THE CRICHTONS OF CARCO.

THE lands of Carco ("Winding Hollow") are in the parish of Kirkconnel, pleasantly lying on the right bank of the water of Crawick, about three miles from its confluence with the River Nith, and stretching northwards up the steep but verdant slopes of the Bale Hill, the Cocker Hill, and the heights of Glenguffock and Spango.

The Carco lands included the farms of Carco, Carcoside, Carco Mains, and Knockenstob, with outlying properties which varied in extent from time to time.

The tower which was the original seat of the owners of these lands stood upon the height above the present farmhouse of Carco, known now as Chapel Hill; but some time in the last quarter of the sixteenth century it was abandoned, and the family occupied the buildings of an old religious house or monastery, the site of which is now occupied by the farm house of Orchard. A font-stone and some fine old trees, the remnants of a magnificent avenue, are all that remain of what must have been a pleasant abode.

The first of the Crichtons of Carco was JAMES CRICHTON, SON of Robert Crichton, first Lord Sanquhar, by Mary Stewart, daughter of John, Earl of Lennox.

JAMES CRICHTON. There is remission to James Crichton of Carco for theft, October 30th, 1535. On the 28th June, 1541, James Crichton of Carco is mentioned as deputy of Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, Sheriff

of Dumfries (in connection with the lands of Cockpool). He died before 1548.

JAMES CRICHTON.-On 14th April, 1556, there is a Tack to James Crichton of Carcow of the two merk land of Konrig, in the barony of Sanquhar, and one merk land of Stewarton, in the barony of Crawfordton, by John Dowgall, burgess of Edinburgh, whose family had till after the end of the century considerable property in and around Sanquhar. James Crichton of Carko had gift of the escheat of Ninian Crichton in Cairn, and Edward Crichton of Lethanalone, in Kirkconnel, February 26th, 1563. (Privy Seal.) June 20th, 1562-3, he had a tack from Mr William Blackadder of the Vicarage of Kirkconnel, with the manor-place, &c., for five years at the rent of 112 merks. He witnesses the will of James M'Math of Dalpeddar in 1568. On August 24th, 1568, there is gift to Elizabeth Crichton of Carcow, of the ward, non-entries, &c., of the lands of Stewarton, in the Sheriffdom of Dumfries. Same date there is Charter to James Crichton of the lands of Buchenslot and others, by Edward, Lord Crichton of Sanquhar.

On July 28th, 1569, there is gift to James Crichton of Carcow, of the ward non-entries, &c., of Stewarton and others pertaining to John Crichton of Crawford. James Crichton's wife was Margaret Crichton, who died in 1577, and left issue Robert, William, Patrick, Agnes, and Margaret.

JOHN CRICHTON, apparent of Carco, is a witness in 1581 to the marriage contract of John, heir apparent to Thomas Kilpatrick of Alisland, and Barbara Stewart, sister of Alexander Stewart of Garlies. (Ramage's "Drumlanrig and the Douglases.") John Crichton

also witnesses a Charter of the King to John M'Math, second son of James M'Math, 15th December, 1586.

ROBERT CRICHTON.-On December 4th, 1585, there is a gift to Robert Crichton of Carcow of the escheat of the deceased John Flemyng in Postacher for non-payment of teinds to the Vicarage of Kirkconnel. When apparent of Carco, he is named in the will of John Fullerton in Kirkconnel, 28th March, 1597. He died 1st January, 1598. His wife was Agnes Charters,

sister of the Laird of Amisfield.

WILLIAM CRICHTON of Carcow, brother of the preceding, was served heir to the lands of Over Kairne, January 11th, 1601. For alleged offence against John M'Math he was imprisoned for one and a half years by Lord Crichton of Sanquhar and said John M‘Math. And the pursuers so arranged that he would die in prison. Repeated applications for release were made to the Lords in secret Council, and at last Mr Patrick Crichton, advocate, his brother, appearing for him, he was released, he and Mr Patrick finding surety, the one in 1000 merks, and the other in 500 merks. At this time the barony of Sanquhar was pledged to the Crichtons of Carco, James Crichton having by mortgage become the possessor August 7th, 1590. Doubtless Lord Crichton wished revenge or to relieve himself from his obligations. Ultimately, the lands were redeemed from William Crichton in 1619.

JAMES CRICHTON, on March 12th, 1622, is retoured in terris ecclesiastisis de Kirkconnel extendentibus ad 40 solidates terrarum cum decimus in baronia de Sanquhar." July 20th, 1624, James Crichton of Carco and Florence Maxwell, his wife, are named in a deed. In May 22nd, 1630, he witnesses instrument of

resignation of John Grierson of Barjarg. He is stated to be heir to Magister Robert Crichton, William, his predecessor, being his uncle. James Crichton's mother was Agnes Charters.

WILLIAM CRICHTON, from 1645 to 1647, was the representative in the Scottish Parliament, chosen from Sanquhar.

ROBERT CRICHTON, commissioner representing Sanquhar at the Convention of Royal Burghs, 1656.

WILLIAM CRICHTON, from 1690 to 1702, represented Sanquhar in the Scottish Parliament.

JOHN CRICHTON of Carco, from 1719 to 1720, was one of the Commissioners representing Sanquhar at the Conventon of Royal Burghs. He was chamberlain to the Duke of Queensberry. He was also a justice of the peace, and Provost of Sanquhar from 1719 till his death in January, 1734.

ABRAHAM CRICHTON, brother to the preceding, succeeded to Carco in 1734, special service being granted, May, 1735, as heir to his brother. He had been established as a merchant in Sanquhar by his brother, and was Bailie of Sanquhar Town Council in 1732, and succeeded his brother in the Provostship. While he was chiefmagistrate a commencement was made with the building of the Sanquhar Council House. Abraham became embarrassed in his affairs, and was declared bankrupt in 1741. He had to part with the Carco property, the farm of Carco passing to the Duke of Queensberry, and Carcoside and Carco Mains to Ninian Scott. Among the creditors on his estate were John M'Cririck of Cairn (Dumfries Sasines, Vol. 16, page 447), and Robert Alison, shoemaker in Sanquhar, who obtained a decree