: 
 
 Hev.WMasoi\ Inqlis M.A. ESA(Scot) 
 
 \j 
 /W/N/STER OrAuCHTERHOUSE
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 '/;
 
 ANNALS 
 
 OF AN 
 
 ANGUS PARISH 
 
 BY 
 
 REV. W. MASON INGLIS, MA, F.SA (SCOT.), 
 
 MINISTER OF AUCHTERHOUSE. 
 
 DUNDEE: 
 PRINTED BY JOHN LENG & CO., BANK STREET. 
 
 1888.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 OME years ago (1881) the writer of the following 
 Notes upon an old Angus Parish delivered several 
 lectures upon the past history of the parish of Auchterhouse 
 copious extracts from which appeared at the time in the 
 Dundee press. At the request of many of the parishioners 
 and others to whom they proved somewhat interesting, the 
 writer has consented to their publication in extenso. They 
 are the result of careful and laborious reading and research 
 into many quaint and interesting departments of historical 
 and ecclesiastical literature. To those of antiquarian tastes 
 they may probably possess more than a merely local 
 interest. 
 
 AUCHTERHOUSE, 1888. 
 
 534813 
 
 UHUKT
 
 ANNALS OF AN ANGUS PARISH, 
 
 Parish of Auchterhouse may have derived its name 
 from Achter, the high ground on which the church 
 stands ; or from Achadh Torr, the house with the tower 
 in the field. According to modern authorities the name signifies 
 the kirk on the height. In old documents the name appears as 
 Auchtirhous, Ochtirhous, Ouchterhous, Owchtirous, Ochirhous, 
 Uchterhous, Uchtirhouse, Uchtirhous, Utherhous. 
 
 The parish lies in the south-west corner of Forfarshire, and is 
 bounded on the south by Liff; west and south-west by Lundie 
 and Fowlis ; north-west by Newtyle ; north and north-east by 
 Glamis ; east by Tealing ; south-east by Mains and Strath- 
 martine. The figure of the parish is a triangle, its base being 
 the Vale of the Dighty, while the Hill of Auchterhouse or 
 White Top of Sidlaw forms the apex. 
 
 The oldest family of historic interest associated with the 
 parish is that of Ramsay, well known in early Scottish history 
 as the Ramsays of Ochterhous, from a branch of which the 
 present family of Dalhousie is descended. The family was 
 unquestionably one of considerable antiquity and distinction, 
 for Boece states that when the supporters of Edgar Atheling 
 were outlawed by William the Conqueror, and sought a retreat 
 
 B
 
 2 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 ill Scotland, among tho. distinguished families who received 
 grants of land from Malcolm was that of Ramsay. Sir George 
 Mackenzie also designates it a very ancient and honourable 
 family, which from its antiquity possessed the privilege of 
 bearing the Eagle, then reckoned a mark of illustrious ancestry. 
 Simundus de Ramesie is witness to a charter in tho reign of 
 King Uavid I. (1140), and the name of William de Ramesie 
 frequently appears in the charters of William the Lion. William 
 of Hwuchtyruus, who was also a Ramsay, held the position of 
 Sheriff of Angus in 1245. This important office of High 
 Sheriff of Angus was of an hereditary character, and was for a 
 lengthened period held by the proprietors of the lands of 
 Ochterhous. 
 
 In the year 1296, Edward I., King of England, bent upon the 
 subjugation of Scotland, advanced from England with thirty 
 thousand infantry and five thousand mounted men-at-arms, and 
 seized the important town and stronghold of Berwick. From 
 that town his advance through Scotland seems to have been one 
 continued triumphal march. Resistance to such a force was 
 impossible on the part of a people whose natural leaders the 
 nobility had with great cowardice submitted to the English 
 rule and dictation. 
 
 On his return to Berwick, on the 22nd August 1296, all the 
 great territorial potentates, barons, knights, and leading church- 
 men of Scotland presented themselves to take the oath of 
 allegiance. On this list of the Scottish nobility, which is still 
 preserved in the English archives, appears the name of Thomas 
 de Ramsay, Baron of the lands of Ochterhouse. The submission 
 of so many nobles and prelates appears to have been accomplished 
 quite as much by liberal bribes and grants of lands as by force of 
 arms. It must also be borne in mind that many of the Scottish 
 nobles were practically foreigners Anglo-Normans and Anglo- 
 Saxons whose only attachment to their adopted country 
 consisted in the fact that they were the owners of great tracts 
 of its soil. Whilst these nobles seein to have accepted the
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 3 
 
 English domination with perfect equanimity, and in too many 
 cases with great satisfaction, it was differently viewed, however, 
 by the generality of the Scottish people. On their part, the 
 greatest possible resentment was exhibited towards the brutality 
 of the English usurpers and oppressors, and it soon became 
 impossible for them longer to tolerate such abject national 
 humiliation and degradation. Outbreaks against Southern 
 violence and tyranny became frequent amongst the hardy, 
 stalwart peasantry, in whom the spirit of pure patriotism still 
 remained unsubdued. Nothing, however, of any significance 
 was achieved by them in asserting their rights and regaining 
 their liberties, owing to the lack of leaders, until Wallace became 
 the head of the national movement. Then the Scots showed 
 that under competent leadership they were a fierce and high- 
 spirited people. Putting himself at the head of a meagre but 
 resolute band of patriots, Wallace was not long in proving to 
 the Southrons that Scotland was not to be so easily subjugated 
 and reduced to a position of utter servility under England. 
 Possessing great physical strength and courage of the highest 
 order, animated by the purest and most disinterested motives, 
 ever ready personally to brave every hardship and sacrifice all 
 that he held most dear for liberty, his valour, enthusiasm, 
 youthful ardour, and pure patriotism, had a marvellous effect 
 upon all true Scots who came in contact with him. 
 
 When we consider the might of England, her Avealth, her vast 
 resources, the splendid character of her chivalry, the thorough- 
 ness with which the Plantagenets achieved the objects of their 
 ambition, it seemed folly to embark in such an enterprise, and 
 simply an idle dream to entertain thoughts of national indepen- 
 dence. But it was no phantasy of over-confident youth, it was 
 no mad freak destined to vanish away and terminate in disaster ; 
 it was the beginning of a protracted struggle, which culminated 
 in the complete triumph, by force of arms, of Scottish manhood, 
 and the future undeniable recognition of the national title and 
 claim for independence.
 
 4 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 The successes of Wallace and Douglas aroused the energies of 
 others, and summoned a few members of the old nobility to 
 share in the national struggle. Conspicuous among them was 
 Sir John Ramsay of Ochterhous. The bold exploits of the 
 great patriot throughout the West of Scotland appear to have 
 kindled his patriotism, and led him fearlessly into the noble, 
 yet perilous, enterprise of aiding in the liberation of his native 
 land. Sir John Ramsay first took up arms against the English 
 in the district of Strathearn, where with a small but resolute 
 body of men he continued persistently to harass and attack the 
 enemy. His accession to the side of Wallace brought about 
 the immediate confiscation of his estates, and reduced him 
 to great privation. Ramsay appears to have joined Wallace 
 when he had withdrawn his forces, after many stirring adven- 
 tures amid the Western wilds, to Ardchattan on the banks of 
 Loch Etive. The incident is thus recorded by Henry the 
 Minstrel : 
 
 " Mony trew Scot to Wallace couth persew ; 
 At Archatan fra feill strenthis thai drew. 
 A gud knycht come, and with him men sext ; 
 He had beyn oft in mony strang jeperte^ 
 With Inglissmen, and sonyeid nocht adeill. 
 Ay fra thar faith he fendyt him full weill ; 
 Kepyt him fre, thocht king Eduuard had siiorne ; 
 Scbir Jhon Kamsay, that rychtwyss ayr was borne 
 Off Ouchterhous, and othir landis was lord, 
 And schirreff als, as my buk will record ; 
 Off nobill bind, and alss haill ancestre" ; 
 Contenyt weill with worthi chewalre. 
 In till Straithern that lang tyme he had beyne, 
 At gret debait agaynys his enemyss keyne ; 
 Rycht wichtly wan his lewing in to wer ; 
 Till him and his Sotheroun did mekill der ; 
 Weill eschewit, and sufferyt gret distress. 
 Wallace off him rycht full gud comford hais : 
 For weill he coud do gret harmyng till his fais. 
 In wer he was rycht mekill for to prys ; 
 Besy and trew, baith sobyr, wicht and wys. "
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 5 
 
 After a short stay in the Western Highlands, fresh military 
 movements were decided upon by the Scottish leaders. With 
 characteristic boldness they once more took the field, and 
 directed their energies mainly against the English garrisons, 
 which occupied all the formidable castles and strongholds 
 throughout the country. As they advanced fresh reinforce- 
 ments joined them. While at Dunkeld it was arranged that St 
 Johnston, or Perth, should be attacked. From his intimate 
 knowledge of the locality, Ramsay was consulted by Wallace as 
 to their chances of success in this direction. Ramsay informed 
 him that the walls of the city were low, but the ditch was 
 deep. The latter, however, could be easily filled up, so as to 
 enable a force of a thousand men to be poured into the city at 
 once. At Dunkeld they accordingly remained four days, 
 actively preparing for the coming siege. 
 
 By Ramsay's instructions, powerful battering rams were 
 constructed of wood, felled in the forests of Dunkeld, which 
 were to be floated down the river at the appointed time. When 
 all their arrangements were completed they set out for Perth 
 Ramsay acting as guide. When the Scots had surrounded the 
 city, they proceeded to fill up a portion of the great ditch with 
 earth and stones. After laying over this temporary passage 
 planks of timber on long supporting beams, they succeeded in 
 reaching the walls against which they were enabled to bring 
 their battering rams into play with great effect. Ramsay and 
 Graham stoutly assailed the turret-bridge, while Wallace and 
 his men attacked the mid-side of the city. The Scots were 
 received with great volleys of huge stones and other missiles by 
 the defenders. Notwithstanding the vigorous defence, the 
 Scots swarmed over the walls into the city, and after a severe 
 hand-to-hand conflict the Englishmen were completely defeated. 
 Two thousand of the enemy lay dead in the streets. Sir John 
 Siward, the Governor, fled by river in a light barge with sixty 
 of his chief officers, and sought refuge in the Castle of Dundee. 
 
 After remaining in Perth for three days engaged in despoil-
 
 6 ANNALS OF AX 
 
 ing the city of its riches and military stores, besides making 
 arrangements for its future defence, Wallace withdrew with 
 the bulk of his forces to carry war throughout the Northern 
 Counties. Marching to Aberdeen, he issued a proclamation 
 summoning the men of that district to join his standard. 
 From this town the Scots, now 4000 strong, proceeded 
 in battle array and with their banners proudly displayed 
 through the Mearns to storm Dunnottar, a stronghold of 
 considerable importance garrisoned by the English. The 
 defenders were at once called upon to surrender the fortress, 
 and informed that their lives would be spared. The terms of 
 surrender were refused, whereupon the Scots, adopting the 
 barbarous methods of warfare initiated by the English at the 
 Barns of Ayr, ruthlessly set fire to the Castle, and a scene of 
 great panic ensued. The defenders had to flee for their lives. 
 Many perished in the flames, others who escaped from the 
 burning castle in despair clung to the rocks, but only to be cut 
 down or thrown headlong into the sea by the infuriated Scots. 
 Not an English soldier survived the flames and the fierce 
 onslaught of the assailants. After returning to Aberdeen, where 
 they pillaged and burned the English ships, the Scots proceeded 
 to drive out every detachment of the enemy which they dis- 
 covered throughout the North. The war was thus being 
 prosecuted with marked success. The men of Angus and the 
 Mearns took up arms in great numbers, and were enthusiastic 
 in their support of the national movement. The Castle of 
 Dundee was besieged in the summer of 1297. While encamped 
 on Clatto Moor oatmeal was supplied to the Scottish army from 
 the Mill of Fallaws, at that time within this parish. The spot 
 where this old mill stood is still known by tradition as Wallace's 
 " niaut barn." 
 
 While engaged in the siege of Dundee, intelligence reached 
 the Scottish leaders that a powerful English army, under the 
 Earl of Surrey, was on the march to Stirling. Wallace, leaving 
 a detachment of two thousand of the men of Angus to continue
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 7 
 
 the siege, pushed forward the rest of his troops to guard the 
 passage of the Forth. To cope with a force so vastly superior 
 in numbers demanded skilful strategy. Accordingly Wallace, 
 Graham, and Kamsay devised a plan of battle with the greatest 
 care and ability. It was decided that the Bridge of Stirling 
 then a rude wooden structure spanning the Forth, should be 
 defended at all hazards. Obtaining the services of a country 
 carpenter they ordered him to weaken with his saw the main 
 trestles of the bridge, so that at a given signal the whole structure 
 might easily collapse should any special strain be applied to it. 
 The stratagem was thus carefully and cunningly carried out, 
 and the destruction of the bridge rendered dependent upon the 
 withdrawal of a few wooden bolts. On the day of battle, the 
 English forces were drawn up 50,000 strong the vanguard 
 led by Cressingham ; while the other division was under the 
 command of Warrenne. When Cressingham had led his troops 
 over the bridge in safety and was ready to make the attack, the 
 warning-horn sounded from the Scottish lines, the feeble supports 
 of the bridge in a moment were removed, and with a crash the 
 whole structure was precipitated with its burden of soldiers into 
 the waters of the Forth. The Scots, 10,000 strong, seeing their 
 opportunity, with pike, spear, and sword rushed furiously upon 
 Cressingham's division, and a desperate conflict followed, in 
 which the Scots, under the personal leadership of their Generals, 
 performed prodigies of valour. Cressingham was slain, and 
 his division totally routed. The rest of the enemy fled in con- 
 sternation from the battlefield, hotly pursued by a detachment 
 of mounted Scots under Eamsay and Boyd, and the retreat was 
 not ended until Warrenne found himself with a fragment of his 
 fugitive forces within the walls of the Castle of Dunbar. 
 
 The memorable Battle of Stirling was soon followed by the 
 proclamation of Wallace as Warden of Scotland, and the 
 almost complete evacuation of the country by the invaders. 
 For five months there was a cessation of war throughout 
 Scotland. A Convention of the Estates was summoned to
 
 8 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 meet at Perth for the consideration of the affairs of the country. 
 This Parliament was attended by most of the chiefs, with the 
 important exception of Cospatrick or Earl Patrick, who, from 
 motives of jealousy, refused to recognise and swear fidelity to 
 the Government established by the national party. Supported 
 by Ramsay, Graham, Boyd, and Lundie, Wallace collected his 
 forces and led them against those who had taken up arms 
 under Earl Patrick, whom they viewed practically as English 
 mercenaries. Several well-contested engagements followed 
 between the rival forces, in all of which Ramsay bore a 
 copspicuous part. This outbreak against the authority of 
 Wallace terminated in the expulsion of Earl Patrick and his 
 supporters from Scotland, and the consolidation of the patriotic 
 party. The triumph of the Scottish leader was not yet, 
 however, complete, nor was peace destined long to be main- 
 tained. The Scottish nobles who had surrendered to King 
 Edward urgently persuaded him to take immediate action in 
 order to re-assert his ascendancy over Scotland. Such counsels 
 inspired a new English invasion. Intelligence of this move- 
 ment having reached Wallace, he prepared to check it by 
 assembling a great array on Roslin Muir. Selecting 20,000 
 of his best soldiers, he informed them of the intended invasion, 
 and called upon them to aid him with heart and hand in 
 anticipating the project of the enemy by following him across 
 the border. His chiefs and soldiers enthusiastically responded 
 to his call to do or die. 
 
 " The gud Ramsay furth to that joruay went ; 
 Schir Jhone the Grayine, forthwart in his entent ; 
 Wallace cusyng, Adam, full worthi was, 
 And Robert Boid ; full blythly furth thai pass. 
 Baith Awchynlek, and Richard off Lundy, 
 Lawder and Hay, and Cetoun full worthy. " 
 
 Marching to the South, the Scottish army drew up near 
 Roxburgh Castle, then occupied by the English under Sir 
 Ralph Gray. As there was no time for delay, the Governor was
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 9 
 
 ordered at once to surrender, or run the risk of being hanged 
 over the walls of the fortress. A similar command was 
 despatched with Sir John Ramsay to Berwick. Having crossed 
 the borders, the Scots seized every opportunity of retaliating 
 upon the English for innumerable wrongs. 
 
 As they marched through Northumberland desolation followed 
 in their track. The only buildings they spared were churches 
 and abbeys, and of their enemies only women and children. 
 Revenge for former English cruelties and similar atrocities, 
 besides a deeply-rooted spirit of hatred of the Southron, fired 
 every breast. The victorious army, flushed with victory, 
 hurried forward until it reached the massive walls of the city 
 of York. Arranging his army in four divisions, Wallace 
 proceeded to invest the city. The southern side was invested 
 by Wallace, the northern by Ramsay ; Sir John the Grahame 
 commanded the eastern gate, while Earl Malcolm and Boyd 
 held the western. The siege was conducted and maintained 
 with great vigour. The Scottish infantry, supported by the 
 archers, strained every nerve to get within the walls ; but the 
 defenders manned the ramparts in great numbers and offered 
 a most strenuous resistance. Repeatedly the garrison sallied 
 forth to repel the besiegers, but were repulsed with great 
 slaughter. The Scots refused to be beaten off. With char- 
 acteristic tenacity they struggled for victory. 
 
 After a bloody and prolonged struggle a truce was at length 
 concluded, by which the English agreed, without an absolute 
 surrender, to permit the Scottish banner to wave over their 
 walls ; to pay down in specie 5000 pounds of English gold ; and 
 to furnish what supplies were necessary for the maintenance of 
 the Scottish army. These terms seemed to be quite acceptable 
 to the Scots, as the place was one of great strength, while they 
 were beginning to experience a scarcity of victuals. After 
 remaining at York for twenty days the Scots took their home- 
 ward journey, plundering and destroying by fire everything of 
 value that lay in their line of march. Shortly after this
 
 10 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 encounter a peace was concluded, which was welcome news 
 to a sorely-stricken country. King Edward delivered up the 
 fortresses of York and Berwick to the Scottish army. Ramsay, 
 in return for his distinguished services on the field, was made 
 Governor of Berwick, and Seaton Governor of Roxburgh Castle. 
 On the return of the Scottish army from England the Castle 
 of Dundee was stormed and destroyed, while its Governor, 
 Morton, was hanged. 
 
 When war again broke out we find Sir John Ramsay 
 fighting in the Battle of Falkirk (1298), which terminated so 
 disastrously for the Scots. He is mentioned as one of the 
 commanders selected by Wallace to search the battlefield, after 
 the victorious forces withdrew, for the body of the valiant Sir 
 John de Graham. After this reverse Wallace resigned the 
 Guardianship of Scotland. 
 
 Throughout the next five years Scotland was very nearly 
 re-conquered by successive invasions. Most of the chiefs had 
 fled, and their forces dispersed. Ramsay and Ruthven alone 
 held out within a fortress at Stockford, in Ross-shire. During 
 the absence of Wallace in France, whither he had gone 
 to enlist French sympathy for Scotland, the alarming in- 
 telligence reached him of the English invasion. Accordingly, 
 he set sail for Scotland, and, to the joy of his former chiefs, 
 landed, in the year 1303, at the port of Montrose, with a body 
 of French auxiliaries which he had raised in Flanders. Here 
 he was met by Sir John Ramsay, and other chiefs. 
 
 " In Munross hawyn thai brocht hym to the land ; 
 Till trew Scottis it was a blithe tithand ; 
 Schyr John Ramsay, that worthi was and wycht, 
 Fra Ochtyrhouss the way he chesyt rycht, 
 To meite Wallace with men off armes strang, 
 Off his cluellyng thai had thocht wondyr lang. 
 The trew Euwan come als with outyn baid, 
 In Banian wod he had his lugyng maid. 
 Barklay be that to Wallace semblyt fast ; 
 With thre hundreth to Ochtyrhouss he past."
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 11 
 
 Escorted by Ramsay and his men, Wallace was conducted to 
 Auchterhouse Castle. This interesting episode is also thus 
 recorded : 
 
 " Fair wind aud weather, nothing worse they fand, 
 Then at Montrose they safely all do land ; 
 Good Sir John Ramsay and the Ruthven true, 
 Barclay and Bisset, with men not a few, 
 Do Wallace meet, all canty, keen, and crouse, 
 And with three hundred march to Ochterhouse. " 
 
 It is recorded that the Castle of Auchterhouse was occupied 
 on the night of the 20th July 1303 by King Edward during the 
 course of bis successful invasion. The English Sovereign, with 
 a great army, had entered Scotland by the western marches. 
 Advancing to Edinburgh, he continued in triumph to Perth, 
 thence to Dundee. From this town he proceeded to Brechin 
 and Aberdeen, and penetrated as far as Morayshire. Having 
 swept the country practically unopposed, and reduced it amid 
 all the horrors of war, besides exacting homage from the 
 northern, chiefs, he returned on the 20th of October 1303 to 
 Dundee. It was while on the march to the north that he 
 bestowed his attention upon the Castle of Auchterhouse. From 
 events that subsequently occurred, the bulk of the English 
 forces must have been withdrawn from Dundee by vessels to 
 England. 
 
 Shortly after this a considerable body of troops assembled at 
 liirnam Wood under Wallace and Ramsay, which was soon 
 strengthened by detachments of hardy Angus men. With 
 this force the chiefs resolved to attempt the re-capture of Perth, 
 which, like most of the other walled towns of the country, had 
 fallen once more into the enemy's hands. They accordingly 
 marched to Kinnoul, where they halted. It chanced while they 
 lay there that six servants employed by the English garrison 
 had gone from the city to bring home a supply of hay on carts 
 from that locality. While the servants were thus employed 
 the Scots fell upon them, and put them to the sword. The
 
 12 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 bodies were immediately stripped, and the peasants' dresses 
 assumed by Wallace, Euthven, Guthrie, Bisset, and other two 
 soldiers. Five soldieis were then placed in each cart, and care- 
 fully concealed with hay. Disguised as countrymen, Wallace 
 and the others proceeded to the city. While this bold stratagem 
 was being carried out, Eamsay with his men was lying in 
 ambush awaiting the signal for the onslaught. The carters 
 having crossed the drawbridges without suspicion, at once threw 
 off their disguise, the others sprang from their carts all seized 
 their swords, and then with a few strokes the guards were cut 
 down. Thereupon Eamsay and the other Scots rushed in, the 
 garrison was surprised a severe melee ensued, and few of the 
 English escaped with their lives. After the city was thus 
 captured 
 
 " Schyr Jhon Eamsay gret captane drcland he, 
 Ruwan Schirreff at ane accord for to be." 
 
 Leaviug Eamsay and Euthven in possession of Perth, 
 Wallace, with a small body of troops, set out with his wonted 
 energy to reconnoitre the surrounding country and ascertain the 
 strength of the enemy in Fife. Previous to his departure, 
 however, he left instructions that those officers should join him 
 in the event of any surprise. When this detachment of Scots 
 was on the march, its movements had been watched by Sir John 
 Stewart. Confident of success, Stewart put himself at the head 
 of 1,500 men to cut off this small force. Perceiving the danger 
 and taken by surprise, Wallace withdrew his forces into Black 
 Earnside Forest, where he resolved to hold out till reinforce- 
 ments came from Perth. Stewart pressed the Scots with great 
 vigour, and was especially eager to effect the capture of 
 Wallace. Fortunately, however, reinforcements from Perth 
 arrived under Ramsay and Euthven, and soon fortune once 
 more favoured the Scots. Sir John Stewart, who had fought 
 with great bravery, and killed Bisset, a well-known Scottish 
 officer, in a hand-to-hand encounter, was slain by Wallace,
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 13 
 
 and his forces routed. Subsequently, Ramsay also re-captured 
 the Castle of Cupar, and tock part in other engagements. 
 Notwithstanding the defections and jealousies of many of 
 the nobles, he remained loyal to "Wallace until the latter was 
 basely betrayed, and afterwards executed on the 23rd August 
 1305. After the death of Wallace history is silent regarding the 
 latter deeds of Sir John Ramsay. His name does not appear 
 amongst those who suffered death at the time of Wallace's capture, 
 nor is it mentioned among the slain in subsequent conflicts. 
 Whether he died sword in hand in the future wars, or within his 
 own castle, is unknown. From the fact that the aisle within the 
 church was long known as the Ramsay aisle, it is not unlikely 
 that he died at Auchterhouse Castle, and was buried within the 
 old church. Unquestionably, Sir John was an able and valiant 
 knight, and a man who served his country most faithfully in 
 times of great national danger and perplexity. He was ever 
 the foe of the English oppressors, the true friend of freedom's 
 cause, and his fame as a Scottish chief ought only to be forgotten 
 when the memory of the great struggle for national independence 
 is itself obliterated. 
 
 The fragmentary ruins of the old castle of Auchterhouse, 
 the stronghold of the Ramsay family, may still be seen, thickly 
 overgrown with ivy, standing on a rock beside a stream. 
 The ruins are well known as the Wallace Tower, in honour 
 of the great patriot's visit. From the present aspect of the 
 ruins, the walls of which are about 12 feet in thickness, the 
 original building, which covered a considerable extent of ground, 
 must have been of great strength. The roof of the ground floor 
 had been strongly arched, and in one side there is an arched 
 door, about 5 feet high and 4 feet wide. There is also a very 
 good example of a window or light-hole after the Sco to- 
 Norman style of architecture. The castle appears to have been 
 constructed after the massive style of architecture adopted by 
 the Scoto-Norman Barons. When we look upon this grey relic 
 of former feudal times, and recall its noble occupant, and the
 
 14 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 name of his still more illustrious compatriot, we are reminded of 
 %i these lines 
 
 " In many a Castle, town, and plain, 
 Mountain and forest still remain ; 
 Fondly cherished spots which claim 
 The proud distinction of his honoured name, 
 Swells the huge ruin's massy heap, 
 In castled court, 'tis Wallace's keep." 
 
 About the year 1300, Sir William de Ruthven, another of 
 the Scottish chiefs, was married to Marjory, daughter of Sir 
 John Ramsay. In 1309, King Robert Bruce granted a charter 
 to Sir William Ramsay of 416 acres of the land of Ingilstone. 
 He fought at Bannockburn, and was one of the Scottish Barons 
 who attended the Parliament convened by the King at Arbroath 
 in 1320, to frame an answer to the threatened excommunication 
 by the Pope. His signature is attached to the famous historical 
 document which asserted the national independence, and 
 declared that " so long as there shall but one hundred of us 
 remain alive, we will never submit ourselves to the dominion 
 -of England. For it is not glory, they also declared ; it is not 
 riches, neither is it honour ; but it is liberty alone that we fight 
 -and contend for, which no honest man will lose but with his 
 life." 
 
 Sir John Ramsay left a son, named Alexander, who was 
 recognised as the " flower of courtliness." He occupied a dis- 
 tinguished position as a soldier in the time of the Bruce. In 
 war he was reckoned one of the bravest of men, and in times 
 of peace was accounted one of the most courteous men of 
 his day. Bannockburn having been fought and won, and 
 Scotland free, the exultant Scottish soldiers, under the com- 
 mand of the chivalrous and impetuous Edward Bruce, 
 threw themselves into the struggle of liberating Ireland 
 also from the yoke of the English invader. Among the 
 knights who won for themselves high renown in the achieve-
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 15 
 
 incnts of that eventful and romantic war was Sir Alexander 
 Ramsay of Ochterhous. 
 
 " He [Edward Bruce] had thar in hys cumpany 
 The Erie Thomas that wes worthy ; 
 And gwd Schyr Philip the Mowbray, 
 That sekyr wes in hard affay : 
 Schyr Jhone the Soullis ane gud Knycht ; 
 And Schyr Jhone Stewart that \ves wycht. 
 The Ramsay als off Ouchtrehouss, 
 That wes wycht and cheivalrouss ; 
 And Schyr Fergus off Adrossane : 
 And othyr Knychts mony ane." 
 
 Sir Alexander commanded a division at the Battle of Carrick- 
 fergus in 1315, when the enemy was repulsed with great 
 slaughter. He was also present at the storming and sacking of 
 Dundalk, and served until the termination of the war. After 
 the death of the great Bruce, the name of Sir Alexander Eamsay 
 is frequently mentioned in connection with the fierce struggles 
 which ensued with the English throughout the Regency. In 
 1335, while associated iti command with the Earl of Moray, he 
 surprised and defeated, on the Borough Muir, near Edinburgh, a 
 body of French troops which had come to the assistance of 
 the English. The Castle of Edinburgh thereafter capitulated, 
 notwithstanding the resolute bravery of the defenders, who had 
 piled up the carcases of their horses and employed them as 
 ramparts. 
 
 In 1337-8 the Castle of Dunbar, then one of the strongest in 
 the country, was closely besieged by sea and land by the English 
 forces, under the Earl of Salisbury. Its defence was conducted 
 with great ability, courage, and perseverance, in the absence of 
 the Earl of March, by his high-spirited Countess, better known 
 in history as " Black Agnes." Eor five mouths this plucky and 
 eccentric heroine resisted all the efforts of the besiegers so 
 determinedly that at length the English resolved to starve the 
 .garrison into surrender. This, however, was frustrated by the
 
 16 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 timeous arrival of Ramsay, who, with a body of resolute Scots, 
 broke through the enemy's lines during the darkness of the 
 night, and reached the Castle with a welcome supply of pro- 
 visions for its defenders, who, from the persistency and complete- 
 ness of the siege, had suffered great privations. Ramsay and 
 his troops afterwards attacked the advanced guards of the 
 enemy, and drove them back. The English were at length 
 compelled to abandon the siege and withdraw their forces, deeply 
 chagrined at the unsuccessful issue of the blockade. 
 
 After the English leader's departure for the South, the war 
 was prosecuted with great success by the Scottish leaders, 
 Douglas and Ramsay. While the Douglas the fiery Knight of 
 Liddesdale was driving the English before him in Teviotdale, 
 Ramsay had taken up a strong position among the crags and 
 caves of Hawthornden, on the banks of the Esk, at the head of 
 a strong body of patriotic Scots drawn from all ranks of society. 
 Under Ramsay, high and low, rich and poor, fought shoulder to 
 shoulder in defence of the Fatherland against the English. 
 From their rocky fastnesses they sallied forth on many occasions, 
 routed the enemy, and compelled them, through dread of this 
 guerilla mode of warfare, to maintain themselves within their 
 castles. Encouraged by his numerous successes, Ramsay at 
 length carried the war over the border, and laid waste the 
 English territory with fire and sword. Fordun says " that to be 
 of Alexander Ramsay's band was considered a branch of military 
 education requisite for all young gentlemen who meant to excel 
 in arms." On one occasion while returning heavily laden with 
 booty from Northumberland, the Scots were encountered by a 
 strong body of English. Feigning flight, Ramsay succeeded in 
 decoying the English into an ambuscade, where they were attacked 
 and routed, while their commander, Lord Manners, was taken 
 prisoner. Encounters of this character were, according to the 
 custom of the time, frequently varied by personal combats in 
 presence of the rival forces. A challenge was on one occasion 
 issued to the renowned Knight of Liddesdale by the English
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 17 
 
 Commander, Henry of Lancaster, and at once accepted by 
 him. In the combat the Douglas was so severely wounded 
 that lie was compelled to desist. Another challenge was after- 
 wards sent to Sir Alexander Ramsay by Henry to meet him 
 at a tilting match at Berwick, the conditions being twenty 
 knights a-side. They accordingly met, and a stubborn and 
 sanguinary conflict ensued between the chosen representatives 
 of northern and southern chivalry. Two of the English 
 knights were slain, and a Scottish Baron Sir John de Hay 
 was also killed. Sir William Ramsay, a relative of Sir 
 Alexander, was so severely run through the helmet with a spear 
 that the helmet was completely rivetted to his head by the 
 spear point. Sir Alexander requested him to lie down, and 
 placing his foot on the helmet he drew out the broken spear. 
 Such were the days of chivalry, and such were the thrilling 
 personal encounters in which the barons bold delighted. 
 Through the military prowess of Douglas and Ramsay, the 
 English armies were soon completely driven from the open 
 country, and compelled to confine themselves to their fortresses. 
 On the 30th March 1342 Sir Alexander gallantly captured 
 the Castle of Roxburgh by a daring midnight escalade, and as a 
 reward for his distinguished military services King David II. 
 created him Governor of Roxburgh Castle, and assigned to him 
 the rich lands of Teviotdale. This appointment, however, proved 
 to be an impolitic one, because it roused the fury and jealousy of 
 the Douglas, who considered that the lands assigned by the King 
 to Ramsay were under his special jurisdiction. Henceforth he 
 became the implacable enemy of Ramsay, and eagerly sought 
 revenge. In the discharge of his duties as High Sheriff, Sir Alex- 
 ander had occasion to summon the Crown vassals to a meeting in 
 the Church of Hawick. To this meeting Douglas, with a strong 
 body of armed retainers went, and was courteously received by 
 Ramsay. While the business was being conducted, Ramsay, 
 however, was surprised, treacherously attacked and wounded by 
 Douglas, while at the same time three of his men were cut 
 c
 
 18 ANXALS OF AN 
 
 down. Thrown bleeding across his horse, he was escorted over 
 a wild and dreary district to Hermitage Castle, one of the 
 strongholds of Douglas, lying amid the morasses of Liddesdale, 
 and there thrown into a dungeon and left to starve to death. 
 Here he supported existence for seventeen days by means of 
 particles of corn which fell through the crevices of a granary 
 floor above his prison ; but at length he succumbed to starvation. 
 This was an atrocious crime, and a terrible death for one who 
 was recognised as one of the ablest soldiers in the early Scottish 
 wars. Four hundred and fifty years afterwards, a mason, in 
 excavating round the front of Hermitage Castle, laid open a 
 stone vault, about eight feet square, in which, amid a heap of 
 chaff and dust, lay several human bones, along with a large and 
 powerful bridle-bit and an ancient sword. These were under- 
 stood to have been the mournful relics of this barbarous incident 
 of a so-called chivalrous age. Thus perished in 1 342 a knight 
 whom the historian of the times designates " one of the bravest, 
 and worthiest, and most foitunate leaders of the Scottish nation, 
 to the everlasting infamy of him who perpetrated the murder." 
 He had done a great deal, says Fordun, for the King and for 
 the country's freedom ; he had felled the foe everywhere around, 
 greatly checked their attacks, won many a victory, done much 
 good, and, so far as man can judge, would have done more had 
 he lived longer. In brave deeds of arms and in bodily strength 
 he surpassed all others of his day. 
 
 Wynton passes the following eulogium upon him : 
 
 " He was the greatest menyd man 
 That any could have thought on than ; 
 Of his state or of more by far, 
 All menyt (lamented) him, baith better and waur, 
 The rich and puir him menyde baith, 
 For of his dede (death) was meikle skaith." 
 
 It is a melancholy reflection, says Tytler, that a fate so horrid 
 befel one of the bravest and most popular leaders of the Scottish 
 nation, and that the deed did not only pass unrevenged, but that
 
 .ANGUS PARISH. 19 
 
 the perpetrator received a speedy pardon, and was rewarded to the 
 very office which led to the murder. According to the custom 
 of the age of chivalry, all those who followed the banner of a 
 great baron who fell by treachery were bound to seek satisfac- 
 tion with the sword from all in any way associated with the 
 deed. The terrible fate of Ramsay, accordingly, led to innumer- 
 able feuds, dissensions, and sanguinary struggles among the 
 great families of Scotland. In revenge for this base treachery 
 and foul murder, the Knight of Liddesdale was subsequently 
 waylaid and assassinated by his cousin and god-son William, 
 afterwards Earl of Douglas, while hunting in the forest of 
 Ettrick in 1353. With all his faults, Fordun says he was a 
 hardy soldier, and one who had endured much in the defence of 
 the liberty of the kingdom skilled in war, faithful to his 
 promise, the scourge of the English, and a wall of defence to 
 Scotland. The memory of Sir Alexander Ramsay is thus em- 
 balmed by Henry 
 
 " His sone [Sir John's] was cald the flour of courtlyness, 
 As witness weill in to the schort tretty 
 Eftir the Bruce, quha redis in that story. 
 He rewlit weill bathe in to wer and pes : 
 Alexander Ramsay, to nayme he hecht, but les. 
 Quhen it wes wer, till armes he him kest ; 
 VVndir the croun he was ane off the best ; 
 In time of pees till courtlyness he zeid : 
 Bot to gentrice he tuk nayne othir held. 
 Quhat gentill man had nocht with Ramsay beyne ; 
 Off courtlyiies thai cownt him nocht a preyne. 
 Fiedome and treuth he had as men would ass ; 
 Sen he begane ua bettyr squier was. 
 Roxburgh hauld he wan full manfully ; 
 Syne held it lang, quhill tratouris tresonably 
 Causit his dede, I can nocht tell you how, 
 Off sic thiugis I will ga by as now." 
 
 This lamented hero and patriot left a son well-known as Sir 
 William Ramsay. From what is recorded of him he seems to
 
 20 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 have inherited much of his father's military capacity and passion 
 for arms. His name was a familiar one among the knights of 
 the reign of King David IF. On one occasion he was despatched 
 by the Earl of March on an armed expedition into England, 
 and over-ran Northumberland. He destroyed Nbrham, and 
 when in the act of parading his spoils before the eyes of the 
 defenders of Norham Castle, he was perceived by Sir Thomas 
 Gra} r of Chillingham, Governor of Norham, who sallied out 
 from the Castle to terminate the depredations of the Scots. 
 Retiring, hotly pursued across the Tweed by the English horse- 
 men, Ramsay skilfully succeeded in drawing the pursuers into 
 a carefully-prepared ambuscade held by the Earl of March. The 
 English, finding themselves entrapped and surrounded, fought 
 with great valour, but were finally beaten. The Governor was 
 taken prisoner, and his force annihilated. As a bold and. 
 successful raider, Sir William ranked high among the hardy 
 soldiers of his time. A descendant, Sir Alexander Ramsay, was 
 killed at the battle of Homildon in 1402. His son, also named 
 Sir Alexander, was one of the distinguished Scottish barons 
 commissioned to proceed to England in 1423 to form an escort 
 to James I. on his return to Scotland after his long captivity 
 in England. In return for his services to his sovereign he 
 was knighted at his coronation on the following year. For 
 many years the representatives of this old and distinguished 
 Scottish family continued to hold the Sheriffships of Angus, 
 and to maintain their reputation for chivalry and pure and dis- 
 interested patriotism. Robert Ramsay of Auchterhouse was 
 Sheriff of Angus, 9th April 1359. John was collector of one 
 of the quarters of Angus in 1359. King David II. granted a 
 charter to Malcolm Ramsay of the lands of Mains. Subse- 
 quently the Sheriffships of Angus was held by Sir "Walter 
 Ogilvie of Powrie, who had married in 1380 Isabella, the only 
 child of Sir Malcolm Ramsay, and thus became proprietor of the 
 lands of Auchterhouse. Like many of the chiefs of his time, 
 Sir Walter fell in battle. Duncan Stewart, better known as
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 21 
 
 the "Wolf of Badenoch," natural son of Alexander, Earl of 
 Buchan, having entered the shire of Angus at the head of a 
 lawless band of robbers, with the intention of pillaging the 
 country, the High Sheriff, accompanied by his natural brother, 
 Walter Leighton, overtook them at a place called Gleucune or 
 Glenbeith, near Blairgowric, and after a sharp skirmish, Sir 
 Walter Ogilvie, Leighton, and about sixty of their followers 
 were slain. Sir Walter is often designated 
 
 " Sir Walter Ogilvy, that brave knicht, 
 Stout and manful, bauld and wicht." 
 
 From him were descended the families of Auchterhouse, Lin- 
 trathen, and Inverquharity. His son, Sir Walter, was also 
 slain at the battle of Harlaw on the 24th July 1411. This 
 battle was fought during the regency of the Duke of Albany 
 between Donald, Lord of the Isles, and the Earl of Mar. At 
 the head of an army of ten thousand Celtic warriors, Donald 
 "had carried war throughout the northern Highlands, and was 
 preparing also to pillage and lay waste the district south of 
 the Grampians. At Harlaw, near Aberdeen, he was encountered 
 by a force under the Earl of Mar, which comprised the elite of 
 the Angus barons and knights, with a strong muster of their 
 retainers. It appears to have been an obstinate and bloody 
 contest, from the description given of it in the old ballad of 
 the " Battle of Harlaw" (traditionary version) : 
 
 " On Munonday at morning 
 
 The battle it began, 
 On Saturday at gloamin' 
 
 Ye'd scarce tell wba had wan. 
 
 And sic a weary burying 
 
 The like ye never saw, 
 As there was the Sunday after that 
 
 On the Muirs down by Harlaw. 
 
 And if Hielan' lasses speer at ye 
 
 For them that gaed awa, 
 Ye may tell them plain and plain enough 
 
 They're sleeping at Harlaw."
 
 22 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 The battle terminated in the defeat of the Highlanders of the- 
 north-west, and secured the undoubted " supremacy of the 
 Lowlanders. Victory was dearly purchased, however, as many 
 of the principal barons of Angus fell. 
 
 " Of the best among them was 
 
 The gracious glide Lord Ogilvy, 
 The Sheriff- Principal of Angus, 
 
 Renowned for truth and equitie, 
 For faith and magiianimitie ; 
 
 He had few fallows in the field , 
 Yet fell by fatal destiny, 
 
 For he naeways wou'd grant to yield." 
 
 Amongst those who were knighted by King James I. on the 
 day of his coronation at Perth was Patrick Ogilvie of Auchter- 
 house, brother of the late Sir Walter. The oath taken on such 
 great occasions has been preserved, and is of much historical 
 interest : 
 
 1. I shall fortify and defend the Christian religion to the uttermost 
 of my power. 
 
 2. I shall be loyal and true to my Sovereign Lord the King ; to all 
 Orders of chivalry, and to the noble office of arms. 
 
 3. I shall fortify and defend justice at my power, and that without 
 favour or enmity. 
 
 4. I shall never flee from my Sovereign Lord the King, nor from his 
 lieutenants, in time of affray or battle. 
 
 5. I shall defend my native realm from all aliens and strangers. 
 
 6. I shall defend the just action and quarrel of all ladies of honour, 
 of all true and friendless widows, of orphans, and of maidens of good 
 fame. 
 
 7. I shall do diligence wheresoever I hear that there are any 
 murderers, traitors, or masterful robbers, who oppress the King's lieges 
 or poor people, to bring them to the law at my power. 
 
 8. I shall maintain and uphold the noble state of chivalry with horse, 
 armour, and other knightly habiliments, and shall help and succour 
 those of the same order at my power if they have need. 
 
 9. I shall enquire and seek to have the knowledge and understanding 
 of all the art and points contained in the books of chivalry. 
 
 All these promises to observe, keep, and fulfil I oblige me, so 
 help me God, by my own hand, and by God himself.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 23 
 
 These were days of constant warfare. Every man was a 
 soldier, and bound to follow the banner of his lord. Every 
 other occupation but that of arms was despised. Awe and 
 obedience to the Sovereign and barons were exacted at the point 
 of the sword. In the early Scottish Avars tbe favourite weapon 
 was the pike. The chiefs wore plate armour, and carried the 
 two-handed sword, battleaxe, and mace. King James I., with 
 the view of encouraging dexterity in the use of the bow and 
 arrow, ordered shooting butts to be erected near the Parish 
 Churches, where competitions might be regularly engaged in. 
 He was most anxious to introduce this weapon among the 
 Lowland Scots, as the prowess of the English archers had been 
 established on many battlefields. The Scots, however, preferred 
 to adhere to the favourite national weapon, the pike. To 
 promote the practice in archery, the King further prohibited the 
 games of golf and football. By the Parliament of 1458 (King 
 James II.), it is decreed and ordained that the displays of 
 weapons be held by the lords and barons, spiritual and 
 temporal, four times in the year ; that the football and golf 
 be utterly cried down and not be used ; that the bow-marks 
 be made, a pair of butts at every Parish Church, and shooting 
 be practised ; that every man shoot six shots at the least, and 
 that twopence be levied upon the absent for drink to the 
 shooters. If the parish be large, there shall be three, four, or 
 five bow-marks in the most convenient places, and that all men 
 exceeding twelve and under fifty years of age practice archery. 
 
 The old archery ground of this parish, still well-known by 
 the name of the " Bow Butts/' may still be seen on the lands of 
 Templeton. Such sports developed the warlike spirit of a 
 restless people, whose chief enjoyment in life seemed centred in 
 arms. We can easily understand how the annals of the period 
 are entirely occupied with the tales of bloodshed, the settling of 
 private feuds, the hatching of conspiracies and quarrels, or the 
 still more popular one of plundering and foraging across the 
 border.
 
 24 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Sir Patrick Ogilvie was one of the nobles arrested for 
 conspiracy by order of King James L, along with the Duke 
 of Albany. He was, however, soon released, and restored to 
 the royal favour. As Sheriff of Angus and Great Justiciary of 
 Scotland, he was a member of an important Embassy to the 
 Court of France. In May 1425 he served as one of the jury 
 of the nobility which condemned to death the Duke of Albany, 
 his two sons, and the Earl of Lennox. After the death of 
 Stewart of Darnley in 1429, he was also appointed Constable of 
 the Scottish army in France. On the 14th April 1426 James 
 I. confirmed grant by Patrick de Ogilvie, Knt., with consent of 
 his father, Alexander de Ogilvie, Sheriff of Forfar, of certain 
 rents from lands in Banffshire, to found a Chaplainry in the 
 Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Garvoch : if the rents 
 are not forthcoming from this property they are to be uplifted 
 from the baronial lands of Auchterhouse and Eassie. Feb. 26, 
 1439, King James II. confirmed charters dated at Auchterhouse 
 10th March 1438, whereby Margaret de Fenton of Beaufort 
 grants certain lands to Walter Ogilby, son of the late Sir Patrick 
 de Ogilby of Auchterhouse. March 28, 1453, King James II. 
 confirmed letters given by Alex, de Ogilvy of Auchterhouse, 
 Sheriff of Forfar, to his brother, Walter of Ogilvy of Beaufort, 
 appointing him manager of all his estates. The original letters 
 are in Scottish, and were written at Auchterhouse. 
 
 Be it kend till al men be thir present lettrez, me, Alexander of 
 Ogilvy of Uchterhouse, Shiref of Forfar ande of Banf, tie have 
 gevin and grantit, &c., to my derrast brother, Walter of Ogilvy 
 of Beuforte, the hale governance in al thyngs of myne anne 
 person to be in his speciale keping, conservasione, ande yerne 
 for al the dais of my lyve or his lyve, with full power and 
 governance of al and sindri my landis, possessiones, and annuell 
 rentis, with the pertinantis had and for to be had within the 
 realme of Scotland quhaeresumever ; and al tha said landis to 
 set, and the malis of them to rais and ressave at his anne 
 lyking ; with full power of bailyery of thaim for al the dais of 
 his lyve ; all strengthis, housis, castellis, or toweris pertenande
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 25 
 
 or langande to me, or yit be ony mauere off way in tyme to 
 cum be richt of my heritage may happen or fall to me, or richt 
 wisly may pertene to be fully and haly in the saide Walter of 
 Ogilvy, my derrast brother's keeping, yemesale, and gover- 
 nance, enduring al the dais of the saide Walter's lyve ; and al 
 and sundry my gudis, moveblez and unmoveblez, had and for 
 to be had quhaeresumever, and to be frely ressavit, uptakyn, 
 governit, and fullely disponit at the will, desposiciou, ande 
 ordinance of the saide Walter, without obstakill, impediment, 
 questionne, or demande of ony man or woman of lyne, enduring 
 the saide date. All and sindri my offices of Sherifdomes of 
 Forfar and Banf, with all and sindri profittis or avails to the 
 saide officis pertenande or may pertene, to be usit, occupyit, 
 ande fullely governyt be the saide Walter of Ogilvy, or his 
 deputis, substitutis, under him for al the dais of his lyve, all 
 my tenantis, indwellaris, or yit inhabitantis, of all and sindri 
 my landis had or for to be had at the verray maintenance and 
 governance of the said Walter enduring the said date ; and 
 hereaftour I, the saide Alexander of Ogilvy, bindis ande lebly 
 and treuly oblisis ir.e be the faithe and laute in my body, 
 withoute fraude or gile, to stand, bide, and stedfastly to 
 remayne at the very ful governance of my said brother in al 
 and sindri powntis and articlis as is before writin for al the 
 dais of my lyve, na I sal never revoke nor yet againcal na 
 kynde of condicion ua appoyntment above writtin, but sal 
 lebly and treuly keep thaim and ger them be kepit the saide 
 condicions and'appoyntments to the utterest, withoute fraude 
 or gile. In the witnessing of the quhilk thing my sele is 
 hungyn to this my present writt. 
 
 At Uchterhous. 
 
 March, 17, 1452. 
 
 On the 23rd January, 1446, there occurred one of those 
 sanguinary struggles for supremacy characteristic of the age 
 between the Ogilvies and Lindsays. This is known histori- 
 cally as the battle of Arbroath. The Earl of Crawford, a 
 powerful and ambitious baron, well known for his restless, 
 predatory character, had seized and appropriated certain lands 
 belonging to Kennedy, the Bishop of St Andrews, and subse- 
 quently formed the intention of enriching himself at the expense
 
 26 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 of the Abbey of Arbroath. This audacious and sacrilegious 
 project aroused the hostility of the Ogilvies, who were determined 
 to adopt strong measures to curb the avarice of Crawford. 
 Mustering to their full clan strength, admirably mounted, and 
 fully equipped for war, they proceeded to Arbroath to defend 
 with their lives the rights and possessions of the ancient sacred 
 establishment. While the Ogilvies had constituted themselves 
 guardians of the Abbey, the Earl of Huntly, with his military 
 retinue, chanced to arrive there on his return from the Court, 
 and, according to the custom of the age, was hospitably received 
 and entertained by the Chapter. Having learned from the 
 Ogilvies of the Earl of Crawford's anticipated attack, Huntly, 
 as a valiant son of the Church, joined them, and they rode 
 forth together to encounter the redoubtable Lindsay, who was 
 in the neighbourhood at the head of his retainers. As the rival 
 forces were strongly represented, a fiercely-contested battle 
 followed. When the day was over, five hundred horsemen lay 
 stretched upon the field, including many representatives of 
 Angus chivalry. The Earl of Crawford was among the slain, 
 while on the other side Huntly met the same fate. The Laird 
 of Airlie, the chief of the Ogilvies, was taken prisoner by the 
 Master of Crawford, better known subsequently as the notorious 
 Earl "Beardie." Although the victory, so far, went in favour of 
 the Ogilvies, it was followed by terrible reprisals on the part of 
 the Lindsays, who, supported by the Douglases, overran their 
 lands, burnt their castles, and hunted them down with relentless 
 barbarity. 
 
 Sir Alexander Ogilvy of Auchterhouse, son of Sir Walter, 
 had an only daughter, Margaret, who was married to James 
 Stewart, surnamed " Hearty James," the grandson of Sir James 
 Stewart, the " Black Knight of Lome," by Jane Beaufort, 
 Queen of Scotland, the widow of King James I., and the 
 mother of King James II. James Stewart succeeded upon the 
 fall of Lord Boyd to the office of High Chamberlain of Scotland 
 in 1471. In 1473, he resigned this appointment on being sent
 
 AXGUS PARISH. 27 
 
 as Ambassador to the Court of France. On his return to Scot- 
 land he was made Warden of the East Marches, and afterwards 
 re-appointed to the post of Lord High Chamberlain. 
 
 When the English army, under the Duke of Gloucester, 
 invaded Scotland in 1482, to place the Duke of Albany on the 
 Scottish throne, King James III. mustered his forces and 
 proceeded Avith all haste towards the Borders to intercept the 
 further advance of the enemy. While encamped at Lauder,. 
 several of the chief nobles of Scotland, amongst whom was 
 James, Earl of Buchan, boldly entered the King's tent, and 
 informed him of their dissatisfaction with his conduct in acting 
 so inimically to the highest interests of his country, by refusing 
 countenance to the leading nobles, and in making favourites of 
 certain individuals of low birth and worthless character, upon 
 whom he had bestowed titles, and also raised to the rank of 
 Privy Counsellors. These strong remonstrances were followed 
 up immediately by actions of a sterner character, for the 
 turbulent nobles seized the royal favourites and hanged them 
 over the Bridge of Lauder. Thereafter, the King was escorted 
 to Edinburgh Castle, placed under guard, and a peace concluded 
 between the English Commander and the high-spirited nobles. 
 Subsequently, the Earl of Buchan sided witli the Duke of 
 Albany, and was prominently connected with many of the 
 conspiracies, revolts, and turmoils ~vvhich characterized that 
 unhappy reign. In 1466, the Earldom of Buchan, one of 
 the oldest of the Scottish titles, and one previously held by 
 members of the Royal Family, was conferred upon him. By 
 his marriage with Margaret Ogilvy, he became proprietor of the 
 lands of Auchterhouse. In 1469 he took the title of Lord 
 Auchterhouse, which is still held by the present representative 
 of the Earldom. 
 
 Sept. 22, 1478. James III. grants to his uncle, by his 
 mother's side (avunculus), James, Earl of Buchan and Lord of 
 Auchterhouse, the lands of Auchterhouse, with Castle, &c. ; 
 Nevay, Eassie, Kynnalty, and Kettins, &c., &c., which had
 
 28 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 been resigned by the said Earl and his Countess, Margaret de 
 Ogilvy. 
 
 Feb. 18, 1482-3. James III. confirms a charter, dated at 
 Auchterhouse 21st August 1478, by Sir Alexander Ogilvy, 
 Sheriff of Forfar, granting the lands of Balkerry in Eassie to 
 William de Fentoii and his wife, Matilda Ramsay, sister of Sir 
 Alexander. 
 
 June 27, 1489. James IV. grants to his aotHtcttlvt, James, 
 Earl of Buchan and Lord of Auchterhouse, certain lands in 
 Forfar, which had been forfeited by Eobert, Lord Lyle, and 
 which were united to the Barony of Auchterhouse. 
 
 May 20, 1491. James IV. confirms a charter by James, Earl 
 of Buchan, of certain lands in the Barony of Auchterhouse to 
 Alexander Stewart and Isabel Ogilvy, his wife. 
 
 May 19, 1492. James IV. confirms a charter by James, Earl 
 of Buchan, conferring the Barony of Auchterhouse, with the 
 Castle, on his first-born son, Alexander Stewart. One of the 
 witnesses is David, Abbot of Arbroath. The date on charter is 
 21st Jan. 1490. 
 
 Feb. 6, 1499. James IV. confirms certain lands in the Barony 
 of Auchterhouse to Alexander, Earl of Buchan. and Margaret 
 Ruthven, his wife. James, Earl of Buchan, died in 1500, 
 leaving a son who became his successor. Of the second and 
 third Earls of Buchan there is little known of any historical 
 interest. 
 
 April 29, 1525. James V. confirms a charter by John, Earl 
 of Buchan, dated at Auchterhouse, 28th April 1525. 
 
 June 15, 1526. James V. confirms charter by John, Earl of 
 Buchan, to his cousin, James Bruce of Rait, of the lands of 
 Bonny toun of Auchterhouse, dated at Auchterhouse 10th June 
 1526. 
 
 May 30, 1528. James V. confirms charter by John, Earl of 
 Buchan, of lands in Aberdeenshire to James Gordon of Mildmar, 
 dated at Auchterhouse 15th Sept. 1527. 
 
 August 12, 1528 James V. confirms the Barony and Lord-
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 29 
 
 ship of Auchterhouse and certain lands in Banff and Aberdeen, 
 to John, Earl of Buchan, uniting them into the free Barony of 
 Glendorroquhy, with the Castle of Banff as principal messuage. 
 
 Feb. 18, 1534-5. James V. confirms a charter by John, Earl 
 of Buchan, dated at Auchterhouse 10th Nov. 1534. 
 
 Oct. 30, 1538. James V. decrees that Boneyton of Auchter- 
 house shall be given to John, Earl of Crawford, as security for 
 a debt owing by John, Earl of Buchan. 
 
 March 26, 1543. Queen Mary confirms charter by the late 
 David, Earl of Crawford, of the lands of Boneyton to John 
 Lundy, son of Walter Lundy of that Ilk. 
 
 May 15, 1547. Queen Mary confirms a charter by John, 
 Earl of Buchan, to his son, Alexander Stewart, and his wife, 
 Margaret Ogilvy, of certain lands in Banff, dated at Auchter- 
 house, 29th April 1547. 
 
 August 4, 1547. Queen Mary grants Novodamus of 
 Auchterhouse, &c , to John Stewart, son and heir apparent of 
 John, Earl of Buchan. 
 
 John, 4th Earl of Buchan, fell at the disastrous battle of 
 Pinkie, fought in Sept. 1517, in which the flower of the Scottish 
 nobility perished. 
 
 June 4, 1549. Queen Mary grants certain lands in Auchter- 
 house to James Stewart, son of John, Earl of Buchan. 
 
 John, Fourth Earl of Buchan, was twice married first, to Lady 
 Mary Stewart, only child of James, Earl of Moray ; secondly, to 
 Margaret, daughter of Walter Ogilvie of Powrie. By the latter 
 he had one child, Christian. Her parents having died, the 
 young heiress of the House of Buchan was placed, while she was 
 a child of only three years of age, under the guardianship of the 
 well-known and historically notorious family of the House of 
 Douglas, who occupied Loch Levcn Castle. The lady under 
 whose immediate protection she was placed was Lady Douglas, 
 paramour of King James V., and the mother of the Eegcnt 
 Moray. This lady has obtained an unenviable place in history 
 from the fact that she was the bitter enemy of Mary, Queen of
 
 30 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Scots. She was not only a woman of dissolute character, but a 
 cool, ambitious, and daring intriguer. While the young, ill- 
 starred child Christian was under her care, a matrimonial 
 contract was skilfully concocted between her and the Regent 
 Moray through the sharp practice of Lady Douglas. This enabled 
 Moray to obtain possession of the valuable estates of Christian. 
 This seems to have been very inconsistent conduct on the part 
 of one who was recognised as a valiant upholder of the Protestant 
 faith, and lauded as one of the greatest of the reforming nobles. 
 With his other excellencies of character, Moray seems to have 
 been the possessor of a hard and avaricious temperament. Not- 
 withstanding this contract and consequent seizure of the revenues 
 of the Buchan estates, the Regent did not hesitate to enter into 
 a matrimonial alliance with a lady of the House of Keith. For 
 years the young and unhappy Christian, isolated from the outer 
 world, remained practically a prisoner within the walls of Loch 
 Leveii Castle, while Moray lived in the enjoyment of her 
 revenues. After the marriage of the Regent Moray, Lady 
 Douglas succeeded in effecting a marriage between Christian 
 and her second son, Sir Robert Douglas. This union, however, 
 did not prevent the good 'Regent from retaining most of the 
 Buchan lands. After her marriage with Sir Robert Douglas, the 
 young Counters still continued to reside at Loch Leven. The 
 castle was frequently visited at this time by Queen Mary in the 
 course of periodical State journeys through her dominions. 
 Shortly after her marriage with Darnley, the Queen proceeded 
 thither with a strong military escort to demand the surrender of 
 the castle, as the family was believed to be one of those in 
 active rebellion against her. The intelligence, however, having 
 been conveyed to her that the Countess of Buchan was at the 
 time in a very delicate state of health, she very generously 
 refrained from taking such extreme measures against the con- 
 spirators as she otherwise would have clone. Xot many months 
 after this visit the Queen was accompanied thither as prisoner 
 by Lindsay and Ruthven, and committed to the custody of her
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 31 
 
 inveterate enemies. During tlie residence of the Countess of 
 Buchan, therefore, in Loch Levcn Castle, Queen Mary was also 
 undergoing her memorable period of harsh imprisonment within 
 the same walls, and there appears to have existed the most 
 affectionate intercourse, doubtless strengthened by misfortune, 
 between the unfortunate Queen and the sadly victimised and 
 despoiled Countess. It is believed that, through the instrumen- 
 tality of Christian, Queen Mary was enabled to acquaint her 
 friends at the Court of France of the vicissitudes and wrongs 
 which had befallen her. 
 
 13 Feb. 1573-4. James VI. granted Auchterhouse, &c., to 
 Robert Stewart, apparent of Todlaw, having been resigned by 
 Christian, Countess of Buchan, with consent of Robert Douglas, 
 Earl of Buchan. 
 
 Christian, Countess of Buchan, died in 1580. Her husband, 
 Sir Robert Douglas, who took the title of Earl of Buchan, was 
 pronounced in his hostility to Queen Mary. After the 
 assassination of the Regent Moray, and the execution' of Arch- 
 bishop Hamilton for participation in the murder of Darnley, the 
 Earl was one of the Scottish nobles who took an active part in 
 the intrigues, factions, and troubles which rendered the reign of 
 Queen Mary so prolific of misfortune to her and her kingdom. 
 He was present when the Queen landed at Loch Leven Castle 
 .as prisoner, and was one of those to whom she Avas consigned. 
 His name appears in several of the proclamations issued by 
 Morton, of whose policy he was a zealous supporter. He was 
 one of the eleven nobles taken prisoner by the Loyalists at 
 Stirling in 1575, and by them escorted with his confederates to 
 Edinburgh. With the exception of Morton, who Avas fatally 
 Avounded, the other nobles Avere subsequently rescued by a party 
 of musketeers, under the Earl of Mar, Avhen they reached the 
 city. In the following year he was despatched by the Regent 
 in command of a strong body of troops against the Loyalists, 
 Avho had assembled at Brechin, under Sir Adam Gordon of 
 Auchindown, brother of the Marquis of Huntly. The Earl was,
 
 32 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 however, defeated, and compelled to retreat, having lost about 
 50 of his men, while 150 were taken prisoners. He died in 
 1583. His brother, Sir "William Douglas, was implicated in the 
 murder of Rizzio, and his other brother, Sir George, has found 
 a place in history as the deliverer of Queen Mary from her 
 cruel imprisonment within Loch Leven Castle. The Earl left a 
 son, who became Fifth Earl of Buchan. He appears to have been 
 a young nobleman of much promise, of considerable personal 
 attractions, and of exceptional accomplishments. He died, 
 greatly lamented, at the early age of 21, and was buried within 
 Auchterhouse Church. Sir James Balfour wrote the following 
 epitaph upon him : 
 
 Hie jacet ante diem lachrimoso funere raptus, 
 Flos patriae et gentis splendor Duglassidorum. 
 
 Here lies, prematurely snatched away by a mournful death, 
 The flower of his country and the splendour of the family of the 
 Douglasses. 
 
 In the first account of Dundee, which appeared in the reign of 
 King James VI., 1597, Auchterhouse is mentioned as the 
 principal residence of the Earl of Buchan. James, Fifth Earl of 
 Buchan, left one daughter, Marie Douglas, who succeeded to- 
 the title. She is said to have been amiable, accomplished, and 
 beautiful, and from her portraits, which still exist, there can be 
 no doubt about the charms of her personal appearance. She 
 was married to James Erskine, eldest son by second marriage of 
 John, Earl of Mar, who, according to the practice of the period, 
 assumed the title of Earl of Buchan. The family of Mar had 
 formerly been connected with the parish, as they were the 
 proprietors of the lands of Dronlaw. It is a family which has 
 figured very conspicuously in their country's history. It was 
 closely allied to the Royal Family, and for five generations 
 appear to have possessed the custody of the heir to the throne 
 during his nonage. Alexander, second Lord Erskine, was 
 intrusted with the keeping of James IV. in his youth. John,
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 33 
 
 Fourth Lord, had charge of the young King James V. John, 
 Fifth Lord, had the infant Prince James at his birth committed 
 to his care by Queen Mary, where he remained, notwithstanding 
 the opposition of Bothwell. 
 
 In the year 1621, when the Five Articles of Perth came to 
 be ratified by Parliament, three of the Scottish nobles the 
 Earls of Buchan, Morton, and Viscount Hamilton refrained 
 from voting. The Earl of Buchan, it is said, was only prevented 
 from voting against the obnoxious acts by the stern interference 
 of his father, the Earl of Mar. It is related how this high- 
 spirited young nobleman, the founder of a family remarkable 
 for its zeal in behalf of civil liberty, expressed his vexation at 
 this paternal interference by bursting into a flood of tears. 
 Straloch in his papers states, however, that this was denied 
 afterwards by the Earl, and from what wo know of his subse- 
 quent career, no doubt Straloch was correct, as the high-spirited 
 young noble soon developed into a full-blown typical Cavalier, 
 and a devoted supporter of the Koyalist policy. He was in high 
 favour with King James VI., and in the Court of King Charles 
 I. held the position of Gentleman of the Bedchamber. He 
 was a prominent figure in the more remarkable state pageants 
 of the period. On the memorable day of the Coronation of 
 King Charles I. as Sovereign of Scotland (18th June 1633), the 
 Earl, as sword-bearer, accompanied by the Earl of Rothes, as 
 sceptre-bearer, headed the Royal procession from the Castle of 
 Edinburgh to the Chapel of Holyrood, where the Coronation 
 ceremony was performed with befitting splendour. From his 
 character, he appears to have been a man whose special 
 qualifications would be serviceable in a Court where craft, 
 insincerity, and duplicity ranked as virtues. He appears to 
 have been one of the confidential agents of the King, and 
 engaged in some of that statecraft and wily diplomacy which 
 subsequently cost his Sovereign his head. It is commonly 
 believed that he accompanied the Duke of Buckingham and 
 Prince Charles on a special matrimonial mission to the Court of 
 D
 
 34 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Spain. In a curious letter, which is of some historical value, it 
 is not difficult to detect the peculiarities and foibles of the gay 
 Cavalier, and the delicate character of some of the negotiations 
 conducted by him for his Koyal Master : 
 
 " From James, Earl of Buchan, to his Mother, the Countess of Mar. 
 
 PARIS, 4th June 1638. 
 
 Madam, My departure from England was so sudden that I had 
 scarce time to write that short letter I wrote to your ladyship. Then, 
 now, madam, ba pleased to know that I have been here those three 
 months about some of my master's affairs, and by his command I am 
 going within this fortnight to Spain. It is not pertinent for me to write 
 more particularly ; but if I had the honour and happiness to be with 
 you I would let you know what whereat I know you would be glad of. 
 There befel me here aiie most unfortunate accident, for being in sleep in 
 my bed about midnight I was almost burnt in my bed before I was 
 aware. Yet I thanked God I escaped, only being a little scalded ; but 
 my misfortune was that the greatest part of my moneys I had for my 
 provision I lost before I could gst time to save any. I think the fire 
 was so violent nobody could venture to save anything. This has put 
 me to my shifts, so that I am forced to borrow moneys for my provision, 
 and could have none but from Scots merchants, so that it must be paid 
 in Scotland. If your ladyship knew the pain I am in you would pity 
 me, for Saturday I have received letters from the King to be gone, so 
 that of necessity I must obey, and I have no other remedy to be 
 extorcioned by our Scots merchants here. Now, madam, believe this as 
 I am a Christian, it stands me no less than my ruine, my honour, and 
 reputation, the repayment of those moneys ; how much there shall be 
 of it you shall know in my next ; and, madam, for the favour I expect 
 from your ladyship, I will here, before God Almighty, really and freely 
 promise how things is. First, that this is the last time I shall trouble 
 your ladyship or any of my friends in Scotland. Secondly, I do here 
 promise faithfully that as soon as I come to Spain, with all possible 
 haste that can be, out of the first moneys I am to receive there (where I 
 am to receive reasonable store) I shall hasten those moneys to Scotland 
 to your ladyship or my Lord of Kothes or Kinghorn with all the haste 
 that can be imagined. Yet I know my moneys cannot come in time 
 from Spain to pay those moneys I take here presently at the day 
 appointed, the failing of which will be my utter ruine and disgrace here 
 and in Spain. Therefore, madam, for the love of God, and as ever you
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 35 
 
 will think me worthy of the title of your son, fail me not at this 
 time. I have written to my Lord of Rothes and Kiughorn to this same 
 eSect, who, I hops, will join with you for the lifting of those moneys 
 only for one term, and I protest to God I shall have money at you 
 before the next. So, dear madam, let me once again on my knees beg 
 this favour of you, and I protest to God I shall perform all I have 
 promised your ladyship, how the doing the business or the not doing it 
 is the ruining or making my fortune ; and so I pray you to convey it, 
 for I protest to God it is so, for if were with you that I might say 
 which I dare not writ3. I know I naed not fear the granting my 
 desire. I shall say no more at this time, only I pray to God to bless you 
 and all your company ; so I humbly rest, your ladyship's most faithful 
 son and humble servant, BUCHAN. 
 
 P.S. I cannot as yet write how much money I shall take up here, 
 but I think it will be ten or twelve thousand marks." 
 
 The following letter, written by Marie, Countess of Buchan, 
 shortly before her death, is of a singularly pathetic character. 
 It is remarkable also for being signed by her maiden name : 
 
 " From Marie, Countess of Buchan, to the Countess of Mar. 
 
 LONDON, 1628. 
 
 Dear Madame, Since I am almost past hope ever to see your ladyship, 
 or ever to have the occasion offered which I could have wished to have 
 shown my thankfulness for your ladyship's many great favours towards 
 me, I am forced to write you now, having little or no further time to 
 show my desires. For I having found your ladyship's kindness and 
 help to be great in all which concerned me, I must now, in my greatest 
 necessity, beg your prayers for me that I may ever continue more 
 beholden to your ladyship than to anyone else. I am certain I need not 
 recommend my greatest worldly care to your ladyship, which is the 
 welfare and education of my children, for I have ever found your 
 motherly affection towards . me and them, that I persuade myself that 
 they shall never want a loving mother as long as it shall please God to 
 preserve your ladyship to them. I have no desire more earnest, which 
 I shall still pray and wish for to my last, having it in the very greatest 
 regrets that I cannot have the contentment to see your ladyship, yet I 
 cannot be deprived of having my best wishes to your ladyship, which 
 none shall go further in than I, who ever is your most affectionate and 
 obedient daughter, MAEIE DOUGLAS."
 
 36 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 The Countess died in 1628, and the Earl in 1640. The 
 latter died in London, and was buried within Auchterhouse 
 Church. On the death of the Countess Marie, her estates 
 passed to her son instead of her husband, for reasons that are 
 obvious from the peculiarly sad tone of her correspondence, and 
 the character of the Earl. Their son, James, who succeeded to 
 the estates and title was a devoted Royalist. He was present 
 at the meetings of the Scottish Parliament in 1 641, which the 
 King attended personally, and at which he employed his 
 diplomacy in endeavouring to win over the other Covenanting. 
 Lords, as he had enlisted the services of Montrose. He was 
 also present when the sentence of forfaultrey was pronounced 
 against Montrose and the Ogilvies, and subsequently shared in 
 other important parliamentary transactions. For some time 
 he appears to have acted with the Covenanters ; but, ultimately, 
 on the breaking up of the party, became an opponent of the 
 policy of Argyll. He was one of the Scottish nobles strongly 
 opposed to the delivering up of the King by the Covenanters in 
 1646. In 1648 he was also one of the most active promoters of 
 the Engagement, to which he dedicated his sword, energies, and 
 fortune, and raised a considerable mimber of troopers within 
 the parish, and with them marched into England with the 
 Scottish army, under the Duke of Hamilton, to attempt the 
 release of the King, then a prisoner in the Isle of Wight. This 
 army was defeated disastrously by Cromwell at the battle of 
 Preston, and several of the Auchterhouse troopers perished in the 
 battle and retreat. Eor his strong royalist partisanship, malignant 
 tendencies, contempt for the Solemn League and Covenant, 
 and his position as promoter of the ill-fated Engagement, he 
 brought down upon himself the censure of the Church, and 
 came frequently into collision with the ecclesiastical authorities 
 within the parish, as will be afterwards shown, when we refer to 
 the parochial records of this century. The Earl was visited at 
 Auchterhouse by the young King, afterwards Charles II., on a 
 somewhat remarkable occasion. The Prince being in the hands
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 37 
 
 of the Presbyterian party, endeavoured to make his escape from 
 their over-stern and irksome guardianship. He entertained the 
 idea of putting himself at the head of a numerous body of 
 Royalists in the K"orth. Accordingly, under the pretext of 
 hawking, he left Perth in semi-disguise on the 4th October 
 1650, accompanied by five of his servants. To avoid suspicion, 
 he rode through the South Inch at a slow rate, but as soon as 
 he cleared it he proceeded at full gallop to Dudhope Castle, 
 Dundee. Along with Viscount Dudhope he proceeded to 
 Auchterhouse, where he was received by Lord Buchan. The 
 party then continued north to Cortachy Castle, the residence of 
 the Earl of Airlie. The anticipated rising of the loyal clans 
 proved a fiasco. From Cortachy Castle he was conducted by a 
 Highland escort for security to Clova, where he was discovered 
 by a body of troopers who had been despatched from Perth in 
 pursuit, and with strict orders to bring him back. The 
 troopers found him " lying in a filthy room on an old bolster, 
 above a matt of sedges and rushes, and very fearful." He was 
 conducted to the Presbyterian camp at Perth, where he arrived 
 on a Sunday morning, fortunately just in time to hear "ane 
 comfortable sermon." Doubtless, a few more lectures and sermons 
 followed in rapid succession, for the Presbyterian preachers found 
 it necessary to bestow on the King daily exhortations of alarming 
 length, and of a mercilessly scathing and pungent character. 
 Thus terminated the ludicrous escapade of the " Start." 
 
 When General Monk appeared before Dundee, for its fidelity 
 to the Monarchy he despatched bodies of cavalry to scour the 
 surrounding country to seize and bring in as prisoners all the 
 recalcitrant Royalists. Most of the nobles and gentry, however, 
 had already sought shelter within the walls of the town, and 
 took part in its gallant but fruitless defence. Buchan and other 
 members of the nobility were taken prisoners by Monk, and the 
 Earl was afterwards fined 1,000 sterling by Cromwell for his 
 Monarchical sympathies. After the Restoration, the Earl was 
 present as one of the chief mourners at the re-interment of the
 
 38 
 
 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 remains of the great Marquis of Montrose. After the execution 
 of the latter, according to the barbarous practice of the age, his 
 body was dismembered, and portions of it distributed in different 
 parts of the country. These remains were recovered, and lay in 
 state in the Abbey Church of Holyrood from 7th January to 
 llth May 1661. The public ceremonial of the " true funeralls" 
 was afterwards conducted with great heraldic pomp and splendour. 
 
 The Earl's sister, Lady Elizabeth Erskine, who was married 
 to the nephew of Montrose, Archibald, Second Lord Napier, 
 rendered herself somewhat of a heroine by procuring the heart 
 of Montrose immediately after his execution. She had it care- 
 fully embalmed, and it was long preserved i;i a gold filagree box, 
 and esteemed as a sacred relic by her family. Montrose had 
 promised to leave her his heart as a mark of his affection for 
 her, and in return for the unremitting kindness she had shown to 
 him throxighout the manifold vicissitudes of his life and fortune. 
 
 James, Earl of Buchan, married Lady Marjory, daughter of 
 "William Eamsay, First Earl of Dalhousie, a lady who subsequently 
 figured in a very unpleasant position before the congregation of 
 Auchterhouse Church. James, Ninth Earl, died in 1664. He 
 left one son and five daughters. 
 
 In all probability, the turreted residence which succeeded the 
 old castle of the Kamsays was at this time extended, and the 
 
 *NXN.~_ :^*- 
 
 V \>^V**fc* "- 
 
 Ss53sS3&SasS 
 
 house rearranged after the baronial style of architecture. From 
 its present appearance, there can be no doubt that the house has
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 
 
 39 
 
 been erected at different periods. Although the walls are very 
 thick and strong, still the building was never adapted for defensive 
 purposes. There is nothing remarkable about the exterior of 
 the building. It is exceedingly plain but substantial. The 
 original entrance to the house was by a small but massive door 
 in the tower. This door with its quaint and guarded look-out 
 holes has been reproduced, and is still maintained. The door 
 leads to a very old and curious crypt-shaped apartment. This was 
 protected by another strong door at one time, as was often the 
 case where the crypt-shaped old halls existed. The original 
 access to the upper rooms was by a spiral stair, part of which 
 may still be seen behind the old doorway. While the exterior 
 of the building is plain and unpretentious, the interior is of 
 
 much interest. The finest room in the houso is the present 
 drawing-room, which, in former times, was used as the hall.
 
 40 
 
 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 The initials, I.E.B. and C.M.B., appear on the finely-ornamented 
 chimney-piece and in monogram upon the elaborately-decorated 
 stucco ceiling. The arms are those of Buchan. The monogram 
 
 reads James. Earl of Buchan, and Countess Marjory Buchan. 
 The mouldings, cornices, tracery, and beautiful pendants, from 
 their highly-finished character, are fine examples of that ornate 
 design characteristic of the Jacobean period. This beautiful 
 ceiling has been reproduced in the drawing-room of Cortachy 
 Castle. There are also some interesting specimens of old tracery 
 and richly-decorated work in other portions of the house. 
 
 William, who became Eighth Earl, joined in the wars of the 
 Eevolution, and fought gallantly at the battle of Killiecrankie. 
 He was one of the officers who attended upon the great Dundee 
 when he succumbed to his wounds in the hour of victory. By 
 the forces of King William he was subsequently made prisoner, 
 and died within the walls of Stirling Castle. Having 
 died unmarried, the title passed in 1695 to David Erskine,
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 41 
 
 Fourth Lord Cardross, in virtue of which the title of Lord 
 Auchterhouse is still hsld by the present representative of the 
 ancient dignity. Nearly all the possessions in this parish, so 
 long held by this historical family, passed out of their hands 
 about 1620, although they still continued to reside, as we have 
 shown, within the mansion-house, and held some of the adjacent 
 property. 
 
 About 1620, the Earl of Moray, through his grandfather, was 
 retoured in lands of Auchterhouse and others. On 15th June 
 1648, Patrick, Earl of Kinghorne, was retoured in half of the 
 lands and barony of Auchterhouse, whi<:h he had acquired. On 
 the 12th May 1663, George, Earl Panmure, held the same 
 lands. Shortly after this they were for some time in possession 
 of the Dalziel family, in the person of the Earl of Carnwath. 
 On 2nd June 1621, considerable portions of the estates were in 
 the possession of Lady Nevay, wife of Lord John Hay of Murie. 
 On 29th October 1695, John, Earl of Strathmore, was retoured 
 in the lands of Auchterhouse, including the teinds of the 
 rectory and vicarage of the parish. By the Earl of Strathmore 
 they were granted to his second son, the Hon. Patrick Lyon. 
 Ochterlony, who wrote in 1684, says " Ochterhouse, for the 
 most part, belongs to the Earl of Strathmore. There is a fine 
 house, good yards, excellent pastures and meadows, with a dove- 
 cot." At this time the house was considered to be one of the 
 best examples of the old plain substantial Scottish baronial 
 residences in this part of the country. When the Hon. Patrick 
 Lyon became proprietor, he took up his residence within the 
 mansion-house. He married a daughter o'f Mr Carnegie of 
 Findhaven, and their initials, P.L. and M.C., may be seen cut 
 out on a stone in front of the house. Patrick Lyon was Member 
 for the County from 1703 to 1707. His name frequently occurs 
 in the history of the Rebellion of 1715, and he was one of those 
 who signed the proclamation in favour of the Pretender, the 
 Chevalier de St George, the eldest son of James VII. With 
 all their characteristic genuine affection for the Stewarts, the
 
 42 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Strathmore family espoused the cause of the Pretender. On 
 his way to the so-called Coronation scene at Scone, he and his 
 suite were received and entertained with royal honours at 
 Glamis Castle. The Strathmore family, indeed, were among the 
 chief promoters of the rising against the Hanoverian succession. 
 With all the ardour of the old Jacobite, Lyon accordingly joined 
 the rebel army under the Earl of Mar, who had unfurled the 
 standard of the Chevalier at Braemar, on the 6th September 
 1715. To him as to others in Angus it proved a disastrous 
 movement, as he was killed with his nephew, the young Earl of 
 Strathmore, at the battle of Sherriffmuir 
 
 " Strathmore and Clanronald 
 Cry'd still ' Advance, Donald,' 
 Till both of these heroes did fa', man ; 
 For there was such hashing, 
 And broadswords a' clashing, 
 Brave Forfar himself got a claw, man ; 
 And we ran, and they ran, &c." 
 
 On the 9th May 1628, Patrick Lyon's other nephew, who 
 became Earl of Strathmore, was mortally wounded in a sad 
 affray at Forfar. Mr Carnegie of Lour, on the occasion of his 
 daughter's funeral, entertained the Earl of Strathmore, his own 
 brother James Carnegie of Findhaven, Lyon of Brigton, and 
 others. After the ceremony they all adjourned to a tavern, and 
 according to the foolish custom of the times, indulged too freely. 
 Lyon, in the course of conversation, made some offensive 
 observations about his sister-in-law, the Lady of Auchterhouse, 
 and also grossly insulted Carnegie. In the evening the party 
 sallied forth in a highly-excited condition, whereupon Lyon 
 pushed Carnegie into a ditch. Carnegie at once drew his sword, 
 ran at Lyon, and while Strathmore interposed he received a 
 wound which terminated fatally. Carnegie was tried for man- 
 slaughter but acquitted. He also incurred the opprobrium of 
 the Jacobites for his alleged base desertion of their cause, of 
 which he professed at one time to be a strong partisan. It was
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 43 
 
 openly asserted that he had been bought over to the Hanoverian 
 party by liberal bribes. Such conduct naturally created a bitter 
 animus against him, and rendered him the sport of the clever 
 but merciless Jacobite satirists. In a very quaint old song, 
 entitled " He winna be guidit by me," Carnegie is thus held up 
 to scorn and ridicule : 
 
 " 0, heavens, he's ill to be guidit, 
 His colleagues and he are dividit, 
 Wi ! the Court of Hanover he's sidit 
 He winna be guidit by me. 
 
 They ca'd him their joy and their darling, 
 Till he took their penny of arling ; 
 But he'll prove as false as Macfarlane 
 He winna be guidit by me. 
 
 He was brought South by a merling, 
 Got a hundred and fifty pounds sterling, 
 Which will make him bestow the auld carlin' 
 He winna be guidit by me. 
 
 He's angered his goodson and Fintry, 
 By selling his King and his country, 
 And put a deep stain on the gentry 
 He'll never be guidit by me. 
 
 He's joined the rebellious club, too, 
 That endeavours our peace to disturb, too, 
 He's cheated poor Mr John Grub, too, 
 And he's guilty of simony. 
 
 He broke his promise before, too, 
 To Fintry, Auchterhouse, and Strathmore, too ; 
 God send him a heavy glengore, too 
 For that is the death he will die. " 
 
 Shortly after Patrick Lyon's death the lands of Auchterhouse 
 were acquired by John, Fourth Earl of Airlie. The 
 noble family of Airlie, so long connected with this parish, is 
 descended from Gilbert, the third son of the first Thane of 
 Angus, a gentleman of much distinction in the reign of William 
 the " Lion." He fought at the battle of the Standard in 1138. 
 Subsequently, he obtained charters from William of the lands of
 
 44 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Powrie, Ogilvy, and Lintrathen, and took the name of Ogilvy 
 from his barony in the parish of Glamis. From him was 
 descended Sir Walter Ogilvie, who married the heiress of 
 Auchterhouse, to whom we have already referred. Descended 
 from him was Sir James Ogilvy, who was so highly esteemed 
 by King James IV. that he was created a Peer, with the title of 
 Ogilvie of Airlie, and sat in Parliament in 1491. He held for 
 some time the post of Ambassador from Scotland to the Court 
 of Denmark. 
 
 The Seventli Lord Ogilvy, in return for his services to King 
 Charles I., and for his repeated acts of loyalty, was created Earl 
 of Airlie in 1639. During his flight into England, to escape the 
 signing of the Solemn League and Covenant, and the rancorous 
 hostility of Argyll, his Castle of Airlie, and that of Forthour, 
 in Glenisla, were destroyed by fire and completely dismantled 
 by the forces of the Covenant, acting under the command of 
 the Marquis. The incident has been very finely depicted 
 in one of the most expressive and graceful of the Scottish 
 ballads : 
 
 ' ' It fell on a day, a bonnie summer day, 
 
 When the leaves were green and yellow ; 
 That there fell out a great dispute 
 Between Argyll and Airly. 
 
 Argyll has ta'en a hunder o' his men, 
 
 A hunder men and mairly ; 
 And he's away by the back o' Dunkeld 
 
 To plunder the bonnie hoose o' Airly. 
 
 The lady looked o'er the hie Castle wa', 
 
 And, oh ! but she sighed sairly 
 When she saw Argyll and a' his men 
 
 Come to plunder the bonnie hoose o' Airly. 
 
 Clouds o' sinoke and flames sae blue 
 
 Soon left the walls but barely, 
 And she laid her doun on that hill to die, 
 
 When she saw the burnin' o' Airly."
 
 ANGUS PARISH, 45 
 
 Lord Ogilvie, the eldest son of the Earl of Airlie, became 
 intimately associated with Montrose when the latter abandoned 
 the cause of the Covenanters. So deeply had he offended the 
 Presbyterian leaders, that a reward of one thousand pounds was 
 offered for his capture. Subsequently, we find him accompanying 
 Montrose, who, at the head of a fine body of Scottish cavalry six 
 thousand strong, marched into England to reinforce the Royal 
 army, now hard pressed by Cromwell. The unfortunate defeat, 
 through the rashness of Prince Eupert at Marston Moor 
 which took place the day previous to the anticipated meeting 
 between the Scots and the Royal forces completely upset the 
 plans of Montrose. Greatly disappointed with the failure of 
 the expedition and the Royal reverse, he withdrew his cavalry 
 to Carlisle. Lord Ogilvie at this time appears to have been 
 recognised as a shrewd and able officer by his Chief. He was 
 ordered by Montrose to proceed from Carlisle into Scotland to 
 ascertain the movements of the Covenanters a hazardous 
 journey which he, however, successfully accomplished in dis- 
 guise, although the report with which he returned : that the 
 whole country was in the hands of Argyll, had by no means 
 an exhilarating effect upon his commander. He was next 
 despatched as a special envoy by Montrose to the South, to 
 represent the serious position of affairs personally to the King, 
 and to urge him to hasten supplies of men and arms to enable 
 him to open the Scottish campaign Avith some prospect of 
 success. On his way South, however, with a small detachment 
 of cavalry, Lord Ogilvie was attacked and defeated by one of 
 Cromwell's officers, and made prisoner. Placed under guard, 
 he was sent to Hull, thence to Edinburgh, where he was 
 thrown into prison, and remained there for about a year, until 
 released by the orders of Montrose after his victory at Kilsyth. 
 When Montrose crossed the Scottish border, and had succeeded 
 by his indomitable energy and great tact in raising in his favour 
 the loyal clans, the Earl of Airlie, although well-advanced in 
 years and by no means in the best of health, entered enthusi-
 
 46 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 astically into his service, and by him was esteemed as a warm 
 personal friend and a brave and accomplished soldier. Personal 
 quite as much as political influences led him to take the field 
 against his old enemy, Argyll. Proceeding northwards, they 
 defeated the Campbells at Inverlochy, in which engagement, 
 however, Airlie lost his son, Sir Thomas, who was mortally 
 wounded, to the great grief of Montrose. This promising 
 officer, to whom Montrose greatly owed his victory, was buried 
 with full military honours in Athole. Bishop Wishart refers to 
 him in the following eulogistic terms : " From the beginning 
 of the Scots war he had adhered closely to Montrose, by whom 
 he was in a particular manner beloved. Besides his reputation 
 in a military capacity, he was likewise well versed in the 
 sciences, and was in every respect an additional honour and 
 grace to the ancient family of the Ogilvies. As he was a main 
 instrument in obtaining the victory, his death was answerable 
 to the great character he had acquired, thus falling in the 
 defence of his King and country." In a letter written by 
 Montrose to King Charles I., dated February 1645, he mentions 
 that Sir Thomas had been severely and dangerously wounded. 
 " Your Majesty had never a truer servant, nor there never was 
 a truer, honester man." It was, however, at the battle of Kilsyth 
 that Lord Airlie particularly distinguished himself. When the 
 battle was apparently going in favour of the Covenanting 
 army through the imprudence and impetuosity of the High- 
 landers of the clans M'Gregor and M'Lean, who, under their 
 brave but impulsive chiefs, made a wild onslaught upon the 
 Presbyterian cavalry and infantry contrary to the orders of 
 Montrose, and unsupported by the other divisions of the army ; 
 Montrose at once perceived that his forces would soon be over- 
 whelmed by the numerical superiority of the Covenanters. 
 Hiding up to Airlie, who was at the head of his troopers, the 
 Ogilvies, and apparently somewhat indignant at being left out 
 of the fight, Montrose thus addressed him " You see, my Lord, 
 what a hose net those poor fellows have got themselves into by
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 47 
 
 their ill-advised daring. They must certainly be trampled in 
 the dirt by the enemy's horse if not speedily relieved. I venture 
 to apply to your Lordship for this purpose, because the eyes of 
 all the officers are fixed upon you as alone worthy of such a 
 piece of precedency, and because it seems proper that an error 
 which has been committed by the foolhardiness of youth should 
 be corrected by the veteran discretion and considerable valour of 
 so venerable a warrior as your Lordship. Forward ! in the 
 name of God, and show these mad lads that, clever as they think 
 themselves, they may still be beholden occasionally to older men 
 than themselves." Airlie, at the head of his horsemen, at once 
 charged, and with so much success that fortune turned in favour 
 of the Royalists, and Kilsyth was won. In this battle it was 
 alleged that 6,000 Covenanters fell. This was the most im- 
 portant of the victories obtained by Montrose, and made him for 
 the time supreme in Scotland. Lord Airlie and his son, Lord 
 .Ogilvie, were also present at the disastrous battle of Philliphaugh 
 -(13th September 1645), which practically closed the military 
 career of the great Marquis. Airlie only escaped with his Chief 
 and other officers by hard riding from the battlefield. His son, 
 Lord Ogilvie, who acted as aide-de-camp to Montrose, was taken 
 prisoner having lost his way in the retreat and afterwards 
 condemned to be beheaded at the Cross of St Andrews. The 
 night before his execution, however, he was very cleverly rescued 
 from the Castle of St Andrews. His sister, Helen Ogilvie, wife 
 of Sir John Carnegie, together with his mother and wife, 
 through the influence of Lindsay and Hamilton, succeeded in 
 obtaining what was believed to be the final interview with him. 
 When they entered his prison, Lord Ogilvie was in bed feigning 
 very serious illness. The guards from compassion having 
 temporarily withdrawn, Ogilvie disguised himself with his 
 sister's dress, and concealed his features with her long robe and 
 hood. When the guards returned, they found the pretended 
 invalid as they left him; but who was none other than his devoted 
 sister, who had put on his nightcap and taken her brother's
 
 48 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 place in bed. The final interview was thus concluded, and, 
 holding their handkerchiefs to their faces as if overwhelmed 
 with grief, the party was conducted under torchlight from the 
 gloom of the dungeon and without the castle walls. Horses 
 being in readiness not far off, all escaped safely. Ogilvie, 
 however, found it necessary to leave the country for France as 
 quickly as possible. Argyll was so enraged at his escape that 
 it required all the influence of the Hamiltons to protect the lives 
 of those who had shared in the artful and daring stratagem. 
 The members of the family implicated were ordained " to be sett 
 at libertie, each of them finding surety for their behavioxir and 
 couipirance for 1,000 lib. a pice." 
 
 Notwithstanding the granting of an amnesty by General 
 David Lesly to all who had taken up arms, Lord Ogilvie joined 
 in the rising under Mackenzie of Pluscarden. This was 
 denounced as an unnatural war, " as the tearing of the bowells of 
 their awen native country." In spite of all appeals and remon- 
 strances, he continued to defy the Covenanters. At a meeting 
 of the Scottish Parliament held in 1649, " a Committee tampered 
 a quhyle with the Lord Ogilvey, he being remitted by the 
 Generall Assembly to them, bot could prevaill nothing with him 
 to conforme himselve to the Acte of the Generall Assembly, so 
 that they gave him the 1 day of November nixt, ather to give 
 satisfactione, utherwayes they assured him that then and nrv 
 longer the Church wolde superseed the pronouncing sentence of 
 excommunication against him for his contumacy and dis- 
 obedience." In spite of all their anathemas he remained a 
 confirmed irreconcilable. Lord Airlie continued, like his son, 
 unswerving to the last in his allegiance to the Royalist policy, 
 and a staunch friend and companion-in-arms of the unfortunate 
 Marquis. In a letter written by the King to Montrose he 
 refers to Lord Airlie and others in those terms : " Whenever 
 God shall enable me they shall reap the fruits of their loyalty 
 and affection to my service." Ochterlony (1684-5) thus refers 
 to the distinction won by the Airlie family : " The family is
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 49 
 
 very ancient and honourable, and have been ever famous for 
 their loyaltie, especialle in the times of our civill warrs. The 
 late and present Earl of Airlie, with Sir Thomas, who died 
 in the Prince's service, and Sir David, now living, have, 
 with diverse others of their name, given such evident testi- 
 mounie of their loyaltie to their Prince that will make them 
 famouse to all succeeding generations ; which, doubtless, 
 you will get account of to be recorded to their everlasting 
 honour." 
 
 During the occupation of Scotland by Cromwell the Airlie 
 lands were forfeited ; but by order of the Commissioners of 
 Confiscated Estates, Lady Helen Ogilvie, widow of the late 
 Earl, was permitted to receive one-fifth of the rents of the 
 lands. 
 
 James, the Second Earl, who fled to France after his escape 
 from prison, appears to have returned during the Commonwealth, 
 with whose Head he had the prudence to remain at peace. At 
 the Eestoration he Avas made a Privy Councillor, and served as 
 an officer in the royal service. 
 
 In 1677, when King Charles II. found it necessary to raise 
 three independent troops of horsemen to assist in quelling the 
 disturbances in Scotland, he appointed Claverhouse to the 
 command of the first. The other commissions were conferred upon 
 Lord Airlie and Lord Home by Lauderdale. Lord Airlie took 
 part in the invasion of the western counties by the Highland 
 host, and had some share in the cruel suppression of the 
 Covenanters. When, by orders of 'King James, Claverhouse 
 marched with the Scottish cavalry to England, he was joined at 
 Cambridge by the soldier chief of the Ogilvies, who proved 
 himself, notwithstanding his age, as efficient an officer as ever. 
 He was subsequently placed in command of the Scottish body- 
 guard which escorted the King to the army at Salisbury. This 
 dashing cavalier was succeeded by his son David, who became 
 Earl of Airlie. This Earl had two sons, James and John. 
 James, Lord Ogilvy, having thrown himself into the ill-fated 
 E
 
 50 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Rebellion of 1715, and fought at Sheriff muir, was attainted of 
 high treason ; but his estate was saved by being in his father's 
 name, who was still alive. He was afterwards pardoned. As 
 James, Lord Ogilvy, died without issue, he was succeeded by 
 his brother John, the Fourth Earl of Airlie, who purchased the 
 Auchterhouso estates. His son David, Lord Ogilvie after- 
 wards Fifth Earl of Airlie was one of the most devoted of 
 the Jacobites, and joined the rebel army at Edinburgh under 
 " Bonnie Prince Charlie" in 1745, with 600 men, principally 
 drawn from his own clan and estates. That such a large body 
 of men should have been raised for the most part from the 
 Airlie estates may be accounted for from the fact, that the Earl 
 issued strict orders to all his tenants, ground officers, and 
 dependants upon the estates to take up arms. Very many of 
 them were thus forced to accompany Lord Ogilvie ; although 
 the Earl himself very cautiously, and fortunately, as events 
 transpired, took great care not to identify himself too openly 
 with the Rebellion. This fine body of men proved an important 
 accession to the Highland army. Ogilvie joined the Prince in 
 Edinburgh after the battle of Prestonpans in 1745, where the 
 Royalist forces were completely overpowered by the fierce 
 onslaught of the stalwart Highlanders. He joined in the 
 victorious march over the border, and afterwards fought at 
 Culloden in 1746, where the Jacobite army suffered irretrievable 
 defeat. Fleeing from the battlefield, he made his escape to 
 Dundee, thence to Norway, where he was made prisoner. He 
 escaped to Sweden, thence to France, and there became an 
 officer in the French service. The unswerving devotion and 
 self-sacrifice which this young but undaunted Jacobite soldier 
 displayed to have the " auld Stewarts back again," although 
 worthy of a nobler cause, nevertheless cannot fail to strike the 
 imagination and evoke the warmest sympathies. Many a day 
 the gallant Ogilvies, who survived Drummossie Muir, and the 
 savage reprisals Avhich followed, lamented the absence of their 
 chief an exile in foreign lands for whom they entertained the
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 51 
 
 fondest regard, and from whom to be separated was the most 
 bitter disappointment of their lives. 
 
 " Over the seas and far awa', 
 Over the seas and far awa', 
 0, weel may we maen for the day that's gane, 
 And the lad that's banished far awa'. 
 
 The following entry appears in the parochial baptismal records 
 of this period : "December 6, 1751, which day David Ogilvie, 
 lawful son to the Eight Hon. David, Lord Ogilvy, and Lady 
 Margaret Johnstone, his spouse, and grandson to the Right Hon. 
 John, Earl of Airlie, residing at Auchterhouse, was baptysed in 
 the presence of several persons of distinction." Having obtained 
 a free pardon, the Earl returned to Scotland in 1783, and died, 
 after a strangely romantic and chequered career, in 1803. His 
 sword and drinking cup his companions throughout many years 
 of struggle, hardship, and exile for the Stewart cause are still 
 preserved at Cortachy Castle. Inscribed upon the sword are 
 the interesting words " The man who feels no delight in 
 a gallant steed, a bright sword, and a fair lady has not in his 
 breast the heart to be a soldier." Upon the cup are inscribed 
 the family arms, and words very expressive of the owner's 
 vicissitudes of fortune " If fortune torments me, hope contents 
 me." The Countess of Airlie, a daughter of Sir James John- 
 stone of Westerhall, equalled her husband in her devotion to 
 the Jacobite cause ; for, accompanying the Highland army, she 
 witnessed the fight at Culloden. There she was taken prisoner 
 and removed to Edinburgh Castle. She, however, cleverly 
 managed to make her escape from the Castle to France, where 
 she died in exile in the year 1757, at the early age of thirty- 
 three. Walter Ogilvy of Airlie assumed the title of Lord Airlie 
 in 1812. The title, however, was for some time in abeyance, 
 and was not restored till the year 1826. Although portions of 
 the Auchterhouse estate have within recent years been sold, the 
 old mansion-house, with the adjoining lands, still remains in the 
 possession of the present Earl of Airlie.
 
 52 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 From the fact that the tower and manor-house were for so 
 many years occupied by the Earls of Buchan, a large saugh 
 tree within the grounds is understood to mark the spot where, 
 it is alleged, the fight so renowned in Scottish ballad took place 
 between Sir John de Graeme and Sir James the Ross or Rose 
 for the hand of the fair Matilda, the daughter of one of the Earls 
 of Buchan. The old ballad of Sir James the Rose was at one 
 time a very familiar one throughout Scotland. From the original 
 ballad have sprung other two,, viz., " Sir James the Ross," and 
 " Sir James of Perth." The following, however, is the ballad 
 which we have frequently heard quoted throughout the parish. 
 It is an interesting and spirited production, understood to be 
 from the pen of Michael Bruce, although founded upon the 
 earlier versions : 
 
 SIR JAMES- THE ROSE. 
 
 Of all the Scottish Northern chiefs, 
 
 Of high and warlike name, 
 The bravest was Sir James the Rose, 
 
 A knight of meikle fame. 
 
 His growth was like the youthful oak 
 
 That crowns the mountain's brow, 
 And waving o'er his shoulders broad 
 
 His locks of yellow flew. 
 
 Wide were his fields, his herds were large, 
 
 And large his flocks of sheep, 
 And numerous were his goats and deer, 
 
 Upon the mountains steep. 
 
 The chieftain of the good clan Rose, 
 
 A firm and warlike band, 
 Five hundred warriors drew the sword, 
 
 Beneath his high command. 
 
 In bloody fight thrice had he stood 
 
 Against the English keen, 
 Ere two-and-twenty opening springs 
 
 The blooming youth had seen.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 53 
 
 The fair Matilda dear he loved 
 
 A maid of beauty rare ; 
 Ev'n Margaret on the Scottish throiie 
 
 Was never half so fair. 
 
 Long had he woo'd, long she refused, 
 
 With seeming scorn and pride ; 
 Yet oft her eyes confessed tlie love 
 
 Her fearful words denied. 
 
 At length she blessed his well-tried love, 
 
 Allowed his tender claim j 
 She vowed to him her tender heart, 
 
 And owned an equal flame. 
 
 Her father, Buchan's cruel lord, 
 
 Their passion disapproved ; 
 He bade her wed Sir John the Graeme, 
 
 And leave the youth she loved. 
 
 One night they met as they were wont, 
 
 Deep in a shady wood, 
 \Vhere on the bank beside the burn 
 
 A blooming saugh tree stood. 
 
 Concealed among the underwood 
 
 The crafty Donald lay 
 The brother of Sir John the Graeme 
 
 To watch what they might say.- 
 
 When thus the maid began, My Sire 
 
 Our passion disapproves, 
 He bids me wed Sir John the Graeme, 
 
 So here must end our loves. 
 
 My father's will must be obeyed, 
 
 Nought boots me to withstand ; 
 Some fairer maid in beauty's bloom 
 
 Shall bless you with her hand. 
 
 Soon will Matilda be forgot, 
 
 And from thy mind effaced ; 
 Hut may that happiness be thine, 
 
 Which I can never taste.
 
 54 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 What do I hear ! is this thy vow ? 
 
 Sir James the Rose replied ; 
 And will Matilda wed the Graeme, 
 
 Though sworn to be my bride ? 
 
 His sword shall sooner pierce my heart 
 Than 'reave me of thy charms 
 
 And clasped her to his throbbing breast, 
 Fast locked within his arms. 
 
 I spoke to try thy love, she said, 
 I'll ne'er wed man but thee ; 
 
 The grave shall be my bridal bed 
 If Grseme my husband be. 
 
 Then take, dear youth, this faithful kiss 
 
 In witness of my troth, 
 And every plague become my lot, 
 
 That day I break my oath : 
 
 They parted thus the sun was set 
 
 Up hasty Donald flies, 
 And turn thee, turn thee, beardless youth , 
 
 He loud insulting cries. 
 
 Soon turned about the fearless chief, 
 And soon his sword he drew ; 
 
 For Donald's blade before his breast 
 Had pierced his tartans through. 
 
 This for my brother's slighted love, 
 His wrongs sit on my arm 
 
 Three paces back the youth retired, 
 To save himself from harm. 
 
 Returning swift his sword he reared, 
 Fierce Donald's head above ; 
 
 And through the brain and crashing bone 
 His furious weapon drove. 
 
 Life issued at the wound he fell 
 
 A lump of lifeless clay ; 
 So fall my foes, quoth valiant Rose, 
 
 And stately strode away.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 55 
 
 Thro' the green wood in haste he passed, 
 
 Unto Lord Buchan's hall, 
 Beneath Matilda's window stood, 
 
 And thus on her did call : 
 
 Art thou asleep, Matilda dear? 
 
 Awake, my love, awake ; 
 Behold thy lover waits without 
 
 A long farewell to take. 
 
 For I have slain fierce Donald Graem-i, 
 
 His blood is on my sword ; 
 And far, far distant are my men, 
 
 Nor can defend their lord. 
 
 To Skye I will direct my flight 
 
 Where my brave brothers bide, 
 To raise the mighty of the Isles, 
 
 To combat on my side. 
 
 do not so, the maid replied, 
 With me till morning stay ; 
 
 For dark and dreary is the night, 
 And dangerous is the way. 
 
 All night I'll watch thee in the park, 
 
 My faithful page I'll send 
 In haste to raise the brave clan Rose 
 
 Their master to defend. 
 
 He laid him down beneath a bush 
 
 And wrapped him in his plaid ; 
 While trembling for her lover's fate 
 
 At distance stood the maid. 
 
 Swift ran the page o'er hill and dell, 
 
 Till in a lowly glen 
 He met the furious Sir John Graeme, 
 
 With twenty of his men. 
 
 Where goest thou, little page, he said, 
 So late ? who did thee send ? 
 
 1 go to raise the brave clan Rose, 
 Their master to defend.
 
 50 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 For he has slain fierce Donald Gneme, 
 
 His blood is on his sword, 
 And far, far distant are his men, 
 
 Nor can assist their lord. 
 
 And has he slain my brother dear ? 
 
 The furious chief replies ; 
 Dishonour blast my name but he 
 
 By me ere morning dies. 
 
 Say, page, where is Sir James the Rose ? 
 
 I will thee well reward- 
 He sleeps into Lord Buchan'a park, 
 
 Matilda is his guard. 
 
 They spurred their steeds and furious flew 
 Like lightning o'er the lea ; 
 
 They reached Lord Buchan's lofty tower 
 By dawning of the day. 
 
 Matilda stood without the gate 
 
 Upon a rising ground, 
 And watched each object in the dawn, 
 
 All ear to every sound. 
 
 Where sleeps the Rose ? began the Graeme. 
 
 Or has the felon fled ? 
 This hand shall lay the wretch on earth, 
 
 By whom my brother bled. 
 
 Last day at noon, Matilda said, 
 Sir James the Rose passed by, 
 
 Well mounted on his noble steed, 
 And onward fast did hie. 
 
 By this time he's in Edinburgh Town, 
 If horse and man hold good ; 
 
 Your page then lied, who said he was 
 Now sleeping in the wood. 
 
 She wrung her hands and tore her hair ; 
 
 Brave Rose, thou art betrayed, 
 And ruined by the very means 
 
 From whence I hoped thine aid.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 57 
 
 And now the valiant knight awoke, 
 
 The virgin shrieking heard ; 
 Straight up he rose and drew his sword 
 
 When the fierce band appeared. 
 
 Your sword last night my brother slew, 
 
 His blood yet dims its shine ; 
 And ere the sun shall gild the morn, 
 
 Your blood shall reek on mine. 
 
 Your words are brave, the chief returned, 
 
 But deeds approve the man, 
 Set by your men, and hand-to-hand 
 
 We'll try what valour can. 
 
 With dauntless step he forward strode, 
 
 And dared him to the fight ; 
 The Graeme gave back, he feared his arm, 
 
 For well he knew his might. 
 
 Four of his men, the bravest four, 
 
 Sunk down beneath his sword ; 
 But still he scorned the poor revenge, 
 
 And sought their haughty lord. 
 
 Behind him basely came the Graeme, 
 
 And pierced him in the side ; 
 Out sprouting came the purple stream, 
 
 And all his tartans dyed. 
 
 But yet his hand dropped not the sword, 
 
 Nor sunk he to the ground, 
 Till through his enemy's heart the steel 
 
 Had forced a mortal wound. 
 
 Graeme, like a tree by wind o'erthrown, 
 
 Fell breathless on the clay ; 
 And down beside him sunk the Rose, 
 
 And faint and dying lay. 
 
 Matilda saw and fast she ran, 
 
 O spare his life, she ci-ied ; 
 Lord Buchan's daughter begs his life, 
 
 Let her not be denied.
 
 58 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Her well-known voice the hero heard, 
 
 And raised his death-closed eyes ; 
 He fixed them on the weeping maid, 
 
 And weakly thus replies : . 
 
 In vain Matilda begs a life 
 
 By death's arrest denied ; 
 My race is run adieu, my love ; 
 
 Then closed his eyes and died. 
 
 The sword yet warm from his left side 
 
 With frantic hand she drew ; 
 I come, Sir James the Rose, she cried, 
 
 I come to follow you. 
 
 The hilt she leant against the ground, 
 
 And bared her snowy breast, 
 Then fell upon her lover's face, 
 
 And sunk to endless rest. 
 
 There is considerable historical interest also attached to the 
 lands of Dronlaw, which lie within the parish. These lands at 
 a very remote period formed a portion of the extensive estates 
 of the Earls of Mar, whose descendants subsequently held 
 the Barony of Auchterhouse. About the year 1251, the Earl 
 of Mar bestowed the lands of Dronlaw upon a representative 
 of a well-known Scottish family, the Hays of Errol, a grant 
 which was afterwards confirmed by Donald, Earl of Mar, between 
 1272 and 1294. In a charter, dated at Lindores, 1st August 
 1294, King John Baliol granted certain lands, in which Dronlaw 
 was included, to Nicolas de Hay of Errol. In 1296, Sir John 
 de la Hay of Angus, the proprietor of Dronlaw, was one of the 
 Barons Avho swore fealty to King Edward I. Sir Gilbert de 
 Hay, the oldest son of Nicolas, was one of the knights who 
 took the side of Bruce when he ascended the throne in March 
 1306, and remained his adherent throughout his early adven- 
 turous career. By the chronicles of the period he is designated 
 the loyal Hay. The family war-cry" The Hay ! The Hay !"
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 59 
 
 was one which frequently resounded over the battlefields of 
 the early Scottish wars. 
 
 " The King had iu hys cumpauy 
 James alsua of Douglas, 
 That \vycht, wyse and worthy was ; 
 Schyr Gilbert de la Hay alsua.'' 
 
 When the King and his followers were on one occasion 
 attacked by the men of Lorn, it is related that 
 
 " James off Douglas was hurt that tyd, 
 And als Sir Gilbert de la Hay." 
 
 And again 
 
 " The King now takys hys gate to ga, 
 And with hym tuk he sergeands twa, 
 And Schyr Gilbert de la Hay left he 
 Thar for to rest with hys menye." 
 
 In return for his services he was created Constable of 
 Scotland. He was one of the Scottish barons who signed the 
 letter to the Pope asserting the independence of Scotland, 6th 
 April 1320. He died in 1330, and was buried within the Abbey 
 of Coupar. On the 6th May 1324, Sir Gilbert Hay made a 
 grant in pure and perpetual alms to Almighty God and to the 
 blessed Dominic, for the maintenance of one burning lamp and 
 another burning lamp before the great cross in the Church of 
 the Dominican Friars, Perth, to be paid half at the Feast of 
 Pentecost, and the other half at the Feast of St Martin in the 
 winter. Sir Gilbert was also a munificent bestower of grants to 
 the Abbey of Coupar. Down to the middle of the 1 6th century 
 the lands of Dronlaw remained in the Hay family. 29th Oct. 
 1546, John Scrymgeour, the heir of James Scrymgeour, 
 Constable of Dundee, was retoured in the lands of Dronlaw and 
 Adamstone. On 17th April 1638, William Hay, heir of Sir 
 Alexander Hay, was retoured in Dronlaw, &c. On 30th August 
 1638, they passed to the Earl of Errol. 28th September 1652, 
 George Hay was retoured in Dronlaw and other lands. In 1646
 
 60 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Mr Robert Hay of Dronlaw acted as an elder in Auchterhouse 
 Church. He is mentioned among the list of nobility and gentry 
 present at the re-interment of the great Marquis in 1661. Hio 
 relative, Sir William Hay of Delgity, was a companion-in-arms 
 of Montrose throughout his campaigns in Scotland. He accom- 
 panied him also during his flight, was made prisoner, and suffered 
 death immediately after the execution of his chief. On the day 
 of the re-interment of Montrose, his remains Avere laid beside 
 those of his leader, amid all the honours which could be paid to 
 a well-known cavalier and soldier of fortune. 
 
 The following inscription appears upon one of the present 
 Communion Cups : " This Communion Cup, for the Kirk of 
 Aughterhous, gifted be Mr Hay of Drolaw, and reneved Anno 
 1717." The original date of the cup is not given ; probably it 
 was gifted in the middle of the 17th century. The lands of 
 Dronlaw were successively held by Lord Deskfruid (1652), 
 Patrick Ogilvy (1671), Colin Campbell of Lundie (1670); then 
 we find in 1695 that the Earl of Strathmore is retoured in lands 
 of Dronlaw, Templeton, with the alehouse, manor, and teinds of 
 the Church of Auchterhouse. They were afterwards acquired, 
 along with the lands of Adamstone, by the family of Duncan, 
 who owned the Templelands, in which family they still remain. 
 The Templelands within the parish were so named because they 
 originally formed a portion of the vast estates scattered over the 
 country which belonged to the famoxis semi-religious order of 
 Knight-Templars an order instituted in the 12th century for 
 the defence of the Holy Sepulchre. Its wealth and landed 
 possessions brought about its moral collapse, and ultimately the 
 order was suppressed by Pope Clement V. These lands appear 
 to have gradually passed into the hands of private individuals. 
 In the 16th century, they were in the possession of William 
 Duncan, whose descendants, represented by the Earl of Camper- 
 down, are still in possession. The lands of Scotston within the 
 parish formed at one time a portion of the valuable estates of the 
 Earls of Angus.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 61 
 
 iart II. 
 THE CHURCH. 
 
 There were no regular parochial priests in Scotland till tho 
 12th century. In early times it was customary for wealthy 
 barons to erect chapels upon their estates for the spiritual benefit 
 of themselves and their retainers, and the land was then tithed 
 for the maintenance of the priest. In these early times repre- 
 sentatives of the various orders of monks from the monastic 
 centres of Perth, Dundee, and other ecclesiastical establishments 
 constantly traversed the country in all directions, and were, as 
 a rule, liberally treated for their spiritual services. Scotland 
 had now become a portion of the all-powerful and widespread 
 territory of the Church of Eome. The clergy of that church 
 soon acquired commanding influence, for they were the only 
 educated men, the only legislators, and the only notaries, and 
 even the proud barons acknowledged their authority. After 
 this came a remarkable period in Scottish ecclesiastical history. 
 Now originated its splendid hierarchy, and were erected its 
 grand abbeys, churches, and chapels, which at the present day 
 are still beautiful in their ruins. It was truly said of this time, 
 that the sound of the gospel could scarcely be heard for the 
 sound of the mallet. The energy displayed, even in the most 
 remote districts, was unbounded in its enthusiasm. Auchter- 
 house, about this time, was created a vicarage in the Diocese of 
 Dunkeld. When Galfridus was Bishop of Dunktld in 1238, 
 the Church of Utherhouse is mentioned as one of those under 
 his jurisdiction. In the year 1275, Benimundus de Vicci,
 
 62 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 better known as Bagimont, came to Scotland to collect on behalf 
 of the Pope one-tenth of all ecclesiastical benefices for the 
 recovery of the Holy Land. According to Bagimont's roll, made 
 up at Perth in 1275, the vicarage was valued at 8 Scots, so 
 that six centuries ago the parish possessed a Christian church 
 and priest. In those days the old barons feared nothing on 
 earth but the Church, and not one of them would have been 
 bold enough to venture forth into the wars without its benedic- 
 tion. Besides, the stern uncompromising theology of Rome and 
 the universal belief in the burning abyss where the departed 
 had to expiate the sins which they had not expiated on earth, 
 filled the minds of all in those dark, superstitious, and semi- 
 barbarous times with indescribable terror. The wealthy feudal 
 lords believed that whatever was spent upon a church would 
 tend to secure the repose of the souls of their departed relatives ; 
 consequently, the wealth of the land simply poured into the 
 capacious coffers of Rome. 
 
 Notwithstanding the unfortunate obscurity in which the 
 parochial life of Scotland is involved during this period, still, 
 from an examination of the Canons of the Church drawn up by 
 the Provincial Councils held at Perth in 1242 and 1296, some 
 interesting information maybe obtained. The Council of 1242 
 published certain canons under the authority of a bull of Pope 
 Honorius III., which were ratified by the King and the Estates. 
 These canons remained practically the law of the Romish 
 Church in Scotland until its overthrow. The parish rectors and 
 vicars were enjoined to wear the tonsure, to habilitate themselves 
 in garments suitable to their position, and avoid such as were 
 made of tartan and striped cloth ; to lead pure, respectable, and 
 honest lives ; to adhere strictly to the celibate state (which, 
 however, very few of the parochial clergy did) ; to abstain from 
 all drunkenness and debauchery ; to avoid inns, except of 
 necessity and when on journeys. They were further enjoined 
 not to interfere too much in secular matters ; not to engage in 
 worldly business, particularly if dishonest; to be diligent in
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 63 
 
 their duties, offices, and studies ; to celebrate studiously and 
 devoutly, by day and night alike, their divine calling as God 
 should enable them ; to instruct the people diligently in the 
 Articles of the Catholic Faith, and warn them to expound the 
 same faith to their children ; to maintain in good order the 
 sacred establishment, and the vessels, vestments, books, and 
 other articles connected with divine service ; to be careful of all 
 church property ; to prevent all squandering of it, all thoughtless 
 giving of it away, and all unnecessary impoverishment of the 
 parochial living. 
 
 [Before the foundation of St Andrews in 1411, Scottish 
 aspirants for the priesthood were educated at Paris and Oxford. 
 The first Professorships at St Andrews were those of school 
 divinity, philosophy, and logic. It was the only centre of 
 intellectual activity in Scotland, and was the favourite training 
 school for Scottish youth.] 
 
 Churches were to be built of stone, and thereafter consecrated. 
 They were also to be provided with befitting ornamentation, and 
 all requisite ecclesiastical furniture, such as fonts, service books, 
 &c. No church or oratory was on any account to be constructed 
 without the sanction of the Bishop. The rector or vicar was to 
 be provided with a manse (mansio) suitable for the reception 
 of a Bishop or Archbishop, for the maintenance of which he was 
 to be held responsible. The stipend (sustentatio) was not to 
 be less than ten merks sterling, and free from all burdens. The 
 vicar was entitled to the tithes of corn, hay, wool, flax, milk, 
 cheese, chickens, *eggs, fish, garden fruits, &c. Any attempt 
 to defraud the vicar, or any refusal to give up the tithes 
 at the proper time and in good condition, was to be 
 followed by excommunication. The stigma of " Son of 
 Perdition" was attached to anyone who attempted to be dishonest 
 and disloyal to any churchman. It may be mentioned, also, 
 that before 1232 a provincial council was held by a canon of 
 which every parish priest was secured in the privilege of 
 pasturing his cattle over the parish. From many regulations
 
 64 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 enjoined by these early canons, we may mention the following 
 All parishioners after they have come to the years of discretion 
 must confess their sins once a year to their own priest, or to 
 another with his authority. They were required to be most 
 faithful in receiving the sacraments, otherwise they might be 
 driven from the church, and when dead be deprived of Christian 
 burial. Everything connected with the administration and 
 receiving of the sacraments must be done with all solemnity 
 and order. No priest was allowed to join any persons in 
 matrimony unless by proclamation of banns three times publicly 
 in church according to the form of the General Council. No 
 one dared, under the penalty of excommunication, to keep back 
 any information which might prevent marriage, and no one 
 was allowed to prevent a marriage maliciously. Clandestine 
 marriages Avere strictly forbidden. Any priest being a party 
 to such a marriage was liable to severe punishment. As the 
 virtue and efficacy of the sacrament of baptism were held of the 
 highest religious significance, it was ordained that it be celebrated 
 with all honour, reverence, and care. A baptistry was to be 
 provided for every church. The fonts were to be of stone or 
 wood, and of sufficient size (competens). They were to be pro- 
 tected with covers (Fontes sub sera clausa custodiantur). Any 
 breach of this order brought down upon the offender three 
 months' suspension from office. The water in which a child 
 shall have been baptised ought not be kept in the baptistry 
 beyond seven days. After baptism the parents were very 
 sensibly cautioned against allowing their children to go near 
 fires and water. Churches were enjoined to be kept carefully 
 both internally and externally. No filthy animals were allowed 
 to run about at large in churchyards. Any unseemly behaviour 
 in churches or churchyards, such as playing and dancing, was 
 to be .-suppressed. Whoever was warned thrice by the parish 
 priest and did not desist might be proceeded against. If this 
 form of insolence continued, then excommunication was enjoined. 
 Those fleeing to the churches for refuge should be defended,
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 65 
 
 except all such as were notorious highway robbers and violators 
 of churches. When the priest is called to any sick person, and 
 if after he has heard confession the person desire to make a will, 
 the priest may advise him or induce him to remember the fabric 
 of the cathedral, church, &c. 
 
 The canons conclude as follows : " We excommunicate, 
 condemn, anathematise, and we exclude from the Church of the 
 holy mother of God, all conspirators against Prelates, Bishops, 
 and Churchmen all abettors of such conspiracies all such as 
 are heretical, schismatic, and infamous. We excommunicate all 
 those who disturb the peace of the King and kingdom, all who 
 for the sake of gain bring charges against others, by which their 
 reputation is injured, and by whose evil actions death, exile, 
 mutilation, and spoliations befall anyone. We excommunicate 
 all defrauders of the tithes . . . highway robbers, plunderers 
 of ecclesiastics, &c. All such we proclaim accursed internally 
 and externally, from the sole of the foot to the crown of the 
 head. . . . May their days be few, and may others receive 
 their possessions. . . . May their children be orphans. 
 May their souls be plunged in hell, unless they repent and seek 
 satisfaction and amendment. Fiat Fiat Amen." 
 
 Among the charters granted by King Kobert III. between 
 1390 and 1406 is one to Sir Alexander Ogilvie, Sheriff of Angus, 
 of ten merks sterling, of the farm of the town of Nevay, in the 
 barony of Eassie, to the foundation of ane chaplanrie in the kirk 
 of Uchterhous. Subsequently, Sir Alexander made a grant of 
 ten merks yearly of the lands of the Kirkton of Keillor and 
 Eassie, and ten merks sterling out of Calcary, in Farnell. 
 Gradually the endowments increased. There is a charter by 
 King James I. confirming a charter by Sir Walter Ogilvie of 
 Lintrathen, whereby he founds a chaplanrie within the Parish 
 Church of St Mary, Auchterhouse, for two chaplains to perform 
 service for the good estate of the King and Joanna Queen ; and 
 for the souls of the forefathers and successors of the King ; and 
 for the soul of the late Sir Walter Ogilvy, father of the granter, 
 F
 
 66 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 and his mother ; and for the soul of Isabel, his late spouse ; and 
 the souls of- his brothers, forefathers, and successors ; and the 
 souls of those whom the said Sir Walter had offended, and to 
 whom he had not made amends ; as also for those who fell in the 
 battle of Harlaw. He endows said chaplanrie with an annual 
 payment of twenty merits. This charter is dated at Edinburgh, 
 28th January 1426. February 3, 1426, King James I. confirmed 
 grant by Sir Walter de Ogilvie of Lintrathen of rents from 
 Eassie, Keillor, and Calcary, to support two chaplains in the kirk 
 of Auchterhouse. The chapel was dedicated to the Virgin, and 
 called St Mary's. A skew-put stone, 
 with the inscription " Ave Maria," 
 and the fleur-de-lis underneath, may 
 still be seen built into the east gable 
 of the present church. 
 In the year 1426 the church or chapel gave place to a hand- 
 some edifice. This building was an extensive Gothic structure, 
 and architecturally of some pretension. Gothic architecture 
 was now in great perfection, richness, and variety. Sir Walter 
 Ogilvie erected the chapel subsequently into a Provostry or 
 College of Priests, Prebendaries, and Choristers. At this time 
 very few monasteries were erected. Wealth and luxury had, to 
 a large extent, rendered the monks of the period indolent and 
 indifferent, and it was openly alleged that they even neglected 
 to celebrate masses for the founders of their own establishments. 
 A new religious foundation, therefore, became more fashionable 
 amongst the nobles, viz., the Provostry or Collegiate Church, in 
 which the secular canons or prebends formed a body occupied in 
 the services of the church, and in celebrating masses for the 
 founders. 
 
 What preaching there was wandered too frequently into the 
 realm of the legendary and fabulous, and for many years this 
 degradation of ministerial functions prevailed, until, as years 
 rolled on, times utterly degenerate set in. Priests and people 
 grew coarse in sentiment, in language, and in life, and going to
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 67 
 
 chapel became little short of a mockery. Matters grew gradually 
 worse. The clergy became shamefully dissolute and avaricious, 
 and the people were simply robbed to maintain them. 
 
 The only prelate of any distinction in the 15th century was 
 Bishop Kennedy. Lindsay says " He caused all parsons and 
 vicars to remain at their parish churches for the instruction and 
 edifying of their flocks, and caused them to preach the Word of 
 God unto the people, and to visit them when they were sick ; 
 and also the said Bishop visited every church within his diocese 
 four times in the year, and preached to the parishioners the 
 Word of God truly, and enquired of them if they were duly 
 instructed in the Word of God by their parson and vicar, and if 
 their sacraments were duly administered, and if the poor were 
 sustained, and the youth educated and taught conformably to 
 the order that was taken in the Church of God. And where he 
 found that order was not followed he made great punishment, to 
 the effect that God's glory might shine through all the country 
 within his diocese, giving good example to all future Arch- 
 bishops and churchmen in general, to cause the patrimony of the 
 Church of God to be used for the glory of God and the common 
 benefit of the poor." The conduct of this venerable Bishop was 
 most exceptional, as it was said of the Bishops in general that 
 being shorn themselves they preached the shearing of their 
 flocks with great assiduity and success. 
 
 The churches and religious houses in many places also appear 
 to have lapsed into a state of wreck and decay. Prior to the 
 Reformation the Privy Council issued a proclamation setting 
 forth that they had understood that the ; 'paroch kirks of this 
 rc-alm, partly by sloth and negligence of the parishioners, daily 
 decay and become ruinous, and part of them are already fallen 
 down, the parishioners noways causing the same to be mended ; 
 nor yet the parson doing what appertains to him for upholding 
 thereof ; also it is noticed that there hes bene diverse paroche 
 kirkes within this realme demolished, casten down, and destroyed 
 for the niaist part, and that certaine particular persones has
 
 68 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 applyd the stanes, tymber, and uther greith perteining thereto 
 to their a win particular use and profite. Although orders were 
 issued to have them repaired and upbigged, to be mended in 
 thack, and other necessaries, the complaint was general that 
 the Act was not tane in na place because of the sleuth and 
 unwillingness of the parishioners, qxihilks were slaw and refused 
 to chuse persones to tax their nichboures." 
 
 From the canons of 1549 we learn that in many populous 
 parishes very many of the people had abandoned attendance 
 upon Divine ordinances. Mass was seldom attended on Sundays, 
 and festivals were much neglected. Those who did attend any 
 of the services too often treated them with scoffing and contempt, 
 whilst others turned the once highly-venerated place of worship 
 into an ordinary rendezvous, and the church porch into a con- 
 venient place for the disposal of merchandise. The church 
 entirely got out of touch with the popular feeling. There was 
 widespread indignation and dissatisfaction with the unmistak- 
 able corruption. The clergy grew more and more corrupt, and 
 stubbornly blind to their real position. The utter collapse of 
 the whole system became simply a question of time. In the 
 midst of the unconcealed discontent, the news of that remarkable 
 movement over the North Sea had spread abroad, and copies of 
 Tyndalc's New Testament, with the stirring pamphlets and 
 sermons of the Reformers, were arriving at Dundee. The town 
 soon openly renounced the doctrines of Rome, and won the 
 reputation of being the first place of importance in Scotland to 
 possess a church founded on the principles of the Reformed faith. 
 Such men as "Wishart and the Wedderburns successively threw 
 themselves zealously into the high enterprise of kindling the 
 popular mind against the iniquities of the Church of Rome. 
 Rousing preachers of the Reformed principles penetrated into the 
 country districts, amongst whom none did better service than 
 the eccentric but talented Paul Methven. A great change soon 
 took place. The church, long a snare and delusion, was now a 
 reproach. Priests and monks, friars and nuns, became the sport
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 69 
 
 of the satirists, and the foibles of their lives were most 
 mercilessly exposed. At length the order went forth : " Cut 
 down the trees, and there will be no fear of the crows building." 
 The monasteries and churches were at once attacked and 
 levelled with the ground the ecclesiastical vestments, the 
 chalices, the idols, and altars were consigned to the flames, and 
 scarcely a vestige of the ancient superstition and idolatry was left. 
 
 " An' fearfu' the strarnash and stour, 
 Whan pinnacle cam' down and tow'r ; 
 And Virgin Maries in a shower 
 Fell flat and smash't their faces." 
 
 In 1567, such was the complete sweep made throughout 
 Scotland, that all laws in favour of the Romish Church were 
 repealed, the Protestant Confession of Faith was ratified and 
 engrossed in the records, the saying of mass was declared to be 
 a crime, the penalty being punishment and confiscation of goods 
 for the first offence, banishment for the second, and death for 
 the third. 
 
 In an age of unlimited superstition and credulity, there was 
 ample opportunity for the creation of the mythical, weird, and 
 romantic. The following account of an alleged case of cannibalism 
 which occurred in this neighbourhood is illustrative of the age of 
 monkish romances. The story is told by Pitscottie, although 
 we can find no reference made to the circumstances by any other 
 writer : " There was ane briggant ta'en with his hale familie, 
 quho hauntit ane place in Angus. This mischievous man had 
 an execrable faschion to tak' all young men or children aither 
 lie could steal away quietlie or tak' away without knowledge 
 and ate them, and the younger they war esteemed them the 
 more tender and delicious. For the whilk cause and dampnable 
 abuse he with his wayff and bairns were all burnt, except ane 
 young wench of ane year old, wha was saiffed and brought to 
 Dundie, quhair she was broucht and fostered, and quhan shoe 
 cam to ane voman's yeires she was condemned and burnt quick 
 for that cryme. It was said that when shoe was coming to the
 
 70 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 place of execution thair gaithered ane hudge multitud of people, 
 and speciallie of vonien, cursing her that shoe was so unhappy 
 to committ sa damnable deides. To whom she turned about 
 with an ireful cointenance, saying ' Quhairfira chyd yea me so 
 as if I had committed an unworthy act ? Give me credence 
 and trow me ; if yea had experience of eating men and vomen's 
 flesh yae wad think it so delitious, that yea vould nevir forbear 
 it agane.' So, bot any signe of repentance, this unhappie 
 traitour died in the sight of the people." The scene of this 
 "Brigant's" cannibal operations was amongst the Sidlaws, and the 
 Glack of Newtyle was alleged to have been his chief rendezvous. 
 It is a strange story, but too strange to be true. From the 
 minuteness with which Pitscottie relates the story he seems tQ 
 have accepted it as authentic throughout. 
 
 The first minister of the Reformed Church of Scotland in 
 this parish was the Rev. Alexander Tyrie, who was ordained in 
 the memorable year 1567. He was translated to Meigle in 
 1572, but was re-appointed to this parish prior to 1582, with 
 Tealing, Mains, and Strathmartine also under his charge. It is 
 somewhat surprising to find one minister taking charge of four 
 parishes ; but the truth is, such a ministry was begun and 
 spent in stormy times, Indeed, we can scarcely call it a ministry 
 at all. War civil war furious and bloody, filled the land. 
 The churches, ransacked and broken down, were well-nigh ruins 
 
 " The rooms appointit people to consider 
 To hear God's Word where they should meet together, 
 
 . Are now convertit in sheep cots and faitlds, 
 Or else are fallen because nane them uphaulds ; 
 The Parish Kirk I ween they sae misguide, 
 That nane for wind and rain therein may bide ; 
 Therefore, nae pleasure tak' they of the temple. 
 Nor yet to come where nocht is to contemple. 
 But craws and dows cryaml and makand bare, 
 That none thoroughly the minister may hear : 
 But feathers, filth, and dung does lie abroad 
 Where folk should sit to hear the Word of God."
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 71 
 
 This is a melancholy, still only true, description of the 
 condition of the churches. According to the opinion of the 
 General Assembly, the moral condition of the country in post- 
 Rcformation times was awful, ugly heaps of all kinds of sin were 
 lying in every corner of it, no part of it but what was over- 
 whelmed with a spate. The old records of the period entirely 
 bear out this statement. There was a clamant want of organiza- 
 tion. Nothing but chaos reigned. The Parliament which had 
 established the Reformation in 1560 had never received the 
 Royal sanction. It was not till 1581 that Presbyterian ism as an 
 ecclesiastical polity knew anything of systematised government. 
 Then the Book of Constitutions was drawn up by the Reformed 
 leaders, which, however, was not finally confirmed and established 
 till 1592. The clergy appear to have had an exceptionally 
 hard struggle. Most of them lived a beggar's life, for there 
 was no provision made for stipends, owing to the avarice and 
 selfishness of mean and unpatriotic nobles and lairds. JSTot 
 many years after the Reformation the public-houses and ale- 
 houses Avere kept by the parish ministers, in order that they 
 might eke out their miserable incomes. The matter was brought 
 before the General Assembly in 1576, and it was laid down as 
 a rule that " ane minister or reader that taps ale or beer or 
 wine, and keeps an open tavern, should be exhorted to keep 
 decorum," i.e. an orderly house. When matters began to 
 show some signs of improvement, certain regulations came into 
 operation throughout the parishes of Scotland. It was enacted 
 in Parliament that each hotiseholder with 300 merks of yearly 
 rent, and all substantial yeomen, should have a bible and a 
 psalm-book, under a penalty of 10. It was decreed that 
 each parish in the kingdom should advance 5 as a contribution 
 4 13s. 4d. of this to go for payment of a copy to be " weel 
 and sufficiently bund in paste and timmer," and the remaining 
 6s. 8d. was to go for the expense of collecting the money. 
 Anyone who dared to utter a word against the authority of the 
 Holy Scriptures ran the risk of having his ears cropped and
 
 72 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 banished the parish. In 1580 there was an official appointed, 
 whose duty it was to search every house in the realm and to 
 require the sight of their bible and psalm-book, and to see that 
 it was marked with their " ain name." Every house in the 
 pari.-h had to be visited and every man had to produce his 
 books, and upon every preaching day the parishioners had to 
 shoulder their stools, called " creepies," and diligently attend 
 divine service ; otherwise they would have been branded as 
 papists or heretics, and been severely punished. The intro- 
 duction of the bible into Scottish homes wrought wonders. 
 With much that was extravagant, gloomy, fanatical, and 
 superstitious, there was mingled much reverence and sincere 
 piety. 
 
 One of the most objectionable features of post-Reformation 
 times was the alarming extent to which professional begging 
 prevailed. Doubtless this was occasioned by the multitudinous 
 distractions of the age. When the country was rent and torn 
 by civil and religious factions, its social condition was 
 deplorable. In the Statute books of the period many regula- 
 tions are to be found containing provisions for dealing with the 
 hordes of vagabonds who wandered at large over the land. 
 Legislation seems, however, to have entirely failed to check the 
 evil. So far back as 1424 we find it enacted that "they that 
 sal be thoiled to beg, sal have a certainne takinne (badge) on 
 them," while all those who had no tokens were to be " charged 
 be open proclamation to labour and passe to craftis for winning 
 of their living, under the pain of burning on the cheek and 
 banishing of the countrie." Some years later it was enacted 
 that "all stray beggars should have their ears nailed to the 
 trone or till any other tree, and their eare cutted off, and they 
 banished the country ; and gif thereafter they be funden againe 
 that they be hanged. Sornars that herryis the King's lieges 
 were to be put to death as thieves." By the Act of 1503 none 
 wore allowed to beg except " cruiked folk, seik folk, impotent 
 folk, and weak folk ; and na beggars were thoiled to beir in ane
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 73 
 
 parochin that were born in ane uther." These regulations 
 having proved ineffectual, it was further enacted in 1579 that 
 " all idle, strong beggars, loafers, and ruffians who would not 
 work for their bread, should be weill scourged, and burnt 
 through the eare with ane hot iron," thereafter to be hired out 
 and compelled to work. Should this fail to reform them, they 
 were to be hanged as thieves. Amongst the class recognised as 
 subject to these penalties were "vagabone schollers of the 
 Universities of St Andrewes, Glasgow, and Abirdene," not 
 licensed by the University authorities to ask alms. Such stern 
 regulations were passed for the most part in the interests of the 
 really deserving poor, who were most difficult to maintain, owing 
 to the frauds perpetrated upon the generously disposed by in- 
 numerable gangs of lazy, incorrigible vagabonds. 
 
 In 1590 the Eev. Alexander Tyrie was relieved of the charges 
 of Tealing, Mains, and Strathmartine. In 1594 he was presented 
 to the parsonage and vicarage of this parish by King James VI. 
 In 1604 the Rev. David Kinneir became minister. By this 
 time King James had gradually succeeded in undermining 
 Presbyterian parity, previous to his attempt to enforce a system 
 of Episcopal government, through the support he had obtained 
 amongst the nobility and upper classes, many of whom accepted 
 his dictum of " Ko Bishop, No King." It is a very remarkable 
 fact that throughout the long and bitter struggle which ensued 
 between the Prelatists and Presbyterians the shire of Angus was 
 keenly in favour of Prelacy ; indeed, in this county centred the 
 heart and soul of the Prelatic movement. The Synod of 
 Angus was completely in unison with the Stewart policy, 
 and was the first throughout the Church of Scotland to 
 adopt that encroachment upon Presbyterian principle ventured 
 upon by the King, viz., the appointment of constant Moderator, 
 which was the thin end of the wedge for the introduction 
 of a high-handed Episcopacy. In 1609 it was appointed 
 that every preacher of God's Word hereafter shall wear black, 
 grave, and comely apparel, beseeming men of their state
 
 74 
 
 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 and profession. On the 1st April 1610, 13 Bishops, 13 noble- 
 men, 40 barons, and 100 ministers met for the establishment of 
 Episcopacy, and Mr Kinneir was one of those who voted with 
 the Prelatic part}'. He was again present at the Assembly of 
 1616, held in Aberdeen. At this time, therefore, the parish was 
 under a full-blown Episcopal regime, and in charge of a keen 
 Prelatic partisan. Not the shadow of resistance was offered to 
 such a complete overthrow of the fundamental principles of 
 Presbyterianism by any one in the district, so far as we can 
 discover. The people went like sheep with the nobility and 
 clergy in favour of a Diocesan Episcopacy. 
 
 In 1630 a new church was built, which was the last specimen 
 of early church architecture in Scotland. The plan of the 
 church consisted of a chancel, 27 ft. by 21 ft. 5 in. ; nave, 56 
 ft. 7 in. by 33 ft., with a square tower at west end. All the 
 
 windows were square-topped, and of three lights, except the 
 east one, which was of two lights, and placed in the gable. The 
 chancel door was flat-headed. The nave was of semi-classic 
 character, with a three-centred arched imposts and moulded 
 jambs. On the north side both divisions of the church were 
 blank. It was altogether a poor specimen of Scottish church 
 architecture. Its only remarkable feature was one too character- 
 istic of a poverty-stricken, uncultured, and inartistic age, viz.,
 
 ANGUS PARISH. TO 
 
 external and internal rudeness ; altogether, a sad contrast to the 
 beautiful Gothic structure of former times. 
 
 A few relics of the old Romish churches still exist, the most 
 valuable and interesting of which are two fonts. One of them, 
 
 formed of the local grey sandstone, is a very early example, 
 belonging, apparently, to the Norman transitional period, and, 
 doubtless, contemporaneous with the ancient foundation. Like 
 most of the Scottish fonts of its time, it has little to boast of in 
 the way of ornamentation. Along its outer edge there is a 
 slightly moulded depression, made possibly for the fitting in of 
 the lead lining. The bowl is circular, and rests upon a diamond- 
 shaped base, from which rise on two sides bands or supports, 
 which are carried to the top. The chief feature of the font is 
 the curious base. The dimensions are as follows : 
 
 Height of bowl, 7 inches. 
 Diameter of orifice, 9 inches. 
 Depth of orifice, 5 inches. 
 
 There is no drain. This font has all the appearance of having 
 been built into the wall of the church. The other structure is 
 a much larger font, and must have been principally used for 
 baptismal purposes. It is of a massive character, and appears 
 to have been originally embellished with decorative work, but 
 this has been obliterated by mutilation and neglect. It belongs 
 to the Norman period. The shape is octagonal, with a circular 
 orifice. The upper portion, which contains the bowl, falls away
 
 76 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 in sharp lines to the centre, from which is carried out a broad 
 and heavy base. The ornamentation consists of fillets and 
 bold bead mouldings. In all probability this font was also used 
 in Episcopal times. Its dimensions are as follows : 
 
 Height, 2 feet. 
 
 Diameter of orifice, 12 inches. 
 
 Depth of orifice, 9 inches. 
 
 There is a large bottom drain. The staple holes for the cover 
 remain. There are also portions of the mullions of the large 
 windows, and two quaint-looking dials. Underneath the session- 
 house of the present church there is a very old burial vault, 
 which, in all probability, was used in Kbmish times. It 
 extended at one time the whole length of what, in olden 
 times, was known as the Ramsay aisle ; but it was subsequently 
 reduced in size during alterations. It is of considerable size, 
 and contains the mouldering remains of many representatives of 
 the old Angus families of the Buchans, Ogilvies, and the Lyons 
 of Strathmore. Not a monument, tablet, or inscription of any 
 kind, however, has been permitted to remain within its walls. 
 
 The Rev. David Kinneir died in 1633, at the age of 52, after 
 a ministry of 28 years. He was succeeded by the Rev. John 
 Robertson, M.A., who had graduated at St Andrews in 1630. 
 During his ministry the country generally was in a highly- 
 troubled condition. The strife fomented over the service book 
 was bitter in the extreme. The National League and Covenant 
 had been drawn up, which was followed by the still more ex- 
 citing and memorable days of the Solemn League and Covenant. 
 In 1638 the first General Assembly seen in Scotland for twenty 
 years met in Glasgow Cathedral. It was a great occasion. 
 People flocked to it from all parts of the country, and so strong 
 did feeling run that not a few went to it fully armed. The Rev. 
 John Robertson was present, and voted with the Presbyterians. 
 The high-handed Episcopalian policy summarily received its 
 quietus, the obnoxious service book was condemned, the book 
 of ordination, the court of high commission were denounced,
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 77 
 
 and kirk-sessions, presbyteries, and provincial synods were once 
 more restored. 
 
 On the 8th December 1641, the Eev. John Robertson was 
 translated to Dundee. It is recorded that the " Town Council of 
 Dundee made choice of Mr John Robertson to be ane of their 
 ordinary ministers, and appointit to be payit to him as ane 
 agreeit stipend the soum of ane thousand and two hundred 
 merks, togidder with his house maill money" i.e., compensation 
 for rent. He was appointed to the third charge. This appoint- 
 ment was an extremely fortunate one ; for it is stated that the 
 Council in ane voice awarded Mr Robertson, after ten years of 
 his ministry, a gratuity of 300 merks. He appears to have been 
 a man of considerable ability and force of character. During 
 the siege of Dundee by the army of the Commonwealth, under 
 General Monk in 1651, Mr Robertson performed signal services, 
 and distinguished himself by his devotion and courage. After 
 the capture of the town he received very harsh treatment from 
 Monk. When he ventured to remonstrate with the English 
 commander for his merciless severity, and the brutality of his 
 soldiery to his parishioners of whom a great many, comprising 
 women and children, were butchered Monk flew into an 
 ungovernable rage, and told him if he dared to proceed further 
 he would be compelled to scobe his mouth. , For the zeal he had 
 displayed, and his fearless and outspoken language, he and 
 others were made prisoners, and despatched by sea to London, 
 and there consigned to the Tower. All the prisoners suffered 
 severely from their confinement. After a year's imprisonment 
 they were released, and permitted to return to Scotland. Upon 
 Mr Robertson's return to Dundee, General Monk, who was still 
 in command over the whole of Scotland, and who apparently 
 seemed still to maintain hostile feelings towards him, ordered him 
 to be consigned as prisoner to the Tolbooth of Dundee. After 
 an imprisonment of several months, the Town Council petitioned 
 Cromwell's Council for his release, which was ultimately 
 granted.
 
 78 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 In 1641 the Rev. William Wemyss became Minister of 
 Aucliterhouse. Although the Church was everywhere supreme, 
 still violent controversies soon arose between the two great rival 
 factions the Resolutioners and Protesters. The character of 
 the times will be better understood from the entries which 
 occur in the parochial records. In quoting these records we 
 shall modernise the spelling in most cases, in order to render 
 them the more intelligible, and venture upon some explanatory 
 observations as we proceed on any points which bear iipon 
 former ecclesiastial life and authority. 
 
 May 25, 1645. There was but ane preaching because of the 
 enemy lying so near hand. 
 
 "When the Scottish people were convinced that King Charles 
 I. was determined to force his high and mighty Episcopal 
 government upon them, they accordingly resolved to resist his 
 harsh and unreasonable encroachments upon their civil and 
 religious liberties to the death. Those who had respect for 
 their dearly-bought liberties combined and showed a bold 
 front to the common enemy. Argyll came to the front as the 
 chief political adviser, and Montrose was selected as the military 
 leader of the Covenanters. The King reckoned himself superior 
 to all opposition. The Marquis of Huntly was soon in the 
 field with a Royalist force, which, however, was completely 
 defeated and dispersed by the army of the Covenanters, through 
 the superior military genius of Montrose. In Montrose the 
 Covenanters had discovered one who was a tower of strength to 
 their cause, and their success seemed certain. 
 
 The strife between the stubborn and ill-advised Monarch and 
 the Covenanters daily grew more intense, and a protracted and 
 sanguinary struggle seemed inevitable. The keen feeling and 
 grim religious fanaticism manifested by the latter against those 
 who had so recklessly trampled upon their rights and liberties, 
 and sought to endanger the much-prized Reformed principles, 
 had stirred up dangerous elements. In the manifesto issued 
 by the Scots when they entered England under Lesly, in
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 79 
 
 1640, it was boldly announced by those uncompromising 
 soldiers, that they aimed at suppressing and punishing in a legal 
 way those who are the troublers of Israel, the firebrands of hell, 
 the Corahs, the Balaams, the Doegs, the Rabshakehs, the 
 Hamans, the Tobiahs, and Sanballats of our time. 
 Which done, we are satisfied. Scotland shall be reformed. 
 Papists, Prelates, and all the members of the anti-Christian 
 hierarchy shall pack from hence. The Lord shall be one, and 
 His name one, throughout the whole island, which shall be 
 glory to God, honour to the King, joy to the kingdom, comfort 
 to the posterity, example to other Christian kirks, and confusion 
 to the incorrigible enemies. Words like these, backed up by a 
 solid national party, and a strong and admirably-appointed army, 
 did not fail to make a profound impression. When the Blue 
 Bonnets marched over the border the enemy began to realise the 
 powerful character of the opposition he had to confront, and the 
 utter futility of the old tyrannical policy. 
 
 The King, for the first time, therefore, saw that he had 
 blundered in his negotiations with the nobility, and at once en- 
 <leavoureJ to accomplish by the wiles of diplomacy what he was 
 unable to effect by force of arms. His secret negotiations with 
 the ambitious Montrose ultimately proved successful, and in a 
 short time the pet soldier-chief of the Covenanters disowned the 
 Covenant, and raised the Royal standard. At this time the 
 whole of Angus was thrown into excitement by his achieve- 
 ments, for he was credited with having no equal as a brilliant 
 and accomplished strategist. With a strong but undisciplined 
 body of Highlanders, drawn from the clans of the Gordons, 
 the Macdonells of Glengarry, the Macphcrsons of Badenoch and 
 Athole, and the clansmen of Clanranald, he had already 
 Defeated General Hurrie at Auldearn, and with characteristic 
 alacrity and audacity descended upon Strathmore, with the 
 intention of drawing into battle a force of Covenanters then 
 holding the Castle of Newtyle, under the Earl of Crawford. 
 This nobleman, who had just assumed command, had severely
 
 80 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 ridiculed and condemned the military capacity of Argyll, whose 
 colours had been lowered in every encounter hitherto with his 
 able antagonist, and was apparently exceedingly desirous of 
 coming to close quarters with Montrose. The latter, however, 
 anticipated a victory over this new Presbyterian leader ; but 
 intelligence having reached him that General Baillie was laying 
 waste the country of the Clan Gordon, in the absence of its 
 fighting men, he hurriedly and unexpectedly abandoned the 
 attack. It was, however, alleged that treachery had been in 
 operation, and that the Gordons really deserted. The 
 expediency of having but " ane preaching," in the circumstances, 
 is pardonable. Those who were favourable to the Covenant 
 were under arms. The parishioners had also heard of what had 
 transpired in the previous month of April, when Montrose 
 broke from the mountains, descended upon Dundee, and gave it 
 up for plunder to his wild Highland and Irish levies. The 
 town at this time was one of the wealthiest in Scotland, and 
 had been lavish in its expenditure to suppress the rebellion of 
 Montrose. 
 
 June 8, 1645. The Beadle was appointed to summon Andrew 
 Smith to begin his repentance. 
 
 The beadle of the Eeformed Church was practically the suc- 
 cessor of the Ostiarius of the Romish Church. The Ostiarius was 
 the church officer and doorkeeper. He was ordained to his office, 
 and was recognised as a member of the regular ecclesiastical staff. 
 His instructions were to be most faithful in his attention to the 
 house of God by day and night, to open the church doors to the 
 faithful at certain hours, and keep them rigidly closed against 
 the unfaithful. He had full authority to expel all heretics and 
 excommunicated persons. He was also instructed to prevent all 
 buying and selling within the building, to exclude beggars, to- 
 drive out dogs and other animals, to look after loiterers and 
 sleepers, and maintain all due order within the sacred edifice. 
 In the Reformed Church the beadle or bedellus was also a civil 
 officer acting under the kirk-session. One of his principal duties
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 81 
 
 in times of stern discipline was to exercise citations. The beadle 
 was also custodier of the jougs, brauks, sackcloth, and other 
 paraphernalia provided by kirk-sessions for the castigation of 
 offenders. He was a prominent figure on the preaching days. 
 He not unfrequcntly made the round of the church armed with 
 a stick having a cleek on the end of it. When any woman was 
 observed coming into the church with her plaid over her head 
 or face, he at once applied his cleek to it, and the woman had 
 either to put on her plaid correctly or leave it in the beadle's 
 possession. If the same functionary noticed any outrageous 
 head attire, he at once applied his cleek to the offending article 
 and dragged it off. At stated, intervals he had to go round 
 the church to " wauken sleepers, to drive out the dogs, and 
 remove greetin' bairns." When making these rounds he 
 frequently carried a pot of tar and a brush, and the waukening 
 was accomplished by a vigorous application of the tar brush to 
 the sleeper's face. The tar brush was a weapon peculiarly 
 efficacious, in the estimation of old Angus beadles, for the 
 prevention and suppression of church sleeping. 
 
 The minister sent the beadle to warn certain people in the 
 parish to prepare to oppose the enemy on the 5th July. Inti- 
 mation was also made from the pulpit to those who were to 
 assist on the 5th July. 
 
 The Rev. Mr Weuiyss was apparently a man of considerable 
 courage, and a sturdy upholder of the kirk militant. As a true 
 Presbyterian, he made it a matter of duty to call upon the 
 parishioners to obey the instructions sent down by the Presby- 
 terian leaders. A general muster of all those capable of bearing 
 arms was fixed to take place at Perth, then the headquarters of 
 the Covenanting forces. Minister and beadle seem to have done 
 what they could to rouse the farmers, shepherds, tradesmen, and 
 servants of the parish to put on the blue bonnet, shoulder the 
 pike, and join in the struggle with the Covenanters against 
 Montrose. Men of every age, rank, and condition were now- 
 pressed into the Covenanters' ranks. All who resisted were 
 G
 
 82 
 
 subjected to plentiful anathemas, and found it expedient to 
 abscond. The farmers who possessed good strong horses were 
 appointed to the cavalry, and the others to infantry regiments. 
 It was an exceedingly raw, undisciplined, and somewhat grotesque 
 force, and one by no means well adapted for the usages of Avar. 
 It was no unusual practice for the minister of the parish also to 
 set out fully armed and mounted with the others, and wield his 
 sword with good effect in the encounters of these strangely 
 fanatical times. Every company had a flag imprinted with 
 the Scottish arms, and the words " For Christ's Crown and 
 Covenant" stamped in golden letters. 
 
 Sunday, 20th July 1645. There was no preaching because 
 of the enemy lying so near the town. 
 
 It is very evident that the movements of the Highland marau- 
 ders had considerably upset the Sunday's proceedings, and that 
 the parishioners had a most lively experience of the troubles of 
 the civil war. The military tactics pursued by Montrose con- 
 sisted of dexterous manoeuvring, rapid marches, and surprises. 
 Without the slightest warning, he swept down upon his opponents, 
 and on such occasions the helpless peasantry suffered severely. 
 At this time Montrose had received intelligence of the concentra- 
 tion of the Covenanters at Perth, and was marching through 
 Strathmore to attack them. In the course of the expedition the 
 clansmen encamped at Auchtertyre Hill, while bodies of High- 
 landers scoured the neighbourhood for cattle, sheep, and anything 
 in the shape of plunder. What is still well-known as Graham's 
 Knowe, doubtless is the exact locality occupied by Montrose 
 and his personal staff. 
 
 Thursday, April 30th, 1646. There was a fast-day, and that 
 day intimation was made that communion would be given on 
 Sunday next, the preparation day being Saturday, at two o'clock. 
 That day an Act was passed that whosoever came not to pre- 
 paration sermon should pay 6 sh. Scots. 
 
 The fast-day here referred to was not what is generally known 
 as the Sacramental fast. It was simply one of those days en-
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 83 
 
 joined by the General Assembly to be observed on certain special 
 occasions for religious fasting, humiliation, and self-mortification. 
 It enjoined total abstinence, not only from food (unless bodily 
 weakness so manifestly disable from holding out till the fast 
 be ended, in which case somewhat may be taken, yet very 
 sparingly, to support nature when ready to faint), but also from 
 all worldly labours, discourses, and thoughts : from all worldly 
 delights, rich apparel, ornaments, gaudish attire, and vanities of 
 either sex. Such an occasion as the fast-day in connection with 
 the Communion was unknown till 1655, when it was introduced 
 by the Protesters, who entirely changed the former methods of 
 celebrating the Communion in Scotland. The only Act which 
 speaks of a special preparatory service on a week day is the 
 Supplementary Act of 1645, which enjoins, before the celebra- 
 tion of the Communion, that there be one sermon of preparation 
 delivered in the ordinary place of worship on that day imme- 
 diately preceding. Even this innovation appears to have been 
 unpopular, from the fact that it was necessary to impose fines in 
 cases of non-attendance. On the same day Edward Montago, 
 in Pitpointie, gave in his bill of complaint upon Janet Thomson, 
 servant to Kobert Turnbull, in Cottoun, for slandering him 
 behind his back. Slandering at this time was a serious offence. 
 If any man or woman in a parish was found guilty of spreading 
 evil stories about their neighbours, he or she might be compelled 
 to stand up before the congregation and cry out " Tongue, ye 
 lied ; tongue, ye lied," for the first offence. For the second 
 offence, a long seat on the cock stool or repentance stool was 
 required. For the third offence, banishment from the parish. 
 If any woman had become notorious for flyting and scolding, 
 she was at once handed over to the tender mercies of the 
 beadle, who fastened her up in the jougs, or put an iron hood, 
 called the braiiks, over her head. The branks contained a 
 formidable iron tongue, which was thrust well into the virago's 
 mouth, and closed it up completely for some hours. Resistance 
 to such regulations was impossible. Whosoever presumed to
 
 84 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 disobey were, excommunicated, bad every door by order closed 
 against tliem, were deprived of property, and were firmly 
 believed to have passed into perdition. 
 
 May 3rd, 1646. Those appointed to attend collection at 
 communion and serve tables are Mr Robert Hay of Dronlaw, 
 John Wemyss, chamberlain to Earl of Buchan ; William 
 Christie of Balbeuchlie ; James Watson, David Eodger, David 
 Walker, David Thain, James Mann. 
 
 May 10th, 1646. The adulterer, John Mann, was enjoined 
 by session to begin his repentance on Sunday next, in sack- 
 cloth. 
 
 Adulterers, according to the law of the church, were to be 
 classed with malefactors. All persons convicted of such and 
 similar offences might be thus punished. For the first fault,, 
 the man, as well as the woman, shall pay the sum of forty pound, 
 otherwise both shall be imprisoned for the space of eight days,. 
 and be fed on bread and small drink, and afterwards shall be 
 presented at the marketplace of the town or parish bareheaded, 
 and there stand fastened for the space of two hours. For the 
 second fault, they shall pay the sum of an hundred merks, other- 
 wise the days of imprisonment shall be doubled, and their food 
 shall be bread and water allenarly, and in the end they shall 
 be presented at the market-place, and the heads of both shall be 
 shaven. For the third fault they shall pay an hundred pounds, 
 or else their imprisonment shall be tripled, and their food be 
 bread and water allenarly, and in the end they shall be taken 
 to the deepest and foulest pool or water of the town or parish 
 and be there thrice douked, and afterwards banished the town 
 or parish for ever. The pecunial fines which shall be received 
 shall be keeped in a close box and converted ad pios usus in 
 the parts where the crime was committed Acts 1567 and 1649- 
 12. By the Act of 1661, the justices of the peace were em- 
 powered to put in execution the Acts of Parliament made for 
 the punishment of persons convicted of such offences, and shall 
 levy for the first fault, from a nobleman, four hundred pounds ;
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 85 
 
 from a baron, two hundred ; from a gentlemen or burgess, one 
 hundred ; and from every other inferior person, ten pounds, 
 Scots money, and these penalties shall be doubled according to 
 the relapses and quality of the offenders. These penalties shall 
 be levied not only from the man but from the woman according 
 to her quality and degree of the offence, and shall be disposed 
 off ad pios usus. 
 
 May 10th, 1646. A. B. (name illegible) was ordained to be 
 put into the jougs. 
 
 The jougs were frequently called into requisition at this 
 time. These were strong clasped iron collars fastened by 
 means of a chain to the main entrance of the church. To 
 be tied up by the neck in the jougs for several hours, to be 
 compelled to submit to the shouts, jeers, and laughter of the 
 village rabble, to be tortured by receiving on the head and face 
 a wonderful variety of offensive articles from local urchins, not 
 to speak of sundry kicks and blows, must have been an 
 experience long to be remembered even by the most hardened 
 offenders. 
 
 May 10th, 1646. David and Patrick Martins, in Balbeuchlie, 
 in respect of their misbehaviour on Communion Sunday by 
 drinking excessively, are ordained on the following Sunday 
 to make their public repentance before the whole congregation, 
 and pay their penalties. 
 
 All kirk-sessions were recommended to be vigorous, impartial, 
 and yet prudent in the exercise of church discipline against all 
 immorality especially drunkenness and filthiness, cursing and 
 swearing, and profaning the Lord's Day. It was also recom- 
 mended to ministers, where the people sit too long in taverns, 
 especially on the Saturday's night, through which some neglect 
 the public worship of the Lord's Day, and others attend the 
 worship drowsily, that they represent to the people, both 
 publicly and privately, the sin and evil thereof, and call them 
 to redeem that time which they have from business, and to 
 employ it for converse with God about their soul's state, and in
 
 86 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 preparation for the Sabbath, which will yield more delight than 
 all sensual pleasures will do. 
 
 Over-indulgence in strong ale within the alehouses before and 
 after sermon was a common weakness in the country in olden 
 times, and led to much trouble and heavy fining. Total 
 abstinence was a virtue practically unknown. Moderation was 
 strictly enjoined. None were to remain " langer in an aill 
 house nor a pint aill or chapin aill the hand," but the caution, 
 unfortunately, was useless. Threats of being " brankit, stockit, 
 dookit, bainishit ye paroch," were all unavailing alongside of 
 the temptations of the large and flowing ale-bicker. 
 
 Thursday, May llth, 1646. John Petrie and Jean Walker, 
 in Balbeuchlie, were married in the face of Christ's congrega- 
 tion. 
 
 All marriages were enjoined to be made in the face of the 
 congregation after proclamation. According to the First Book 
 of Discipline, marriage is not to be secretly used ; but in 
 open face and public audience of the kirk, and the Sunday 
 before noon we think most expedient. Marriages, accordingly, 
 were frequently celebrated on Sunday. Many scandals having 
 arisen from this practice, the whole question was dealt with by 
 the Assembly of 1645, and it was ordained that marriages 
 should be solemnised on Thursdays, within the church, that 
 day being the weekly lecture day. Occasionally marriages were 
 celebrated on other days, but never for a very lengthened period, 
 outside of the church. All private marriages were irregular. 
 Clandestine marriages were severely proceeded against. The 
 minister who officiated at such a marriage was ordered to be 
 banished, and never to return on pain of death. Those who 
 attempted any such irregularity were liable to heavy fines and 
 imprisonment. 
 
 July 5th, 1646. The minister intimated from the pulpit that 
 the Earl of Seaforth had been excommunicated. 
 
 To be excommunicated, excluded from the privileges of the 
 church, and banished from the society of the faithful, meant
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 87 
 
 simply ruin and social death. Excommunicated persons who 
 entered the congregation during the ministration of the 
 Sacraments or common prayers were to be apprehended and 
 delivered to the Judge Ordinary, who shall keep them in 
 prison till they find caution under such sums as the minister 
 shall modify (1585, James VI.) No persons who are or shall 
 be excommunicated are allowed directly or indirectly to enjoy 
 the possession of their lands, rents, and revenues ; but the same 
 shall be intromitted with and uplifted for His Majesty's use 
 (James VI., 1609). These Acts remained in force till 1690, when 
 civil pains for such sentences were rescinded; and in Queen Anne's 
 reign it was ordained that no civil pain or forfeiture or disability 
 whatever should be incurred by any person by reason of any 
 excommunication or prosecution by the Church judicators in 
 Scotland. This sentence was passed by the Presbyterians upon 
 Seaforth because he was understood to be a renegade. 
 
 After the battle of Inverlochy, Montrosc marched to Elgin. 
 Thence he penetrated into Moray, after issuing a proclamation, 
 in which he commanded all the men of the province between 
 sixteen and sixty years of age to join his ranks, or take the 
 consequences of refusal. Overawed by those threats and 
 penalties, the Earl of Seaforth, chief of the Mackenzies who 
 .was in command of the northern Covenanters the Grant, and 
 other chiefs renounced the Covenant. For this breach of 
 allegiance Seaforth was accordingly excommunicated by the 
 Covenanting party. As soon, however, as he escaped out of the 
 hands of Montrose he very wisely rejoined the Covenanting 
 army. 
 
 July 9th, 1646. A fast was keepit, and twice preaching. 
 
 Fasts, or special days of humiliation, were frequently held 
 during the exciting days of the Covenant and the Civil War. 
 Thf.y consisted for the most part of special religious services for 
 the grievous sins and provocations of the land. The most 
 important were associated with some special national emergency. 
 Many, however, were held in times of storms, fires, threatened
 
 88 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 famines, droughts, floods, plagues, unusual visitations of distress, 
 remarkable celestial phenomena in short, anything which 
 particularly impressed the superstitious minds of the age, called 
 for self-examination and humiliation. Certain grave calamities, 
 believed to have been occasioned by witches, charmers, sorcerers, 
 and other agents of the evil one, also called for humiliation. It 
 must be admitted that not a few fasts were held for reasons 
 which in an age of intelligence would be reckoned quite absurd. 
 On the occasion of the fast referred to in the entry there was 
 twice preaching ; but this was a very short service compared 
 with many of the period. Burnett tells us that on one fast- 
 day, in a certain parish, there were six sermons preached without 
 intermission " I was there myself, and not a little weary of so 
 tedious a service." 
 
 July 18th, 1646. Jean Morris was on the stool of repentance 
 for the sixth time, and was absolvit. 
 
 August 2nd, 1646. Agnes Croile, in Dronlaw, was three 
 several times on stool of repentance, and absolvit. 
 
 As the jougs and branks had superseded the old " nailing up 
 by the lug" practice, so gradually the "stool" comes into 
 greater prominence throughout these records. This important 
 article of kirk-session furniture of the past still exists, and not- 
 withstanding its age and vicissitudes is wonderfully sound. It 
 is a substantial four-legged article, made of the best of oak, and 
 from its dimensions could easily have accom- 
 modated two offenders if placed back to back. 
 The repentance stool was, as a rule, ostenta- 
 tiously placed by its faithful guardian, the 
 beadle, immediately in front of the pulpit, and 
 upon it the offender had patiently to sit out 
 the required appearances, and listen, moreover, 
 to a severe castigation from the pulpit. 
 
 August 28th, 1646. On that day a collection was made for 
 distressed people of Cullen, who had their town burnt. 
 
 This was one of the northern towns which opposed Montrose
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 89 
 
 on his victorious march through the Northern Counties. For 
 such opposition it was ruthlessly consigned to the flames, and its 
 inhabitants rendered destitute. 
 
 September 4th, 1646. David , in Scotston, gave in his 
 
 bill of complaint against John Gullan, his tenant, for slandering 
 him in saying that he took two of his sheep and slew them in 
 his own house, and gave them to him while working to him. 
 
 September 27th, 1646. The minister intimated a fast for next 
 Sabbath ; likewise he read out of pulpit the names of those who 
 were excommunicated by Mr Robert Blair, Kirk of Edinburgh, 
 to wit, the Earl of Airlie, Sir Alexander M'Donald, and some 
 others. 
 
 By the Parliament of 1645, Lord Airlie and his sons Sir 
 Thomas Ogilvy and Sir David Ogilvy along with other 
 supporters of Montrose, were found " gilty of heigh tressone, and 
 forfaultes ther lyffes, honours, tytles, laudes. and gudes, and 
 decerns the same to belong to the publicke for defraying the 
 charge of the warr, as lykwayes the saides estaites in one woyce 
 ordaines the Lyone King of Amies to delait their armes out of 
 lies registers and bookes of honor, to rent the same wut all 
 convenit solemity in the Parliament Housse, and at the Crosse 
 of Edinburghe publiekly." 
 
 The name of Alexander Macdonald was one of the best known 
 in Scotland at this time. He was proud of being the uncom- 
 promising foe of Argyll, and ever a stout upholder of the 
 Royalist cause in the Western Highlands. By his countrymen 
 he was known as Alastair MacColla, and in the historical records 
 he appears under the names of Colkitto, young Colkitto, Colonel 
 Kitteach, &c. He was a man of considerable ability ; but was 
 chiefly remarkable for his great physical strength and ferocity 
 on the battlefield. He had the reputation among the clans of 
 being the strongest man in Scotland. When an officer was 
 about to be selected to take command of the division of Irish 
 soldiers which had been raised in Antrim for Montrose, it was 
 decided that the command should be bestowed upon the man
 
 90 ANNALS OF AX 
 
 who possessed the strongest arms. Colkitto, baring his arms, 
 astonished all by their formidable muscular proportions. His 
 physical superiority being undisputed, he became the chief of 
 the Irish levies. He was present at the battle of Inverlochy, 
 and was credited with having slain twenty men with his own 
 hand. He carried his depredations to such an extent 
 throughout the county of Argyle that he used to boast 
 that the crow of a cock could not be heard nor the 
 smoke of a chimney seen within twenty miles of Inveraray. 
 Throughout the Civil War he was recognised as one of the best 
 officers of Montrose. He was devoted to the Marquis, simply 
 because he was the rival of his great enemy. He was present 
 at the sacking of Dundee, and it was he who plundered and 
 burned Coupar Angus by the orders of Montrose. This 
 turbulent and dangerous character in many ways left traces of 
 his vengeance throughout Angus. When Colkitto was upon a 
 marauding expedition with his semi-savage Irish followers, he 
 was the terror of all, because his operations were conducted 
 with the greatest cruelty and unnecessary severity. When any 
 prominent antagonist fell into his hands, he gave him the choice 
 of heading or hanging. Colkitto was subsequently slain in an 
 engagement in Ireland, after a very remarkable career, for the 
 most part spent in sanguinary private feuds and ceaseless 
 warfare. 
 
 September 27th, 1646. Isabel Gall, in Leoch, did complain 
 to session upon Janet Thomson, servant to Robert Turnbull, 
 for slandering her and calling her a witch and thief, and the 
 kirk-officer was ordained to warn her to session 4th October. 
 At the same time several notorious flyters and scolders were 
 sharply dealt with. 
 
 October 18th, 1646. The slanderer, John Gulland, was- 
 ordained for his slander to appear three several Sabbaths on 
 stool of repentance in sackcloth. On this day John Moram 
 appeared on stool and in sackcloth for the twenty -fifth time. 
 
 The number of appearances required for breaches of the Seventh
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 91 
 
 Commandment was twenty-five, and throughout in sackcloth. On 
 such occasions the culprit was compelled to exchange the usual 
 Sunday best for a shabby old cloak made of sackcloth or old 
 linen. The character of the garment by no means improved 
 the appearance of the offender. His situation provoked many 
 a groan from the stern administrators of discipline, and a 
 satisfactory smile from those who had previously occupied the 
 same position. 
 
 September 16th, 1647. Andrew Doig, in Scotston, was 
 before the session for shearing on the Sabbath day, and was 
 ordained to make his public repentance and to pay 20 sh. 
 
 By the Act of 1579, it was ordained that "nahandie-labouring 
 nor working be used on the Sabbath day, nor na gamming and 
 playing, passing to tavernes and aile-houses, or selling of meat 
 or drink, or wilful remaining from their paroche kirk," under 
 pain of fines. Failing payment, the offender was to be put in the 
 stocks or sik other engine. By the Act of 1594, it was ordained 
 that " quha-sum-ever prophains the Sabbath day by selling or 
 offering for sale ony gudes, gear, or quhat-sum-ever merchandise 
 themselves, or by another, for a third offence their haile gudes 
 and gear shall be eschetted to the King." 
 
 Sabbath observance was therefore most strictly enjoined. 
 No one was allowed to go from one place to another on Sunday, 
 no matter what the business might be. No one was allowed to 
 visit a friend. No stranger was permitted to reside in a parish 
 unless he went to the preachings. Every husband was 
 answerable for his wife's behaviour, and every master for his 
 servants. Every man was bound to be in church at both diets 
 of worship. Ministers Avould not listen to the modern excuses 
 for non-attendance, such as " splittin' pains in the head and 
 back, fell attacks of rheums, tarrible coughs, bad roads, and 
 weet, blawy Sundays." Such excuses would not for a moment 
 have been accepted or tolerated. If an elder or deacon was 
 absent from the preaching, that meant a fine of 2 sh. ; 
 others, again, were fined 6d. Church attendance and all due
 
 92 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 decorum within the church were also rigidly enforced. No 
 women were allowed to get away into the corners of the church 
 or behind pillars, for it was observed that they were too 
 often in the habit of wrapping their plaids round their heads 
 and falling sound asleep during the preaching. Those troubled 
 with this weakness were requested to bring their stools and 
 sit down right in front of the minister, and under the beadle's 
 vigilant eye. An old poem of the times exhibits this feminine 
 weakness : 
 
 " But as for me, 
 Sic unca sights I never see, 
 For soon as oot the text 1 read, 
 I draw my rogullay roond my heid, 
 An' fast asleep I soon fa' ower 
 It's better than through the kirk to glower." 
 
 Sept. 19th, 1647. John Gulland and Janet Lyall to be 
 summoned to declare whether they heard William Robertson 
 say that Thomas Reid took his lint out of the burn. 
 
 On that day there was a thanksgiving made for victory over 
 the common enemy. This was the victory obtained by General 
 David Leslie over the forces of the Marquis of Huntly, who 
 had continued to hold out for the Cavaliers. The Marquis had 
 fallen back before a powerful body of Covenanters upon the 
 mountainous district of Badenoch, into which he was boldly 
 followed and defeated. Other victories followed over smaller 
 detachments in the Western Highlands. Several of the chief 
 officers were made prisoners, and afterwards executed. The 
 Marquis himself was shortly afterwards captured in Strathdon, 
 imprisoned, and finally executed. This important victory was 
 celebrated by a general thanksgiving throughout the country. 
 
 On the same day, Mr Robert Hay of Dronlaw and Mr James 
 Wemyss were ordained to gather church collection for distressed 
 people of Brechin. 
 
 This town was for some time the headquarters of the 
 Covenanting army under the Marquis of Argyll, and in its
 
 ANGUS PARISH, 93 
 
 vicinity many skirmishes took place with Montrose's troops. 
 Some time afterwards it was taken by Montrose, who ordered it 
 to be burned to the ground. In 1647, Brechin also suffered 
 severely from the ravages of the plague. Within a few months 
 about 600 of the inhabitants became the victims of this terrible 
 scourge. 
 
 At a meeting of the Scottish Parliament, held on 23rd Dec. 
 1645, a petition was presented by the toune of Brechin to the 
 estates showing " that ther towne hes beine twa several times 
 plundered and vasted by the enimey, and desyres that they may 
 be exeimepted from payment of ther twa monthes maintenance 
 and have repartitione of ther grate losses for ther present 
 subsistence." 
 
 Sunday, llth October 1647. Thomas Ruthven was before 
 session for striking of his wife and causing her to blood. It 
 was ordained that he come next day and make his repentance 
 before the session, and thereafter that he and his wife be brought 
 before session and reconciled, and warned if the like break out 
 again the instigators would be punished. 
 
 November 7th, 1647. Owing to emptiness of box, and as 
 there are some supplicants recommended by General Assembly 
 to the Presbytery, it was ordained to gather collection for their 
 supply. 
 
 The only collections taken by order of the General Assembly 
 were for the poor. The poverty which existed throughout the 
 country to a large extent occasioned by the troubles of the 
 Civil War was very great ; consequently, requests for collec- 
 tions for deserving poor were frequent. Upon the church fell 
 the burden of maintenance. To prevent imposition by " strang" 
 beggars and vagabonds, who were too plentiful, it was customary 
 for kirk-sessions to grant licenses to the really deserving poor 
 and distressed permitting them to beg, and leaden badges were 
 given to them to be worn round their neck to distinguish them 
 from the lazy, worthless, and incorrigible. Only beggars thus 
 specially licensed were permitted to congregate at church doors,
 
 9-i ANNALS OF AN 
 
 or on such occasions as marriages, baptisms, and funerals. The 
 church was their chief rendezvous. At every service some were 
 present, and directed the attention of those who entered the 
 church to their poverty by pulling at their coats and dresses. 
 
 January 9th, 1648. ELspeth Webster, the adulteress, being 
 twenty-five several Sabbaths in sackcloth, was absolvit. 
 
 January 27th, 1648. There was an Act passed by session 
 that whatever man or woman was found in fornication after 
 this each of them should pay 4. 
 
 Scots currency was only 1-1 2th the value of sterling. 1 
 Scots = Is. 8d. sterling. The suppression of immorality was 
 attempted by many Acts, but they all seem to have failed to 
 produce a satisfactory standard of public morality. The branks, 
 jougs, stool, sackcloth, &c., seem to have been by no means 
 effective deterrents. The system of heavy fining was accordingly 
 introduced. Such fines, besides acting as restraints from vice, 
 were doubtless imposed also with the view of helping the 
 parochial finances, which appear to have been in an unsatisfac- 
 tory condition, and quite unequal to the demands made upon the 
 "box." 
 
 January 30th, 1648. William Gray, of the Kirktoun, by 
 the consent of " yee sessione was nominat for to be yee beadle,' ? 
 and promised to be honest and faithful in his calling, and was 
 ordained to receive for every grave he made 10 sh. 
 
 By the Act of 1576 all burials were prohibited from being 
 made in the church. All contraveners of the Act were ordered 
 to be suspended from church privileges. It had been previously 
 ordained that a bier should be made in every country parish to 
 carry the dead to the burial place, and that those of the villages 
 or houses adjacent should convey the body to the burial place, 
 and bury it six feet under the earth. 
 
 May 7th, 1648. Walter Thomson and James Watson were 
 ordained to search the alehouses during sermon. 
 
 The elders of this period were practically parochial police. 
 By the law of the Church, each elder had a special district
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 95 
 
 assigned to him, and was held responsible for the maintenance 
 within it of good order. Visitation of their districts at least 
 once a month was strictly enjoined. All alehouses were placed 
 under their immediate supervision. The keepers of these houses 
 were strictly enjoined, under heavy penalties, to keep proper 
 hours and maintain good order. They were permitted, as a 
 rule, to keep open till ten o'clock ; if not closed, however, by 
 that time, a visitation was made, and the house cleared at once 
 by the elders. This was the origin of the well-known saying 
 that ten o'clock is elders' hours. When any individuals were 
 missed from church, the elders hurried out, and were on the 
 search at once. If the absentees were not found within their 
 homes, then a search of the alehouses ensued. If any persons 
 were discovered, their names were at once taken down, reports 
 given in, citations issued, and the usual penalties quickly 
 followed. 
 
 May 21st, 1648. That day it was concluded by the minister 
 and session that there should be ane school built. 
 
 Prior to the Reformation the monasteries were centres of 
 learning, and the monks the only teachers. In most of the 
 religious houses education was imparted, but only to members 
 of the great baronial families and freeholders. In the reign of 
 King James IV. the nobles were compelled to have their sons 
 educated, under heavy penalties. In the Reformed Church the 
 Book of Policy recommended that there should be a schoolmaster 
 able to teach grammar and the Latin tongue where there is a 
 town of any reputation, and in landward parishes that the 
 reader or minister take charge of the youth of the parish to 
 instruct them in the rudiments, particularly in the Catechism of 
 Geneva. It was also enjoined that youths be " brocht up and 
 instructed in the fear of God and gude manners." Learning 
 the Lord's Prayer, the Commandments, " belev" and heads 
 of the Catechism demanded for examination before communion, 
 were specially mentioned. For many years the education of the 
 young in country parishes was conducted by the parish
 
 96 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 minister, who was the only man competent for the task. The 
 clergy did their utmost to advance education, but the poverty of 
 the country militated sadly against its advancement. There 
 was no legal obligation for the parishioners maintaining a 
 school. l>y the Acts of Parliament, 1633 and 1646, it was 
 recommended to the several Presbyteries to see to the settling of 
 schools in every landward parish, where children were to be 
 taught reading, writing, and the grounds of religion. Previous 
 to 1646, the majority of landward parishes had no schools. 
 
 By the Act of 1646 a commodious house was to be provided 
 for the school, and the schoolmaster's salary was ordained not 
 to be under one hundred merks, nor above two hundred merks- 
 equal to .5 lls. lid. and 11 2s. 2|d. sterling. The heritors 
 Avere not obliged to provide a house of greater accommodation 
 than two rooms, including kitchen. A garden of at least ^ part 
 of an acre was also allowed. It was optional to assign, in lieu 
 of such garden, an addition to his salary at the rate of eight 
 bolls of oatmeal per acre. From a subsequent entry it appears 
 the schoolhouse was not erected for some time. There were, 
 however, certain small sums expended upon repairing the 
 " Maister's Chaumber." 
 
 July 1648. Intimation was made from the pulpit about 
 distribution of money to those killed or hurt in the Duke's 
 engagement in England. 
 
 When King Charles I. Avas a prisoner at Carisbrook Castle, in 
 the Isle of Wight, during 1647, the Earls of Lanark and Lauder- 
 dale succeeded in obtaining a private intervieAv Avith him. At 
 this interview a secret treaty Avas formed, by which those nobles 
 engaged to raise an army in Scotland in the interests of the 
 King to enable him to regain his liberty and throne, Avhilst the 
 King, on his part, engaged conditionally to confirm Presby- 
 terianism. On three different occasions Scotland had mustered 
 an army, and sent it forth in defence of the National CoA r enant ; 
 now AVC find the same army going forth under the Duke of 
 Hamilton in favour of the King against the Republican army
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 97 
 
 under Cromwell. In the Parliament of llth March 1648, the 
 Royalists, being in a majority, succeeded in carrying a vote 
 which provided for an army 40,000 strong. Great opposition 
 was made to this Engagement by the leaders of the Church, and 
 a proclamation against it was issued. In the opinion of Argyll's 
 supporters, it was " nothing but a snare to lead souls to 
 damnation." The ablest of the Scottish generals, the Earl of 
 Leven and David Leslie, refused commands. The opposition 
 produced so much effect upon the popular mind that the force 
 levied fell very considerably below what was anticipated. With 
 an army of 15,000 men, hastily levied, undisciplined, and badly 
 equipped, Hamilton crossed the English border. Considerably 
 reinforced by a body of English loyalists he continued his march. 
 Henceforward, however, nothing but misfortune attended the 
 expedition. The whole military operations were conducted with 
 such utter incapacity and cowardice that disaster was inevitable. 
 Hamilton ordered Munro, an officer of considerable experience, 
 to remain in Westmoreland with a strong division, while he 
 advanced. Although he had entered Lancashire, and was now 
 in touch with highly-disciplined troops led by Cromwell himself, 
 his army was still broken up and distributed over a considerable 
 area. When the Scots were thus so wretchedly commanded, 
 entirely disorganised, and unprepared to resist the slightest 
 opposition, Cromwell with his cavalry thundered suddenly down 
 upon Hamilton's division, and drove it back in precipitate dis- 
 order upon Preston. Instead of Hamilton holding the town, 
 and endeavouring to rally his troops and maintain his position 
 till the rest of his troops concentrated from the neighbourhood, 
 nothing short of an ignominious retreat followed. The infantry 
 thus ignobly abandoned and unsupported, threw down their 
 arms, implored for quarter, and unconditionally surrendered to 
 the victorious Ironsides. Hamilton with his cavalry having 
 escaped from Preston, lapsed once more into such a state of 
 helplessness and inactivity that he was overtaken by Colonel 
 Lambert, completely surrounded, and finally forced to capitulate.
 
 98 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Hamilton was thrown into prison. Many of the officers succeeded 
 in effecting their escape by bribery, but the common soldiers 
 suffered great hardships at the hands of the victors. Never did 
 such failure and disaster accompany the Scottish arms as they 
 did throughout the engagement. The execution of the King 
 followed in 1649, and shortly afterwards Hamilton met the same 
 fate. The despatch of the Scottish army into England led to 
 the invasion of Scotland by Cromwell and innumerable troubles, 
 of which the town of Dundee had an ever-memorable experience. 
 
 August 5th, 1648. On that day there Avere four score and 
 sixteen pounds Avhich came from the army, given to soldiers 
 Avho were lamed and Avho Avere killed in rny Lord Dudhope his 
 regiment. 
 
 Lord Dudhope previously known as the Laird of Dudhope 
 Avas a strong Royalist partisan, and had succeeded in raising a 
 regiment of troopers from the county, Avhich subsequently 
 shared in the reverses of the Engagement. This quaint intima- 
 tion of the distribution of military funds implies that a number 
 of engagers had been raised from the parish, through the 
 influence of the Earl of Buchan. When the defeated engagers 
 reached Westmoreland they Avere joined by the force Avhich 
 had been left there under General Munro. With all possible 
 haste they proceeded to Scotland. Not far from the border 
 they Avere met by the army of reserve, under the Earl of 
 Lanark, brother of the unfortunate Hamilton. This nobleman, 
 notwithstanding many grave doubts as to his military capacity, 
 practically constituted himself at a council of Avar leader of the 
 newly-raised army. It had been levied mainly by the efforts of 
 the nobility and landed gentry, prominent among Avhoni as 
 one of the Earls Marischal of Scotland was the Earl of Buchan. 
 It had the reputation of being a formidable and gallant army, 
 and reckoned to be equally capable of defeating the opposition 
 of Argyll, and resisting any invasion of the country by Crom- 
 Avell. Such brilliant anticipations, however, Avere someAvhat 
 prematurely entertained, because very soon afterwards the Earl
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 99 
 
 of Lanark, to the dismay and disgust of the Cavalier element, 
 made a truce with Argyll, which practically constituted the 
 latter master of the situation in Scotland. The next important 
 event was Cromwell's invasion, conquest, and occupation of the 
 country. 
 
 October 1648. Two persons were brought to repentance for 
 shearing corn on the Sabbath day. 
 
 November 29th, 1648. James Mann was ordained to go to 
 John Monteith to get 10 sh. my Lord Buchan had promised to 
 give for the upbringing of a Highland boy at the schools. 
 
 In 1648 every congregation throughout the Church was 
 appointed to pay forty shillings Scots yearly for maintaining 
 Highland boys, i.e., Gaelic-speaking boys, at school. Others were 
 recommended to bursaries in Universities. A special effort was 
 made at this time to spread education and the knowledge of 
 religion throughout the Highlands and Islands, which appear 
 to have made but slow advances in civilisation through neglect, 
 poverty, and ignorance. 
 
 January 7th, 1649. The minister and two of the elders 
 went through the church after sermon desiring the people to 
 subscribe the Covenant. 
 
 On several important occasions covenants or bonds of union, 
 by which the Scottish people bound themselves by solemn 
 compacts in opposition to governments hostile to their religious 
 principles, were drawn up. During the minority of King James 
 (1581), a covenant was entered upon to protect the Reformed 
 Church against the Catholics. This was renewed in 1588, 
 when the country was threatened by the Spanish Armada. These 
 two covenants, it will be observed, were directed solely against 
 Popery. What was known again as the National Covenant of 
 1638, not only renounced the doctrines of Rome, but distinctly 
 repudiated and condemned all Episcopal authority and pre- 
 tension. It was also a compact to defend, against every assault, 
 the discipline and doctrine of the Presbyterian Church. The 
 Solemn League and Covenant referred to in the entry was the
 
 100 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 celebrated bond of union between the people of England and 
 Scotland. It was adopted by the Parliament of 25th September 
 1643, and was directed mainly against Episcopal government. 
 It consisted of six articles : 1. The preservation of the Reformed 
 Church in Scotland, and the reformation of religion in England 
 and Ireland. 2. The extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, Schism, 
 &c. 3. The preservation of the liberties of Parliament and the 
 King's person and authority. 4. The discovery and punish- 
 ment of all malignants, &c. 5. The preservation of a blessed 
 peace between these Kingdoms. 6. The assisting all who enter 
 into the Covenant. This will we do as in the sight of God. 
 
 In this parish the people appear to have been very slow in 
 giving their acceptance to this document, while others treated it 
 with hostility and contempt. By the orders of the General 
 Assembly a Parochial Committee was ordered to be formed in 
 every parish, and that Committee had to see that each adult 
 member of the parish signed, or otherwise gave his adhesion to, 
 the Covenant. Heavy penalties were ordered to be enforced 
 against all who were obstinate or slothful. At this time many 
 of the parishioners were tainted with malignancy, and stubbornly 
 opposed to dictation from Presbyterian headquarters. 
 
 March 10th, 1649. The kirk officer was ordained to go 
 through the yairds of the Kirk town to see if there were any 
 clothes drying, that they may be deferred to the kirk-session. 
 
 March llth, 1649. Marjory Young and Janet Gowans were 
 cited before session for contesting and striving together in 
 church for seat. 
 
 This is a frequent entry in the records of this period. In 
 former times the area of the church was left open, and people 
 brought their stools with them, which not unfrequently were 
 used as handy weapons, in the event of personal disputes arising 
 within or without the church. In those days a preacher of erro- 
 neous doctrine ran great risk also of having one hurled at his head. 
 The churches at this time were not, as a rule, fully supplied with 
 fixed pews or " daskes" for the parishioners. Such were looked
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 101 
 
 upon as luxxiries, and were put up by the principal heritors for 
 their own special use. Through the kindness of proprietors one 
 or two were erected for their tenants ; but these were by no 
 means sufficient for the accommodation of all. Accordingly, 
 the question resolved itself into that of first come first served. 
 Free fights over the pews were very frequent, and certain 
 female members of the congregation were not slow in applying 
 physical force to such as ventured to deprive them of their 
 highly-valued places in the " daskes." Long after the pew 
 system was introduced, however, a church fight was by no 
 means a rare occurrence in this parish. 
 
 March 24th, 1649. The kirk officer was ordained to summon 
 Thomas Wylie to come and make his public repentance for 
 threshing corn on the Sabbath day. 
 
 April 7th, 1649. There was an examination after second 
 sermon. 
 
 In this year it was enacted that every minister, with the 
 assistance of the elders, take course that in every house where 
 there is any that can read, there be at least one copy of the Shorter 
 and Larger Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and Directory for 
 Family Worship, for a weekly catechising to be constantly 
 observed in every kirk. Every Presbytery was also ordained 
 to take trial of all the ministers within their bounds once at 
 least in the half year, whether they be careful to keep weekly 
 diets of catechising, and if they shall find any of their number 
 negligent therein, that they be admonished for the first fault ; 
 and if after such admonition they do not amend, the Presbytery 
 for the second fault shall rebuke them sharply, and if after 
 such rebuke they do not amend, they shall be suspended. 
 
 The public examination and catechizing of parishioners as to 
 their knowledge of the Scriptures was therefore general through- 
 out the seventeenth century. The inhabitants of a particxilar 
 district within a parish were summoned to appear on a specified 
 day and hour, and all were bound to attend. The roll was 
 carefully called, and absentees were carefully marked, fined, and
 
 102 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 afterwards compelled to present themselves. There was no 
 respect of persons shown. 
 
 May 1st, 1649. On that day those who had not sworn to or 
 subscribed the Covenant did both swear and subscribe the 
 same. 
 
 When the Scottish Parliament met on the 4th January 1649, 
 one of its first duties was to deal with the insubordinate and 
 turbulent. On that day the Marquis of Argyll made a very long 
 speech, consisting of five heads, which he called the " bracking 
 of the malignants' teith," at the same time informing the House 
 that he quho was to speak after him (Warreston) " wold brecke 
 ther jawes." The Engagers had clearly broken their vows, and 
 it was declared by an Act of Parliament that all individuals who 
 had taken part in the "Engagement" were to be held as infamous, 
 and incapable of ever again serving the State. The terms of 
 this Act were clearly applicable to not a few within the parish, 
 so that such persons had to make up their minds at once either 
 to comply with the Act or suffer accordingly. 
 
 In September 1649, the province of Angus and Mearns was 
 visited by a Committee of ministers and ruling elders for its 
 " lowse lines." This Committee deprived eighteen ministers, 
 and two expectants they silenced, five ministers they suspended, 
 and two kirkis which had old failed men they ordained to be 
 prowydit of new ministers. 
 
 May 12th, 1649. The elders were ordained to mak' search 
 for any that did spread muck on Sunday after sermon. 
 
 October 28th, 1649. The minister did forewarn James, Earl 
 of Buchan ; George Sommer, Patrick Finrard, servitors to said 
 Earl ; and Thomas Gellies, servant to Thomas Mann, Burnhead, 
 to go to Dundee to Presbytery, Wednesday, 31st October, to 
 obey what the Presbytery had to object against them in going 
 to the Engagement. 
 
 By the Act of 1646, it was appointed that such as after trial 
 shall be found to have been in actual rebellion, and to have 
 carried charge with the rebels, to have accepted commissions for
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 103 
 
 raising horse or foot to them, or have otherwise assisted them in 
 manner mentioned in the Act, shall humbly acknowledge their 
 offence upon their knees, first hefore the Presbytery, and 
 thereafter before the congregation upon a Sabbath in some place 
 before the pulpit. This is the explanation of Mr Wemyss' 
 action against the parochial malignants. He would give no 
 quarter, and the offenders accordingly had to accompany him 
 to the Presbytery of Dundee, and there give an account of 
 themselves. It must have been a somewhat ludicrous spectacle 
 to behold the three gallant troopers with their noble captain on 
 their knees before the Presbytery, ignominiously surrendering 
 to the upholders of the Solemn League and Covenant. 
 
 December 10th, 1649. There were sundry Acts of Parliament 
 concerning the Covenant, with the Covenant itself, read out of 
 the pulpit, and intimation was made of a fast to be kept on 
 Thursday, the 14th December. 
 
 Sunday, December 17th, 1640. The Covenant being read to 
 the people, they all did swear to it. On that day Harry Ricky, 
 servitor to the Earl of Buchan, confessed to the minister and 
 elders that it was sore against their wills that they came in the 
 night and took the people out of their beds to go into England. 
 
 The Engagers from this parish appear to have made their 
 departure by moonlight. This surrender of the troopers to the 
 minister and kirk-session shows that the party of Argyll was 
 supreme, civilly and ecclesiastically, even in the most remote 
 districts. 
 
 January 6th, 1650. The minister desired the session to make 
 search everywhere in their own quarters if they knew of any 
 witches or charmers in the parish, and delate them to the next 
 session. 
 
 One of the most remarkable features of the time was the 
 belief in witchcraft. Many persons, especially women, were 
 supposed to have joined themselves to Satan. They were 
 believed to sail through the air, to meet at midnight within the 
 churches, to raise dreadful stoims, and to bring in all manner
 
 104 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 of diseases. Charges of the most extraordinary character were 
 made against old women, and, as a rule, entirely believed. 
 About 4,000 persons are believed to have perished through 
 burning, strangling, and other horrible means. The victims 
 were the aged, the weak, the deformed, the lame, the blind, the 
 insane those poor creatures whom infirmities, years, and neglect 
 had rendered wretched, and their judges and executioners were 
 reckoned the most intelligent men of their day. Throughout 
 Angus there was a general search for witches at this time, and 
 several individuals suffered from the strange and horrible 
 fanaticism. Several poor women were tortured and put to death 
 in the county amid scenes of the most savage and revolting 
 character. People flocked from all quarters to witness their 
 fellow-creatures consigned to the flames, amid the jeers and 
 laughter of an ignorant and superstitiously-blinded rabble. 
 Ministers and elders even found it expedient in several instances 
 to postpone church services in order that they and their fellow 
 Christians might be present at such shocking displays of 
 inhumanity. Here is the account rendered to a kirk-session in 
 Fife for the burning of two witches. Tt speaks for itself, and 
 affords striking evidence of the gross ignorance and fanaticism 
 of the age. To Mr John Miller, when he went for a man to try 
 them i.e., for a witch pricker, who pretended he could discover 
 whether they were bona-fide witches or not by inserting long 
 pins into their bodies 2 7s. ; in purchasing the commission, 
 9 3s. ; for ten loads of coal to burn them, 3 6s. 8d. ; for a 
 tar barrel, 14s. ; for towes, 6s. ; to him that brought the 
 executioner, 2 18s. ; to the executioner for his pains, 8 14s. ; 
 for his expenses, 16s. 4d. 
 
 January 7th, 1650. James Ruthven, John Black, Thomas 
 Hill, and James Low were before the session for threshing corn 
 on the fast-day. They were sharply reproved, and forbidden to 
 do the like again. On that day the minister delivered to session 
 the annual rent of 400 merks for use of schoolmaster and poor> 
 which were given by Mary Douglas, elder of Drum.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 105 
 
 The lady here referred to was well known for her unstinted 
 generosity. It was she who received Lady Ogilvie into her 
 house after she was driven from her residence of Forthour 
 Castle, which was plundered hefore her eyes, and subsequently 
 consigned to the flames by Inverawe, acting under the instruc- 
 tions of Argyll. Although homeless and destitute, all were 
 forbidden to shelter or befriend her. The Lady of Drum wrote 
 to Argyll asking permission to receive her grandchild, but he 
 refused his consent. In defiance of his order she courageously 
 received her, and befriended her in her house of Kelly. 
 
 February 10th, 1650. The minister warned people out of 
 pulpit of an Act of General Assembly forbidding promiscuous 
 dancing, and whosoever should henceforth be found doing 
 contrary to said Act should be censured ; also lie warned people 
 of Newton to come to be examined. 
 
 Presbyteries were ordered to take special care to restrain the 
 abuses which took place at penny bridals, and also to censure 
 the observers of lykewakes, and to use all possible means to 
 suppress promiscuous dancing, and to censure all such as were 
 found guilty of it. 
 
 The stern ultra-Presbyterians would tolerate no amusements. 
 These were in their eyes wiles of the devil and the destroyers 
 of souls. The grim cast-iron theology and wofully gloomy 
 fanaticism so widely prevalent never for a moment could tolerate 
 innocent recreation, nor come to accept the dictum that there is 
 a time to dance. The entire social life of those days was 
 weighed down by a harsh, superstitious, intolerant, ecclesiastical 
 system. The tender, merciful, attractive side of Christianity 
 was practically unknown. The charity that never faileth found 
 few adherents. Pharisaism, violent bigotry, ecclesiastical parti- 
 sanships flourished in full vigour, while the Christianity of 
 Christ was practically supplanted by a spurious Calvinism. 
 
 February 24th, 1650. The people of the place were warned 
 for catechizing. The people were appointed to come at ten 
 o'clock, and Bonniton at two o'clock.
 
 106 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 March 3rd, 1650. James Hayok, in Adamstone, was before 
 session for selling of a plaid on Sabbath day ; but he showed 
 that he sold the plaid on Wednesday before, and was cleared. 
 
 Form of testimonial of marriage from Mr Alexander Bruce,. 
 Minister of Tealing, to Minister of Auchterhouse 
 
 Reverend and Loving Brother, These are to inform you that James 
 Fyffe, of Drum, Parish of Longforgan, and Christian Wintoun, in this 
 parish, are proclaimed on three several Sabbath days in our church, and 
 no impediment in the contrar, therefore they desire to be married in 
 your church of Auchterhouse. Ye shall grant them the benefit when- 
 soever ye shall be required thereto, provided always that he bring with 
 him in testimonial from minister of Longforgan that they are proclaimed 
 likewise there and nothing objected. Recommending you and all yours- 
 to the Lord's blessing, I remain, your loving Brother, 
 
 Mr ALEXANDER BRUCE. 
 
 Testimonial from Mr Alexander Milne, of Longforgan 
 
 To all and sundry whom it eft'eirs, to whose knowledge thir presents 
 come, we, minister and elders of Longforgan parish, wishing all health and 
 happiness through Jesus Christ, do testify and declare by thir presents 
 that the bearer, James Fyffe, of Dron, within the said parish, and 
 Christian Wintoun, within the parish of Tealing, were, at the minister 
 of Tealing's request, lawfully proclaimed in a purpose of marriage at our 
 church three several Sabbath days, according to the order of the 
 church, without any impediment or objection, so that if it be thus in 
 Tealing, we know nothing that may hinder the solemnisation of their 
 marriage at the parties' desire in time convenient, as pleaseth God to- 
 direct, whilk to be of verity we testify of thir presents. Written by 
 John Elder, Notar Scribe to our Session. Subscribed with our hands 
 as follows, at Longforgan, 10 March. 
 
 Signed by Minister for Session. 
 
 The granting of testimonials was general throughout the- 
 Church. In all cases of scandal such testimonials were refused. 
 The preliminaries to marriage were conducted with great gravity,, 
 dignity, and formality. The character of the individuals was 
 carefully sifted, and examination upon Bible knowledge was in 
 many instances demanded, also certificates showing that' the 
 parties were diligent attenders upon Divine ordinances, besides
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 107 
 
 those relating to due proclamation, had to be produced. The 
 tabling of consignation fees was also strictly required. 
 
 April 7th, 1650. On that day there was a fast kept, the 
 causes thereof as follows : 
 
 Rev. Brother, The King's Majesty (King Charles I.), who lately 
 reigned, being now, contrary to the dissent and protestation of the 
 kingdom, removed by a violent death, the estates of Parliament having 
 declared and proclaimed the Prince of Scotland and of Wales to be King, 
 as you may perceive by the enclosed proclamation, and have resolved to 
 make addresses to him with all possible speed about the things that 
 concern the security of religion, and of the peace of the kingdom, and 
 because of the great importance of His Majesty's deposition, and of 
 these affairs, we hope you shall be careful to deal earnestly with God, 
 both in private and in public, in behalf of His Majesty who now is ; and 
 we have now thought fit that a solemn public humiliation be kept on 
 Thursday, the 22ud of this instant, as for all the sins and provocations 
 of the land, so to pray the Lord, in a special manner, for these things 
 following : 
 
 1. That he would deliver the King from evil counsel in which he is 
 
 now involved, and teach him in his youth the knowledge of his 
 way, that he may fear his name for establishing and advancing 
 the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the work of Reformation. 
 
 2. That the Lord will be pleased to bless these addresses that are 
 
 now to be made to His Majesty, for the security of religion, 
 the union betwixt the kingdoms, and the peace and safety of 
 the kingdom. 
 
 3. That he would strengthen and deliver our afflicted brethren in 
 
 England, who suffer by the violence and strange practices of 
 the Sectaries. 
 
 4. That he would in his mercy prevent all these calamities and 
 
 confusions that the present great revolution of affairs does 
 threaten these kingdoms with, so hoping that you will be care- 
 ful to stir up yourselves and others to wrestle witli God in such 
 an exigent, and to intimate the fast timeously, and to keep the 
 same in your several congregations the foresaid day. \Ve shall 
 only add that if there be any in your congregation who refuse 
 to renew the Covenant, and are not excluded by the Act, our 
 judgment is after you have convened them before you and fouKd 
 them obstinate, that you make public intimation of their names 
 from your pulpits, as of persons who are disaffected and enemies
 
 108 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 to the cause of God, and that you refer them to the next 
 General Assembly, till which time you are to suspend them 
 from the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and from all ecclesias- 
 tical charge, that so they may be in the same case with those 
 who are excluded because of the malignancy and accession to 
 the Engagement. We commend you to His grace, and rest 
 
 Your affectionate Brethren, 
 
 THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 
 Mr ROBERT DOTTGIAS, Moderator. 
 
 This interesting document is signed by one of the ablest 
 leaders of the Church at this time. Mr Douglas preached the 
 sermon previous to the coronation of Prince Charles by the 
 Marquis of Argyll (January 1st, 1651). 
 
 April 14th, 1650. The Earl of Buchan was brought before 
 the congregation this day for not signing the Solemn League 
 and Covenant. James, Earl of Buchan, did stand up in his 
 daske, and there declared before the whole congregation that he 
 was sorry and grieved that he ever did adhere or have any 
 dealing with those who went up to England in that unlawful 
 Engagement. Also he did hold up his hand and sware to ye 
 Covenant and subscribed it. 
 
 From the character of Buchan, he doubtless regarded the 
 whole transaction as a fiasco, as most of the Cavaliers did. It 
 was the dread of Argyll's " Act of Classes" which brought about 
 Ms apparent contrition and submission, rather than the threats 
 of minister and kirk -session, or regard for the Solemn League 
 and Covenant. 
 
 April 23rd, 1650. Mr John Mignemane, chaplain to the 
 Master of Gray, being appointed by Presbytery to preach in our 
 church, refused and came not ; so there was no preaching, because 
 our minister preaching at Tealing, serving Mr John Campbell's 
 edict. 
 
 This implies that the Presbytery of Dundee was split up into 
 the two parties of the period viz., the Resolutioners and 
 Protesters. The chaplain here referred to being a Resolutioner,
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 
 
 would have no dealings with the Auchterhouse Protesters. The 
 party spirit of the time precluded all ministerial and social 
 intercourse. 
 
 April 23rd, 1650. Intimation was made from the pulpit 
 forbidding all and every one in the parish to join with those 
 rebels who were coming in the North, and that under the pain 
 of excommunication. 
 
 The Marquis of Montrose while in the Low Countries was 
 informed of the execution of the King. The intelligence so 
 deeply moved him that he resolved to have revenge. Having 
 met the young King at the Hague, preparations were at once 
 made for fresh military movements in Scotland. A rising had 
 already taken place in the North under Mackenzie a brother 
 of the Earl of Seaforth James, Lord Ogilvy, Lord Reay, &c.> 
 who, with a body of clansmen, had fallen upon the garrison of 
 Covenanters at Inverness. There was every expectation that 
 the movement thus begun would spread throughout the Southern 
 Highlands by the efforts of the disaffected Cavaliers. The 
 intelligence also that Montrose had landed in Scotland created 
 great alarm, so that the Covenanting party brought to bear all 
 the terrors of the Church upon those likely to take up arms 
 under him. In the edicts which were issued he is denounced 
 as the excommunicated traitor, .the unhappy and cursed man, 
 James Graham, a child of the Devil, and as a man most justly, 
 if ever any, cast out of the Church of God. 
 
 May 1'Jth, 1650. James Swan and William Watson are 
 appointed to search alehouses in time of sermon. John 
 Robertson and William Erskine are appointed by session against 
 the next Sabbath to come before pulpit after they are called in 
 and make their public repentance for going into England on 
 that sinful and unlawful Engagement. 
 
 It is interesting to observe that the soldiers who had survived 
 the Engagement and subsequent operations were now returning 
 to the parish, and as they reappeared were summarily taken to 
 task for their malignancy, and compelled to surrender and swear
 
 110 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 to the Covenant. It is quite evident the Koyalist cause was 
 wrecked, and the army well-nigh broken up or disbanded. 
 
 May 20th, 1650.- Intimation was made from pulpit of a 
 thanksgiving to be kept on the 25th May, being Friday, for a 
 victory obtained against the common enemy in the land ; also, 
 there were sundry papers read from the pulpit concerning a 
 victory in the North, and of taking some prisoners. 
 
 Friday, May 25th, 1650. There was a thanksgiving kept 
 for the victory the Lord hath given unto us in the North by 
 overthrowing of our enemies, in putting them to flight, and in 
 taking so many prisoners. 
 
 The Marquis of Montrose had landed in Orkney with a body 
 of foreign auxiliaries to make one more attempt on behalf of the 
 Stewarts, after the great reverse of Philiphaugh. The enter- 
 prise ruinously collapsed, as his forces were completely routed 
 by Strachan's cavalry at Invercarron. After many adventures 
 and hardships amid the Northern wilds and solitudes, he was 
 driven to seek shelter from a former adherent, Macleod of 
 Assynt. By Macleod he was made prisoner, and by General 
 David Leslie's orders placed under escort to be taken to 
 Edinburgh. On the way he passed through Dundee under a 
 strong guard. By the inhabitants of the town he was received 
 with marked respect and sympathy. His treatment was of a 
 severe character on the march, for " he sat upon a little shelty 
 horse without a saddle ; but a quilt of rags and straw and 
 pieces of ropes for stirrups, his feet fastened under the horse's 
 belly with a tether, and a bit halter for a bridle, a ragged, old, 
 dark reddish plaid, and a moutier cap upon his head, a musketeer 
 on each side, and his fellow-prisoners on foot after him." He 
 was delivered up to the Covenanting Government, and the 
 sentence to be condemned, hanged, and quartered was carried 
 out with barbarous severity. Thus terminated the strangely 
 romantic and meteor-like career of the great Marquis, the first 
 historical personage of his day in Scotland, and, in the 
 estimation of many, the solitary hero of his times. His
 
 ANGUS PARISH. Ill 
 
 personal appearance is thus described by Wishart : " He was 
 not very tall, nor much exceeding a middle stature, but of 
 an exceedingly strong composition of body and an incredible 
 force, joined with an excellent proportion and fine features. 
 His hair was of a dark-brown colour, his complexion sanguine, 
 of a quick and piercing grey eye. He was a man of a very 
 princely carriage and excellent address. He was a complete 
 horseman, and had a singular graco in riding. -He was of a 
 most rosolute and undaunted spirit." Although the most con- 
 spicuous figure throughout the civil war, the unflinching foe of 
 the whole policy of Argyll and the ultra-Presbyterians, directly 
 responsible for much of the misery and bloodshed which 
 accompanied those unhappy times, besides unquestionably 
 imbued with an unconquerable ambition, which to a great 
 extent led him to attach himself to the reckless policy of the 
 Stewarts, nevertheless Montrose possessed many qualities of an 
 exceptionally high order. The resignation with which he 
 confronted his melancholy fate ; his heroism, noble bearing, 
 and magnanimity, which truly shed a lustre over the dark 
 scenes with which his stormy career terminated, have never 
 failed to elicit the profoundest admiration. Unmoved by all 
 the unpardonable insults and cruelties of vindictive partisans, 
 he quitted himself like a man, and faced death with heroic 
 fortitude. The night before his execution he inscribed the 
 following lines with a diamond upon the window of his cell : 
 
 " Let them bestow' on every airth a limb, 
 Then open all my veins, that I may swim 
 To Thee, my Maker, in that crimson lake ; 
 Then place my purboil'd head upon a stake, 
 Scatter my ashes strew them in the air 
 Lord ! since Thou knowest where all these atoms are, 
 I'm hopeful Thou'lt recover once my dust, 
 And confident Thou'lt raise me with the just." 
 
 The capture of the great soldier who had so often, by his 
 military exploits, filled the people with alarm, was, according to
 
 112 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 the custom of the period, followed by a thanksgiving service 
 throughout the kingdom. 
 
 June 8th, 1650. It was condescended upon that there should, 
 be a school built for young ones. 
 
 June 19th, 1650. The minister forewarned all those who- 
 had not subscribed the Covenant that they should do it next 
 Sabbath, and those who would not do that, that notice might be 
 taken of them. 
 
 June 23rd, 1650. On that day there was intimation made 
 out of pulpit for a fast to be kept on Sunday, 7th July. 
 
 July 1650. John Petrie and his wife Jean were before 
 session for breaking of Sabbath day in fly ting and scolding each 
 other, for which they were ordained to come before the pulpit 
 next Sabbath, and make their public repentance and pay the 
 penalty. 
 
 July 7th, 1650. In quoting from this record we shall adhere 
 to the spelling of the 17th century. 
 
 On that day there vas a fast keepit. The cawses thereof are 
 cawses of a publick and solemne Humiliation appointed bee the 
 Commissione of the Generall Assemblie to be keepit through all 
 the congregations of the church, vpon the last day of June 
 instant. Edinburgh, thee 21 of June 1650. 
 
 The Lord's dispensations hath often called this land to- 
 humiliation and fasting, sumtyms by the fear of snars, sumtyms 
 by threatened violence, but the grounds of this holds foorth 
 ane eminent degree of both these as a fruit of many misspent 
 and abused solemne occasions ; and although wee have no 
 occasione to faint or cast away o\vr confidence in any difficultie, 
 yet vee conceive it becoms all thee Lord's people throughout 
 this Kingdome seriously to bee humbled for these cawses 
 following : 
 
 1. The gryt danger the land and vork of reformation are 
 into by the sudden and vnexpected approaching of the sectarean 
 forces in our neighbour Kingdom of Ingland, vhich as it ia 
 vithout all cawse of provocation from vs, and inconsistent with
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 113 
 
 thec oath of God in the Solenmc League and Covenant and the 
 large Treattie betwixt thee nations, so except the Lord prevent 
 it, it threattns no lesse nor thee ruine of this Kingdome and 
 obstrowing of the vork of God vithin thee same. 
 
 [Cromwell had now resolved to invade Scotland. The 
 invasion had been delayed and hostilities averted by the 
 repudiation of the Engagement by the new administration. 
 The young King having, however, landed in Scotland, the 
 army of Cromwell advanced to drive him from the country, and 
 to deal with the Scottish Covenanters, who were opposed to the 
 execution of King Charles I. by the Republican leaders, and still 
 maintained their sympathies for the fallen Monarchy.] 
 
 2. The present distressed estat of thee people of God in 
 Ingland, now groaning under the tirrany of that partie, vhich 
 should the more affect us, seing, if Providence doeth not 
 othervayes dispose, ere long we ourselves may be browght to 
 the lyk or vorse extremitie. 
 
 3. Besyd the danger vee ourselves are in besyd that partie 
 from Ingland, vce are not vithout the reach of hazard from the" 
 malignant paitie vhose inveterat malice against the work of 
 God holds them on to perse w the same desings hitherto by the 
 blessing of God disappointed. 
 
 [All those who had shared in the Engagement had either been 
 suspended from church privileges or been excommunicated. 
 Those who had refused to sign the Covenant or had broken their 
 vows were recognised as enemies of the Reformation. This 
 party was known by the designation of " Malignants," a term 
 which frequently occurs throughout the proclamations of this 
 exciting period.] 
 
 4. ^Notwithstanding all the imminent dangers thee land 
 layes in securitie, ignorance, profanitie, and formalitie litel 
 conscience is made of the oath of God in our solemne vows, 
 the guiltiness of shortcoming quharin and the breaches thereof 
 before the Lord pleads against rulers, ministers, and souldiers,and 
 people of all sort, besyd thec gryt vnthankfulnesse for mercies 
 
 i
 
 114 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 old and late, and the gryt abounding of sorcerie so common in 
 many parts of this kingdome. We are therefore to pray 
 
 1. That God vould keep vs from thee danger of (the Sectarian 
 army) drawing towards our border, that vee may neither bee in- 
 fected bee their errors nor harmed by their violence, and that Hee 
 vould disapoint all their designs against this land and the vorke 
 of God, and brak the yoak from of the necks of his people in 
 our neighbour Kingdome. 
 
 2. That Hee vould purge the land from profanitie, malig- 
 nancie, and all other sins, stire vp all sorts to their dutie, direct 
 and blisse them in it, for thee furtherance of his vork and 
 defence of his people, and that He may keep vs streight theirine 
 that enemies get no advantage by our declyning from thee 
 Covenant, either to the right hand or to the left. 
 
 3. That Hee vould shew mercie to owr King, and cawse his 
 vrath to cease from his father's house, and blesse the labours of 
 our Commissionars vith him in bringing that treatie to such a 
 solide close, as vee may be keeped from sin and snares, and hee 
 brought to his throne, as may bee for the good of religione and 
 comfort of his people. 
 
 [In 1649, Commissioners had been despatched from Scotland 
 to Holland to negotiate personally with the young King. Xo 
 satisfactory terms could be effected with him, however, owing to 
 the influence of Montrose, and others of the Cavalier and 
 Malignant party. In 1650, Commissioners were again sent to 
 Breda, and the young King at length agreed to accept the terms 
 of the Covenanters. The defeat and capture of Montrose, and 
 the hopelessness of raising a revolt in Scotland, brought about 
 his surrender. Accompanied by the General Assembly's Com- 
 missioners, and a considerable number of worthless, dissolute old 
 Cavaliers, he accordingly landed in Scotland on the 16th June 
 1650, near the Spey, and advanced to Stirling, Avhere he was 
 received by the leaders of the Scottish nobility.] 
 
 4. That as hitherto the Lord has been ever for a defence to 
 thee Assemblies of his Church, so hee vould be pleased
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 115 
 
 graciously to countenance this insewing Geuerall Assemblie, 
 both in the gathering and proceiding thereof. 
 
 28th July. On Sunday their vere intimatione made out of 
 the pulpit of a fast to be keepit, the causes are these quilk vere 
 continued in the last fast. 
 
 September 12th, 1650. At Stirling a solemne declaration 
 and varning to all thee congregations of the Kirk of Scotland 
 from the Commissione of the Generall Assemblie. 
 
 Albeit the Lord, vhose judgments are unsearchable, and 
 vhose vays are past finding out, has brought the land verie low 
 vnder thee hands of a prevailing eneniie, yet most not vee bee 
 silent to declare the mynd of God, nor others refuse to harken 
 thereto ; it ver sup [superfluous] to give answer to the many 
 calumnies and reproches that wer layed abroad, for albeit in 
 every thing vee cannot Justine the condine punishment of this 
 armie, yet vee hold to our duetie not to believe groundlesse 
 repentance, but rather to eye the Lord and to look to the hand 
 that smytes them, and therefore in that pairt vee exhort and 
 varne all the inhabitants in the land to search out their 
 iniquities and to be humble before the Lord, that he may 
 turne avay his wrath from vs. The Lord hath voundcd and 
 chastised us sore, quilk says that our iniquities are many and 
 our sins are increased. It concerns the King to mourn e for the 
 preivous provocations of his father's house, for all his own 
 euiltinesses, and to consider that if hee hawe com vnto 
 the Covenant and joyned himsellfe vnto the Lord upon 
 polytike maters more for gaining himselfe a crown rather 
 than to advance religione and right, that is ane iniquitie quhilk 
 God vill not forget vnlesse it be speidily repented of. It 
 concerns also ovr nobles and judges to try vhither their carriage 
 in publick maters be streight and equall, or rather favour in 
 seeking themselves and the things of this vorld, and how they 
 valk in their privat conversationc. Their is in many a gryt 
 deale of pervernesse and incorigiblenesse in regaird of forsaken 
 sume sins and performing sume dueties, notvithstanding publick
 
 110 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 professions and ingadgments, and this cannot but highlie provoke 
 thee Lord ; and it concerns the officers of the armie, especiallie 
 these vho are chieffe among them, to veigh veill quhat the Lord 
 has against them, and to repent of their diffidence and carnall 
 vay of acting and vndervaluing of God's people ; (the brethren) 
 has also neid to search themselves and examine themselves as 
 to their religions dueties, even among themselves there is much 
 negligence and unfaithfulnesse to bee found, for which God is 
 angry. Albeit the Lord has suffered that armie of perfidious 
 and blasphemous sectaries to prevail, yet God forbid that 
 thee land shovld complay vith them quhat ever may bee 
 thee plausible and faire cariage of their land armie, yet doubtlesse 
 their is a leaven of hospitalitie and error among them, all quilk 
 the lowers of truth vowld avoid and discerne as thee Lord has 
 tryed the stabilitie and integritie of his people in the land 
 heirtofore by the prevayling of Sectaries, and soe vee trust that 
 they vill think it their duetie and commendatione to prove sted- 
 f ast no less against the one than against the other. Neither void 
 men be lesse cairfull and active in opposing this concerning than 
 they have been in oposing Malignants heirtofore ; our religione, 
 liberties, and lyves are in as gryt hazard now adayes as ever. 
 All the ordinances of Jesus Christ are in danger, and the founda- 
 tione lyke to bee overturned by these men who are obliest by 
 these of them to maintaine all those. And it vere gryt 
 guiltenesse to ly downne and crowcli under the strange impossi- 
 bilities they vould lay on vs, and as men vithout heart to suffer 
 our land to be browght in bondage and our selves to bee robbed 
 of all these things quilk are most precious and deare to vs. If 
 vee void doe so, the Lord void be angry vith vs, and our 
 posteritie void curse vs. 
 
 Yee void not think that all dangers from malignancie seeing 
 their are a gryt many such vho yet returne their former principals, 
 and therefore vee void vith as much vatchfulnesse and tender- 
 nesse as ever avoid their snaris, and bevare of complying or 
 conjuctions with them, and take head that vnder a pretence of
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 117 
 
 * 
 
 doing for the cawse and for the King they get not power in to 
 their hands for advancing and promoweing their old malignant 
 desingis. Doubtlcsse, our saftie is to their first and former 
 principalls, keiping a streight path vithout declining either to 
 the reight hand or to the left. Secondly, it concerns all the 
 inhabitants in the land to bee vare of murmuring and complain- 
 ing against God's dispensatione, and questioning the truth of our 
 cawse, of quarrelling vith God, or bleaming or casting of the 
 Covenant because of any thing that has befallen ; that vere a 
 gryt iniquitie not to be pardoned. Let vs beare the indignatione 
 of the Lord. Mich 7. Postscrip. 
 
 It is also seriously desired that yee vil be instant vith God in 
 your prayers, both privat and publick, that Hee void preserve us 
 the ordinances of Jesus Christ, the kingdome . . . the 
 King's Majesties persone, and the ininistrie from the furie of 
 this enemie, vho is seeking the overthrow of all. 
 
 This peculiarly vigorous and incisive proclamation was 
 issued after the disastrous battle of Dunbar, fought on the 3rd 
 September 1650, in which Cromwell completely defeated the 
 Covenanting army under General David Leslie. The shattered 
 Scottish army afterwards rallied at Stirling, from which town 
 this proclamation was issued. 
 
 [" Their vere sundrie Acts vreatin in another book, quilk ves 
 taken away bee the enemie quhan they stormed the towne of 
 Dundee."] 
 
 This note is of considerable interest. It must have been made 
 subsequent to this time, because Dundee was not stormed by 
 Monk till August 1651. The book referred to may have been 
 conveyed with other property, such as communion plate, for safety 
 to Dundee, or it may have been removed during a raid of 
 Monk's troopers. Most probably it was lost or destroyed during 
 the siege. Everything of value was either.destroyed or removed 
 by the English soldiers at this time. The material collected 
 within the town was immense, and the plunder was estimated 
 by Balfour at above two millions and a half Scots. Monk's
 
 118 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 chaplain admits that it was " the best plunder that was gotten 
 in the wars." 
 
 Sunday, September 22nd. Their vas a Fast keapit and 
 Thursday following, the cawses arc these following : 
 
 The cawses of a publicke humiliatione vpon the defat of our 
 armie. [Battle of Dunbar.] Albeit solemne publicke humilia- 
 tione hawe been much slighted and gone about in a formal vay 
 be many in this land, so that its not one of the least of our 
 provocations that vee hawe drawen near vnto God vith our 
 mowths, and keeped our harts fare avay from Him, for quhilk 
 the Lord has turned the visdome of the vise unto foly and the 
 strength of the strong vnto veaknesse ; yet, seeing its a dutie 
 that often hes proven comfortable to vs, and to quhilk now God 
 calls us in a special vay by a singular peece of dispensatione, 
 and knowing that all that are acquainted vith God vill make 
 conscience of it, vee conceive its expedient that thee whole 
 land bee humbled for these cawses following : 
 
 1. The continued ignorance and profanes of the whole body 
 of the land, and the obstinacie and incorrigiblenes of many, 
 notwithstanding of the pains God has taken vpon us by His 
 vord, and by His vorks of mercy and judgments to teach in 
 the knowledge of His name and to informe vs of the evil of our 
 vayes. 
 
 2. The manifold provocations of the King's howse, quhilk 
 vee feare are not repented of nor forsaken bee him vnto this 
 day, together vith the crooked and precipited vayes vhich vere 
 taken by sundrie of the statsmen for caring on the treattie with 
 the King. 
 
 3. The bringing home vith the King a gryt many malignants, 
 and endevovring to keep svme of them about him, and many of 
 them vithine the kingdome, notvithstanding of publick resolu- 
 tions to the contrarie. 
 
 4. The not purging of the King's familie from malignant and 
 profane men, and constituting the same of godly and veill 
 affected persones, albeit it has been often pressed vpon the
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 119 
 
 Parliament and Committee of Estates and vudertaken and 
 promised to bee performed by them. 
 
 5. The leawing of a most malignant and profane gaird of 
 horse men to bee about the King, and vho being sent to bee 
 purged, cam two dayes before the defatte, and were suffered to 
 bee and feight in our armie. 
 
 6. The exceiding slacknesse of many, and aversnesse and 
 untowardnesse of svme in the chieffe Judicatories in the king- 
 dome and in the armie in their conversations and publick 
 dueties, especialle in these things quilk concern the purging of 
 the Judicatories and of the armie from malignant and infamous 
 persons, and filling all places of power and trust vith men of 
 knawen integritie, and of blamelesse and Christian conversation 
 (portion of MS. here obliterated). 
 
 7. The exceiding gryt diffidence of some of the chiefe of 
 our armie and them among us vho thought vee could not 
 be sawe (i.e., safe) but by a numberlesse armie, and vhen 
 they had gotten many thousands together vowld not hazard 
 anything, notwithstanding God afforded many faire opportuni- 
 ties and advantages, and fitted the spirits of the souldiers to 
 duetie. 
 
 [From this statement it appears that General David Leslie 
 and the other Scottish officers were blamed for the defeat at 
 Dunbar. It is well-known, however, that the battle was lost to 
 the Covenanters by the incessant interference of the foolish and 
 fanatical clergy who accompanied the army with the military 
 tactics of Leslie. They refused to leave the camp ; they even 
 compelled him to dismiss a division of his best fighting men 
 simply because they were understood to be tainted with 
 malignancy and other obnoxious qualities ; they persistently 
 harrassed him with their frivolous harangues, and were so 
 clamorous in their demands for an immediate attack upon the 
 enemy, that at length Leslie's attitude of caution arid patience 
 was abandoned. Leaving his commanding position, he executed 
 that false movement which ultimately changed the fortunes of
 
 120 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 the war, and led Cromwell to say " Now the Lord hath 
 delivered them into our hands."] 
 
 8. The carnal confidence that was in many in the armie 
 despising the enemie and promising the victorie to themselues 
 without the eying of God. 
 
 9. The lowsnesse, insolencies, and oppressiones of many in 
 the armie and the litle or no care that vas taken to helpe the 
 cawse, by quhilk it is come to passe that very much of the food 
 of the poorc people in the land has been needlessly destroyed. 
 And vhile vee remember of the profanitie and oppression of 
 sundrie of our officers and souldiers in Ingland, vhile vee vere 
 fcighten for the Parliament in that Kingdome may not bee for- 
 gotten. Because, as it vas a gryt matter of stumbling to many 
 in that land, so its lyk that it is one of thee cawses of the 
 Lord's indignatione manifestit against vs by the hands of these 
 men. 
 
 10. The our gryt vnthankfulnesse for many mercies and 
 deliverances, and ewen for many tokens of the Lord's fawoure 
 and goodnesse tovards our armie vhile they vere together, and 
 the gryt impatience of spirit vhich vas to be seen in many these 
 vceiks past, quhilk mad them limet the Lord, and to complaine 
 and vearie of his delay to give deliverance. 
 
 11. The owning and eying the King's quarrel and interest in 
 many vithout full consideration to religione, and the libertie 
 and savetie of these Kingdoms. 
 
 12. The carnal selfe-seeking and croked vayes of sundrie in 
 our Judicatories or armies vho mak their places and employments 
 rather a mater of increasing of fame and of preferment to them- 
 selves than of advancing of religione and righteousnesse in the 
 land. 
 
 13. The not puting of difference betwixt these that served 
 God and those that served Hirn not, for services or imployments 
 accounting all men alike. 
 
 14. The exceeding gryt neglect that is in gryt ones and over 
 many in performing in dewties in their famelies, notwithstand-
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 121 
 
 ing of our former pleine acknowleging of this sin, as also theo 
 neglect of the rneanes of mutual edificatione, and our unfruitful- 
 nesse and barrennes that is among all sorts of persons, vith a 
 gryt deal of mixture of carnall securitie. 
 
 July 22nd, 1650. James fickle gave in his bill of complaint 
 against Margaret Tasker (his mother), following unto your 
 Wisdome's humble means and complaints : 
 
 I, James Nickle, upon Margaret Tasker, who has calumniat 
 me with her tongue by making me the father of ane lie in 
 saying that I should say to My Lord and Lady Buchan that she 
 had two sons who were abel soldiers for the wars. Also, she 
 abused me with her tongue by banning and swearing and 
 cursing, and saying that " bee God I leed, limmer" ; so I 
 humbly entreate your wisdome to do me reasonne. 
 
 This is a very amusing complaint made by a son against his 
 mother, who, to judge from the record, was somewhat of a 
 termagant. It is not recorded what punishment Margaret 
 Tasker received. Most likely she would be cautioned to be 
 more careful in the future, and not use such strong language to 
 her highly-sensitive son James. 
 
 September 1st, 1650. The preparation sermon before Com- 
 munion was preached by Mr William Japhray, Chaplain to 
 Earl of Buchan. On that day the people were advertised to 
 come at 10 hours in the morning. 
 
 This was the service held on Saturday previous to the 
 Communion. Sacramental fasts were unknown at this time. 
 
 October 28th, 1650. John Monteith, James Christie, Thomas 
 Mann, Burnhead ; James Swan, Newton, were before session 
 to undertake charge to be Elders and Deacons, which they 
 consented to do, and the minister ordained them to be present 
 on next Sabbath, 4 November, that they might give their 
 oaths of fidelity before the whole congregation. 
 
 Nothing is said to imply that the elders of this period had to 
 subscribe to any Confession of Faith. They were simply 
 required to promise to act faithfully as parochial authorities,
 
 122 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 members of a church court, and administrators of discipline 
 along with the minister. 
 
 November 12th, 1650. The minister did require at the 
 elders at what time they thought fittest to examine the people, 
 and that there was an Act of Assembly appointing minister to 
 examine a day every week. 
 
 Thursday, November 14th, 1650. James Rodger, in Kirkton 
 of Auchterhouse, being an elder in session, was discharged 
 thereof by his own desire and by the consent of the session, 
 because he could not conveniently keep the meeting, in respect 
 he had none to govern his house and family except himself, for 
 he had not a wife. 
 
 The minister warned people to go to the church of Lundie 
 next Lord's Day, because he was to preach there. On that day 
 a fast was kept, the causes thereof are as follows : 
 
 1. Because of malignity, deadness, lukewarmness of most 
 pairts in respect of cause and work of God in this land, which 
 makes us far short of that zeal and ferventness which becomes 
 us, and which the Lord ought to have expected at our hands 
 this day. 
 
 2. Because of a dead and lifeless ministry of late of the 
 Lord's mercy discovered, which hath been the source and 
 fountain of all our former evils. 
 
 3. Because of the desolate state and case of several large por- 
 tions of the country being starved by dry-breasted ministers this 
 long time byegone, and are now wandering like sheep without 
 shepherds, and witnesseth no sense of scauth. 
 
 4. Because of the frequent scandal of witches and charmers 
 in the part of the land, we are to supplicate the Lord that he 
 would enlighten and incline ministers and people, and fill their 
 hearts with more zeal to God and zeal to His truth, that the love 
 of God may constrain us all to mak more conscience of our 
 engagments, and to pray that ministers and people may fall in 
 love with Christ, and that more earnest desires may flow from 
 wanting people for the means of their supply ; and, finally, that
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 123 
 
 the Lord would discover here all the work of Satan as he has 
 begun to do in other places of the land, and bless all means that 
 are and shall be for that effect. 
 
 November 18th, 1650. Isabel Petrie, in the Newtoun of 
 Auchterhou.se, was before the session for the breaking of the 
 " glassin window" on that day the communion was given. "When 
 she was without in the kirkyaird sleeping her held fell through 
 on the window and broke the glass. 
 
 Glass was most expensive and seldom used in those days. 
 Windows were not generally made of glass, but were simply 
 wooden shutters, which might be opened or shut when required. 
 The "glassin window" was an important feature in the church, 
 and the replacing of it must have been a serious matter for the 
 unfortunate Isabel. 
 
 4th Sunday of December 1651. There was no preaching 
 because of the storm of snow, and the kirk door could not be 
 gotten open. 
 
 March llth, 1652. The minister warned the people of Bal- 
 beuchlie and Templeton to come at 10 hours to be examined. 
 
 May 2nd, 1652. Mrs Robertson, in the Bonniton, was before 
 the session for charming of her child, by going from the 
 Bonniton to the Kirkton well and washing her daughter's eyes 
 there, and saying : 
 
 " Fish beare fin and fulle beare gall, 
 All ye ill of my bairn's eyen in ye wall fall. " 
 
 The minister having heard her confession, found it necessary to 
 take no action until he had brought her case before the Pres- 
 bytery on the 22nd May. 
 
 Mrs Eobertson and Janet Fyffe, who had taught her how 
 to charm the child, were appointed to sit on the stool of repent- 
 ance, in sackcloth, ay till they be penitent. 
 
 July 18th, 1652. Janet Fyffe made her public repentance 
 before the pulpit for learning Mrs Robertson to charm her 
 child, and whereas Mrs Robertson should have done the
 
 124 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 same, it pleased the Lord before that time to call upon her 
 by death. 
 
 Charming, like witchcraft, was one of the curious beliefs of 
 this period. Every form of bodily and mental distress was 
 generally ascribed by people, then so imbued with superstition 
 and unlimited credulity, to the influence of evil spirits and- 
 certain diabolical agencies. The terror inspired by the Evil 
 One was overpowering. For every ill that happened he 
 was solely responsible. Moving to and fro in every conceivable 
 form, all and sundry were at his mercy. Many remedies were 
 discovered and reckoned to be thoroughly efficacious in 
 charming away his wicked machinations. Many people had 
 also profound confidence in the miracle-working power of certain 
 old women in the country, whose advice was eagerly sought in 
 all cases of bodily distress. Nothing could be done without 
 solemn consultation with the local witches. No matter how 
 absurd the prescriptions they recommended, they were at once 
 complied with as infallible. Visits to sacred wells were in 
 much favour, and during the washing process curious incanta- 
 tions were repeated, which were understood to promote 
 resistance to the enemy, and the healing virtues of the 
 well. At one time there was a strong superstitious belief in 
 the healing properties of the Lady Well near the village. It 
 had been formerly dedicated to the Virgin, hence its name. 
 The well was situated at the north-east corner of the glebe, 
 and there still exists an excellent spring at the same spot. It 
 was alleged to have been much frequented in olden times by 
 witches and charmers. 
 
 August 9th, 1652. It was disputed in the session whether 
 the collections contributed at marriage should come to the box 
 or to church officer, and the elders, with one consent, voted 
 that the beadle should have it. 
 
 Collections for beadles at marriages long prevailed. When 
 the practice of marrying in private dwellings became somewhat 
 general, the minister was always accompanied by the beadle, for
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 125 
 
 whose benefit a special collection was made by the company* 
 This was in compensation for the loss of his fees through the 
 breaking of the law. 
 
 Elders were enjoined to make strict search of alehouses on 
 Sundays. 
 
 January 6th, 1653. The minister did intimate to session of 
 two collections which are to be gathered the one for a 
 prisoner, and the other for two men taken by Turks in town 
 of Algiers. 
 
 Collections for all sorts and conditions of men were frequently 
 made. The collection for prisoner doubtless refers to some 
 victim of the civil war, and the other may be explained by the 
 fact that the Mediterranean at this time swarmed with pirates, 
 into whose hands Scottish merchants and sailors frequently fell. 
 It was, however, not unusual for impostors to represent them- 
 selves as victims of the Turks, as it often proved efficacious in 
 exacting sympathy. 
 
 June 13th, 1653. The session condescends that so soon as the 
 minister gets money from my Lord Buchan to buy communion 
 elements, he should delay no time in giving it. 
 
 This entry is of much importance, and clearly shows to what 
 an absurd length the controversial spirit of the times had been 
 carried. The church in 1651 had been rent by the violent 
 conflicts between the Resolutioners and Protesters. After the 
 battle of Dunbar,the party known henceforth as the Resolutioners 
 wanted to modify or rescind the Act of Classes, and thus en- 
 deavour to unite the country and present a solid opposition to 
 Cromwell. Their aim was to effect a compromise, and adopt a 
 policy of expediency in the national crisis. The uncompromising 
 Covenanters, henceforth known as Protesters, however, refused 
 to come to terms with the Malignants. So strongly did feeling 
 run between the rival parties, that the communion was not 
 observed for years in many parishes. The Protesters refused to 
 sit down at the communion with any of the Malignants. Mr 
 Wemyss, as a stubborn Covenanter and Protester, would have
 
 126 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 no communion celebrated, in which the Earl of Buchan and 
 other parochial Malignants desired to join. 
 
 September 6th, 1653. Marjoria Thain and James Haliburton 
 were before session for these speaches in saying that they would 
 raise the Devill for the cloaths stolen from them if they got 
 them not again. Confessing before the session, they were 
 ordained to compeare before the Presbytery "Wednesday come 
 eight days. 
 
 September 13th, 1653. That day compeared Jean Vialant, 
 in Rossie, before the session for taking upon her to reveal goods 
 stolen by the airt that she had, and confessed that she got the 
 ells of linen from Marjory Thain to dee the same. Being 
 accused upon it, answered that ye woman blamed one James 
 Halliburton, whom she would neither fyle nor cleange. Andrew 
 Thain, in Kirkton, being present and examined as a witness, 
 deponed in face of the session, and declared that he heard her 
 say " By the knowledge that I have, and the airts that God has 
 given me, that James Halliburton was the conveyer away of the 
 goods." She is ordained to answer session by advertisement. 
 
 November 7th. That day James Halliburton made his public 
 repentance before the congregation for those blasphemous 
 speaches in saying that he would raise the Devill if he got not 
 amends of Marjory Thain for alleging he was the conveyer away 
 of her goods stolen from her. 
 
 In 1655, the Rev. Mr Wemyss, minister of the parish, died. 
 From the numerous entries which occur in the parochial records 
 during his ministry, he appears to have been a man of consider- 
 able zeal and energy. There is clear evidence also of the fact 
 that he was a good example of the somewhat inquisitive, 
 superstitious, and fanatical clergy of his age. 
 
 He was succeeded by the Rev. James Auchinleck, formerly 
 of Kettins, on the 30th July 1656. While minister of Kettins 
 he was brought before the General Assembly, upon an accusation 
 of having been a defender of the doctrine of universal grace, but 
 was acquitted of the charge of heresy.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 127 
 
 The following entry regarding his appointment to this 
 parish is of ecclesiastical interest, as it distinctly implies that 
 the right of election of minister lay with the session, with 
 the concurrence of the Presbytery : 
 
 Sunday, May 1st, 1656. Whilk day, after incalling of the 
 nam of God bee Mr William Gray, minister at Fowlis, who 
 haveing preached, and thereafter holden sessione, it being 
 <lesired bee the said sessione that he should represent unto the 
 Presbytery of Dundie their desir for obtaining the Presbytery's 
 concurrence for planting a settled minister amongst them. After 
 the said Mr William haveing taken the particular voices of 
 everie one of the members of the said sessione did find that 
 their desire vas to haue Mr James Auchinleck to be their 
 settled minister, and vas thaireby desired bee the sessione to 
 entreat the Presbytery to giue thair concurrence with the 
 sessione to giue a call to the said Mr James. Lykas the 
 sessione heirby bee their presents giues him a call, and does 
 heirby commissiouat David Eodger and Mester Alexander 
 Ductor to goe alongs to the Presbytery for that effect. In 
 vitness vhereof thair presents are subscribed bee the sessione 
 day and place foresaid. 
 
 BUCHANNE. 
 
 AL. DUCTOR. By the Act of 1649, when any church 
 
 KOBT HAY became vacant, the Presbytery appointed one 
 of their number to preach to the congrega- 
 tion and entreat the members to provide themselves with a 
 qualified pastor. He was also instructed to signify that the 
 Presbytery would send them preachers whom they might hear. 
 Within a certain specified time the Presbytery sent one of their 
 number to preach, and thereafter the session proceeded to elect 
 a minister. If the people acquiesced and consented to this 
 appointment, Commissioners proceeded to the Presbytery, 
 intimated their choice, whereupon the Presbytery proceeded to 
 admit him. If objections were lodged by the major part of 
 the congregation against the appointment, and these were
 
 128 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 sustained by the Presbytery, a new election followed. When- 
 ever a congregation was malignant, the Presbytery appointed 
 the minister. 
 
 November 30th, 1656. There was an Act passed by the 
 session that because some were importunate for baptism in 
 forenoon, and the session finding that none of those people came 
 back to afternoon sermon, it was ordained that none desire their 
 children to be baptised before sermon unless they pay 30sh. The 
 sacrament of baptism had to be administered in the face of the 
 congregation, that what was spoken and done might be heard 
 and seen of all, and administered after sermon, before the 
 blessing. Private baptisms were and are still strictly opposed 
 to the law of the church. 
 
 March 21st, 1658. The minister, the Rev. Mr Auchinleck, 
 reported that the Presbytery had given commission to Mr 
 William Gray and the minister to speak to my Lord and Lady 
 Buchan anent their servant, Mrs Douglas, that they would cause 
 her to attend God's service on the Lord's day, or else dismiss 
 her. They promised to do so. 
 
 Nov. 2nd, 1662. Delated to the session, Patrick Gallants 
 and David Smith, for their irreverent and scandalous carriage in 
 the church by cursin' and fechtin' in time of service. 
 
 These two disturbers of divine service afterwards appeared 
 and paid ilk ane o' them six shillings. 
 
 According to an Act of the reign of King James VI. all 
 swearers of abominable oaths were to be fined and punished as 
 follows : For the first fault, every prelate of kirk or lord, four 
 shillings ; a baron or beneficed man constituted in dignity 
 ecclesiastical, twelve pennies ; a landed man, freeholder, vassal, 
 feuar, buyer, and small beneficed man, six pennies ; the poor 
 folks that have no gear, to be put in stocks, jougs, or imprisoned 
 for the space of four hours; and women to be weighed and 
 considered according to their blood, and estate of their parties 
 they are coupled with. For the second fault, every prelate, 
 earl, or lord, audit shillings ; every baron or beneficed man in
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 129 
 
 dignity, t\va shillings; every landed man, vassal, feuar, and 
 small beneficed man, twelve pennies ; and every craftsman, 
 yeoman, or servant, aucht pennies ; the space of the poor folks' 
 imprisonment to be doubled. For the third fault, the said 
 second pains to be doubled ; and for the fourth and last fault, 
 the offenders to be banished, or put in ward for the space of a 
 year and day, at the King's will. 
 
 It was also ordained that whatsoever person makes pertur- 
 bation or impediment in the kirk, and will not desist therefrom, 
 shall incur the pains as after follows : For the first fault, a 
 prelate, earl, or lord, ten pound ; a baron or person constituted 
 in dignity ecclesiastical, five pound ; a vassal, freeholder, burgess, 
 or small beneficed man, forty shillings ; and poor folks that 
 have nae gudes to be put in prison for fifteen days, to fast on 
 bread and water ; and for the second fault the doubling thereof ; 
 and for the third fault, warding of their persons or banishing 
 for year and day. Bairns that perturb the kirk to be leished. 
 
 In 1661 Episcopacy was re-established in Scotland. The 
 Solemn League and Covenant, which had been accepted by 
 King Charles II., 16th August 1650, was now repudiated by 
 him on his restoration. It was declared to be illegal by 
 Parliament, and copies of it were ordered to be burned. An 
 absolute despotism and reign of terror followed. The King was 
 declared by his minions supreme in all matters civil and 
 ecclesiastical. All the laws in favour of civil liberty and the 
 Presbyterian Church were swept away, in defiance of former 
 solemn compacts, and the way accordingly made clear for a 
 Prelatic ascendancy. The next step was the seizure, condem- 
 nation, and removal by execution of the great Argyll, and other 
 distinguished Presbyterian leaders and preachers. A new Privy 
 Council was created for the management of Scottish affairs, the 
 most important of which was the carrying out of the King's 
 resolution to interpose his Eoynl authority for restoring the 
 Church of Scotland to government by Bishops. Prelacy was 
 thus proclaimed solely upon the authority of the King, notwith-
 
 130 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 standing all remonstrances. In tlie beginning of 1662, a pro- 
 clamation was issued prohibiting all meetings of Synods, 
 Presbyteries, and Sessions, unless by the orders of the newly- 
 appointed Bishops. This was a greater blow than that inflicted 
 in the reign of King James, for these courts continued to meet 
 at that time, although presided over by a constant Moderator. 
 Within a few months, by reason of such grossly unconstitutional 
 and tyrannical enactments, nearly four hundred ministers were 
 ejected from their livings. They were as speedily as possible 
 replaced by Episcopalians, and from the testimony of one of 
 their own Prelates, they were not generally a class of men likely 
 to win the respect of their parishioners. According to Bishop 
 Burnett, the new incumbents were generally very mean and 
 despicable, the worst preachers he ever heard, ignorant to a 
 reproach, many of them so openly vicious that they were a 
 disgrace to their orders and the sacred functions, and in all 
 respects simply the dregs and refuse of the Northern parts. 
 This explains the Act of 1661, by which it was ordained that 
 each minister who shall blaspheme, swear, or curse, or who shall 
 drink to excess, shall be fined in the fifth part of his year's 
 stipend. The dissolute and licentious character of many of the 
 Prelatic presentees was at least well exemplified in the 
 individual appointed to this parish as successor to the Eev. Mr 
 Auchinleck. 
 
 June 15th, 1664. Mr James Campbell presented to the 
 Presbytery a letter from the Bishop of Dunkeld for entering 
 him on his trials in reference to the Church of Auchterhouse. 
 The Presbyterie prescribed him a common heid. 
 
 On Mr Campbell passing his secondary trials before the 
 Presbytery of Meigle, the Countess of Buchan (widow of the 
 late Earl) sent a letter to them in December 1664, begging that 
 the usual testimonial might be delayed. After being thrice in 
 the pillare, and upon evident signs of his repentance, he was 
 absolvit. He received his certificate on the 29th March, and 
 Avas ordained 29th September.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 131 
 
 December 1665. The Presbytery hearing that Mr James 
 Campbell, minister at Aughterhouse, had fallen in fornication 
 with dam Marjorie Eamsay, Countess of Buchan, did pas him 
 thereanent, who confessed fornication with the Countess of 
 Buchan, was humbled before his brethren, and was ordained to 
 remove the scandal at Aughterhouse according to the order of 
 the church, the whilk day the Presbytery did suspend Mr 
 James until the next Synod of Dunkeld, having received a letter 
 from the Eight Reverend Father-in-God, Bishop of Dunkeld, 
 his ordinar, to that effect, and inhibit the same Mr James to 
 judgment the place of Aughterhouse. Mr James being asked 
 by the Moderator, in name of his brethren, by whom and before 
 which witnesses his child was baptised, answered that he baptised 
 it himself in David Robertson's house, before those witnesses 
 David Robertson, Helen Shepherd, and Margaret Grantur. 
 
 The Countess of Buchan being this day in Dundee, sent to the 
 Presbytery humbly desiring that some of their number might 
 be sent to her to take her confession, whereupon the Presbytery 
 appointed Mr John Gourlay, Mr Robert Edward, Mr Thomas 
 Kinnear to go and take her confession, who, returning, reported 
 that the Countess of Buchan confessed to them her scandal of 
 fornication, and s\ibmitting herself to the church discipline. 
 
 Mr William Skinner appointed to preach at Auchterhouse 
 the next day, and after sermon, before the blessing, to intimat 
 Mr James Campbell his suspension from his ministry till the 
 next synod of Dunkeld, and also to rebuke him publicly for his 
 scandal of fornication from pulpit. 
 
 December. Mr William Skinner, Moderator of the Presby- 
 tery of Dundee, having preached, intimated to the congregation 
 Mr James Campbell his suspension from serving the calling of 
 the ministry till the Synod Assembly of Dundee, for one 
 fornication committed betwixt him and dam Marjorie, Countess 
 of Buchan, for the quhilk, by the said Presbytery's orders, he 
 began his repentance on the pillare, sat both sermons, and is 
 exhorted to repentance.
 
 132 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 December 24th. Mr James Campbell for one fornication 
 being thrice in the pillare, upon evident signs of his repentance 
 was absolvit. In consequence of further misconduct he was 
 suspended on his own confession till next Synod ; but upon 
 evident signs of his repentance he was absolvit from the 
 pillare. Mr Andrew Oliphant is ordained to preach at Aughter- 
 house upon Sabbath come 8 days, and to absolve Mr James 
 Campbell. He thereupon retired from the charge. On the 
 14th February 1666 the church was proclaimed vacant. 
 
 December 21st. That day the Countess of Buchan, for ane 
 fornication committed with Mr James Campbell, her chaplain, 
 began her repentance. Mr Andrew Evertis appointed to preach 
 at Aughterhouse the last of December, and to rebuke the 
 Countess of Buchau from the pulpit. Both were subsequently 
 married, and, strange to say, Mr Campbell was appointed 
 minister of Lundie, and what is also remarkable, the Rev. 
 John Robertson, M.A., minister of Luudie, became minister of 
 this parish. It was simply an exchange of livings a singular 
 arrangement, but one unfortunately too characteristic of such 
 dissolute times. 
 
 May 3rd, 1665. A fast was intimated to be kept for the 
 success of the Royal Navy. 
 
 July 5th, 1665. A public proclamation was read from the 
 King's Majestie for keeping a day of solemn thanksgiving for 
 the success of the Navy against the States Provinces. 
 
 On the 3rd June 1665, the Duke of York defeated the Dutch 
 fleet off Harwich. Opdam, the Dutch Admiral, was blown up 
 with all his crew. Eighteen of the enemy's ships were captured, 
 and fourteen destroyed. This important victory, according to 
 the custom of the period, was followed by a thanksgiving 
 throughout the Church. 
 
 August 30th, 1665. A fast for the plague in England and 
 for the harvest appointed to be kept on the 13th September. 
 
 This was the great Plague of London (1664-5) which carried 
 off, it was estimated, nearly seventy thousand persons. Its*
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 133 
 
 terrible ravages created much consternation throughout the 
 country, and a day of humiliation was appointed and subse- 
 quently observed. From what we know regarding the character 
 of not a few of the Episcopalian incumbents, it is interesting to 
 know that at a meeting of the Presbytery of Dundee, held on 
 15th September 1669, the brethren being severally removed^ 
 and inquiries made of their deportment in their charges and 
 conversations, and whether they did preach tAvice on the Lord's 
 Day and catechise weekly, and observe the Sacrament of the 
 Lord's Supper once in the year, all were found faithful, 
 approvene, and encouraged. 
 
 April 27th, 1669. By the orders of the Presbytery of 
 Dundee, action was ordered to be taken against all guilty of 
 witchcraft. The Magistrates of Dundee were particularly 
 desired to use all diligence for trying them further. They 
 complied with the Presbytery's instructions, and appointed those 
 suspected of witchcraft to be banished, " which was done, and 
 the Act put in execution." 
 
 The form of oath prescribed by the Presbytery during the 
 Episcopalian regime was as follows : I, A. B., do acknowledge 
 the present government of the Church of Archbishops and 
 Bishops, and promise obedience thereunto, as witness my 
 subscription. 
 
 June 10th, 1677. Delated to the session Andrew Ander- 
 sone, Alexander Prowaue, James Whittane, and Charles Jack, 
 in Kirktowne, for not going to yee kirk yee preceding Sabbath, 
 but staying at hame, and in time of divine service went to ye 
 churchyard and plaid at ye pennie-stonne, and clam birds' nests, 
 The parties compeared, and denied the charge the case deferred. 
 
 July 1st. The accused having compeared and confest their 
 foresaid sinne of Sabbath-breaking, did humble themselves 
 before the session for the samen, and they made publick satis- 
 faction before the congregation. The game of pennie-stone or : 
 quoiting with stones was a favourite amusement in olden times. 
 
 August 5th, 1677. That day intimation of the communion to
 
 134 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 be given on Sunday next. The minister intreats because the 
 giveing of the communion approacheth that the elders be carefull 
 in their severall quarters to search who are at variance and 
 discord with their neighbours, and aither reconcile them or els 
 delait them to the session, to the end those who are contumasious 
 and will not be reconciled may be debard from coming to the 
 table of the Lord. 
 
 August 30th, 1677. The elders were desired to enquire and 
 try in their severall quarters if there were anie who got tickets 
 and examined and did not communicat, and delait them to the 
 next dyet of session. The tickets referred to were tokens. The 
 tokens in use at this time were small pieces of lead, unstamped 
 and unmarked, about the size of a modern " sixpence." 
 
 September 9th, 1 677. The Session finding that severall of the 
 members of session keeps not the ordinarie meetings so punctual 
 as it is requirit, but manie are found absent at the ordinarie tym 
 of meiting, hes theirfor apointed that in all tym cuming non shal 
 be absent from the session, but shall keep ordour, and everie 
 absent shall be fynned in sex shilling Scots, except they can 
 produce a verie lawfull excuse. 
 
 June 1684. Gilbert Millard and Elizabeth Hill were 
 married. Witnesses William Clair, John Christie, James 
 Webster, Alexander Bell. 
 
 July llth, 1684. Alexander Bell and Christian M'Coan, 
 both in this parish, were ecclesiastically contracted, and con- 
 signed their pledges conformable to church order. 
 
 Besides the payment for proclamation, consignation money 
 had also to be tabled. This consignation money was a pledge 
 that the purpose of marriage was bona-fide, and that the 
 marriage Avould be solemnised according to the order of the 
 church, at the proper time and place, after due proclamation of 
 banns. If any impediment, scandal, or violation of the order 
 of the church occurred, the consignation fees, which generally 
 amounted to about 5 Scots, were forfeited, and lodged in the 
 box for pious purposes.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 135 
 
 July 26th, 1685. Janet Gowans compeared and gave 
 satisfaction for her Sabbath breaking in shearing grass on the 
 Sabbath day. 
 
 The Act of 1661 prohibited all salmond fishing, going of salt- 
 pans, milnes, or killes, all hiring of shearers, carrying of loads, 
 keeping of mercats, or using any sorts of merchandise on the 
 said day, and all other prophanation thereof whatsoever, under 
 certain penalties. If unable to pay the penalties, the offender 
 was to be exemplarly punished in his body. 
 
 The said day given to the Beddall for quarter fee, 17s. 4d. 
 
 August 1685. The Communion was publicly intimated by 
 the minister to be given that day fortnight, and the elders 
 were ordained to give a list of the names of those in the several 
 quarters who bore at any time variance or discord among them- 
 selves. 
 
 It was the practice of the time to refuse communion to all 
 who were understood to be quarrelsome and disorderly, and 
 opposed to the reigning ecclesiastical authorities. 
 
 October 24th, 1685. This day being the King's birthday, it 
 was solemnly kept. This was in obedience to a proclamation 
 which was issued : " Forasmuch as it having pleased Almighty 
 God to set our most rightful redoubted Sovereign, James VII. by 
 the Grace of God of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, 
 defender of the faith, <&c., peaceably upon the throne of his 
 Royal ancestors, our most august and glorious Monarch, not- 
 withstanding the hellish plots and machinations against the 
 sacred person of our late King (of ever blessed memory) and 
 of our present Sovereign, whom God long preserve. 
 Kecoinrnend to the Eight Reverend the Archbishops and Bishops 
 that they cause the ministers in their respective dioceses for 
 this year, and yearly after, upon the said fourteenth of October, 
 with the people at divine service in the church, devoutly to give 
 solemn thanks to Almighty God, and celebrate His holy name 
 for His so signal goodness and protection to our said gracious 
 Sovereign, and in him to these kingdoms."
 
 136 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 December 1685. Abraham and John- Xicoll were delated to 
 kirk-session for the sin of sacrilege in taking awa a daske from 
 the church and breaking of it, and was ordained to be summoned 
 by the session against the next day. 
 
 Abram Nicol compeared according to order, and denied he had 
 any hand in that guilt at all, therefore he was desired to come 
 next day and clear himself by his oath, which he refused. 
 After much trouble he admitted he took the daske. 
 
 November 25, 1.686. Mr John Robertson, minister of 
 Auchterhouse, had a lawful son baptised by Mr David Ferguson, 
 minister of Strathmartine, before the following witnesses 
 William Fullarton, John Nevay, David Crichton. 
 ." March 13, 1687. John Kendall, Abram Nicoll's servant, 
 was appointed to be summoned against the next Lord's day for 
 insolent behaviour in the bell-house on the Sabbath day.. . 
 
 March 27. John Kendall compeared before the congregation, 
 and instead of satisfaction denied what he had confessed before 
 the session the former Lord's day, wherefore the session decided 
 to pass him as being ignorant of his duty both to God and man. 
 
 May 1, 1687. Which day the minister reported that the 
 Bishop of Dunkell having drawn off from the Presbyterie of 
 Dunkell all ministers belonging to the Diocese of Dunkell, and 
 annexed them to the Presbyterie of Coupar in Angus, ordered 
 all processes of complaints to be extrapted out of the Presbytcrie's 
 Books of Dundie, and insert in the Presbyteries of Coupar, 
 beginning quher before, &c. . . . 
 
 In 1687 King James II. issued his so-called "Indulgences," the 
 most important of which was the third, in which by his Sovereign 
 authority, prerogative, royal and absolute power, he suspended 
 all penal and sanguinary laws made against any for non-con- 
 formity to the religion established by law, granting to the 
 Presbyterians leave to meet and serve God after their own way 
 and manner, be it in private houses, chapels, or places purposely 
 hired or built for that use, so that they take care that nothing 
 be preached or taught among them which may any ways tend
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 137 
 
 to alienate the hearts of oxir people from us or our government. 
 This policy of granting toleration and liberty of conscience, 
 although a welcome change from the protracted one of despotism 
 and bloodshed, was in reality a stratagem for the removal of 
 all restrictions against Popery, and, doubtless, it was further 
 intended to create violent antagonism between the rival 
 Protestant divisions. This indulgence was, however, to a large 
 extent taken advantage of by the Presbyterians, who began to 
 assemble together according to the old form of worship a 
 privilege which was so long and ruthlessly denied them. 
 Much dissension appears to have arisen in this parish, as in 
 many others, during 1687. from sectarian enmity. Many dis- 
 orderly scenes ensued, for the suppression of which the minister 
 and kirk-session seemed incompetent. The Rev. Mr Robertson 
 appears also to have broken down in health, because the 
 following entries occur in rapid succession : " J?o sermon in 
 afternoon." " Minister very sick." " No sermon the minister 
 not fully recovered." " The minister still sick," &c. 
 
 January 1688. A proclamation was read from the pulpit 
 against lying upon and scandalysing of Royal family. It was 
 to the effect that none of the King's subjects shall presume to 
 take upon hand, privately or publicly, in sermon, declamation, 
 or familiar conferences, to utter any false, slanderous, or untrue 
 speeches, to the disdain and reproach of his Majesty, his Council 
 and proceedings, or to the dishonour, hurt, or prejudice of his 
 Highness, his parents, and progenitors, or to meddle in the 
 affairs of his Highness and his estate, present, bygone, and in 
 time coming, under the pains contained in the Acts of Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 . Such proclamations, however, failed to prevent the Revolution 
 ffom being consummated. 
 
 . May 1st, 1689. By order from Convention of Estates, there 
 were two proclamations read that day the first ordering public 
 prayers for King William and Queen Mary to be made, and the 
 other for a voluntary collection for relief of Protestants who had
 
 138 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 fled out of France and Ireland into Scotland. The minister 
 stated that he would collect it " att their dwellings." 
 
 The Revolution was followed by a long and devastating civil 
 war in Ireland. While the north of Ireland had declared for 
 King William, the greater portion of the country still remained 
 loyal to James. The province of Ulster was overrun by the 
 army of Tyrconnel, and conflicts of the most sanguinary 
 character embittered by the old race animosities ensued 
 between the rival religionists, in which the Protestants suffered 
 severely. Those who escaped the sword fled into Scotland, and 
 everything was done by their Presbyterian brethren to alleviate 
 their sufferings. 
 
 The collection was also in behalf of French Protestant 
 refugees driven from France by the Revocation of the Edict of 
 Nantes. 
 
 In 1689, the English Convention declared that James II., 
 having endeavoured to subvert the constitution of the kingdom 
 by breaking the original contract between the King and the 
 people, and, by the advice of the Jesuits and other wicked 
 persons, having violated the fundamental laws, and withdrawn 
 himself out of his kingdom, has abdicated the government, and 
 the throne is become vacant. The vacant throne was given to 
 the Prince and Princess of Orange as joint Sovereigns. The 
 King and Queen were shortly afterwards proclaimed publicly in 
 Edinburgh. During this memorable and exciting period, 
 Dundee and the southern portion of Angus were overawed by 
 the notorious Graham of Claverhouse, who, at the head of a 
 considerable body of retainers, had taken up a position in the 
 Glen of Ogilvy, from which he descended on one occasion and 
 destroyed out of revenge the Hilltowu of Dundee. As Viscount 
 Dundee and Constable of the Town titles bestowed upon him 
 for his services against the Covenanters -he wielded consider- 
 able influence, and with characteristic vigour did his utmost to 
 maintain the Royal authority, and preserve Prelatic supremacy 
 throughout Angus.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 139 
 
 On the 13th April 1689 a proclamation was issued by the 
 Convention of Estates appointing public prayers for King 
 William and Mary, with certification that those who refused 
 should be deprived of their benefices. On the 22nd July 
 an Act was passed abolishing Prelacy, and declaring the 
 re-establishment of Presbyterianism. The Revolution Settle- 
 ment was naturally received with violent opposition by the 
 Prelatic clergy of Angus, who were entirely in favour of the 
 dethroned Sovereign. Supported as they were by the Jacobite 
 nobility and gentry, they presented a formidable opposition. 
 A great number of the clergy refused to conform to Pres- 
 byterianism. From the records of the Privy Council, there 
 were altogether two hundred and two offenders against the 
 proclamation. The majority of these offenders were, however, 
 permitted to remain in possession of their benefices and 
 emoluments if they chose to do so. In parishes vacated by the 
 Episcopal curates, efforts were at once made to replace them, by 
 Presbyterians. The General Assembly, however, was allowed 
 to try and purge out all insufficient, negligent, scandalous, and 
 erroneous ministers by due course of ecclesiastical proofs and 
 censures. 
 
 In 1690, a Commission was granted for visitation on the north 
 side of the Tay, and instructed to admit to ministerial com- 
 munion and a share of the government such of the Episcopal 
 clergy as they on due trial found to be orthodox in doctrine, 
 of competent abilities, having a pious, godly, loyal, and peace- 
 able conversation, of an edifying gift, and who they believe 
 should be true and faithful to God and the Government, and 
 diligent in their ministerial duties, that shall subscribe to the 
 Confession of Faith, and profess their submission to and 
 willingness to join and concur with the Presbyterian Church 
 government. 
 
 This Royal policy of extreme moderation and leniency toward 
 the Prelatic incumbents was deeply resented by the faithful 
 Presbyterians. They completely failed to see how men who
 
 140 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 had striven to wreck Presbyterianism, and were so closely 
 identified with a former bloody, merciless, and intolerant 
 regime, should be received into the bosom of the Church on 
 terms so easy and favourable. This was certainly a breadth of 
 toleration marvellous in their eyes, fro. a the fact that such a 
 thing was unknown under the old ascendancy from 1661- 
 1690. Their admission was not only a blunder, it was a crime. 
 The whole policy was believed to be suicidal, utterly void of 
 principle, and destructive to the vital interests of the Church. 
 No doubt these incumbents professed to have signed the 
 Confession of Faith, and had apparently embraced Presby- 
 terianism ; but the Presbyterians had very strong reasons for 
 believing that tliey were not sincere disciples of the real old 
 true-blue form of worship and government. They were to all 
 intents and purposes still Prelatic in their opinions, and active 
 agents of the Jacobite party. 
 
 In 1690 a considerable number of the worthless incumbent? 
 were weeded out on the score of immorality, but very few 
 because of Episcopal proclivities. 
 
 In 1691 strong efforts were made by the Prelatic party to 
 regain their position. They urged their demands upon the King, 
 most persistently, but he refused to listen to their overtures. 
 
 For many years, therefore, the service was conducted very 
 much as formerly, particularly throughout the Northern counties,, 
 where the Jacobite and Prelatic influence was all-powerful. 
 Very frequently, when an attempt was made to conduct service 
 according to the instruction sent down by the General Assembly, 
 riotous mobs assembled, acting under the . instigation of the 
 Jacobite lairds. They did everything possible to prevent the 
 Presbyterian service being held, and did not even hesitate to/ 
 attack the minister, and those who supported him, if they showed 
 a disposition to conform to the government and discipline of the 
 church. In this neighbourhood violent and disgraceful attempts 
 were made by hired ruffians to prevent the re-establishment of 
 Presbyterianism.
 
 ANGUS PARISH, 141 
 
 May 12, 1689. Intimation was made that there was a 
 thanksgiving to be kept on Thursday next, being 16th, for a 
 deliverance from Popery. 
 
 Thursday, 16. On that day thanksgiving was kept and 
 sermon preached. 
 
 June 16, 1689. John Hill having gotten 5 4s. of doitea 
 out of the box to exchange, gave back 2 10s. of good turners 
 gotten for them, and it was imboxed. 
 
 A great weakness in olden times was the persistent dropping 
 of bad coins into the collecting ladles. Sales of bad coins 
 repeatedly took place ; but such coins never seem to have dis- 
 appeared. Foreign coins also were in great favour, and found 
 their way into the box in great numbers. Doites were Dutch 
 coins, and in value nearly equivalent to a penny Scots. From 
 the close relationship between Scotland and Holland, the coinage 
 of the latter country was very plentiful in Scotland. Turners 
 were two penny pieces of Scots money. Notwithstanding the 
 vigilance of elders, the surreptitious passing of such coins inta 
 the brods long prevailed. 
 
 July 7th, 1689. That day the minister produced the 
 Moderator's discharge for the 12 17s. 8d. collected for the 
 French and Irish Protestants, and it was imboxed. 
 
 October 1689. John Liddel compeareJ before session for his 
 fighting on the Sabbath day, and striking John Bell. He con- 
 fessed with humiliation before the session and was absolvit. 
 
 November 1689. John Marrwas in the place of repentance, 
 and was spoken to by the minister. On evidence of his 
 repentance, absolvit and paid his penalty, 4. 
 
 November 1689. 
 
 Given to John Hill to buy the poor folks shoes, 400 
 
 To J. Roger, to buy him shoes, 10 4 
 
 To William Jack, to buy him shoes, ... ... 10 
 
 To Mary Jack, to buy her shoes, ... ... 18 
 
 To Agnes Roger, to buy her shoes, 18 
 
 November 24th. Peter Bruce supplicated the session for
 
 142 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 help. In regard he was become weak by age and disease, the 
 session promised him 8s., and to relieve him in future as his case 
 required. 
 
 July 1st, 1690. This day the fast was kept according to the 
 former intimation, and according to proclamation on the Sunday 
 before, in name of the King and Queen, for the distress in 
 Ireland, for the preservation of the King's person, and success 
 to his armies and fleet. Collection taken, 9s. It was given to 
 beadle out of goodwill. 
 
 August 3rd, 1690. Thanksgiving kept for victory obtained 
 in Ireland, and for the preservation of the King's person. 
 
 This was the battle of the Boyne, in which King William 
 defeated his father-in-law, James II., 1st July, 1690. James fled 
 to Dublin, thence to Waterford, and made his escape to France. 
 
 May 1st, 1691. Proclamation was read for keeping a fast 
 every last Wednesday of May. June, July, and August, for 
 preservation of their Majesties' persons, and success to their 
 armies and fleets in defence of Protestant religion. 
 
 July 19th, 1691. That day it was enacted that the elders 
 who gather the offering shall survey the change-houses in time 
 of sermon. Of the scandalous persons only Thomas Eobertson 
 compeared, but refused to pay his mulct or satisfy penalties, 
 and appointed to appear in public the next Lord's day, and is 
 ordered to speak to the minister on Sunday before his appear- 
 ance. William Wallace had promised to come and make his 
 public satisfaction, and carue not. The minister promised to 
 speak to the minister of Strathmartine anent James Angus, if he 
 would cause him to come and make satisfaction for his Sabbath 
 drunkenness and tulzing. He afterwards came and satisfied by 
 fine of 13sh. 
 
 October 1692. Given out to Dauvit Wyddie, for girding the 
 barrell that holds the Communion wine, 3d. 
 
 This is a somewhat quaint entry, and refers to times which 
 belong completely to the past. On Communion occasions great 
 quantities of wine were used generally light claret or
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 143 
 
 Burgundy. Indeed, it is somewhat perplexing to know how 
 such quantities as are entered in the records could ever have 
 been made use of. 
 
 The system of partaking of the wine must have been entirely 
 different from that of modern days. There are also entries 
 showing that certain individuals received money for bringing 
 " oot the barrell from the toon." For many years Communions 
 must have been conducted in a very primitive way in this 
 parish. When the old pulpit was being removed some years 
 ago we were a little startled to discover beneath it a recess 
 which contained a well-constructed case, with sub-divisions 
 capable of holding a considerable number of bottles. This must 
 have been the wine-cellar which succeeded the decayed barrel. 
 Entrance to this curious cellar was by a small door somewhat 
 concealed by the precentor's box. 
 
 October 1692. No sermon to-day, being stormy. This entry 
 is repeated frequently throughout the close of this year. 
 
 Thursday. The thanksgiving was kept for the King's safe 
 return to London. No collection, from the paucity of people. 
 
 February 1694. In regard Patrick Ogilvie hath borne the 
 burden of David Edieman, his father-in-law, for some years 
 bye gone, and that he was unable for work, therefore the 
 session determined that he should pay nothing for the mort- 
 cloth at his burial, he being in a mean condition. 
 
 Where no parish bier or coffin existed it was quite usual, at 
 one time, at the burial of the poor, to use a sheet called the 
 mortcloth, in which the corpse was wrapped on the way to the 
 place of burial. The body was then taken out and lowered into 
 the grave by ropes. This was the origin of the parish mortcloths, 
 those elaborate coverings made of velvet, with fringes. These 
 were kept by the kirk-sessions, and hired out according to fixed 
 charges to parishioners and others. No burial at this time was 
 considered to be properly conducted without the mortcloth. 
 The charge at this time was 10s. The fees exacted for the 
 mortcloth were very considerable, and went to the box.
 
 144 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 In 1695 an Act was passed that an elder or deacon should be 
 present at the coffinings. Wakes or lykewakes were the custom 
 of the period, and were largely attended. The elder was appointed 
 imply to maintain order, as riotous and drunken scenes were 
 too common on such occasions. During the coffining and subse- 
 quent funeral services, there was frequently more tobacco and 
 drink consumed than on many marriage occasions. Great crowds 
 assembled, and were drawn together very much by the prospect 
 of ample smoking, feasting, and drinking. The foolish notion 
 of the age was that no funeral was heartily conducted without 
 guzzling and immoderate drinking, followed \>y a plentiful 
 supply of pipes and tobacco. The funeral customs in olden 
 times were in many respects very objectionable. 
 
 At this time many curious entries occur : 
 
 To Thomas Croall, for transporting a gentlewoman 
 
 from this place to Strathmartine, . . . 4 
 
 To David Roger, being sicker than ordinar, . . 040 
 
 To certain poor gentlemen, . . . . 090 
 
 To distressed gentlemen, . . . . 060 
 
 To ane Mackintosh, a gentleman, . . . 020 
 
 To Elizabeth Campbell, a minister's relict, . . 14 
 
 The distress throughout the country at this time seems to 
 -have been very great. Parishes appear to have been invaded 
 by beggars from all quarters. The petitions for relief from the 
 box were frequent, and many of them from people at one time 
 apparently in better circumstances. From the records we can 
 quite understand that there must have been a certain amount of 
 truth in Fletcher's description of the times. " There are," he 
 says, " at this day in Scotland (besides a great number of families 
 very meanly provided for by the church boxes, with others who, 
 with living upon bad food, fall into various diseases), 200,000 
 people begging from door to door. ... At country 
 .weddings, markets, burials, and other the like public occasions,, 
 they are to be seen, both men and women, perpetually drunk, 
 cursing, .blaspheming, and fighting together."
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 145 
 
 The last Episcopal clergyman of the parish was the Rev. 
 Andrew Bissett. He succeeded Mr Robertson in 1688. For 
 many } r ears his bible, a large folio volume, strongly bound in 
 oak, was preserved in the parish. It bore the following quaint 
 inscription, written in the cramped style of writing peculiar to 
 the period : 
 
 " Andrew Bisset, his book, 
 
 Ye living Lord upon him look ; 
 And when ye bell begins to tolle, 
 Ye Lord haue mercy on his soule. " 
 
 On November 1st, 1699, the Laird of Auchterhouse, Patrick 
 Lyon, a well-known Jacobite, petitioned the Presbytery that 
 they would delay declaring the parish vacant. The Presbytery, 
 however, declined to listen to his petition. It was the laird's 
 wish, apparently, that the parish should remain Prelatic. 
 
 March 6th, 1700. This day, several of the parish of Auchter- 
 house having compeared and presented to the Presbytery a call 
 to Mr Thomas Fraser, preacher of the Gospel, desiring their 
 concurrence in order to Mr Fraser being settled among them as 
 their minister, which the Presbytery finding weighty, they told 
 the said people of Auchterhouse that in regard of some Act of 
 the General Assembly they could not proceed in their affair till 
 they had advice from the Commission of the General Assembly. 
 
 March 20th. The which day compeared Mr William Crichton 
 of Adamstone, and produced his commission from the parish, 
 impowering him to demand of the Presbytery that one of the 
 ministers be sent to moderate in a call to Mr Thomas Fraser to 
 be their minister, in order to the making up of the formality 
 which was wanting in the former, and produced an Act of the 
 Commission advising the Presbytery, as they see cause, to proceed 
 in the said affair : Whereupon the Presbytery, having taken to 
 consideration the whole affair, completely found that they could 
 not grant the said desire in regard of the repeated Acts of the 
 General Assembly anent those who have the Irish language, and
 
 146 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 an appointment of tho late Assembly, as likewise the disatisfac- 
 tion of the generality of tho members with the person called, 
 and therefore refuse their concurrence in this affair. Against 
 this decision an appeal was taken to the Synod. An inquiry 
 followed. A Professor of Divinity connected Avith the Presby- 
 tery of Ross gave his opinion regarding Mr Fraser in the 
 following quaint and sarcastic terms. He stated that Mr Fraser 
 was too well-known all this country over, particularly to the 
 members of the Presbytery, to have more sail than ballast, and 
 since this impression is confirmed by several things which have 
 been talked of him, we are very adverse from calling him among 
 us ; but if the tossings and harrassings which he has of late 
 suffered before the Judicatories of the Church, both south and 
 north, have made him low his sails and humble himself before 
 the Lord ; if he has been made to cry to Heaven for ballast and 
 received it, and that to the conviction and satisfaction of the 
 Reverend Presbytery of Dundee, among whom we hear he is 
 for present resides, and if after a year's stay among them, and 
 received confirmations of spiritual ballast (natural and intellectual 
 ballast we do not expect that he ever shall exceed in it, but 
 grace may act pleasantly on the weaknesse of nature), received 
 by the said Mr Thomas, and discovered by that Reverend 
 Presbytery; if thereafter they make an offer of him to us, we 
 shall think of it, and reckon it an argument of self-denial in 
 them and great sympathy with us. The Earl of Strathmore 
 and the Laird of Auchterhouse having, however, also refused to 
 concur in such a call, the case was referred to the Commission of 
 the General Assembly, who put it aside. Mr Fraser accordingly 
 was compelled to seek some other sphere of usefulness. 
 
 The long and deplorable reign of Episcopacy at length came 
 to an end, notwithstanding much opposition on the part of the 
 laird and principal heritors. Had the Presbytery, however, not 
 interfered, it would most undoubtedly have continued. This 
 shows the remarkable hold the Jacobites had of the parish, and 
 the keenness manifested by the Episcopalians to keep possession.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 147 
 
 It was now nearly twelve years since the Revolution settlement, 
 and as yet there had been no real recognition of Presbyterianism. 
 
 The Rev. Patrick Johnstone was appointed minister of the 
 Parish in 1702. He was called by the Presbytery /we devoluto 
 16th September, ami ordained 29th December 1702. The 
 Presbyterian discipline and government being now supreme, the 
 greatest possible care was exercised in the appointment of 
 ministers. Strict inquiry was made into their piety, gravity, 
 prudence, sobriety, orthodoxy, and learning. All who were 
 considered vain, imprudent, proud, worldly-minded by the 
 generality of sober, intelligent persons, were ordered to be kept 
 back. All ministers were instructed freely and faithfully to 
 preach against the enormous sins of profane and idle swearing, 
 cursing, Sabbath-breaking, profane withdrawing from and con- 
 tempt of gospel ordinances, fornication, adultery, drunkenness, 
 excessive tippling, deism, blasphemy, and other gross and 
 abominable sins. They were beseeched, exhorted, and required 
 to take heed to themselves and the doctrine, to be strict in 
 catechising, to be careful in dealing with heads of families, to 
 engage persons of honour to fall in love with holiness, to keep 
 a very watchful eye on Papists, to suppress all heresies and books 
 freighted with impious, pernicious, and soul-destroying doctrines, 
 and very curiously to seek to reclaim all Quakers from their 
 abominable heresies. It was a time of great strictness, and the 
 penalties enacted were heavy for any infringement of the law. 
 A revival of the old Puritan discipline ensued. 
 
 There was not even the shadow of toleration shown towards 
 offenders. All kinds of cases came up before the session. 
 Kothing was too trivial to be dealt with if duly reported. The 
 cases investigated and gravely considered were of as miscel- 
 laneous and disreputable a character as appear before the modern 
 police courts. The minister and kirk-session were supreme, and 
 a terror to evil doers. The beadle's duties were of an onerous 
 character, and the opportunities afforded him of introducing 
 culprits to their judges were by no means few and far between.
 
 14S ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Every case, no matter how delicate, was sifted to its foundation by 
 the summoning of witnesses and other formalities. One marked 
 feature in the administration of discipline was the granting of 
 the Oath of Purgation. When any grave scandal was brought 
 against a member of the church, and strongly denied by him, 
 he was permitted, in certain circumstances, to clear himself 
 by taking this oath. Its terms were certainly of a character 
 to strike terror into the most hardened, and clearly imply that 
 lying and perjury were of little moment in those rude and 
 licentious times. The following is the Oath of Purgation given 
 in the Form of Process of 1707 : " I, A. B., now under process 
 before the Presbytery of . . . , for the sin of . . . , 
 alleged to be committed by me, and lying under that grievous 
 slander, being repute as one guilty of that sin, I, for ending of 
 the said process and giving satisfaction to all good people, do 
 declare before God and this . . . that I am innocent and 
 free of the said sin . . . , and hereby call the great God, 
 the Judge and Avenger of all falsehood, to be witness and judge 
 against me in this matter if I be guilty ; and this I do by taking 
 His blessed name in my mouth, and swearing by Him who is the 
 Great Judge, Punisher, and Avenger as said is, and that in the 
 sincerity of my heart, according to the truth of the matter and 
 mine own conscience, as I shall answer to God in the last and 
 great day when I shall stand before Him to answer for all that I 
 do in the flesh, and as I would partake of His glory in heaven 
 after this life is at an end." Solemn as this oath is, it is certainly 
 more mildly expressed than is the case in many other oaths 
 administered before this time. They are throughout painfully 
 extravagant, unseemly, and discreditable to those who exercised 
 them. 
 
 The old strictness in the granting of testimonials to parties 
 moving from one parish to another was also revived. Many of 
 those testimonials were of a very quaint description. As a rule, 
 they were written upon long narrow strips of paper, and entered 
 most minutely into the character of the individuals to whom
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 149 
 
 they were granted. The minister, accordingly, had no difficulty 
 in knowing the true ecclesiastical position of his new parishioners. 
 In the event of any misdeeds being recorded against them, these 
 were carefully and minutely stated. Be it known that A. B. is 
 a (then follows the particular appellation). Many of the 
 parishioners in those days must have opened their eyes at the 
 harsh revival of old sores, and the minister's wonderful acquaint- 
 ance with many shortcomings in rural life, Avhich they never 
 for a moment dreamt he was cognisant of. An important 
 feature of the period was the great attendances upon communion 
 occasions. Those sacred seasons were viewed as yearly reunions 
 of friends, and were characterised by much excitement. People 
 flocked from other parishes provided with their tickets or tokens 
 to admit them to the table. The usual custom was to have a 
 tent pitched in the churchyard for the sale of ale, &c. Such 
 gatherings were by no means so conducive to parochial morality 
 as they ought to have been, as the day too often terminated in 
 boisterous scenes within the village alehouses. 
 
 In 1706, an Act was passed appointing a national fast for the 
 purpose of supplicating the divine direction respecting the 
 Treaty of Union, on the consideration of which the nation was 
 about to enter. On the 13th October the Scottish Parliament 
 met, and an Act of Security was passed in which the Acts con- 
 firming the Confession of Faith and the Presbyterian form of 
 Church government were ratified and established, to continue 
 without any alteration to the people of this land in all succeeding 
 generations, and it was further declared that this Act of 
 Security with the establishment therein contained shall be held 
 and observed in all time coming as a fundamental and essential 
 condition of any Treaty of Union to be concluded betwixt the two 
 Kingdoms, without any alteration thereof or derogation thereto, 
 or any sort for ever. The Act of Security was therefore the 
 basis of the Act of Union, and the Church of Scotland was 
 placed on a secure foundation. The Articles of Union, after 
 being accepted and ratified by the English Parliament, were
 
 150 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 returned to Scotland, and registered by the Scottish Parliament, 
 25th March 1 707. 
 
 In 1708, a solemn thanksgiving was observed for the Nation's 
 deliverance from the Pretender. 
 
 In 1713, an address was ordered to be read from all the 
 pulpits warning the nation against the designs of the Jacobites, 
 who were now working steadily for the Pretender. 
 
 After the death of Qneen Anne, on 1st August 1714, there 
 was great excitement throughout Angus, which culminated on 
 the proclamation of George as King. Strathmore being the centre 
 of Mar's rising in favour of the Chevalier, much excitement 
 and serious riots took place in several parishes, and mobs were 
 collected to attack the Presbyterian clergy and their people. 
 The Battle of Sheriffmuir, however, terminated such disorders, 
 and in a short time the storm had disappeared. 
 
 Mr Johnstone died on 2nd May 1740, after a ministry of 
 thirty-eight years. The initials P.I., A.D. 1726, still remain 
 upon one of the manse walls. He was succeeded by the Rev. 
 James Scott. In 1775, the church was to some extent altered 
 and entirely reseated. The manse was built in 1789, at a cost 
 of 322 lOsh. Scot. Some of the entries of this period are of 
 a very quaint character. 
 
 As it has formerly been a practice in the parish to give the 
 church officer as much corn as each person may think fit, the kirk- 
 session of Auchterhouse hope that all to whom he may apply 
 will contribute according to their generosity. Occasional sales 
 of wood were also conducted under the auspices of the session, 
 intimation of which was made by the beadle on Sundays from 
 a prominent gravestone in the churchyard. Certain regulations 
 were carefully drawn up for such occasions. 
 
 1. The highest bidder is allways to be preferred, upon the 
 judges pronouncing the word "thrice." 
 
 2. Credit to be given upon such security as shall satisfy the 
 offerers. 
 
 3. Each bode must exceed the former by one penie.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 151 
 
 4. All below a croon must be ready money. 
 
 5. C. J. is constituted baillie to said roup. 
 
 6. The cryer must have the ordinary dues. 
 
 Some of the accounts are also of a very quaint character : 
 
 To the surgeon for amputating a man's legg, . 37 1 6 
 
 The mixtures to him, . . . . 1 16 
 
 The powders to him, . . . . 12 
 
 The cordial mixture to him, . . . 10 
 
 The ointment to him, . . ' . . 15 
 
 The ditto to him, . . . . 100 
 
 The cerat to him, . . . . . 100 
 
 To a timber legg to him, . - . . . 140 
 
 To leathers and buckles to the legg, . . 15 
 
 To twenty -two horse hires to him, . . 16 
 
 This surgical operation, &c., cost 142 lOsh., for which there 
 was a special collection made throughout the Presbytery. 
 
 During Mr Scott's ministry, and for many years afterwards, 
 the parish was notorious for the extent to which the pernicious 
 system of smuggling in whisky was carried on. From the well- 
 wooded and hilly character of the district, which afforded ample 
 concealment, and, at the same time, from its easy access to 
 Dundee, which was always ready for a good supply of the home- 
 made article, the traffic was carried on by old and young to an 
 extent which is hardly credible. Everything was done by law 
 to suppress it, but, still it continued to increase. By an Act of 
 Parliament of 1719, all ministers were strictly enjoined to 
 represent to their people and hearers the great impiety and 
 monstrous wickedness of such methods to gain the world, to the 
 endangering of their souls, and earnestly to obter them to 
 abstain from such crying sins and deadly courses. Similar Acts 
 followed in 1736 and 1744. The whisky was brought from 
 Glenisla and other well-known haunts of smugglers across the 
 hills, by means of double ankers slung over the backs of High- 
 land ponies. In those days it was quite an everyday occurrence 
 to witness a procession of smugglers marching along with their 
 ponies each pony being secured to the tail of the one in front
 
 152 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 by means of a halter, while alongside marched the, stalwart 
 Highlandmen, armed with thick bludgeons to cope with any 
 opposition from the revenue officers. When they reached the 
 parish by the hill bridle path, they found themselves in 
 comparative safety, for within it there were many who had 
 good-going stills of their own, and whose chief business was that 
 of running the whisky into town. The whisky was either sold 
 on the spot by the smugglers to their country customers, or 
 carefully guarded until a favourable opportunity presented 
 itself of having it conveyed to Dundee in safety. In cases of 
 probable capture by a strong body of excisemen when en route, 
 the ankers were in a twinkling unslung, hurriedly concealed in 
 the heather or buried in the moss, while the smugglers mounted 
 the backs of their nags, and soon were out of reach of the 
 enemy. Few couM excel the smugglers within the parish for 
 ingenuity in cheating the gangers, and had the recipients of 
 the liquor in town only known by what means it was too 
 frequently conveyed for their benefit, they would most assuredly 
 have hesitated to swallow it. Opinion appears to have been 
 somewhat divided as to the quality of the article. We have 
 heard it described as " coorse drink," " pushion," &c. ; while 
 others, who might be recognised as fair authorities, with a hearty 
 chuckle, broad grin, and pawky shake of the head, have 
 extolled its merits as " graun whusky jist." Many amusing 
 stories might be related of those days. A man belonging to the 
 parish Avas on one occasion on his way to Dundee with a sack 
 on his back which contained several bladder skins filled with 
 whisky. While bearing along his precious burden with a 
 refreshingly innocent expression, he was suddenly confronted 
 by a very shrewd gauger. Taking in the situation at once, the 
 guager quietly took out his pocket knife, administered a few sharp 
 probes into each of the skins, and told the man to run for his 
 life, which he did as rapidly as his legs could carry him. The 
 humour of the transaction may be imagined. Great fertility of 
 resource was also shown in concealing the ankers. When the
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 153 
 
 alarm was raised that the enemy was approaching, all hands set 
 to work, and in a few minutes, as if by magic, the ankers 
 disappeared under manure heaps, and other primitive rustic 
 hiding-places. 
 
 On one occasion, while troopers were going their rounds in 
 search of smugglers and ankers, they were seen to approach the 
 house of one of the principal farmers in the parish. This visit 
 evidently meant business, and was likely to prove somewhat 
 unpleasant for the farmer, who was perfectly aware of the fact 
 that a considerable quantity had been recently stored away 
 within his premises. With great good humour and perfect 
 coolness, he met the troopers when they drew up at his door, 
 and said to them " Come awa in, lads, come awa," which they 
 accordingly did. Refreshments were at once produced, and a 
 good supply of the very best of the "smuggled" was passed 
 round and much enjoyed. While the troopers were thus being 
 entertained by the farmer, his servants were at the same time 
 actively engaged in getting the ankers out of the premises into a 
 place of greater security. Very frequently desperate encounters 
 ensued between the excisemen and smugglers, and blood was 
 <jven shed over the struggle for the possession of the ankers. 
 The following account of one of those fights shows the extent 
 of the traffic, and the troubles connected with it : 
 
 March 12th, 1813. On Friday last, Mr John Black and Mr 
 Thomas Lowson, excise officers in Dundee, assisted by another 
 person, seized in a field to the north of Auchterhouse nine and a- 
 half ankers of Highland whisky, consisting of 95 gallons. They 
 put it in a cart, and were three or four miles on their road to 
 Dundee, when they were furiously attacked by three Highland- 
 men with sticks and stones. A desperate combat ensued, and 
 continued for an hour, when both parties were much hurt. One 
 of the smugglers received a shot in the neck from one of the 
 officers, and one of the officers received two severe cuts in his 
 head from the smugglers. During the scuffle, the smugglers 
 abstracted three and a-half ankers from the cart, and hid them
 
 154 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 in the plantation at the side of the road, but the officers brought 
 off the other six, and lodged them in the excise office, Dundee. 
 It is said that while the officers of excise and the smugglers 
 were engaged some farmers passed by, but refused to give any 
 assistance. The traffic was only suppressed by the employment 
 of mounted troopers, who proved too strong and vigilant for the 
 Highlanders continuing the traffic with any reasonable success 
 or profit. Although for years afterwards an occasional gallon 
 was made, " jist oot of sport," for home consumption, the practice 
 so long stubbornly maintained died away. The worm of an old 
 still the last of its race, doubtless, within the parish, and 
 which, apparently, had seen much service in its day and genera- 
 tion was recently presented to the Society of Antiquaries. 
 
 The records of the eighteenth century also contain material 
 of some interest, but of a character almost entirely local. It is 
 interesting to observe the dawning of better times, and the old 
 stern system of discipline gradually wearing into milder and 
 more seemly methods of enforcing ecclesiastical authority. At 
 times there are outbreaks of scandal, and an occasional fight 
 in the church occurs. A decided improvement in tone and 
 morale, however, becomes distinctly perceptible, notwithstanding 
 such incidents. The records are. occasionally varied with entries 
 regarding important victories by sea and land, and the appoint- 
 ment of thanksgivings for the same. It is surprising how much 
 information may be gleaned from these old parochial records. 
 Not only are they valuable to the ecclesiastical antiquarian, but 
 to all who are in any way interested in the quaint transaction* 
 within the Scottish Church in former times. HoAvever dull, 
 tedious, and uninteresting it may seem to many to carry research 
 into old, musty, and well-nigh illegible parochial records, still 
 one is often rewarded by information of a most valuable and 
 instructive character, for it must be remembered that such 
 documents were among the most important of their day in the- 
 country, and in many cases form the sole repositories of former 
 ecclesiastical life and authority. These records carry us back
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 155 
 
 to times Avhen the Church was the great centre of parochial life, 
 and in every respect supreme. They take us completely behind 
 the scenes ; they tell us graphically many a strange, quaint, 
 droll story ; they give us complete photographs of much original 
 character; they throw wonderful light upon the moral and 
 social condition of the people ; they afford us such insight 
 into the real life of the country as we can find nowhere else ; 
 they bring to the surface many remarkably curious and venerable- 
 phases of thought ; and, above all, they show what marvellous 
 progress this country has made in all departments of social, 
 spiritual, and intellectual life. 
 
 The Rev. James Scott, who wrote the statistical account of 
 the parish in 1795, says : "There are 12 farmers, 40 weavers, 
 7 wrights, 2 smiths, 2 tailors, 8 dikers, 6 quarriers, 2 shoemakers, 
 3 merchants' small shops, 3 retailers of ale and spirits, 1 clergy- 
 man, 1 schoolmaster. No lawyer, writer, doctor, surgeon, 
 apothecary, butcher, baker, brewer. Rheumatism, scrofula, and 
 smallpox are common." In 1775 no less than 20 died from 
 smallpox in the space of six weeks. He says he could not get 
 the people to inoculate their children. They always said : 
 " To inflict a disease is tempting Providence." In the parish 
 he states there were 5 bridges, 2 corn mills, 1 lint mill, 1 fulling 
 mill. 
 
 The Rev. James Scott died on 28th February 1804, in the 
 30th year of his ministry. He was succeeded by the Rev. 
 George Addison, who was translated 6th August 1817 to Liff 
 and Benvie. His successor was the Rev. George Winehoufe of 
 Clova, who was presented to the living by Walter, Earl of 
 Airlie. He died in London 28th June 1851, aged about 70, in 
 the 38th year of his ministry. The last minister appointed by 
 patronage was the Rev. Hugh Lyell, who died in 1878, after a 
 ministry of 33 years. 
 
 In 1881 the interior of the church was entirely modernised, 
 and rendered more seemly and comfortable for divine service, 
 through the liberality of the heritors.
 
 150 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Within the churchyard there still remain a few tombstones 
 of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries ; but these ap- 
 parently have only been spared from the fact that they were 
 too massive to remove easily. 
 
 Heir lyes ane godly and vertuous man, lames Christie of 
 "Balbeuchlie, who departed ye 20 of Decem. 1651, and his age 
 97: 
 
 Qui bene vivit bene morietur (who lives well will die well). 
 
 Dulce fuit quondam mihi vivere non quia vixi 
 
 Sed quoniam ut vivam tune nioriturus eram. 
 
 Once it vas svet to me to leive, not that I leived, but I leived 
 to die. 
 
 Some of the poetical inscriptions upon the old monuments 
 are of a very quaint and pathetic character. 
 
 The night of death is sveet 
 Unto beleivers why? 
 It doth the just inveet 
 Into eternety. 
 
 By God's commission Death has called 
 
 These virtuous souls away ; 
 Their body sleeps in Christ, but shall . 
 
 Awake at the last. day. 
 
 Death is the debt to nature due, 
 I've paid that debt, and so must you. 
 
 Here lowly lys a much regreted wife, 
 Dear to the husband as his vital life. 
 
 Behold how numerous and how thick 
 
 The graves about you lye, 
 On this reflect, mortal man, 
 
 That shortly thou must die.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 157 
 
 What is man's life that swifter far 
 
 Than weaver's shuttle flies, 
 To troubles born, he weeps awhile, 
 
 And mourns, sighs, groans, then dies. 
 Pray, then, improve thy precious hours, 
 
 Eepent, do not delay, 
 For who can promise on the next 
 
 That is in health to-day. 
 
 Time ripens mortals for the grave, 
 And death soon cuts them down ; 
 
 But they that Jesus Christ receives, 
 Shall live and wear a crown. 
 
 Tho' in the grave their bodies ly, 
 
 Now sleeping in the dust, 
 We hope, thro' Christ, they'll rise again, 
 
 And mingle with the blest. 
 
 All mortal bodies from the dust 
 
 At first did spring and rise, 
 To it again descend they must 
 
 No mortal lives but dies. 
 
 Avchterhows, 1651. 
 Remember man, as Thov goes by, 
 As Thov art nov, so ones was I ; 
 AS I am Nov, so Thov most bee ; 
 Remember, man, that Thov most die. 
 Grovel Death, Thou cvts the Breth 
 And taks the lyif avay. 
 
 JAMES NIKOL, 1654. 
 
 Heir lyes ane godlie and verteous man, lohn ire, svmtime- 
 
 hvsband to Christian Young, in Bvrnside of Auchterhous, who 
 departed . . . day of August 1669, and of his age 33. 
 I. U. C. Y.
 
 158 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Heir lyes David Cuthbert, and Elizabeth Robertson, his Spous, 
 iudwcllcrs in Pittulpie. He departed the . . . day of 
 April 1689, of age G8. Shoe depairted 20 November 1689, of 
 age 60. Also Eupliane Allerdice, Spous to lames Cuthbert, in 
 Scotstoun. Shoe depairted the 11 January 1692, of age 56. 
 
 Here lyes ane godly and virtuous honest man, James Nickle, 
 in Kirktoun of Auchterhouse, and Janet Low, his wyfe. He 
 depairted upon 1 day of Apryl, in the yeare of God 1682, and 
 of his age 80 years. 
 
 Becaus my soule in grave to dwell 
 
 Shall not be left by the ; 
 And with thy lykness when I wake 
 I satisfied shall be. 
 
 An honest, quiet, and upright man, 
 
 Resolved to death here lys ; 
 His soul, by faith in Jesus' blood, 
 
 Now soars above the skys. 
 When Christ the Lord in glory comes 
 
 To his compleat salvation, 
 His dust shall quicken into life 
 
 At the great consummation. 
 
 James Stewart, Cotton of Auchtcrhous, hd. of Janet Mearns, 
 d. 1780, a. 62. 
 
 In foreign lands, where men with war engage, 
 He was sarvising at maney a bloody saige, 
 And was preserved unhurt, ye gathered to his rest 
 In good old age who trust in God is blist. 
 
 James Petrie and Margaret Anderson. 
 He died in 1717, aged 61. She in 1734, aged 70. 
 
 This man and wife, during their life, 
 
 Each one in their vocation, 
 Lived in peace, and now they cease 
 
 From toil and all vexation.
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 159 
 
 In the higher districts of the parish, which have heen com- 
 paratively free from agricultural encroachments, there are to be 
 found many traces of the existenccof stone tumuli or cairns those 
 rude and primitive structures which marked the burial-places of 
 the aboriginal tribes. In that dim and distant period prior to 
 Roman civilisation, veneration and affection for the dead were 
 expressed by the erection of such massive structures. Those 
 conically-shaped were the favourite Celtic monuments, and from 
 the immense amount of material employed in their erection, 
 they must have entailed enormous labour. The sepulchral cham- 
 ber over which the great cairn was constructed consisted of rows 
 of stones set on edge, upon which other slabs rested.- Within 
 the rude chamber thus formed the body of the Celtic warrior 
 was placed, generally in a contracted position, with the knees 
 drawn up to the breast. Beside the body were deposited urns 
 and other relics, along with the weapons supposed to be necessary 
 for future happy hunting-grounds. Those ancient structures in 
 this locality have long since been demolished and spoiled of their 
 interesting and valuable historic contents. As we wander over 
 those hills and lonely muirs, we are apt to regard these relics of 
 former times as worthless detritus. Still, if \ve are true to our 
 humanity, we cannot forget that these were the tributes of 
 affection from grateful hearts and willing hands in the far-off 
 times. Near the foot of Auchterhouse Hill there is still to be 
 seen, in a wonderful state of preservation, a very fine example 
 of an ancient Cromlech. These Cromlechs or Druidical altars, 
 as some have erroneously termed them, were the most important 
 and valuable sepulchral monuments of the primitive races, 
 and are rarely to be found. Although they are only rudimentary 
 and symbolic forms of architecture, still, from an archaeological 
 standpoint, they are of great interest. They were only erected 
 in honour of some high personage, such as the chief of a 
 tribe, and were regarded with great veneration, and within 
 comparatively recent times the stones of which they were 
 constructed were viewed as sacred by the superstitious. They
 
 160 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 were erected on commanding positions, and formed of several 
 large unhewn monoliths. These were so arranged as to form a 
 chamber for the reception of the body of the chief, which was 
 placed in the usual contracted position, accompanied with 
 urns and weapons, besides other still more valuable deposits. 
 This Cromlech appears to have been encircled with a ring of 
 stones, popularly but erroneously known as Driudical circles. 
 
 About the beginning of the present century, when a worthy 
 old parishioner was having some repairs carried out upon his 
 house, he removed a few of the large stones with the intention 
 of having them built into the walls. Throughout the night, 
 however, an eerie feeling came over him, his conscience was on 
 fire, he could get no rest. Accordingly he got out of bed, yoked 
 his horse into the cart, and like a sensible man replaced the 
 sacred stones where he found them, went home, and thereafter 
 slept the sleep of 'the righteous. 
 
 South of the Templelands another group of those mysterious 
 circular stone relics of pagan times at one time stood, and was 
 also held in much regard, and recognised as an ancient place of 
 worship. This group, however, unfortunately was demolished 
 during excavations for railway purposes. In the course of 
 agricultural operations upon the farms of Leoch and Templeton 
 numerous cists have been discovered. According to the primitive 
 custom, these were rudely constructed of unhewn slabs, and 
 contained the ashes of the dead. Many were discovered in 
 regular rows, and at equal distances apart. From their number 
 it is quite reasonable to conclude that this locality was the scene 
 of frequent conflicts for supremacy between rival tribes in 
 distant times, and that those slain were buried Avhere they fell. 
 For many long years savage warfare prevailed between the 
 Picts and Scots for supremacy. In the ninth century a great 
 battle was fought between these two powerful rivals over the 
 stretch of country between the Law of Dundee and this same 
 district, the Picts being under the command of Brude, and the 
 Scots under Alpin. This battle, known as the Battle of
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 161 
 
 Pitalpin, terminated in the total defeat of the Scots. Alpin, 
 their leader, was taken prisoner, beheaded on the spot, and his 
 head borne in triumph to Abernethy, then the Pictish capital. 
 
 The root " pit," which occurs in names in the locality and in 
 the immediate neighbourhood, such as Pitpointie, Pitnappie, 
 Pitermo, Pitalpin, Pitempton, and which is peculiar to Pictland, 
 seems to imply that this district formed at one time a portion of 
 the Pictish settlements. 
 
 On the farm of Leoch, a strong plate formed of a conglome- 
 rated mass of vitrified stones, was struck by the plough, and 
 when cleared it was discovered to be of circular shape, and 
 twelve feet in diameter. Upon the plate there lay a quantity of 
 decomposed bones, two inches thick, covered with ashes of burnt 
 wood. In the neighbourhood, urns, necklaces, rings, bronze pins, 
 and ornaments of shale have been discovered in ancient places 
 of burial. On the top of Auchterhouse Hill there are still to 
 be seen distinct traces of one of those circular forts frequently 
 to be met with on the tops of our Scottish hills. They were 
 generally constructed upon conspicuous conical hills overlooking 
 a wide extent of country, and many of them were of great 
 strength. They were coronet-shaped, and consisted of several 
 rings of loose stones, with trenches and carefully-guarded 
 approaches. The one on this hill must have enclosed fully two 
 acres of ground, with its succession of walls, ramparts, and 
 other modes of defence. Traces of another primitive hill fort 
 are distinctly to be seen on the summit of West Mains Hill. 
 The site is a spacious and commanding one, and must also have 
 formed an excellent point for military reconnoitring purposes in 
 the subsequent days of the Clan invasions, as it is in direct line 
 with that part of Strathmore by which an army might contem- 
 plate an attack upon Dundee by the pass of Newtyle. It not 
 only commands a fine view of the Grampians, but has an 
 uninterrupted outlook toward the Law of Dundee, at one time 
 an important point of observation and signal station during the 
 wars in which the district was involved.
 
 162 ANNALS OF AN 
 
 Two of these remarkably interesting dwellings, called weems, 
 have been discovered, one of them not far from the church, and 
 the other near the mansion-house. In the former the space 
 between the walls and the covering was full of rich mould, in 
 which were found ashes of burnt wood, bones, and other 
 deposits, formed by the refuse of ancient repasts. In the latter 
 were found bones, several ancient querns or handmills (14 inches 
 in diameter), a bronze ring of primitive workmanship, and the 
 bones of animals. In the immediate neighbourhood two similar 
 subterranean dwellings were also discovered. One of these con- 
 tained apartments constructed entirely of large flat stones. In 
 these recesses were found wood ashes, several fragments of large 
 stone vessels, and a quern. The other was simply a vault, in 
 which were found a large stone vessel, and a stone celt or 
 hatchet. These weems were occupied by the primitive races, 
 who existed mainly by hunting. They were the rude dwellings 
 of a barbarous age the age of flint flakes, stone weapons ami 
 utensils. These strange habitations were generally located in 
 knolls, and constructed in groups. The natural rock formed the 
 floor of those retreats. The walls were made of stone, while the 
 roof was formed by a gradual narrowing and overlapping of the 
 stones. Within, there was generally a large apartment, from 
 which diverged many other smaller recesses. The whole structure 
 was carefully covered with layers of turf or peat, so that there 
 was very little indication of it being a human habitation. The 
 amount of physical labour expended upon these artificial 
 dwellings must have been very great, and the skill and archi- 
 tectural ingenuity displayed are amazing for the age. .Among 
 their contents there are generally found stone celts and ancient 
 querns. In construction these querns are exceedingly simple. 
 They consist of two thin circular flat stones, the upper one of 
 which is pierced in the centre, and revolves in a wooden pin 
 inserted in the under one. These were used as domestic hand- 
 mills, and querns of almost similar construction are still in use 
 in some remote parts of the Hebrides. Occasionally within
 
 ANGUS PARISH. 
 
 163 
 
 recent years stone coffins have been discovered in the neighbour- 
 hood of Greeuford, the Old Toll, Bonniton, and Dronley. These 
 stone coffins, however, cannot be reckoned in all cases pre- 
 historic ; because this mode of burial was not unusual in High- 
 land districts in Romish times. 
 
 SCULPTURED STONE FROM WALLACE TOWER.
 
 ID IE ix. 
 
 Abbot of Arbroath. 28. 
 
 Aberdeen Assembly. 74. 
 
 Act of Classes. 108, 125. 
 
 Act against Quakers. 147. 
 
 Act of Security. 149. 
 
 Act against Smuggling. 151. 
 
 Addison, Rev. George. 155 
 
 Adultery. 84, 90, 94. 
 
 Agents of Jacobite Party. 140 
 
 Airlie Castle. 44. 
 
 Airlie, Countess of. 51. 
 
 Airlie Family. 43-51, 89. 
 
 Airlie, Laird of. 26. 
 
 Airlie Lands. 49. 
 
 Aisle, Ramsay. 13, 76. 
 
 Albany, Duke of. 27. 
 
 Ale Houses kept by Clergy. 71 91. 
 
 Ale Houses. 94, 109, 125. 
 
 Altars. 69. 
 
 Anglo-Normans. 2. 
 
 Anglo-Saxons. 2. 
 
 Angus, Earls of. 6. 
 
 Angus, Men of. 6. 
 
 Angus. Sheriff of. 2. 
 
 Animals, Filthy. 64. 
 
 Arbroath, Battle of. 25. 
 
 Archbishops and Bishops. 130, 133, 135. 
 
 Archery. 23. 
 
 Ardchattan. 4. 
 
 Argyll, Marquis. 36, 44. 48, 78, 80, 92. 97 
 
 99, 129. 
 
 Arms of Buchan. 40. 
 Armies and Fleets, Success of. 142. 
 Auchindown. 31. 
 Auchinleck, Rev. James. 126. 
 Auchterhouse Estates. 50. 
 Auchterhouse visited by Wallace. 11. 
 Auchterhouse Castle taken by King 
 
 Edward. 13. 
 Auchterhouse, Lord. 27 
 Auchtertyre Hill. 82. 
 Auldearn, Battle of. 79. 
 Authority of Scriptures. 71. 
 Ave Maria. 66, 69. 
 
 B 
 
 Badenoch, Wolf of, 21. 
 Badges in use. 93. 
 Bagiraont's Roll. 62. 
 Baillie, General. 80. 
 Bairns Greetin'. 81. 
 Banishment. 72, 83, 84, 129. 
 Banning. 121. 
 Bannockburn. 14, 
 Baptism. 64, 94, 128. 
 Baptistries. 64. 
 Bareheaded in Marketplace. 84. 
 
 Barrel for Communion Wine. 142 
 
 Battle of Pitalpiu. 160. 
 
 Beadles. 80, 88, 94, 100, 124, 135 
 
 Begging. 72, 73, 93, 144. 
 
 Bell-house Disturbance. 136. 
 
 Berwick. 2, 9. 
 
 Bible. 71, 72. 
 
 Bier, Parish. 94. 
 
 Bird-nesting. 133. 
 
 Birnam Wood. 11. 
 
 Bisset's Death. 12. 
 
 Bisset, Rev. Andrew. 145. 
 
 Black Agnes. 15. 
 
 Black Earnside. 12. 
 
 Bonniton Lands. 28, 29. 
 
 Books. 03. 
 
 Book of Constitutions. 71. 
 
 Book of Ordination. 76. 
 
 Bow Practice. 23. 
 
 Bow Butts. 23. 
 
 Box Empty. 93. 
 
 Boyd, Lord. 7, 9. 
 
 Boyne Water. 142. 
 
 Branks. 81, 83. 
 
 Bread and Water. 84, 129 
 
 Brechin. 11, 31, 93. 
 
 Bracking Malignants' Teith. 102. 
 
 Briggant Story. 69. 
 
 Brods. 141. 
 
 Bronze Pins Discovered. 161. 
 
 Buchan, Countess. 130, 131, 132. 
 
 Buchan (5th Earl). 32. 
 
 Do. (6th Earl). 32, 33, 34, 36. 
 
 Do. (7tli Earl). 36, 37, 98, 108. 
 
 Do. (8th Earl). 40. 
 Buckingham, Duke of. 33. 
 Burgundy at Communions. 143. 
 Burials. 94. 
 
 C 
 
 Cairns. 159. 
 
 Campbell, Rev. James. 130, 131 $ 
 Cannibalism. 69. 
 Canons of Church. 62, 68. 
 Canons, Secular. 66. 
 Carnwath, Earl of. 41. 
 Carrickfergus, Battle of. 15. 
 Catechizing. 105. 
 Catechisms. 101. 
 Cattle Pasturing. 63. 
 CavalryJRegiments. 82. 
 Celibate State. 62. 
 Celts (Stone). 162. 
 Chalices. 69. 
 Change Houses. 142. 
 Chapels. 61. 
 Chapin Aill. 86. 
 Chaplainries. 65. 
 Charles I. 33, 36, 78, 79.
 
 INDEX. - 
 
 165 
 
 Charles, Prince. 33, 36, 114. 
 
 Charmers. 88, 103, 122, 123. 
 
 Cheek Burning. 72. 
 
 Chivalry, Days of. 17. 
 
 Choristers. 66. 
 
 Christian, Countess of Buchan. 29-31. 
 
 Christian Burial. 64. 
 
 Church of Auchterhouse. 32, 36. 
 
 Churches. 63, 67, 70. 
 
 Churchyards. 64. 
 
 Circular Stone Relics. 160. 
 
 Cists. 160. 
 
 Civil War. 70, 72. 
 
 Claret at Communions. 142. 
 
 Clatto Moor. 6. 
 
 Claverhouse. 49, 138. 
 
 Clova. 37. 
 
 Cofflnings. 144. 
 
 Colkitto. 89. 
 
 Collecting Ladles. 141. 
 
 Collegiate Churches. 66. 
 
 Corn for Beadle. 150. 
 
 Common Enemy. 110. 
 
 Common Heid, A. 130. 
 
 Communion (Crowds at). 149. 
 Do. Elements. 125, 
 Do. Sunday. 133, 134. 
 Do. Cups. 60. 
 
 Confession. 64. 
 
 Confession of Faith. 101, 140. 
 
 Consignation Money. 134. 
 
 Conspirators. 65. 
 
 Convention of Estates. 138. 
 
 Corruption of Cleray. 68. 
 
 Cortaehy Castle. 37, 40, 51. 
 
 Cospatrick. 8. 
 
 Coupar Angus. 59, 90. 
 
 Court of H i .ill Commission. 76. 
 
 Covenanters. 113, 125. 
 
 Covers of Fonts. 76. 
 
 Crawford, Earl of. 25. 
 
 Crawford, Master of. 26. 
 
 Creepies. 72. 
 
 Cromlech, A. 159. 
 
 Cromwell. 36, 49, 77, 99, 113. 
 
 CruikedFolk. 72. 
 
 Cullen, Collection for People of. 88. 
 
 Culloden, Battle of. 50, 51. 
 
 Curbing. 85, 121, 130, 144. 
 
 Cutting Ears. 72. 
 
 D 
 
 Dalhousie Family. 1. 
 Dancing. 64. 
 Daskes. 100, 136. 
 
 Defence of Protestant Religion. 142. 
 Deliverance from Pretender. 150. 
 Dials. 76. 
 
 Diocesan Episcopacy. 74. 
 Directory for Worship. 101. 
 Disorderly Scenes. 137. 
 Distressed Gentlemen. 144. 
 Disturbance in Church. 129. 
 Dogs in Church. 81. 
 Doites. 140. 
 
 Douglas Family. 16, 17, 19. 
 Do. Lochleveu. 29. 
 
 Douglas, Sir George. 82. 
 
 Do. Lady. 29. 
 
 Do. Marie. 32, 35, 36. 
 
 Do. Sir Robert. 30, 31. 
 
 Do. Sir William. 32. 
 
 Do. Mr Robert. 108. 
 Douking. 84. 
 Drains of Fonts. 76. 
 Dress of Clergy. 73. 
 Dronlaw Lands. 58. 
 Druidical Altars. 159. 
 Drum, Lady. 105. 
 Drunkenness. 85, 130, 142, 144. 
 Drybreasted Ministers. 122. 
 Drying Clothes. 100. 
 Dudhope Castle. 37. 
 Dudhope, Lord. 37, 98. 
 Dunbar, Battle of. 117, 118. 
 Dunbar, Castle of. 7, 11, 15. 
 Duncan Family. 60. 
 Dundalk, Storming of. 15. 
 Dundee Castle. 5, 6. 
 Dundee, Storming of. 37, 77, 80, 90, 117. 
 Dunkeld. 5. 
 
 Dunkeld Diocese. 61, 136. 
 Dunnottar Castle. 6. 
 Dutch Coinage. 141. 
 Dutch Fleet. 132. 
 
 E 
 
 Eagle, Bearing the. 2. 
 Ear Burning. 73. 
 Eassie. 24, 65. 
 Edinburgh Castle. 15. 
 Edward I.'s Invasion. 2, 10. 
 Education. 95. 
 Elders. 94, 121, 144. 
 Elders' Quarters. 134. 
 Engagement, Unlawful. 36, 96, 97. 
 Episcopacy. 73, 78, 129. 
 Episcopacy Ended. 146. 
 Erskine, David. 40. 
 Erskine, Lady Elizabeth. 38. 
 Examination. 101, 106, 123. 
 Excisemen. 153. 
 Excommunication. 86, 87. 
 Expectants. 102. 
 
 F 
 
 FallawsMill. 6. 
 
 Falling in Love with Christ. 122. 
 
 Falkirk, Battle of. 10. 
 
 Fast- Day. 82, 87. 
 
 Fasts. 87, 107, 132. 
 
 Feasting*. 144. 
 
 Fenton, Margaret de. 24. 
 
 Fenton, William de. 28. 
 
 Festivals. 68. 
 
 Fights for the Ankers. 153. 
 
 Fighting in Church. 100, 128. 
 
 Fiudhaveti. 42, 43. 
 
 Fines. 83, 91, 94. 
 
 Flag of Covenanters. 82. 
 
 Fleeing to Churches. 64. 
 
 Fletcher's Description of Times. 144. 
 
 Fiyting. 83, 90, 112.
 
 166 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Fonts. 63,64,75. 
 Football. 23. 
 Fornication. 04, 131. 
 Forthour Castle. 44, 105. 
 Forts (Circular). 161. 
 Fraser, Mr Thomas. 145-6. 
 French Protestants. 138. 
 Free Fights. 101. 
 Funeralls, True. 38, 60. 
 Funerals. 94. 
 
 G 
 
 Galfridus, Bishop. 61. 
 
 Glack of Newtyle. 70. 
 
 Glamis Castle. 4. 
 
 Glassin Window. 123. 
 
 Glencune. 21. 
 
 Gothic Architecture. 66. 
 
 Graham, Sir John de. 5, 7, 9, 10. 
 
 Graham's Knowe. 82. 
 
 Gray, Sir Ralph. 8. 
 
 II 
 
 o, or 
 
 99. 
 
 03. 
 
 Hamilton, Duke of. 36, 
 Hangings. 72, 73. 
 Hanoverian Succession. 42. 
 Harlaw, Battle of. 21, 60. 
 Hawtliornden Caves. 16. 
 Hays of Errol. 68. 
 Hay, Sir Gilbert de. 58, 59. 
 
 Do. Sir John de. 58. 
 
 Do. Sir Nicholas. 58. 
 
 Do. Mr .Robert. 60. 
 
 Do. Sir William. 60. 
 Heads Shaved. 84. 
 Henry of Lancaster. 17. 
 Heretics. 72. 
 Hermitage Castle. 18. 
 Highlands and Islands. 
 Highland Youths. 99. 
 Highway Robbers. 65. 
 Highland Host. 49. 
 Hiilng-Out System. 73. 
 Honorius II., Pope, Bull of. 
 Humiliation. 83, 88, 112. 
 Huntly, Marquis of. 26, 78, 92. 
 Hwuchtyruus, William de. 2. 
 
 Impotent Folk. 72. 
 Imprisonment. 84, 128. 
 Incantations. 123. 
 Incumbents, Prelatic. 133, 139. 
 Indulgences. 136. 
 Infamous, The. 103. 
 Inns. 62, 
 Inscriptions. 156. 
 Intimation of Roups. 150. 
 Intolerance. 147. 
 Inverlochy. 90. 
 Inverness. 109. 
 Irish Language. 145. 
 Irish Levies. 80, 89. 
 Irish Protestants. 138. 
 
 Jacobites. 139, 140. 
 Jacobite Designs. 150. 
 Jacobite hold of the Parish. 146. 
 James, " Hearty." 26, 27. 
 James II., King. 136. 
 Joanna, Queen. 65. 
 Johnstone, Rev. Patrick. 147, 150. 
 Joined to Satan. 103. 
 Jougs. 81,83,85,128. 
 
 Keeping Order. 134. 
 Kennedy, Bishop. 25, 67. 
 Keillor Lands. 65. 
 Killiecrankie, Battle of. 40. 
 Kilsyth, Battle of. 45, 46. 
 Kinneir, Rev. David. 73, 76. 
 King's Birthday. 135. 
 Kins's Safe Return to London. 1 
 Kneeling before Presbjtery. 103. 
 
 Lady Well, The. 124. 
 
 Lanark, Earl of. 96, 98. 
 
 Lauderdale, Earl of. 96. 
 
 Leishing Bairns. 129. 
 
 Leslie, General. 48, 92, 97. 
 
 Leveii, Earl of. 97. 
 
 Lining of Fonts. 75. 
 
 Lindsays. 25. 
 
 Lintrathen, Ogilvie of. 65, 66. 
 
 Loch Leveu Castle. 29. 
 
 Lords, Covenanting. 36. 
 
 Lord's Day Profanation. 85. 
 
 Lord of the Isles. 21. 
 
 "Lowse Lines." 102. 
 
 Lundie. 8. 
 
 Lyell, Rev. Hugh. 145. 
 
 Lykewakes. 105. 
 
 Lyon of Brighton. 42. 
 
 Lyon, Hon. Patrick. 41, 42, 43, 145. 
 
 M 
 
 Magistrates of Dundee. 133. 
 
 Mains Parish. 70, 73. 
 
 Malignants. 100, 109, 113, 125, 126. 
 
 Manifesto of Scots Army. 79. 
 
 Manners, Lord. 16. 
 
 Manse, 63. 
 
 Manse Built. 150. 
 
 Mansion House. 38. 
 
 Mar, Countess of. 34, 35. 
 
 Mar, Family of. 32, 33, 58. 
 
 Mar, Earl of. 21, 33. 
 
 Marjory, Countess of Buchan. 88, 40, 131. 
 
 Marriages. 64, 80, 100, 124, 134. 
 
 Marriages, Clandestine. 64, 86. 
 
 Marston Moor, Battle of. 45. 
 
 Mary, Queen of Scots. 30, 31. 
 
 Masses Celebrated. 66, 68, 69. 
 
 Maut Barn, Wallace's. 6. 
 
 Meigle Parish. 70. 
 
 Merchants, Scots. 34. 
 
 Methveu (Paul;. 68.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 167 
 
 Minister's Relict. 144. 
 
 Moderator, Constant. 130. 
 
 Monasteries. 66, 69, 95. 
 
 Monastic Centres. 61. 
 
 Money from Army. 98. 
 
 Monk, General. 37. 
 
 Monks. 68. 
 
 Monoliths. 160. 
 
 Moutrose, Marquis of. 38, 45, 46, 78, 81, 
 
 109, 111. 
 
 Montrose Haven. 10. 
 Moonlight Flitting. 103. 
 Moray, Regent. 30. 
 Mortcloth. 143. 
 Morton, Governor. 10. 
 Muck Spreading. 102. 
 Mulct Paying. 142. 
 Munro, General. 97. 
 
 N 
 
 Nailing by Lug. 72. 
 Nailing to Trone. 72. 
 National Covenant. 76, 96, 99. 
 Navy, Royal, Success of. 132. 
 Necklaces Found. 161. 
 Newtyle Castle. 79. 
 Nevay. 65. 
 Norham Castle. 20. 
 Notaries. 61. 
 
 Notar Scribe to Session. 106. 
 Nuns. 68 
 
 O 
 
 Oath, Form of in Episcopal Times. 133. 
 
 Oath taken by Knights. 22. 
 
 Oaths, Character of. 148. 
 
 Oath of Purgation. 148. 
 
 Ogilvie, Sir Alexander. 24, 26, 65. 
 
 Do. Helen. 47, 49. 
 
 Do. Lord. 45, 47, 48, 49, 50. 
 
 Do. Lady. 105. 
 
 Do. Margaret, 27, 29. 
 
 Do. Sir Patrick. 24. 
 
 Do. Sir Thomas. 46, 49, 89. 
 
 Do. Sir Walter. 20,21,24. 
 Orange, William of. 138. 
 Ostiarius. 80. 
 
 Papists. 72, 100, 137, 140. 
 
 Paroch Kirks. 67. 
 
 Pennie Stone Game. 133. 
 
 Penny Bridals. 105. 
 
 Perth, Five Articles of. 33. 
 
 Perth, Covenanters' Headquarters. 81. 
 
 Pbiliphaugli, Battle of. 47, 110. 
 
 Picts and Scots. 160. 
 
 Pillare, in the. 130, 132. 
 
 Pinkie, Battle of. 29. 
 
 Plague, Great. 132. 
 
 Plaids in Church. 81, 92. 
 
 Playing. 64. 
 
 Pluscarden. 48. 
 
 Poor Gentlemen. 144. 
 
 Pope, Letter to. 14, 59. 
 
 Porch of Church. 68. 
 
 Post-Reformation Times. 72. 
 
 Preaching (No). 82. 
 
 Prebendaries. 66. 
 
 Prelatic Party. 140. 
 
 Prelates. 65. 
 
 Presbyterian Clergy Attacked by Mobi. 
 
 150. 
 
 Presbyterianism. 71, 74. 
 Presbytery, Dundee. 102, 103, 133. 
 Presbyterian Parity. 73. 
 Preservation of King's Person. 143. 
 Preston, Battle of. 36, 97. 
 Prestonpans, Battle of. 50. 
 Pretender, The. 41, 42. 
 Priests, Education of. 61, 63. 
 Prisoner, Collection for. 125. 
 Privy Council. 129. 
 Proclamations. 135. 
 Proclamation of Banns. 64, 106. 
 Profane Gaird. 119. 
 Promiscuous Dancing. 105. 
 Protesters. 78, 83, 108, 125. 
 Provincial Councils. 62 
 Provostry. 66. 
 Psalm Book. 71. 
 Pulpit, Before the. 112 
 Pulpit Recess. 143. 
 Punishment. 135. 
 
 Querns. 162. 
 
 Q 
 
 11 
 
 Raising the Devil. 126. 
 Ramesie, Simundus de. 2. 
 
 Do. William de. 2. 
 Ramsay Family. 1. 
 
 Do. Sir Alexander. 14-18. 
 
 Do. Sir John. 4-13. 
 
 Do. Sir Malcolm. 20. . 
 
 Do. Marjory. 14. 
 
 Do. Matilda. 28. 
 
 Do. Sir Robert. 20. 
 
 Do. Sir William. 20. 
 Rebels. 109. 
 Reconciliation. 93. 
 Records of Victories. 154. 
 Rectors, Parish. 62. 
 Reformation. 69, 70. 
 Religious Houses. 67. 
 Resolutioners. 78, 108, 125. 
 Revival of Puritan Discipline. 147. 
 Revocation of Edict of Nantes. 138. 
 Revolution. 137. 
 Revolution Settlement. 138, 139. 
 Robertson, Rev. John (I.). 77. 
 
 Do. do. (II.). 133. 
 
 Rings Discovered. 161. 
 Rioting. 150. 
 Roslin Mulr. 8. 
 Rothes, Earl of. 33, 34. 
 Roxburgh Castle. 8, 17. 
 Royal Authority. 139. 
 Ruthven. 10, 12, 14.
 
 168 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 3 
 
 Sabbath Observance. 91. 128. 
 
 Sacraments, Receiving of. 64. 
 
 Sackcloth. 81, 90, 123. 
 
 Salisbury, Earl of. 16. 
 
 Salmond Fishing. 135. 
 
 Saturday Preparation. 82. 
 
 Scandalizing Royal Family. 137. 
 
 School, Building of. 95, 96, 112. 
 
 Schismatic, The. 65. 
 
 Scolding. 112. 
 
 Scott, Rev. James. 150, 155. 
 
 Scourping. 78. 
 
 Seafovth, Earl. 86. 
 
 Searching Ale Houses. 94, 109, 125. 
 
 Searching Houses. 72. 
 
 Seaton. 10. 
 
 Sectarian Army. 112, 114. 
 
 Securitie. 113. 
 
 Seik Folk. 72. 
 
 Service Book. 76. 
 
 Shale Ornaments Found. 161. 
 
 Shearing on Sabbath Day. 91, 99, 135. 
 
 Sheriff of Angus. 2. 
 
 Sheriffmuir Battle of. 42, 50, 150. 
 
 Sir James the Rose. 52. 
 
 Siward, Sir John. 5. 
 
 Slandering. 83, 89. 
 
 Smoking. 144. 
 
 Smuggling Days. 151. 
 
 Snow Storm. 123. 
 
 Solemn League and Covenant. 36, 76, 99, 
 
 100, 102. 108, 129. 
 Son of Perdition. 63. 
 Sorcerers. 88. 
 Spanish Court. 34. 
 Spate, A. 71. 
 Start, The. 37. 
 States Provinces. 132. 
 St Andrews Castle. 47. 
 
 Do. College. 63. 
 St Johnstone. 5, 8, 11, 12. 
 St Mary's. 65. 
 Stick with Cleek. 81. 
 Stipend. 63. 
 Stirling, Battle of. 7. 
 Stocks. 91, 128. 
 Stools in Church. 92, 100. 
 Stool of Repentance. 88, 90, 123. 
 Stone Coffins Found. 163. 
 Stone Vessels Found. 162. 
 Strathmartine Parish. 70, 73. 
 Strathmore, Descent upon. 79. 
 
 Do. Earl. 146. 
 
 Do. Family. 41, 42, 60. 
 Strictness of Times. 148. 
 Striking. 93. 
 
 Superstitious Dread of Cromlech. 160. 
 Supplementary Act. 83. 
 Surgical Operation. 151. 
 Surrey, Earl of. 6. 
 Swearing. 85, 128. 
 
 Takinnes Worn. 72 
 Tar Brush. 81. 
 
 Tartan, Wearing of. 62. 
 
 Taverns. 85, 91. 
 
 Tealing Parish. 70, 73. 
 
 Templars, Knight. 60. 
 
 Templelands. 60. 
 
 Tent for Refreshments in Churchyard. 149. 
 
 Testimonials. 106, 148. 
 
 Thack for Kirk. 68. 
 
 Thanksgivings. 92, 110, lit, 
 
 Threshing Corn. 101, 104. 
 
 Tickets. 134. 
 
 Tithes. 63, 65. 
 
 Tombstones. 1569. 
 
 Tonsure, Wearing the. 62. 
 
 Tower, Wallace. 13. 
 
 Treaty of Union. 149. 
 
 Troopers from Parish. 36. 
 
 Troopers Employed for Suppression of 
 
 Smuggling. 153. 
 Tulzing. 142. 
 Tumuli. 159. 
 Turks, Victims of. 125. 
 Turners. 141. 
 
 Tyndale's New Testament. 68. 
 Tyrie, Rev. Alex. 70, 73. 
 
 Ulster Over-run. 138. 
 
 Unlawful Engagement. 36, 96, 97, 109. 
 
 Urns. 161. 
 
 Vagabonds. 72, 93. 
 Vagabond Schollers. 73. 
 Vault for Burial. 76. 
 Vessels, Sacred. 63. 
 Vestments. 63, 69. 
 Vicarage, The. 61, 62. 
 Vicars. 63. 
 
 Vicci de Benimundus. 61. 
 Victory in Ireland. 142. 
 Violators of Churches. 65. 
 
 W 
 
 Wakes. 144. 
 
 Wallace, Sir William. 3-13. 
 
 Warning People. 81, 105, 123. 
 
 Water for Baptism. 64. 
 
 Waukening Sleepers. 81. 
 
 Weak Folk. 72. 
 
 Wedderburns, The. 68. 
 
 Weekly Catechizing. 101. 
 
 Weekly Lecture Day. 86. 
 
 Weems. 162. 
 
 Wells, Sacred. 124. 
 
 Weniyss, Rev. William. 78. 
 
 Whisky Smuggled. 152. 
 
 Wills, Making. 65. 
 
 Wine Cellar. 143. 
 
 Winehouse, Rev. George. 155. 
 
 Winning of a Living. 72. 
 
 Wishart. 68. 
 
 Witches. 88, 90, 103, 104, 122, 124, 133. 
 
 Wood Sales. 150. 
 
 Worm oi Smuggler's Still. 164. 
 
 Worthless Incumbents. 140.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 Form L9-25m-9,'47(A561S)444
 
 A 000998149 9 
 
 DA 
 
 890 
 
 A89I5