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

GALABANK'S FAMILY 211
under Dr Finlay to complete his education in London. But small as London
then was compared to the present day, its atmosphere was noted for its ill
effect on the youth from the North. Richard showed symptoms of con-
sumption, and set off by post for Annan. A letter to James from their father
gives the end :
" Annan, April 4, 1769.
" Dear Dr,—This comes with the afflicting news of my dear son Richard's
death. He came from Shield in a very weak condition, with a man in the
died 28 March
chaise to take care of him. He lived here only 14 days he ;
was a good attend-
there at 10 o'clock at night, was interred March 31 . . .
ance of friends. There is one thing more I have to acquaint you with ; two
poor houses built in front of the Closehead Farm ; magistrates and council
are determined to roup them to the highest bidder. Your brother, if he had
lived, would have bought them if he could for a low price, not for the sake of
the houses, but to protect the farm Provost Hardie has. He was your brother's
good friend in putting off the sale as long as possible on account of this illness
at London, therefore if you have a mind to buy them, write to Provost Hardie
to befriend you in that matter, for it is believed Provost Anderson and his
friends want to buy them to serve John Oliver, his brother-in-law. I have no
son alive now that can help me but yourself. I pray that God may bless you
and your wife and children. Send me the answer by post, and oblige your
parent. John Johnstone."
The ten years of misfortune were not over before Mrs Murray's daughter,
Elizabeth, had joined her father and little brother David in the vault in Ruthwell
Churchyard. Her mother for some years past had taken her every
summer to Moffat Spa or to try the whey cure at Belriding. But a brighter
period seemed to dawn when Marianne, the surviving child, was engaged to
James Lockhart of Lee and Carnvvath, a General in the Austrian service, a
widower with one daughter. Since the Rebellion of 1745, in which his family
were involved, obliging him to enter a foreign army, he succeeded to family
estates, and was in Dumfriesshire arranging his affairs when he met Marianne.
They were married early in 1770 at Galabank's house. The want of repair
and the old man's refusal to have anything done is alluded to in letters from
time to time; but in 1769 James began to put the whole property into good
condition, and his sister wrote on Oct. 16, 1769 :
" We have heard nothing about the Closehead of late. I spoke to Provost
Hardie, and he says he will not let them meddle with your dyke. As to the
masons, they are so busy with this great house none of them has had time to
make out an estimate of such a wall as you want, but the ground is set out
long ago, so you may build as you please. Your father begs you to take care
that Sir John Douglas don't drag you in too far, for he is very intent to have
the dyke lifted. I told the schoolmaster he might have his half year's salary,
and he says he never was paid that but once a year. I think myself greatly
obliged to you for expressing yourself so kindly towards Marianne. You shall