erskine,
and second son by a second marriage of Sir Thomas
Erskine of that ilk, " is reckoned the first of the
family of Dun, as separated from that of Erskyne."
He had a charter of Dun from his father, dated
25 Oct. 1393, and was alive in 1419.

John Erskine, the friend of Knox, who did
so much to promote the cause of the Reformation,
is the chief historical personage of his house and
family. He was born about 1508, and both his
father and grandfather (Sir John), having fallen
at Floddeu, young Erskine had a long minority.
None of the biographers of the heroes of the Re-
formation have noticed these points regarding
Erskine's early history, nor the fact of his having
been in some way concerned in the murder of a
young priest in the bell-tower at Montrose.

These particulars are proved by the family
writs at Dun, to the use of which (as the writer of
these notes was informed by a late eminent local
antiquary), the Earl of Cassilis acceeded at Dr
M'Crie's request, upon the express condition that
whatever was found for or against the per-
sons concerned in, or the cause of, the Reforma-
tion, should be published without abridgment.
The charter chest, however, was never examined
by Dr M'Crie ; and it was not until the late
Patrick Chalmers of Aldbar procured the use of
the " Dun Papers" for the Spalding Club, that
these interesting points in the history of Erskine
were known According to the custom of the
age, the laws of the country demanded heavy
sums as assythment, or blood-money, to be paid
to the parent of the murdered priest ; on the
other hand, the Church inflicted a severe penance.
It was while on a pilgrimage in the performance
of this penance that Erskine happened to make
the acquaintance of some of the leading Conti-
nental Reformers ; and, feeling the restraint under
which the church had i^laced him, he joined the
Reformers, and thus became one of the chief in-
struments in bringing about a salutary change
in the religious government of his country. He
" depairtit fra this lyff [at Dun] the 22 of Mcrche,
the yeir of God 1589."

222

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

Erskine's uncle, Sir Thomas, designed of Bre-
chin, secretary to James IV., and founder of the
family of Pitoddrie, in Aberdeenshire, was also a
person of note ; as was a later descendant, David,
43 years a senator of the College of Justice. He
was the first Erskine of Balhall, wrote a volume
of Moral and Political Advices, and died in 1755.
In his time the present mansion-house of Dun
was built, after i^lans by the elder Adams.

Besides the cotfius of the Marquis and Mar-
chioness of Ailsa in the burial vault at Dun,
another, covered with black cloth, contains the
remains of their grandson. Upon the top of it,
a plate bears : —

Adolphus Kennedy (son of the late Lord Ken-
nedy), who died at Montrose.
— This was the youngest child of Lord Kennedy,
by his wife, Eleanor, daughter and heiress of John
Allardyce of Duuottar. Lord Kennedy having
died in his father's lifetime, his eldest son became,
on the death of his grandfather in 18i6, second
Marquis of Ailsa. Owing to the effects of an
accident in the hunting field, the second Marquis
died at Culzean Castle, 20 March 1870, aged 54.

The garden of Dun adjoins the churchyard on
the north, and there, in a retired corner, separated
from the burial ground by a railing, and within
a vaulted grave, lie the ashes of the before men-
tioned Lady Hallyburton. A coffin-slab of Aber-
deen granite (polished), with cross in alto-relievo
on top, bears this inscription round the sides : —

Erected to the blessed memory of Lady Augusta
Gordon-Hallyburton. Born 3 Nov. 1S03 ; died
8 Dec. 1865. Her faith and hope were in the Lord
Jesus Christ.

The old churchyard of Dun has a secluded and
romantic site at the top of a den, upon a kind
of peninsula, which is washed on the south and
east by burns which flow from 30 to 40 feet below
the level of the cemetery. The older tombstones
are of a more costly class than is commonly found
in rural churchyards ; and, as will be seen from
what follows, some of the inscriptions exhibit con-
siderable literary talent : —

Hoc tegitvr lapide Alex.\ndr . . COBVS ....
is, fratres germani, qvi in . . terris vitam dvxervnt

piam et honestam, et seterna nvnc in ccelis fi vvntvr.
A. . . . obiit anno Dom. 1613, Aprilis 12. . . . Me-
mento peccati vt doleas ; moi'tis vt insignias ; ivdicis
vt timeas]; misericordia^ vt spei'es.

[This stone covers the dust of Alexander and
James, full brothers, who led a pious and honour-
able life on earth, and now enjoy eternal life in
heaven. A. [F. or E.] died 12 April 1613. ...
Pvemember sin that you may sorrow over it ; death
that your end may be a noble one ; the judge that
you may fear ; mercy that you may have hope. ]

Upon a table-shaped stone : —

Infra sepultaj jacent exuvias Joannis Erskini,
quondam in Dunsmill, viri pij, probi, et honesti,
ex honestis et generosis orti, omnibus grati, vitai
exemplo, morum integritate, pietate in Deum in-
signi, in amicos observantia et constantia, in con-
jugem amore, in omnes humanitate, in pauperes
misericordia memorabilis.

Who ever him bethought

Seriouslie and oft,

What it uare to flit

Fi-om his death bed to the pit ;

Ther to suffer i^ain.

Never to cease again ;

Wold not commit on sin.

The vhol vorld to vin.

[Beneath lie interred the remains of John
Erskine, sometime in DunsmiU, a man of i)iety,
worth, and honour, of high and honourable extrac-
tion, of universal poijularity, and distinguished for
his exemplary life, his moral rectitude, his eminent
piety towards God, the warmth and con.stancy of
his friendship, his conjugal affection, his courtesy
to all, and his kindness to the poor.]
— A perpendicular fine is drawn upon the face of
this stone from top to bottom : the above inscrip-
tion is upon the left side of the line, the following
upon the right: —

Conjvgis etiam charissimai, AgneTjE Burn,
fteminas vere proba3, infra hoc monvmentvm con-
dvntvr cineres ; tvrtvribvs similes vixervnt, et
simvl mortem ol;iervnt, hrec ;etatis 25, ille aitatis
28, hc-ec qvid. Maij [Cal.] ille 17 Cal. Maij an.
a^raj Christi. 1696 :

Conjvgivm Christi ac animffl mors solvere uescit,

Sed caruale potest conjvgis atq' viri.

DUN.

223

[Beneatli this monument ai-e also laid the ashes
of his beloved wife, Agnes Burn. They lived like
turtles and died together, she 1st May, aged 25,
and he 15th April 1696, aged 28. Death can dis-
solve the carnal union of husband and wife ; but
not the spiritual union of Christ and the soul.]

Also upon a table-shaped monument : —
Wnder this ston doe sueetly rest
A woman piovs, wertous, and chast ;
Who in hir lyfe performed tuo dueties great,
A carefull Mother, and a Loving Mate.
Infra tvmvlvm hunc sepulchralem sepultre sunt
reliquia3 sanctte in Domino defunct;^ Katharin.i:
FuLLARTONi, Davidis Erskin in Ballachie spouste
dilectissimte, qu£e, dum in terris degeret, vitam erga
Deum pia, erga maritum casta, quoad amicos et pro-
pinquos humana, pauperesq, liberalis se illustrem
fecit, circiter annos 44 vitam banc caducam degens ;
28 die Januarii, anno 1697, anima in patriam celes-
tem placide migravit. Cumqea, tanquam matre ten-
errima, conduntur cineres puerorum et puellarum
quinq, in aetate iufantili morientium, beatam resur-
rectionem die judicij expectantium.

Disce mori, quicunqlegis mea scripta, viator: :

Omnes requa manent funera : Disce mori :
Disce mori : Frater discat cum prsesule, clerus
Cum Juniore senex, cum sapiente rudis,

[Beneath this sepulchral mound are interred the
remains of the pious and dearly beloved wife of
David Erskine in Ballachie, Katherine Fullar-
TON, who died in the Lord. During her life on
earth she was distinguished for piety towards God,
fidelity to her husband, kindness to her friends and
neighbours, and liberality to the poor. After she
had passed nearly 44 years in this transitory state
of existence, her soul calmly winged its flight to its
heavenly home, on 28 Jan. 1697. And with her,
as a most tender mother, are laid the ashes of five
boys and girls, who died in infancy, and here await
a happy resurrection on the day of judgment.
Whoe'er thou art that read'st these lines,

W'hich, Traveller, I have pen'd ;
0, learn to die ! and know that all

^re equal in the end.
The monk may from the abbot learn,

The young clerk from the old ;
The unletter'd from the learn'd know,
Our days must soon be told.]

The next three inscriptions are from plain bead-

Here lyes Katren Stevenson, spous to Alexr
Coulie, vlio died ye 18 of Decembr anno 1672, of
age 42. Here lyes Susanna Coulie, spous to John
Jap, vho died ye 24 of December anno 1692, of
age 35 : —

W^hose corps interd below,

Lyes hid from eyes ;

Whos souls advancd,

Uith Chryst above ye skies. — {i\ p. 135.)
Here lyes ane honest virgin Margret Simson,
who died y** 16 of March anno 1699, of age 21 j'^ears.

Here lyis Agnas Bertie, spous to William
CouUie, miller, who died y^ 10 of March anno 1697,
of age 55 yearS.

Upon a table-shaped stone : —
Belou lieth the ashes of Margaret Gray, spouse
to John Erskine in Cottrau, uho in her day uas a
pattern of Christian verteus, and having groun up
to a full ear, being 70 years of age, uas on the 5th
of March, cut doun by Death's fatal blou, and nou
is resting from her labours, and her works follouing
her, 1702.

Alex. Couley, and Margt, Lyall, Leys of Dun,
on six children (1720) : —

When silver bands of nature burst,

And let the building fall,
The blest goes doun to mix with dust.

Its first original.
The tyrant death he triumphs here,

His trophies spread around ;
And heaps of dust & bones appear,
Thro all the hoUow ground.
John Paterson, who d. 1724, a. 81, "left the
substance of the following lines to be engraven on
his gravestone :" —

Within this grave I do both ly and rest.
Because the Lord perfumed ye grave at first ;
May when I rise unto me Christ grant this,
To be with him in his eternal bliss.
Jean Edeson, his wife, died 1704, aged 59 : —
This woman here in hope doth rest,
Again to rise and be for ever blest ;
After this lif, ue purpos here to ly,
And ris and reing with her eternally.

Erected bj' ]\Iargaret Paterson, in memory of

224

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

her brother James Paterson of Redfield, who died
"15 Oct. 1791, in the 69th year of his age.

A Latin inscription, scarcely legible, comme-
morates the good life and actions of James Burn,
who died in 1706. The portion relating to his
wife is in better preservation, and runs thus : —

Heir lyes Janet Edison, his spouse, who, after
living with her husband for the space of 37 years,
in a godly and wertuous married state, departed
this life the 18 day of March 1707, of her age 00.

Here lyes Isobel Lindsay, spous to Robert
Strauchen in Beuillo, uho departed this lif the 29
Nouember 1703, and her age 74 years : —
This woman caled in evening of her ago,
Who left her children to suplie her gtage ;
Some long, some short, as lif and death doeth cast,
For she is in earth, uber al must com at last.

Here lyes David Cob, husband to Margret
Jamson, who died y^ 2 of March, anno 1698, of
age 75 year.

The following is upon a table-shaped stone ;
and, as will be seen, the inscription contains a
curious allusion to the vocation of the person com-
memorated, as one versed in the " declension" and
" inflexion" of nouns : —

S. D. G. Hoc cippo tegitur quicquid mortale
fuit Alexandrt Cromar, Dunuensis per octennium
ludimagistri, in juventute erudienda seduli, fausti,
et felicis, qui, grammaticaj doctus, mortem nee
declinare voluit, nee fatum flectere potuit. ^tatis
suae anno vigesimo octavo, ecvce Christianse 1733,
obiit. Metam properamus ad unam.

[By this stone is covered all that was mortal of
Alexander Cromar, schoolmaster of Bun for eight
years, a diligent and successful instructor of youth,
who, although a learned grammarian, neither wished
to decline death, nor was able to inflect fate. He
died in 1733, in the 28th year of his age. We
hasten to one goal. ]

1757. Tegitur hoc cippo quicquid mortale fuit
Georgii Walker. Metam properamus ad unam.

[This stone covers all that was mortal of George
Walker. We hasten to one goal. ]

Upon a table-shaped stone : —

Thomas Crooks, sometime gardener at Eccles-
John, afterwards farmer at Roadside of Tayock,

born in the parish of Newbattle, 29 March 1716,
died 3 Jan. 1798. Jean Cormack, his spouse, died
27 Feb. 1802. A son William Crooks, M.D., died
on his passage from Tobago to America, in 1802,
aged 38. Thos. Cross, of the Island of Tobago,
planter, erected this monument 12 Dec. 1803.

James Mwrey erected this stone in memory of
his wife Agnes Lyel, who departed this life, Feb.
the 8, 1732, and of age 48 years. Here lyes James
Murray, sometyme tenant in Litelmil of Borou-
field, who departed this life the 20 of June 1733,
and of age . . .

Believers, comfort lies in this, &c.
A tombstone (table-shaped), ornamented with
carvings of the Erskine and Stuart arms, and a
rudely incised figure of death, with a dart in one
hand, and a Lochaber axe in the other, bears : —
Heir lyes ane faithfvU, good, and honest man,
Georg Stuart, who died in the Lord the 8 day of
Febrvar, anno 1687, of age 95. Heir lyes ane
honest, vertovs and godly woman Mary Erskin,
his spovs, and who died in the Lord 13 of lanvar,
anno 1690, and of her age 81 : —

Wnder this ston thir mortals doth remain,
Whil Christ shal come and reas them up again ;
Altho' by death they be in Prison cast,
The Prince of Lyfe will reas them up at last,
And give them lyfe, which no more will decay,
And habitation, which wasteth not away.

Two stone cists were got to the west of the
manse, and one to the north, each of which con-
tained urns with ashes and pieces of bones. Flint
arrow-heads have also been found in the parish.

According to tradition, there was a chapel at
Balneillie, on the west side of the parish, where
human bones and graves have been found.

Dun appears to have been a place of early im-
portance, owing, possibly, to its proximity to the
King's residence at Montrose, and to natural
advantages. Its earliest recorded lay proprietor
was John of Hastings, who had a grant of the
manor of Dun from King William. He was
sheriff and forester of the Mearns ; and when the
monastery of Arbroath was founded, he endowed
it with a salt-work at Dun, and an acre of land.

DUN.

225

The Hastings appear to have held lands in Angus
down to about the beginning of the 14:th century.
At one time the lordship of Dun stretched, on
the north and west of the Southesk, from the very
ports of the town of Montrose to the commonty
of the city of Brechin, and included a great part
of the parishes of Dun, Logie-Pert, and Stracathro ;
also a good portion of Craig on the south side of
the river. This extent of territory was broken in
upon by the Superintendent, whose circumstances,
owing chiefly, it is said, to the demands which
were made upon him by the less opulent of the
Eeforming leaders, became considerably embar-
rassed.

But another, and very different affair, had a
much more damaging effect upon the Erskines.
It appears that the laird of Dun, who married the
eldest sister of the first Earl of Panmure, died
young, leaving two sons, whose existence naturally
precluded the succession of their uncle Robert to
the estates. With the view of removing these
obstacles, Robert and his three sisters, who lived
together at Logie, determined to poison the
" two zoung boyis." For this purpose, two of
the sisters crossed the Cairn o' Mount, and met
with " ane notorious Witche and abuser of the
people," called Janet Irwing, from whom they re-
ceived a quantity of herbs, with injunctions how
to use them. It appears that they " steipit thame
amangis aill ane lang space ;" and, after much
deliberation, as to whether the dose should be
administered, they resolved in the affirmative ;
and, accordingly, " about mydsomer" in 1610,
the murderers " past al togidder furth of Logy,"
along with the eldest of their intended victims,
to the house of his mother in Montrose, where she
and the other son were living for a time, and there
the " poysoneable drink wes miuistrat," and given
to their " brother soues." The eldest son died ;
but the younger recovered. By some means or
other, the Erskines contrived to evade the law
until towards the end of the year 1613, when the
brother was tried and found guilty. He was exe-
cuted at Edinburgh 1st December 1613. By his
own admission, the brother appears to have been
a mere tool in the hands of his three sisters, and

that they " wer the first movearis of him to that
wicked deide, that therby he might atteane to the
right of the leviug of Dynne." Upon this con-
fession, the sisters were apprehended, and tried in
June 1614, when they were found to have been
" airt and pairt" in the poisoning ; and were
all sentenced to have " thair heiadis strukin frome
thair bodeyis" at the IMarket Cross of Edinburgh.
The sisters, Isabell and Annas, sulfered accord-
ingly ; but Helen, who was confined in prison
until 22d March 1615, had her sentence commuted
to banishment " out of this kingdome, during hir
lyftyme."

The old house, or castle of Dun, where possibly
these infatuated criminals as well as their victims
were born, and in which it is believed Knox visited
the Superintendent, stood within the present
garden of Dun, near the kirkyard, where an old
arched gateway, constructed of stone, and with
thick Avails, prettily covered with ivy, still marks
the site of the old baronial residence.

In 1669, David Erskine of Dun and his suc-
cessors (Acta Pari., vol. vii. 655), were empowered
to hold a fair " vpon the mure of Dun the second
Wednesday after Whitsouday yeerly, for buying
and selling of horse, nolt, sheip, meill, malt, and
all sort of grane, cloath, lining, and woollen, and
all sort of merchant commodities," with power to
levy and upUft the tolls and customs, &c., in all
time coming.

The Bridge of Dun, which consists of three
arches, crosses the South Esk near the railway
station. It was erected by the grandfather of
the Marchioness of Ailsa, and was completed only
a few months before his death. It bears this in-
scription : —

This Bridge was founded on the 7 th June 1785,
and finished on the 27th January 1787, by Alex-
ander Stevens.

The Rev. Wm. Burns, who originated the
Revivals at Kilsyth in 1838, and became the first
missionary of the English Presbyterian Church in
China, was born at Dun, where his father was
parish minister. During his residence in Chiiia,
Mr Burns translated, and published, in the native

F F

226

EPITAPHS, AlfD INSCRIPTIONS.

language, an edition of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Pro-
gress, &c. A tomb in the foreign churchyard of
Kiau-Chwang marks his grave {v. Life by Islay
Burns), with this inscription : —

To the memory of the Eev. William C. Burns,
A. M. , missionary to the Chinese, from the Presby-
terian Church in England. Born in Dun, Scotland,
April 1, 1812 ; arrived in China, November 1847 ;
died at Port of Nian-Chwaug, April 4, 1868, 2d
Cor. c. V.

Dr J. P. NiCHOL, author of the Architecture
of the Heavens, &c., afterwards Professor of
Astronomy in the University of Glasgow, began
life as parochial teacher at Dun. He was born at
Brechin, where his father was a merchant.

(S. BPJDGET, VIRGIN.)

y^ OTHING certain is known of the early his-
J^ tory of the kirk of Skene, except that it was
a chaplainry ; and its patronage vested in the Prin-
cipal of St Leouai-d's College, St Andrews. Alan
Hurward, justiciary of Scotland, is the earliest re-
corded lay proprietor of the district ; and it
appears that in 1247-67, he granted Peter, Bisliop
of Aberdeen, an annual of 22s, from his lands
of Scliene, in exchange for the second tithes of
O'Neil.

The burial enclosures of the lairds of Skene and
Concraig are upon the site of the old kirk ;
but Hcither contain monumental stones. Mr
Smith of Concraig was of a farmer family in
Kintore. The property now belongs to the
University of Aberdeen, having been bought by
King's College. The present kirk, built in 1801,
has the belfry upon the south side. The bell

TO . THE . KIRK OF . SKENE.
JOnir . MOWAT . ME . FE . OLD . ABD . 1735.

A marble tablet, within the church, bears: —

Near the southern wall of this church are interred
the mortal remaias of George Skene of Skene,

descended from a long line of that name, who wag
born on the IX. day of May MDCCXLIX., and
died on the XXIX. day of April MDCCCXXV.

— The above-named Mr Skene was succeeded by
a deaf and dumb brother, who only survived two
years. The property then came to trustees for
behoof of the Earl of Fife, the heir of entail,
by whom the family of Skene, through a female,
is now represented. Robert Skene had a charter
from The Bruce of the lands and loch of Skene,
dated at Scone, 1 June 1317, from which period,
until 1827-8, the family held the property in the
male line. It was in consequence of the marriage
of the third Earl of Fife, in 1775, with Mary,
eldest daughter of George Skene of Skene, that
the Duff family succeeded to the estates of Skene
and Careston, &c. : it is of this lady's father
and his servant, Harry Walker, that so many
curious anecdotes are told by Dean Ramsay and
other writers. As given in heraldic books, the
origin of the family of Skene is fanciful, and said
to have arisen from their ancestor having saved
the king's life by killing a wild boar with a dirk,
or skeen^ for which deed he received the lands,
it is added, from INIalcolm II., also his surname.
" Skene" is also the name of a place in the parish
of Arbuthnott.

A flat stone in the churchyard bears this in-
scription —

Hie humantur sub spe beatie resurrectionis ossa
M'i LuD : DuNLOP, hiijus ecclesite Skeenensis, et
alterius, sciz. Tarlanensis, annis 43 quondam pas-
toris fidelissimi. Multa in ejus laudes dicere
inanem gloriam forsan redoleret ; attamen celandum
non est campanile hujus templi, inter alia laude
digna, ejus sumptu magna ex parte extructum fuisse.
Potiorem ejus partem tenet ccelum ubi vivit cum
Xto. Obiit Feb. 6, 1691, aitatis 71.

[Here are interred, in the hope of a happy resur-
rection, the bones of Mr LuD. Dunlop, for 43 years
a most faithful minister of this church of Skeen,
and of another, viz. that of Tarland. To say much
in his praise would perhaps savour of vain glory ;
but, amongst other laudable actions, it is deserving
of record that the bell-tower of this church was
erected in great measure at his expense. His better

SKENE.

227

part now dwells in heaven with Christ. He died
6 Feb. 1691, aged 71.]

A table-shaped tombstone erected over that of
Mr Dunlop bears . —

In memory of the Rev. James Hogg, D.D.,
minister of Skene, who died much respected and
regretted 28 Nov. 1823, in the 72d year of his age,
and 47th of his ministry, 37 of which he was
minister of the parish of Skene. His sister, Jean
Hogg, died 30 June 1835, aged 82.
— Mr H. was of the old family of Blairydryne in
Durris.

A granite slab, within an enclosure in north-
east corner of kirkyard, bears : —

Within this enclosure are interred the remains of
Katherine-Ann-Buchan Forbes, the wife of
William McCombie of Easter Skene and Lynturk,
and daughter of Major Alexander Forbes of Inver-
ernan, who died on the IGth day of April 1835, in
the 2Gth year of her age. And of their son, Thomas,
who died on the 15th day of September 18-11, in the
10th year of his age.

— Mrs McCombie's mother was a daughter of
Duncan Forbes-INIitchell of Thainston, second
son of Sir Arthur Forbes of Craigievar, («. p. 157.)
Mr McC.'s ancestors held the estate of Finnygauud
in Glenshee, also those of Forter and Crandart
in Glenisla, of the first, mentioned of which "John
McComy-Moir" [i.e., the big or great McComie]
had a charter in 1571. The Clan M'Thomas, of
which this individual was the chief, appears in
the roll of the clans and broken men, and John's
descendants, from a dispute about marches, seem
to have borne a deadly grudge to their neighbours,
the FarquharsoDs of Brochdarg, so much so that
in 1673, when members of the two families hap-
pened to meet at Forfar, a fight took place, in
which Brochdarg and a brotlier were killed, also
two McComies. After this the Farquharsous and
McComies were outlawed. One McComie fled to
the south,another, Donald, took refugeiu the High-
lands of Aberdeenshire, and became ancestor of the
McCombies of Easter Skene and Lynturk, also of
those of Tillyfour. — (Mem. of Angus and Mearns.)
It was the father of the present laird of Easter
Skene, a merchant in Aberdeen, who bought the
property of Easter Skene, since which time Lyn-

turk has fallen to Mr M'Combie by heirship.
Mr McCombie built the present mansion house
of Easter Skene, the lands of which property, as
well as those of Lynturk, he has vastly improved
by draining, reclaiming of waste laud, planting,
and building, &c. Like his cousin, Mr McCombie,
Tillyfour, the laird of Easter Skene has acquired
fame as a rearer of polled cattle, &c.

AVithin an enclosure on east of churchyard : —

Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Forbes,
daughter of Geo. Forbes of Boyndlie, who died 20
Feb. 1853, aged 80.

— Miss Forbes was aunt to Mrs Shepherd of Kirk-
ville. A daughter of the latter became the wife of
Mr Ireland, sometime F. C. minister of Skene ;
and the following, upon a granite monument,
near the above, relates to Mrs Ireland's mother : —
In memory of Catherine Henderson, relict of
the late Walter F, Ireland, D. D., minister of North-
Leith, who departed this life on the 22d of January
1853, aged G3. [Rev. i. 17, 18 ; John xiv. 19.]

Near the above, a granite monument bears : —

Erected by the parishioners of Skene to the
memory of the Rev. George Mackenzie, A.M.,
for 35 years the faithful and beloved minister of
the parish. He died 20 Dec. 1859, aged 72.

Upon a table-shaped stone : —

To the memory of William Chalmers, late of
the SPt Regt. of Foot, who departed this life 17
Dec. 1809, aged 76. Margaret Millar, his first
wife, died in Florida ; Elizabeth Giffert, his
second wife, died 1 Feb. 1801. Margaret Chalmers,
his daughter by Margaret Millar, spouse of Alex.
Norie, Carlogie, died 26 Dec. 1796, aged 42 :—

Of manners mild, to all who knew her dear ;

The tender mother, best of friends, lies here ;

Whose darling wit was comfort to impart,

Candour and meekness shone in all she said,
Peace bless'd her life, and sooth'd her dying bed.
Dearest of mothers, best of friends, farewell ;
May this plain stone, children's affection tell ;
Through life thy virtue was their joy and pride,
In death their best example and their guide.
Our social cares and fears, alas ! are o'er.
Thy love maternal cheers the heart no more.

228

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

—Alex. Norie died at Aberdeen, 1822, aged 67.
Jean Falconer, third wife of Win. Chalmers, died
at Aberdeen 1830, aged 76, a woman very much
beloved and respected by all who knew her ; and
whose trustees have caused this stone to be erected
to perpetuate her memory : —

When the trumpet sound shall call,
And we must leave this earthly vale ;
Then the cold tomb in brightest skies
To joy immortal they shall rise.
The following inscription, from one of three
stones which relate to the same Wilsons, presents
the name of one of the last descendants of the
Tyries of Dunnideer, a Roman Catholic family in
the Garioch {v. Insch) : —

In memory of Alexander Wilson, fanner of
Auchenclech, who died 1 June 1799, aged 82. Also
of Elizabeth Tyrie, his spouse, who died 10 March
1814, aged 84. Also of John Wilson of Auchen-
clech, who died 8 April 1820, aged 66. Also his
spouse, Mrs Jean Malcolm, who died 17 April
1836, aged 84. ►J- Died at AUathan, parish of
Monquhitter, 8 Sep. 1845, in the 49th year of her
age, Elizabeth Wilson, eldest daughter of John
Wilson, Esq. of Auchenclech, and spouse of Alex.
Mitchell, Esq. of AUathan. R. I. P. Requiescat
in pace. May she rest in peace.

Here lyes Alexander Glen, who departed this

life in the year 1725, aged 64 Robson,

their relick, who departed this life in the year
1755

James Burnet, died 2d March 1807, aged 98 ;
Margaret Raeeurn, his spouse, died 10th Feb.
1803, aged 88. &c.

Upon a granite obelisk : —

1865. George Mellis, leader of the church
choir of Skene, died 13 Feb., aged 32. This tribute
of regard to his memory is erected by the choir,
and a few friends.

Marjory Milne, b. 1777, d. 1856, "was upwards
of 50 years an attached and valued servant in the
family of Mr Thomas Burnett of Kepplestone, by
whose widow this tablet is erected as a token of
regard."

A plain headstone bears : —

Erected by Alex. Carny, in memory of his father,

James Carny, late farmer in Kirktoun of Skene,
who died 13 Jan. 179S, aged 49. His son James,
died 25 Nov. 1810, aged 21. His spouse, Jean
Brounie, departed this life June 6, 1832, aged 74.
— These were the parents and brother of the late
Provost Carny of Macduff {v. p. 89.)

The next inscription, from a granite slab in
east wall of burial ground, bears the name of one
who made money in India as a coach builder : —

The burial place of William Gibson of Kin-
mundy, Skene.

The next two inscriptions, (the first from a
marble head stone, the other abridged from a
table-shaped stone,) relate to farmer families who
acquired money and property : —

Sacred to the memory of James Davidson, Esq.
of Kinmundy, who died 3 Nov. 1 827, aged 72 years.

Erected by David Low of Fiddie, in memory of
Elizabeth Smith, his spouse, who died 1833, aged

57 the said David Low died 1841, aged

77 Helen Reith, spouse of Robert Low

of Fiddie, died 1862, aged 58 the said

Robert Low, for 25 years an elder of this parish,
died 1869, aged 68.

Also abridged : —
Joseph, son of Joseph Allan, schoolmr. at Skene,

died 1779, aged ISj'ears Elizabeth Allan,

spouse to And. Fowler at Broadiach, died 1799,
aged 34. The said Joseph Allan, schoolmaster at
Skene for 62 years, died 1819, aged 87. His first
wife Agnes Collie, died 1784. The above Andrew
Fowler, died 1827, aged 72 . . . Elizabeth
Malcolm, his spouse, died 1854, aged 87 : George
their son, died 1864, aged 73.

Cinerary urns, stone circles, and other traces
of antiquity, have been found in various parts of
Skene. The hill of Keir, the summit of which
presents trenches, ditches, &c., resembling those
upon the Barmakin of Echt {v. p. 66), is well
worthy of being visited by the antiquary.

A rude boulder upon a rising ground on Easter
Skene, near the boundary between the parishes of
Skene and Kinellar, bears : —

Drum Stone. 1411. Harlaw.

TOWIE.

229

— According to tradition, Sir Alex. Irvine of
Drum rested upon this stone when on his way to
the battle of Harlaw, and beheld for the last time
the ancient tower of his ancestors, he having, like
the greater part of the flower of those barons and
their retainers who fought at llarlaw (as related
in the well-known ballad which celebrates that
sad event), there —

" Left to the world their last gude-nicht."
As shown above, the family of Skene first
acquired a grant of the lands and barony of Skene
from Robert the Bruce. According to Douglas
(Bar., p. 555), the house of Skene was looked upon
as " the first built stone houso in Marr." It is
described as having consisted of three storeys,
built with lime quite run together, or vitrified,
with walls above ten feet thick, and to have been
entered by a ladder on the second storey, while
the third storey was " covered with a mount of
earth upon the top." Skene House remained in
this state until 1680, when the arches were taken
out, and the house roofed and floored. The old
part still forms a portion of the present house of
Skene, which has been added to, and altered, at
different periods.

The Loch of Skene is a singularly beautiful
object, particularly when seen from the north,
■with the picturesque mountains of Clochnabane,
Mount Battock, &c., in the background.

(?S. .)

KILBATTOCH, Kynbethot, and Kinbat-
TOcn,are old forms of thename of this parish.
Another authority calls it " Kilbartha, or
Bartha's Cell or church." It was also known as
Tovvie-Brux, from having belonged at one time
to Forbes of Brux. The church was anciently a
vicarage of Old Machar.

The present kirk, which has a prominent posi-
tion upon the south side of the Don, is dated
1808. It is a plain building, near the site of the

previous kirk, in which was found a coffin-slab,
with a cross upon it, terminating in a good ex-
ample of the fleur-de-lis. The church bell bears
the name of Mr Lumsden of CoRRACHRiiB.
His burial aisle is upon the site of the old kirk :
within it is this inscription : —

Here lies Mr James Lumsden of Corrachree, late
minister of the Gospel at Towie, who died Feb. 15,
1777, aged 73. And Mary Grant, his spouse,
who died Jan. 13, 1778, aged 77. Here lies John

Lumsden son to John Lumsden and

Katharine Kearin, Aberdeen, who died April 13,
1741, aged 5 years.

[Upon a slab in outside of wall] : —

CONDITORIUM J. LUMSDEN DE CORRACHREE.

— Mr L., who was admitted minister of Towie 9
June 17-40, had at least four daughters and one
son. Three of the daughters were married,
Mary to Bailie Dingwall of Aberdeen ; Margaret,
to Mr James Gordon, Belly ; and Elizabeth, to
Capt. John Grant of Duthil. The son Robert
(born IG INIarch 1745), wrote some clever satires,
such as the See in the Forest, and Jean of Bog-
more, (v. p. 188.) Mr L. was succeeded Ib
Towie by Mr Mearns, v?ho was translated to
Cluny (q.v.) in 1795.

Near Lumsden 's aisle, a granite obelisk, within
a railed enclosjure, is thus inscribed : —

Sacred to the memory of Gen. Sir Alexander
Leith, K.C.B., of Freefield and Glenkindie, who
died 19 Feb. 1859, aged 84. Also of Maria Thorp,
his first wife, who died 2 Aug. 1834. Erected by
his surviving widow, Mary Mackenzie Leith.

— Sir Alex. Leith, who was a brave soldier, served
in the French and Peninsular wars, and was
knighted in 1815. He rose to the rank of Lieut. -
Colonel ; and from an expression which he used
to his soldiers when they were coming to close
quarters with the enemy on one occasion, he was
known in the army by the soubroquet of Cauld
Steel. By his first wife he had his successor in
the estate, and another son, Col. Disney Leith,
C.B., who distinguished himself at Moultan.
Since then he has married the only child of Sir
H. Gordon of Knockespock. Sir A.'s "surviv-

230

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

ing widow" is a Mackenzie of Glack. The
Leiths of Freefield and Gleukindie, like those of
Leith-hall, &c., are descended from Wm. Leith
of Barns in Premnay, provost of Aberdeen,
1352-55. One of the Leiths married a daughter
of Strachan of Glenkindie ; and Patrick, the last
of the male line of the Strachans, sold the estate
in 1738 to his cousin, Alex. Leith (grandfather of
Sir Alex.), who died about 1754.

Mary Duncan, first wf. of Js. Strachan, d. 1771,
a. 27 :—

Here lyes interred below this clod.
The body of a saint of God,
Who liv'd in hope and expectation
Of Jesus Christ for her salvation.
She liv'd a good and pious life,
A loving, chaste, and faithful wife ;
She died in peace with God above.
And rests in his Eternal love.
Erected by public subscription, in memory of
John Procter, Esq., surgeon. Born 26 July 1810:
died 14 April 1854.

Alexander Lyon, A.M., graduate of King's
College, Aberdeen, afterwards of Sydney Sussex
CoUege, Cambridge, " at both of which Universities
he obtained many honourable testimonials of un-
common abilities and attainments, withdrawn by
untimely death on 5th day of June 1850, in the 2.3d
year of his age." Erected by his parents, Alexan-
ander Lyon and Helen Tough.

To the memory of the Rev. Robert Lindsay,
LL.D., born 19 March 1799; ordained minister of
this parish 20 Aug. 1840 ; died 31 Oct. 1851.

It is said that there were three chapels in dif-
ferent parts of the parish in old times. In the
neighbourhood of Kinbattoch, is the site of a rath,
or fort ; but this, as well as the Peel of Fechley
(upon which are the slender remains of an ancient
fort), and the other antiquities in the parish, are
noticed in the Statistical Accounts, &c.

Of Towie Castle, which adjoins the kirk, some
of the vaulted cellars, and a portion of the square
tower, only remain, round the latter of which a
protecting wall has been recently built. It is
generally believed that this was the place which.

in 1571, Captain Ker, deputed by Sir Adam Gor-
don of Auchendown, demanded " to be raudrit
to him in the Queynis name ;" and the request
being refused by the lady (her lord being from
home), " fyre was put to the hous, wharin she,
and the nomber of 27 persons, war cruelie brynt
to the death." This barbarous proceeding, which
was done to revenge certain insults which the
Forbeses had given to the Gordons, is celebrated
in the touching ballad of Edom o' Gordon. The
unfortunate Lady Forbes, who, according to some
accounts, was pregnant at the time of her sad
death, was a daughter of Sir John Campbell of
Calder ; and her charred remains are said to have
been buried in the now obliterated kirkyard of
Nether Towie.

The Forbeses, designed of Tollies, or Towie, in
1494, are said to have sprung from Alexan-
der of Brux, 4th son of Sir John of Forbes, who
died in 1305. The estate of Towie was Forbes
property down to about the middle of the 17th
century.

In 1357, Thomas Earl of Mar gave a charter
to Adam of Strathauen and his wife Margaret,
the Earl's cousin, of part of the lands of Glen-
kindie, and Glenboul, called Rummor. FromaseW,
1488, of the lands of Murthlich (now Morlich),
which belonged to the Abbey of Cupar, it appears
that Margaret Charteris was the name of the lady
of Glenkindie at the latter date ; and that she
had " tua sonnis callit Jhonne and Alexander of
Strahaquhyn." There Avas a knighthood in the
Glenkindie family at one time ; and it is probable
that they were a branch of the Strachans of the
]\Iearns (v. p. 134.) The well-known tragical
ballad of Glenkindy is intended to illustrate a
tradition in the courtship of Strachan and the
Earl of Mar's daughter, in which " Gib his
man," or page, is represented as having played
" the loon," for which he forfeited his life.

The house of Glenkindie (locally situated in
the parish of Strathdon), is a snug chateau, amidst
ancestral trees, and partly clad with ivy. An
older castle, surrounded by a foss, stood farther
up the glen. But it appears that a house had been
built near the site of the present one, in 1595.

ABERCHIRDER, or MARNOCH.

231

Two carved stones are still there — one, below a
shield with the Strachan arms, and the initials
V. S., bears : —

. . . ins . straf)iil)iri ■ ic . gUnkenliic
Ijoc . op . fecit . annfl . tiui . 15—
The other slab is inscribed : —

MD=LXXX.XV.

VELAM . STRAQVHEN . OF . GLENKENDE.

BEGET . T

Two door lintels, in the present house, bear the
Leith cross-crosslet, the motto, trusty to the
END ; also these dates and initials : —

A. L : c. D., 1741. A. L : c. s., 1787.

James Wilkie, a divinity student, and native
of Towie, wrote The Holy Sabbath and other
poems (Abd. 1841.) The poems are of a pensive
melancholy turn, to which, unfortunately, the
author fell a victim.

(S. MARNAN, BISHOP.)

tXiriE kirk of Ahirkerdour, now Marnocii, a
^ vicarage of the cathedral of Moray, was given
by King William the Lion to the Abbey of Ar-
broath. Between 1 203-14, Gilchrist, Earl of Mar,
gave the same convent the patronage of the church
of Aberchirder, the right to which he had success-
fully contested with the King and the Bishop of
Moray.

According to tradition, S. Marnan, who
flourished about the middle of the 7th century,
" dyed very old, and was buried at Aberchirdir."
A ford on the Deveron, and a well near the
church, still bear his name. Possibly there was
an altar to Our Lady in the church in old times,
as an adjoining spring is named Lady Well.

The present church, which was removed from
the kirkyard about the beginning of the present
century, occupies the site of a stone circle, upon a
rising ground to the north-east. Like many
parish churches of the period, that of Marnoch
presents little worthy of notice, save two material

wants— elegance in design, and beauty of situa-
tion—to the latter of which, the old site, on the
banks of the Deveron, forms quite a contrast.

Little of the old kirk of Marnoch remains ; and
a vault, or place where bodies were deposited,
prior to interment, during the resurrection mania,
" built by subscription in the year 1832," is now
an object of little interest. Some of the tombs,
however, are of a superior class. One, in the
north-east corner of the enclosure, was, according
to local story, executed by a common mason at
Crombie. It is of Elgin freestone, dated 1694,
and presents, impaled, the arms of Meldrum of
Laithers and Duff of Braco, surrounded by an
elegant scroll ornament. Within an oval, the
half-length life-sized eifigy of a bearded ecclesias-
tic, with cap, frill, and gown, is carved in bold
relief : a scroll is in the right hand, and a
book in the left. Below Cupon an oblong oval,
and convex piece of polished Portsoy marble), is
the following inscription : —

Hie jacet reverendus et pius defunctus D. Geor-
Gius Meldrum de Crombie, quondam de Glass,
prseco fidelissimus, qui officio pastorali, dum ferebant
tempera, diligenter functus erat. Dives enim fuit
nou avarus, lucri gratia conscieutiam violare noluit,
pacifice et sobrie vixit, et hinc migravit anno Dom.
1692, aitatis sua3 76.

[Here lies the late reverend and pious Mr George
Meldrum of Crombie, sometime of (ilass, a faithful
preacher, who, while the times permitted, diligently
discharged the duties of his pastoral office. Not
being avaricious, he was rich, and would not do
violence to his conscience for the sake of gain ; he
lived peaceably and soberly, and departed hence
A.D. 1692, in the 76th year of his age.]

— Mr M., who previously " exercised" at Aber-
deen, was admitted minister of Glass in 1644 ;
and there, in 1650, one of his elders, in the pre-
sence of the session (alluding to some reported
favia), declared he had heai'd a parishioner say
that " he sould cause that lowne the minister
haue a fowll face !" Mr M.'s father was laird of
Laithers, and his mother was a sister of Adam
Duff of Clunybeg. Mr George Meldrum is said
to have had three daughters (Doug. Bar., 138.)

232

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

Besides Crombie, in Marnoch, Mr Meldrum held
large possessions in the parishes of Turriff and
Inverkeithny, &c., iu all which he was succeeded
by John Ramsay of Melross, in Gamrie, as heir
of entail. Crombie (the old house of which still
stands), was previously possessed by Walter Ur-
quhart, who, along with a number of accomplices,
was charged with the murder of a brother of Lord
Frendraught in 1642.

A flagstone, which forms the entrance to a
vault, within the same enclosure as the last-men-
tioned monument, bears : —

This is now the burial place of the family of
Ardmealie, being a gift from William Dufl of Crom-
bie to James Gordon of Ardmealie, his nephew,
who died 31 July 1791.

— The Ardmealie Gordons were a branch of those
of Craig (i'. Auciiendoik). From Gordons
the property of Ardmealie was bought by Morri-
son of Auchentoul, father of the present laird of
Bognie. It afterwards belonged to Edward EUice,
Esq., M.P., from whom it and Mayen were
bought by the trustees of the undermentioned Mr
Gordon of Avochie, who sold Drumlithie, in
the Mearns, to Mr Miller : —

In memory of John Gordon, Esq. of Avochie
and Mayen, who died the 27 of Nov. 1857, aged
60 years.

—The above-named Mr Gordon succeeded his
father, a W.S. in Edinburgh, in the lands of
Avochie. Upon his death in 1857, Avochie and
Mayen came, by entail, to the present laird,
Adam Hay. Mr Hay is also a W.S., and the
son of a sister of the last-named Mr Gordon's
father. Mr Hay assumes the name of Hay-
Gordon (v. Kinoke).

An adjoining enclosure contains marble tablets,
respectively inscribed as follow : —

Within this vault are deposited the remains of
John Innes of Muiryfold, Esq. Distinguished for
judgment, candour, and integrity, he employed-
those qualities with cheerful and unremitting appli-
cation in the service of his friends and his neigh-
bours. In domestick life, an affectionate husband
and generous master ; in society a most agreeable
companion. Born 11 March 1729, he died lamented

3 Oct. 1780. This vault and monument were
erected at the request of his disconsolate widow,
Helen, daughter of Peter Gordon of Ardmealie,
Esq.

— Mr Innes, who was a W.S. in Edinburgh, was
descended from the Edingight family, and
inherited Muiryfold from his father {v. p.
101). Leaving no issue, he was succeeded by the
daughter of his younger brother, Thomas Innp:s
of Monellie. The latter, also a W.S., died at
Edinburgh, 6th Sept. 1779, and was buried in
the Greyfriars' churchyard. Mr T. Innes' daugh-
ter married James, a eon of Rose of Gask, near
Turriff, who was descended from John of Ballivat,
2d son of the Hugh Rose of Kilravock, who died
in 1517. Mr Rose assumed the name of Rose'
Innes. His death is thus recorded at Maruoch
upon a marble slab : —

To the memory of James Rose- Innes, spouse to
Elizabeth-Mary Innes of Netherdale : died 4 Aug.
1814, aged 40. [Their eldes't and second sons
Thomas and William died in infancy respectively
in 1799 and 1800.]

— The following, from another tablet, shows that
Mrs Rose-lnnes survived her husband for about
37 years : —

To the memory of Mrs Elizabeth-Maky Rose-
Innes of Netherdale, who died at Netherdale, 17
Jan. 1851, aged 73.

— The property and mansion-house of Netherdale
are beautifully situated upon the north bank of
the Deveron. Netherdale, originally called
Pittendriech, and Mains of Fyvie, was acquired
by Mr Innes from the Earl of Fife in excambiou
for Muiryfold. The present name was given the
property, and the house built, bylMiss Innes about
1795, when she married Mr Hose.

To the memory of Georgina Gilzean, spouse of
James Rose-lnnes, third son of Jas. Rose-lnnes,
and Elizabeth-Mary, his spouse : died 10 Oct, 1836,
aged 28. Elizabeth-Mary, only daughter of Jas.
Rose-lnnes and Georgina Gilzean, died aged 14
years and 9 months. James Rose-Innes, spouse
of Georgina Gilzean, died 10 June 1845, aged 44.
— James Rose-lnnes, W.S., who died in 1845,
was 3d son of the heiress of Netherdale. His

ABERCHIRDER, or MARNOCH.

233

wife (who predeceased him ia 1836), was a
daughter of Mr Gilzean of Bunachtou, luverness-
shire. Their son, T. Gilzean Rose-Innes, now
laird of Netherdale, married Grace, daughter of
Mr Fraser, W.S., Edinburgh. Besides the family
already named, the heiress of Xetherdale had a
daughter (who lives at Netherdale Cottage), and
three sons : John, a merchant in London, who
died in 1867 ; Capt. Patrick, of Blachrie House,
Fyvie (to whose kindness I am obliged for notes
regarding his family) ; and George, of Ardfour,
a solicitor in Loudon.

A monument, with the Chalmers and Innes
coats impaled, initialed M. H. C : E. I., and dated
1709, contains this inscription : —

Sub hoc monumento reconduntur exuviae Mr'
HuGONis Chalmers, qui ecclesice hujus Marnoch-
ensis A.D. 36 circiter anuos pastoris officio fidelis-
sime functus est. Doctus absque vanitate, pius
citra ostentationem, gravis sed non morosus, veri-
tatem pacemque constantissime coluit, et tandem,
exacto 59 amiorum curriculo, ex hac aerumnosa
lachrymarum valle iu patriam ccelestem commigra-
vit quiuto die Junii 1707.

[Under this monument are laid the remains of
Mr Hugh Chalmers, who, for about 36 years,
discharged with the greatest fidelity, the office of
pastor of this church of Marnoch. Learned without
vanity, pious without ostentation, grave but not
morose, he constantly studied truth and peace, and
at length, after a career of 59 years, departed from
this sorrowful valley of tears to the heavenly land,
5th June 1707.]

Upon a flat stone in area of burial ground : —

John Taylor, Mill of Crombie, d. 1721, a. 44 ;

Margt. Johnston, his vd. , d. 1748, a. 61 : —
Here lyes the man aud wife, whose actions just.
Still blooms afresh, tho' now they're turn'd to dust;
Unlearned were both, yet from God's laws ne'er

swerv'd,
Believ'd in Christ, and him they daily serv'd.
Be thankful then, since ye're like labourers sent —
The more's requir'd of them where much is lent ;
In memory of their honest lives and deaths
William, their son, this stone Bequeaths.

Near the above : —

Here lyes the body of William Thain, lauful
son to Patrick Thain in Euchrie, who died the 22

of March 1755

—Though now a somewhat uncommon surname,
Thain is one of some antiquity in the district ;
and it is interesting to notice that in connection
with the very place named in this inscription,
" Patryk Thane the aid wycar of Inuerkethuy,"
was, in 1493, one of several persons who per-
ambulated the lands of " Yocbry et Achbrady,"
as part of the kirk lands of Aberchirder. Yochry,
Eochry, or Echry, is a sort of peninsula or head-
land of the Deveron, and may have its name
from having abounded at one time in yew trees.

Upon a table-shaped stone: —

Sacred to the memory of James Simpson, who
departed this life January 30, 1777, aged 62 years j
and IsoBEL Mackie, his wife, who died 26 May
1787, aged 68 years. This stone is erected by their
son, John Simpson, merchant iu Quebec.

When we devote our youth to God, &c.
John Simpson died Oct 30, 1858, aged S3. Wil-
liam Simpson died 3 Nov. 1867, aged 55.

— A stone slab in a pillar of the kirkyard gate
preserves this record of John Simpson's birth, and
of his liberality to the heritors of the parish of
Marnoch : —

John Simpson, mercht. in Quebec, was born in
the parish of Marnoch, A.D. 1747, and at his sole
expense erected these churchyard walls, A.D. 1793.

Jas. Watson, gardener, Ardmeallie, d. 1780, a.
79:-

A humourous sympathising friend,
Whose bones lies in this dark abode ;
Companion was for high or mean,
Kegarding man and fearing God.

The next two inscriptions are chiefly remark-
able for their orthographical peculiarities : —

Memento moeriy. AReCTed By RObeRT GRaY
shoemaker in CrANNA to the memory of his
son Robert and daughter Jean who departed this
life Octr. 30 Nov. 12 1817. In memory of his
Mother Isabel lay en who departed this life 1822
aged 73.

G G

234

EPITAPHS, AND imCRIPTIONS :

Memento mori. His Fader R. G. MaSSaN IN
FOggLON Who DEParted This Life The 22 OF
Api-iL 1782 Egged 30.

Upon a headstone : —

To the memory of the late George Christie,
tinsmith and engraver, Fergustown, who died 10
Feb. 18G0, aged 58. Erected by his friends and
acquaintances as a token of their admiration of his
honest industry, moral worth, intelligence, and
self -acquired mechanical genius. Here rests a pri
soner now released.

Upon a marble slab . —

Sacred to the memory of the Rev. John Edwards,
who died on the 1st day of October 1S4S, in the
57th year of his age, and the 9th of his ministry.
Post nubila ccelum.

— Mr Edwards was the son of a small farmer in
the parish of Grange. He was schoolmaster first
of Boharm, next of his native parish. The Earl
of Fife presented him to the living of Marnoch in
1837. Being vetoed by the people, application
was then made by the Presbytery of Stratbbogie
to the superior ecclesiastical courts for advice how
to act in the matter. The church courts advised
the rejection of the presentee — on the other hand,
the Court of Session ordered his admission to the
charge " if found competent." Four members of
the Presbytery voted for the former, and seven
for the latter course, upon which the General As-
sembly deposed the majority, and also deprived the
presentee of his license. After Mr Edwards was
vetoed, the patron issued a new presentation in
favour of the Kev. David Henry, assistant to
the previous minister. Mr Henry was " the
choice of the people," and inducted by a minority
of the Presbytery. Being set aside, under the
above circumstances, Mr Henry continued to
labour at Aberchirder to a large congregation in
the Free Church, and died there in 1870. He was
joined (McCosh's Wheat and the Chaff), by tioo
of the original protesting ministers of Strathbogie !
It need scarcely be added that "the Marnoch case"
caused the passing of Lord Aberdeen's Church
Act, also that it hastened the Disruption of 1843,
and that the seven^ as well as Mr Edwards, were
reponed to the office of the ministry.

The district of Aberchirder was a thanedora,
from which, as was the fashion of the period, the
thane, or king's steward, assumed his surname.
The family De Aberchirder appears to have
been of considerable note ; and, according to the
Junes genealogy, "Dame Jauettee of Aberchirder,
daughter to Sir David the Thayne of these lands,"
married Sir llobt. Junes, by whom he acquired
" a considerable estate," and bore her arms (three
boars' heads erased), along with his own.

But it is of Symon, thane of Aberchirder, that
the best record exists. About 128G-9, he founded
a chapel on the banks of the " Duff hern," dedi-
cated to S. Menimis or Monanus, which he en-
dowed with four silver merks out of the mill of
" Carnoussexth" (Carnousie),and other privileges,
to which charter his brother William de Aber-
kerdouer is a witness. It appears that Symon
was also thane of Cunwath (Inverkeithny), six
davachs of which he granted to the Earl of Buchau
with the view of being reponed in the thanage of
Aberchirder, of which, for some cause or other
(possibly by King Edward in 1296), he appears
to have been dispossessed. Symon was dead
before 12 March 1328, as of that date his daughter
Sibilla was recognised as his heiress in part of the
lands of Westircaringusy, which she conveyed to
William of Melgdrum. Of this lady no further
trace is found. Sometime after the death of
Symon of Aberchirder, the thanedom was given
to Walter Lesly, by whose descendant, Alexander,
Lord of the Isles, it was granted in 1439, under
the name of " the l>aro)iy of Aberchirder," to Sir
Walter Junes, son of the before-named Sir Robert
Junes and Janet Aberchirder.

Probably the chapel of S. Menimis stood at a
place still called Chapelton, about two miles below
the bridge of Marnoch. S. John's "W^ell and S.
John's Ford are near the Chapelton ; and " Sanct
Huchomy's Well" is in another part of the parish.
AU these names possibly indicate sites of old
places of worship.

The bridge of Marnoch bears the date of 1806.
A short distance below the bridge, situated (as
the name implies) upon a promontory, stands the
house of liiuairdy. It is said to have belonged at

MARYTON.

235

one time to the Crightons of Frendraught, more
anciently it formed a part of the barony of Aber-
chirder. Prior to 1650, Kinairdy belonged to
Mr John Gregory, minister of Drumoak, an-
cestor of the celebrated mathematicians of that
name. The jDroperty of Kinairdy, also the pa-
tronage of the kirk of Marnoch, were acquired
by Lord Fife from a family named Donaldson,
the first of whom was a merchant in Elgin (q. v.)
A stone slab upon the front of the house of Kin-
airdy gives this account of the erection of the
oldest existing part of it : —

REBUILT & ROOF'd BY THO. DONALDSON & ELIZ.
DUFF, A.D. 1725. NULLI CERTA DOMUS.

The mansion house of Auchintoul is near the
middle of the parish. Built partly by, it was long
the residence of Gen. Alex. Gordon, who ob-
tained distinction under Peter the Great of Russia,
of whose history the General wrote an account in
2 vols. (Aberd. 1765). Gen, Gordon died at
Auchintoul, aged 82, and was buried at Marnoch :
no stone marks his grave.

Within a mile of Auchintoul stands the Vilkuje
of Aherchirder, or New Marnoch, sometimes called
" Foggieloan." It occupies a rising ground, from
which a good view of the surrounding district is
obtained, and consists of a square, with diverging
streets. There are some good shops and dwelling
houses in Aberchirder, a branch bank, also Free,
Episcopal, U.P., aud Baptist Churches, together
with a Roman Catholic Chapel. In 1861, it had
a population of about 1263 persons, the females
being 221 in excess of the males I

(THE VIRGIN MARY.)
fX^'HE kirk of Marintoyi was' a vicarage of the
sit cathedral of Brechin. The patronage and
tithes of S. Mary of Old Munros, with its lands,
called in the Scotch speech AhtJien, were given to
the Abbey of Arbroath by William the Lion
The same king granted the Abbey lands of Mun-

ros, in liferent, to Hugh of Roxburgh, chancellor,
to be held of the Abbots of Arbroath, on the pay-
ment of three stones of wax yearly. (Reg. Vetus
de Aberbrothoc.)

S. Mary's Well is in the immediate vicinity of
the present church. The church was built in 1791.
A hand bell at the manse bears " Makytoun,
1730 ;" and the bell upon the kirk is thus in-
scribed : —

MICHAEL . BVRGERHVYS . M . F . 1G42 .
SOLI . DEO . GLORIA .

Within, and upon the north wall of the kirk, a
handsome marble monument (adorned with the
Lindsay arms, and motto, firm us maneo), bears
this inscription : —

Sub hoc marmore reconditus jacet Reverendus
vir, David Lyndesius, (ex prisca Lyndesiorum
farailia de DowhiU oriundus), ecclesife de Mary-
town per 33 annos pastor vigilantissimus, vir sin-
gular! literarum cognitioue, et summa rerum peritia
ornatus ; pietate in Deum, tide in Regem, reverentia
in Episcopos, et humanitate erga omnes insignia,
obiit 16 8eptembris 1706, ajtatis suas 62. Hie etiam
siti sunt duo filii impuberes Gulielmus et Alex-
ander, et Katharina filia, cixjus eximiam formpe
venustatem omues virgine dignaj virtutcs facile
a^quabaut.

[Beneath this marble lies interred the Rev.
David Lyndsay (a descendant of the old family of
Lyndsay of Dowhill), for 33 years the most vigilant
pastor of the church of Marytown. He was a man
of profound erudition, and of the greatest aptitude
for business, distinguished for piety towards God,
fidelity to the King, respect for the Bishops, and
kindness to all. (He died as above. ) Here also
are laid two of his sons who died in childhood,
William and Alexander ; and his daughter
Katharine, in whom rare personal beauty, and
every maidenly virtue shone with equal lustre. ]

— Mr Lyndsay was the last Episcopal minister of
Maryton. According to the Brechin Presbytery
Records, 3IS. (May 1, 1673), he was " younger
son of Mr David Lindsay, minister of Rescobie
(and) was presented to the kirk of Marieton by
the Archbishop of St Andrews." The Lindsays
of Dowhill claim descent from Sir William Liudsay
of Rossy, in Fife, sou cf Sir Alex, of Gleuesk, by

236

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

his second wife, a niece of Robt. TI. This branch
is represented by David Baird Lindsay, Esq. Mr
Lindsay succeeded Mr Lamy, on his translation
from Maryton to Faruell. Mr Lamy (who was
maternal grandfather of the celebrated Dr John
Arbuthnott), was possibly a cadet of the old
Lamies of Duukenny {v. p. G8-.)

The churchyard, which is kept in good order,
contains a number of tombstones, from which the
following inscriptions are selected : —

Wm. son of Wm. Lawrance, vintner, Usan, was
drowned in a draw-well, Oct. 1787, a. 3 years : —
Doth Infant's pain and death proclaim,

That A.dam did Rebel ?
His destiny declares the same.

Being drowned in a Well.
Let all who mourn his early death,

Hate sin the fatal cause,
And flee to Jesus Christ by faith

Who saves from Satan's jaws.

Charles Mtlne, d. 1786, a 56 :—

what an awful scene is here. The adorable
Creator around me and the Bones of my fellow
creatures under my Feet, The fatal shafts fly so
promiscuously, that none can guess the next victim.
Passing over the couch of decrepit age, Death has
nipped Infancy in its Bud, & blasted Youth in its
Bloom, therefore be ye always ready, for in such
an hour as yo thinlc not, the final summons will
come.

James Petrie, d. 1739, a. So :—

I, when the Trumpet Sounds with joy.

Shall quit my earthly bed ;
The voice that calls me wont annoy —
Arise, come forth ye Dead.

Heir lyis Alexander Litch, svmtym indvelar
in Old Montrois, hvsband to Beatsy Ramsy, vho
depairtid 11 March 1639. The Lord gives and
takes, blesed be his holy name. Memento mori
noli parco.

The following, in beautifully interlaced letters,
is round the margin of a table-shaped stone : —

Heir lieth Alexander Leatch, somtyme in
Bonitoun, who depairted this lif December 15,
1779. Janet Glen, his spovs, died January 8,
17-2, aged 61. [v. Lethnot.J

James Orr, husband to Ann Hampton, who lived
sometime in the Bearmeans of Old Montrose, de-
parted this life 11 Nov. 1745, aged 57.

Upon a table-shaped stone : —

James Forrest, collector of toll duties leviable
at the Montrose Bridge for the space of 10 years,
which ofiice he fuLfilled to the satisfaction of all
concerned ........

— A marble slab inserted into the top of the
above stone bears that Capt. Jamks Dukie of
the Libra of Montrose, and his brother John,
carpenter of said vessel, were both drowned at
sea, 18 Oct. 1843. Mrs Mary Forukst (wife
of J. F.), died in 1848, aged 82-, &c.

Alex. Greig, farmer (1755) : —

Primo Deus ferro mortales vertere terram instituit.

Agricola iucuruo terram dimouit aratro ;

Hinc anni labor, hinc patriam paruosq' nepotes
sustiuet.
[Mortals were at first divinely taught to turn up

the soil with a ploughshare. The husbandman

breaks up the ground with the plough ; hence the

labour of the year — hence he supports his country,

and his little gi-and-chiklren.]

By honest industry and guiltless toil,
He liv'd on earth manuring still the soil ;
Yet not to earth were all his thouglits confiu'd,
For bread of life his labours were design'd.

An adjoining stone bears : —

Here lyes David Dennies, sometime wiver in
Goukhill, who departed this life the 5th day of
May anno Dommino 1742, and of his age G2 j'ears.

Upon a brass plate (v. p. 91^, sunk into the
top of a table-shaped stone : —

The Piev. Andrew Fergusson, born March 1769 ;
ordained assistant to his father, the Rev. David
Fergusson, minister of Faruell, Oct. 16, 1793 ; ad-
mitted minister of this parish March 1795 ; demitted
May 18, 1843 ; died minister of the Free Church in
this parish, Oct. 24, 1843.

— An inscription upon the same stone shows that
Elizabeth Bkuce, wife of Mr A. F., died 4
Feb. 1827 ; also that their son Andrew-Forbes
Fergusson, M.D., born 2 Feb. 1811, died 24
April 1853, &c. Mr F.'s surviving son (ordained

MAE YTON—D YSART.

237

minister of Strachan in 1836), seceded at the
Disruption, and has ever since been Free Church
minister of that parish. A granite obelisk at
Maryton marks the grave of " Helen Driver,
■widow of A. F. Fergusson, M.D., Montrose, who
died in 1868." Upon a headstone : —

James Petrie, who was for many years servant
to the late Robert Scott, Esq. of Duniuald, per-
formed the duties of his station with unremitting
diligence and fidelity, and gave, by his conduct to
all around him of his own rank, an example worthy
of imitation, and died in the year 1789, aged So.
This stone, as a mark of respect and approbation,
was erected by the Family of Duninald.

D Y S A R T

(S.

"If N an ecclesiastical sense the name Disert, or
fMa Dysarfi signifies a hermitage, or the residence
of a recluse or priest. — CJoyce's Irish Names of
Places.) In this view the name may be appli-
cable in the present case ; for, although the very
site of the old place of worship at Dysart is now
unknown, the church of Dijserth is mentioned in
an early charter of Malcolm the Maiden. Along
with its teinds, and the lands of Little Dysart, the
kirk belonged to the Priory of Rostiuoth.

Down to about the last half of the 17th cen-
tury, when Over and Nether Dysart were " an-
nexed to the kirk of Mariton," the inhabitants of
Dysart, although about eight miles distant, were
bound to communicate at " the kirk of Brechin,
quhilk," it is added, " was thair paroche kirk."
This arrangement had probably arisen from the
fact that the lands of Dysart were held under the
superiority of, and belonged to, the Cathedral of
Brechin. On the abolition of Papacy, the teinds
of Over and Nether Dysart were given by the
king to assist in educating poor deserving youths,
who chose the church as a profession.

The Law of Maryton, which is a remarkable
eminence, appears to have been vitrified. It com-
mands one of the finest views in Strathniore.

There are some interesting historical points con-
nected with the parish of Maryton, owing, in some
measure, to its proximity to Montrose. The lands
of Inyanie, or Ananias, belonged to, and went
with, the office of heritable gatekeeper of the
king's house or palace at the town of Montrose,
while the estate of Foulerton went with the office
of king's fowler. The Fullertons were in Mary-
ton from the time of Bruce ; and it appears that
there was a marriage between one of them and a
daughter of Ogilvy of Lintrathen, prior to 1460,
which is not recorded in the genealogy of the
Earls of Airlie. (Reg. Ep. Brechin, p. 108.)

The estate of Bonnyton, which belonged at one
time to the knightly family of Wood, more an-
ciently to the Tullochs, is popularly said to have
been held on the tenure of supplying fresh fish to
the royal table, when the king came to Forfar :
an old road or track, from Usan to Forfar, is
still known as " the King's Cadgers' Road." The
only remains of the Castle of Bonnyton are two
slabs, which are built into the farm offices. One
of them exhibits a carving of the arms of Scot-
land, the other that of the family of Wood. Both
are dated 1C66, being the year in which John
Wood of Bonnyton was created a baronet. It
was a near relation, if not the father of this laird,
who, on 27 July 1643, was charged by the Pres-
bytery of Brechin, on the complaint of Mr John
Lammie, minister, of having " cum secretlie in
ane morning, accompanied vith one or two at most,
to his church, and baptized ane chyld qlk is sus-
pected to be his ovne." At an after date (Oct. 5),
two of the persons present at the baptism declared
that " Mr Johne" not only acknowledged pater-
nity, but allowed " tuo peck of meill weiklie for
the mentenance off the mother and the chyld,"
though " the meill was not given in his naime."
The laird of Bonnyton, father of Mr John, died
in January 1642. The Woods of Bonnyton, and
their cadets of Craig and Balbegno, were of local
note and importance in their day. One of the
Craig branch was comptroller to King James V.
and to Queen Mary.

Grahame, Dukes of Montrose, take their title
from Old Montrose, which was their property and

•238

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

family residence ; and where, it is believed, the
celebrated Marquis was born. Old Montrose
passed from the Grahams to the Earl of Middle-
ton. It now belongs to the Earl of Southesk,
kinsman of the Marquis of Montrose. A modern
mansion occupies the site of the old house.

A neat Free Church with a spire, the manse,
also a schoolhouse, occupy a commanding position
near Old Montrose, which add greatly to the
beauty of the locality.

•>/vwvwx%^vwx^x%%wxxwwwv^^v

(S. ERCHARD, BISHOP.)

■IfT is said that S. Erchard, who lived in the
««fe time of King INIalcolm I., was born atTolmads,
and buried within this, the church of his native
parish.

The kirk of Kyncard'm Onele was given to the
Cathedral of Aberdeen by Duncan, Earl of Fife,
about 1338, having been previously erected by
him into a prebend of Old Machar. This church
was accounted the best living in the diocese.

The architectiu-al features of the north door of
the kirk (long since built up), resemble those at
TuUich {v. p. 107.)

In 1725, the kirk of Kincardine O'Neil is de-
scribed as " a good edifice, higher and wider than
any other upon Dee, thatch'd with heather ....
yet it's shorter by a half, as appears by the re-
maining walls, than it has been within these
hundred years." According to tradition, the roof
was accidentally burned about 1730, after which
it was slated. About 1830, four buttresses were
raised upon the south and north sides to support
the walls ; but the church fabric being deemed
unsafe some years ago, a new edifice was built on
the east of the village. The roof was then taken
off the kirk ; but the belfr : —

In grateful acknowdedgement of connexion with
this parish, and as a tribute to the memory of the
Revd. William Morrice, sometime minister, this
building has been erected for a Female School, in
pursuance of the will of George Morrice, his
youngest, and last surviving son. The land was
granted by Francis Gordon, Esq. of Kincardine
Lodge.

— The above named George Morkice died in
1850. He and his brother John accumulated
wealth as timber merchants in London, where
they were long contractors for the supply of oak
to the Government Dockyards. Their paternal
grandfather tenanted Waulkmill of Drum.

Among the prettiest natural objects in the
district were the Falls, or Slug of Dess, lately
spoiled to make the cascade available for utili-
tarian purposes. The House of Desswood, ad-
joining, is one of the best situated residences on
Deeside. The place, now a sort of paradise, was
almost a wilderness when bought by the grand-
father of the present laird (v. pp. 21, 121.)

Alex. Ross, author of Helenore, or the For-
tunate Shepherdess, and other poems, was born at
Torphins in 1699 {v. Lochlee.)

LUNAN.

241

(S.

I^HE kirk of Inuerluthnene belonged to the dio-
Jt cese of St Andrews, and was gifted by King
William to the Abbey of Arbroath. It was dedi-
cated by Bishop David in 1242, and is rated at
15 merks in the Old Taxation.

The present church, built in 1844, is situated
within the burial-ground, and upon the left bank
of the Lunan, near Lunan Bay. A slab, built
into the front wall of the kirk, and initialed D. j\I :
E. M., probably refers to David Mudie of Arbikie
and his wife.

An elegant marble monument, similar in design
to that at Maryton, is within the kirk, and bears
this inscription : —

P. M. Reverend! viri, ALEXANDRr Pedey, qui
per XLIV, annos in ecclesia de Lunan, summa cum
laude, munere pastoral! functus, ob egregiam pie-
tatem, animi modestiam, sine fuco ainicitiam, sine
fastu munificentiam, mirum denique caudorem &
urbanitatem Deo earns, ca?lo maturus, bonis omni-
bus desideratus, septuagenarius decessit, XVII.
Februarii, MDCCXIII. Amoris debit! hoc monu-
meutum marmoreum posuit mcestissima conjux,
Marjora Lindsay.

[Erected to the memory of the Rev. Alexander
Pedey, for 44 years the highly esteemed minister
of the church of Lunan, who died 17th Feb. 1713, in
the 70th year of his age, beloved of God, ripe for
heaven, and regretted by all good men on account
of his eminent piety, his humble-mindedness, the
sincerity of his friendships, his unostentatious
liberality, and finally, his rare candour and
urbanity. This marble monument of deserved
affection was erected by his disconsolate widow,
Marjory Lindsay.]

— j\lr Pedey gave two silver Communion cups
and a bread-plate to the parish, and stipulated
that any Episcopal congregation, within seven
miles of Lunan, was entitled, upon application,
to have the use of the same. The cups and plate
(the latter of which bears a date subsequent to the

death of Mr Pedey), are respectively inscribed
as follows : —

" Gifted to the Cliarch of Lunan bij Mr A lexander
Pedey, minister there, these tuo cups. 1709."

" Gifted to the Church of Lounan by Mr Alexander
Pedey, minister there. 1714."
— Mr Pedey was twice married, and his second
wife, who survived him, left an annuity to uphold
his monument.

The following inscription at Lunan, to the me-
mory of ^Valter Mill, contains an error as to the
length of his incumbency there. Besides the
proof afforded by the Register of Arbroath (ii.
445), Mill's reply to his accuser at St Andrews
— " I served the cure of Lunen, twentie yeires " —
must be considered conclusive as to the true period
of his services at Lunan (Pitscottie's Hist., 519 : —

Sacred to the memory of Walter Mill, for
upwards of forty years pastor of this church, and
the last Scottish Martyr for adherence to the
Protestant Faith. He entered on his ministrations
in the days when Popish error prevailed in Scot-
land ; but by Divine grace was brought to the
knowledge of the truth ; and, having faithfully
preached the Gospel for many years, in the midst
of persecution, suffered martyrdom, at St Andrews,
on the 28th day of April, a.d. 1558, in the S3d
year of his age. This memorial was erected A.D.
1848, during the ministry of the Revd. Robert
Barclay, by the Heritors and Parishioners of
Lunan, in grateful acknowledgment of the blessings
resulting from the Reformation. " The righteous
shall be in everlasting remembrance."

— The monument with the above inscription took
the place of one (said to have been of timber),
which was erected by the llev. Mr Gowaus. The
inscription (from Bowick's Life of John Erskine
of Dun), is given in Supplement {q.v.)
From a monument, also within the kirk : —

In memory of William Taylor-Imrie, Esqr.
of Lunan, who died 11th March 1849, in the 70th
year of his age.

— Mr Taylor-Imrie was a grand-nephew of Mr
William Imrie, laird of Lunan, who died in 1790,
and left the property to his niece's husband,
Alex. Taylor at Cushnie, in liferent, and to their

242

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

second son (the above-named William) in fee.
Mr Imrie bought Lunan in 1759, from Mr David
Wise, a merchant in Dundee. In 1767 he ac-
quired the superiority of the lands from the Earl
of Panmure, to whom the feu-duty belonged as
owner of the Abbacy lands of Arbroath, which he
bought along with other portions of the forfeited
estates of his uncle.

Mr Taylor- hurie, who died unmarried, left
Lunan to his nephew, eldest sou of his sister
Elizabeth, who married Captain James Blair of
the old Forfar Militia. He was formerly a mid-
shipman in the Royal Navy, but held a commission
in the 70th Foot, and died at Tyuemouth, when
in Ji'.ngland with his regiment. His son, Brigadier
James Blair, was so much esteemed by his brother
officers, that shortly after his death they erected
an obelisk to his memory at Lunan. It stands
upon rising ground to the north of Lunan House,
and bears this inscription : —

To the memory of Lieuteuant-Colotiel James
Blair, of the Bengal Army. Born on the 7th
November 1792, he died at sea on board the ship
Madagascar, during a voyage to the Cape of Good
Hope, iindertaken for the recovery of his health,
on the 12th of August 1S47. High in the estimation
of the Supreme Government of India, he had, for
the last twelve years of his life, Commanded the
Cavalry Division of His Highness the Nizam's
Array, and this Monument was erected by his
Brother Officers, European and Native, to comme-
morate their admiration of his character as an
Officer, and their affectionate recollection of him as
a Friend.

— Lieut.-Col. Blair, who predeceased his uncle,
married Charlotte, a daughter of Gen. Vanrenan,
and their son, now Major of the F. and K. IMilitia
Artillery, succeeded to Lunan on the death of his
grand-uncle in 1849. Major Blair-Imrie has done
much to improve and beautify Lunan, which is
one of the most desirable residences in Angus.

The Gaelic words, Len-an, which have some
such meaning as the " water meadows," are quite
descriptive of the locality of the kirk.

The oldest stone in the burial-ground at Lunan
is possibly that which bears the name of Andrew

Jamieson, the date of 1697, and some common-
place verses. The inscriptions given below are
from monuments in the same place : —
John Torn, " mason St Virgins," d. 1749, a. 37 : —
This man uas uorking at Red Castl and taking
doun a uall, uas brussed by the fall of it, that he
liuet but ane hour thereafter, and died :

As ue each night lay doun our head,

Each morning open our eyes ;

Robert Soutter's wife d. (c. 1815) :—

"To know Death, and not to fear it, is the
summit of human happiness."

In memory of Robert Huddleston, school-
master, Lunan, who died 27th Feb. 1821, aged 53
years. Also of William, his son, who died in
infancy.

— Besides editing editions of Hollinshed's Scots
Chronicle, Tolaud's History of the Druids, &c.,
Mr H. also contributed papers on Scotch anti-
quities to contemporary periodicals (Land of the
Lindsays, p. 86.)

Near this spot are interred the remains of the
Revd. John Gowans, the faithful minister of this
parish for nearly 31 years, who died 14th Novr.
1820, greatly lamented, in the 70th year of his age.
This stone is erected to his memory by his afflictetl
widow, Isabella Webster, who also departed this
life 2nd March 1823, in the 77th year of her age,
and is here laid by the side of her husband.

— ]\lr Gowans, who began life as schoolmaster of
St Vigeans, was sometime minister of Glenisla.
He was the penultimate successor in Lunau of
Mr Henry Ogilvy, who died there, 23d May
1781, in the 85th year of his age. Mr Ogilvy
married Peggy, daughter of Mr AVise of Lunan,
and his daughter, Isobell, was mother of Professor
Hercules Scott of Aberdeen. The Wises of
Lunan are now represented by Dr T. A. Wise,
author of a Review of History of Medicine among
Asiatics, a Commentary on the Hindoo System of
Medicine, and of several papers on Scotch an-
tiquities, &c.

Although there is no monument to Mr Ogilvie
at Lunan, the name of few ©Id ministers is better
known. This is owing chiefly to the many stories

LUNAN.

243

aud quaiot anecdotes which are preserved re-
garding him. The more remarkable of these have
been often printed.

The next inscription relates to one of Mr
Ogilvy's successors at Lunan, whose ancestors,
long farmers at the Upper North Water Bridge,
are said to have sprung from the Barclays of
Mathers : —

Sacred to the memory of the Keverend Robert
Barclay, minister of the parish of Lunan, who
died on the 11th day of July 1S49, in the 62d year
of his age, aud 29th of his ministry.

A baptismal font aud sand glass, which are re-
epectively fixed to the pulpit and precentor's desk
at Lunan, also a hand-bell, present each the fol-
lowing inscription :—

Given to the Church ofLimanhy Alexander Gavin,
merchant there, and Elizabeth Jamieson, his spouse,
1733.

— The donor of these articles had a shop first at
Peatloch and next at Denhead of Lunan. He
was also sexton aud kirk officer, both of which
offices were hereditary in the Gavins from at least
1679 (Session Records.)

Alexander Gavin had a large family by his wife
Elizabeth Jamieson. The second son, David,
born at Peatloch in 1720, is said to have joined
an aunt in Holland, who married a Dutch sea-
man, whose life she had saved from shipwreck in
Lunan Bay.

Having acquired a fortune as a merchant at
Middleburgh, Mr Gavin bought the property of
Easter Braikie, in Forfarshire, in 1752, and that
of Langton, in Berwickshire, in 1757. He mar-
ried, in 1770, Lady Elizabeth Maitland, daughter
of the Earl of Lauderdale, and had four daughters,
two of whom died unmarried.

The second daughter, who became the wife of
Mr Baird of Newby th, succeeded to Easter Braikie,
and the eldest, who inherited Langton, married
the Earl, afterwards the Marquis, of Breadalbane.
The last-named was the mother of the second
Marquis of Breadalbane, of Lady Pringle of
Stitchel, and of the Duchess of Buckingham.

It will thus be seen that, through the marriage

of his great-grand-daughter with the Duke of
Buckingham, who is a lineal descendant of King
Henry II., that the blood of the humble kirk
beadle of Lunan may, like that of poor Paterson,
the celebrated prototype of " Old Mortality," be
said to flow in the veins of Royalty.

The barony of Lunan appears to have been in
the hands of the Crown about the year 1377,
when it was given by Robert II. to Richard of Mon-
tealt, who soon afterwards resigned it in favour
of Alexander Stuart, the king's son (Mem. Angus
& Mearns). It is supposed that it was vassals of
those ancient lords that first assumed Lunan as a
surname.

The property of Lunan appears to have be-
longed to a female branch of the Stuarts in 1476,
for on the 3d Sept. of that year Egidia Stewart,
who is designed " of Lounane," granted a con-
firmation charter "to her soue "Walter Tyrie of
the lands of Lunane in Forfar, and lands of For-
teviot in Perth, and of her lands of Pitfour in
Aberdeen," all of which were "held in warde (MS.
Notes of Scotch Charters at Panmure.)

This grant clearly refers to some portion, if not
to the entire barony of Lunan. Taken as a whole,
Lunan was a lordship of considerable extent and
value, for besides Easter Lunan, with its mill, it
comprehended, among other lands, those of Ar-
bikie, Courthill, Cothill, Drumbertnot, False-
castle, Hawkhill, Hillhead, and Newton.

It is interesting to notice that, long after the
old race of Tyries ceased to hold Lunan (for a con-
siderable part of the barony was held by Ogilvy of
Inverquharity before 1589), the lands again be-
came, in part at least, before 1610, the pro-
perty of their namesakes, if not descendants, of
Drumkilbo (Retours.)

A portion of Lunan was acquired by Sir John
Carnegie, afterwards Earl of Northesk, in 1643
(Douglas' Peer.) In course of time the whole
barony, the lands of Arbikie excepted, appears to
have come to that family, and to have been
held by them until 1723, when the fourth Earl
was forced to dispone the " Lands and Baronys

244

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

of Lunnan, Reidcastle, Ethie, and Northtarrie,
with the pertinents," to Messrs John Forbes of
Newhall, John Ogilvie of Balbegno, and Alex.
Bayne of Kiress, advocates, as trustees for behoof
of creditors, " excepting the South and North
Mains of Ethie, with the house, yeards, parks,
and ofBce-houses thereof."

These estates were all .exposed to sale within
the house of John Steill, vintner, in Edinburgh,
on 13th Feb., 1728, at twenty years' purchase,
when " the lands and barony of Luuan" were
bought by Wm. Lyon, advocate, for John Car-
negy of Boysack. John Fullerton of that Ilk
became security for the money, which appears to
have been furnished by Lord Dun, who was pre-
viously a creditor on the estate. The whole trans-
action was probably accomplished by Boysack and
Fullerton for the purpose of keeping Lunan in
the Northesk family, to whom it still belongs.

It appears from the conditions of sale that
Lunan was held blench of the Crown— one half
" for payment of ane penny money, and the other
half likewise blench for payment of ane penny
silver money at the term of Whitsunday, if asked,
allenarly." The lands and barony of Redcastle
{infra, p. 32G) were also held of the Crown, but
those of Ethie and Northtarrie were held of the
lordship of Arbroath, and formed a portion of the
forfeited estates of the Earl of Pan mure.

The lands of Easter Lunan, or Inverlunan, now
Lunan— that portion which belongs to Major
Blair-Imrie— appear to have been the jjart which
was given by King William the Lion, along with
the kirk and its teinds, to the monastery of
Arbroath. It was this portion which Abbot
Walter leased, 14th Dec, 1428, to William of
Guthrie, and in which he was long followed by
namesakes, probably kinsmen (Nig. de Aberb.)

It appears from notes of writs, kindly commu-
nicated by Major Blair-Imrie, that, in 1544, Lord
Innermeath of Redcastle had a feu-charter of
Lunan from Cardinal Beaton as Commendator
of Arbroath, and that his successor had a
confirmation charter of the same lands from Esme,
Duke of Lennox, also as Commendator of Ar-
broath, in 1582.

But it is evident that Guthries re-acquired
Lunan ; for, on 4th Nov. 1653, John Guthrie of
Over Dysart was served heir to his uncle John
" in the toune and lands of Inverlounan," &c.
(Retours, 326.) The writs of Lunan shew that,
in 1G67, the last-named John Guthrie sold the
estate to Francis (afterwards Sir Francis) Ogilvy,
son of the laird of New Grange, and that, on a
judicial sale of the property of Sir Francis, 30th
July 1702, Lunan was bought by his son-in-law,
George Ogilvy, who held an heritable bond over
it. George Ogilvy was the 4th son of the baronet
of Inverquharity, and left a son, John Ogilvy of
Balbegno (above-mentioned), who, on 30th Oct.
1723, sold Lunan to Alexander Wyse (infra, pp.
361, 366.) Mr Wyse is described in the title-
deeds as the only son of David Wyse, " tennant
in Mains of Lauriestoun ;" and Ogilvy sold Lunan
to him on this condition, viz., " Reserving only
freedom to me to erect a monument upon my
father's grave in the said church [of Lunan] if at
any time hereafter I shall think proper so to do."
If a monument was ever erected to George
Ogilvy, no trace of it now remains.

^t^xxii.

(S.

"^T was this portion of the parish of Gamrie that
tMs bore the name of Doiaie, and of which, as a
thanedom, John of Bothuille had charters in 1365
(supra, p. 89.)

The name of Doune may have been given to the
district either from the green or grassy nature of
the hill which bounds the town of Macduff on the
south-west, or from the word Dun, " a fort ;" for
there are still traces of old earth-works, as well
as of a castle, ujion the hill.

In 1413 the lands and barony of Doune were
given by Sir Alexander Keith to Patrick, son and
heir of Alexander Ogilvy, sheriff of Angus. At

MACDUFF.

245

a later period (1467), Sir James Stewart, after-
wards Earl of Buchan (who assumed the surname
of Douglas), and his wife Margaret, daughter of
Ogilvy of Deskford, had charters of the lauds and
baronies of Strathalva and Doune, also of Banff
Castle, and fishings upoa the Deveron, &c. (Coll.
Abd. & Banff.)

When Maria, Countess of Buchan, was served
heiress to her grand-mother, in 1615, in certain
lands in Banffshire, among these are enumerated
the barony of " Glendawachye alias Doune."
(Retours.) It was through the marriage of this
lady with James Erskine, sou of the 7th Earl of
Mar, that the title of Earl of Buchan came to the
Cardross branch of the Erskines.

George, Lord Banff, held part of the lands of
Doune in 1664. It was possibly through the
interest of the Ogilvys that the village was erected
into a burgh of barony, for, when Lord Strath -
more succeeded his father, " burgo baronias de
Doune" is specially mentioned in liis retour of
service, 29th October 1695.

The district became Fife property in 17 — .
Doune was then a poor fishing hamlet ; but, being
situated upon a finely sheltered shore, the second
Earl of Fife saw the advantages that would flow
from erecting a harbour there, and by giving
facilities for house-building, &c. His Lordship
spared neither trouble nor expense to attain his
object ; and it was he who changed the name of
the place to Macduff. Long before he died, he
had the satisfaction of seeing it occupied by over
1000 inhabitants, and the harbour become a place
of considerable trade. It is now one of the most
thriving sea-ports on the east coast of Scotland.

It wag also through the second Lord Fife's
influence that ^Macduff was created a Royal burgh.
In commemoration of that event, he had a cross
erected upon a rising ground, which bears his
family arms, also this inscription : —

MACDUFF'S CROSS.

Rebuilt at Macduff by the Earl of Fife 1783, ivhen
the place was constituted a Royal Burgh by George
Hid. May it flourish, increase in number arid in
opulence, while its Inhabitants gain the blessings of
life by Industry, Diligence, and Temperance.

— The ancient " Cross Macduff," or rather its
base, is still to be seen among the Ochil Hills, near
Newburgh-on-Tay. A valuable and interesting
account of Cross Macduff is given in the Sculpd.
Stones of Scotd., vol. ii., pp. Ixvi-lxxiii.

Although by the Reform Act the burgh of
Macduff is united with that of Banff, it has an
independent municipal government, and contains
about 4000 inhabitants.

When the Earl of Fife built the harbour, he
also erected a Chapel of Ease at INIacduff ; and, in
1866, the town, and some adjoining parts of the
parish of Gamrie, were made into a quoad sacra
parish.

The church, which was almost entirely rebuilt
a few years ago, occupies a prominent position
upon the hill behind the town, and a little to the
eastward stands a commodious Free Church.

The burial ground adjoins the parish church.
The tombstones are numerous, and as many of
them are painted black— a not uncommon fashion
in the district— they have a strange appearance,
particularly when seen from a distance.

The following inscription (from a table-shaped
stone), relates to the first person who was buried
in the cemetery at Macduff : —

[1.]
Here lie interred the remains of Margaset
TuRNBUL, who departed this life on the 27th day
of October 1808, in the 85th year of her age. She
was a servant in the Family of Fife for 65 years ;
aud, as a testimony of her faithful services during
that long period, this stone is erected by James,
the present Earl of Fife.

The rest of the inscriptions (the third of which
is abridged), are copied from monuments in vari-
ous parts of the burial-ground : —

[2.]
Alexander Carnv, late rope-manufacturer in
INIacduff, died 27th March 1829, aged 73, who, by
the upright discharge of his public duties as Provost
of Macduff, and Justice of the Peace, as well as by
his private conduct, deserved and possessed the
esteem of numerous friends aud acquaintances. —
Erected by his widow Catherine Lyal, and his
nephew Alexander Carny.

246

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

[3.]
Erected by public subscription to the memory of
Alexander Carny, wlio was for many years
Provost of Macdufif and a magistrate of the county
of Banff. Born 7th May 1785 ; died 24th Nov.
1856. He was a just judge, a kind husband, a
dutiful parent, and an honest man.

— Mr Carny's wife (who was a daughter of Llr
Ales. Tocher, mentioned in the next inscription),
died in 1870, aged 70. IMrs Simpson of Cobairdy
and Mrs Grant of Beldornie are two of Mr Carny's
surviving daughters {supra, p. 228.)

[4.]
Erected by the Family in memory of their mother
Jane Tocher, wife of James Smith, sometime
schoolmaster in Macduff, who died 28th February
1838, aged — 5 years. [2 drs. died young. Also
a son Alexander, who died at Toronto, Canada,
18th Sep. 1855, aged 32.] Also Alexander
TocnER, who was 67 years schoolmaster in Mac-
duff, and died 10th February 1844, aged 89 years.
And of his wife, Ann Haslopp, who died 3d
January 1850, aged 83 years. [The above] James
Smith, late tutor, Knox College, Toronto, Canada,
and died there 3d January 1867, aged 66 years.

[5.]
As a tribute of respect to the memory of James
Wilson, Esq., late of the Island of Jamaica, who
died at Macduff, on the 5th day of October 1829,
aged 84 years. This tablet is erected by his nephew,
the Rev. Thomas Wilson, minister of Gamrie.

[6.] ■
Sacred to the memory of Margaret Wilson,
spouse to William Wilson, shipowner, Macduff, who
died the 19th of January 1837, aged 87 years. The
said William Wilson died the 7th of June 1838,
in the 90th year of his age, during which period,
his upright character gained him the respect of his
relatives, and a numerous circle of friends and
acquaintances.

[7.]
Erected by George R. Huie, Trilawney, Jamaica,
and Ann S. Huie in Macduff, in memory of their
affectionate mother, Margaret Riddoch, relict of
John Huie, merchant, Jamaica, who died 12th July
1831, in the 91st year of her age. The above-
named Ann S. Huie, died 9tli March 1863, in the
86th year of her age.

[8.]
Margaret Wilson, d. 1S2-, a. 22 :—

Youth fades — life is a vapour —
The sun is but a spark of fire —
A transient meteor in the sky ;
The Soul, immortal as its Sire,
Shall never die.

(THE BLESSED VIRGIN.)
fJffHE district of Kermyle, or Carmyllie, was not
oA) erected into a separate parish until 1609,
although David Strachan, the principal heritor,
had founded a chapel there, by deed dated 5th
March 1500, which was ratified 20th January
1512-13 (infra, p. 841.)

The older portion of the church of Carmyllie is
probably the same as was built by Strachan.
Before the recent additions and alterations were
made, some interesting examples of masons'-marks
were to be seen upon the old part of the building.
The ashler work was a fine specimen of masonry,
resembling, in some points, the style of the more
ornate church of Fowlis-Easter,

The initials, M. J. S., and the date of 1757,
which were upon a lintel on the south side of the
kirk, had reference to alterations which were
made upon it during the time of the Eev, James
Small, who was minister from 1720 to 1771.
His son, Dr Robert Small, who became one of the
ministers of Dundee, wrote a brief, but excellent
account of that town, also a work on Kepler's
Astronomical Discoveries.

There was neither a "school nor school- house
at Carmyllie" in 1729 ; and the kirk, kirk-yard
dykes, and bell, were all in a ruinous state. Ac-
cording to tradition, the bell was rent at the
rejoicings which were held in 1715, when the
Chevalier de St George came to Panmure House.
The bell now in use is thus inscribed : —

made at edinr, 1748,
for the kirk session of carmyllie,

WILLIAM ORMINSTON.

CARMYLLIE.

247

The following initials and date are upon the
Guynd pew, in the kirk of Carmyllie : —

I. : 1657

K. M.

— These refer to John Ochterlony of Guynd and
his wife Katherine Maule— probably the parents
of John Ochterlony who was served heir to his
father in Guynd, &c., April 12, 1676, and who
wrote a valuable Account of the Shire of Forfar,
c. 1682, printed in the Spottiswoode Miscellany.

The surname of Ochterlony is said to have been
assumed from the lands of Lownie, near Forfar,
which were exchanged, 1226-39, for those of
Kenny, in Kiugoldrum. Ochterlonys possessed
Kelly, in Arbirlot, before 1442, and about 1614,
Sir William Ochterlony sold Kelly to Sir Alex.
Irvine of Drum. It was about the latter date
that the Ochterlonys acquired Guynd, which was
previously the property of the Strachans of Car-
myllie. " Gwythen" (? Geith-an, an exposed
marshy place), is an old spelling of " Guynd."

The following lines, from The Temple in the
Den of Guynd, have reference to the last direct
male descendant of the Ochterlonys of that Ilk.
He built the present mansion house, and planted
most of the trees at Guynd ; but notwithstanding
what is stated in the first couplet, he was buried in
the old kirk-yard of Montrose : —

Lines written by the late John Ouchterlony, Esquire,

who died at The Guynd, 20th Novembr. 1843: —
In this lone spot, by mortal seldom trod,
The dust is laid, the spirit fled to God,
Of him who reared these woods, these cultured plains
With verdure cloth'd, or stored with golden grains ;
O'er these paternal scenes, by time defaced
Bade yonder mansion rise in simple taste ;
And deemingnaught his own which heav'u bestow'd,
Diffused its blessings as a debt he ow'd.
empty record ! what avails thee now ?
Thy anxious days, thy labour-warm'd brow ;
See where man's little works himself survive,
How short his life, who bade these forests live.
While they shall rear their ample bows on high
Through distant ages, and while o'er them sigh
Eve's murmuring breezes, to the thoughtful say-
Like his, so pass thy fleeting span away.
Erected in 1853.

—Mr Ochterlony was succeeded by his nephew,
Mr J. A. Pierson, who greatly improved the pro-
perty. He died 9th Aug. 1873, aged 73, and was
buried at Chapel-yard in Rescobie (q.v.) Mr
Pierson married a daughter of the laird of Glen-
moristou, but leaves no issue.

From a marble tablet within the church : —

In memory of the Revd. Patrick Bryce, 45
years minister of this parish, a sincere Christian, a
faithful pastor, devout, charitable, and upright.
He recommended that religion which he taught, by
a peculiar mildness and simplicity of manner. Con-
scientious in the discharge of every relative duty,
beloved, honoured, and universally respected, he
died in the humble hope of a far nobler inheritance
beyond the grave 21st June 1816, in his 84th year.
Also Mary Aitken, his wife, who closed a well-
spent life in the same hopes of a blessed immor-
tality, 19th Sep. 1801, aged 72. A tribute of filial
love and respect from their only child and aflfectionate
daughter.

— Mr Bryce's only child married the Rev. Mr
Webster of Inverarity, the sou of a merchant and
magistrate of Forfar. Six of her sons were bred
lawyers, and one a physician. The last-mentioned
wrote Statistics of Grave- yards in Scotland ; one
of his brothers, who died of fever at Cairo, in 1826,
wrote Travels in Egypt, and another is sheriff-
clerk of Forfarshire.

Heritors and ministers were buried within the
church down to a pretty late period. Among the
latter was Mr Scott, who appears to have had
but little sympathy for the wives and families of
the exiled nobles. " The Presbyterian ministers
(writes the Countess of Panmure in 1716), are
bad neighbours, particularly Scott of Carmyllie,
who gives all the information he can against me,
and he is but too well heard." Scott died in 1720,
and was succeeded by Mr Small, traditionary
notices of whose kindness of heart and hand still
survive in the parish.

The kirk-yard was lately extended upon the
north side, and the inscriptions given below are
from tombstones in the older portions of it : —

6S» Heir lyes Iames Rind, yovnger, vho de-
parted this lyfe the 10 of lanr. 1664, of age 31.

248

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS :

►f« Heir lyes auebouest mau IamesKind, LvsliancT
to Helen Philp, vho departeel this lyfe 8 of lauvari
1660, of age SO.

A stone, embellished with the carvings of a pair
of scissors and a tailor's goose, and initialed I. C :
I. P., bears : —

.... sober man caled Iohx Curistie who de-

partit the 2 day of Ivle spovs ... el

Peter, who departit j e 24 day of 162-4, of

age 30.

On 28th Feb. 1G61, David Caird in Monchur,
in Carmyllie, ajjpealed against a decision of the
Presbytery of Arbroath, which he looked upon, as
quaintly stated in his protest, " as coutrair to the
law of God and man, and practice of this king-
dome [because] they iuteudit to excommunicate
him out of the Societie of God's people over into
the hands of the Devill." Kathrine Mill (men-
tioned below), was possibly the wife of this
" worthy": —

Kathrine Mill spoils to David Kaierd

who dicessed . . . March anno 1668, liir age being
50 yeirs :

Earth, take thy earth :

My frinds I take my leave.

My sovle to God,

My body to the grave.

Hier rests the corpes of Dauid Katekd, who de-
cissed the 5 of December, and of age 50 yeirs, anno
1632. Here lyes Elleon Keard, spovs to David
Eamsay, who lived sometime in Peterly, who died
the 22 of May 172-, and of her age 33 years.

— David Ramsay, Pitairly, is described (1729) as
" an old man and poor, and can pay but a very
little part, if any [of his arrears of rent] ; how-
ever," it is added, " his children are coming up."
(York Buildings' Go's Mem. Book, MS.)

Janet Christie .... John Gibson, in Grey-
stone, d. 1720, a. 41 :—

The memory of the just is blest, but the name of
the wicked shall rot.
He who was sober, just, and good,

And fam'd for peity.
No panigerick now doth need.
His prais to amphlefy.

His memorie on earth is blest,
His soull with glorie crown'd ;

His bodie here shal rest in peace
Till the last trumpet sound.
— John Gibson, in Greystoue of Carnegie, who
also farmed part of the Kirkton of Panbride, is
said to be (1729) " a very honest man . . . only
'tis thought he tiples, and thereby negligent of
his own affairs." James Christie, a pendicler on
Greystoue, at the same date, had the character of
being " a very good countrey like mau."

Wm. Allan, and Jean Turnbcll, in Bents of
Guynd (now New Mains), on 3 children, 1769 : —
Now cruel death hath us all three

Right soon his captives made ;
And by his niightie arm you see,
Down in the grave bath's laid.
Jas. Balbirnie andwife, Mossholes, onchdn., 1769 :
When death's darts did approach so near.
We parted with our children dear ;
And for them we had this respect —
This monument we did erect.

—In 1729, David Balbirnie, in Mossholes, was so
" very poor" as to be unable to pay much of his
arrears of rent, " the reason whereof is not the
man's own fault, but owing to his wife and
children's tenderness."

Isobel Liech, wf. of Wm. Scott, Drumnygar,
d. 1767, a. 64 :—

Lean not on earth, 'twill pierce
thee to the heart,
A broken reed at best ; oft a spear
On its sharp point ; peace bleeds,
and hope expires.
David Kydd, farmer, Newton, d. 1782, a. 63 ;
his wife, Barbara Morgan, d. 1804, a. 88 :—
Let marble monuments record
Their fame, who distant lands explore,
This humble stone points out the place
Where sleeps a virtuous, ancient race.
Their sire possess'd ye neighbouring plain.
Before Columbus cross'd tbe main ;
And tho' ye world may deem it strange,
His son, contented, seeks no change,
Convinc'd, wherever man may roam,
He travels only to the Tomb.

CARMYLLIE.

249

John Walls, Greystone, d. 1826, a. 61 :—
Here, gentle reader, o'er this dust
We crave a tear, for here doth rest
A Father, Husband, and a Friend,
In him those three did finely blend.
Worn by disease, and rack'd with pain,
Ph3'sicians' aid was all in vain.
Till God; in his great love, saw meet
To free him from his sorrows great.
How wonderful, how vast his love,
W^ho left the shining realms above ;
How much for lost mankind he bore,
Their peace and safety to restore.

Sepulchral traces, of a very old type, have been
found near Moncur and Monquhirr ; also at the
Fairy Knowe, where a rude boulder of about two
tons weight bore the representation of a human
foot upon the lower side. The origin of these
marks are popularly attributed to the fairies.
(v. Jour. Kilkenny Archseolg. So., new series, vol.
v., p. 451.)

The lands of Carnegie, -^'hich John of Balin-
dard acquired from Sir Walter Maule of Pan mure,
about 1350, in exchange for those of Balindard,
or Bonliard, in Arbirlot, lie to the west of the
kirk of Carmyllie (r. p. 93.) Onacquiring thelands
of Carnegie, Balindaid, as was the custom of the
period, assumed his surname from his new pos-
session, and from him sprung the Carnegies, Earls
of Southesk and Northesk, &c. Carnegie was a
barony, which comprised the possessions of Car-
negie, Mossholes, Drum, and Greystone, also the
adjoining slate quarries. In 1729, " the big-
gings'' on Carnegie proper, which appear to have
been in a sadly dilapidated state, as were the
buildings upon most of the properties in Scot-
land at the same period, were valued at £134
3s 4d. The lands of Carnegie now belong to the
Earl of Dalhousie.

The Kirk-session records of Carmyllie show-
that in 1707 the poor " had a considerable loss by
the Doits and Lettered Tumors" which were
gathered at church collections ; also that, in 1709,
the Earl of Panmure gifted to the poor " the cus-
tome of the mcrcatt of Carmyllie," held on 25th

April, and that £2 18s 2d Scots were collected on
that day. Doits and Turners were copper coins :
the value of the first was a penny Scots, the latter
two pennies, or one bodle.

On 28 April 1743, " John Corser in Backboth,
and Margt. Weir in Muirheads [were] summoned
to compear before the Session for consulting such
as pretend to foretell future events."

It is worthy of note that James Strachan,
Bishop of Toronto, who was a native of Aberdeen,
taught a side school at Cononsyth, in this parish,
about 1793-4. Also that the Rev. Patrick
Bkll, LL.D., the inventor of the reaping ma-
chine, became minister of Carmyllie at the Dis-
ruption, and died there 22 April 1869, aged 69.
His father was a farmer in the parish of Auchter-
house.

A freestone slab (built into the manse offices at
Carmyllie) presents a much defaced carving of the
Ochterlony arms, with the date of 1670, and the
initials M. A. O : H. M. These refer to Mr
Alexander Ochterlony, " lawfuU sone to umq"
John Ouchterlony, late provest" of Brechin (who
succeeded Mr Patrick Strachan in 1666), and to
his wife Helen Mudie, of the Bryanton family.
The stone also bears this injunction : —

QU^RAMUS SUPERNA.

[Let us seek the things above.]

A slab, over the front of the manse, having

reference to the time of the Rev. Wm. Robertson,

who died 27 Nov. 1836, aged 50, is inscribed : —

W. E., 1820.

DOMUM EXPECTAMUS CUJ0S CONDITOR EST DEU3.

[We expect a house, whose builder is God.]
Upon a door lintel at the manse garden : —
KeXiT-q rb U.d.v.
[Practice is everything.]

The Chapel SnAOF: at Backboath is said to be
the site of an old place of worship ; and the re-
mains of a stone circle, called The Temple-
STANES, were visible down to a late date.

A Free Church and manse were erected at
Carmyllie in 1850, and a school and schoolhouse
in 1860.

250

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

(S. MARK, EVANGELIST.)

I^IIE kirk of Fethi/rkern, a rectory iu the dio-
JL cese of St Andrews, is rated at 25 merks in
the old Taxation. In 1567, Patrick Bouucle was
minister of Fettercairn, and of the three adjoin-
ing parishes of Fordoun, Newdosk, and Conveth
(Laurencekirk), at a salary of 24 lb., " with the
support of the Priour of St Androis." John Thorn
was reader, or schoolmaster, with 24 merks a year.
David Strachan, afterwards Bishop of Brechin,
was sometime minister at Fettercairn; ;dso Wil-
liam Chalmers, who presented a congratulatory
address to Queen Anne from his brethren of the
Episcopal Church.

The present place of worship, which stands
upon a rising ground in the kirkyard, and close to
the village, was built in 1803. A handsome spire,
or belfry, was added, in 1838, to the west end
of the church. In old times, the bell was sus-
pended from a tree, which stood upon the Bell
Hillock. The old bell having become useless,
a new one was got, which bears : —

FETTERCAIRN KIRK,
J. DICKSON & CO., MONTROSE, 1821.

At the time of the removal of the Bell Hillock,
the earth and human bones of which it was com-
posed having been thrown into the burial vault
of the Woods of Balbegno, which was within
the old kirk, it is now difficult to say whether
the Woods had any funeral monuments at Fet-
tercairn.

It is well known that they were a branch of
the Bonnington family, (v. p. 237) ; and the
first AVood I have seen designed of Balbegno,
appears in the year 1539, when " Johne Wood
of Bawbeguo, witht my hand at the pen led
be me maister Johne Bell notar publict," gave
King's College, Aberdeen, a charter of certain
annual reuts in Belhelvie and Ellon. In 1622,
John Wood of Balbegno graduated at King's
College ; as did bis relative and namesake, a
brother of the laird of Balbegno, in 1666 (Fasti

Abdns.) From 1539 (how long before I am not
aware), the lands were held by Woods until about
1687, when they were sold to Andrew, second
brother of the Earl of Middleton (Doug. Peerage),
whose son, Robert, married a sister of John Ogilvy,
advocate, son of Ogilvy of Lunan. Having no
issue, Robert Middleton left his estate to his
brother-in-law ; and Mr Ogilvy's daughter (Mrs
Brisbane), sold Balbegno about 1778, to the Hon.
Walter Ogilvy (New Stat. Acct.) It is now the
property of Sir T. Gladstone, bart., whose father
bought it from the Hon. Donald Ogilvy of Clova.
As thanes of Fettercairn, the Woods of Balbegno
bore, in addition to their paternal coat of an oak
tree, two keys fastened to a branch (Nisbet.)

The castle of Balbegno, which is in good pre-
servation, contains an interesting hall with groined
freestone roof. Some of the bosses present gro-
tesque ornaments, others floral, and one bears the
Irvine arms. The ceiling has two shields, chargi?d
respectively with the Scotch lion, and the Wood
(?) arms. The vaulted compartments, of which
there are sixteen, are occupied by mural paintings
of the coats and mantlings, &c., of as many Scotch
peers. Upon the bartizan are three medallion
heads, one male, with hat, &c., and two females.
A male head with beard and helmet is over the
garden door. These are all boldly carved in free-
stone, and in the same style as the famous " Stir-
ling Heads." Several shields, with arms, possibly
those of the founder of the castle and his lady,
are upon different parts of the house. The date
of 1569 is upon a carved panel on the south side,
near the top of the house. Upon the south-
east, near the bartizan, below a shield with the
Wood and Irvine arms, are these names, probably
those of the erectors : —

L WOD : E. IRVEIK

Unfortunately the paintings in the ball are
suffering from damp, and some of the shields in
the outer walls are plastered over ; but in these
points, it is to be hoped, there will soon be an
improvement. It ought to be added that, about
the end of the last century, the Ogilvys made
an addition to the east side of the castle, by

FETTERCAIRN.

251

which the original entrance and front were
spoiled ; and it is said that a tenant removed the
stones from B ilbegno, now at Caldharae, which
bear the Wood and Barclay arms (i\ p. 138.)

Three burial enclosures within the churchyard
of Fettercairn belong respectively to the lairds of
Fasque, Balmain, and Arnhall. None of these
enclosures contain tombstones. The Ramsays,
lately of Fasque, and still proprietors of Balmain,
Essly, &c., are descended from Sir John Ramsay,
afterwards Lord Bothwell, who in 1510, had
charters of Balmain and Fasky, &c. The male
line of the Ramsays, as well as the original
baronetcy, became extinct (1830) in the person
of the 7th baronet, who heired the title only in
1806. The estate of Fasque, &c., passed by
bequest of the Gth baronet, to his sister's son,
Alex. Burnett (second son of the baronet of Leys^,
who was in the same year (180G), created a
baronet in his own right. He assumed the sur-
name and arms of Ramsay, and was grand-
father of the present baronet of Balmain.

The following inscriptions are from tombstones
in different parts of the churchyard. The first
is round the margin of a flat slab : —

^r HEIR . LAYS ITHFVL . BROTHER .

ALEXANDER .... ROS . MERCHANT . AND . BVR-
GES . OF . DVNDTE . VASE . QVHA . DEPAIRT . . . . E
LYF . 2 . MAI . ANNO . 1615 . OF . HIS . AGE . 88.

The above is cut in relief, the following is in-
cised, upon tlie same stone : —

This monument was repaired by David Watt
in memory of his daughter Mary Watt, who de-
parted this life 3d November 1779, aged 17 years.

Near the last quoted : —

Hear rests in the Lord William Avstin, hvsband

to Isobel Gentleman, who depe e

the 30 of Ivne anno 1685, and of age 68.
Anonymous : —

My glas is rvn, and thine rvnneth ;
Remember dath, for Ivgment cometh.

Upon a flat stone : —

{S- Here rests in the Lord Iohn Wallentine,
lete Mosgrive in Arnhale, who departed this lyf
23d Febryr 1679, and bis age 65 years. And his

spous Agnes Lowe, who departed this lyf the 12th

June 1682, and hire age 68 years : —

My parents here in hope doth rest,
Again to rise, and be for ever blest ;
.... live in hope here to lye,
And rise and reing with them eternaly.

— The stone from which the above is copied is
elaborately ornamented with mortuary and other
carvings, the more interesting and (so far as I
have seen) unique of which are (upon a shield) a
well carved human hand, holding a coil of rope,
on the left of which is a short pole, or stake.
These objects possibly refer to the occupation of
" mosgrive" — the rope for measuring the moss,
and the pole for marking the boundaries. The
surname of Valentine, which is still common, is
of considerable antiquity in the district. I am
inclined to think that it had been assumed from
one of the Thorntons of that ilk, whose Christian
name was Valentine, (v. Mem. of Angus and the
Mearns.) Robert (one of the last recorded of the
Valentines), was farmer of Bogmuir, where he
died in 1868, aged 82. Upon an adjoining
stone : —

Under this stone are reposited the bodys of
David Mores, aged 80, departed this life May 5,
1696, with his wife Isobel Mitchell, who died
March 7 1694, aged 7-i ; as also their daughter
Elizabeth Mores : —

Under this stone the man and wife do ly,
What was one flesh, we but one dust now spy ;
Their daughter also lodgeth in this grave,
So for three bodys, we one ashes have.
The great Eternal Three and One with ease,
Will from one dust all the three bodys rise,
Which winged to the celestial joys above
Shall never cease to sing their praise and love.

— Mr Cameron, parochial schoolmaster of Fetter-
cairn (to whom I am obliged for some particulars in
this notice, also for his having kindly unearthed
some of the old stones), informs me that in 1674,
Alex. Morrice, a student of Marischal College,
Aberdeen, was appointed schoolmaster of Fetter- .
cairn, and that the stone, with the above inscrip-
tion, has lain upon its face since 1843, when a
schoolmaster was buried under it. David Moree,

252

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

or Morrice, had likely been related to the school-
master of 1674.

Under this stone is interred the corpse of Alex-
ander Croll, who sometime lived in Kirkhill of
Fettercairn, and departed this life Dec. 25th day
1747, aged 45 years. As also the corpse of Mar-
garet Smith, his spouse, who died the 21st of
April 1756 years, aged 50 years : —

The tyrant, Death, spares neither age nor sex,
The gayist mark he haughtily affects ;
Parents from children, Husbands from theirwives,
He often tears, when most they wish their lives ;
Leai'n then to fix on nothing here belou,
But on thy God, he'll Heaven on the bestou.
— In consequence of the locality of their residence,
the above Alex. Croll, and his son, were called
Kirky Croll. Both were wrights, or carpenters,
and it is said that they made the gallows tree
upon which Randell Courteney was hanged,
(v. p. 138,) after which they received the soubri-
quet of Pin the Widdie ! The following, upon an
adjoining stone, in memory of an Alexander
Croi-l, is dated 1751 : —
He as a rock amongst vast Billows stood ;
Scorning loud winds and raging of the flood ;
And Rx'd remaining all the force defies, [skies,
Muster'd from threat'ning seas, & thundering
To keep amean his end still to observe.
And from the Laws of Nature neer to swerve.

Upon a flat stone: —

Hie conduntur reliquite Eliz.e Peat, quae 2do.
die Augti. A.C. 1779, se. s. 19 ; & Alexri. Peat,
qui 25to. die Janri. A.C. 1781, ce. s. 81, mortuus
est. Ad memoriam Jacobi Peat, qui A.C. 1750,
fe. s. 20, mortuus est, Alexri. Peat, antog in Bog-
mill, nepotis qui etiam sub hoc tumulo requiescit,
hoc monumentum extructum est. Mors omnibus
appropinquat.

[Here lie the remains of Eliza Peat, who died
2 Aug, 1779, in her 19th year ; and of Alex. Peat,
who died 25 Jan. 1781, in his 81st year. This
monument was erected in memory of James Peat,
who died in 1750, in his 20th year, grandson of
Alex. Peat, late in Bogmill, who also rests in this
tomb. Death draweth near to all. ]

Here resteth in the Lord William Christy, who
departed this lyf ninth 1677 his

spouse, Margaret Davidson, who departed this

lyf and 79 her age.

Margaret Low (1761) :—

Death's equal hand reacheth a fatal blow
To all, even Kings unto his Sceptre bow ;
Be wise, frail man, live dying so thou'lt give,
To death his wounds, and after dying live.
John Sim (1748) :—

Mount up, mount up, my soul,

On contemplation's wings ;
Leave earth's unearthly minds,
Do thou mind heavenly things.
A stone, initialed M. A. S : E. A., and dated
1753, bears : —

M.S. Sub hoc tumulo conduntur reliquiaj Alex-
andri Scott, A.M., humaniorum & aliarum artium
& scientiarum, mathesion, imprimis, professoris
clarissimi & eruditissimi. Natus est apud Molam
Balmanice Inferiorem decimo quarto die Decembris,
anno 1708. Mortuus est apud Bankhead de Birse
decimo octavo Februarii, anno 1751, annum astatis
agens 43 : —
Par mens doquio, mens spem super aethera librans.
Mens pia sideris [et] purior orbe nitens.
[In this tomb are laid the i-emains of Alexander
Scott, A.M., a most distinguished and learned
professor of the more liberal and other arts and
sciences, especially mathematics. He was born at
Nethermill of Balmain, 14 Dec. 1708, and died at
Bankhead of Birse, 18 Feb. 1751, in the 43d year
of his age : —

The mind which learning can inspire—

The mind that soars beyond the sky —
The mind that's pure— in lustre far
Excels yon starry orb on high. ]
Erected 1792 by James Gibb in Mill of Arnhall
and Robert Gibb in Drumhendry, in memory of
their parents John Gibb and Hellen Law, in
Chapelton of Arnhall. John Gibb, died 19 March
1755, aged 55. Helen Law died 17 June 1769,
aged 62, and George, son of James Gibb, died
June 1789, at the age of 14.

—In 1750, John Gibb, and his wife Helen Law,
tenants of Chapelton, kept the brewhouse or inn
near Sandyford, where there was a ferryboat, at
which time the " rent and mess meall" of Chapel-
ton of Arnhall were collected in name of Sir

FETTERCAIRN.

253

James Carnegie of Pittarrow. The chapel was
dedicated to S. Martin, and an adjoining pool in
the North Esk is still called Lin-Martin. Two
carved stones, dated respectively 1668 and 1704,
bear the arms (the eagle being erroneously carved
■with two heads), and the initials of two of the
Earls of Southesk. Possibly the next inscription
relates to Helen Law's parents : —

Here lys Margaret Dickie sometime spouse to
James Law in Chapelton of Arnhall, who dyed
May the 28, 1737, aged 76 years ; and those her
children, Robert, Janet, Isobel Laws, who dyed
in their nonage.

Upon the reverse of same stone (surrounding a
representation of Our First Parents at the for-
bidden tree^, is this couplet : —

Adam & Eve by eating the forbidden tree,
Brought all mankind to sin & misery.
Upon an obelisk, within an enclosure : —

Erected by the Parish of Fettercairn, in memory
of the Pievd. Robert Foote, their late pastor, as
a mark of their esteem for an honest man, and an
able and zealous minister of the Gospel. He died
on July 1, 1809, in the 67th year of his age, and
the 41st of his ministry.

— The above is upon the west side of the obelisk.
On the north side : —

Here is interred Jane Smith, widow of the Rev.
Piobert Foote, who died in 1842, aged 83 years.
— This lady (daughter of a minister at Garvock),
had a large family by her husband : the deaths of
four of them are recorded upon the east panel of
the obelisk, and upon the west is that of her son
Archibald, merchant in Montrose, who died in
1867, aged 71. Two other sons, James, and
Alex. Leith-Ross, followed the profession of their
father. The first was sometime minister at Logie-
Pert, afterwards at Aberdeen, and the latter is at
Brechin. Both seceded at the Disruption ; and
having written works on theological subjects, tliey
both had the honorary degree of D.D. conferred
upon them. Their grandfather, the Rev. Charles
Put (a St Andrews M.A.), married Barbara
Stkwakt, and died minister of Kinnoul in 1758,
aged 56. Their father, who was previously
minister at Eskdalemuir, though inducted to

Fettercairn (Sept. 16, 1773), very much against
the wishes of the people, soon became a favourite
in the parish. The induction day was very tem-
pestuous, and stories of the ravages occasioned by
Footers Wind have been handed down to the pre-
sent time ! Mr Foote's opponent at Fettercairn
was Mr Bakclay, founder of the Bereans, who
holds a prominent place among "Scots Worthies."
He died at Edinburgh, and was buried in the Old
Calton graveyard of that city, where a stone marks
his grave, thus inscribed : —

In memory of John Barclay, M. A. , pastor of
the Berean Church, Edinburgh, who died 29th
July 1798, in the 65th year of his age, and 39th of
his ministry.
Upon a headstone at Fettercairn : —

Davidi Whyte, filio Alexandri Whyte, olim in
Aucharno Clovse, coloni, Monterosarum quondam
chirurgo, qui, 14 Jauuarii anno 1839, annos 39
natus, obiit, hoc monumentum positum est. Etiam ;
Ann^ Whyte, sorori ejus patern^, qua; 8 Aprilis
1842, annos 25 nata, hac ex vita discessit. [1 Cor.
15.55.]

[This monument was erected to the memory of
David Whyte (son of Alex. Whyte, farmer, late
in Aucharn, Clova), formerly surgeon in Montrose,
who died January 14, 1839, aged 39. And also to
the memory of Ann Whyte, his paternal half
sister, who departed this life April 8, 1842,
aged 25.]

— Dr Whyte had a brother, sometime minister of
Fettercairn. 'ihe latter, who died in 1858, wrote
a book on Prayer, another on the Lords Supper ;
also the excellent notice of Fettercairn in the New
Statistical Account of Scotland.
James Smith, flaxdresser, d. 1816, a. 86 : —

While in life he acted as ' a Father to the Poor ;'
and, with the consent of his spouse, devoted nearly
all his property for their benefits, by appointing it
to become at the Survivor's death a permanent
fund for their aid. Erected by his widow Isobel
Taylor, who died at Montrose, 18 May 1824,
aged 71.
A tombstone (table-shaped) baars : —

Here rests in the Lord, John Kinloch, and his
spouse Jein Kinloch, he died in the year 1690,
aged 60, and also Elizabeth Blacklaws, hia

254

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS.

second spouse, who died in the same year, aged 66.
This stone was repaired by William, David, and
James Kinlochs, sons of John Kinloch, late tenant
in Mickle Strath, in 1803.

[Upon a brass plate, sunk into same stone] : —

Sacred to memory of James Kinloch of Wester
Balmanno, foi-merly for 17 years of the Island of
Jamaica, died 19th June 1831, aged 78 years.
Upon an adjoining headstone : —

Sacred to the memory of George Kinloch, Esq.,
Deputy Judge Advocate and Master in Chancery,
in the Island of Jamaica, who died at Stonehaven
22 April 1802, aged 60, and of Mrs Susannah
WiGGLESWORTH, his spouse, who died at Edin-
burgh, 7 May 1841, aged 81. Their surviving
children, Alexander, George Ritchie, Lydia, and
Maria Kinloch, have erected this stone as a mark
of their filial affection.

— The above-named George Ritchie Kinloch, late
Principal Keeper of the General Register of Deeds
and Probative Writs, Edinburgh, published a
volume of Ancient Scottish Ballads (1827.)

George Sheriffs, for a long period factor on the
Fasque and Balmain estates, died 27 April 1845,
aged 83. Mary Mony, or Sheriffs, his wife, died
17 Oct. 1847, aged 67 ; and their son, Edward-
Bannerman Sheriffs, M.D., F.R.C.S., died 14
Jan. 1846, aged 39.

— Dr Sheriffs was a persom of acknowledged
talent. He began practice at Fettercairn, which
he left for Brechin. While at Brechin, he pub-
lished (1832) Remarks on Cholera Morbus, also
began a work upon the Osteology of the Human
Ear, illustrated by casts. Being unsuccessful at
Brechin, he removed first to Edinburgh (where
he issued the last-named work), next to London,
and latterly to Aberdeen, at the two last-men-
tioned of which places he lectured upon anatomy
and physiology, &c. Dr Sheriffs (who was named
after Dean Ramsay), kept a carriage in London,
also a piper, dressed in ' the garb of Quid Gaul.'
A head stone, near the north-east corner of the
kirkyard, erected by Sir T. Gladstone, bears : —

Sacred to the memory of Sandy Junor, a kind-
hearted, simple-minded, upright man, and a faithful
friend. Poor himself, his heart and hand were ever

open to the wants of others. Born at Fortrose, he
died near Fettercairn, 27 Nov. 1863, aged 60,
deeply regretted by all classes.
— Sandy Junor's Well, which travellers crossing
the Cairn-o'-Mounth hail with gratitude, was the
handiwork of this humble man, whose object in
constructing the fountain is thus told upon an
adjoining slab : —

This fountain was erected in memory of Captain
J. K Gladstone, R.N., who died in 1863, by his
grateful friend Sandy Junor.

S. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

which stands a little to the eastward of the house
of Fasque, was built by Sir John Gladstone, and
consecrated and opened, 28th August 1847, by
Samuel, Bishop of Oxford, now of Winchester-
The original building has been greatly improved,
by the erection of a new chancel, which was conse-
crated by Alexander, Bishop of Brechin, 15 April
1869. It is in the early English style of archi-
tecture, with deep splayed lancet windows. The
east window, which contains representations of
S. Andrew and the Four Evangelists, &c., is
a fine specimen of art. As shown by the follow-
ing inscription (copied from a brass plate upon
the north wall), the additions were made by
the present Baronet, in memory of his third
brother, the late Capt. Gladstone, who was
sometime M.P. for Walsall: —

En glortam fjonorcrnqbE 'Bii ft in tnctncrtam HilfC-
tissimam Soljannis-yrilson Glatistouc, in ©lassc
l^csalt I^'abarrbt, qui obiit ^.S. 1863, \)'a\\t can-
ccUbm tcclrsioc <Stt. ^ntirca; aistrbi rbrabit fratcr
tnixrtns, C ^., a. 13. 1867.

[To the glory and honour of God, and in the
deeiily cherished memory of John-Neilson Glad-
stone, Captain in the Royal Navy, who died A.D.
1863, his sorrowing brother, T. G., caused this
chancel of St. Andrew's Church to be erected.]
— A monument of white marble, in the north
wall of the nave of the church, presents a group of
two figures, in high relief, nearly life size, and in
the attitude of prayer. These represent the

FETTERCAIRN.

255

founder of the church and his lady. Along the
base of the monument is this inscription : —

Sacred to the memory of Sir John Gladstone of
Fasque and Balfour, Baronet : born 11 Dec. 1764 ;
died 7 Dec. 1851. And of his wife, Ann Robert-
son, born 4 Aug. 1772 ; died 23 Sept. 1835.
' — Sir John, who was a grandson of John Glad-
stone of Toftcombs, Lanarkshire, was a native of
Leith. He was an eminent merchant at Liver-
pool, and created a baronet in 1846. By the
above-named lady (who was his second wife),
daughter of Provost Robertson of Dingwall, he
had two daughters and four sons — Sir Thomas,
his successor ; Robertson, of Courthey, Lancaster ;
the late Capt. John, of Bowdeu Park ; and the
Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, Prime Minister of
England. Sir John bought the estates of Fasque
and Balfour from the late Sir Alex. Ramsay, bart.,
in 1829. He subsequently acquired from other
proprietors the lands of Phesdo and Balbegno ;
and his successor, Sir Thomas, in 1856, added the
fine Highland estate of Glendye to his paternal
inheritance. Two memorial windows (also on
the north side of the church, inscribed as below),
refer respectively to a sister, and two children of
the present baronet :—

In memory of Ann McKenzie Gladstone, born
1802, died 1829. Lord, I believe, thou hast the
words of eternal life.

— The next window contains a representation of
Christ blessing little children . —

In memory of Evelyn-Marcella Gladstone,
born 1847, died 1852. Frances-Margabet Gl^vd-
STONE, born 1850, died 1853.

A window (over the entrance to the church) is
commemorative of Robekt Gladstone (a brother
of Sir John), who died at Fasque in 1835. A flat
stone, in the area of the church, over the family
vault, bears this record of the death of a daughter
of the Premier : —

In the vault beneath sleep the mortal remains of
Catherine-Jessy Gladstone, second daughter of
W. E. and Catherine Gladstone. Born July 27,
1845, died April 9, 1850. " And in their mouth
was found no guile : for they are without fault
b^ore the throne of God." Rev. 14, 5.

A memorial window on the south side of the
church is embellished with two subjects. The
upper one is S. John the Evangelist leading the
Blessed Virgin home from the Crucifixion,
the lower represents S. John leaning upon his
Master's breast. Along the base is the follow-
ing:—

►f" In memory of Sir John Hepburn-Stuart-
FoRBES, Bart. Born Sept. 25, 1804, died May 28,
1866.

— Sir John, who was the eldest son of Sir William
Forbes of Pitsligo, baronet {v. p. 244), died in
Loudon, and was interred in the family tomb in
the Greyfriars' Churchyard, Edinburgh. Sir
John married Lady Harriet, 3d daughter of the
Marquis of Lothian, by whom he left an only
child and heiress. She married her cousin, Lord
Clinton, by whom, having died in 1869, she left
a family. The property of Fettercaii-n was bought
in 1777 by Sir John Belshes-VVishart, bart., after-
wards the Hon. Baron Sir John Stuart, maternal
grandfather of the late baronet. The late pro-
prietor, who, shortly before his death, succeeded
to the property of Invermay — "the birks" of
which are celebrated in Scottish song — was well-
known throughout Scotland for the interest he
took in promoting the advancement of agriculture,
as well as the improvement of the social condition
of the labouring classes. In testimony of the
esteem in which he was held in the neighbour-
hood of his own residence, it is sufficient to men-
tion tliat a handsome memorial fountain, designed
by Mr Bryce of Edinburgh, has been erected at
the village of Fettcrcairn. A panel of Peterhead
granite bears this simple inscription : —

Erected to the memory of Sir John H. -S. -Forbes,
baronet, of Pitsligo and Fettercairn, by his neigh-
bours and other friends, 1869.

The ramparts or walls of the vitrified fort or
site of Greencairn Castle, about a mile to the west
of Fettercairn village, are still traceable. Some
suppose that this was the residence of a Maormor
or Earl, and that it was the scene of the murder
of Kenneth III. by Lady Finella.

The proprietary history of Balbegno and Fasque,

256

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

&c., h.as been already noticed. These were pro-
bably parts of the old thanedom of Fettercairn,
for Ftttercairn appears to have been at one time
the general name of the district ; but as portions
of the lands were gifted by the Crown to vassals
and others, distinctive names were given to each ;
and these, as a rule, were descriptive of the physi-
cal aspects of the different places.

By far the earliest lay proprietors in the dis-
trict were the Middletons, of the existence of
■whom there is authentic evidence from at least
the year 1221. They long had their residence at
Fettercairn House, and there a stone panel (in-
scribed 1GG6, E. I. M : C. G. M.), relates to the
time of the celebrated John, Earl of Middleton,
and his first Countess, Grizel Durham, a daughter
of the laird of Pitkerro, and mother of the second
Earl of Middleton. This slab, and the market
cross at Fettercairn, the latter of which is dated
1670, and ornamented with the Middleton arms
and those of Scotland, are, so far as I know, the
only visible traces of the Earl now at Fettercairn.

It is told in Law's Memorials that one of the
lairds of Balbegno was a companion in arms with
Middleton long ere he had acquried much fame ;
and that before entering the field of battle on one
occasion they agreed, in the event of either of
them being killed, that the other should return
and give the survivor some account of the other
world ! It is added that Balbegno fell ; and one
day, while Middleton was a prisoner in the Tower
of London, and just as he liad finished reading a
portion of Scripture, Balbegno's ghost appeared,
and taking him by the hand, said — " Oh, Middle-
ton, do you not mind the promise I made to you
when at such a place, such a night on the Border ?"
But, without giving him any account of " the
other world," it is added that Balbegno prophe-
sied Middleton's future greatness, and vanished
from his view, exclaiming : —

" Plnmashps above, and gramashes below,
It's no wonder to see how the world doth go."

About the time of the Reformation, a portion
of Fettercairn belonged to a family named
Ogstoun, one of whom was a Commissioner to
the first General Assembly (1560), " for the Kirks

of the Mernes." He was also present at the As-
sembly in July 1567 ; and in that which was held
at Aberdeen in March 1592, " Walter Ogstone
of Fettercarne subscrived the Band aneut the
Religion" (Booke of the Univ. Kirk.) The Og-
stons of Fettercairn were possibly cadets of an
Aberdeenshire family, who were anciently de-
signed " of that Ilk."

The old market cross of Fettercairn was possi-
bly erected by the Earl of ISIiddleton at the time
he obtained an Act of Parliament to hold a weekly
market there. He received this privilege in 1670
— the date upon the cross— but long before that^
S. ^NIakk's fair (named doubtless in honour of the
saint to whom the kirk was dedicated), was a mar-
ket of considerable importance. S. Cathkkine's
fair (originally held at the old town of Kincar-
dine), had probably been transferred to Fettercairn
when the county courts, &c., were removed to
Stonehaven (Mem. of Angus and Mearns.)

The North Esk, which separates the parish of
Fettercairn from that of Edzell (q. v.) on the
west, is crossed by the Gannochy Bridge. The
Craigmoston burn, which separates Fettercairn
from Fordoun on the east, is bridged in several
places : The upper, or Craigmoston bridge, is in
connection with the ancient thoroughfare of Cairn-
o'-Mounth, which Sir James Balfour calls " the
sext of the cheiffe mountain passages" to the Dee.
" It passes (he contiuues) from Fittircairne in The
Mernis to Kincardyne of Neill one Dee, in Mar,
and conteins aucht miles in mounthe."

The Village of Fettercavii, where stand the
Established and Free Churches, is a clean, salu-
brious place, with a number of neat houses. Ac-
companied by the late Prince Consort, Princess
Alice and Prince Louis of Hesse, the Queen (v.
Her Majesty's " Leaves") spent the night of 20
Sept. 1861, in the inn of this village, in honour
of which event, a triumphal arch (planned by
Mr Milne, St. Andrews), was erected by public
subscription. It is briefly inscribed: —

VISIT OF VICTORIA AND ALBERT,
Sept. 1861.

DRUMBLADE.

257

(S. HILARY.)

I^HE church of Drumhlat belonged to the See
^ of Old Machar. Tillery's Well (a corrup-
tion of S. Hilary), is in the neighbourhood of the
kirk. There were two saints of this name, a
Bishop and Archbishop, whose feasts were held
respectively on 14 January and 5 May.

The present church was buQt in 1773, and im-
proved in 1829. In the Old Stat. Account it is
said that the former church was erected in 1110 :
this is clearly a misprint for 1641, the same stone
from which the writer quoted being still in exist-
ence, and built into the belfry. A hand bell
lately removed to Lessendrum House is inscribed,
George Bisset, 1604.

Prior to the rebuilding of the church in 1773,
there was an aisle on the south side, which be-
longed to the Bissets of Lessendrum. This has
given place to a railed enclosure, with a low stone
wall, in which a free stone slab is inserted and thus
inscribed : —
This is the burial place of the Family of Lessendrum.

Done by Anne Bisset, 1775.
— Another free stone slab (the oldest now visible)
bears this inscription : —

Hie iacet honorabilis vir, GEORon^s Bisset de
Lesseudrvm, qvi obiit 25 lanvarii 1623, et cetatis
svaj anno 73°.

^tatem ornavit primam mihi vivida virtvs,
Et prisca at lapsv sors rediviva domvs

Famam terra sol perennem

Indigetvm ; reqviem posthvma vita dedit.
[Here lies an honourable man, George Bisset of
Lessendrum, who died 25 January 1623, aged 73.
Active virtue adorned my youth, and the restora-
tion of the decayed fortunes of my ancient house
won for me an enduring reputation among my
countrymen on earth : in the Hfe beyond the grave
I enjoy repose.]

— A flat stone covers the grave of the gentleman,
to whose memory a marble slab is erected, within
the church. Upon the marble : —

Sacred to the memory of Maurice-Geoegb
Bisset, Esq. of Lessendrum, who died at Lessen-
drum, on the 16 of Dec. 1821, in the 64th year of
his age. This tablet is jointly inscribed by Harriot,
his affectionate and mournful widow, and his
brother, and immediate successor, William, Lord
Bishop of Pvaphoe, in honor of his name, and in
grateful recoUection of the many virtues that
adorned his endearing character.

— Opposite to the last mentioned another marble
tablet (with a bishop's cap, &c., resting upon a
cusheon), is thus inscribed : —

Sacred to the memory of William Bisset, D.D.,
late Lord Bishop of Raphoe, and proprietor of
Lessendrum, who died on the 4th Sept. A.D. 1834,
aged 75 years.

— On the death of Bishop Bisset, Lessendrum de-
scended to his nephew William Bisset (son of
Alex. Bisset), who married Lady Alicia Howard,
daughter of the Earl of Wicklow. William
Bisset died Jan. 8, 1858, upon which, on failure
of male heirs, the estate devolved upon Jane-
Harriet, daughter of Maurice- George Bisset, who
died in 1821. She married her cousin. Arch-
deacon aiaurice-Geo. Fenwick, who assumed the
name of Bii^set ; and their son Mordaunt Fenwick-
Bisset, succeeded to Lessendrum on the death
of his mother Jane-Harriet Fenwick-Bisset,
in 1866. Her grave at Drumblade is covered by
a coffin-slab of polished Peterhead granite, with a
cross in high relief upon the top.

It is not quite clear at what time the Bissets
acquired Lessendrum. Charter evidence shows
that they held it about the middle of the 14th
century ; and it is probable that Walter Bisset,
who swore fealty to King Edward in 1296 for
lands in Aberdeenshire, had been in possession of
Lessendrum. The Bissets first settled in Scotland
under AVllliam the Lion. One of them founded
an hospital in the Merse, and another founded the
monastery of Beauly, in Ross-shire. The clan
was numerous and powerful until about 1242,
when the Border Bissets, out of revenge, treach-
erously assassinated the young Earl of Athol at
Haddington. For this, the chief actors were out-
lawed and disgraced; still the family continued

258

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

to have considerable influence ; and the elder
branches having died out, that of Lessendrum has
been looked upon for a long period of years as
the chief of their race. Upon the fragment of a
slab in the burial-ground : —

Hie iacent cinerea mulieris ornatissimai ....

Another small headstone bears the name of a
grand-daughter of Sir Robert Gordon of Straloch
{y. Cairnie), the celebrated geographer : —

Elizabetile Gordon quae uupserat Georgio
Chalmer, p. de Drumblade, qui obiere, hrec 6

lanr" 1G92, ille Linquenda tellus et

dom' et placens uxor.

[Here lie the ashes of a highly accomplished
woman, Elizabeth Gordon, spouse of George
Chalmer, pastor of Drumblade, who died she

6 Jan. 1692, and he Earth, home,

and pleasing wife must be left. ]

— According to the interesting notice of the
parish of Drumblade, in the New Stat. Account,
•which was written by Mr Geo. Ramsay Davidson
(now of Lady Glenorchy's Free Church, Edin-
burgh), two silver communion cups were gifted
to the parish by Mr Chalmer, and two by Mr
Abel. Upon the reverse of Mr Chalmer's stone : —
This stone belongs to the "Gordons," and the
family of Alexander Barclay, late feuar in
Huntly, who was born in 1752, and died in 1835,
aged 83 years.

Upon the tombstone of Mr Abel, who wrote
the Old Stat. Account of the parish : —

Sub hoc saxo Magistri Georgii Abel, pastoris
Evangelii apud Drumblade, reliquiae inhumantur.
14° Septemberis 1794, retatis 66°, officii 28° anno
diem obiit.

[Under this stone are interred the remains of Mr
George Abel, minister of the Gospel, Drumblade,
who died 14 September 1794, in the 56th year of
his age, and 2Sth of his ministry.]

The Rev. William Rainy died at Monelly, 2
Nov. 1842, aged 77. His wife, Mary Taylor,
died 16 Feb. 1861, aged 53.

An enclosure on south-east of the church con-
tains several monuments. Two of white marble,

set in granite, bear respectively the names of
Elizabeth (wife of Capt. Chas. Gordon, R.N._),
who died in 1843, aged 31 ; and of Major-General
John Gordon, R.A., born 1789, who died in
1861 {v. p. 51.) Upon a table-shaped stone :—

Here lie the remains of the Rev. Robert Gor-
don, minister of Drumblade, who died 27 Nov.
1820, aged 70 ; also the remains of Jean Farquhar-
soN, his widow, who died 25 June 1829, aged 79.

— A mural tablet bears the name of Mr G.'s
daughter, Eliza, first wife of Captain Henry of
Corse, who died in 1802, aged 21 {v. Forgue.)
Another tablet shows that a second daughter,
Margaret, died in 18G7, aged 82 ; also that her
husband, Andrew McPherson, predeceased her
in 1836, aged 67. Mr M. was local factor on the
Huntly estates, in which office he was succeeded by
his son, to whose memory there is a marble monu-
ment, within an adjoining enclosure : —

Erected to the memory of the late George
McPherson, Esq. , Gibston, factor on the Huntly
estates for 27 years, who died at Gibston, 8 Sep.
1864, in the 56th year of his age, by the Tenantry
of the Duke of Richmond, and other Friends of
the deceased, as a mark of their respect for his
memory.

The writer of the Old Stat. Account (vol. iv.
p. 55) says that there were " large stones with
inscriptions upon them, now all broken down and
carried away," upon a small hill called Robin's
Height. These were possibly sculptured stones.
Near to this is the Sliach, where there had been a
camp or place of strlnth, for it was to it that
Bruce was carried when taken ill at Inverurie in
1308. According to Barbour : —

"Tharfor in littav tha him lay
And till the Slcfach held tliar way,
And thocht thar in that strinth to ly
Quhill passit war his malady."

There had possibly been a chapel (? Christ
Jesus) at Sliach in early times, since, in " Aber-
deen's New Prognosticator" for 1720, a market
held on second Tuesday of June is set down as
" Jesus Fair at the Park of Slioch in Drumblate
Parish."

CARESTON.

259

There are tumuli at Meethillock at the foot of
Robin's Height, and spear heads of various sizes
have been found in tlie same locality.

The Bissets are by far the earliest recorded pos-
sessors of land in Drumblade. Early in the
15th century, the Angus famiUes of Fenton,
Lindsay, and Ogilvy appear to have held con-
siderable property in it ; also Alex. Seton, lord of
Gordon, Barclay of Gartly, and others.

€xxxt^\ts\\,

(S. — )

THE parish of Caraldstone, or Careston (one of
the smallest in Scotland), was formed from
those of Brechin and Fearn, by Act of Parliament,
in 1641, upon petition of Sir Alex. Carnegy of
Balnamoon, a brother of the first Earls of South-
esk and Northesk. It was in 1720 that (Jareston
came, by purchase, to Major Skene, cadet of the
family of that ilk, now represented by the Earl of
Fife, through a female (v. p. 226 supra ; Land of
the Lindsays.)

A hand-bell, initialed A. F., C. F., and dated
1756, was given to the parish " by Alex. Fair-
weather in Balglassie.'' Two communion cups
are inscribed Careston, and dated 1779.

In consequence of a whim of Mr George Skene,
the gravestones were turned out of the church-
yard, when the present dykes were built. After
Skene's death, a few monuments were recovered
and replaced in the kirkyard. One of these, dated
1755, bears to have been erected by James Clark
and Agnes Bean. As if in anticipation of Mr
Skene's sacrilegious proceedings, it presents these
lines : —

This stone doth hold these corps of mine,

While I ly buried here ;
None shal molest uor wrong this stone,

Except my friends that's near.
My flesh and bones lyes in Earth's womb,

Wntill Judgment do appear ;
And then I shall be raised again,
To meet my Saviour dear.

Upon a plain headstone, at west dyke : —

In naemory of Mr John Gilxies, who was or-
dained minister of Carraldston, Sept. 1716, and
departed this life the 1st March 1753, aged 72 years.
Six of his children are likewise buried here, of
which five died in infancy, and one, viz. Thomas,
in March 1736, aged 13 years. His spouse, Mary
Watson, survives him, as also five of his children,
viz. John, minister in Glasgow ; Robert, merchant
in Brechin ; and Mary, Isobel, and Janet Gillies.
[Ps. 37; Phil. i. 31; Col. 3, 4.]
—The Rev. Mr GilUes came to Angus as school-
master at Fearn, and was the first minister at
Careston after the abohtion of Episcopacy. His
son John wrote the Life of Whitfield and other
works ; and Robert was the father of Dr John
Gillies, historian of Greece, and of Lord Adam
Gillies, &c. (v. Brechin.) From a headstone ad-
joining the above : —

Hie iacet Alexander Burnet, V.D. minister de
Careston, olim de Footdee in vicinio Aberdonia?,
tet. 62, qui maximam vit£e partem Londini in dis-
ciplinis literariis, in present! tevo parum fructuosis,
parce ac duriter egerat, etsi Uteris haud mediocriter
imbutus ; tandem amicitia Patroui, Georgii Skene
de Skene, ministerio hujus parffichite donatus, et
quod supererat vit^ in muniis debitis exsequendis
feliciter ducere sperans, intra biennium, heu ! mor-
tuus est, dum vixit hilaris, comis, facetus, et nemini
inimicus, Janii. 25, anno eevss Christ, M.D.CCC.

[Here lies in his 62d year Alexander Burnet,
minister of Careston, formerly of Footdee, in the
vicinity of Aberdeen, who spent the greatest part
of his life in London engaged in the pursuits of
literature, so unprofitable in the present age, by
which, although possessed of no ordinary literary
attainments, he earned only a scanty and precarious
livelihood ; having at length been presented to the
ministerial charge of this parish through the friend-
ship of the Patron, George Skene of Skene, and
hoping to pass the remainder of his life happily in
the discharge of the duties of his ofiice, he died,
alas ! within two years, 25 January 1800. In life
he was distinguished for cheerfulness, courtesy,
humour, and goodwill towards all.]

Near the last quoted inscription, within an en-
closure :—

2 GO

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS .

In memory of David Lyell, who was ordained
minister of Careston, A.D. 1800, and died there on
the loth July 1854, in the 8Gth year of his age. His
spouse, the Hon. Catharine Arbuthnott, died
16 Dec. 1853, aged 65. Their son Stuart-Thomas
Lyell, surgeon, H.E.I.C.S., died at Ballary, in
India, 17 July 1853, aged 45.

— Mr Lyell's father was laird of Fernyflatt and
Hallhill, or Easter Kinneff, also of Largie, iu the
Mearns. He was a cadet of Lyell of Dysart, the
first of whom was town -clerk of Montrose. The
Hon. Mrs Lyell was a daughter of the seventh
Viscount Arbuthnott. A son, Mr Hew Lyell, is
minister of Auchterhouse. Against east wall : —

This stone was erected by George Mitchell iu

memory of his father, George Elspet

Fair WEATHER, who died 1736, aged 80

Agnes Gall, who died 1731, aged 35 : —

As our shorter day of light,

Our day of life posts on ;

Both show a long course to the night,

But both are quickly run.

Both have their night, And when that spreads

Its black wing ore the day,

There's no more work, AU take theii- beds.

Of feathers or of clay.

Chuse then before it be too late,

For choice with life will end ;

Remember on thy choice thy fate,

Thy good or ill depends.

A slab, set up against the front wall of the
kirk, records five deaths which occurred in the
family of John Ritchie, from 8th to 25th March
1767:—

Mary, aged 9 years ; David, aged 7 months ;
Margaret, near 5 years ; Jean, aged 7 years ;
Elizabeth, aged 2 years, 7 months. They lie in-
terred within 12 foot of the fore wall of the kirk
by west the door, and a foot without the straught
of the geavel. [Matt. xix. 14 ; Psal. Iv. 14.]

But the oldest visible tombstone is a much-
effaced fragment, of the 17th century, upon which
is the name of Iohne Wood ; also the rhyme
of "Remember man, as you go by," &c., in
Roman capitals. Wood is one of the oldest family
names in Careston.

The castle of Careston, which has been fre-
quently added to and altered, is still inhabited.
The oldest part of the building, which was erected
by the loth Earl of Crawford, presents some in-
teresting architectural features. Among these is
a bold carving of the royal arms of Scotland, over
the chimney of the great hall, flanked by ban-
ners, &c. Below, in interlaced capitals : —
this . honoris . singe

and . FIGVKIT . TROPHE . BOR
SVLD . PVSE . ASPYRING . SPRE
ITIS . AND . MARTIAL . MYND "
TO . THRVST . YAIR , FORTVNE
FWRTH . & . IN . HIR . SCORNE
BELEIVE . IN . FAITHE
OVR . FAIT . GOD . HES . ASSINGD

The proprietary history of Careston can be
traced from a remote date. It is said that the
lands went along with the ofiice of " hereditary
dempster" of Scotland ; also that, from this cir-
cumstance, the surname of Dempster was as-
sumed, and originated with the old lairds of Car-
restou (v. p. 209 ) But other places in Scotland
have the same name, amongst others are Careston
iu Banffshire, of old the property of the lords of
Deskford, now that of their representative, the
Earl of Seafield; also Careston in Fife, long owned
by a branch of the noble family of Seton, now
represented by George Seton, Esq. of St Ben-
net's, advocate, author of the Law of Scottish
Heraldry, &c.

(S. BRIDGET, VIRGIN.)

EILDRUMMY parish, as now constituted,
consists of the old ecclesiastical districts of
Kindrumyn and Cloucih. The first church is rated
at 7 merks in the Taxation of 1275, and the latter
at 4 merks.

CLOUETH, or CLOVA,
was a foundation of considerable antiquity and
importance, having been a sort of sub-monastery

KILDRUMMY.

261

to that of Mortlach. By charter dated at Forfar
in 1063, King MalcolQi granted and confirmed to
the church of S. Mary of Mortlach, " my lands
of Murthue, the church of Cloveth, with its lands,
and the church of Dalmeth (now Glass), with its
lands."

In 1157, Pope Adrian IV. confirmed the monas-
tery of Cloueth to Edward, bishop of Aberdeen,
and his successors. More than a century after-
wards (126G), the Dean and Chapter of Aberdeen
confirmed the grant made by Bishop Richard of
the churches of Dunmeth and Cloueth, for the
lights of the great altar, and the ornaments of the
cathedral of Aberdeen. At a much later date
(1511), the Bishop's lands at Clova are stated to
consist of two ploughs, and to have been let to
four tenants. In 1549, the lands of Clowetht, and
the mill of the same, were leased for 19 years by
the Bishop, to Master Robert Lumisdane, probably
an ancestor of the future lairds of the property.

It was in 1520, that the kirk of Cawbraucht
or Cloueth was constituted one of the common
churches of the chapter of Aberdeen, a fact which
possibly shows that Clova and Cabrach were then
one district.

The monastery, or church of Clova, stood upon
a rising ground, which slopes rapidly towards a
burn on the south, where there is a copious spring
called Similuak — possibly a corruption of the name
S. Moloch, to whom the kirk was dedicated. The
site is planted, and inclosed by a rude stone dyke ;
and although the foundations of the kirk can be
traced, which show it to have been about 31 feet
long and about 15 feet broad, only one dressed
lintel remains. There are no tombstones ; and
the site is about four miles to the eastward of
the kirk of Kildrummy, at no great distance from
the mansion house of Clova.

The date of the permanent union of the kirks
of Kildrummy and Clova has not been ascertained.
It is true that as far back as 13G3, owing to the
smallness of the revenues of the parishes of Kil-
drummy and Clova, which are said to have been
wasted by freqaent wars, the Bishop ordained one
vicar to serve both cures, and to have a stipend
of 100s., with the kirk lands ; but this agreement

was not lasting. In the previous year, Thomas,
Earl of Mar, gave over the right of the patronage
of the kirk of Kildrummy to the dean and chap •
ter of Aberdeen, possibly with the view of having
the two churches united.
It is said that the church of

KILDRUMMY

was once " called the Chappel of the Lochs, being
situated upon an eminence surrounded on all sides
with a marsh." Now, however, the marsh has
almost disappeared, and a great part of the
space it occupied is under cultivation.

The old kirk, which stood on the north side of
the burial-ground, was removed outside the kirk-
yard about 1805. The only remains of the old
church are parts of the north and east walls, and
the Elphinstone burial place. Upon the latter
portion, which formed the south aisle of the kirk,
a slab presents this inscription : —

YIS . YLLE . VAS . BVILT . BE . A . E . IN
160- . ZEIRS . LORD . BLIS . VS.

— A tombstone built into the west wall of the
aisle presents a bold carving of the Elphinstone
arms in the upper half ; in the lower are three
figures, with their hands in devotional attitudes.
These are possibly intended to represent the per-
sons named in the next inscription, which is cut
(with the initials, V. E : P. E : D. E.), round the
margin of the tomb : —

VILLIAM . PATRIK . AND . DAVID

ELPHINSTOVNES ALEXANDER . LORD . ELPHIN-

STOVN TIT . YIS . LYF.

— The above appear to have been sons of the 4th
Lord Elphinstone ; but their names are not given
in Douglas' genealogy of the family. A slab in
the floor of the aisle bears : —

►J- HEIR . LYIS . ANE MAN . MASTER

LO . . . ELPH:YNSTO\TSr . ALEXANDER . LORD . EL-
PHYNSTOVN . QVILV . DEPARTIT . ERA . YIS . LYF
YE . LAST . OF . MAII . 1616 . BEING . OF . YE
AGE . OF . XXX . ZEIRIS.

— The following (also from a slab in the floor of
aisle), refers to James of Barnes, second son of the
4th, and father of the Cth Lords Elphinstone : —

262

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS:

R . OF . THIS . COVE

MEiMBRlT . EVER . ON . DEATH

ATH . MOST . GLORISLY . MAY . KINGE

. OD . . . AND . WITH . HIS . SAVLS . REDIMER
HINS . . . NE . OF . BARNS.

— The surname of Elphiustoue (supposed to have
beeu assumed from the property of Elphiustone,
near Edinburgh), first appears iu charters about
1250. Alex., who was ennobled iu 1509, was the
first of his race that held lauds on Donside. These
consisted of the barony of Invernochty, the king's
lauds of Kildrummy, with the keepership of the
castle, all acquired iu 1507-8. He fell at Floddeu ;
and it was his great-grandson who built the burial
aisle. It was also iu the time of the latter, about
1626, that Kildrummy was lost to the Elphin-
stones, owing to the Earl of Mar having been
restored to his old family estates, of which Kil-
drummy formed a part. Uutil recently, the
Elphiustoue tomb at Kildrummy was ill-cared
for ; but the preseut Peer, with a feeling which
cannot be over-rated, made a pilgrimage to the
spot, and gave orders for its repair, which latter
fact is thus recorded upon a panel over the
entrance : —

RESTORED BY WILLIAM, 15tH LORD ELPHINSTONE,

1862.

Besides the tombstones above-mentioned, there
are other three within the aisle. Upon one with
the Elphiustoue arms much effaced, the words,
SOLI . DEO . GLORIA, are only traceable. The
second stone appears to have commemorated the
death of a daughter of Gordon of Lesmore. There
is nothing to show that the Elphinstones and
Gordons of Lesmore were related ; but according
to the Forbes genealogy, " Duncan Forbes iu
Findlest married a daughter of James Gordon of
Leshmoir." Possibly the slab had been removed
from the Forbes burial ground. These words only
remain upon it :—

.... ORDVNE . DE . LESMOIR . ET . SPONSA . MA . . .

— The next, which is the most perfect inscription
within the aisle, relates to a grieve, or farm over-
seer. The initials, T. E., and the Elphinstone
arms are cut before the words, " he being" :—

LORD . HAIVE . BIERCIE . VPON . HIS

BEFOR . YIS . LYIS . THOMES . ESPLIN . QVHA .
ENTERIT . IN . SERVICE . VITH . ALEXANDER . LORD .
ELPHINSTOVNE . INTO . YE . ZEIR . OF . GOD . 1580 .

ZEIRIS HE . BEING . OF . YE . AIG . OF ^0^^^-

TEINE , ZEIRS , AND . REMENIT . IN . HIS . LORD-
SCHIPS . SERVICE . GRIEF . IN . KEILDREME , TO . YE .
ZEIR . OF .GOD . 1636 . ZEIRS.

A slab within a recess-tomb, in the north wall
of the old kirk, is embellished with two efligies,
in bas relief, representing a knight in armour and
a lady, habited in the costume of the period.
Upon the outer edge of the stone are these traces
of an inscription ; —

Ijtc ,. tacct . alfir . tc forbcs . qlionlram . tins . ie .
iifarcljis . £t . tnarjova

— According to Lumsden's Genealogie of the
Houss of Forbes, Alister Cam had two sons,
" John Forbes with the sleick hair, called the
Whit Laird, and Duncan Forbes of Drumalachie."
The first died without male issue. The latter
succeeded to the estate of Brux, in which he was
followed by his second son, John, " alias the
gleyed Laird." John was succeeded by his son
Alexander (misnamed Gilbert in Douglas' Peer-
age), recorded in the above quoted inscription,
whose wife was Mak.joey', 3d daughter of the
sixth Lord Forbes, by a second marriage.

The last of the direct lineal descendants of the
Forbeses of Brux was Jonathan, who was out in
the '45, and who contrived, by appearing in a
variety of menial capacities, after his escape from
CuUoden, to evade the Royalists. He died about
1802, and was buried, within a walled enclosure,
in the Howff Park at Brux, which was constructed
by his own hands. The site overlooks the Don,
and commands an extensive view of the lands of
Brux, &c. It is told that when his mother was
dying, she remonstrated with her son against
being buried in the spot he had selected by assur-
ing him that she would not " lie in that cauld
out-o'-the-warld place !" To which Brux is said
to have repUed, " We'll try ye there first, mither,
an' gin' ye wiuna he, we'U then shift ye to the auld
kirkyard!" He entailed the lands of Brux, &c.,
upon the second sons of the Lords Forbes. Old

KILDRUMMY.

263

Brux is said to have belonged to the Society of
Friends.

It is said that the properties of Brux and
Drumallochie came to the Forbeses by one of
them marrying the daughter and heiress of
Cameron, the previous laird. The Brux tomb at
Kildrummy kirk is still known as The Cameron
Aisle. It is certain that, about 1365, Thomas,
Earl of Mar, gave the lands of " Burchis and
Wester Drummalochy" to John Cameron, who is
described as his shield-bearer, also that Cameron
married Ellen Monte Alto, or Mowat, a daughter
of Fowhs in Cushnie. Alexander Forbes was de-
signed "de Burchis" before 1409, in which year
he had charters of Glencarwe, Glenconre, and
Le Ord, from the Earl of Mar,

The top stone and right lintel of a monument
(originally within the old kirk), is thus inscribed
in raised antique capitals : —

BEFOR . YIS . LYIS . IHON . REID . OF . YE , NEV .
MIL . QVHA . DESEIST . M . Z . YE ... . ZEIR , OF .
GOD,

— The face of the stone exhibits two shields : one
(flanked by the initials, I. R.), is blank, the other
(flanked by the initials, I. R : S. H.), has the Reid
arms below the first-mentioned shield, and the
carving (in relief) of the upper jmrt of a cherub.
Round the margin of this slab, and upon part of
its face, is this inscription : —

HEIR . LYIS . ANE . HONORABIL . MAN . ALEX-
ANDER . REID . IN. THE . CVLTS"^ AND. IHONE , REID .
OF . THE , NEV . MIL , QVHA . DECEST . THE , ZEIR .
OF . GOD , 1563 . AND , lAMES . REID . OF . . . NEV ,
MIL.

— The estate of Newmill now forms part of the
Clova property, and Cults or Culshis in the same
locality. Although the Reids of Newmill were
of old standing in the parish, it would appear, if
the following unengraved epitaph is to be relied
upon, that the sayings and doings of at least
one of them were unworthy of imitation : —

Here lies the Great Newmill,
Wha liket aye Ihe ither ffill ;
Ayo ready wi' his aith an' curse.
But never caved to draw his purse!"

Rcid, which is one of the oldest surnames in the
parish, occurs upon many of the tombstones. The

following relates to one whose father is said to
have been out with the Earl of Mar : —

Peter Reid, farmer in Nether Kildrummy, who
for 40 years, faithfully discharged the duties of an
elder in this parish, aud died 11 April 1803, in the
83d year of his age.

— It is told that this worthy was in the custom of
remarking in the church, in a half audible and
sarcastic tone, when well-dressed females failed to
contribute to the offering— "Aye, aye! a bonny
lass, an' a braw plaid ; but nae a bawbee !"
Speaking in a half audible tone in Scotch churches
about the period referred to was not uncommon.
Many ludicrous instances are preserved : One of
these may be mentioned. The farmer of Jelly-
brands, iu the Mearns, was an elder of the Sod-
Kirk (v. p. 80.) Money was then of so great
value that a halfpenny was often put into, and a
farthing taken out of, " the ladle," by donors.
On one occasion, a neighbour of Jeally (as the
farmer was commonly styled), put in the larger
coin into the ladle, and the elder, not giving him
time to take out the lesser, his " friend" repeatedly
called out, in a low tone, " Jeally ! come back wi'
my fardin' !" upon which Jeally ciurtly and sacri-
legiously rephed, in the hearing of most of the
people in church — " Go to h — !"

The New Mill inscriptions are from an enclosure
at the west end of the area of the old kirk. The
Lumsdens of Auchiudoir and Clova, &c., bury
at the east end, and to that family the next five
inscriptions relate : —

Before this ston lyes Robert Lumsden of Cush-
nay, and John Lumsden of Auchndor, his second
son, and Agnes Gordon, his spous ; and also
Charles and Marjorie Lumsdens, lauf vU son and
daughter to John Lumsden and Agnes Gordon.
John Lumsden dyed Janure 8, 1716, and of age
71 years, 1724 : H. L : K, G. :

Hoc, lector, tumulo tres contumulantur in uno,

Cognati, Mater, Filius, et octft [? atcxue] Pater,

Mors janua vita\ [i'. p. 187.]

D.O.M. H. L :K. G. Befor this ston lyes Kath-
RiN Gordon, daughter to the laird of Buckie, and
spouse to Hary Lumsden of Cushnie, and 5 of her
children ; and she depr. this life August the 22,

264

EPITAPHS, AND INSCRIPTIONS

.1733, aged 31 years. Also the said Hary Lumsden
of Cuslinie died the 8 day of June 1754, in the 69th
year of his age.

Befor this stone lyes James Lumsden, eldest law-
full son to William Lumsden in Titaboutie, who
depr. this life in Nov. 1730, aged 40 years.
—The Titaboutie Lumsdens (v. p. 188), were the
progenitors of those of Auchiudoir and Clova, &c.

In this ground are deposited the remains of John
Lumsden of Cushnie, who died 12 June 1795, aged
CS ; and Mrs Anne Forbes, his spouse, daughter
of John Forbes of New, who died 11 Nov. 1811,
aged 76. In testimony of warm affection for their
memory, this tablet is erected by their son, John
Lumsden, now of Cushnie, 1814.
—It was from the above-named John (who died
in 1795), that his cousin Harry, of Kingston, in
Jamaica, bought (1782), the estates of Auchindoir
and Clova. Harry's name appears in the next
inscription, copied from a table-shaped stone : —

The grave of William Lumsden of Harlaw, who
died at Mid Clova, Feb. 1758. Rachel Lumsden,
his spouse, daughter of Chas. Lumsden, second son
of John Lumsden of Auchindoir : She died at East
Clova, Feb. 11, 1788, aged 77. Katharine, his
daughter, spouse of John Leith, died at West Hills,
Feb. 2, 1792; also Harry Lumsden of Auchin-
doir, who died in April 1796. Margaret Rannie,
widow of Dr. Jas. Young, R. N. , died at Mid Clova,
6 June 1841, aged76years. Also Harry Leith-Lums-
DEN of Auchindoir, youngest son of John Leith and
Kathrine Lumsden, who died at Aberdeen, on the
27 March 1844, in the 68th year of his age, aud was
interred here, 4 April following. (The Lord gave,
&c. ) Also Janet Young, or Duncan, wife of Harry
Leith-Lumsden of Auchindoir, who died at Edin-
burgh, 7 Jan. 1861, aged 73 years, and was interred
here on the 16th of same month.
— Harry Leith-Lumsden, who was sometime a
carpenter in Aberdeen, and died in 1844, was a
sister's sou of the first laird, and succeeded to the
estates on the death of his cousin. Sir H. Niven-
Lumsden (y. below). H. L.-L.'s wife, by whom
he left no family, was previously married to Thomas
Duncan, an Aberdeen advocate, by whom she
had several children : One daughter is the wife
of Prof. Piazzi Smith ; another (as recorded upon

an adjoining tombstone), married T. H. Bastard,

younger of Charlton Marshall, Dorsetshire ; and a
third married Dr Kilgour, Aberdeen. H. Leith-
Lumsden, being the last descendant of the original
entailer of Auchindoir and Clova, the estates
passed, by vii-tue of the entail, to Kenry, son of
Lumsden of B