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

CHAPTER XL
John Murray—The Claimants to the Newbie Estate, and the Kindlie Tenants
—Edward Johnstoun of Ryehill—The Sons of the House of Newbie—Death
of Castlemilk and Marriage of his Widow to Ryehill— John of Mylnfield—
Execution of Maxwell—Graitney Sold to Murray— Descendants of the
Graitneys — Murray's Descendants — Ryehill's Letter to Primrose— The
Grahams of Blaatwood—Ryehill's Death— Heriot's Executor.
THE
country was agitated by the search for those connected with the
Gunpowder Plot, when King James remembered that Holywood was
still an abbey in charge of Edward Maxwell, the Commendator, and still
contained one brother, David Welsh. He dismissed them both, and gave
Holywood with the lands and dues to John Murray of Cockpool, described
as one of the " Grooms of his Majesty's chamber," an office introduced by
James VI. As Murray had also received the lands and dues of Dundrennan,
and as the two Abbots, in a Charter from William Bruce, were made superiors
of Annandale, he could now override the more recent rights of Carliles,
Corries, Johnstouns, and their dependents. He at once claimed feus and tithes
from Newbie, Graitney, Wamfray, Castlemilk, and other properties. The King
directed that Murray should put a minister into Annan and Graitney, and
allow him 400 marks a year. The Cockpool family had only recently accepted
the Reformed Faith, and, as the Johnstouns and Carliles in these parts still
generally held aloof from it, Murray put Symon Johnstoun (brother to Robert
Johnstoun of Raecleuch), married to a daughter of Sir James Douglas of
Torthorald, to serve both these Kirks, as he would be protected by his relatives.
When Episcopacy was re-established under Charles II. the patronage of Annan
was transferred to the Earl of Annandale.
Murray's claim to the superiority of Annandale was opposed by Robert of
Raecleuch, Westraw, Edward of Ryehill, Sir James Douglas (the heir of the
Carliles), Carruthers of Wormanbie and Holmains, Grahams, livings of Bonshaw,
and the Johnstouns of Wamfray and Castlemilk. The kindlie tenants, who
occupied the Newbie estate to serve against the enemy if called upon by
the Laird, were now asked instead to pay taxes and tithes, and refused.
But after 1609, when a Royal Charter annulled their old rights, they gradually
withdrew from the Barony, leaving their dependents to come to terms with
Raecleuch. Ryehill left his tower at Mylnfield to be occupied by the Fareis