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Original Inhabitants of
Scotland — Druids and Druidical Remains — Standing Stones—Haer
Cairns—Tumuli—Store Mount—Blairs—Buzzard Dykes—Bloody Inches—Steed
Stalls—Homan Relics—Local Antiquarian Collections—Relics in Scottish
Antiquarian Museum—French Bell—Hirchen Hill—Agreements and
Charters—Interesting Map— Seals of Families—Pedigree of Drummonds of
Blair—Copy of Two Letters by King James the Seventh—Notes from Rental Book
of Coupar Abbey—Call}'—Murtoun—Blair—Old Parish Tokens.
IT has since the beginning of
this century up to the present time been a vexed question among
archaeologists—who were the first discoverers and occupiers of the kingdom ?
Evidences have been found from time to time which antiquarians believe to-
be the remains of several distinct races who inhabited those regions many
thousand years ago. According to some, the Druids, a very learned and
enlightened people from the borders of the Caspian Sea, traversed Europe
nearly along the 45th parallel of north latitude, crossed the Channel, and
were the first discoverers and occupiers of the country.
How long that nation peopled
the land, or where their descendants migrated to, is mystery alike, but the
monuments they have left behind attest their genius and power.
The unhewn stones found in
Hindosta, and the East are attributed by the natives there to a fabulous
being named Pandoo and his sons; and, with a similarity of character
attesting their common origin, they are also to be found in many parts of
Europe, on the shores of, and in the interior of, Britain. About a mile
south-west of the town, near the Darraeh Wood, on the Essendy Road, are the
remains of one of these Druidical monuments. It is in the form of a hexagon,
and is supposed to be one of the earliest erected in this part of the
country. Further examples are to be found at Glenballoch and Easter Rattray.
Many of these monoliths, as
at Glenballoeh, show cup markings and grooves, which, according to the
traditions of the Celts, are in honour of departed heroes. When in stones
singly they represent only one distinguished hero, but when in great
numbers, many heroes fallen in battle. The stone at Glenballoch shows
thirteen of these cups, while one unearthed in 1897 at Aikenhead shows a
large number of various sizes. The last has, unfortunately, been ruthlessly
destroyed.
The parish contains few
remains of antiquity possessing much interest. Among those deserving of
notice are the “ Haer Cairns,” marking the scene of mortal conflict and last
resting-place of the slain.
Most of these cairns have non
been wholly removed to allow of agricultural improvements, and in process of
excavation, stone coffins, formed of four flat slabs, have been discovered,
containing, in many instances, human bones, urns, &c. Two Roman cinerary
urns, containing burnt bones, were found in a field at Cottershade, but they
were, unfortunately, broken and thrown away as being of no value. At the
same place a stone cist containing human bones was uncovered, but the bones
crumbled to dust on exposure to the air.
In a moor a few miles west
are 8 tumuli or cairns, termed the "Westerly Cairns. There are also in the
neighbourhood Kincairney, the head of the Cairns; Balcairn, the town of
Cairns—(that is, the resting-place of the dead); Cairnmoor, the moor with
the cairns ; Pitcairn, the cairn of graves; and Cairnbutts, the ridge of
cairns. There is a cairn at Morganstone in which stone cists were found, and
a cairn to the north of Netheraird, where a bronze celt was found ; there
are also numerous cairns west of Middle Mause ami on the Muir of Gormok.
Urns have been found in tumulus near Milton of Drumlochy ; two bronze swords
were found near the Teuchat Knowe, west of Nether Aird, and urns were found
at Meethillock, Gowtanbrae, Blairgowrie. A Roman spear was found in the Moss
of Cochrage, and another near the bed of the river. Coins of the Emperor
Hadrian were found in a cairn near Green-bauk, and also in a cairn near Dark
Falls.
On an island in Stormont Loch
(Loch Bog), there are traces of a building, to which, tradition states, the
inhabitants of the surrounding district removed their effects for safety in
times of dispeace—hence its name, Store Mount Loch.
There are also the “blairs” —
Blairgowrie, Ardblair, Blairhill, Blairloch, Gormack (Gorblair); the
“Buzzard Dykes” near Lornty Burn, and the “Cleaven Dykes” at Meikleour; the
Roman camps at Meikleour and Delvine, and the Caledonian camp at Ivnockmahar;
the “Bloody Inches” on the Tay, and the “Steed Stalls” at Gourdie —the tombs
of the Roman cavalry; Craig Roman, a mile north-west of the town, where the
Romans left off pursuing the Caledonian army.
In the moss of Cochrage the
body of a Roman soldier, in full armour and in an upright position, was
found, besides other Roman relics, human teeth and bones mixed with
charcoal, doubtless the remains of Caledonians or Romans who were slain
there.
From a mound near Greenbank,
several years ago, a large quantity of human bones were found, together with
several Hint arrow heads and flint knives.
An old Roman pot was found
about six feet below the surface in the peat moss at Blackloch, near Clunie.
It is supposed to have been one of the camp pots of the Roman army, and is
made of a compound metal something like our brass or bell-metal. It stands
upon three feet, is about 17 inches high, 10 inches in circumference, and is
capable of holding about six Scotch pints. It is in the possession of Mr
James Isles, St Ninians, who has numerous antiques from this and other
districts. Mr G. S. Duncan, Dunmore Villa, has also an interesting
collection.
The Antiquarian Museum in
Edinburgh contains many relics from this neighbourhood, including—“Flint
Knife,” 3½ inches in length, presented 10th March, 1890; “Donation of a
Medal of George Drummond of Blair, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, with bust,”
8th May, 1882; “Old Brick from Clunie Castle,” 14th April, 1884.
The proceedings of the
Scottish Antiquarian Society, 13th May, 1878, page 024, vol. XII., contains
the following:—
“Notice of a small urn of the
so-called ‘Incense Cup’ type, found within a large urn at Blairgowrie in
March last, and presented to the Museum by (the late) Rev. "Wm. Fraser,
M.A., minister of Blairgowrie.
“About a fortnight ago, that
is, in the last week of March, there was found, on a detached field of my
glebe in the Moor of Blairgowrie, and about a mile and a-half from the
Parish Church, a circular goblet-shaped urn containing bones. It was about a
foot in diameter and a foot deep. It lay on gravelly soil on a large stone,
which seems to have been hollowed out, probably by the action of the water
of the Ericht, which flows near by, and the bed of which contains many
stones of similar size, on which the action of water is very marked. Over
the urn (slanting) was a large flattish unhewn stone. The urn rested about
two feet below the surface of tlie ground, and, unfortunately, it was much
broken in being removed from its bed. The fragments have been almost all
given away by the feuar in whose feu of the glebe it was found ; but it has
been my good fortune to secure for the Museum the small vessel which was
found along with the larger urn.
“The interior of the large
urn was black as if from the burning of some substance in it, or from the
substance within it having, in long process of time, imparted some of its
blackness to the urn. The small vessel is not darker on the inside than on
the outside, although it bears on the inside at the bottom the prints of the
thumb-nail of the person who made it.”
A considerable number of
stone weapons have been found in this neighbourhood.
About a hundred years ago a
very ancient tumulus, locally known as “The Hirchen Hill,” stood at the side
of the Kirkwynd to the north of the Parish Manse. The outbuildings close to
the roadway have been built near to what was originally its western base,
and part of the site is now used as a bleaching green.
Tradition has it that the
Earls of Gowrie held baronial courts there for administering justice to
vassals and retainers, and a ridge less than half-a-mile west still bears
the name of "Gallow (Gallows) Bank,” where the unfortunate victims were
strung. The ridge in its original state had a flat space on the top, which
was surrounded with a rampart of earth, but the levelling and squaring of
the fields have obliterated all traces of it.
There is a bell, preserved in
the Mechanics’ Institute, which is supposed to have belonged to a French
man-of-war. It is about 12 inches high, 11 inches wide at the mouth, heavy,
of good tone, and bears the inscription :— “Messire Georges Francois de
Cheverue Viconte de Mortain, 1724.” A companion bell was iu use many years
ago at the Auction Mart when a sale was to begin, but it has unaccountably
disappeared.
In the papers of the
Monastery of St Marie, at Coupar Angus, dated 1st May, 1201, is an
“Agreement between the Churches of Blair and Coupar.” On the 1st June, 1235,
Alexander II. granted at Traquair “lands in Meikle and Little Blair to the
Abbey of Scone, excepting a small portion in the feu of Meikle Blair, which
he gave to the monks of Cupar (Coupar) in exchange for the Common Muir of
Blair, of which they had the use.”
“Carta donationis regis
Alexandri 2ndi monachis de Cupro de duabus carvatus (sic) terrae cum dimedio
in feodo de Magna Blare in excambiun communis more de Blar quod visi fuerant,
&c. Testibus:—Villielmo, Epis-copo Glasquensi Cancellaris; Patricio, Comite
de Dunbar; Waitero filio Alani Senesealli, Justiciario Scotite. Apud
Tresquere, primo die Juini auno regui domini regis xxi. (1235).”
By a Charter granted at
Forfar, William the Lion gave to the Abbey of St Marie, at Coupar Angus, the
marsh of Blair:—“ Carta regis Villielmi eisdem monachis facta de toto
maresio meo in territorio de Blair, quod pertinebat ad dominium meum de Blar,
die qua marescum illud iis dedi, et Comes Duncanus, et Heugo de Kaledone, et
Rogerus de Mortuomari, et Mackbeth Judex de Goury, et Duncanus filius
Douenaldi, et alii probi homines per pre-ceptum meum eii.s tradiderunt, &c.
Testibus; Rogero, Episcopo St And rex; Comite Dauide, fratre meo; Dim-cano
Justiciario; Comite Gillebryd; Phillipe de Walloun, Camerario meo; Roberto
de Quinci; Malcolmo filio Comitis Duneani; Yillielmo de Cumyn ; Joliaun
Hasting, &c.”
In 1309 King Robert I.
confirmed a charter to the Abbey of Coupar, bestowing the lands of Muir of
Blair upon it (at Dundee).
In the Chartulary of the
Abbey of Scone is a letter, dated Clackmannan, 26th March, 1326. from King
Robert I. to the Sheriff of Perth, commanding him to take charge of the Loch
of Blair in view of his arrival in the district. There are also other
letters on like matters, dated Clunie, 4th August, and Alyth, 5th and 6th
August of the same year. There is also a letter, dated February, 1356,
referring to the dispute as to ownership of the church lauds of Blair.
There is a Bull by Pope
Gregory XI., of the year 1373, confirming church lands of Blair to Abbey of
Scone, again confirmed in a Bull by Benedict XIII., dated 1390.
“At the fest of Whitsonday,
the zere of God a thousand v. hundredth and viij. zeiris, the hale muir of
Blair above the wood of Campy (Carsie) is set to Patrick Bell, in
assedacioun for the term of v. zeris.”
“Campy (Carsie) Blayr,
Whitsonday, 1517, the quarter of the muir of Blare is set to David Pullar.”
The family papers of Drummond
Moray of Blair-Drummond contain a fac-simile copy of the “Bond of Manrent ”
(page 40) between Chalmers of Drumlochie and Drummond of Newton, dated 1558.
In the original Feu-charter,
of date 7th September, 1568, the family of MacCombie are referred to. This
charter was given at Abbotshall, and was witnessed, among others, by George
Drummond of Blayr; the sasine was given by George Drummond of Blayr in
presence of witnesses.
An “instrument of Tollerance,”
in favour of John Makcomas, for pasturing on the lands of Torridone (Corrydon),
bearing date 11th November, 1577, was witnessed by George Drummond of Blair,
&c. ; and an “Instrument of Renunciation,” of date 0th August, 1583, for the
same, was given at Finnegand, and witnessed by George Drummond of Blair.
In the Register House,
Edinburgh, is preserved the original Charter, granted on 0th July, 1634, by
King Charles I. to George Drummond of Blair, erecting Blairgowrie into a
Burgh of Barony. It is a very interesting document, nearly ten feet long and
ten inches wide, closely written throughout in Dog Latin character.
A map of the Mid Provinces of
Scotland, published by Gordon of Straloch in 1654, and reprinted by Messrs
Shearer of Stirling, 1894, is very interesting to antiquarians and
others—with the original spelling, ake. There is no Blairgowrie shown—only
Blairgowrie K. (meaning kirk). Several of the places marked are Newtouu,
Gor-mack, Rowchaille. Kochredge, Ereochy, Pitcharmik, Stron Calie, Bamilie,
Dryomie, Rattray K., Bandoch, Coupar-grange.
In the Acts of the
Parliaments, 1701, there is a grant to James Ramsay of a yearly fair at the
Newtouu of Blairgowrie, on the Tuesday preceding Michaelmas.
In the Court records of
Perthshire is the decreet-arbitral, of date 21st January, 1777, as to the
division of lands of Common Muir of Blair, by Sheriff-Substitute Swinton,
between Thomas Graham of Newtouu and the Blair Feuars.
On the 5th December, 1809, Mr
Allan Macpherson, Superior of the town, granted a Charter to put the police
and government of the Burgh of Barony under proper regulations. Its
principal provision was the election of a Bailie and four Councillors, with
Treasurer, Clerk, and other officers of Court, from among the burgesses of
the town, with powers to manage the funds and common goods of the town and
burgh; to suggest rules and statutes for the advantage of the burgh: orders
and regulations for granting relief from the town’s funds to burgesses or
their families ; to receive and admit all feuars, sub-feuars, long lessees,
respectable householders, merchants, manufacturers, and tradesmen to be free
burgesses upon payment of certain fees: ... to erect a Town and Court House,
and to erect a Market Cross, &c.”
This Charter was further
extended by another one, granted by Mr William Macpherson in 1829. A meeting
of the burgesses, held 29th October, 1825, petitioned the Superior “ to
alter the mode of election as granted in 1809,” which he accordingly did. “A
new Bailie was to be elected every two years from among the four Councillors,
one of whom was to retire and a new Councillor take his room,” &c., all as
set forth fully in said Charter.
This Charter was again
extended by Mr Allan Macpherson, by a Charter dated October, 1873, at the
request of the Bailie and Council, to enlarge and confirm their authority.
It enacted that “the number of Councillors be increased to twelve; that a
Senior and two Junior Bailies be elected from among the said Councillors;
that one-tliird of the whole Council Board retire annually, but be eligible
for re-election,” &c.
In the family papers of
Balthayock there are numerous charters bearing seals connected with the
district:—
“S’ Johannis de Druimmt,
1407. Seal of John Drummond. Couche—three bars wavy; crest on a helmet—an
eagle’s head and wings; supporters—two savages. This seal is very imperfect,
which gives the shield the impression of being wavy, but there can be no
doubt of the blazon.
“Lord Drummond of Cargill,
bearing date, 1465. Eagle displayed, bearing on its breast a shield with
four bars wavy. A label with three points—the inscription is imperfect.
“Seal of John Drummond, ‘de
Cargil.’ Couche—three bars wavy; crest on a helmet—a goat’s head, the
background ornamented with foliage.
“S’ Johannis Drummond ‘ de
Cargil,’ 1191.”
“Sea), bearing date, 13th
May, 1196, of William Chalmers of Drumlochie, appended to ‘ obligation by
William Chaumer of Drumlochy to Thomas Blair of Balthyak ’— three pheons.”
The seal, however, is very much damaged, and the inscription is illegible.
“Seal, bearing date, 1358, of
William Chalmers of Drumlochie, appended to ‘Bond of Manrent’—Chalmers of
Druinlochy to Drummond of Newton—(Blair Drummond Charters). Per fess, in
chief a demi-lion rampant; three pheons in base; at the top and sides of the
shield, a scroll ornament. ‘ S ’ Vilelmi Chalmer.’ ”
“Seal (official) of Bishop
Rattray of Dunkeld. An apostolic person seated with hands uplifted, on his
left three crossed crosses, or crosses of Jerusalem, with the inscription —‘
Sigillium Tliomte Rattray Episcopi Brechinensis.’ ”
The following pedigree of the
Drummonds of Blair appears in Fraser’s “Drummond of Blair Drummond”;—
I. Sir Walter Drummond, Lord
of Stobhall and Cargill,
Who lived iu the reigns of
King James I. and King James II., and was killed by the latter. He succeeded
1428, died about 1445. Issue:—Sir Malcolm, Sir John, Walter.
II. Walter Drummond,
Who, in 1486, received from
his grand-nephew John, first Lord Drummond, a Charter of the lands of
Ledcrief, and was thereafter designed of Ledcrief. Living 1508. Issue:—John,
James.
III. John Drummond, Second of
Flaskhill and Ledcrief,
Who, with his brother James,
was a bailie-depnte to his uncle Sir Malcolm Drummond of Cargill, in 1447.
Issue:—George.
IV. George Drummond, Third of
Flaskhill and Ledcrief.
He and his son William were
killed by William Chalmer of Drumlochy and an armed party, near the Kirk of
Blair, on Sunday, the 3rd June, 1554, as they were “playaud at the rowbowlis
in the hie marcate gait,” near the said church. The marauders were
afterwards compelled to make submission, and to give manrents, &c., to
David, Lord Drummond. Issue :
V. George Drummond of Blair.
Fourth of Flaskhill and Ledcrief,
Sold Ledcrief and bought
Newton of Blair in the Stormont (15—), from Patrick, Bishop of Moray and
Commendator of Scone. He was a Sheriff-Depute of the County of Perth to
John, Duke of Athole, in 1506, and a Curator to John, fifth Earl, in 1581.
He died 4th January, 1594.
William Drummond slain with
his father, 3rd June, 1551.
Janet Drummond married George
Rattray of Craighall.
VI. George Drummond, Second
of Blair,
Who succeeded his father. He
died lltli August, 1596. Issue :—4 sons, 4 daughters.
VII. John Drummond, Third of
Blair,
Who succeeded. He married
Agnes, daughter of Sir David Herring (Heron) of Letlinide and Glasclune. He
died 2nd May, 1620.
George Drummond married
Grizel, daughter of Daniel Cargill of Haltown (Hatton). Issue:—Daniel and
Patrick.
VIII. George Drummond, Fourth
of Blair.
He married, 17th August,
1633, Marjory, daughter of George Gramme, Bishop of Orkney, Laird of Gorthy.
Jean Drummond married, about
1630, Henry Drummond, son of Andrew Drummond, minister of Panbride, fourth
son of George Drummond, first laird of Blair.
IX. George Drummond, Fifth of
Blair,
Born ‘29th November, 1638. He
sold the lands of Blair 1682, and in 1684 purchased the lands of what was
afterwards called the barohy of Blair Drummond. He died 24th June, 1717.
The following is copy of
“Precept by King James the Seventh to James, Earl of Perth, Chancellor, nnd
the Lords of the Treasury in Scotland, to pay George Drummond of Blair the
fifth part of the Royal duties uplifted by him on behalf of the King, and
also the fifth part of all compositions,” 10th November, 1687.
“James R.
“Right trusty,” &c, “ wee
greet you well. Having by our Commission, dated the 16th day of April, 1686,
granted power unto George Drummond of Blair to pursue for and uplift all
wards and non-entries simple or taxt, with the reliefes thereof, which are
fallen due to us or our dearest royall brother (of ever blessed memory) of
all yeares and termes bygone since the first day of August, 1674, by the
decease in that time of any of our vassals holding their lands off us or our
dearest royall brother aforesaid, as Kings, Princes, or Stewards of
Scotland, in simple or taxt ward, with the availles, marriages, simple or
taxt, of all lands holden of us in simple or taxt ward, or few cum
maritagiis, fallen due as aforesaid, and in time coming, during our royal
pleasure; by which Commission wee did allow unto the said George Drummond a
fifth part of what he should recover, and compt ^ for by vertue thereof, for
his paines in lifting the said casualities which fifth part wee did appoint
to be allowed unto him in the first end thereof, together with his necessary
charges in recovering the same. And by our new Commission to him, bearing
date the 8th of this instant, wee have not only ratified the former
Commission, but also impowered him to receive the non-entries of all lands
holden of us in blench or few ferine, with the non-entries of all annual
rents fallen due to us since the first day of August, 1674, and in time
coming, during our royall pleasure, which formerly he received as having
commission from our right trusty and right well beloved cousin and
councellor, James, Earl of Perth, our chancellor, to whom wee did assigne
the same untill he shall be paid of the summe of eight thousand pounds
sterline, granting hereby unto the said George Drummond the same allowance
for recovery thereof as is contained in the first commission. And
considering the good and faithful service done to us by the said George
Drummond in discovering and pursuing for the said casualities (whereof
formerly small benefite did arise to us) and which by his industry is
increased to more than wee could reasonably have expected, severalls, by his
discovery and dilligence, being obleidged to present gifts of the said
casualities, which otherwise would have lyen latent (as they have been
heretofore) to be componed by you, the compositiones whereof he receives
without any allowance from the parties; wee, to take off all scruples that
may hereafter arise. as to our intention of allowing unto the said George
Drummond a fifth part of the said composi- i tiones, have now thought fit to
order and allow unto him a just fifth part of the same, as well as of what
shall otherwise be received by him either from the vassals or other
intromitters with the said casualities.
“Requiring you in the
accompts that are to be fitted by the said George Drummond to allow unto
him, in the first end thereof, the fifth part of the said compositiones
received by him from time to time, as well as of what otherwayes shall be
received by him of the said casualities together with his necessary charges
aforesaid, the remainder being always allowed unto the said Earl of Perth,
our chancellor, until he shall be paid of the said summe of eight thousand
pounds sterline, free of all expenses conforme to the gift thereof granted
by us unto him. For all which this shall be to yon, and all others
respectively who may be therein any way concerned, a sufficient warrant. And
so wee bid you heartily farewell.
“Given at our Court at
Whitehall, the 10th day of November, 1687, and of our reigftie the 3rd year.
By his Majesties Command, “Metfort.”
The following is copy of
“Precept by King James the Seventh to James, Earl of Perth, and the Lords of
the Treasury in Scotland, for payment of an annual salary of £100 to ... .
and George Drummond of Blair, keepers of the Signet,” 17th July, 1688.
“James R.—Right trusty,” &c.,
“ wee greet you well. Whereas a good while agoe wee have taken into our
consideration the paines and charges that......
Iaud George Drummond of Blair
(keepers of our Signet there under our Secretaries of State) have been and
still are at about their receiving the black box thrice every week, and as
often sending the same; and wee being fully satisfied with their care and
diligence in that matter, and being resolved to bestow a constant yearly
allowance hereafter upon them for the same. It is now our will and pleasure,
and wee doe hereby authorise and require you, out of the first and readiest
of our rents, revenues, customes, and casualities whatsoever of that our
ancient kiugdome, to pay or cause to be paid yearly to the said
......and George Drummond the
sum me of one hundred pounds sterline money to be equally divided betwixt
them, and to be paid at two termes every year, Whitsunday and Mertimes, by
equal portions, whereof the first termes payment is to be at Mertimes next,
ensuing the date of these presents, and so forth, to continue yearly and
termely thereafter during our royall pleasure, which yearly allowance of one
hundred pounds sterline wee doe hereby authorize aud require you to adde to
the list of fees formerly granted by us to our servants there, and to be
constantly paid at the same times and in the same manners as our said
servants are usually paid of the respective allowances granted by us as
aforesaid unto them. And in regard it is long since wee were graciously
pleased to settle the foresaid yearly
Allowance of £100 sterline
upon the said......
and George Drummond. It is
now our further will and pleasure, and wee doe also hereby authorize and
require you presently to pay or cause to be paid unto them the summe of
fifty pounds money foresaid, as an halfe year's allowance from us unto them
preceding the terme of Whitsunday last past in this present year of God. For
all which these presents (together w ith their respective receipts for what
shall be paid unto them from time to time) shall be to you, and all others
respectively, who may be therein any way concerned, particularly to the
Lords Auditors of your accompts for allowing the same as sufficient warrant.
And so wee bid you heartily farewell.
“Given at our Court at
Whitehall, the 17th day of July, 1688, and of our reigne the 4th year. By
his Majesties Command, “Melfort.”
The following are Xotes from
Rental Book of Coupar Abbey:—“Willelmum Blair de Bargillo ” (a cadet of the
house of Ardblair), was one of four bailies of the Monastery at Coupar.
Of the family of Chalmers,
which lately owned the lands of Glenericht, the predecessors were husbandmen
on the Abbey estate. To Thomas de Camera was let, about 1444, the town of
Calady (Cally); he is, in 1403, described as Thomas Cliamer. By the Abbot,
in 1477, Robert Chawmyr obtained a life lease of the quarter of i| Murtoun,
which was also to be enjoyed by his son William; and, on the 2nd October,
1510, John, “son of William Charwmer of Drumlochy,” had a lease of the land
of Mydilbait.
At Pentecost, 1157, Thomas
Soutar obtained from the Abbey a lease of a portion of the lands of Murton
in which he and his three sons were afterwards liferented.
“Calady with Tiexd Sheaves.
“18. This town with tiend
sheaves is let to Thomas de Camera.”
“41. Is let to the same
Thomas for 40 merks, six kids, his surety being Donald Robertson of Drwmy.”
“Fishings op Drwmy and Calady.
“ 42. Are let to the same
Thomas for same period for yearly rent of fourscore salmon.”
“Calady at Pentecost (1401).
“110. A fourth part of Calady
is let to Finlay Make-den, and a quarter to Donald Makeden, a fourth part to
Nagel Makeden, an eighth part to John Rede, and another eighth part to
Donald Randale, for five years, for usual payment of 10 merks and 10 kids,
with usual service.”
“Oalle.
“372. At Pentecost, 1488, a
half of the town of Calle is let for five years to Henry Neylson for 8 merks
yearly, with 3 dozen salmon, and 40s to the fabric of the monastery; and he
shall keep the wood from all others as forester, under penalty.”
“516. At Pentecost, 1508,
Cally is let to the tenants dwelling therein, for five years.”
“Mwrtoun.
“105, 119. At Pentecost, in
1457 and 1464, Mwrtoun is let to Thomas Page, Thomas Sowtar, and John
Thomson for five years, for yearly payment of 10 merks, three dozen capons,
and 12 hens, with carriage corresponding and usual service.”
“262. Be it kend til al men
be thir present letres ws Dauid be the permissioun of God Abbot of the Abbey
of Coupar, and our conuont of that ilk ... til haf grantyt, &c., the qnartar
of our landis of the Murtouu, with al pertynens, profitis, and eyementis, to
Robert Chawmyr as he lachfally brukyt obefor for al the days of his lyfe;
and to Wilzam his soun, eftyr his fadris disses, for al the days of his lyfe
; tha payand tharof yerly to ws twa pundis xs of vsual mone at ij vsual
termes of the zere, a bol of hors corn, &c. ... In witness of the' quhilkis
to this present wryt we haf put our common sele at our forsad Abbay, the
tend day of Septembre, the zere of our Lord, Jm iiije seuynti and seuyn.”
Blair.
“549. At the fest of
Witsonday, the zere of God a thousand v. hundreth aud viij. zeris, the hale
Blair abone the wod of Campsy is set to Patrick Bell, in assedacioun for the
terme of v. zeris, with the pastour of xxx. sowmys in tlie mour of
Monkquhell, and lie sal haf pastour to vj. ky and a hors in our forest of
Campsy . . . and he sal superintend til our fischin of Campsy, and warne ws
lawtefully quhen that he knawis any fait with the fissaris, with all odir
dew seruice aucht and wont.”
“574. Precept of sasine by
William, Abbot of the Monastery of Cupar, addressed to Master Antonio Dwly .
. . for infefting John Chawmer as heir to his father, ' William Chawmer of
Drumlochy, in the Mydilbait and lands thereof, lying in the Sheriffdom of
Perth, for payment of 20 shillings Scots in name of yearly rent of few ferme.
(Dated 2nd October, 1510.)”
“Campy Blayre.
“648. Whitsunday, 1517, ‘the
quartar of the Blayre is set to Dauid Pullour. ”
“649. Whitsunday, 1513, ‘the
thyrd onder the wod and the quartar bown the wod of Campsy is set to John of
Crago with the forstar land for . . . fif zeris . . . he payand thairfor
xviij. bollis of meil and bere, ij. bollis j of horse corn, xxij. cok and
hen, and to hald wp the thyrd of the net of Campsy,’” &c.
“650. The quarter of Blare is
set to Dauid Pullour.”
Old Parish Tokens.
There are only four examples
of the old Communion tokens now to be found, viz.:—those in use 1723-1768— I
Rev. James Lyon; 1769-1786—Rev. William Dow ; 1787- | i 1836—Rev. James
Johnstone; and 1839-1852—Rev. A. O. Greig. |
