with the Sanquhar estates, it was sold to the Duke of Queensberry. It was attached to the Queensberry estates up till 1894, in which year the remains of the ancient pile, along with the fields forming the farm of Castle Mains, were purchased from the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry by the late Marquis of Bute-John Patrick Crichton Stuart, third marquis. His Lordship, soon after his purchase of the home of his ancestors, set about clearing away the earth and excavating the ruins. Old walls were pointed and repaired; the Wallace Tower and other parts rebuilt; and the whole ruins put into such a condition as to preserve them for many a year to come.

The following lines were suggested on seeing the workmen engaged on the ruins. They were inserted in the columns of the Dumfries Courier and Herald in April, 1896, and the writer was much gratified, a few days after the verses appeared in print, at receiving a letter from the Marquis complimenting him on their appear

ance:

When o'er Crichton Peel hung the signal of war,
The clansmen all gathered from near and afar ;
Through Upper Nithsdale was heard the wild slogan,
And war-pipes resounded in Crawick and Euchan;
Proudly the warriors were marshalled in line-
Their war cry was 'Crichton!" in the days o' lang syne.

Aye foremost in battle, where the contest was keen,
The standard of Crichton in the front rank was seen;
At Chevy Chase, Flodden, and Solway's rough shore
Their watchword was heard 'mid the battle's loud roar ;
On the field of Langside they in valour did shine
When they fought for their Queen in the days o' lang syne.

'Tis years since the Old Peel re-echoed the name

Of Crichton, whose lords and their deeds live in fame;
But the old walls long sad are gladsome again,

Lord Sanquhar returns to his ancient domain;

In him all that's noble and good doth combine,
And we welcome our chief for the days o' lang syne.

The home of thy fathers from ruin reclaim,
Restore the rent walls entwined by thy name

That of yore often echoed the minstrel's refrain,
When great ones assembled to swell the bright train—
Fair dames and brave knights of thy own noble line-
Where Royalty feted in the days o' lang syne.

Then, welcome, Lord Sanquhar! Thy banner still wave,
Thy crest aye be borne on the brow of the brave;
May "God send thee grace," and defend thee from foes,
And sweet peace surround thee while Nith's water flows.
Let the bard strike the harp in numbers sublime—
Sing welcome, Lord Sanquhar, for the days o' lang syne.

W. W.

APPOINTMENT OF CLERK TO SANQUHAR PARISH CHURCH, 15TH JULY, 1548.

Instrument narrating that a discreet man, Edward Clerk, clerk of the Parish Church of Sanquhar, compeared in presence of William Lord Crichton of Sanquhar and the parishioners assembled on the Lord's Day, in time of High Mass, and there freely resigned his office of clerkship in their hands by delivery of the amphora and aspersorium. The parishioners present being Mr Edward Crichton, tutor testamentary of James Crichton, son and heir apparent of the late James Crichton of Carco; Alexander M'Math, Laurance Crichton of the Maines, Thomas Phillap, Thomas Hislap, Cuthbert Dalzell, William Lilill, John Kirkpatrick, Hugh Fischar, Finlay Russell, John Hair, Robert Cuke, John Wilson, Thomas Fleming, George Flemyng, James Flemyng, John Whyte in Marchedyke, John Atkyn, Thomas Atkyn, Iffe Daveson, John Crychton in Kellosyde, John Hair in Burngranis, Bartholomew Glen, Gavill,

William Crychton, Thomas M'Canryg, Rowal Bannatyne, Robert Crychton, John Hislop, John Dicson, Adam March, John Drisdaill, John Flemyng, David Gilcrist, Ninian Huke, John Quhyte in Glenlary, George Crychton in Crewfell, Thomas Dicson in Drumbeanzean, John Willesoun, smith, Thomas Willesoun his brother, Charles Carmychell, William Donaldson, Ninian Creychton in Brandleys, Robert Amulijane, Nichol Fleming, William Russell, merchant, John Walles, John Boys, with many others: Which resignation being so made, the said William Lord Creychton and parishioners having been well and ripely advised, unanimously elected Thomas Clerk, son of the said Edward, whom failing, the said Edward himself, to the said office of Clerk of the Church and Parish of Sanquhar; and delivered to them the said amphora of holy water, with the aspersori; whereupon Sir John Young, vicar of said church, admitted the said Thomas so elected.

These things were done in the Choir of the aforesaid church at 10 o'clock forenoon on the 15th July, 1548, the witnesses being the said Sir John Young, vicar; John Muir and John Menzies, chaplains; Finlay Barry and John Robert Clerk, laymen.—(Extract from Sheriff Court Records.)

WILSONS OF POLQUHIRTER AND JENKINS OF NIVINSTON.

The Wilsons of Polquhirter were an ancient family who held lands-first under the Dunbars of Cumnock, then under the Crichtons. Polquhirter is in New Cumnock parish, Ayrshire, on the borders of Dumfriesshire.

JAMES WILSON-1654-left two daughters, co-heiresses. He had a nephew, James, who had a son, James, whose son James married Nancy M'Cririck, daughter of John

M'Cririck of M'Cririck's Cairn.

They had a son Homer (died 1807), who married Lizzie Gemmel; and their son James married Mary Murray, whose son William Wilson married Mary Ann Hague, and had issueWilliam Murray Wilson, M.D., who married Elizabeth Kells, daughter of David Jenkins; Mary Ann Hague, who married John Alexander Hudson of the 60th Royal Rifles; Margaret Wilson; Elizabeth, married Thomas Kipling, staff surgeon R.N.; and Agnes Jane Wilson. William Wilson died June 9, 1865. His sister Janet married William Jenkins of Nivinston, parish of Kirkconnel, and had issue:-James-Sir James Jenkins, K.C.B., of Plymouth, for an account of whom see page 153; William; John; Murray; Andrew; David; and one daughter, Mary.

WILSONS OF WANLOCKHEAD.

In Wanlockhead are to be found many Wilsons. These trace their descent from Matthew Wilson of Allendale in Northumberland, who in 1691 procured a nineteen years' lease of lead mines at Wanlockhead. He wrought a mine in the Dod Hill in a vein bearing the names of Charles' vein and Straitstep, and which is also called Margaret's vein, at a part of its course considerably further south. A level cut by him in Straitstep vein, quite through a flank of Dod Hill from Whitecleuch to Wanlock, is, in the ancient plans and records and up to the present time, known as Matthew Wilson's Level; and, as stated by the Rev. Thomas Montgomery in his "Statistical Account," he was very successful in his discoveries. Matthew Wilson himself, and several of his descendants are buried in Sanquhar Kirkyard, which

previous to the construction of the grave-yard at Meadowfoot in 1751, was the place of interment for

Wanlockhead.

this volume.

To this family belongs the author of

BLACKADDIE.

In 1580, Feb. 3, there is a charter to Margaret Crichton, sister to Robert, Lord Sanquhar, of the lands of Blackadge lying in the Barony of Sanquhar.

In 1632, Feb. 14, there is a summons by J. Thompson against Robert Crichton of Blackaddie on the one part, and John Crichton of Crawfordstone on the other part, as to some money transactions.

1711, Dec., 26, there is a decree of adjudication by Robert Earl of Carnwath from Hunter of Blackaddie within the liberties of Sanquhar, viz.:-39 acres, 2 roods, and about 14 falls, for the payment of £2945 Scots, registered Feb. 12, 1712; and Carnwath's disposition of both to Crichton of Gairland, Ap. 25, 1713.

1713, Oct. 19, Disposition by Mary, daughter of George Kerr, sometime Chamberlain of Sanquhar, containing 4 dales of land of Blackadge.

In 1746, Blackaddie was disposed by Alexander Crichton of Gairland to the Duke of Queensberry.

GRANT TO JAMES MCRERIK BY KING JAMES VI.

The following is interesting as a form of grant under the Privy Seal :

"A letter made to James McRerik of Cairn, of the gift of the escheat of all goods, moveable and immove