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

34
THE JOHNSTOUNS OF KELLOBANK
of Kellobank were nearly connected with those of Kirkton through the Craig
family, as the mother of Archibald Johnstoun (of Warriston) was niece to
Margaret Craig, James Johnstoun of Kellobank's wife. They came off
the family of Elsieshields early in the sixteenth century. A Charter of the
lands of Kellobank was granted by Michael, Lord Carlile, to James Johnstoun,
burgess of Edinburgh, and another portion resigned to the same by Andrew
Kirkpatrick in 1552. James was the son of William Johnstoun of Elsieshields
and Reidhall, whose son, William of Reidhall, was living in 1569. A second
Charter of these lands is made out to John Johnstoun, son of the said James, in
I573- 1
The burgess of Edinburgh and owner of Kellobank, who married the sister
of the King's physician, Dr John Craig, a member of a highly educated family,
was as unlike his brother William as Jacob was to Esau. He died in 1572,
when his effects were proved by his widow, Margaret Craig, Robert Johnstoun,
his brother's son, also a burgess of Edinburgh, and Archibald Johnstoun to
amount to ^6800, including sums owed to him by the Earls of Huntly and
Sutherland, James Johnstoun of Middlegill, Robert Scott of Thirlestane,
the Abbot of Salsit, the Regent, James, Earl of Morton, William Johnstoun,
Oliver Sinclair, James Douglas, the Laird of Balfour, Robert Craig, Adam
Moffat, and others. He left Sir Thomas Craig, advocate, and John Arnot tutors
to John, his eldest son ; and in trust to his nephew, Robert, his share of the ship
Greyhound for Robert's daughter, Margaret. Among the witnesses are Gilbert
Prymrois, chirurgeon (brother to Archibald, the Earl of Rosebery's direct
ancestor), and William Johnstoun, son and heir of the late William Johnstoun,
burgess of Edinburgh.
In 1572 John Johnstoun of Kellobank and Symon Johnstoun were pledges
for John Johnstoun, Abbot of Salsit, who was convicted of celebrating mass
according to the Roman use.
In 1573 there is a complaint by John Johnstoun of Kellobank against John
Urwen, callit the Duke's John, respecting lands in Trailtrow. He also bought
Dunwoodie, and eventually Castlemilk from the Laird of Johnstoun, having,
as his grandson wrote, " a plentiful fortune left him by his father, James
Johnstoun, of the family of Elsieshield." He was an advocate, and married
Barbara, daughter of Nicol Udward, Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The King
made him lay Abbot of Salsit, and afterwards of Holywood, and at the time of
his death, in 161 3, he was Sheriff-Depute of Annandale. Of his four sons, the
eldest, Thomas, 2 after losing the large property which he inherited, took service
as a captain under Gustavus Adolphus in 1625. He appears in several deeds
as late as 1620, when his brothers, Alexander and John, were securities for his
tailor's bill in Edinburgh, and he was summoned that year as his father's heir
1 William, Gudeman of Kellobank, produced the above Charters in 1619, when there was
an enquiry into the titles of those who held land in Dumfriesshire. Forged writs as well as
forged money were not unknown at that time.
2 "My grandmother's brother," wrote Thomas's nephew, Nathaniel Johnston, "gave my
oldest uncle such an education in France, &c, and encouraged him in such a prodigal way of
living that he involved him in great debts" (M.S., Brit Mus.)