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

THE JOHNESTOUNS' SERVICES TO THE CROWN 9
George Corrie's share in the rebellion of 1483, was given to Thomas Carruthers
of Holmains, a loyalist, though his kinsman had joined Douglas.
The Corrie Barony included Newbie, and subsequent events point to this
portion having been conferred on Johnstoun, who would otherwise have had
nothing for his services in 1483. It was essential to him to possess it, for he
was the pledge (i.e., bound in a sum of money) that George Corrie should not
return to his estates, while Corrie, being connected with Lord Herries of
Hoddam and Cuthbert Murray of Cockpool, near neighbours to Newbie, had
their support. Murray got a Charter for himself of the Barony of Corrie from
Lord Maxwell, the Warden, Feb. 8, 1492. Two years later John Murray, as a
descendant of the first grantee, was returned his father's heir in Cockpool,
Ruthwell, and Rampatrick including Graitney, although for forty years or more
Johnstoun had controlled Graitney, and a footing on the Solway was absolutely
necessary for his duty as a constable of the Border. If the Murrays reclaimed
Graitney, the owner of Newbie could block Johnstoun's only other passage to
the Solway by the Annan. Probably his small ships assisted in war, hence
the naval rank conferred upon him.
John of Johnstoun joined the expedition which the King led in person
against Thrieve Castle, Douglas's stronghold in Galloway. On Nov. 20, 1469,
" Domino de Johnston " was one of the nobles present in the Parliament at
Edinburgh.
Johnstoun was assignee to the late Cockpool in spite of their differences
—there had been a Murray and Johnstoun marriage—but in 1503 James,
Master of Johnstone, was surety for his father, Adam, and his father was
surety for him, that Murray should be safe from attacks either from them-
selves or their followers. That this arrangement included the cession of
Graitney to Johnstoun and no further resistance to his claim on Corrie and
Newbie 1
in exchange for Comlongan seems probable, as in 1 511 Adam
Johnstoun de Newbie was a baron of assize, and William Johnstoun in 15 13
is called the young laird of Graitney.
In 1 5 16, after long delay, James of Johnstoun (great-grandson of the
" Admiral ") received a Crown Charter of the Barony of Corrie, and his second
son, Adam, married the heiress. 2 The same year Herbert Corrie sold his
shadowy claim on Newbie to his cousin, Thomas Corrie of Kelwood, and a
Crown Charter emphasised it.
Lords Maxwell and Crichton had greatly increased their property in the
scramble of the fifteenth century, when Maxwell, Cuthbert Murray, and Johnstoun
were by turns Warden of the Borders. On Oct. 26, 1476, Johnstoun
was commissioned by James III. to adjust a Crichton dispute, which ended
in his purchase of Wamfray.
The Chief of Johnstoun (Adam), who fought at Lochmabenstane in 1448,
1 Robert Corrie of Corrie paid the taxes for Newbie, and therefore owned it in 1464-
Murray's attacks on Newbie cost him 160 golden angels to Corrie, 1483, and in 1492, ,£1000.
See Reg. Decreets.
2 See Corrie's Records of the Corrie Family : London, 1899.