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

52 EDWARD JOHNSTOUN'S WILL
His Will, dated three days before his death, began, after the custom of the
day, with a profession of the Christian faith. He gave his lands, burdened with
an annuity, to his wife during her widowhood, and 300 marks to his eldest son,
John. To his three daughters he left 400 marks each, and to his youngest son,
James, 300 marks—the last to succeed to his lands if John died without heirs.
If any of his debts were recovered the sum was to be divided between his two
sons and his (wife's) nephew, George Johnstoun, whom he left co-executor with
his brother-in-law, James Carlile, and he charged both to act as protectors to his
wife and children "as far as they can." In case his children died without heirs,
his lands were to go to James Carlile. He desired to be buried in the Churchyard
at Annan. His Will was witnessed by Robert Colville, the instructor of
his sons and the Presbyterian locum tenens at Annan ; James Carruthers of
Wormanbie, sometime Provost and Chamberlain to Lord Annandale ; John
Irving, baillie of Annan ; and George Blair.
Edward's monument is the best marble in the old Churchyard at Annan,
and has survived the storms of 212 years. The inscription is :
" Heir lyes interred the corps of Edward Johnstone late Treasurer in
Annan who departed this life the 30 day of December 1697 of age 54 Erected
by Isobel Carlile his spous." Below are the arms of Johnstone of Annandale,
and between them the inscription to Edward's wife : " Heir lies interred the
corps of Isobelle Carlile spouse to Edward Johnstone late treasurer in Annan
who dept. this life July the sixth 1710 of age 42. Erected by John Johnston
her son."
Lord Annandale was as much pressed for money as the Galabanks, and
harder on his tenants than was the custom with those landowners who
habitually lived among them. He was a friend of the Duke of Monmouth, and
was asked to intercede for him with King James in 1685 ; and it is always
expensive to assist a lost cause. Sir James Johnstoun of Westraw was
his agent—the same who was very prominent under Graham of Clavers
(Viscount Dundee), and was even too zealous against the Covenanters to
please that notorious leader. A letter to Annandale shows that he was equally
zealous against non-paying feuars. when his Chief was in want of £100:—
" Moffat, Nov. 19, 90 ... I shall be most redie to follow your Lop's
directions I have this day past sentence against all your Lop's tenants in the
several baronies for ye Mart rent except Wm. Harkness who hath presented a
formal advocation from me and takes it before the Lords of the Session.
I have caused number the whole goods upon the ground and taken an inventure
of them, and arrested them afterwards. I have raised letters of inhibition
and the two Hallidayes yt was caution in the former suspension who shall carry
nothing to Ireland with them but themselves. Your L5p's most obedient and
humble servant, Ja : Johnstoun."
Directly the accession of William and Mary brought a reaction Lord
Kenmure, now Sheriff of Nithsdale, arrested Grierson of Lag and imprisoned
him in Kirkcudbright; but Westraw was under the protection of his Chief, and
lost no time in making friends with the new Government.