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

THE JOHNSTOUNS OF WAMFRAY 97
moned to quit the Newbie estate by Viscount Annand in 1629. Nothing more
appears of him except a monument in the old churchyard in Annan, which
was legible in 1772.
In 1597 a Johnstoun of Wamfray was hung for slaying Hew Douglas
" upon set purpose and forethought of felony." 1 His uncle, Gilbert of Wamfray,
was one of the judges who condemned him. Gilbert's mother, Margaret
M'Clellan, died in 1589; and he appears to have married a second time to
a Maxwell. One of his daughters was the wife of Sir John Murray of
Cockpool. Gilbert was dead before 161 1, leaving Robert, his heir, John,
Edward, a merchant in Edinburgh, James, and William, the last of whom
was killed by Captain John Johnstoun of Lochous, 2 lay-parson of Johnstone,
when he was living at Dornock, near Graitney. Lochous was tried for it
and condemned to be hanged (1603).
Gilbert's brother, William of Kirkhill, known as the Galliard, was killed by
the Crichtons in 1592. Another brother, John, who lived in Dumfries, obtained
a respite in 1573, with Symon and James Johnstoun, brothers (probably of
Elsieshields), and James Johnstoun of Corhead, for art and part in the slaughter
of Adam Rae between the Court House and Market Cross of Dumfries.
Gilbert's son, John of Wamfray, was made a burgess of Dumfries in 1617, with
his relatives, William of Kirkhill, and William, Robert of Kirkhill's son.
Robert of Wamfray is described in a decreet in 161 1 as "A gentleman
of very mean rent nothing like a great baron, and his brothers, James and
William, but young gentlemen without any rent or means of living." Their
father's goods had been escheated and given to his relative, Sir Robert
M'Clellan of Bombie, for "certain offences" in 1608, probably for receiving
outlawed Johnstouns. Another brother, David, is cautioner for payment of
100 marks from Robert to Irving of Bonshaw, 1624.
An entry in the law reports, June 21, 1621, looks as if Robert was following
the way of his forefathers. " Complaint of Robert Maxwell of Dinwoodie,
how the Laird of Wamfray and others, and Richard Irving callit the young
Duke of Hoddam came and destroyed his peats, and chased his cattle with
the butt ends of their lances, so that some of them were left dead, and others
broke their legs. Had to find security." But this branch did its best to
improve its position by marriage. Robert's wife (Feb. 20, 1606) was Mariot
Montgomery, daughter of Sir Neil Montgomery of Longham. Their daughter,
Mariot, married Jardine of Apilgirth; and John, who was returned heir
to his father, Oct. 27, 1641, married Mary, daughter of Sir William Douglas
of Kelhead (ancestor to the Marquis of Queensberry), her mother being
Lady Isobel Kerr, daughter of the Earl of Lothian. John was a member
of the War Committee in 1640, and signed the Covenant. He left an only
daughter, Janet, who was returned his heir, Jan. 25, 1658, her father having
directed that she should only marry a Johnstoun.
George Johnstoun of Wamfray signed a marriage settlement for an Irving
1 Scott much antedates the Wamfray Johnstouns in 7/ie Fair Maid of Perth.
2 Half-brother to the Laird who died 1587.