A NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN EDINBURGH 
 
 AND DISTRICT DURING THE JACOBITE 
 
 OCCUPATION, SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 
 
 1745 
 
 Printed from Original Papers 
 
 in the possession of 
 
 C. . S. Chambers, Edinburgh 
 
 W. & R. CHAMBERS, LIMITED 
 
 LONDON AND EDINBURGH 
 1907
 
 Edinburgh : 
 Printed by W. & R. Chambers, Limited.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 THE lands of Woodhouselee, until 1657 called 
 Fulford, lying in the parish of Glencorse and 
 county of Mid-Lothian, during the latter part 
 of the 17th century belonged to Sir William 
 Purves of Abbeyhill, Bart., of whom there is a 
 legend (not uncontested, however) that he was 
 the original prototype of Allan Ramsay's 'Sir 
 William Worthy' in The Gentle Shepherd. 
 Be that as it may, he had unquestionably 
 been Solicitor-General under King Charles II., 
 and late in life he sold his property to 
 James Deans of Woodhouselee, advocate, who 
 had married his daughter Rosina, A later 
 James Deans of Woodhouselee married Bethia, 
 daughter of Sir Robert Pringle of Stitchel, 
 and dying 7th May 1720, was succeeded by 
 his son, Robert Deans. The last, who was 
 a surgeon in Edinburgh, sold part of his estate 
 to Alexander Pitcairn in 1727. Daughters of 
 the family had married into the houses of 
 Ramsay of Whitehill, Purves of that ilk, and 
 
 2063417
 
 4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Drummond of Concraig, and one (in 1747) 
 became the wife of the Rev. William Wishart, 
 D.D., Principal of the University of Edin- 
 burgh. A sister, moreover, of Robert Deans, 
 Margaret Deans, had married, in 1718, Alex- 
 ander Pitcairn, W.S., a son of David Pitcairn 
 of Dreghorn, and it was to him that Wood- 
 houselee was conveyed in 1727. Mrs Pitcairn 
 died in 1741 ; but before her death her 
 husband had sold, in 1734, his portion of 
 Woodhouselee to a new proprietor named Patrick 
 Crichton. 
 
 The new laird, though he claimed descent 
 from a junior branch of the Crichtons, Viscounts 
 Frendraught, was a saddler and ironmonger in 
 the Canongate of Edinburgh, and it is not un- 
 likely that it was he who was the writer of 
 the Diary of the year 1745, which is now 
 first published under the title of The Wood- 
 houselee MS. Patrick Crichton did not long 
 possess the estate, and the knowledge of his 
 short tenure might quite naturally have led 
 him piously to describe it as 'owr poor hyred 
 sheeld of Woodhouselee.' He parted with the 
 lands in 1749 to William Tytler, Clerk to
 
 INTRODUCTION. 5 
 
 the Signet, the father of Lord Woodhouselee, 
 acquiring (in exchange perhaps) Newington 
 House, which had been possessed by Mrs 
 Tytler, the widow of Mr Alexander Tytler, 
 writer, and the mother of his successor in 
 Woodhouselee. We thus see that Patrick 
 Crichton was a man of means and of some 
 position. His firm was a good one, and lasted 
 for some generations. If we are right in 
 thinking he may have been the writer of this 
 Diary, we would greatly like to know more 
 about him ; but, unfortunately, little can be 
 found in the records. His wife's name has 
 not transpired, although he was married before 
 1740. He was about fifty-five years of age 
 in 1745, the year in which the Diary was 
 written, and was then a successful burgess of 
 Edinburgh. He died near Edinburgh, 27th 
 April 1760, leaving a son, Alexander Crichton 
 of Newington (17401808), who registered 
 arms as such in 1763. He was a coach- 
 builder for many years, very much respected 
 in Edinburgh, and was, in turn,* father of 
 
 * His wives' names are given in the Monumental Inscrip- 
 tions of Greyfriars. His son is mentioned there also.
 
 6 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 two sons Captain Patrick Crichton of the 
 57th Regiment, Treasurer of the City of 
 Edinburgh (1761-1823), who will be found 
 noticed in Kay's Original Portraits, the father 
 of Sir Archibald William Crichton of Russian 
 fame; and Sir Alexander Crichton (1763 
 1856), Physician to the Emperor of Russia, of 
 whom there is an account in the Dictionary of 
 National Biography. 
 
 Whether Patrick Crichton was the writer of 
 the Woodhouselee MS., now printed, or not, it 
 was without doubt written by the occupier of 
 the estate of Woodhouselee during his time ; 
 and it is much concerned with the doings of 
 the neighbouring Pentland proprietors during 
 the troublous ' Jacobite ' year. 
 
 The MS. passed into the possession of Mr 
 Archibald Stewart Denham, who had an in- 
 teresting collection of Jacobite and Whig 
 papers. He in turn gave it to Dr Robert 
 Chambers, when he was at work on his 
 excellent History of the Rebellion. It was 
 seen, about the same time, by Sir Walter 
 Scott, who thought it worth publishing. It 
 has remained, however, for its present owner,
 
 INTRODUCTION. 7 
 
 Dr Chambers's grandson, Mr Charles E. S. 
 Chambers, to print it in its present form. 
 
 Whoever he was, the author of the MS. was 
 a keen Whig and a pious Presbyterian. Deeply 
 distrustful of Archibald Stewart, the Lord 
 Provost, whom he regarded (perhaps rightly 
 enough) as a Jacobite but thinly disguised, he 
 felt that the inadequately defended city of 
 Edinburgh had been betrayed into the enemy's 
 hands. The narrative, therefore, though it has 
 little of historic novelty in it, is all the more 
 interesting as it is written from the point of 
 view of a sincere Whig, a standpoint now too 
 often lost to sight owing to the overpowering 
 glamour of Jacobite romance. The writer, we 
 see, regarded the success of a ' Popish ' or 
 an ' Italian ' prince with horror ; to him the 
 Jacobite poets, Ramsay and Hamilton of Ban- 
 gour, were only 'the mungerall burluesque 
 poet ' and ' the nationall poetic good for nothing 
 lad,' and his Diary shows with much vigour 
 the dread the countryside had of the invading 
 Highland ' Banditti.' There is little new in 
 the account given of the battle of Preston- 
 pans ; but we are glad to have the narrative
 
 8 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 of the contest between the Castle and the 
 Jacobite army. The fear of the citizens when 
 shells were flying is tellingly indicated, and 
 the writer quaintly expresses his feelings when 
 he writes, 'I saw a musket ball was battered 
 upon the stons in Grasmarket, and a gentle- 
 man missed it narrowly.' 
 
 Many entries allude to members of the min- 
 istry of Edinburgh, and particularly to the 
 clerical family of Bannatyne, or Ballantyne, evi- 
 dently on terms of great intimacy with the 
 writer. Hugh Ballantyne, frequently men- 
 tioned, was the young probationer to the 
 ministry of whom we read much in the Auto- 
 biography of the Rev. Dr Alexander Carlyle. 
 He, with young Carlyle, was a volunteer in 
 the Town Guard of Defence in 1745, and 
 later, having become a clergyman, died Feb- 
 ruary 26, 1769, the much-respected minister of 
 Dirleton. 
 
 The exciting chase, as a spy, of his brother, 
 the Kev. George Ballantyne, minister of Craigie, 
 by Andrew Lumisden, who afterwards became 
 the Prince's chief secretary, and his disarming 
 by the minister who escaped with difficulty from
 
 INTRODUCTION. 9 
 
 the hue and cry of the irate Highlanders, is 
 new, at least to us, and is told here with 
 much spirit, among the events of the first 
 week of October 1745. The perplexities of 
 the Presbyterian ministers, the most zealous 
 of whom were Dr Webster and the outspoken 
 and rash Mr Mac Vicar, are much animadverted 
 on, and the writer greatly deplores Edinburgh's 
 silent Sabbaths and their cause, and even 
 appends a prayer for forgiveness, with a hint 
 that the silence enduring as long as four Sun- 
 days may be Divine punishment for ' the stage 
 plays, dancing assemblies, and consorts of music ' 
 which were 'former abominations.' Mentioned 
 in the Diary are many petty spoliations by the 
 Highlanders, who scoured the country; but in 
 spite of their enumeration, and with the excep- 
 tion perhaps of a few cases of real oppression, 
 they all tend to show how moderate the 
 demands of the Jacobites were when they had 
 the country prostrate at their feet. They 'gul- 
 ravished ' a public-house perhaps, ' stole ' or took 
 many horses ; attacked one or two houses for 
 example, from Woodhouselee on October 16th 
 they stole some 'linings/ and even 'beat the 
 
 B
 
 10 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 evergreens for concealed things,' but without 
 doing much harm ; still, like the writer, we can 
 'sumpathise' with the startled householders dis- 
 tressed on such occasions. We get a good idea 
 in the part of the Diary which deals with the 
 visits of these 'rowgs' of the fear that was felt 
 by the small lairds of the Pentlands lest they 
 should be misused. Yet, when the Highlanders 
 did appear, the two Appin Stewarts who acted 
 as ' escort ' to Mrs Philp of Greenlaw were 
 found to be 'civil,' and conversed pleasantly 
 enough, even telling the writer humorously of 
 the way they traced the fact that an East 
 Lothian miser had concealed riches in his house. 
 'He was shilling peas when they came in and 
 would give them nothing, but was so cairfull 
 as to pick up a peas or two (which) had fallen ; 
 but they searched and hitt upon all his money.' 
 The narrative of the Quaker brewer's demand 
 for redress from Prince Charles for the robbery 
 of his goods, given in the Diary (p. 82), is 
 very favourable to his brave outspokenness. 
 We give the account of his meeting with the 
 Prince from Ray's Compleat History of the 
 Rebellion (p. 62), so that it may be com-
 
 INTRODUCTION. 1 1 
 
 pared : ' The fair dealing Quaker makes his 
 Application to their prince, assuring him " That 
 method he pursu'd would never prosper, or 
 answer his Expectation ; for, said he, our 
 George takes only a Part of our Money, but 
 Thou even verily takes all; and Thou 
 may'st as well take my Life, as talce away the 
 Prop that supports it," upon which complaint 
 fche Highland Prince answered, TJiat he (Mr 
 Areskine) was many Tears in debt to the 
 Revenue of his father's Excise, and it was but 
 the proper Dues to his Government;' but we 
 much prefer the version given by our author. 
 
 Incidentally we meet many things small in 
 themselves which are valuable as being at- 
 tested by the observation of a contemporary 
 witness. We are glad to read of the 'more 
 polite sight' he beheld, the view of Prince 
 Charles Edward and his suite before the entry 
 of Edinburgh. The description of the dress of 
 the Prince by another eye-witness has in itself a 
 curious interest also. Neither is it unpleasing 
 to have a truthful if hostile spectator's descrip- 
 tion of the Proclamation on September 17th, 
 which differs slightly from Boyes's history,
 
 12 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 even though he describes it as a 'commick 
 f ars ; ' nor, though it may not be of great 
 historic value, do we disdain to know, as we 
 are told here, that the wife of Secretary Murray 
 of Bronghton rode with the army 'in huzare 
 dress/ accoutred with pistols, and wore in her 
 cap 'a white plumoshe feather,' as it gives 
 details we would not willingly be without. 
 
 The MS. is printed now as it was penned. 
 We find that the Lothian Scots in which it 
 was written is full of forcible words, some of 
 which, though very expressive, are now almost 
 obsolete. We have, however, for the benefit of 
 the modern reader, ventured to punctuate the 
 Diary, and we have added a few notes to 
 point out the identity of the lesser known 
 names which occur in it, in the hope that 
 this perhaps may be the means of making it 
 of more real interest to the local historians of 
 Mid-Lothian. 
 
 A. FRANCIS STEUART. 
 
 EDINBURGH, June 1906.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 1745. 
 
 SABBATH, September 15, the Highlanders 
 were at Linlithgow and owr two Irish 
 Regements of Dragowns stood at the 
 west end of Corstorphin. Edinburgh was 
 alarmed the fyer bell by Archibald Stewart 
 (Alenbank and Lanton) provost. His 
 order was rung which disperssed all the 
 churches the time of lectur or the morn- 
 ing service. Letters came from Mr Philpe * 
 of Greenlaw to his Lady at Glencorse 
 Church, and we were allarmed with ac- 
 cownt Prince Charles and his Highland 
 bandits were at Corstorphin two miles 
 from Edinburgh and three from us at 
 Woodhows Lea. Mr John Wilson our 
 minister t deterred the people in church 
 
 * John Philp of Greenlaw. 
 
 t Of Glencorse Parish, from 1699 to his death, 14th 
 July 1757, in his 81st year. He married in 1707, 
 Christian, daughter of William Douglas of Baads.
 
 14 THE WOODHOUSELBE MS. 
 
 with a long sermon and ane ill-timed 
 exortation after which I had not patience 
 to hear owt, considering the enemie was 
 at the gaits. Upon the letter Mrs Philp 
 went in to town. She was in owtmost 
 terror and amazement for her husband 
 (she said) and her dear child which were 
 in Edinburgh. One of the elders, George 
 Straiton, by his master Mr Mowbry's 
 warning, went owt in time of sermon to 
 dryve off his horses to the hills, the rest 
 of the congregation satt qwiet, only owr 
 familie left parte of the tediows ill timed 
 exortation. I and the two children went 
 to the tope of Leepshill, and with my 
 prospect viewed these two regements of 
 dragoons at the west end of Corstorphin 
 to the northward of the highway where 
 the two rods joyn. Edinburgh had a 
 good dale of zeale and spirit. There had 
 been 800 volenteers raised. There was 
 the King's signe manuall for a 1000 men 
 lately come down, the walls were put in 
 better order, and barricads of turfe at the 
 gaites, and some canon planted. Generall
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 15 
 
 Ghest* had given the King's armes to 
 those volunteers, the town gaird was 
 full. All these with the 2 Regs, of 
 Dragowns might have resisted and prob- 
 able defeat fowr thowsand or a few more 
 ill armed ill accowtered fatigued High- 
 landers, but this wanted a cheife magis- 
 trat to conduct the numbers and there 
 spirit and the Lord Provost was justly 
 suspected of corresponding with the rebells 
 by means of his cowsin Sir James Stewart 
 of Goodtrees and by sevral John Stewart t 
 professor of naturall phylosophie. It was 
 said that of the train band captains 12 
 of 15 were Jacobit and the Command- 
 ant a Jacobit, the town was full of 
 freinds to Prince Charles, and being now 
 harvest the Heighlanders of there partie, 
 man and weeman, had been sent up a 
 good number under pretext of harvest 
 work. But the Provost's conduct cast a 
 damp upon all, he was slow in his de- 
 
 * Guest. 
 
 t He died 12th May 1759, at Edinburgh. Scots 
 Magazine.
 
 16 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 liberations bacward in executing things 
 agreed, he fixed upon a dismall signall 
 the ringing the alarmer or fyer bell to 
 call the volonters or the burgers, and this 
 was a publick intimation to the rebell 
 freinds within and withowt the city. The 
 volunteers had old crassey officers the 
 provost named there, captains George 
 Drumond,* commissioner of excise, old 
 provost McCallie, Ja. Nimmo, awditor of 
 excise, Sir George Preston, Kerr gold- 
 smith &c.t of these George Drummond 
 had some resolution, Sir George Preston 
 was hearty when the call was by the 
 alarem bell to march to Grasmarket in 
 order to march to Corstorphin. Only 
 Drummond and Prestons companies marched 
 down and of these many looked as going 
 to execution (for this is the place of 
 hanging). Some of the zelows bretheren 
 ministers of Edinburgh that had lifted 
 
 * Late Lord Provost. 
 
 t James Kerr of Bughtrig, M.P., Edinburgh, 1747-54. 
 Died 24th January 1768. He was said to be 'much 
 in the confidence of the late Mr Pelharn.' Letters of 
 the Right Hon. Lady Jane Douglas, p. 89.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 17 
 
 there hearts failed them they crayed owt 
 it was a mad attempt; so said Moderator 
 Wishart* and flaming Mr Alexander Web- 
 ster ; t they acted like prists, and Georg 
 Drummond was for leaving his body on 
 the city walls. All was confusion and 
 they were not knitt by disiplin and 
 awthority and were raw men they were 
 betrayed, betrayed, by the Kings liftenent 
 the cheif magistrat, so they returned. 
 The rebells approched with good disiplin 
 for to give them there due never did 
 6000 theiving naked ruffiens with uncowth 
 wappons make so harmeless a march in a 
 civilised plentifull cowntry, and the dis- 
 siplin was so severe they hanged up one 
 or two at Lithgow for pilfering. Sabath 
 
 * Rev. Wm. Wishart, D.D., elected moderator 9th 
 May 1745. He was made Principal of the University 
 of Edinburgh, and died 12th May 1753. His second 
 wife (who was three times married) was Frances Deans 
 of Woodhouselee. 
 
 t Minister of the Tolbooth Church. Died 25th 
 January 1784. 'By his importunity with the 
 lamented Colonel Gardiner, it has been stated, the 
 fatal encounter at Preston in 1745 was hastened.' 
 Scott's Fasti, i. 51. 
 
 C
 
 18 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 night they marched to Winchburgh three 
 or 4 miles from Lithgow the Irish 
 Dragowns General! Hamelton and Collonell 
 Gardeners regements marchd in towards 
 Edinburgh. The pannick in the good town 
 incressed, every one wishd for day light. 
 Monday the 16 came with all the con- 
 fusion and false alarmes the rebells had 
 the best intelligence by the cannals showld 
 have given it the other way and the 
 expresses with suspected letters to the 
 Highland host had Lord Provost of Edin- 
 burgh his pass and two of them had 
 been stoped by the military at Corstorphin 
 and stoped with such pass in there 
 pocket. 
 
 To notice all the particulars in a dis- 
 tracted city were impossible, babell at the 
 dispertion was such ane other runing owt 
 runing in and runing abowt was all was 
 done. A port had been left open and 
 it was fund so in the patroling and after 
 the orders were strick to shut and the 
 kees showld have been with the Provost. 
 This was suspitious being one Moonday
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 19 
 
 befor day, and was deemed to give enter- 
 ance to the stragling forruners of the 
 enirnie, the patrole ordered it to be 
 shutt. Soon one Moonday the military 
 went to Coltbridge a mile west from 
 Edinburgh, and there the dragowns lay ; 
 and abowt 150 foot of town gairds, and 
 new levies by the Kings signe manwall. 
 They had been late in procuring this, 
 and of the 1000 the town were to raise 
 by subscription so dilatory were they 
 tho one months pay was signed 3 days 
 befor they had gott only 120. I saw 
 the military &c. at the Cowt bridge 
 Collonel Gardener I spoke with. He was 
 in bad habit of body, and had come 
 from Scarsburgh waters, and his regiment 
 was fatigwed having had long marches 
 and watchings for three days befor. They 
 lookd very unlicke men wowld stand to 
 it. I saw Generall Hamilton's sqwadron 
 they looked better, but alace they were 
 Irishmen ! The foot, near the east end 
 of the bridge, they looked licke men for 
 the purpose but they were a handfull.
 
 20 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 By some infatwat cowncill of regency 
 Generall John Cope with the infantry 
 was ordered to give up in a maner the 
 key of North Brittan and march north 
 and he was returning by sea from Aber- 
 deen with ane harassed foot batalions had 
 danced a 200 miles march to Inverness 
 and Aberdeen, and now cooped upon 
 transports, and no word of there arivall. 
 In short the Highlanders had all the 
 advantages and there leaders all the in- 
 teligence they cowld desire and on they 
 came with there bagpipes and plaids, 
 rusty rapiers, matchlocks, and fyerlocks, 
 and tag rag and bob taile was there. 
 September 16 they dined at Todshawgh 
 abowt 6 miles west from town and I 
 was with Collonel Gardener abowt 3 
 afternoon when one of the scowts came 
 in and said that 400 of the Highland 
 advance gaird was on the north east 
 poynt of Corstorphin hill. I took leave 
 of Gardener and retired cross the fields 
 and saw the dragowns mownt. They made 
 3 lowd huzaas and rod off to the north-
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 21 
 
 ward and thane twrned east, and it is 
 said they did not draw brydle till they 
 came to Muselburgh and there they 
 refrashed and marched one. It was said 
 the reason they past Edinburgh was this 
 that Generall Fowx* who had come from 
 England had concerted with Provost 
 Stewart that so many foot as possible 
 showld march owt to the military and 
 that these foot supported by the horse 
 showld make a stand and receive the 
 rebells. That he waited, and when non 
 came he sent off ane edecamp who re^ 
 twrned with this that the provost wowld 
 give no answer : That after his returne 
 he waited three howres, and then rod off 
 withowt noticing the town. The city was 
 in a fray upon the military going off 
 but whither befor or after I cannot now 
 say. The provost ordered his dolefull 
 alarme by bell of ominows sownd, and 
 this was ane .unconcerted signall to call 
 the inhabitants under ther pannick to 
 see if they wowld defend or surrender. 
 * Fowkes.
 
 22 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 The meeting was confused, but the result 
 was 'yow volunteers surrender yowr ariues 
 to the Castle and disband' which was 
 done, and George Drummond who had 
 declared for leaving his body on the 
 walls, made a pedantick speach when 
 they came to disband, and all the noble 
 captains absconded. The next order was 
 a deputation to the pretended Prince 
 from the honowrable and galant magis- 
 trats and Gavin Hamilton, eldest bailie, 
 sent with it to Colington, for by this 
 way the rebells were to parad, to shun 
 the fyring from the Maiden Castle, for 
 these mowntaneers do not love the noise 
 of great guns. As a conseqwence of this 
 abject deputation the ports were thrown 
 open, and all the eniuiie invited to come 
 in at discretion withowt previous articles 
 of capitulation, or the towngaird or train- 
 bands armes being put owt of the way, 
 and no dowt, had the offer been made, 
 the Castle had received them and keeped 
 them from the Highlanders handling 
 canons and all.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 23 
 
 Honest men must shift for themselves, 
 the scurle wheelers take possession by 
 break of day and this Tewsday, Septem- 
 ber 17, marches the heavy bagage on 
 the sowth syde of Breads Craiges. I saw 
 the cavillcade and all the Highland 
 wifes along with the bagage, and 3 or 
 400 men as a gwarde. They crossed 
 the Lintown rod I was walking along 
 to Edinburgh and I was a little 
 alarmed to be within ther hale becaws 
 the straglers of all bagag men ar 
 iregular but they they [sic] were in tope 
 spirits with the prospect of a warme 
 qwarters and plenty, upon the kind Lord 
 Provosts invitation. I crossed there rod 
 after they had past Morton, and came 
 up with ane honest farmer in Collington 
 Mains whos horses and cariages they 
 had pressed. He told me they had 
 plundered and brock all his furnetur, 
 they had robbed 6 silver spoons. I 
 took off the by rode to Brade, and 
 went down to Canaan muir, and at a 
 distance I had a politer sight. This
 
 24 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 was the pretended Prince his retenew 
 and gardes. They had past befor I 
 came up but ther rear was in vew. 
 The tennant there told me the Prince 
 was in Higland dress a velvet bonet, 
 both gold lace ringed abowt both at 
 the head ring and the seeming above. 
 He was supported by the titular Duke 
 of Perth on his right hand, Lord 
 Weems his sone Lord Elcho on his 
 left, and all the hillskipers in rank and 
 file. Generall Preston deput governowr 
 from the Castle fyred three cannon 
 shott which made them start and halt, 
 tho they were withowt vew and with- 
 owt reach. The Prince stopet at Grange 
 and drunk some bottles wine. He 
 marched one keping withowt reach till 
 he came to the Abby Pallace, as he 
 twrned down by the Kings park he was 
 informed Generall Cope had landed at 
 Dunbar. He answered ' Is he by God ? ' 
 It was said he had some fright he and 
 his retenew when they passed by the 
 D. . . . walke being in vew of the
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 25 
 
 Castle, but to Holyroodhouse he came 
 abowt eleven. 
 
 September 17. I entered the town by 
 the Bristol port which I saw to my 
 indignation in the keeping of these 
 caterpillers. A boy stood with a rusty 
 drawen sword and two fellows with 
 things licke guns of the 16 centurie sat 
 on each syde the entry to the poors 
 howse, and these were catching the 
 vermin from ther lurking places abowt 
 ther plaids and throwing them away. I 
 said to Mr Jerdin,* minister of Liberton, 
 ' ar these the scownderalls have surprised 
 Edinburgh by treachery?' He answered 
 1 1 had reither seen it in the hands of 
 Frenchmen, but the divell and the deep 
 sea are both bad.' When I came to 
 the head of the stairs leads to the 
 Parliament Gloss I cowld scarce pass 
 for throng, and the Parliament Gloss 
 was crowded with them for they were to 
 make the parad at reading the manefesto 
 
 * The Eev. John Jardine, D.D., afterwards of the 
 Tron Church. Died 30th May 1766. 
 
 D
 
 26 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 and declaration from the Cross. I saw 
 from a window near the Cross, north syde 
 of the High Streeat, this commick fars 
 or tragic commody. All these mountan 
 officers with there troupes in rank and 
 fyle marched from the Parliament Closs 
 down to surrownd the Cross, and with 
 there bagpipes and loosie crew they maid 
 a large circle from the end of the 
 Luickenboths to half way below the 
 Cross to the Cowrt of Gaird, and non 
 but the officers and speciall favowrits and 
 one lady in dress* were admitted within 
 the ranges. I observed there armes, they 
 were guns of diferent syses, and some of 
 innormowows lengh, some with butts 
 tured up lick a heren, some tyed with 
 puck threed to the stock, some withowt 
 locks and some matchlocks, some had 
 swords over ther showlder instead of 
 guns, one or two had pitchforks, and some 
 bits of sythes upon poles with a cleek, 
 some old Lochaber axes. The pipes plaid 
 pibrowghs when they were making ther 
 * Probably Mrs Murray of Broughton.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 27 
 
 circle thus they stood rownd 5 or six 
 men deep. Perhaps there was a strategem 
 in this appearance to make us think 
 they were a rabbell unarmed in this 
 publick parad show, for a greate many 
 old men and boys were mixed and they 
 certanly conceiled there best men and 
 armes thus for they have 1400 of the 
 most daring and best melitia in Europe. 
 However the parad went on, the Crosse 
 to the east was covered with a larg 
 fine Persian carpet. The Lyon Heralds in 
 there formalities, coats on, and bleasons 
 displayed, came attended but with one 
 trumpet to the theatur or to the Cross. 
 They were five in number, Ereskin, Lyon 
 Clerk, on his left, Roderick Chalmers, 
 pursevant and herald panter, the others 
 were Clerk son, pursevant, Gray and one 
 I knew not. All the streat and the 
 windows and forstairs were crowded and 
 sylence being made the manefesto was 
 read in the name of James 8. of Scot- 
 land England France and Ireland King 
 was a full indemnity and pardon granted
 
 28 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 for all crimes commited, I presume prior 
 to this publication, the malt tax and all 
 other grivences to be removed, the 
 churches secured the Church of England 
 as by law established and these of Scot- 
 land and Ireland according to the lawse 
 of the severall kingdoms. I presume 
 puting the Church of England first the 
 lawse of this and the neighbowr kingdom 
 were understood the laws in favowrs of 
 Episcopacie, but tender conscienceses were 
 to be indulged, this might extend to 
 papists, lining manufactory and fishing 
 to be encuraged, and liberty and property 
 secure, and all this given owt at Rome, 
 December 1743, and the 43 year of owr 
 reigne. The Prince Regent's declaration 
 was a reswming all and confirming it 
 and dated from Paris,* Thus the winds 
 blew from Rome and Paris were to 
 work owr thraldome. The papers were 
 cairfully dispersed every where amongst 
 the people, and in the little armie the 
 King had and emissaries had been bussie 
 * 16th May 1745.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 29 
 
 every where. Chalmers the herald * pro- 
 nunced all this manefesto and declaration 
 with ane awdable strong voice. I cowld 
 hear at my distance distinctly, and many 
 much further, for there was profownd 
 silence after all these military dismissed 
 with bagpipes playing and a fashon of 
 streamers over ther showlders and the 
 chime of bells from the High Church 
 steaple gave musicall tunes all the 
 whill. 
 
 The honest partie had no human refuge 
 to look to but Generall John Cope and 
 his batalions, and the two dastardly 
 Irish regiments of dragowns. These 
 poltrown sqwadrons, to look back by 
 some infatuat Cowncill in the Regency 
 what owr shutelcok Lord Advocat had 
 proposed, was peremptorly ordered by a 
 Commitee of the Regency at London 
 that John Coope showld march from 
 
 * Boyes in his History of the Rebellion, says, on 
 the other hand, that the Proclamation, &c., was 
 read by David Beatt, a Jacobite teacher in Edin- 
 burgh ; we have here, however, the testimony of an 
 eye-witness.
 
 30 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 Stirling with the few forces raw un- 
 disiplined and attack the rebels and the 
 street any emptie fellow General George 
 Wade had paved a good way with a 
 gloriows bridg over the River Tay some 
 years agou and this wowld facilitat there 
 march so one went owr generall and 
 his batalions but near to his distraction, 
 for the conspiracy was strong and he 
 not able to face them and a retreet 
 was dangerows. That great and good 
 patriot Duncan Forbes of Coloden, Lord 
 Presedent, was in the North and sent 
 express to the generall to escape with his 
 forces to Inverness, and to Inverness they 
 came, a harrasing disgrasfull march, and 
 undertook a new fatigue and marched 
 to Aberdeen with ther feild train of 
 allearm amonition and bagage. Was ever 
 in Scotland heard or seen such dancing 
 and deray 1 Transports a great many 
 were sent from Leith to bring up owr 
 armie from Aberdeen becawse they durst 
 not march by land in the Kings 
 terretories. The rebells had got the com-
 
 THE WOODHOTTSELEE MS. 3l 
 
 mand off all by giving up the keys of 
 Scotland the pass at Stirling and they 
 pass the Forth 7 or eight miles above 
 Stirling town and castle. They came 
 and looked at Stirling in there way but 
 the castle and gereson scared them for 
 a cannon ball grased within 12 ells of 
 the Princes sacred person. He said 'the 
 doges bark but dar not byte.' John 
 Cope, Generall (for this name showld 
 alwise be so placed) took with him in 
 his transports, by advice of Presedent 
 Forbes, some Highlanders of the clans 
 McKyes and Monroes, and so owr last 
 hopes in Scotland landed at Dunbar, 
 but alace to late, for these wild bandits 
 had gott warme plentifull interteanment 
 and amonition and armes at Edinburgh 
 and some 100 of volenteers with ther 
 white cocades joyned them, and it was 
 thowght in John Cope's absence the 
 dragowns had been practiced upon and 
 debawched. However they joyned him 
 and forward from Dunbar he marched. 
 He marched above 3000 foot and dra-
 
 32 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 gowns a train of 8 or 10 field pices, 
 a morter, 2 colverns and suitable wagons 
 of ammonition, cannon ball shots car- 
 trege shot, gun powder &c. they came 
 to Tranent and spread in the grownds 
 between that and Cockenie. The Prince 
 was in the Abby of Holiroodhows and 
 his Heighland gang spread in Sant An's 
 yeards and towards the brea face or 
 brow of the descent under Salesburg. 
 The Prince had read his demand upon 
 the town on Wednesday September 18, 
 1000 tents each to hold 6 men, pans 
 for readying ther victwals 6000, and 
 shoes and stokings. It was good plaids 
 were not asked. Owr gallant generall 
 sends them a chalange to face him in 
 the open field the trumpet returns. 
 This night or towards morning the Castle 
 threw some bombs and colveren shells 
 into ther camp and did some execution. 
 Among many ministers of Edinburgh 
 had fled to the Castle was Mr Alex- 
 ander Wabster, and his servant was so 
 treacherows as to run off befor to the
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 33 
 
 rebells, and informe of the design of 
 throwing the bombes, and insolently sent 
 to his master for his weages telling 
 his howse showld be plundered unless he 
 had them. September 19, they were so 
 alarmed with the rude salute of the 
 Castle they marched owt and it was 
 thowght the Prince was not safe in the 
 palace ; they marched with great speed 
 and came up with the K[irig's] little 
 armie soon aneowgh. On Fryday the 
 20, when they were gon, the ministers 
 of Edinburgh and all the useles hands 
 turned owt of the Castle. The High- 
 landers had marched in two divisions 
 from Musleburg and fixed one a rising 
 grownd sowthward above Tranent. It was 
 said they consisted of 1000, as good men 
 as are in Europe, 1000 indiferent good 
 and 1400 good for nothing old men, 
 shepherds, and boys, the Kings Own 
 showd enrage by huzaing and forwardness 
 to attack them. The Prince's men some 
 of them were ordered down to ane old 
 church yeard dyke or some walls near 
 
 E
 
 34 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 Tranent, but owr field pices dislodged 
 them. Infatwation is a strange thing. 
 Owr generall in his great wisdom thowght 
 fitt not to attack them, but formed his 
 battell and stood, under armes all Frayday 
 night. The enimie's leaders had more con- 
 duct and stratagem and better intelegence. 
 The forme of battell was the foot in the 
 center flanked by the field artilery eight 
 on each syde, and the horse one each 
 wings, and a trowp of dragowns behind 
 the cannon, the Prince had intelegence 
 of all this, but poor Cope had no in- 
 telegence all night. The rebell were wiser 
 than to attack in front such a disposi- 
 tion with a body of reserve, and a 
 great many gentlemen, some noblemen 
 and many Presbiterian ministers. They, 
 the rebells, marched in the silence of 
 the night down to the seasyde near 
 Cockenie and befor day, or in the twea- 
 light, marched up upon the flank of 
 the Kings armie. They marched 3 men 
 abreast up some corenstuble grownd in 
 a long train and than turnd or wheeled
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEB MS. 35 
 
 abowt to make a front. They came on 
 with furiows precipitation. This discon- 
 certed all the poor generalls fyne dis- 
 position and he was in surprize and 
 confusion, the canon was turnd and 
 gave 2 or three discharges but they 
 wheeled and formed. The Highland troups 
 battell came on so furiowsly that in a 
 moment they were in sword in hand. 
 The dragowns run off at the first fyer. 
 Some of Gardener's men advanced abowt 
 15 or 16 but that was the most. The 
 foot stood after the horse were gon, but 
 ther was no orders from the generall 
 what to doe, and all went soon to con- 
 fusion. The trowpes of horse behind to 
 gwarde the artilery never advanced to 
 defend them, and the Highlander came 
 up and seased them and the pultrown 
 Irish fled. The rebells turned the Kings 
 cannon upon us but were slow in charg- 
 ing and not good marksmen with great 
 guns. Cope had the gunners of the 
 Fox man of war and a good ingeniows 
 mathematic master Richard Jack for his
 
 36 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 artilery men, but lie lost artilery, amoni- 
 tion, and all, and it may be fittly called 
 the Chase of Cockenie or Tranent reither 
 than the battell, for never deers run 
 faster befor hownds than these poor 
 betrayed men run befor a rabbell. 
 Disiplined they were, but had no head 
 and no confidence in there leaders. They 
 were surprised in the twelight by men 
 came on with a resolut rage. 'Tis said 
 the reserve gwards the noblemen and 
 gentlemen call upon the dragowns flying 
 called owt 'treachery, treachery.' To doe 
 justice to a few there were some 
 companys of foot with a few horse 
 stood some time to it near Cockenie, 
 but these were soon overpowered and 
 estrayed among inclosures. The Chase 
 continowed and many fell. It is thowght 
 in the time of the short resistance 
 more of the wilde men were killed than 
 of owrs, for the cannon did some exe- 
 cution, but we sustained a great loss 
 in the flight by the agility of these 
 mowntaneers. Poor Cope (I can scarce
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 37 
 
 give credit to it but evry on says it) 
 fled in to the Fox man of war in 
 the Firth. I can scarce give credit 
 that owr brave generall Sir John with 
 his Bath rid ruband wowld turne ad- 
 merall. It was a melancholy schen. 
 Brave men lost, perhaps by the treachery 
 of some, and surely by the bad con- 
 duct of a commander who was sur- 
 prised first in the Heighlands and made 
 a narow escape, and fattaly douped in 
 this melancholy chase. Poor Collonell 
 Gardener one of the best men and ex- 
 perienced officers was lost. It is said 
 he was against the generall's disposition 
 but the good man was in so bad a state 
 of health he cowld not have lived long, 
 and few if any in the military were so 
 much in a habitwall preparation for death 
 as he, they have lost some of less valow, 
 but some of there good men. This 
 skirmish in the twealight covered the 
 cowardice of many, for some of the men 
 the rebells had forced owt deserted them 
 to the number of some 100 s and were
 
 38 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 strugling early throw Pentland hils. Owr 
 dragowns it can never be known in the 
 duskishness of the morning whither the 
 officers were treacherows as there men 
 were cowherds and there horse raw and 
 unmanaged, for it is certain, in the 
 wheeling, the horse on the wings did 
 the first execution and trod down and 
 distressed and confused owr foot some of 
 owr dragowns with there horses, all in 
 fro' and foame, to show the fright, were 
 seen near Edinburgh and taking to the 
 hills by eight a clock, Saturday, the 21 
 of September, and some of them came 
 earlier to the Castle gate, and some of 
 the Higland foot had deserted were 
 disarmed at Achendinie, and said they 
 had been prest men and had no licking 
 to the cawse. It seems strange that 
 Cope disarmed the King's forces of their 
 most usefull wapon against Highlanders, 
 and when they marched north he ordered 
 all there swords to be laid up in Stirling 
 Castle, so that at the time of ingaging 
 not one of them had a sword ; they had
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 39 
 
 not there bagenets screwed when they 
 were attacked, and non to give the word 
 of command. Two of Copes aidecamps 
 wer in the Castle at 9 o'clock in the 
 morning. There was a great slawghter 
 in the chase and many prisoners taken 
 abowt eighty officers and 1300 or 14 
 private men. The Prince trod the field 
 and sent to Edinburgh for surgions to 
 cure the wownded. The generall is gott 
 to Bervick with disgrace. The Heigh- 
 landers had not all there force ingag'd, 
 they say only abowt 1700 procured this 
 totall rowt. This was a melancholy day 
 to those that love peace and qwiet for 
 the Highlanders returned towards Edin- 
 burgh. The Prince lay at Pinkey house 
 on Saturday night, and came to the 
 Palice on Sabath evening with bagpips 
 playing, and the body of the armie re- 
 mained at Dudeston. The Castle had 
 given them some disturbance by some bombs 
 thrown in to ther campe made them 
 keep this distance. The Prince wowld 
 alow no rejoicing for this victory, and
 
 40 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 there was a proclamation to this effect, 
 but returning heaven thanks for there 
 success. There was ane incident in the 
 streat of Edinburgh the day of the 
 battell. One Olephant of Gask came 
 owt of the Writers Cowrt hearing that 
 4 dragowns were flying up the streat to 
 the Castle, and demanded them to dis- 
 mownt. Two did, but seing but one man 
 they took heart and fyred there pistols 
 and if the blow had not been diverted had 
 cutt Gask down they went off to the 
 Castle hill. 
 
 Edinburgh had a silent Sabbath, Sep- 
 tember 22, there was no sermon but at 
 West Church,* which is just in the eye 
 of the Castle. 
 
 September 23, a proclamation was 
 emitted, granting protection &c. to cowntry 
 
 * The Rev. Mr M 'Vicar prayed there : ' Bless the 
 King: Thou knows what King I mean; may the 
 crown sit long easy on his head, &c. And for this 
 man that is come amongst us to seek an earthly 
 crown, we beseech Thee, in mercy, to take him 
 to Thyself and give him a crown of glory.' Ray's 
 History, p. 53.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 41 
 
 houses, but with a strange clawse in the 
 end of it. The same day ane other 
 against rejoisings with a clawse of thanks,- 
 giving and offering protection to ministers 
 of the gospell in there functions, and a 
 third proclamation of indemnity to volun- 
 teers, but with and under such conditions 
 as few will accept. This was published 
 September 24. 
 
 Wednesday, September 25, I went to 
 town most of the zelows inhabitants were 
 fled. Highlanders with guns and swords 
 stragling here and there and evry where ; 
 abowt 5 or 600 had come up and more 
 were expected. Some are allowed to goe 
 home with there bagage and a strong 
 detachment is sent to Glasgow, and are 
 to demand or leavie contribution from 
 that town and all the other lesser towns 
 in proportion. This citie has answered 
 the demand for 1000 tents. I saw parte 
 go in cartes for Dudeston escorted by a 
 Higland detachment with bagpipes and 
 collowrs. They are to forme there camp 
 there, and are pruffing with the artilery
 
 42 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 Cope threw away and learning I suppose 
 to manage a field train, for I heard them 
 all the rode as I came home fyring the 
 cannon. The Prince keeps open Cowrt 
 and is forming personall gairds. I saw 
 at Nether Bow a good many of the 
 King's soldiers that have listed with 
 them and have white cocades which is 
 the badge of that gange. I saw old 
 Stirling of Keir* at the Cross with his 
 white cockad, and Mr Smith of Bulint 
 who was out 1715, walking with him; 
 but he has since gott ane estate by the 
 wine tread in France, and has not dis- 
 tingwished himself by white cocade. The 
 officers are all liberat upon parroll they 
 wer at first all put in D[uke] of 
 Qwenesbery's howse in Cannongate. The 
 common soldiers ar closs confined in 
 
 * James Stirling of Keir was 'out' in 1715. 
 
 t Charles Smith of Boulogne. Died, aged 80, 25th 
 August 1768 ; married, Barbara, daughter of Sir Hugh 
 Paterson of Bannockburn. He obtained a protection 
 from the Old Chevalier 9th November 1740 (Rou- 
 vigny's Jacobite Peerage)) and was much mixed up in 
 Jacobite plots.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 43 
 
 Cannonget prison, and in the Church. 
 The Princes men have the town gwaird 
 and they make gward at the Wighows 
 neir church and Nether Bow, and have 
 sentries at the tolboth and other places 
 they think proper. They ar to have 
 shoes stockings and water cantons from 
 the town of Edinburgh. As I went to 
 town I heard on the way that they 
 had been in sarch of such as had dis- 
 armed some of there straglers particularly 
 at Bow Bridge on my rod ; they had 
 tyed a fellow neck to heel and were to 
 carry him off under pretext of this crime 
 but he redeemed him self by paying 20 
 shillings. They went to Straiton mill 
 and took free qwarter and some money. 
 If all the clans come up as is talked 
 they will eate up this poor place if they 
 continow long here. 
 
 One September 25, being the last 
 Wedensday of the month and the pres- 
 betery day, some ministers conveened, in 
 the Society of Propogation there publick 
 hall, to concerte what to doe. They had
 
 44 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 seen the Prince's proclamation and sent a 
 message to Lord Provost. His answer 
 was that he had no awthority nor cowld 
 act under any, but that he had conversed 
 severalls and from these understood that 
 no minister was to be trowbled for what 
 was done in the church. The bells had 
 rung on the 22, morning and midd-day 
 but no minister nor congregation ap- 
 peared ; they are to act in harmony and 
 resolve not to pray in ambigwows generall 
 termes as the Jacobit Episcopal clargie 
 have long done, but either explicitly as 
 uswall formerly or to [o]rnett praying 
 for the Goverment al togither, but they 
 have appointed ane other metting this 
 September 26 the result is non ar to 
 preach Sabbath, September 29. 
 
 September 26, the ministers unanimowsly 
 resolved there showld be no publick wor- 
 shep on Sabath 29 of September. The 
 Cannonget kirk is full of prisoners and 
 they have done considerable damage in it 
 by spoylling the seats the rest of ther 
 prisoners are in the tennes-cowrt and
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 45 
 
 in the prisons. They allow the poor 
 fellows but one penny a day for mentin- 
 ence and talk of carrying them into 
 captivity to Blair of Atholl in the 
 Highlands ; the Prince to seem generows 
 sends them some small gratuity of bread 
 and drink. 
 
 The Fox man of war interups ther 
 passage boats allowing non to pass but 
 such as have Generall Preston's pass. A 
 message was sent that he wowld allow 
 the Kings subjects to pass and repass 
 to Fyfe that were sent by the Prince 
 or Duke of Perth. He gave a rowgh 
 answer that if the Prince or Duke of 
 Perth or any of there gang came in 
 his way he wowld give them a pass 
 for hell. 
 
 It was strang in Provost Stewart at 
 11 at night, September 16, to send for 
 Mr Webster, minister of Edenburgh, after 
 they had agreed to surrender the town 
 and the volunteers had given there 
 muskets in to the Castle, and propose 
 that he and the volunteers showld take
 
 46 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 up armes and capitulat sword in hand. 
 Mr Webster said this was of a pice with 
 the rest of the vilanows contryvance or 
 words to that purpose. When Bailie 
 Gavin Hamilton waited on the Prince at 
 Colington he asked what was come of 
 the armes ? Hamelton answered that the 
 towns armes were in there gaird and 
 magasin, but the volenteer armes in the 
 Castle. He showd displeaswr, but Hamil- 
 ton answered that the volunteer armes 
 belonged to the Castle so it was thowght 
 the Provost was for the volunteers re- 
 suming the Kings armes, and as, he said, 
 to capitulat sword in hand, but it was 
 suspected this was to betray them and 
 there armes into the rebells hands. Ane 
 other odd conduct was that the Moonday 
 night, befor the surrender, Generall Pres- 
 ton detached a party from his garison to 
 naile or carry off the canon from the 
 walls. The officer had the command was 
 Major Roberton's sone. He sent to the 
 provost for allowance to come into his 
 jurisdiction. In his dilatory way he said
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 47 
 
 he must have this from the Generall 
 himself, upon which he sent up and the 
 Generall told him the party marched by 
 his order, and he and Generall Ghest 
 were of opinion he showld ludge the 
 gaird armes and towns magazin in the 
 Castell ; but Lord Provost absolutely re- 
 fused this or to allow them to enter to 
 cary off or spoyll the cannon on the city 
 walls. 
 
 There passed us at Woodhowslea on 
 there way to Linton the Prince's Secretary 
 Murray of Brughton in his way to Linton 
 in Twedell with a party mownted one 
 Collonell Gardener's dragoon horse. The 
 occasion was Brughton's lady was comming 
 to town escorted by some Higland gan[g] 
 Mr Charles Hope of Craigehall his ser- 
 vant was in the inns at Linton and 
 this lady, who is dawghter to Collonel 
 Ferguson who was one of the flamingest 
 Williamit whiges, so far is gon into the 
 spirit of the gang. She ordered Mr 
 Hope's two horses to be secured in the 
 stable and his servant searched and he
 
 48 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 had upon him some valowable juels and 
 1000. II. in money and nots all which was 
 seased and her husband has come owt to 
 convoy in this treaswr. 
 
 Mr Thomas Fairholme his book keeper 
 in his cownting rowme has left him and 
 put on the badge of the disorderly time 
 and wrote his master ane insolent letter 
 for 5 II he pretended to want of his 
 weages, which was sent to him directly, 
 many servants have practised this and 
 insulted there masters, particularly Mr 
 Webster's servant the minister of Edin- 
 burgh. It is strange that John Traile, 
 bookseller,* who disgwised himself under 
 a stride cloack of sanctitie and dispersed 
 the Whitfild Methodist papers and piows 
 packeds has declared for those disorders, 
 but his cowsin Sir James Stewart t was 
 
 * In the Parliament Close. 
 
 t Of Good trees (or Gutters), 1712-80; married Lady 
 Frances Wemyss, sister of Lord Elcho. His sister, 
 Agnes Steuart, was -wife of Henry David, Lord 
 Cardross. Their grandmother, Lady Steuart, was 
 Agnes, daughter of Mr Kobert Traill, minister of 
 Edinburgh.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 49 
 
 his ludger and Lady Fanny Stewart is 
 in his howse with her husband. It is 
 ane insult upon common sence Sir James 
 his practise, he has been ane oppen tool 
 and now that the Prince is come he, 
 Sir James of Gutters, and Lord Cardros 
 whom he has seduced, ar under arrest by 
 the Prince as is pretended and owt upon 
 paroll ; they shall not leave the place so 
 long as the Prince is here. 
 
 Severall of the new cocad gentlemen 
 have chainged there dress into the High- 
 land habit. Such strange phynomina ap- 
 pear upon this success. One knows not 
 whom to trust for men partie the pre- 
 vailing interest here other things might 
 have been expected from them. Hard by 
 the field of action they rifled Collonell 
 Gardener's cowntry howse and abused it. 
 Mr Nisbet, surgeon, has his howse at the 
 end of Preston town, they came in upon 
 him. He offered them a glass of wine 
 and refreshment but they held a pistol 
 or two to his breast and threatned. 
 The old man tooke of his wifes watch 
 
 G
 
 50 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 and rings and gwted his howse and they 
 served the minister of Trenent in the 
 same sawse. After as they will have it 
 called ther victory at Gladsmuir they did 
 many such. 
 
 The Highlanders goe owt a marrod- 
 ing and spoyll the cowntrie. They had 
 come to Lord Somervell's howse of 
 Drum, and frighted the minister under 
 the notion he had been with Cope and 
 beat him with there swords. They took 
 Mr Gordon for my Lord's sone. Lord 
 Sommervell gave them money and twrned 
 them off but when on Wedensday, 
 September 25, they re twrned he had 
 given his tennants and colers* a signall 
 by ringing the howse bell they con- 
 veened and oposed them and kiled two, 
 but the Highlanders killed as many of 
 them and wownded one. My Lord com- 
 pleaned to Lord George Murray and 
 he told they had no awthority and 
 wished he had cawse dispach them all 
 that came in that shape. Next night 
 * Colliers.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 51 
 
 they spoyled the tennants at Swanston. 
 They went in and complained to the 
 Prince and he said he wowld cawse 
 heng them had done the injury if 
 they wowld poynt them owt. 
 
 Mr Balenton's two dawghters and 
 Grissell fled from Edinburgh. They told 
 us Sabath, September 29, some white 
 cockad gentlemen came and frighted the 
 meeting at sermon there the end of after- 
 noon sermon for the Castle threatned 
 to fyer, and all the people were in 
 confusion. The occasion of there qwit- 
 ting Edinburgh was that the Highlanders 
 stope the communication of Edinburgh 
 with the Castle and keep gward at 
 Weighhowse and in Twrnpickis in Castle - 
 hill the Generall sent to the Prince to 
 complain and he refuses to remove his 
 gairds so there was warning given that 
 the Castle was to fyre down the streets, 
 and evry one was flying to the cowntrie 
 they may demolish the weighowse and 
 perhaps drope bombs upon the streat 
 if not open a vew to the cross by
 
 52 THE WOODHOUSELKE MS. 
 
 knocking down Luckenbothes under pre- 
 text of a story that two officers had 
 contrair parole given gon to the Castle 
 and returned they have carryed off so 
 many of the officers in six or seven 
 coaches. I hear they have spoyled all 
 the gentlemens seats in East Lothian 
 and the gentlemen had fled. They 
 cached Will Sandelands of Eastbarens 
 and browght him in prisoner till he pay 
 30 II. in name of cess. These ar perhaps 
 but the beginings of evell. The Prince 
 is resolut and wowld have all fall befor 
 him, but as Captain Baver of the Fox 
 man of war said, Who that has a drope 
 of British blood in his wame can 
 befreind a Popish Prince with a mane- 
 festo dated at Roome ? Glasgow it is 
 said gave 5000 II and some tartans &c. 
 they have lett owt the town sisteren 
 in Castle hill, and the watter runs down 
 the streats. 
 
 The order for the Castle fyring down 
 the town had come to Cragie, Cope, and 
 Dundas ; that is to owr Advocat, owr
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 53 
 
 Generall, and owr Solisitor, at Bervick 
 upon Tweed, for these gentlemen ar 
 now in garison these had keeped the 
 warrant signed by owr Secretary the 
 Marqwis of Tweedal at London, and 
 forwarded a copie to Generals Preston, 
 Gwest, and Fowx now in the Castle 
 and attested it, but these generalls de- 
 murred and only gave the alarme which 
 occasioned the hubbub and rwning owt 
 of town and they have demolished a 
 frontire solitary howse built by Allan 
 Ramsy on the north skirt of the hill. 
 This howse was called the mungerall 
 burluescke poet* Ramsie's goos paye it 
 resembling such a figure, t and upon 
 pretext of the Highlanders nestling 
 abowt it and throwing up trinshes and 
 ther demolishing the town cisteren of 
 water that stood near it ; this howse 
 is laid in rubish the mattrasses or 
 guners sent from the towr demolished 
 it with some 8 or 10 cannon shot this 
 
 * Ramsay was a Jacobite. 
 
 t The ' goose-pie ' is now occupied by Kamsay Lodge.
 
 54 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 was done October 1, 1745, abowt 5 at 
 night and small shott discharged att the 
 same time. The Castle sent off ane 
 express September 30 for positive orders 
 and are to have ane answer in G days, 
 o to the fait of the city by fyring 
 down the streats. By this demolishing 
 they have made Lochiall Cameron is 
 said to be wounded who was the 
 politest man of the partie and for 
 softer measwrs, but had foolishly said 
 he wowld surprise the Castle with a 
 120 men, but he and some of his 
 Cameron trybe ar killed in the rowing 
 of Ramsies Goospye howse. My nigh- 
 bo wr Syme was frighted by some 
 country men his mear and his demee- 
 picke sadle he thowght in hazard, coming 
 from town, by some strolling Highlanders 
 October 1., but it was only two cowntry 
 men jocked him and in the darke bid 
 him dismownt. 
 
 The Castle continowed fyring October 
 2. and killed severall Heighlanders one 
 destracted fellow, a gardener, was shot
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 55 
 
 for not answering when 3 times called 
 to passing under the sowth syde of the 
 Castle. Some ball were shot down the 
 streat aimed as was thowght near the 
 tolboth gait where ar severals of the 
 gang. It passed throw two of the 
 churches. This crew is all over infesting 
 East Lothian and the gentlemen fled 
 they now demand payment from the 
 new bank of there notts they have, 
 and threaten military execution on the 
 governors. Perhaps Cope's military chist 
 and much of the 5000 II they had from 
 Glasgow is in this coyn. The Castle 
 powrs down small shott from muskets 
 and pertreg shot* from the cannon when 
 any of them dars peep owt. 'Tis said 
 Lochiell was behind some howse in the 
 hill and the fall or flying of some stons 
 hurt his showlder. 'Tis not safe being 
 in Lawn or Grassmarkets, I saw a 
 musket ball was battered upon the 
 stons in Grassmarket and a gentleman 
 missed it narrowly. 
 
 * 'Paitrick' i.e. partridge shot.
 
 56 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 October 3 I went to town this day, 
 saw the fyring upon Liviston yeard hows 
 it is demolished, and the Highlanders 
 disludged. They had gott into West kirk 
 too and the ministers escaped they 
 thowght to have seased them and did 
 ring the bell twise for Thursday week- 
 day sermon. All the 40 or 50 cannon 
 shott and the rapps of small armes is 
 to keep a comunication for provisions 
 to the Castle, and the Prince has sworen 
 death to any come or goe from it, and 
 placarded his orders publickly. Constant 
 allarmes were given the Castell in conse- 
 qwence of a resolution taken at Holy- 
 roodhows to cutt of all comunication, as 
 the Prince called it, betuext the Castle 
 and owr Capitall and this was fixed at 
 the Cross on the gaits by Cadie Byers, 
 and at all ports but the West Port 
 wher I advised the Cadie not to go for 
 fear of the Castle when he gave me my 
 copie at Bristo Port, but Byers put it 
 wp evrywhere else where the playhows 
 bills use to be affixed. There followed
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 57 
 
 this fyring great guns demolishing and 
 burning howses in Livistons yeard upon 
 the Castle hill, and fyring down the 
 streat October 3, 4, 5, 6, and many of 
 the Prince's party killed and some ino- 
 cent persons [who] did not keep owt of 
 the way. Some days above 60 cannon 
 shot a day and muskets withowt number, 
 volys, platoon shot, an<J droping shots as 
 they hoped to do execution. The Prince 
 had emited ane advertisment for a con- 
 tribution of 2sh. 6d. upon the pound 
 sterling of reall rent laid one by 32, 
 added with the stent masters to tax 
 the citie this collection was to comence 
 October 7. On Saturday October 6 
 the garison sallyed owt and catched 
 Pitcarle's sone, Taylor the shoemaker,* 
 and some prisoners, and twrned owt 
 Michell Elpheston and his familie that 
 
 * Robert Taylor afterwards served as captain in the 
 Jacobite army. He was tried and condemned to death, 
 but reprieved for his humanity to the wounded at 
 Prestonpans. Macbeth Forbes's Jacobite Gleanings, pp. 
 14-17.
 
 58 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 belonged to the story, upon suspition. 
 In ane other sally they cast a trineh in 
 the midle of Castle hill and drove off 
 the Highlanders and came down to the 
 Weigh howse and fyred down the Lan- 
 market and killed a man at the stair 
 oposit to the end of Luckenboths. I 
 had been in town October 3 and seen 
 this fyring and Mr McVicker* did preach 
 at West Church that day when all the 
 fyring was in Liviston yeards. I went 
 in October 4 and stayed all night with 
 Thoma in owr howse in Lanmarket, 
 above the old Bank Closs. The Castle 
 thundered till 11 or 12 at night. I saw 
 them demolish a hows in Castle hill. 
 Saturday the 5 was the hottest work to 
 escort there provisions. The Highlanders 
 stood lyning the north syde of Lanmarket 
 the soldyers from there trineh shot down 
 the Lanmarket and I with danger gott 
 down from my closs to Libertons waynd 
 head and saw a treadsman in a blew 
 frock had been just shot lying his brains 
 * Rev. Neil M'Vicar. Died 29th January 1747.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 59 
 
 dashed owt and in his blood. He had 
 been peeping by a fore stair and was 
 killed forgenst the west end Loocken- 
 booths north syde the High Streat. I 
 went to Cannongate to Mr Blair's, Thoma 
 essayed to return to owr howse and came 
 to Libertone Waynd head, but ball were 
 going so throng he durst not adventur. 
 The Castle gott up there barrels of ale 
 and provisions up the Castle Waynd than 
 retired to ther trinch and so to the 
 garison, and abowt twelve Thoma with 
 hazard gott in to owr howse and secured 
 owr windows. This night I hear the 
 great guns fyred and demolished parte 
 of the Weigh howse, and we hear 
 the Prince has agreed to allow communi- 
 cation with the Castle for provisions. 
 This was a melancholy shean this streat 
 battell, all shops shut, evry body scared 
 off the streats except here and ther. 
 One skulking and runing the Cowget 
 full of cartes with plenishing and so 
 at Nether Bow and all down the Can- 
 nonget; had this continowed the Prince
 
 60 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 his exorbitant tax cowld not be gott 
 lavied. 
 
 Mr Hews Blair and Balentin went 
 from Woodhowslea to Curry Church and 
 Mrs Jerdan* told them how her husband 
 was maltrate at Lord Somervell's howse 
 of Drum. A party in drink came to the 
 hows and look in at the windows. Lord 
 and Lady Somervell fled up to the garrets. 
 Mr Jerden came owt. They said he was 
 the dragown [who] had been with Cope, 
 mistaking him for Lord Somervell's sone, 
 they beat him with the brodsyd of ther 
 swords, &c. he gave them a gwinee and 
 they tryed to see if it was good and 
 then went off. Somervell had agreed 
 with the neightbowrhood to ring a bell 
 upon any alarme and next night some 
 strollers were passing by Gilmerton they 
 were asked where they were going and 
 upon some words passed the Highlanders 
 fyred and killed two men. the Gilmerton 
 
 * Jean, daughter of George Drummond, commissioner 
 of excise, late Lord Provost, wife of the minister of 
 Liberton.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 61 
 
 men purswed and killed 3 of them, and 
 the rest escaped. At Curry they keep 
 a gwaird to give the alarme, and 10 of 
 these creturs were strolling. When they 
 aproched the gard gave the alarme and 
 all the village was in motion. When 
 they came up they called at a howse if 
 ther was any meat or drink to be had 
 and were answered yes, but for money, 
 and when they saw abowt 30 or 40 men 
 they were so civill as to call owt god- 
 sen to yow freinds and the vilagers in 
 tawnting way asked them 'what gars the 
 Castle fyer ' ? and the Highlanders replyed 
 'gang and see, freinds.' I here, on 
 Saturday, Taylor was turned owt of the 
 Castle, being wownded. He was one of 
 the Prince's volunteers and had promised 
 with others in 10 days to surprise the 
 Castle or be within it and he was sur- 
 prised at Liveston yeards and caried 
 into it. 
 
 Mr Matheson minister of Edinburgh* 
 
 * Rev. John Mathison of the High Kirk. Died 8th 
 November 1752.
 
 62 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 preched for Mr Mowbry minister at 
 Currie and used railing and abuseive 
 langwage against the Prince and his 
 Highlanders, this was carryed to the 
 Princes levee on Moonday and I heare 
 it was said they might preach as they 
 pleased and pray for the devill ; he, the 
 Prince, wowld not now medle with them. 
 No sober people approve Matheson's con- 
 duct. 
 
 I think strang of owr triming Lord 
 Provost that he showld have avowedly 
 declared that John Forrest, late treaswrer 
 of Edinburgh and his own co-partner in 
 tread, was so obnoxiows to him that if 
 the Cowncill had any regaird for him 
 they wowld not put Forest in leet for 
 baillie. 
 
 This day Thoma is gon in with Hews 
 Blair and Balentin and two Miss Balen- 
 tins* to town. 
 
 Mr Hewgh Blair preached afternoons 
 
 * Katherine, daughter of the Rev. James Bannatyne, 
 one of the ministers of Edinburgh, married, in 1748, 
 her cousin, the Eev. Hugh Blair, D.D.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 63 
 
 sermon one Mr Mowbry's desire at Curry 
 church ; browght no railing accusation 
 but preched the Gospell, and in prayer 
 only named the Goverment and prayed 
 little more than what we have by ex- 
 ample of the angel Michaell, the Lord 
 rebook the Sathan, or in such terems 
 against. owr enimies. 
 
 Severall parties from the Highlands 
 joyned them this first week of October. 
 They have contracted with two beakers 
 in Cannongate for 20,000 weight of bisket, 
 and given the beakers 3 or 400 bolls of 
 wheit owt of Winton's forfalted estate 
 which is seqwestrat by the Prince for 
 the use of the publick. William Alex- 
 ander marchant his wines are seased that 
 were detained for tryell, and they are to 
 examin the affair and acqwit or condem 
 by there club law. I hear they make 
 large magazins of hay at Jocks Lodge 
 on the way to Musleburgh and this is 
 Major Gardner's hay from his howse at 
 Olevstobb. 
 
 These strollers have been one all hands
 
 64 THE WOODHOUSEL1CE MS. 
 
 of us at Boghall north from Woodhows- 
 lea they breakfast with the Grintons and 
 sowth at Howget they took free qwarter 
 with Charles Straiten. We are sur- 
 rownded with danger of the gang but as 
 yet they have not beat up owr qwarters 
 the last two places they visited October 
 7, and robed Jarnes Lees of 10? worth 
 bread this October 8, but his sone escaped 
 bringing owt owr things from town of 
 100 times the vallow this Tewsday Octo- 
 ber 8, 1745. 
 
 John Hay writer, sone of Mr Alexander 
 Hay, writer, went at the head of that 
 party demanded contribution from Glasgow 
 and browght in the 5000 II. and I am 
 certainly informed John Trail, bookseler, 
 went to the Abbie and kissed the Prince's 
 hand. 
 
 This is a reign of proclamations ad- 
 vertisements and of lones forced by a 
 parcell (as Rymer's prophecies calls them) 
 wandring wasters. I hear Blackfoord his 
 lady met Prince Charles when he passed 
 her howse with a bottle or glass of good
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 65 
 
 wine and has since been to kiss his hands 
 at Court. This is to far for honest George 
 Liviston's daughter, but Collonel Ferguson's 
 dawghter has gon further. Archibald 
 Broun of Blackfoord took a protection 
 from the Prince but a party under ane 
 officer seased and carryed off two of his 
 horses since he had this. 
 
 George Balentin, minister of Craigie* in 
 Airshire, came to us to see his freinds 
 left his horse at Woodhowslea and walked 
 to town afoot. He went down to Mr 
 Blair's in Cannonget and was detained 
 supper ; and passing at Nether Bow Port 
 with his great freise ryding coat the 
 Highland gaird did not stop him but it 
 struck on Lumbsden a sone of Lumsden 
 the writer and grandchild to the Episcopall 
 minister and a volunteer with his white 
 cocad and his sword under his arme. 
 It struck Lumsden in the head that Mr 
 Balantin was a spye and he follows him 
 
 * Son of Mr James Bannatyne, one of the ministers 
 of Edinburgh, afterwards minister of the West Church, 
 Glasgow. Died 9th September 1769. 
 
 I
 
 66 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 up and chalanges him, and reqwirs him 
 to go to the Gwaird. Owr freind George 
 walks on with him and askes if he had 
 any warrant to carry him to the gwaird. 
 Lumsden said he had not upon this 
 Balenten, seeing him a yowng lad licke 
 a beau and that no Highland men were 
 in vew, snaches his sword from under 
 his arme and Lumbsden runs off and calls 
 owt, but Georg being near Cant's Close 
 head, where his fathers howse was, goes 
 streight home, in a little come a strong 
 detachment of Highlanders. Mr Balentin 
 took the alarme and the howse being 
 up two pair of stairs he tyed the sheets 
 of the bed to ane easie chare and goes 
 owt at the window and escapes. In his 
 droping the window he hit upon Mrs 
 Ferguson's window who lives below and 
 brock the glass. She called owt in surprise 
 to her servants that all the Highlanders 
 were entering her howse by the window, 
 and the Highland gaird hearing this 
 alarme in her howse came in to the 
 Secretary's lady's mother's howse and saw
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 67 
 
 the sheets hung and cut off as far as 
 they cowld reach. Mr James Balentin's 
 servant keepet his door closse, but they 
 gott a smith and forced it and when 
 they came in they said they belived he 
 was fled they sowght for but they wanted 
 the sword. They searched but fownd it 
 not and did no more harme. The minister 
 of Craigie went to one Mr Jerdan's howse 
 the minister of Liberton's brother and 
 stayed all night and next day, and left 
 the silver hilted sword to be returned to 
 the gentleman and came owt under clowd 
 of . night to us at Woodhouslea, and next 
 morning took his horse and went off for 
 his chairge at Craigie. This Lumbsden is a 
 yowng lad and writes under Secretary John 
 Murray of Brughton, at his office in the 
 Abby, and thowght himself much affronted 
 to be thus disarmed. The story is full 
 of comicall incidents but it was rash and 
 unadvised in Balentin, for Lumbsden 
 might have had a pistol and fyred upon 
 them or had some Highlanders in call 
 to fyer down the Waynd befor he gott
 
 68 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 off for it was clear moonlight Michelmas 
 moon. 
 
 When the Castle demolished the west 
 end of the Wighhowse the Highland gaird 
 there took up in Mr Logan's the minister's 
 howse in Milns Sqware. The servant 
 opened the doors of such rowins as she 
 had keys, but they brok in to closets 
 and demolished the doors, and have now 
 left the howse. Mr Logan and his lady 
 and familie are fled to Mrs Irvin ther 
 freind's hows at Newton in Clydsdale in 
 Crawford John paroch. This occasions 
 many inconveniencies and much disorder. 
 
 The camp at Dudeston was provided 
 in tents by the poor town of Edinburgh ; 
 and to reimburse all these expences of 
 tents shoes and broges &c. the inhabitants 
 are taxed at 2sh. 6d. per pownd sterling 
 of there reall rent quhich commenced 
 the collecting it October 7. But the 
 Highland host are unwilling to lye in- 
 camped in tents and choose reither to 
 ly in 100 in bar ens and weast howses 
 and this perhaps to have occasion to make
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 69 
 
 excursions in the night for plunder and 
 robery. They robed some butchers on 
 owr Linton rod and last night came to 
 Bread Howse and took all they cowld 
 lay hands upon from Mrs Brown, and 
 October 12, came this rod and did all 
 disorders of plunder and robry that law- 
 less wandring wasters (such they ar) 
 cowld doe. At Corsehowse at the Dysters, 
 at the foord of Glencorse water, they 
 took cloath and all. They knocked at 
 the ministers but got not in. Abowt 20 
 of them returned to the Howgate and 
 took free qwarter at Charles Straton's, 
 hade all his bapes and ale put one a 
 large fyer, and drunk a bottle of whiscke, 
 went in to the weedow woman Brown's 
 and spoyled her howse. This marrading 
 by such worse then hussars strikes a 
 terror all rownd but (thank God) we have 
 not had this dismall visitation fall to our 
 share as yet. 
 
 October 14, we ar in a state of intestin 
 war. A camp of Highlanders dayly incres- 
 sing and within 4 miles of us strolers
 
 70 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 pilfering everywhere, and this day we had 
 ane alarme that numbers were on the 
 road and neigh at hand. Evrything was 
 hurryed owt of the way into holls and 
 boors, beds dismantled and what not adoe. 
 Thow Lord art owr protection and owr 
 sheild in owr poor hyred sheeld of Wood- 
 howslea. 
 
 October 15 last night they took two 
 horses from Archibald Inglish of Achen- 
 diny* in owr neightbowrhead. A mile and 
 half distance they came to Brunsfield 
 Mr Warrander gave wine and they went 
 off to Weedow Lady Mercheston and 
 spoyled her of all, but what I have 
 well attested they sent to Lady Strath- 
 naver for 12 dozen napry for the Prince's 
 use. The Lady sent word to Secretary 
 Murry all was in the Castle but a few 
 cowrses for her own use but this did 
 not satisfie. They sent a Highland 
 gwarde she cowld not understand, and 
 
 * Advocate, Clerk of the Court of Admiralty. Died 
 2nd April 1754 ; married 1740, Jean, daughter of John 
 Philp of Greenlaw.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 71 
 
 she was forsed to quit what she had. 
 This gratiows Prince has many proclama- 
 tions, manefestos, and declarations, but he 
 will keep them as his grandfather did if 
 he is trusted. 
 
 October 16, ther were 60 of the crew 
 came owt in the fornon owr Linton rod, 
 and spread themselves in parties they 
 came to Bow Bridge, and gulravished in 
 the publick hows. They came to Pentland 
 and Straton and plundered, and a partie 
 came to Fulford and took what they 
 cowld lay hands one. They payed us a 
 visite and I met 24 of them withowt 
 the entrie and asked what they came 
 for, they answered in sarch of armes. I 
 told if that was ther orders two or 
 three of them might go in and the rest 
 might have meat and drink we agreed 
 on this and 4 went in, but armes was 
 the least they minded. They asked 
 money ; I gave them 5 shillings. They 
 wowld have had a gwinee. They are 
 artefull theeves for they had there spyes 
 on the hills and rysing grownd and saw
 
 72 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 the mercier carry some linings and put 
 under the hay, and when I was in the 
 howse they rwn abowt and took of the 
 linings two tablecloths 9 sheets (?) and 
 aprons and other small linings, and put 
 under there plaids they run throw the 
 gardin and beat the evergreens for con- 
 cealed things and went throw all the 
 planting and fownd owt Hew Ballentin 
 and took 5 and sixpence off him. I 
 thowght myself well off had as I 
 thowght gott rid of the gang, for 5 sh. 
 and some bread and drink but knew not 
 what they had theeved. They rande- 
 vouzed the back of Fullford Howse upon 
 the hill syde and divided the spoyll and 
 had a sqwable and drawing swoords 
 abowt it they marched to Leeps to 
 James Pennecook, got what they cowld, 
 than down to the highway and there 
 fownd Mr Mowbry and his family on 
 the road and attacked the coach. He 
 gave them money beyond Boghall, but 
 he had a second sqwad to satisfie at 
 Lowdonburne. It seems upon the disorders
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 73 
 
 committed Mr Alexander Lockhart ad- 
 vocat from Craighows was going in to 
 the Abby to remonstrat, but these mett 
 him by the way and spunge him of 2 
 shillings all he had. It is said he went 
 and orders were given for a party of 200 
 to goe and apprehend them and appre- 
 hended they were and things taken from 
 them. The less vallowable were left at 
 Mortonhall but the vallowable carryed 
 forward to the Abby, I sent, but owr 
 linings were not at Mortonhall and owr 
 servant is gon on to Edinburgh. Thus 
 the noble Prince his armie doe, but what 
 better the Prince than a pilferer and 
 a captain of robers and theeves? He 
 demands 300 ston hay and 60 bolls 
 oats from Newbiging, under the penalty 
 of burning Barren Clerk's howse* there. 
 His dawghter has ordered in parte of 
 the hay and the rest to be sent, and 
 
 * Adjacent to Penicuik House, it was the seat of 
 Sir John Clerk, Baron of Exchequer. He and his 
 wife fled to England, leaving the house in charge 
 of his daughter Babe. Memoirs: Scottish History 
 Society.
 
 74 THE WOODHOTJSELEE MS. 
 
 the tennants are thrashing owt the oats 
 to prevent being distressed. I did sum- 
 pathise with the destressed abroad I did 
 so with those at home upon this occasion 
 but now I have seen there faces and 
 ther way I dowbly sumpathise tho I 
 cannot say we have got so much mis- 
 chife and harme as others, and had not 
 the women exposed thing[s] by cowering 
 thing [sic, i.e. them] with hay (?) in there 
 vew we had escaped better. He that was 
 there leader had the impudence to aske 
 me if I had a protection tho he showed 
 no warrant for what he did in seeking 
 armes. 
 
 But what all these transient storys to 
 what happens in East Lothian and all 
 rownd hevy demand and this but the 
 begining of sorrow for the rowen of owr 
 cowntry is threatned. Spanish and French 
 force said to be coming. We hear the 
 ship taken with armes and money at 
 Bristoll has the Pretenders 2d sone 
 Edward Benedict on bord. It is said 
 George Lockhart of Carenwath is appre-
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 75 
 
 hended at Bervick as he was going into 
 England. His sone George has joyned 
 the Prince ; may he have many such little 
 worth sqwires this suiner. He made ane 
 attemp to breck into a hows and comitt 
 a rapp and was scared and chased owt 
 at the roof, the way he entered, and he 
 had fled Oxfoord for game detts and is 
 now commenced volunteer with white 
 cockade. 
 
 Lord Lowdon, who was at the batell of 
 Preston field with Cope, has gott North, 
 and he with Lord Precedent is raising 
 the whig clans Campbels, Grants, McKyes 
 &c. and will be able to make a divertion 
 and hinder more from coming up from 
 the North to Dudeston camp. I wish it 
 were trow that were write me that 2000 
 of his magestys forces had stoll a march 
 the west road to secure the pass at Stirling 
 Bridge. These particulars were write me 
 October 17, the day the Parliament was 
 to meet at Westminster for buseness. 
 
 October 18, ther had a partie passed 
 this way to Nidsdale and browght along
 
 76 THE WOODHOUSELEB MS. 
 
 with them the Lord Maxwell sone to 
 the late Earl of Nidsdale. He is maried 
 to a dawghter of late Earl of Traqware. 
 He passed this day the Howgate, where 
 a servant of his spoken and told his 
 master had ill will to leave his howse 
 and he knew not what he wowld doe. 
 
 Capten McNeile, who was owr neight- 
 bowr at Fullford last season, is gon with 
 his familie to Mrs Camerons lodgings at 
 Glencorse and is carried in to wait on 
 the Prince. He was ane officer or captan 
 of the Highland Regement, but excused 
 his going to Flanders upon indisposition 
 and was ordered to sett owt. He seems 
 not to be bloody minded but lived qwietly 
 with his mistres and child in hyndroumes 
 in the farme howse at Fulfoord and re- 
 create himself in hay harvest work. How 
 he will now determin himself is dowtfull, 
 but having him will be no grand ac- 
 qwisition. The Captain came drunk from 
 town after giving his paroll he will not 
 use armes against the Prince. 
 
 Moonday October 21, we had a new
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 77 
 
 alarme of Highlanders. Captain Stewart 
 and his party with Liftenant Stewart 
 came in search of armes. They came with 
 a party of 16 and were civill. Mrs Philp* 
 and her Higland gward, one Stewart, payed 
 us a visit October 22, these are all civill 
 and protect the cowntry she told us how 
 rude Anderson of Whitburght had been 
 to her dawghter in taking away Mr 
 Ingles his horses, which he has not gott 
 again, and now ther is ane order for evry 
 plow to furnishe a carte and two horses. 
 The demand on Barren Clerk is 3000 ston 
 hay and some straw and 73 bols coren,J 
 
 * Sophia Robertson, wife of John Philp of Greenlaw. 
 
 t Robert Anderson, younger of Whitburgh, one of 
 the general quarter-masters of the Jacobite army. 
 
 I Sir John Clerk writes, 'when the Highland parties 
 came they were civilly used, and so committed no 
 disorders about the house, except that they eated 
 and drank all they cou'd find, and called for every- 
 thing as they thought fit, for they lookt on them- 
 selves to be the masters of all the country.' He 
 says the impositions on his estate were 6000 stone 
 of hay and 76 bolls of oats, his share being 
 about 200 sterling (Memoirs, p. 188), and that 
 all his horses of any value were carried off to 
 England.
 
 78 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 all this shows they think of moving and 
 that the Kings armie is approching. Mrs 
 Philp has three Stewarts, Appen men, her 
 gard de corps at Greenlaw, she had them 
 at Glencors Church with her on Sunday, 
 and Mr Wilson prayed more then ordinar 
 in his Whig way. She did us the fawour 
 to wisit at Woodhowslea in a chese with 
 one of her Stewarts ryding in armes by 
 her. They were civil, this was October 
 22, and on the October 23, came the 
 theeving gang 11 of them. I knewe 
 some of them by eye sight had been 
 former visit. We had sent of to Greenlaw 
 and readely came Hewgh Stewart and 
 the other two Mrs Philp's captains, but 
 the rogwes gott off throw the tulls from 
 Castlelaw and as they went along fyred 
 and wownded the sheep upon Leeps hill, 
 but got non of them. Carenwath's brother 
 Philip Lockhart followed them up owr 
 avenew and spok them cavelierly, and we 
 gave these rowgs milk and bread and 
 had no harme, but it was the same gang 
 had stoll owr linings.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 79 
 
 This October 24, 'tis said Prince Charles 
 has fixed his headqwarters at Dalkeith in 
 Duck Balclwghs howse or palace there. I 
 hear now he only comes and goes betwix 
 this and the Abby. 
 
 October 25, two of Greenlaw gward 
 Donald and John Stewarts* came and 
 dined with us. Donald is a strong man 
 seems past midle age, the other I gwess 
 to be past 36 by a story he told of his 
 being sheering at Lochen with Sir John 
 Warrander abowt twenty years agon, and 
 that Sir John was to have retained him 
 for his servant. He said he had been 
 this expedition at D unbar and browght 
 in William Sandelands prisoner. They 
 gave us accownt of ane accident happened 
 at the howse of Shank. Lord Elchest 
 lives ther, and Captain Stewart from 
 E-oslen went to that hows in qwest of 
 
 * Probably Donald Stewart, brewer in Tycharan in 
 Appin, and John Stewart, brewer in Creganich, Lismore 
 Isle, both serjeants in the 'Kebel Army.' 'List of 
 Persons Concerned in the Kebellion,' Scottish History 
 Society, pp. 288-89. 
 
 t Patrick Grant, Lord Elchies, died 1754.
 
 80 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 armes, and when at 12 diner all the 
 party were in the kitchen ane idle fellow 
 Clerk a servant in the hows was handling 
 the fyre armes and drew the tricker of 
 a pistoll. It went off and shot one of the 
 Highlanders throw the head. All the 
 others got up and had cutt the poor 
 servant in pieces but the Captan getting 
 up from diner came in and called who 
 had killed the man. The servant owned 
 it was he by accident, so the Captan re- 
 strained the fury of the others said he 
 was his prisoner and sent him in under 
 gward to be tryed at the Abby. We 
 had the East Lothian story of the miser 
 they took 800 pownds from. He was 
 shilling peas when they came in and 
 wowld give them nothing, but was so 
 cairfull as to pick up a peas or two 
 [which] had falen; but they searched and 
 hitt upon all his money. They said his 
 nephew and Hew, a young lad in Edin- 
 .burgh, was called befor the Prince and he 
 has the Princes obligation to repay him 
 the sum but withowt annualrent, when he
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 81 
 
 is possessd of his kingdom. We can have 
 no news but such as the Princes folks 
 think fit to allow to be published. Ther 
 is a report that the Grants are up and 
 yowng Grant at the head of 1300 men, 
 and that Sir Alexander McDonald and his 
 men have joynd the Goverments freinds 
 in the North. Earl of Lowdon is there, 
 who escaped from Prestonpans field, and 
 it is said is to raise the Campbells. 
 
 October 30, this King's birthday, I from 
 the Hills heard the Castle give two 
 rownds, and the men of war from the 
 Firth 130 guns. The expres came with 
 ane accownt of Martha Blair's death 
 yesternight at 9 ; she is to be buried on 
 Fryday. he the express tells Mrs Hamilton 
 is dead destracted. She is a dawghter 
 of late Sir James Bell's and married 
 Bangowr's brother the nationall poetic 
 good for nothing lad. He had acqwent- 
 ance of Prince Charles at Rome and 
 joyned him here upon which she turn'd 
 melancholy and is now dead last night. 
 Will Kichen's howse at the end of 
 
 K
 
 82 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 Wrights howses was pileged and they 
 took blankets and cloaths both of his 
 own and work he was making for others 
 as taylor. 
 
 Ereskin the bruer is a qwacker,* and 
 he was robbed and plundered. He went 
 and complained to the Prince in the 
 blunt plain way of that people he said 
 ' freind Charles, George his men when 
 they came took a parte but thy men 
 have taken all from me, Charles thow 
 art seeking a crown but this is not the 
 way to obtain it.' The Prince said if he 
 cowld know and poynt owt who had 
 done this he showld have redress Erskin 
 answered 'Charles thow owght to know 
 thy men and keep them in order I am 
 not conserned to know thy freinds,' and 
 so he was dismissed. 
 
 Fryday, November 1, the Higlanders 
 
 * Thomas Erskine, a son of the Rev. Philip Erskine 
 of Parsonfield in Northumberland. He became a Quaker, 
 and preached in Edinburgh from 1728 onwards. He 
 married, 1st, 1723, Mary Gelly or Jaffray; 2nd, 1734, 
 Margaret, daughter of George Miller. Information from 
 W. F. Miller, Esq.
 
 THE WOODHOUSBLEE MS. 83 
 
 evacuat Edinburgh and the Prince went 
 to Pinkie ; * and one Saturday and Sabath 
 they marched throw Rosslen Muir and 
 by Auchendinie Bridge for the sowth. 
 They have gott gwardes in forme for the 
 Prince and they have a trowpe of gentle- 
 men in huzare dress with furred caps, 
 long swords or shabbers, and limber boots. 
 The Secretary Murry's lady eqwiped her 
 self in this dress with pistols at her syde 
 sadle, and her cape on distingwished with 
 a white plumoshe fether. I saw them 
 with my prospect distinctly on ther long 
 march along the muir horse and foot 
 going down to Milton Milne near Glen- 
 corse. They halted one Saturday at 
 Greenlaw and had enterteanment from 
 Mrs Philp at her howse of Greenlaw, 
 the Duke of Athol as they call him 
 and Pearthshir gentlemen &c. lodged ther. 
 Collonell Warran ane Irish man and 
 ingeneer with some of ther officers were 
 one Satwrday night at Glencorse howse 
 
 * He went the night before. Blaikie's Itinerary 
 [Scottish History Society], p. 23.
 
 84 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 with Mr Bothwell* and Captain McNeill 
 the Highland useless captain. I had some 
 of Warren's gasconad Irish storys from 
 Mr Bothwell abowt his battery he had 
 erected at Alway to defend the pass and 
 of his red hot ball he was to burn the 
 men of war with. The disorderly armie 
 sowed destruction wher they marched and 
 seased the cowntry horses on all hands 
 they took all the fowr from poor Stewart 
 tennant in Glencors Mains that Sabath 
 morning ; and on Satwrday took of Mr 
 Willson the minister's horse and all they 
 cowld lay hands on. They had above 
 150 wagons and cartes with provision 
 amonition and bagage, and all Generall 
 Cope's wagons they had taken at the 
 field of Preston. One Sabath morning they 
 marched off from Greenlaw with pypers 
 playing &c. towards Pebles. The church 
 bells had rung and I went to church, 
 but Mr Wilson thowght it not expedient 
 to preach, so I went in and heard 
 
 * Henry Bothwell of Glencorse, in 1734 he assumed 
 the title of Lord Holyroodhouse, and died in 1755.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 85 
 
 Stewart the tennants dismall accownt, 
 and Mr Bothwell of the loss of his two 
 horses and Captain McNeill of his horse 
 furnitur and boots, for horse he has none ; 
 and one my returne, at a distance saw 
 ane other sqwad bag and bagage pass to 
 joyn the rest. The Prince was said to be 
 with these and proposed to ly at Pebles. 
 They were hard 4 upon Baron Clerk's 
 tennants and horse and upon the town 
 of Penniecook, and took horses and all. 
 Severall deserted from there armie and 
 the country people had many horses off 
 among the hills. They had sett Fryday 
 for bringing in the Cess and many upon 
 the proclamation came in on horsback, 
 and this occasion they took to sease all 
 the horses and got many. As I came 
 from Glencorse Church, Sabath, November 
 3, I saw an Edinburgh hyrer who letts 
 cheses in qwest of his horses ; they had 
 taken all from him. I told him they 
 were to randivowz at the Howgate 
 mowth beyond Achendinnie, wher he 
 might come up with them. It was but
 
 86 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 two myles ryding, but I dowted to little 
 purpose. We took the ordinary pre- 
 cawtion of secreting owr things and 
 hyding owr horses, but God be praised 
 we had no disturbance tho they marched 
 so near us as short two miles. 
 
 Monday, November 4, the schen is 
 shifted ; the Highland armie is marched 
 for Peebles and there* Prince with them, 
 and many of them deserts throw the hills. 
 
 Three of them made resistance, but 
 were catched two of them and disarmed 
 at Castellaw. They browght them to 
 Woodhowslea with a gward and one 
 of them was wownded in the head with 
 a ston and all bloodie. They caryed 
 them forward and at Boghall took five 
 gwinees and a crown off them. They 
 had gott the armes from him that fled 
 and fyred his gun after him, but missed 
 him. Some of the cowntry men were 
 wownded in the hands in apprehending 
 them, and November 5 they lodged them 
 in the Castle of Edinburgh. 
 
 November 5 as I returned from Edin-
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 87 
 
 burgh at Buckstain I met from Swanston 
 a sett of cowntry men carrying in 3 
 Highlanders and using them not tenderly, 
 but the gang have irritat the cowntry 
 by there pilfering and oppression and 
 they ar seased everywhere and taken 
 to the Castle of Edinburgh and there 
 money and things taken from them. 'Tis 
 reported abowt 1000 have deserted since 
 they went sowth. The fellow was ownded 
 when taken at Castellaw had a furr hatt 
 and shirt with Camrick ruffells down 
 the brest and very clean and white 
 where not bloody he caled his name 
 Cameron when I asked him, but had 
 no dowt robbed the shirt. Abowt 
 the begining of November A. Stewart, 
 late Lord Provost, in going to London 
 asked Generall Wade's pass, he being 
 member of the House of Commons. The 
 Generall said he showld have it but that 
 many things were said against him, 
 and he wished he might clear himself, 
 and Lord Trawly asked if he carryed 
 up ane address from the City of Edin-
 
 88 THE WOODHOUSELBE MS. 
 
 burgh* to the King it was au reang 
 [all wrong?]. The provost went on his 
 jurny and was no sooner arrived but the 
 Goverment put him in custody of two 
 messengers. Carenwath is in custody 
 of our mony the messenger. 
 
 Sir James Stewart 'tis said went from 
 Weems to Perth, and from that to 
 Aberdeen, and took shiping for France ; 
 and the Duager popish Cowntess of Strath- 
 more with him. She was a dawghter of 
 John Earl of Dundonald, they are both 
 degenerat Protestant, and owt of the 
 way of there ancestors. 
 
 This November the rebells after taking 
 Carlyll have got the length of Man- 
 shester. 
 
 To write of the transactions of the 
 letter parte of this year 1745 is to 
 write of wonderfull things. A poor 
 Italian prince C. Stewart, from Loch- 
 qwaber in the obscurest corner of Britain, 
 with ane ill-armed mobb of Highlanders 
 * Short in the MS.
 
 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 89 
 
 and a bankrupt Twedall laird his secretary, 
 and bagpypes surprising Edinburgh o'rrun- 
 ing Scotland at Cockeny, defeating a 
 Royall armie, penetrating in to the heart 
 of England, seasing garisoned towns, pro- 
 claming a King in spight of a mighty 
 King with some six milions in hand, 
 with powrfull armies and fleets and 
 many generalls, and the Parliament of 
 Great Britain now sitting to support 
 all. This Prince making his progress 
 after a mock prince had in Jun and 
 July stroled abowt personating him and 
 scatering pretended titles of honowr, and 
 this plot and rebellion hatched and 
 carryed on for two years befor it brok 
 owt. Yet this Prince landing so obscurely, 
 with 7 persons, was able to make such 
 a figure shows want of inteligence and 
 conduct in the administration and must 
 stand a blot in the British history to 
 latest posterity Qwis talia fando Mirmi- 
 donum Dolopumve Dolus [Galica Fraus] 
 vel durus miles Ulixes [sic] montani [Hardy 
 Prince Charles] Temperet a lachrimis
 
 90 THE WOODHOUSELEE MS. 
 
 Intier victory by Will[iam] D[uke] of 
 Cumberland over the rebells on Drum- 
 mossy muir near Colloden April 16 
 Wedensday 1746, and Prestonpans and 
 Falkirk defeats under Generalls Cope 
 and Hairy repayed with interest.
 
 91 
 
 ADDITIONAL PAPERS RELATING TO 
 THE REBELLION OF 1745. 
 
 To the Author of The Calladonia 
 Mercury. Sir, By the blunders of owr 
 Regence and Scots ministry and the 
 treachery of the Lord Provost of Edin- 
 burgh, and by the ill conduct of owr 
 Generall, there has been a wonderfull 
 reverse of affairs and withowt having 
 recowrs to miracles we see what a weake 
 administration withowt inteligence have 
 browght affairs to in this place. 
 
 The key of the nation was given up 
 when Generall Cope past Stirling and 
 penetrat too far into a montanows woody 
 cowntry, full of dangerows passes and 
 defyles, and was obliged to fly and leave 
 a .desperat eniniie ane open passage into 
 a well cultivat plentifull cowntry ; and yet 
 this had not been attended with all the 
 bad conseqwences has followed had a 
 liftenancie been named and the melitia 
 disiplined and armed, or had Edinburgh 
 been under a Whig administration. But a
 
 92 ADDITIONAL PAPERS. 
 
 well affected church and city were dis- 
 couraged by those who owght to have 
 raised and conducted a spirit for liberty 
 and self defence no liftenancy sent down 
 it was said by the Provost of Edinburgh 
 to be contrair to law to ryse in armes 
 to protect owrselves. The Kings Advocat 
 told the Church for them to emitt a 
 seasonable warning against popery and 
 arbitrary power was to alarme the 
 cowntry; when the town of Edinburgh 
 asked if it was contrair to law for them 
 to arme and pay 1000 men in there own 
 defence, he wowld give no answer and 
 wowld not write to Cowrt for a warrant 
 unless they cowld assure him fully they 
 cowld procure a subscription for ther pay. 
 All was drame (?) and delay, and the 
 resolutions the Whig partie forced the 
 provost and Cowncill into were never 
 execut till it was to late and there was 
 a heavy management in the wholl such 
 a disconcerted moble as we became were 
 ane easie pray to 4000 Highlanders. The 
 panick was industriowsly spirited up and
 
 ADDITIONAL PAPERS. 93 
 
 the honest resolut partie had nobody 
 they cowld confid in. They saw the Hig- 
 land chiftans had all the inteligence and 
 the plott was well laid and conducted 
 A popish Italian prince with the oddest 
 crue Britain cowld produce came all with 
 plaids, bagpips and bairbuttocks, from the 
 Prince to the bagage man. The conster- 
 nation incressed ; they rushed in at the 
 Netherboll port which was throwen open 
 September 17 ; seased the town the town 
 gwarde under there armes and got all the 
 trainband magazin and turned owr camion 
 against us. They mett ane armie had been 
 flying befor them in there own cowntry 
 and had by longmarches and a voage 
 got sowth of them but withowt the most 
 valowable defensive wapon ther swords, 
 and these as timerows deere became there 
 pray, and they stoll a victory from ane 
 uncatiows Generall ; and now Sir yow 
 pretend to give yowr advice to the 
 ministers of Edinburgh as to ther duti 
 on this occasion .... 
 
 (The paper goes no further.)
 
 94 ADDITIONAL PAPERS. 
 
 October 12. This is now the fowrth 
 silent Lords day in Edinburgh. Look O 
 Lord upon the manyfold desolations of 
 that place and make them in it consider 
 ther manyfold former abominations. How 
 do the walls murne for the stage plays 
 dancing assemblies and consorts of musick, 
 there fullness of bread and lawghter is 
 turned to sackcloath and ashes. In the 
 midest of it ther is no magestracy nor 
 rowle in the place. It is as the calderon 
 and the inhabitants as the flesh in the 
 pott yet O Lord hear the many impor- 
 tuning prayers ar put up by Thy remnant 
 for owr deliverence, and make not a full 
 end, for both citie and cowntry abowt are 
 in owtmost destress and terror and it is 
 time for The to work Lord, that we be 
 not as Sodom and Goinmorow the cities 
 Thow overthrow in Thy wreath. Lord, 
 make owr enemies for they ar risen up 
 against The, make them as Zeba and Zal- 
 muna ; make there carcases fall as dung 
 to fat the land for they have brock all 
 the lawse of hospitality and humanity.
 
 ADDITIONAL PAPERS. 95 
 
 May ue see no more sheans of blood - 
 sheed and confusion O Lord. Rebwk the 
 ambitiows the ambitiows, the prowd, and 
 cruell men have risen up against us, and 
 turne the cowncils of these unto foolish- 
 ness and lett not men be as the fishes 
 of the sea to swallow up and devowr 
 one another. Owr Cowncils are weake and 
 disconserted and our rowers have browght 
 us into deep waters. Lett us not be 
 brock by the east wind in the midest 
 of the reaging of the seas. Thow rowls 
 in the raging of the seas and overrowls 
 the tumults of the people. The waters 
 have lifted up themselves on high, the 
 trowbled seas throw up myre and filth, 
 the dreg and scum of a nation have 
 trowbled the waters ; twrn there broad- 
 swords into prooning hooks and there 
 spears into plow shears ; lett the edge of 
 there deadly wapons pearce the sowls of 
 the obstinat. Art Thow not it who 
 brock Rachab in pices and in 1688 and 
 in 1715 wownded the dragon. Lett these 
 appearances owr fathers have told us of
 
 96 ADDITIONAL PAPERS. 
 
 and which owr eyes have seen be now 
 bread to Thy people this September 1745. 
 Be Thow O Lord on owr syde for it 
 is time for The to work when our 
 strenth is nothing and our Cowncilers 
 infatwat, and when we have been as men 
 that dream. Let owr captivitie turned 
 back and spoyll Thow those that spoyll 
 us and scatter them in Thine anger O 
 Lord God of hostes Lett the virgin 
 dawghter of Zion lawgh them to scorn. 
 Water Thy heretage with Thy ordinences 
 and lett there be no more silent Sabaths 
 in Edinburgh. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Edinburgh : Printed by W. & R. Chambers, Limited.