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

n8 GRA1TNEY SOLD TO MURRAY
possession of an estate, might be ioo years before. One of the witnesses
examined in the case of Stormont v. the Trustees of the Marquis of Annandale
in 1772 stated that the Newbie estates "did belong to the Carliles"— yet the
Carliles held it before the Corries.
In 1606 Graitney had gained a suit, long pending, over the sons of the
murdered Richard Irving, who obtained the lands of Sarkbrig and Conheath, in
Graitney, on mortgage from John's grandfather, William of Graitney, and they
were now obliged to give them up. In the suit his pedigree is recorded and
includes " Johnstoun," the father of the first Baron of Newbie {see Chapter IX.).
The Johnstoun house at Graitney remained till 1796 (when it was rebuilt), and
bore the arms of Johnstone of that Ilk over the door, with the addition of
two mullets and the initials J. J. on each side.
John Murray married secondly a daughter of Gilbert Johnstoun of Wamfray.
Another of Gilbert's daughters married David Johnstoun in Edinburgh.
Cavartholme came by direct male descent through the first Baron Newbie
from James, Laird of Johnstoun (1513 to 1524), to John of Graitney, who made
it over to his grandson, John, Nov. 10, 1613. In 1615 the copyhold of Graitney
and Hailstanemuir, with their towers, fortalices, corn-mills, moors, etc., was
mortgaged, but subject to redemption, to Edward of Ryehill and Barbara, his
wife, for 5000 marks. David Johnstoun of Newbie probably helped to supply
the money, as his consent was obtained to let Murray have these lands
for 2000 marks less than his brother, Edward, had paid for them. It was
but the copyhold, so this Charter was soon followed by other Charters of
total resignation by John of Graitney. One of these, dated 161 8, is signed
by William M'Briar of Almagill, John Corsane, Provost of Dumfries, Mr
Symon Johnstoun, parson of Annan, and John Johnstoun. It is followed by
a new Charter from the King, granting the estates irredeemably to John
Murray and his heirs to be held of the Crown for a yearly payment of .£20
Scots at Whitsunday and Martinmas, doubling the feu duty at the entry of
every heir (Jan. 6, 1619).
Murray, now created Earl of Annandale, obtained another Charter, in
which John of Graitney, his son, William, and his grandson, John, signed
away their rights to the family estate in 1623. Murray mortgaged Graitney
alone for 5400 marks to his sister-in-law, Janet Douglas, widow of Sir James
Murray of Cockpool, in 1634, and it was redeemed in 1637. The full payment
for the estate was not made without more litigation. After serving a writ
of ejectment on the feuars and kindlie tenants, who comprised two Wamfray
Johnstouns, James Johnstoun of Lochous, several Grahams, and three John-
stouns of Righead, the new owner was called upon by these defendants, in
conjunction with John of Graitney, his son, William, and his grandson, John,
to pay the balance of 10,000 marks still owing to the late proprietor. After
quoting various documents to prove that he had no title to it, Murray paid
it through Edward of Ryehill during the year 1624.
Graitney's direct descendant, Colonel James Johnstone, still called himself
of Graitney, when, as Provost of Lochmaben (1720), he married Isabella,