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

THE JOHNSTOUNS OF WESTRAW 19
same record, John Johnstoun of Pettinane is mentioned, and in 1504 Adam of
Johnstoun of that Ilk was pledge for Matthew Johnstoun, John Johnstoun, and
Clement Johnstoun of Wamfray. Lord Carlile brought another action in 15 17
against Herbert Johnstoun of Pettinane and William Johnstoun for occupying
his land.
The Johnstouns of Westraw were far removed from the troubles which
wrecked the fortunes of some branches of the clan. They do not appear to have
taken part against the English in the numerous invasions which wasted
Dumfriesshire in the sixteenth century and the last part of the fifteenth. On
Jan. 5, 1545, a respite under the Great Seal is granted by Queen Mary "to
Herbert Johnstoun of Westraw, his son Herbert and sundry other persons for
their treasonable remaining at home from the Army convened by the late King
(James V.) for resisting the Duke of Norfolk and the army of England." In
1548 Herbert of Westraw was one of the jury to return James Lockhart as the
heir to Allen Lockhart of Lee.
Johnstoun of Westraw is not mentioned among those who were respited
after the battle of Dryfe Sands, but when his Chief, through the aid of several
courtiers, was expecting a respite to be granted to himself and his surviving
followers for their part in that battle, Westraw accompanied him secretly within
five miles of Edinburgh to await the result of the deliberations of the Privy
Council. Lord Hamilton was sent to seize Johnstoun, but he had already been
warned by Sir John Carmichael, who sent a page on one of the King's horses to
advise him to escape, 1594.
A Charter was granted in 1560 to John, brother to James Johnstoun of
Westraw. He was a merchant in Edinburgh, where his Will is proved in 1576,
and in which he mentions another brother, named John. James Johnstoun of
Westraw and James Johnstoun of Elphinstone were accused in 1565 of being
concerned with Ruthven and Douglas, to whom both were related, in the
murder of David Rizzio in Holyrood Palace.
The nearest connection between Westraw and Elphinstone was through the
Homes and Douglases, with whom they intermarried, and both acted as pledge
for William Johnstoun of Reidhall when the Regent Moray was encamped at
Canonby in October 1569 after the battle of Langside.
Westraw reappears in Annandale affairs in 1588, when Patrick Porteus of
Hawkshaw makes over his gift of the escheat of the liferent, goods, etc., of
James of Westraw and of his mother, Florence Somerville, to the Laird of
Johnstoun. The escheat was in consequence of the slaughter of Henry
Williamson in Walterheid. The transfer is signed at Moffat, Dec. 10, and
witnessed by Robert Johnstoun, lay parson of Lochmabcn, his son, Robert,
afterwards tutor of Johnstoun, and John Johnstoun of Graitncy.
Before this date Westraw and Johnstoun had become connected on the
maternal side—the mother of Florence Somcrville's husband, who died in
1570, being sister to David Douglas, afterwards seventh Earl of Angus, the
second husband of Margaret Hamilton, mother of the Laird John of Johnestoun
who died in 1586, in fact, step first cousins.