History of the parish and burgh of Laurencekirk

Front matter

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY

Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Situation — Extent and population — Boundaries of the parish — Largely a morass — The ague — Conversion into arable land — Bogs of Bent — Skeletons found — Site of village — The "Snowy Terminus" — Castle of Kincardine — Royal gifts and honours — Claim to literary distinction — Ancient name of the parish — Modern name — Statistics of population— Manufactures — Prospects of burgh, .

Chapter I.— The Land And Its Owners

Scotland divided into parishes — Subdivisions of Conveth — The Berkeleys — Falconers — Middletons — "Wisharts — Frasers — Keiths-Marischal — Earl of Crawford — Barons of Gray — Meldrum — Strachan of Thornton — Allardice — Irvine of Drum — Stuarts — Hamilton — Livingstones — Moncur — Carnegies — Lord Gardenstone — Farquhar and successors — Allardyce — Crombie — Dr Johnston, . . 12

XIV CONTENTS.

Chapter Ii.— De Beekeleys

Their origin — Humphrey receives grants of "Mernez" — Grant to the monks — Confirmed by Richenda — The monks dispossessed — Compromise made by John and concurred in by Robert — Hugh receives charter of Westerton of Conveth — Founder of Berkeleys of Mathers — Successive Berkeleys — Kaim of Mathers — Name changed to Barclay — A father's counsel — Last Barclay of Mathers — Inscription in Howff at Urie — Founder of Barclays of Urie — Author of ' Apology for the Quakers ' — Robert the Strong — New town of Stonehaven — Last Barclay of Urie — Barclays at Newton — Supposed descent from Alexander Barclay — Earliest known progenitor — Balmaleedie — Aisle of kirk of Aberluthnott — Successive Barclays at Newton — Remarkable longevity — Representative of the main line of Berkeleys of Mathers, . . 18

Chapter Iii.— Keiths-marischal

The Catti — Emigrate to Scotland — Battle of Barry — Name changed to Keith — Created heritable Great Marischal — Distinguished services of Sir Robert — Grant of lands in Aberdeenshire — Sir "William builds Dunnottar Castle — Acquires land in the parish — Barony of Garvock — Barnhill — Earls Marischal — Extensive possessions — Cease to own lands in the parish — Successive earls — Marischal College founded — Ancestors of Robert Burns — Marshal Keith — The last Earl Marischal — Estates forfeited — Exiled — Pardoned — Succession to Kintore estates — Death — Earls of Kintore — Preservation of the Regalia — Rebellion of 1715 — Sheriff Muir — Duke of Argyll at Keithhall — Death of the fourth Earl — Title becomes dormant, and is revived by Lord Falconer, . . 27

Chapter Iv.— Haulkerton

Origin of name — William the Hawker — Lands of Luthra — Ranulph le Falconer — Falconleys — Robert le Falconer of Haulkerton — The Falconers in favour at Court — Successive

CONTENTS. XV

Falconers — Tradition of Martin Luther — Sir Alexander Falconer — Founding of the old castle — Lands of Middleton acquired — The first Lord Falconer — Addition to the castle — A friend of the Marquis of Montrose — Historical events — Lord Falconer removed from office — Sonnet by Drummond of Hawthornden — Lord Falconer re-instated — The second Lord Falconer — The third Lord incompos mentis — His death without issue — Succession of Glenfarquhar family — Last occupation of the castle — Traces of it — Demolition, ..... 36

CHAPTER V.— HAULKERTON— (continued)

The fifth Lord Falconer — Hume the philosopher — His lordship's marriage to Lady Catherine M. Keith — Character and death — Successive Lord Falconers — Succession to the estates and title of Kintore — An eccentric nobleman — Poultry-shooting — Saved annoyance — Death of Lord Inverurie— Adventures in the village — Competition for sixpences— Hard-scrape — Regret of the villagers — The present peer and his family, . . . . .43

Chapter Vi.— Lands Of Middleton

Extent of original lands — Earliest authentic notice — Middleton of that Ilk — A bold outlaw— Successive Middletons — Lord Gray — Sheriff of Angus — Temple lands — Exchange of portion of lands— Campbell of Lundie — Lands united and forming part of the barony of Haulkerton— Disponed to Falconer of Glenfarquhar — Revert to Haulkerton — Drumforber — Wineford — Luthermuir, . . .48

Chapter Vii.— Kilnhill And Bent

Early possession — Exchanged for portion of Middleton — ** Middleton of Kilhill" — Successive Middletons— " Band anent the religioun " — Middleton of Caldhame — Robert Middleton killed by soldiers of Montrose — Earl Middleton — Livingston of Dunipace — Lands reannexed to Haulkerton — Clarkkill — " Clericus regis"— Latch, . 53

b xvi CONTENTS.

Chapter Viii.— Baeony Of Scotston, Alias Powburn

Scots and Picts— Early history of Scotston — Of Powburn — United and form a barony — Meldrums — Allardice of that Ilk — Marquis of Hamilton — Robert Keith — Provost of Montrose — Alarm in Montrose — The last Scottish Parliament held in the ancient form — Sir James Keith of Powburn— Lands disponed to Falconer of Balmakellie — By him to Glenfarquhar — Haddo — Early possession — Parliament of 1560 — Wapinschaws — Keith of Craig and Drumtochty — Successive Keiths — Resignation in favour of young Glenfarquhar — Incorporated with Haulkerton — Glenfarquhar bursaries, ..... 58

Chapter Ix.— Burnton

Derivation of name — Early possession — Earls Marischal — Patrick Falconer — William Keith — Kirklands of Aberluthnott — Lands acquired by Barclay of Johnston — Disponed to David Falconer — Lord Newton — Barony of Newton — Conjoined with Haulkerton — Early history of Newton — Denlethen, . . . . . .66

Chapter X.— Westerton Of Conveth

Blackiemuir and Kirkburn — Chronological order of lands of Haulkerton — Burgh of Haulkerton — Original Laurencemuir — Luthermuir — Dira Croft — Explanation of the name — Situation — Charters — The ancient burgh — Two burghs of barony — Comparison between them — Town-house of Laurencekirk, . . . . .70

CHAPTER XL— CONVETH MILL AND LANDS.

Family of Wishart — Origin of name — Early history — " Johannes Wischard " the first of the family — Sir John the first associated with Conveth — In future charters the name Conveth restricted to mill and lands — Successive Wisharts — " Schir David Wyschart," chaplain — Temporary forfeiture of lands— Justice-Clerk and King's Advocate —

CONTENTS. XV11

George "Wishart, the martyr — Wishart of Cairnbeg — Sir John Wishart's labours in the cause of the Eeformation — Widespread possessions of the family — ' Buik of the Policy of the Kirk' — Ane combat at the Salt Tron — Declining prosperity — "Captain Craigengelt " — Lands sold — Present representatives of the family — Evidence of the martyr's relation to the family, . . .77

CHAPTER XII.— CONVETH MILL AND LANDS— {continued)

Carnegie family — Earl of Southesk — Carnegies of Craig— Sir Alexander Carnegie — Creation of baronetcy — Incursions of Highlanders — Lord Milton — Sir David ordained an elder — Forfeiture of Earl of Southesk — Sir John — Appointed factor on Kinnaird estates — Jurisdiction of the barons — An assault — A riot — Sudden death of Sir John —

Sir James Carnegie — His education — Election as M.P

Military service — Purchase of Kinnaird — the Earldom restored — George Carnegie — Battle of Culloden — Escape to Sweden — Purchase of Pittarrow — Beneficence of Mrs Carnegie — John Fullerton Carnegie — Mansion at Pittarrow demolished — Interesting paintings— George Fullerton Carnegie — Estates sold — Pittarrow acquired by Alexander Crombie — Author of ' The Gymnasium ' — Recent proprietors, . . . . . .85

CHAPTER XIIL— REDMYRE.

Early possession — Keiths-Marischal— Irvine of Drum — Stuarts of Inchbreck — Battle of Corrichie — David Stuart — Visitation of the kirk of Conveth — Successive Stuarts — Captain James Stuart — Professor John Stuart — Estate sold — Family of Allardyce — Dr Johnston — His maternal ancestors, ....... 94

Chapter Xiv.— Barony Of Johnston

Original estate — Present barony — Early history — Supposed derivation of the name — Sir Alexander Fraser — Captivity of Lady Mary Bruce — Gift of land at " Auchincarny " — Margaret Fraser — Married to Sir William Keith— Their family — Chronicle of the siege of Fyvie Castle — Sir xviii CONTENTS.

Robert Keith — Acquires barony of Troup — First mention of Blackiemuir — Sir David Lindsay — Combat at London Bridge — Created Earl of Crawford — Moncur of Slains — Successive Keiths— Standard at the battle of Flodden — The last of the Keiths owning Johnston — Stuart of Morphie, ....... 99

Chapter XV. -barclays Of Johnston

Successive Barclays — Burnton acquired — Minister at Kinnaird — Accompanies army to England — Translated to Monifleth — A married man who was a bachelor with nine wives — Henry Barclay, rout -master — Connection with Earl Middleton — Miss Barclay of London — "My uncle Cadam" — Earl of Northesk — Supposed cause of Ruddiman's appointment — Lands of Burnton disposed of — Barclays of Balmakewan — Graham of Morphie — A family of twenty-four children — Dispute with the kirk- session respecting Sacramental cups — Adherents of the race of Stewart — Wood of Drumnagair — Affairs embarrassed — Estate sold, . . . . . .106

Chapter Xvi.— Lord Gardenstone

Early life — In danger of being hanged as a spy — Appointed Sheriff of Kincardineshire — Promoted to the Bench — Kay's portrait — Character as a landlord — Rector of Marischal College — Publications — An encounter with ' ' young bucks " — Attachment to pigs — Benefactions — Death — Major Garden succeeds— Disposes of the estate, . . . 114

Chapter Xvii.— Later Proprietors Of Johnston

James Farquhar — Descent and marriage — Elected M.P. — Appointed to an office in the High Court of Admiralty — Mansion-house erected — Purchase of Hallgreen — Character— Anecdote — Death — Mortification to the poor — Mrs Farquhar — Annual examination of school — Alexander Gibbon — His character and death — Mrs Gibbon — Mrs Pearson — A lineal descendant of the Berkeleys — A genealogical fact, . . . . . .119

CONTENTS. XIX

Chapter Xviii.— Laurencekirk

Village not founded by Lord Gardenstone — Laurencekirk in the seventeenth century — Gives its name to the parish — Situated on Haulkerton — Two villages — Population and extent — Gradual extension of the village to Johnston estate — Last relics of the original village — Summons to deliver up arms in the town-house — Population declines — First start to prosperity — Motives of Lord Gardenstone — Settlers encouraged — Visit of a hatter — A satirical professor— Principles on which the community was built up — Notes on a tour to England — Halifax — Newcastle — Erection of burgh — Its limits — Administration — Privileges— Masons' Lodge — St John's Day — Address of a Right Worshipful Master — Johnston Street — Garvock Street — Alma Terrace, . . . . . .123

Chapter Xix.— The First Councils

Councillors first elected — Clerk — Letting church-pews — Precaution in the interest of economy — Anniversaries observed — Council -room — "Quorum or not" — Judicial cases — Tumultuous infestment — Illegal enlistment — Sentenced to pay the "drink" — Provision for the poor — Watersupply — Persistent transgressor — Hardened in his transgression— The bailie applies "his own hand" — Bowmanville — Lord Gardenstone's proposal to the people — List of original feuars — James Whitsunday — Deference to Lord Gardenstone — Sunday-schools — Intelligence of Lord Gardenstone's death — His memory duly honoured — Scarcity of work — Dearth of provisions — "We thought of better times, but worse came " — " Maister " Milne, . . 133

XX CONTENTS.

Chapter Xx.— Chief Magistrates

George Murdoch — Alexander Gairdyne — Qualification of residence— Portrait of Lord Gardenstone — Alexander Smart — Mistaken for a priest — John Scott — Official ability — A practical humourist — Descendants — John Scott, farmer — Legacy to the burgh — James Crabb — Beneficial changes introduced — Defeat of a baronet — "William Crabb, artist — David Dickson — Early years — A coincidence — Residence in Edinburgh — Sir "Walter Scott — Settles in Laurencekirk — The brewery — Spurriehillock — Improved steadings — Aberdeen Town and County Bank — Enterprise as a farmer — Pert — A model steading — Public spirit — Professional character — Wholesome counsel — Death — Remark of a villager — Peter Blacklaws — Service to the burgh — Death — Family — An omission in burgh charter — James Fettes — Early years — Begins practice — Public presentation— Interest in farming — Mearns Farmers' Society — Improvements on the burgh — Gas — Railway — Clorty — Banks — The St Laurence Hall — Naming of streets — Dr Fettes retires — His death — Charles "William Fettes — Last official appointment by East India Company — Preferment in India— Return home — Death — John Rae elected bailie, 145

CHAPTER XXL— BURGH OFFICERS.

Billet-master — Constable — Procurator-fiscal — Successive burgh officers — Lang thrums! — "Firing musquets" — Andrew "Watson — A dummy tested — Comparative opulence — Appointed officer — Besetting weakness — Office demitted — Future career — The first county policeman — A follower of sport — Sandy Mather — Court days — Snowballs — Sandy and hi3 barrow — A mystery never to be solved, .

CONTEXTS. XXI

Chapter Xxii.— Noteworthy Families

Carnegies at Mill of Conveth — Relation to baronets of Pittarrow — Ferrygate — Ministers of lnverkeillor — Author of "Johnnie Cope" — Baldovie purchased — Lairds of Redhall — Shank, of the Villa — Castlerig — Several members of the family ministers — President of the East India Company— Benefactions of family — Lady Sibbald Scott — Mrs Taylor — Beattie Lodge and the Beatties — Erection of Beattie Lodge — An artist's mistake — "Rich" Beatties — "Poor" Beatties — Beatties at Mill of Haulkerton — At Drumforber — James Beattie's descendants — Professor Beattie — The poet's favourite sister — Thomas Duirs — Death in a French prison — Alexander Beattie's descendants— A remarkable watch — Randell Courteney — Epitaph by Dr Beattie — Beatties at Middleton — John Watson — Beattie at Bowtory — Beattie at Spurriehillock, . 163

CHAPTER XXIII.— NOTEWORTHY FAMILIES— (continued)

Cowies at Haulkerton — First known progenitor — The "tua cartowis " and troopers of Montrose — Farmer at Mill of Haulkerton — Lease of Mains — Custody of Church property— " Haulkerton's cow" — Leaping-sticks — Bridge of Haulkerton — An English boxer at Laurence Fair — Farmhouse built — Domestic comforts — First sofa in the parish — David Cowie at Dysart — James Cowie — College life — Gold medals — Removal from Mains — Sundridge Hall — Labours in the cause of anti-vivisection — Publications — Lawsons at Whitesauch and Keilburn — Lawson of Hariggs — William Lawson in Powburn — Lawson Mortification— David Lawson — Rechert Lason — James Lawson at Ravenshaw — David Lawson at Whitesauch — His descendants— Crolls at Hills of Haulkerton. . .176

XX11 CONTENTS.

Chapter Xxiv.— Portraits By A Dutch Artist

The artist — Subjects of portraits — Reference — Mr Badenach — Family — James Duncan — James Graham — Mr Dewar (Ewen?) — John Rae — John Silver — Demand for wheaten bread — Peter Ramsay — Dr Niddrie — William Rew — Jane Rew — Callum Mortifications — John Charles — James Hay — Mrs Macintosh — A surprise — James Murray — Robert Trail— Tibbie Trail— Lord Colvill— Torryburn coal— Colvill House — Cupid — Dial — Colvills of Ochiltree — Votes at election of peers — Title disallowed — James Lawrence — "Charters" — A signboard — Theory versus practice — Mistaken salute — Tackles the minister, . . . 187

Chapter Xxv.— Dr Fordyce

His establishment — His appearance — His manner — His practice— "A quiet beast" — A curt prescription — "Leein' Jamie" — "The lang fiddler" — The doctor as a preacher — Burgh clerk — An interpolation — " A temporary stigma" — A most deplorable issue — Interesting authority for the common-sense of old women in the Mearns — Club law and axe law — A sensible last will and testament — Death of Dr Fordyce, ....... 197

Chapter Xxvi.— Laurencekirk Snuff-boxes

Charles Stiven and Son — World-wide fame — A "gryte Jacobite " — A universal luxury — A dozen noses — Marriagepresent — The last pinch — Laurencekirk snuff-box — Various establishments — The Franklin Expedition — The Defiance — Lord Panmure — Box-makers to her Majesty — Stiven's totums — The totum of classical origin — A Roman emperor — His modern representatives — John Thomson — His claim to notice — A good head — An intelligent critic — A clever chield, ...... 204

CONTENTS. XX111

Chapter Xxvii.— Church And Churchyard

Site of church — Dedication — St Lawrence — A Roman deacon — Primate of England — Queen Margaret's pilgrimage to the church — Ecclesiastical superior — Prior to Reformation — The old church — Present church built — Situation of churchyard — Memorials — Inscriptions on old tombstones, 211

Chapter Xxviii.— Kirk Officers

Successive officers — A model beadle — Cinnamon- waters — Sharing the counsels — " He cheated me " — A long sermon — A missing child — Avocations of a beadle, . . .219

Chapter Xxix.— Ministers From The Reformation

Patrick Ramsay, reader — Patrick Boncle, first ordained minister— William Gray — Lady Haulkerton's gift of land — Alexander Symson — Troublous years — Robert Douglas — Episcopacy established — Consecrated Bishop of Brechin — Translated to See of Dunblane — Ejected — Death — Baron Glenbervie — Douglas of Brigton — Patrick Trumbill — Origin of name of Turnbull — John Turnbull served heir to his father — William Dunbar — Appointed schoolmaster—Ordained minister — A keen Episcopalian — Episcopacy disestablished — Administers an oath to the assembled parishioners — Deprived of office — Deposed — Death — Arthur Shepherd — Called by the Presbytery — His death — Arthur Shepherd, Sheriff-depute — The Wysse Mortification— Records of the kirk-session — Carrying water on barrows— A protracted vacancy — Probable cause — Call not accepted, ....... 222

XXIV CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXX. — MINISTERS— (awiWnuai)

David Archer — Rebellion of 1715 — The session's precaution — Sacramental cups — Ministers obliged to leave their churches — Episcopal clergy "very uppish" — Steps for their riddance — Defections among the people — Dissimulation of the gentry — The Royal forces in quest of the rebels — Summonses for the Episcopal clergy — Death of Mr Archer — Elders ordained during his ministry — Andrew Thomson — A distinguished scholar — Dr Beattie's obligations to him — Death — Elders ordained — David Forbes — Settlement disputed — His reputation — Death — Ordination of elders— A clandestine marriage, . . 230

CHAPTER XXXI.— MINISTERS— (continued)

Dr George Cook — Distinction as an author and Church leader — Call to the parish — George Hampton — 'Evidences of the Resurrection' — Doctor of Divinity — Discharge of ministerial duties — 'History of the Reformation' — ' History of the Church of Scotland ' — Bias towards Episcopacy — " Waur than the Chapel fouk" — An intense frost — A startling summons — Remarkable case of imposture— Moderator of General Assembly — The Charles Bequest— Rev. John Charles of Garvock — Resignation of Dr Cook— Family — Death — Dr John Cook — Scholarly acquirements— Leader in Church Courts — The Disruption — Translation to St Andrews— Doctor of Divinity— Moderator of General Assembly — Death — James MacGowan — Reasons for his appointment — Estimate of his character — Translation from Bonhill — His influence in Church Courts — Death — Charles Morrison — First charge — Service in India — Election as minister, ..... 237

Chapter Xxxii.— The Episcopal Church

Circumstances favourable to Episcopacy — Parish church utilised — Hanoverian succession — William Dunbar — Mr Taylor — Alexander Cheyne — Rebellion of 1745 — Episcopal church burned — Disabilities Act — Suppression of meeting-houses — Services at Mill of Haulkerton — Mis-

CONTEXTS. XXV

sion established at Bridge of Leppie — John Strachan — Eppie Bisset on the oath to Government — Persons "cathecised" — Mr Strachan called to Dundee — Consecrated Bishop — Death — Robert Spark — "No witnesses" — Mission discontinued — Congregation formed in the village — The penal laws — Lord Gardenstone and the parish minister — Chapel built — Dedication, . . . 245

CHAPTER XXXIII.— EPISCOPAL CHURCH— (continued)

Conditions of endowment — Rule of presentation — Right of patronage — Jonathan Watson — Presented to the charge — Elected Bishop of Dunkeld — Family — Character — Relations with the parish minister — Inscription on tombstone— Jus devolutum — William Milne — Altar-piece — Monument — Robert Spark — Translated from Drumlithie — The Misses Spark — The Young Pretender — Walter Mitchell Goalen — Appointed assistant — Succeeds to full charge — Removal to Trinity — Recent incumbents — The present chapel erected, ..... 254

Chapter Xxxiv.— Other Churches

Bereans — Origin — John Barclay — Church at Sauchieburn — James Macrae — Succeeded by a Congregationalist — Meet in a private house — Chapel erected — Dr Robb — Peter Brymer shows how he could preach — Successive pastors — Practical discourses — Daylicht — The last of the Bereans — Congregationalists — David Moir — Early life — A student— A missionary — Ordained — Assiduous labours — Removes to England — The Edinburgh City Mission — Death — Successors — Free Church — ' ' Ten years' Conflict" — Public meeting — Charles Glass — Churches — School — Baptists, 260

Chapter Xxxv.— Schoolmasters

William Dunbar — Alexander Fularton — Patrick Bellie — Probable connections — Thomas Ruddiman — Patrick Falconer — Rent of the school-chamber — Dishonours his " testrficat" — A blank page — Robert Mortimer — Disturbing influences of the Rebellion — Carried off with the temptation for one day — Makes acknowledgment — James Milne —

XXVI CONTENTS.

First teacher of Beattie — The school of some reputation — Dominie of the period — Scholarship — Deserts his literary labours — Death — John Scott — An element of weakness in the old system — A too sweeping denunciation — The dominie's wig — Proprietary school — Paddock Pool — Ingenious pupils — William Pyper — Appointment — Removal — Master of the High School of Edinburgh — Professor of Humanity — LL.D. — George Begg — William Farquhar — Character — Appointed minister of Forglen — Farewell sermon — Death — D. G. P. Smith — Character — Health — Death — Testimony of his great worth — John Keppie — Retrospect — Prospect, ..... 268

Chapter Xxxvi.— Village Teachers

Margaret Croll — James Menzies — Dominie Robb — A wonderful calculator — A deliberate shopkeeper — Imitative pupils — Alexander Wood — Familiar figure — His "academy" — Walter Napier — Mr Wood long a successful teacher — Lewis Strachan — Passage -at -arms — A blundering boy — Street beggars — Visit of the minister — His den — A promised treat — Ordering his dinner — Familiarity of address — The Cairn Wood and its "wasp-bykes" — Opposition started — A quandary — Willie Hampton brings relief — His prediction proved correct — Blighted prospects — Last years — Death, . . . . .278

Chapter Xxxvii.— James Beattie, Ll.d

House in which he was born — Parents — Boyhood — Early habits — Schoolboy impressions revived in ' The Minstrel ' — First beholds the ocean — Churchyard described in ' The Minstrel ' — Enters college — Schoolmaster of Fordoun — Society there — Lord Gardenstone his first patron — Master

CONTENTS. XXVH

of Aberdeen Grammar - School — First publication — Professor of Moral Philosophy — 'The Minstrel' — Perfection of poetry — Rank in literature — ' Essay on Truth ' — ' Evidences ' — Oxford degree — Conference with the King — Sir Joshua Reynolds — Allegorical painting of Beattie — Characteristic letter of Sir Joshua — Mrs Beattie — Death of sons — Loss of memory — "Done with the world"— Death— 'The Hermit,' . . . .285

Chapter Xxxviii.— Thomas Ruddiman— Alex. Ross

Thomas Ruddiman — Affecting incident — Education — Fondness of dogs — Competition for bursaries — Band of gipsies — The highest honours — Lord Lovat — Master of Arts — First production — Tutor at Auldbar — Appointed schoolmaster — Salary — School — Class-book — Meets with Dr Pitcairne — Removal to Edinburgh — Advocates' Library — Auctioneer — Dundee Grammar - School — 'Rudiments of the Latin Language' — Printer to the University — 'Caledonian Mercury'— Death — Lord Gardenstone — Cenotaph — Alexander Ross — Assistant -schoolmaster — Schoolmaster of Lochlee — Quaint inscription — Writings — Opinion of Burns — Beattie's friendship — Visit to Gordon Castle — Death, . 298

Chapter Xxxix.— Dr Cook And Others

John Cook, D.D. — Early years — Minister of Cults — Haddington— Services to the Church — Clerk of General Assembly — Leader in the Church— Education Bill — Chairman of school boards — Patronage — Last speeches — Moderatorship — Death — George Menzies — Early life — Gardener — Teacher — Weaver — First publication — 'Village Poet' — Keen politician — "A humbug, beware of it" — Emigrates — Editor — Death — Advocacy of the British Constitution — Church and school — 'My Village Home' — Edward Masson — Distinguished student — Schoolmaster of Farnell — Secretary to the Greek fleet — Distinguished appointments in Greece — Literary work — Professor— Death — William Duirs — Appointment in the Navy — Promotion— Character — Death — Tribute to his memory — James Henderson — Charles Gibbon, .... 308

XXViii CONTENTS.

Chapter Xl.— Agriculture In The Eighteenth Century

General depression — Storms of the century — The snowy harvest— Ruinous litigation — Little security — Presence of armies — Incidents of the '45 — Implements — Wheeled vehicles — Roads — The first gig — Plough — Oxen — Lease of 1710 — Difficulty in procuring tenants — A rent-list — A roup-roll — Wheaten bread, .... 320

CHAPTER XLL— FAIRS.

Ancient fair — Willie Blacklaws' sweeties— Origin of fairs — St Anthony's Fair — When established — Stance — St James's Fair, original site — Origin of name — St Laurence Fair established — Site — Tradition of a combat — Katie's Market—Origin of name — Unexpected canonisation— Royal charter — Halberts for disorderly people — Burgh fair — Custom — Booths — Escape of a prisoner — Cattle and grain markets — First site — Railway — Present site — Importance, 326

CHAPTER XLIL— HOSTELRIES.

Ancient and modern — Chance Inn — Village inn of the seventeenth century — A discerning hostess — Boar's Head Inn — A capper — Bleeder and blisterer — Mrs Cruickshank — Library — Visit of Or Johnson and Boswell — George Colman — An offering to the Muse— What it elicited — William Cream — Posting establishment — Inn upon Haulkerton — A distinguished soldier — The brewery established— Walter Adam — System of rotation — The Sign of the Grapes — Goskie and the Frenchman — Royal Hotel — Western Hotel — Origin and management — Swan Inn — Downie and the Italian musician — Downie Mortifications — Smaller establishments, .... 332

CONTENTS. XXIX

CHAPTER XLIIL— OLD CUSTOMS.

Spinning — Farmers' wives — Stamp - master — Domestic servants— Competitive exhibitions — Smuggling — Pernicious effects — Highland whisky — Connivance of farmers — Acquiescence of people — Means for suppression — A gauger's adventure — Social visiting — Strange custom — Beneficial change — Transition period — Bachelors' party — Bragging Englishman silenced — Funerals — Gratifying improvement — Old practice — James Spankie, . . . .341

CHAPTER XLIV.— SOCIAL AND POLITICAL.

deeply interesting chapter — The first strike on record — Public meeting — Total abolition — Butter and eggs — Sitting near the door — Public meeting — Successful petition

. — Reform Bill passed — Jubilee — Juvenile Society — First political election — Bought and sold — Tory vice — Veteran elector— Musicians — Liberal entertainment — Substitute provided — March to the poll — Return journey, . . 347

CHAPTER XLV.— ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Sheriff-court at Kincardine — Removal to Stonehaven — Curious reason for the transference— First recorded criminal trial — Alexander Gill — Apprehended breaking into Mill of Conveth — Banished the shire for ever — Prosecution for selling meal by measure — Capital punishment — William Edmonstone — "Breaking the victual - house " at Mill of Haulkerton — Sentence to be hanged — A woman hanged — " Pyckine and small theft"— Tied with ropes to a man on the way to the gallows — A prisoner craves to be transported — Sheriff-court divested of its awe — 'Defender proposes to fine the prosecutor — Annals of prison life — An orthodox prisoner — Liberty Hall — Erection of a prison — The first keeper— A noisy prisoner, . . 355

XXX CONTEXTS.

CHAPTER XLVI. -VAGABONDISM.

Circumstances conducive to vagrancy — Casuals — Badges — Knavish beggars — Neil More — Jock Gudefellow — Novel means of defence — Ned Macdonald — Almanac vendors — John Grant — Marquis of Breadalbane — Michael Cowie — Singin' Willie — Charles Stormont — Tramps' lodginghouse— Burke and Hare — Poor Law Act — Gantin Dauvid — Robbie Cathro — Jeannie Gearie, . . . 362

CHAPTER XLVII.— ANECDOTES.

Scottish humour — Sydney Smith — A leg of mutton — Frank confession — "She's denyin't" — Counsel and witness agree — A way to deal with trespassers — " Nee tamen consumebatur" — A melting predicament — Signing a bill — The shepherd and his dog — A voice of warning — "Aye te' fore " — A valuable cruizie — A hopeless case— Caught in the act — A barrel of wigs— Welcome home — Village Mrs Partington — Reward of laziness — The dromedary — No objections — Service announced — Black sheep — Seditious pamphlets, ..... 369

PARISH AND BURGH OF LAURENCEKIRK.

INTEODUCTOEY CHAPTEE.

The parish of Laurencekirk, anciently named £onveth, is in that district of Kincardineshire which is known as the Howe of the Mearns.