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

THE JOHNSTOUNS OF ELPHINSTONE 13
The Johnstoun descent qualified a future Cranstoun for the Provostship of
Annan in 1607, as it was essentially a Johnstoun preserve. Another daughter
married Crichton of Drylaw.
In the cartulary of the Abbey of Inchaffray a lease is signed by Archi-
baldus Jonstone, and witnessed by Sir Maurice Johneston, chaplain, July 1 8,
1521. This Archibald probably belonged to the Elphinstone branch. The
Sinclairs of Roslin, near neighbours to Elphinstone, were, like the Johnstouns,
descendants of the founder of Inchaffray, Gilbert, Earl of Strathearn.
There is an action by Andrew Johnstoun of Elphinstone, on June 30,
1526, against George, Lord Seton, for damages relating to a "coal trench,"
showing that his family had already begun to make use of the coal in that
neighbourhood. Andrew's ancestress, Agnes of Elphinstone, was only endowed
with a portion of the estate, not enough to support younger sons. But Seton
was killed at Pinkie, and on Sept. 15, 1549, the Crown gave to Andrew
Johnstoun of Elphinstone, "his heirs and assignees, the ward and non-entry of
the lands of Elphinstone and Tranent, Sheriffdom of Edinburgh and Con-
stabulary of Haddington, in the Queen's hands by ward since the death of
George, Lord Seton, last possessor thereof, and for all time till the lawful
serving of the righteous heir." After this he was in difficulty about his
son's marriage contract, as on Feb. 11, 1553, there is a "gift to Margaret
Johnstoun, elder, Agnes Johnstoun, Margaret Johnstoun, younger, and Janet
Johnstoun, daughters to Andro Johnstoun of Elphinstone, their heirs and
assignees, of the goods of the said Andro, now in the Queen's hands by escheat,
by decreet interponed to a contract between the deceast William, Lord Ruthven,
and Margaret Ruthven, his daughter, on one side, and him and James Johnstoun,
his son, on the other."
Andrew was married to Margaret Douglas of Corhead, and left four, if
not more, sons— James, Robert, Adam, and John. In 1551 he was one of the
twelve jurors who returned Alexander as heir to his father, George, Lord
Home.
In 1561 a decreet, signed at Holyrood House, gives Andrew of Elphinstone
"license to remain at home from all the Queen's armies and from all presence
at assemblies, and from appearing and passing or serving of briefs, for all the
days of his life." He was alive June 12, 1562, when his heir, James, signs an
agreement with his brother, Robert.
This James, having acted as cautioner for Lord Ruthven in a money bond,
incurred sequestration of his estate for the payment. But he was able to buy
the ten pound land of Ballincrieff, confirmed to him by "Henry and Mar)-,
King and Queen of Scots," in 1565, and the next year he was concerned with
Lord Ruthven and others in the murder of David Rizzio in the presence of
the King and Queen. He was respited for his share in this tragedy ; and on
July 18, 1566 another precept for remission is dated at Edinburgh to James
Johnstoun of Elphinstone and John Crichton of Brunstoun for their treachery
and participation with James, Earl of Morton, the deceased Patrick, Lord
Ruthven, and Patrick, Lord Lindsay, in the detention of the persons of the