History of the parish of Banchory-Devenick ... With illustrations by William Taylor

Introduction

. Like many works of a similar character, the following History of the Parish of Banchory Devenick is more or less a compilation drawn from material published and un published. While of a fragmentary nature, and in many respects incomplete, the subject-matter has been carefully verified as far as possible, although, for the sake of brevity, cumbrous lists of authorities have not been stated. The illustrations throughout the work have been introduced with a view of interesting the reader, and at the same time pictorially preserving several objects which are likely, in the course of time, to be lost sight of. The Author tenders his most grateful thanks to the many kind friends who have aided him in the collection of matter. He acknowledges his special indebtedness to Mr. A. M. Munro, Town House, Aberdeen, and Mr. J. Malcolm Bulloch, M.A., Aberdeen (the latter is responsible for the chapter on the Bridge of Dee), both of whom have rendered signal service.

Avondale, CULTS, fanuary, 1890. CONTENTS. Page BOUNDARIES OF THE PARISH, i Boundaries, i. Derivation of name, Banchory, 2. BANCHORY LANDS, 3 Kirktown granted to the See of Old Machar— Banchory- Devenick granted to the Abbot and Convent of Arbroath; thereafter to Lord Alan Hostiarius, 3. History of Lord Alan — Succession of the Meldrum Family, 3, 4. History of the Meldrums, 5-8. Rental of Fishings, 8. Purchase by the Garden Family, and their History, 8-12. Forbes Family and their History, 12-14. Murder of Alexander Irvine of Kingcausie by William Forbes, 14-17. Purchase by Robert Cruickshank, Provost of Aberdeen, 17. James Gordon, 20. Purchase by the Thomson Family, and their History, 21-28. Stewart Family and their History, 28-31. PARISH CHURCH AND HISTORY OF SAINT DEVENICK, ----.--- 32 Account of the Saint, with legends, 32-38.

First Historical mention of the Church — Glebe in Old Aberdeen — Introduction of Episcopacy, 38, 39. Account of the old Parish Church, 39, 40, Account of the new Parish Church — Notice respecting old Church Bell, 41. MINISTERS OF THE PARISH, 42 John Clatt, 42. Alexander Campbell — Alexander Cabell — Henry Forsyth — Patrick Dunbar — David Menzies, 43. Robert Merser — Robert Merser (son), 44. Andrew Melvin or Melvill — William Robertson, 45. David Lyell, 46. James Gordon, 46-51. John Maitland, 51, 52. John Lumsden, 52. James Nicolson, 53, 54. George Ogilvie, 54, 55. George Morison, D.D., 55-58. William Paul, D.D., 58-61. William Fy fe Lawrence, 61-62. CONTENTS. X Page PARISH CHURCHYARD, 63 Early History, 63. Visit of Resurrectionists, 64-65. Ancient Funeral Customs, 66. Cases of Longevity, 66-67.

BANCHORY-DEVENICK FREE CHURCH, - 68 History of Erection, 68. Account of Ministers — David Findlay Arthur, 68-70. James Ironside Still, 70. HILLDOWNTREE, 71 Origin of name, 71. Banchory Wedding, 71-73. Versified Narrative, 73-74. PARISH SCHOOL, 75 Early History, 75. Ancient Scale of Fees, 76, 77. Teachers : William Mar — Robert Jamieson — David Martin — Charles Cay, 78. James Clark — James Hogg — George Skene Keith, 79. Robert Cormack, 81. Robert Adams— Patrick M'Gregor Grant, 82. Jobn Webster, 83. William Skinner, 85. John Black, 86. Robert Ogilvie, 87. John Garden, 88. Robert Gray, 89. William Reid, 90. ESTATE OF ARDOE, - - - - - - 91 Extent and Situation — Early History, 91. Mar Family — George Garden — Cheyne Family — Merser Family — Fraser Family — Mowat Family, 92. Menzies Family — Gordon Family, 93.

Fordyce Family, 94, 95. Andrew Watson Fordyce — Alexander Ogston — Alexander Milne Ogston, 95. History of the Ogston Family, 96, 97. BRIDGE OF DEE, 98 Account of erection 98-102. Handed over to the town, 102-105. History of its Chapel, 106-108. Erection of ports and guarding, 109-111. Catholic Rebellion quenched, 112. Siege by Montrose, n 2-1 25. Two timber ports erected, 127. Captain Keith defeated, 128. History of upkeep and repairs, 128-130. In scriptions, 13 1- 1 34. Suicide of James Grant, 134. DOWNIES, - CONTENTS. XI Page ESTATE OF FINDON, 136 Early History, 136. Owned by the Crab Family, 136-137. Chalmers Family, 137, 138. Richard Vaus, 138. Menzies of Pitfodels — Murder of Alexander Menzies, 139. History of " the Finnan Haddie," 141-142. Landing of six Saint Andrews Students who had been driven out to sea, i43-!45- ESTATE AND VILLAGE OF PORTLETHEN - - 146 David Menzies Proprietor, 146.

Sir Wm. Forbes of Monymusk and Banchory, 147. Robert Buchan Proprietor, 147. Sir Robert Patrie, 147, 148. Chalmers Family, 148,149. Alexander Thomson, 149. Notices respecting Yeats' Family, the Family of Gammel, and the University of Aberdeen, 150. Erection of a Public Hall, 150. 151. Notices respecting the School and its Teachers, 151. PORTLETHEN CHURCH, - - - - 152 Early History, 152. Mr. Wilkins appointed minister, 153. Notices regarding Mr. Scorgie and Mr. Pirie, 155. Wiiliam Law appointed minister, 155. WilliamcBruce, 156. Alex. R. Grant, 156, 157. AUCHORTHIES, - - - - 158 Early History, 158. Owned by the Irvines of Kingcausie, 158-160. MANNOFIELD, - - - - - - - 161 Population — Situation — Established Church, 161. TWO MILE CROSS, - 162 Situation— Citizens of Aberdeen Encamping — Montrose Encamping, 162.

Letter by Montrose to the Magistrates, 162, 163. ESTATE OF PITFODELS, - - - - - 164 Owned by the Family of Moray, 164. Family of Reid, 166- 173. Family of Menzies and their History, 165-190. BOUNDARIES OF PARISH. THE Parish of Banchory-Devenick is divided into two parts by the river Dee, one part lying in Aberdeen shire, and the other in Kincardineshire. The portion lying to the north of the river is the smaller, containing about 2374 acres. It is bounded on the north by the parish of Newhills, and partly by Old Machar ; on the east by Old Machar and the Burgh of Aberdeen ; on the south by the river Dee ; and on the west by the parish of Peterculter. It forms a strip about one mile in breadth, and four in length, and stretches both farther east and farther west than the part of the parish upon the opposite, or Kincardineshire, side.

This portion of the parish contains the properties of Pitfodels, Cults, part of Murtle, and part of Countesswells. The south or Kincardineshire portion is almost three times the size of the other, containing nearly 7000 acres. It is bounded on the north and on the south-east by B water, — on the north by the river Dee, and on the south-east by the German ocean, where it has a coast line of about three miles. On the north-east it is bounded by the parish of Nigg, on the south by Fetteresso parish, and on the west by Fetteresso and Maryculter. The estates of this part are Banchory, Ardoe, with Findon and Portlethen on the coast, and Auchorthies in the south-west corner. The word Banchory, according to the View of the Diocese of Aberdeen, signifies the white choir, or beautiful church. Some believe it was derived from the Gaelic, and means the hollow between two hills.

Devenick was the name of the tutelar saint of the parish, sent north by Columba to Christianise the country. As the larger portion of the parish, the Kincardine shire part is historically of the most importance, and as the estate named after the parish, the lands of Banchory occupy the first place. BANCHORY LANDS. Banchory proper embraced two different properties — Banchory-Devenick, and the Ki'-ktown of Banchory — each of which has a separate history up to 1618, when the proprietor of the former purchased the latter, and merged both lands into one. At first they were both church lands granted by different kings, but as the lands of Banchory-Devenick left the hands ofthe church earlier than the other, they have a more varied history. Kirktown of Banchory was granted to the See of Old Machar in 1163, by Malcolm IV., and Banchory- Devenick, subject to a yearly annuity of one hundred shillings, together with certain forensical service, to the Abbot and Convent of Arbroath by Alexander II., in 1244.

Twelve years later the Abbot parted with the property, disponing it to Lord Alan Hostiarius, justiciary of Scotland. The justiciary was a powerful noble. His real name was Lundie or Lundin, but his predecessors having been appointed door ward, or hostiarius, to the king, an appointment which became hereditary, they afterwards assumed the name of Durward. Lord Alan, who was the son of Thomas Durward, had married the natural daughter of Alexander II., by whom he was created Earl of Athole, and in 1242, made great justiciary of Scotland. His influence at court was of the most powerful character, but he fell into disgrace in through intriguing against the Crown. Being afterwards restored to favour, however, he became Regent of Scotland during part of the minority of Alexander III. In 1257 he renewed the claim, which had been made before 1228 by his father, to the Earldom of Mar, which even at that time was a matter of dispute.

Though de feated in his claim to the title, he succeeded to the extensive domains in Mar, extending from Invercanny on the Dee to Alford on the Don, and from Banchory- Devenick and Skene on the east to Coull on the west, which had been acquired by his father under the com promise arrived at of the dispute in his case. As " the most accomplished knight, and the best military leader of his time," he got the lands of Banchory-Devenick in return for his homage and service, and paying three merks of silver, together with the annual annuity of 100 shillings, as stipulated for by the King in the original charter. Under the new titles, which converted the lands of Banchory into "a free barony," Lord Alan and his heirs were prohibited from alienating or feuing any portion of the ground to third parties, under penalty of forfeiture and escheat.

This prohibition was shortly afterwards contra vened, and the whole of the lands thereupon reverted to the Abbacy. The next stage in the history of Banchory-Devenick is its passing into the hands of the Meldrum family. William of Melgdrum, who had got possession of a con siderable portion from Lord Alan, ultimately succeeded in getting a charter of the lands in 1333 (see Appendix). Prior to this, however, Robert the Bruce granted his annuity of ,£5, exigible annually from the lands, to Eliza beth Durward, one of the daughters of Lord Alan. In 1346, William Melgdrum got another charter of con firmation and infestment (see Appendix) under which he and his heirs were prohibited from selling any of the land. The family of Melgdrum is of great antiquity. Philip de Fedarg, a distinguished gentleman in the reign of Alexander II., was ennobled, and subsequently held considerable sway in the north.

He disputed boundaries with the Abbot of Arbroath, and their differences were finally adjusted in 1236 — the Abbot after wards granting him for his homage and service the territory of Auchineve. It is uncertain whether this Philip or his son relinquished the designation of Fedarg, and assumed that of Melgdrum ; but this happened in the reign of Alexander III., about the year 1249. Sir Philip de Melgdrum, son of Philip de Fedarg, who was the first Meldrum of Meldrum, married Agnes Cumyn, sister of Alexander, Earl of Buchan. He had powerful influence in State affairs, and in 1252 was one of the justiciars of Scotland. The dispute with the Abbot of Arbroath appears to have been interminable, for Sir Philip and his Lady contested the right of presentation to the Church of Bethelny, the tithes of which had been given to the Abbey by William Cumyn, first Earl of Buchan, the brother or uncle of Philip's wife, and had been confirmed by Alexander II. in 122 1-2.

The Bishop of Aberdeen had to try the case, and he held a court at Inverurie, on 21st January, 1262, to which all interested were summoned. Judgment was pronounced in the following month, and the decreet was witnessed by Richard, the vicar, by William Lamberton, rector of Turriff, Roger Stainforth, vicar of Banchory-Terny, Thomas de Bennin, rector of the schools of Aberdeen, and Roger Scharcheburg, official. Sir Philip died in the reign of Alexander III., and was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir William de Meldrum, who espoused the cause of Baliol in his competition with Bruce for the Crown of Scotland. Sir William was succeeded by his eldest son, John, of whose history little is preserved. He left two sons, of whom the eldest, Sir Philip, became his heir. His second son, William, who acquired the lands of Banchory, as before mentioned, and was ancestor of the "Meldrums of Fyvie, acted as one of the ambassadors nominated to negotiate the liberty of David II., who had been taken prisoner by the English at the battle of Neville's Cross in 1346.

In October, 1353, the King confirmed to him, and to his heirs, the lands and barony of Meldrum. Nine years later the King, who frequently visited Aberdeen, granted a charter, in January, 1362, in favour of the Dominican or Black Friars, whose church was situated in the vicinity of the East Church, of an annual annuity of 100 shillings from the Barony of Banchory-Devenick, for the endowment of a chaplain to serve in their Church at the altar of the Blessed Virgin, or of Saint Michael ; and the donation bears to be made for the welfare of the soul of the King, of his beloved Margaret de Logy, and the souls of his ancestors and successors. James III., by charter dated 30th September, 1477, confirmed this annuity. The Meldrums of Fyvie continued as proprietors of Banchory down till almost the close of the sixteenth century.

In 1544 the proprietor was Sir George Meldrum, whom Bishop Lesley calls "ane valyeant and wyse gentleman." In that year he was sent on an em bassy to Henry VIII., who was then besieging Boulogne, in France.* His instructions were " to commoune upon certane abstuonce, to the effect that Commissioners should meit, quhilk was aggreit qntill his returning in Ingland in the moneth of August thairafter." In 1554 he secured a tack of the fishings, described in the deed as "foure cobillis," upon the water of Dee, "payand thairfoir yeirlie fiveteen barrellis salmond gude and sufficient." In these times the fishings had been very productive, for, according to the Scots Magazine, 900 salmon were caught in one day in April, 1749, at the Raick fishings alone; whilst the other fishings on the Dee and Don had even greater catches in proportion.

Difficulty of transit, however, kept down the price, and what would now secure a yearly * Bishop Lesley's History of Scotland, p. 187. rental of .£60 or .£80 could have then been had for as many shillings. So accustomed were the lower orders of Aberdeen and district to salmon dinners, that it was no unusual circumstance for farm servants, on being engaged for the half-year, to stipulate that they would not get salmon beyond three times a week. The present rents of the parish salmon fishings are : — Sea : Clashfarquhar, ,£50; Portlethen, Findon, ,£270; Cairnrobin, .£90. River: Murtle, .£19; Ardoe, ,£70; Inchgarth, .£40; Banchory, ,£38; Kaimhill, The estate then passed into the hands of the Garden family, during whose proprietorship the two portions of Banchory merged into one. Under charter, dated in 1555, granted by Sir George Meldrum of Fyvie, with consent of William Meldrum of Hatton, his son, George Garden, then designed as proprietor of Dorlaithers, acquired the estate.

At the same time, Garden obtained a charter of the lands of Hatton and Auchterless in warrandice of the lands of Banchory. The Gardens were a very ancient and highly respected family, and this George, who was frequently called of that Ilk,* married Isobell Keyth, daughter to the laird of Troup, " wha wes lawfull sone to the Eril Mershall."t He was a burgess of Aberdeen, but on 1 8th September, 1562, he, along with twelve others, "tint the freedom" through remaining "not * The Arms of Garden of that Ilk were argent two chevrons ingrailed gules. — Nisbet's Heraldry. t Birth Brieves, Miscellany, Spalding Club, Vol. v., p. 326. actually within the Burgh." In 1589 he was one ofthe gentlemen sent by James I. to Denmark in connection with the marriage treaty of the Princess Anne. He left a son and a daughter.

Arthur, the son, succeeded his father in 1 590, in which year a Patrick Bissett, " his Maiesties rebel!," took shelter in Banchory House, which was surrounded by a mob from Aberdeen, who claimed him as their prisoner. Considerable mischief had evidently been done, for the Town Council afterwards ordered fifty merks to be paid out of the town's funds as compensation. Beatrix, the daughter, had an eventful history. She was one of Queen Mary's maids of honour, and was celebrated for her beauty and her skill as a harpist. Miss Strickland re lates a well-known story of her. Once, when the Queen "proclaimed a music meeting, offering her own favourite harp as a prize to the best performer, the fair Beatrice Gardyne of Banchory was adjudged by her majesty to have surpassed all the courtly competitors, and even her own musicians, in skill and taste, as well as in the sweet ness of her voice.

Neither Michelet, Mary's newly imported French musician, nor even her old established favourite, David Rizzio, was excepted. The Poet-Queen acknowledged the superiority of the native melodies of Scotland to the most elaborate harmonies which foreign science could produce ; and when she felt the soul-thrilling power of a Scottish ballad from the lips of a sweet-voiced Scottish lassie, the generous Sovereign hailed her young c subject as the ' Queen of Song,' and accorded the harp to her with this compliment, 'You alone are worthy to possess the instrument you touch so well ! ' ' Queen Mary's harp is now deposited in the museum, in Edin burgh, of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. It was originally graced with a portrait of the royal donor, and the arms of Scotland in solid gold, enriched with several gems — two of which were considered of great value — but these were stolen during the Civil Wars.

By her marriage Beatrix again figures prominently. She became the second wife of the redoubtable Findla Mhor, and thus ancestor of the Farquharsons of Invercauld and Finzean, and they had issue five sons and five daughters. Ofthe sons, Donald, the eldest, got Castleton of Braemar ; Robert, the second, Invercauld ; Lachlan, the third, through marriage with Grizel Campbell, the lands of Broughdearg ; George, the fourth, through marriage, the lands of Deskry and Glenconry ; and Finlay, the youngest, Achreachan, in Glenlivat. In 1547, Findla was royal standard-bearer at Pinkie. "Surrounded by the men of Strathdee," says an interesting writer, " he cleared the way with his huge claymore, before which man and horse went down. The English cavalry, under Lord Gray, were in a moment overthrown, and the General himself wounded.

But then the main body of the invaders ad vanced, pouring in volleys of musketry, and Findla Mhor fell on the field, shrouded in the royal banner he had borne with such honour. He lies interred at Musselburgh — Burke says at Invercauld — happy no doubt in that he did not live to see the triumph of England." It is not clear when Arthur Garden died. He had married Elizabeth, or Elspet Gordon, daughter of the laird of Gight, and left a son, Alexander. It was with this laird that the lands of Banchory-Devenick and Kirktown of Banchory merged into one. Kept in the hands of the church for four centuries, Kirktown of Banchory at last, in 1571, reached a distinctive point in its history. In that year the Bishop of Aberdeen, with consent of the Dean and Chapter, granted a feu charter of the lands, which was confirmed by the King, in favour of William Blinshell, one of a family that had taken a leading part in the history of Aberdeen for two centuries.

As they had long been under one proprietorship, they now, for the next few years, rapidly changed hands. Blinshell, in the same month that he got his feu charter of them, granted a charter of alienation in favour of Robert Menzies, elder, burgess of Aberdeen. He was succeeded in 1586 by his son, David, who married Marjory Gray, by whom he had an only danghter, Marjory. She became the wife of the Rev. Andrew Milne, minister of Maryculter, and inherited her father's property. The Milnes, however, parted with it in 161 8, when they sold it to Alexander Garden for 3000 merks, but subject to a wadsett of 2000 merks upon the Mains of Banchory, held by Gilbert Club, burgess of Aberdeen. Henceforward the history ofthe two properties becomes one. Garden was married to Janet Straquhan, by whom he had two sons, both of whom went abroad.

One of these, Alexander, who had entered the army, in which he held the rank of Major, proceeded with the troops sent by Charles I. to assist Gustavus Adolphus, and was present at the battle of Lutzen, in 1632, when the gallant king lost his life. Major Garden remained many years at the Swedish Court, where he attained to great distinction. On the abdication, however, of Queen Christina, in 1654, he returned to Scotland, and purchased the estate of Troup, from Troup of that Ilk. He married Betty, daughter of Alexander Strachan, of Glenkindy, and had issue — Alexander Garden, of Troup, who married Bathia, daughter of Sir Alexander Forbes, of Craigievar, and whose grandson, Peter Garden of Delgaty, heir to his brother Francis, Lord Gardenstone of the Court of Session, married the heiress of Campbell of Glenlyon, and thereafter assumed the additional name and arms of that family.

It is strange that the laird who united the two parts of Banchory into one should have also had to let both go out of his family. H is financial affairs became embarrassed, and five years after his purchase of Kirktown of Banchory, the property passed into the Forbes Family, who held it for the next half century. It was in 1623 that Garden "disponed to William Forbes of Monymusk, and Elizabeth Wishart of Pitarrow, his spouse, the haill lands of Banchory with the pertinents." Forbes was created a knight baronet, of Scotland and Nova Scotia, by Charles I., in 1626, and in 1629 he was formally infested in the lands of Banchory, and also part of Torry. He had issue, three sons and three daughters. The eldest son, William, succeeded ; the second son, Robert, became proprietor of Barns ; and the third, Alexander, was subsequently de signed of Aberswithark.

The eldest daughter, Jean, married Alexander Lunan, minister of Monymusk, and afterwards of Kintore. Isobell married John Forbes of Asloun ; and the third, Anna, died young. In 1630 Sir William granted a deed of wadsett over Banchory for 13,840 merks, paid to him by his brother, John Forbes of Leslie, and William and Alexander, his sons. The deed contained a special clause, which provided that in the event of the latter family paying the further sum of 6000 merks within seven years from the date thereof, they should get infestment of Banchory, the same as if they had purchased it outright. Litigation subsequently followed as to the legal rights of parties, but, ultimately, John Forbes of Leslie secured the proprietorship of Banchory. and had his title ratified by Parliament. He was the second son of William Forbes of Monymusk, and Lady Margaret Douglas, daughter of Sir William Douglas of Kemnay, who in 1588 became ninth Earl of Angus.

He obtained the lands of Leslie about 1620, from George, the last Leslie of that Ilk, through paying the debts lying upon them. He married Jean Leslie, sister of Patrick, second Lord Lindores, from whom it is believed he got for a trifling amount a large portion of the estates of that lordship. He bought Edingarroch and Licklyhead from Patrick Leith in 1625. Along with John Leslie, younger of Pitcaple, he made a representation to the Covenanting Lords against the blockade of the Harbour of Aberdeen, 31st May, 1639. In 1645 ne was engaged in the burning of Pitcaple Castle, where Jaffray and Cant were prisoners. Spalding, who calls him "ane gryte covenanter," records that in April of the previous year his " girnillis in Banchorie wes plunderit '' for the upkeep of the Marquis of Huntly's army, quartered in Aberdeen.

He was succeeded in his large estates by his son, William. This laird had, in 1644, rendered himself no torious through murdering his neighbour, Alexander Irvine, of Kingcausie. Spalding relates the story with his usual minuteness: — "Vpone Setterday, 17 August, 1644, about 1 1 houris at evin, Alexander Irving, of Kincousie, cuming quyetlie to Abirdein (becaus he durst not ryd vpone day licht for being at the rode of Montroiss). Williame Forbes, sone naturall to Johne Forbes of Leslie, hapnit to be cuming out of Abirdene going to Banchorie, quhair his father wes duelling, and met with him about the Crabstane, who wold haue takin him and had him perforss to Abirdene, luiking to get for him 5000 merkis conforme to ane ordinans of the Estaitis, that who suld tak him and bring him in sould get the same soume.

Kincovsie being ane syne gentilman stormit to be tane with the lyk of him, and wnder speiking this Williame Forbes schootis the gentilman with ane pistoll deid, and thairwith cruellie strikis him two straikis in the heid. Thus is this brave gentilman mischantlie mvrdreist, wnder scilens of nicht, (never wining to his armes to defend him self), for greid of this gane set out be the Estaitis, without ground of godliness. Many wes sorrowfull at his death, being mervalouslie weill belovit both in brughe and land. He left behind him his dolorous wyf and fyve father les children. Vpone the morne he is takin up and bureit within the Laird Drumis Iyll in Sanct Nicholas' kirk of New Abirdene with gryt mvrning and lamentatioun. This innocent blood is noways pvnishit according to the law of God and man, bot is esteimit and publictlie ap provin as good and loyall seruice, in manifest contempt of oure dreidfull God and the kingis lawis.

For vpone the 2 ist of the said moneth of August, four dayis immediatlie ester this bloodie mvrther, the said Williame Forbes is avowitlie brocht in befoir the eommitte of Abirdein, and found to be ane volunteir in Schir Williame Forbes of Craigiewaris company of trovperis, and declairit him to haue done good seruice to the publict for mvrthering of this gentilman, for no vther ressone bot becauss he wes at Montrose with his young cheif the Laird Drum, drawin thair also aganist his will, as sum said ; for this fault the taking of his lys is approvin good seruice, and absoluit thairfra. Likeas the said eommitte sent ane trumpettour to the cross of Abirdene, and be oppin proclamatioun ab soluit him fra this mvrther frielie, and ordanit 5000 merkis to be liftit as of his estait, being about 1 2 chalderis victuall, quhairof 2000 merkis sould be givin to the malefactour, and 3000 merkis to Craigiwar, ritmaister, conforme to ane ordinans set out be the generall eommitte of Estaitis.

Likeas thairefter he wes of new agane declairit to haue done good seruice, and to get his rewaird, strictlie charging and commanding that no maner of man sould speik or say aganis the samen bot lavdablie. Bot the Lord luikit to their presumptuous sinis and bloodsched, for in August, 1645, the said Williame Forbes, being keiping his fatheris hous of Likliheid, schuiting ane mvscat, schot his richt hand fra him self ; a token that the Lord thocht not this innocent blood good seruice. And that same hand who schot this gentilman wes schot fra him be him self ; but it wes his left hand quhilk fyrit, and wes cuttit at the elbo." Gordon, in his history of the family of Gordon, says that after the Restoration the eldest son of the murdered laird of Kingcausie, " having obtained an order from the Coun cil to apprehend Forbes, went to Caithness, where the assassin then lurked (as he thought in safety), took him prisoner, and carried him to Edinburgh, where by the Council he was remitted to a Justiciary Court to be holden at Aberdeen for that effect, and was by that Court con demned to be hanged at the Crabstane, a place as near as could be guessed to that where the murder was com mitted ; and which sentence was accordingly executed."

This, however, was not the case. The loss of his hand had evidently satisfied his enemy for the loss of his head, for he succeeded his father, and married Janet, sister of Lord Duffus, and by her had several children, among whom were John, his successor, and Jean, who became Lady Hatton Meldrum. According to his tombstone in the churchyard of Leslie, he " lyved fifty-fyve yeirs, and depairted this lyfe, November 12, 1670 yeirs." He is believed to have been the continuator of Matthew Lums den's Genealogy os the family of Forbes, from Lumsden's death in 1580, to 1665. Leslie Castle, now a picturesque ruin, which might have been preserved at little cost in a habitable condition, was rebuilt by him, as appears by an inscription on the wall, dated 17th June, 1661. John Forbes, his son and successor, married in 1662 Helen Scot, daughter of the laird of Ardross, in Fife, by whom he had several daughters.

One of these, Christian, was married, first, to John Skene of Dyce, and, secondly, in 1734, to John Paton of Grandholm. With this laird the estate of Banchory left the Forbes family. In 1682 he disposed of the whole estate to Robert Cruickshank, merchant in Aberdeen, and Sarah Leslie, his spouse. Cruickshank was the son of John Cruickshank, burgess of Aberdeen, and he was elected Provost for four successive years, beginning in 1693, besides being Member of Parliament for the city from 1694 to 1702. In 1694 he returned the following information for the poll taken in that year : — " Hath one D wyfe, and five children in familie, two servant lasses and one man servant." Of the family, three sons appear in the burgess register of Aberdeen as having been made Guild Brethren, viz. : George, Robert, and James.