History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

THE KING VISITS NEWBIE 8 S
In Monypeny's Chronicle, published in 1587, sixty-four lairds and gentlemen
are described as residing in Dumfriesshire and the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.
Five of the lairds were Johnstouns, viz., the Chief, Newbie, Graitney, Corrie,
and Elsieshields. Nine were Maxwells, including Lord Hereis, six were
Gordons, and four Douglases, including the husband of the heiress of Carlile.
Among the chief men of name, " not being lairds," are the Carliles of Bridekirk
and Ecclefechan, Arthur, George, and Richard Graham, five Bells, six Irvings,
including Edward Irving of Bonshaw, and six Thomsons, Romes, and Gasks.
Douglas of Drumlanrig could not forgive the defeat at Dryfe Sands,
and attacked Johnstoun with his "assisters" on July 13, 1597, a fight which,
with the failure to arrest two rebel Armstrongs, was a reason to deprive
Johnstoun of the Wardenship; but it was given to his ally, Sir John Carmichael,
and Robert of Brigholme and Newbie, whose wife was a Carmichael, was
made Deputy-Warden. James VI. paid a visit to Lochwood the following
autumn, accompanied by his uncle, the Duke of Lennox. He went on
to Newbie Castle, where he was entertained by Robert; and possibly when
paying these visits discovered for himself "the wild heathen state of the men
of Mid-Annandale of the baser sort," which he afterwards graphically described
in a proclamation,—and no wonder, as laymen, and very unscrupulous ones,
had filled the benefices for more than half a century.
At Newbie King James received Henry Leigh, the English Warden's
deputy, "a Warrewyckeshire gentleman," after having held a Council with
the Duke of Lennox, the Earl of Glencairn, the Prior of Blantyre, Lord
Ochiltree, Lord Sempill, Lord Hereis, the Lairds of Lochinvar and "others
of good account ;" but, perhaps out of courtesy to his host, he sent away
the Lords Hamilton, Maxwell (who was only thirteen), and Drumlanrig,
all enemies to the Johnstouns. " His Majesty," wrote Leigh, " sent first Mr
Roger Aston one of his chamberlains, and then Sir John Carmichael to
entertain me till he rose from Council. Which done he came forth to a
green and there did use me very graciously and walked up and down, and
conferred with me a great while touching the state of the borders. He seemed
resolved to reduce his own to obedience, and satisfy Her Majesty with justice."
(Nov. 25, 1597).
Four years later Henry Leigh was taken ill at Newbie Castle, with
apparently the smallpox, on his way to see the King, who was again on
the Borders, but, naturally, would not send for Leigh " to come near him
when he heard of his illness. Robert Johnstoun apparently still occupied
the Castle, as he and his nephew, John, are both called the Laird of Newbie ;
and Edward of Ryehill, Robert's next brother, who lived in Mylnfield on
the Newbie estate, is called in a bond of 1603 "brother to the Laird of
Newbie." Ryehill Tower was burned by the English, and a farm now stands
on its site, half a mile from the Solway. Edward is mentioned by the English
Ambassador as being "very inward with his chief, who is one of the most
honest men in these parts."
Johnstoun told the English Warden that he did not consider all his