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941.26019 F421C 1333860 GENEALOGY COLLECTION fu'll^l^iSnyf^.T,/. PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00859 0298 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center http://www.archive.org/details/historyoffettercOOcame » THE HISTORY OF FETTERCAIRN ft k THE HISTORY • OF FETTERCAIRX 1333860 |0 jfrteubs in jFettercatrn AND ©It) pupils NOW WIDELY SCATTERED, AND TO THE /Iftemor^ ot ^vicnt^s anC» pupils NOW DEPARTED, THESE PAGES ARt GRATEFULLY AND RESPECTFULLY PREFACE. The writing of this History of Fettercairn was first sug- gested to the author in 1882, after delivering a public lecture on the subject. He hesitated very much to take up the suggestion, from the fear that the task would prove too formidable for his time and resources ; but on the other hand, from a sympathetic feeling towards all that concerned the past and the present of the parish, he resolved to proceed and do his best to collect and record in a permanent form such details as could be gathered from the various sources of information. Had the idea of collecting materials for such a work been entertained forty or forty-five years ago, the author could have given with greater fulness and accuracy a record of local history and traditionary incidents now forgotten, by committing to writing the recollections of old people living, many of whose traditionary tales have now escaped his memory. — While the indulgence of the reader is craved for errors detected or mistakes discovered, neither pains nor labour have been spared to make the History as full and correct as possible. The main object has been to preserve and ; 2 Preface. diffuse a knowledge of the history, antiquities, and traditions of the parish ; and it is hoped that the effort will be favourably received. The author offers no apology for mixing up the narrative of events with anecdotes and with minute details of local matters which may appear of little interest to general readers, because the work has been prepared chiefly for the people of Fettercairn. He may be charged with trespassing on the parish of Fordoun by having included a general account of the Castle and lands of Kincardine : but from their proximity to and connection with Fettercairn, no history of it could be otherwise complete. Many persons besides those noticed in the body of the work have kindly helped with information ; but only a few can be specially mentioned, although all are gratefully remembered. Thanks are due to Sir John R. Gladstone, Bart, of Fasque, not only for being the first to suggest the work, but for his interest in its progress : also to his relative, Kobert Gladstone, jun., Esq., Liverpool, for revisal of the notes on the Gladstone family. For the chapters on Church and School, the author is much indebted to the Rev. John Brown, Clerk to the Presbytery of Fordoun, for access to the Presbyter}^ Records, and also to the Rev. William Anderson for taking extracts from the same. The more recent inscriptions in Fasque Chapel were kindly communi- cated by the Rev. Andrew H. Belcher ; several valuable documents were supplied by the Rev. James C. M'Clure searches in the Register House, Edinburgh, were made by the Rev. A.. I. Ritchie ; and some interesting reminiscences ; Preface. 3 have been received from the Rev. John Falconer and from Mr David Prain, Fettercairn. The following works, among others referred to in the book, have been consulted : Scott's Ecclesiae Scoticanae the works of Andrew Jervise, F.vS.A. ; History of the Carnegies ; Biscoe's Earls of Middleton ; Dr. Cramond's Annals of Fordoun ; Dr. Marshall's Historic Scenes Robertson's Index of Records and Charters; the Black- book of Kincardineshire; Spalding's "Memorialls of the " Trubles in Scotland ; the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland and the Kincardineshire Retours. Altonvak, Paisley, June, 1899. — CONTENTS. part first.—^iitro^uctor^. Page Chapter I. —Geography and Physical Features ... ... 17 .Situation^Exteut—Boundaries—Surface Levels—Geological Features— L'olonel Imrie's Survey—Rocks—Iron ore. Chapter II. —Topograph}"—Antiquity of Village—Etymo- logy of name ... ... ... ... ... 21 Laud divisions and soils—Morass—Swamps—Ague— Watergirt forta- lices — Greencairn — "Fethyrkerne Towne" — Origin — Site — (Three Baronets)—Antiquity—Etymology of Fettercairn—Mr Foote's theory- Twenty forms of the name— Inference. Chapter III. —Population ... ... ... ... 28 Population, past and present— Increase and decrease—Xewdosk Section —Census table (1891)— INIales increasing— Employment— Agricullure— Distillery—Other industries—Inns and hotels. b part SeconO. -Ibistorical Bvents. Chapter IV. —History prior to 994 a.d. ... ... ... 34 Early unrecorded events — Conflicts — Roman Invasion — Caledonian Tribes—The Maormors—Kings slain— Battles—Picts' houses—Kenneth III. —Assassination — Fenella — Legend — Wyntoim's Chronicle —Fetter- cairn odious. Chapter v.—History from 994 to 1600 ... ... ... 42 Wars and battles—Kincardine Castle and Edward I.—Wallace's victo- ries. &c. -Blind Harry's Chronicle—Bruce and Comyn—English and Scotch at Bally vernie— Fettercairn Antiquarians— ]^eudos and Knights of St. John—David II. and his Queen at Kincardine A royal marriage — 6 Contents. Page PiObert II.— "Earl Beardie" and his forces—James IV. and Queen Mar- garet at Kincardine and Aberdeen — Fettercairn a free burgli with mai'kets—Tames V. and Kincardine town—Visits of Queen ^lary and James VI. Chapter VI.—History from 1(500 to 1698 ... ... 46 Troubles of the Covenant—Spalding's Memorials— Montrose's raids— At Fettercairn — "Fire and sword"—Counter marchings— General Baillie —Death of Montrose— Note, --Colkitto of Antrim"- Earl of Errol and train a night at Fettercairn—Their expenses— Cromwell's troops at Edzell —Foraging expeditions— Balbegno- Covenanters and Nortli Water Bridge " —The Laird of Balfour and Churcli seats A minister "blooded. Chapter VII.—History from 1698 to 1747 ... ••• '>2 The old village hostelry— Reputed royal lodging— "Randall's Knap"— Story of "Kirky Croll or Pin the Wnddie"—Tlie stolen watch -Duke of Cuml)erland's troops—Rebels after Culloden Petition and complaint- Rebel tight at Fettercairn- Minister hurt SchooUiouse burnt—Kirk Session Registers destroyed. Chapter VIII. — History from 1747 to 1861 ... -^7 Queen Victoria's Reign— Coronation rejoicings and Churcli building- Introduction of gaslight— A joint-stock company Curling Club— Sub- scription Li))rary— Rejoicings at marriage of Miss Forbes— Volunteer movement. Chapter IX.—Hi.story from 1861 to 1898 ... ... 60 Visit of Her Majesty Queen Victoria and the P)-ince Consort— Extract from Her ilajesty's Journal—Ramsay Arms Hotel—A few incidents — Rejoicings at the Prince of Wales' marriage— Telegraphic communication —Fire at Fasque House— Majority of Captain, now Sir John R. Gladstone— Of the Hon. Charles F. Trefusis—The Queen's Jubilee—Grand Bazaar for a Public Hall -Distillery burnt— Golf Club— The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Ipart ^bir^.—^be parisb anD its UanDovvners. Chapter X. —Landowners prior to the Seventeenth Century 66 Scotland divided into Parishes—Four thanedoms—Fettercairn the leading one—William the Lion's Hawker—Luthra- Balbegno— " W^ay- tinga"—Rents in kind—Valued rentals—Countess of Ross- "Wolf of Badenoch "— His doings—Donald, Lord of the Isles—Crown lands Strachan of Thornton and rents— Earl of Rothes—Kirklands and Thomas Ogston—Adam Hepburn and Elizabeth Ogston— Successors Kirk Com- missioners—Kirklands sold—Levingstone of Drumhendry—Bishop's Rents—Farms of Fettercairn—John TuUoch—Robert Rate— Toothpicks —Crofts of Kincardine—Lands—Earl of Rothes—James Strachan— Earl of Middleton and Lands of Fettercairn. Contents. 7 Puge CiiAPTEit XI.— John Earl Middleton and his successors ... 76 Name of Middleton—Descent— Middleton of Caldhame— His sons- John Earl of Middleton— His career—His wife Grizel Diniiani—Family— His death at Tangier—Charles, second Earl—Forfeiture—Family -Two Sons— Admiral Byng -E^-1 of Strathmore— Principals of King's College- Janet Gordon of 8eaton— Brigadier Middleton—His son and Lady Diana Grey—Fettercairn estate sold to Mrs Emilia Belsches- Note, Middleton descendants. Chapter XII. —Families of Belsches, Stuart and Forbes ... 83 John Clerk, a Piefugee in Fettercairn 300 years ago— Ancestor of the Clerks, Baronets of Penicuik—Of Emilia Belsches—Clerk's descendants, Merchants in Monti'ose and Paris—[Margaret Clerk and Belsches of Invermay—John Belsches and Mary Stuart—Sir .John Wishart Belsches —Name of Stuart—Lady Jane Leslie—Miss Stuart—James ilill. Historian of India— Sir Walter Scott—Miss Stuart, prototype of Matilda in Rokebij —Sir William Forl)es-Dr. Beattie, "the Minstrel"—Sir William's character—James Skene and Sir Walter Scott's " Marmion "—Dr. W. F. Skene—Sir William, seventh Baronet—His sons—Sir John Hepburn Stuart Forbes—Lord Clinto)i—Family—Hon, Charles F. Trefusis— Lady Jane Grey Trefusis—Family. Chapter XIII. —Newdosk or Balfour ... ... ... 91 A Thanedom Knights of St. John—Robert the Bruce—Reginald de Chen—Grant to Lindsay of Crawford—Rents—Earl of Angus—Charter to Lindsays—To Sir John Wishart of Pitarrow—Lands sold to Sir John Straton of Lauriston—Advowson of Fettercairn Church—Successive Owners — Lindsay of Edzell — Descendants of Stratons — Forbeses of Balfour— Captain ^orbes, the "Daft Laird "—Anecdote—Sir John Stuart. Chapter XIV. —Balbegno, Balnakettle and Littlestrath ... 94 The Woods, thanes of Fettercairn—Original name, De Bosco—Notable Men—Grant of lands to Audro Wood and Mariota Moncreife—Charter by James IV. and English translation—Admiral Wood—His bust— John Wood —Woods of Craig—Walter Wood and Lady Helen Stewart of Atholl —A royal descent — Walter and Sir John Wood — Precept of Oliver Cromwell—Andrew Wood—Andrew Middleton of Caldhame—Major Wood and .Tohn Lindsay—John Wood, Colinsburgh—John and Mrs Wood, Carlisle—Andrew and Robert iliddleton—John Ogilvy of Lunan—Wife and daughters—Dr. Brisbane—Hon. Walter and Donald Ogilvy—The Woods, proprietors of Balnakettle and Littlestrath— Lands sold— Andrew and William Eraser — The Reids, ministers of Banchory Ternan— Distinguished men— Dr.

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