SEVENTH BARON OF INCHRAKIE

AND

ABERUTHVEN

1704-1740

The seventh Baron of Inchrakie, Patrick Graeme, was the eldest son of George, the sixth baron, and Margaret Nichol his wife; he unfortunately in the prime of life, had a serious quarrel with John, the Master of Rollo, which ended fatally for the latter, and which, owing to the vigour with which the Rollo family pushed the matter home against Edmonstone, ended nearly as fatally for Patrick. There was a stronger motive we deem than the natural grief of heartbroken parents, for the Rollo’s action. Anyone reading the story must give their sympathy to that family, bereaved in an instant of a beloved son, of whom they were probably justly proud, by the hot blood of two young men who quarrelled at a dinner table. Taking the records of the period from official sources, the follow may prove a fair statement of the matter.

After the period of the Great Troubles in 1660 until we meet them again in 1691 in conflict with the Royalist Graemes, the Rollos had been staunch upholders of the Covenanters of Argyll, and of William and Mary, whose followers formed what was first called the Whig party; they had been formerly Royalists, as is well known, vide Walter Rollock, the close companion of Montrose, who died for his allegiance to him and royalty, and was as staunch a loyalist to the Stuarts; as the Rollos afterwards were to William of Orange; all this was very natural, if we glance for a moment at the Rollo genealogy.

Rollo Genealogy:

Sir Andrew, the first Lord Rollo, was nephew of Marion Rollock (Mrs Graeme of Inchbrakie and then of Balgowan); he married Katherine daughter of the first Lord Maddertie, and thus by a curious coincidence he was the nephew of one, and Lady Rollo, his wife, was aunt to another, Mrs Graeme of Inchbrakie, for Lady Rollo’s niece was the Honble. Jean Drummond, "the Leddy" of Black Pate; Andrew Rollo was raised to the Peerage "in his old age" (vide Crawford) by Charles I., for the fidelity his house had always shown to the royal cause.

James, his son and successor, married, firstly, a daughter of John, fourth Earl of Montrose, sister of the Great Marquis; fortunately or unfortunately, according to the judgement of the onlookers of the seventeenth century, the Lady Dorothea Rollo died in 1638, leaving no children, and her husband took for a second spouse the Lady Mary, daughter of the seventh Earl of Argyll, sister to Montrose’s antagonist, the eighth Earl and first Marquis of Argyll.

It cannot surprise anyone taking a dispassionate view of the case to find that the fidelity of the house of Duncrub was to take from this period another aspect from that which raised it to the Peerage in 1661.

The mother, in whose veins ran the Celtic blood of centuries, whose heart and soul must have been with her brother the Marquis of Argyll’s faction and rent by his execution; would instill into the ears and hearts of her little sons the cause she herself loved so well that of the Covenanter’s Argyll, and was it any wonder that her eldest boy Andrew, the third Lord Rollo, grew up with at least little sympathy or friendship for his neighbour Graeme of Inchbrakie? Excepting perhaps by Gask, the Rollo’s views met with little sympathy in the county; the neighbouring lairds, though sick and sorry with their losses in lands, money and blood, were Royalist almost to a man; and not only was the romance and glamour of Montrose’s victories and death a living memory in the heart of the Strath, but the pageant of his funeral ten years after his death, the greatest perhaps yet given to any man (unless it were the Duke of Rothes) had in 1660, revived this memory, while the restoration of the King, for whom he had died and triumphed, kept them fresh in the hearts of the children of the generation.

This Andrew Lord Rollo, married Margaret, daughter of John Lord Balfour of Burleigh, and their son was Master of Rollo, who was killed.

Andrew Lord Rollo was in a minority for the great part of his life, and this is never a pleasant position for a man, however just his cause; thus, when his own side became the royal "cause" of the Whigs for William and Mary, he may not have used tact and judgement in carrying out what was after all a very just cause – that of suppressing the heirships (or raids) of cattle by the descent of the Highlanders (who lived on the lowland borders) to the farms of landowners, carrying off numbers of animals in this way.

Sir Robert Moray of Abercairny held lands in Glenalmond, and these being harried, he employed half a dozen men (some of them Macgregors) to guard the lands of his tenants; these men hearing an "heirship" was going on in the lower Strath, made haste to clear the cattle from their employer’s lands into safe quarters at the homesteads, refreshing themselves after their work at the Kirktown of Monzie. The "heirship" passed, and finding no booty left for them there seized the six men, carrying them off for a few days; on their return Lord Rollo apprehended them as accomplices of the Caterans who had entailed severe loss on Duncrub farms, and they were placed on his plea in the Canongate, where they lay for two months. At the end of that time, failing to make good his cause against them, they were released and their arms restored, Sir Robert Moray going bail for them.

Again, in 1691, another representation was made by Rollo to the Privy Council, who remitted the matter to the Commander of the Forces : in one ot two cases a lost cow was found among the animals on the farms of tenants of the different gentry, and the Master of Rollo prosecuted such matters with all the eagerness of youth, but perhaps with not very good judgement. There was hot blood between Edmonstone of Newton and him on a matter of the kind, and out seventh laird, Patrick Graeme (just married to Jean Pierson of Kippenross and settled at Ryecroft, the house then occupied by the elder married sons of the Inchbrakies) had also been irritated (though hitherto the relations between him and the Master of Rollo had been of so friendly a nature as to cause it to be remarked that he "courted the master:" any friendly communication between the two in 1690 would occasion remarks of the kind) owing to the fact that Rollo’s troop and two or three Perthshire gentlemen had had a "brush" in the village of Dunning.

One afternoon George Graeme of Pitcairns and Oliphant of Cullenchar met with some of Lord Rollo’s troop; they entered the village inn and were chatting over their win when one of the lairds drank "to King James" pressing the toast on Lieutenant Grant and Ensign Mowat. Ludovic Grant would have left the hostelry, but Mowat cocked his pistol at him, making a foolish speech to Grant: "Do you not see that some of us are King William’s officers as well as you, and why will ye not drink the health as well as we." Grant naturally asked him what he meant; whereupon Inchbrakie wisely taking the pistol from the probably half tipsy lad fired it up the chimney. However, discussion continued and the rest of Rollo’s troop rode up and attempted to arrest the gentlemen. This was only done with the greatest difficulty, and George Graeme of Inchbrakie grew very hot; he proposed King James’ health in the face of King William’s officers, cut the face of one of the troopers with his emptied stoup and he and his friends were borne prisoners to Perth.

At that period evidence only influenced the Court given against the Jacobite party; and even Council of the position of Sir David Thores was sent to prison for defence of them; so George and his cousins were imprisoned for six months. All this naturally caused some irritation between the houses of Rollo and Inchbrakie, and a small matter proved the cause of a serious trouble, nay of a grave disaster.

On Restoration Day(29^th May) 1691, the Laird of Invermay (part of which property belonged at that period to Inchbrakie) Drummond, gave a supper to commemorate the anniversary. A number of his friends rode over to share his hospitality, among them we know Patrick Graeme of Inchbrakie, John the Master of Rollo, Edmonstone of Newton, Mercer of Clevedge (cousin of the Master’s) and a Mr McNaughton; that they were all on outwardly friendly terms is apparent, for after leaving Ryecroft where Edmonstone was visiting Graeme; (Newton of Donne was on the water of Ardoch just outside the village of Donne it was still standing a few years ago, though much reduced in amenities) they rode round by Duncrub picking up the three latter guests from thence, and arrived at Invermay. Inchbrakie was remarked to have no sword.

What now follows is entirely produced from the evidence prepared for the Rollo’s counsel in the case against Edmonstone. Inchbrakie said at supper, "Master, although John Stuart did salt two of your kine, you surely won’t pursue him because your father eat him with ………………………….," here alluding to the fact that Lord Rollo was specially engrossed by some fair lady, Clevedge said, "This is not table talk," whereon Edmonstone smartly replied, "you are owning it!" Nothing further took place beyond the fact that Edmonstone and young Inchbrakie left the room for a few moments, the former remarking, "I will not baulk you, Inchie." At ten o’clock the party broke up, took horse and prepared to leave; it is stated that the host seeing mischief in Edmonstone’s behavious asked him to stay on; (mark, not Inchbrakie), but he declined. Graeme rode first, Clevedge, McNaughton and the Master together, Newton overtaking them turned aside with Inchbrakie, giving him his own sword, Inchbrakie having hitherto been without one; everyone else armed. Edmonstone drawing Clevedge and McNaughton with him rode on, but the two latter hearing immediately the clashing of swords turned back to find the master on the road and Inchbrakie standing over him, who exclaimed to Newton, "he has got it!" "O God," cried Clevedge, seeing the poor Master expire, "such a horrid murder never was seen"; "Nay," said Newton, "it was fair fight." It is said Inchbrakie went at once to the house of a John Buchanan who said afterwards that Patrick told him the Master had died by his hand, stating Newton had egged him on to it, and forced his weapon on him when he would have preferred not fighting.

At the time the Rollos did not take out any case against Inchbrakie, who remained at his house of Ryecroft unmolested, but in 1695 they employed His Majesty’s Advocate to take up a case against Edmonstone; the indictment stated Edmonstone was accessory to the murder of the Master, who was killed by Patrick Graeme of Inchbrakie, and the jury with one voice found it proved, first, that Graeme had no sword about him when he left Invermay; second, that the sword with which he killed the Master was Edmonstone’s; third, that he and Graeme whispered together, and that he stated it had been fair fight. On August 1696 the sentence was that Edmonstone should be banished for life; he was to give security that he would not return under a penalty of 1000 merks.

Here was an open door for Edmonstone, which some are of opinion he availed himself of, returning in the 1715, and it is averred he carried the Standard of King James VII at Sheriffmuit, other accounts state he drowned himself in the Nor’ Loch near Edinburgh the day after the trial. Inchbrakie’s case was never brought into Court, he left the country after 1694, and Crawford says he has read the journal of the Justiciary and the Lords declared him fugitive on the 11 November 1696 for murder and slaughter of the Master of Rollo. It is possible, as the case was proved against Newton, it then encouraged Lady Rollo to further push the case against Inchbrakie. She was the daughter of Lord Balfour, and her brother was a staunch adherent of King William, a man high in office, while his sister was a rich woman, able to pay for the best and influential counsel. Certain it is that she pursued the case with peculiar pertinacity, leaving no stone unturned until both the men implicated in the quarrel had been driven from their homes for an offence of very common occurrence in those days, when swords flashed and lives were lost without any special punishment being administered to the survivor in the fray; at a period when every gentleman carried his "walking sword," if a quarrel occurred (says Chambers), bloodshed soon followed. This was the case no doubt with Inchbrakie and the Master of Rollo; the former had, irritated by a sequence of previous events, the bad manners (though truthfully) to taunt the Master at a host’s table, with his father’s irregularities of conduct; whether urged by Newton or not, it is likely the young men would have come to use their swords for honour’s sake when alone; this they did, and either ill luck was with Inchbrakie, or he was the better swordsman, and the poor young Master lost his life. In spite of the spoilt life of our seventh baron, one cannot help feeling commiseration for Lady Rollo, desolated by the loss of her son, we find her early in 1691, previous to the case against Edmonstone, proceeding against her husband for maintenance, but her determination to sue all who harm her, prevent the full sympathy she would otherwise obtain. The records give her statement; that her marriage with Lord Rollo enabled him to enjoy the family estates, as her father had yielded a debt due from Duncrub of 40,000 merks, she has made every effort to live with him as a dutiful and affectionate wife, but though their children are some of them grown up, a certain Isabel Kininmont has led Lord Rollo astray, and he has deserted his family. The estate brings in over 4000 pounds per annum, and she claims 4000 pounds and the Mansion House of Duncrub. The lords grant her 1000 pounds and the use of Duncrub meantime, and cite Lord Rollo to appear; he fails to do so and they declare him rebel, complying in all points with the lady’s petition.

We must now retrace our steps a little and take up our seventh baron’s history from his earlier years. He was born about 1666. When seventeen years old, his father George Graeme hands him a charter of many of his lands lying in the Barony of Kincardine; amongst them are the familiar names of Strathie-chalmers, Byers and Bonnar, besides Smiddiehaugh (Aberuthven), Beldhill and Pyrnie, this to secure the right to Patrick to pay off (should George, his father, fail to do so in his lifetime) the heavy mortgage which had been laid on that part of the property; at the same date Patrick shared with his cousin Isobel Rochheid part of their respective mothers’ lands in Huntingtower.

From 1686 to 1689 he is discharging his own accounts with his factor Cunninghame of Coull. A good deal of ceremony appears to have occurred on these occasions, for his father and brother George (the latter is only 18 years old) witness them, but this is not done till November 27^th, 1691, six months after the Master of Rollo’s death. This Mr Cunninghame of Coull, the Graeme’s factor, was father to the wife of Robert Graeme of Damside, Perth Town Clerk. By this time Patrick is seeking his wife, and he finds her in Jean Pierson of the family of Mr Pierson of Kippenross, Dean of Dunblane, who was Dean to Adam Ballendyne, Bishop of Dunblane who succeeded George Graeme on the latter’s preferment to the See of Orkney; it will be remembered Ballendyne was very hard on Graeme when the latter accepted his first episcopate!

The Dean’s carved seat and arms above it, are still to be seen in the now restored Cathedral of Dunblane. A very interesting account of this family may be found in Burke’s "Colonial Landed Gentry," published 1891, drawn up by their descendant David Pearson, Esq., M.D. etc, a well known London physician. Just one or two notices of them may be mentioned here.

The wife of Dean Pierson had been Jean Drummond of Carnock, daughter of Patrick sixth of Carnock and Margaret Scot of Monzie his wife; it will be rememberd that Margaret Scot of Monzie on Carnock’s death married the third Baron of Inchbrakie, and their son James Graeme became of Monzie and Pitcairns, he was half brother to the Lady Kippenross.

Maister James Pierson of Kippenross (the Dean) died in 1658 and in his will he alludes to this Miss Drummond of Carnock as his "well belovit spouse"; his will is given up by James, "now of Kippenross", their son in 1663. In 1665 this James of Kippenross is witness to the baptism of John Graham’s daughter (the Commissary of Dunblane) in company with John Chisholm of Cromlix. We find this same James receiving from his mother (the widow of the Dean) Jean Drummond of Carnock a renunciation of the "haill lands of Auchlochie lying beside" the city of Dunblane in 1671.

Though Jean Drummond was Mrs Graeme of Inchbrakie’s youngest child by Drummond of Carnock, she must now be of an advanced age.

In 1678 Maister James is a Justice of the Peace; he married his own cousin a certain Janet Pierson; and on july 2^nd, 1677, his little daughter Jean or Janet is baptized. We find this gentleman’s death occurred in a sad manner in 1685, when he was with "a partie of gentlemen in Perth" commanded by John Graeme the Postmaster-General; Cameron of Lochiel’s men mistaking them for enemies fell on them, and before matters were cleared no less than five had been killed, viz., Pierson of "Kippenross," Dog of Ballingrew, Linten of Pitendriech, etc.

In 1691 Patrick seventh baron, the subject of this sketch, married Jean Pierson and they settled at Ryecroft; the house stood at the foot of Craig Rossie, the chief of the Ochil range, those round green hills that roll from Gleneagles eastward until lost in the plains of the Case of Gowrie.

Lying at their base sheltered by their rolling summits, or sometimes creeping up their sides, insinuating themselves into friendly little glens and extending encroaching arms of fir and birth wood as if to embrace and ask the goodwill of the hills, lie many fair Scottish homes, whose names are written in history; Gleneagles, the lands of Camperdown; Cloanden, the home of the Haldanes; many a fair farm of Inchbrakie and Duncrub lands; the former proud to hold the rough crest of green Craig Rossie in his portion; Kippen the property of Balgowan, Pitcairns, Garvock, Invermay, Condie, Kilgraston and many more, nestle now in happy security, little recking of the turmoil of two hundred and fifty years ago, when drawn swords, raiding, and desolation, ravished fair Strathearn, now lying in peaceful plenty before their eyes.

Kincardine, the Castle of the Montrose (fairest then as fairest now of all), with its fairy glen and stately trees and noble pile of keep, which guarded all the country round from harm and foray.

Duncrub, Gask, and Kinnoul, all stretch along the plain at the Orchils’ feet, while Auchterarder, its chief Kirktown, has now spread into an important centre, but Aberuthven, the little "Smiddyhaugh" of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, stands as it was, a peaceful Scottish village, holding in ward the ashes of the Graemes, who for centuries had been the leading power of the Strath.

Here then amongst their friends and relations Patrick and his bride made their home at Ryecroft, whose walls are standing (still known by that name), emblem of the ruin wrought by Argyll’s troops after Sheriffmuir in the "1715", and the gateway still marks the right of way up the Coull Avenue, by which the Graemes drove to their house.

Patrick was about 25 years of age, and his bride apparently a child of 14 years. What heavy clouds darkened her bridal days, and those first five years during which the gloom caused by the death of Rollo must have hung heavily over the life of both, broken only by the birth of a son, George; then another gleam of sunshine when on August 11th, 1694, their second son, Patrick is born. This notice from the Auchterarder registers shows that Ryecroft was still inhabited by the family.

Then in 1696 we know our seventh baron leaves the country; probably his wife went with him. I have found no record of their life abroad, though a third son, John is born. It has been said that almost immediately they returned, and that Patrick was like Edmonstone at the battle of Sheriffmuir; but all this is simple hearsay, and a record under the Great Seal shows a full remission was granted to Patrick Graeme, but not till 25 years later, in 1720. His father, the sixth baron, dies in 1704, when Patrick succeeds to the property, and in 1709 to 1711 friends are looking after it, Mr Cunninghame of Coull being his factor.

In 1711 a new rental of the Inchbrakie lands is made out and sworn to by Coull before Mr Drummond Baillie, and in it we note Patrick is receiving rent for Myreside, the Bishop of Dunblane and Orkney’s old property.

£1300  is claimed from the Duke of Montrose for various matters; £500  of it being for repairs to the Mill of Aberuthven as contracted between the great grandfather of the Duke (the Great Marquis) and Patrick, third Baron of Inchbrakie, who bore the same relationship to the sixth baron.

Another claim is one for £400  being twenty years’ rental for "Inchbrakie’s fishing house, yaird and lands thereof."

Another document shows that in 1711 the yearly rentals of Inchbrakie amounted to £2580. This would be exclusive of the rents of most of the Aberuthven property which were heavily mortgaged.

In 1717 there is some evidence that Inchbrakie is in the country again. In December 1717 he is served heir to his brother George, late of Lord Carmichael’s Dragoons. In an account of 1717 betwixt "Inchbrakie" and his factor, Cunninghame, an item mentions £486  paid to Inchbrakie’s youngest son, John, for the use and behalf of his father, Patrick Graeme.

The Laird of Balgowan receives interest due for four years past; also the patrimony of Patrick’s brother George, late of Dragoons, is being paid to his sisters. This bears a footnote in our seventh baron’s handwriting, stating, Coull is receiving the book again "that he sayeth he has no copy of it, that so he may copy it over. I heir mark that the charge consists of 2551 pounds and the discharge of £2868, which I have heir faunde – Febb.28, 1722.

It will be observed this note was not made until five years after the date of the account, and two after Inchbrakie received his remission of exile to return home. It is signed in a bold hand, forming a sort of monogram.

We find a statement signed by Coull before witnesses on 29^th October 1722 at Abercairny, in which he states that though Pat Graeme of Inchbrakie has discharged him and his aires for ever from all claim for intomitting with rents and profits of his Laird’s money, etc, he does hereby declare that Inchbrakie "has been kind and favorable to me in taking the said account" off his hands, for which "I acknowledge my thankfulness and obligement to him." The paper is drawn up by J.Dick, a notary public, and W.Moray of Abercairny, Thomas Graeme of Balgowan and James Graeme of Newton, witness it.

Patrick’s character improved with years, his judgement has become firmer, and we find an upright man, determined to atone for the rash act that has clouded his youth. After his remission he lived seventeen years. During that time he made every effort to restore the property and lands to their former position in the country. It was no slight task to set himself.

When he returned he found the old Castle of Inchbrakie nearly uninhabitable; his house at Ryecroft across the Strath had been burnt by Argyll’s troops after Sheriffmuir. It was patched up sufficiently to make a dwelling for a time for George, his eldest son, and his young family, who were living there. There was still the heavy mortgage, now held by Orchill, to pay off. He set his shoulder to the wheel, determined to mend matters; it was a long task, but it was completed before his death. He left a new house on Inchbrakie, and all the lands were again held free of charges to any large amount. In these respects he resembled his great great grandfather, the powerful third baron. In the midst of this task a heavy disappointment must have been his, for his son George Graeme died in 1737, leaving a son Patrick to succeed to his grandfather, who, remembering he still had him to labour for in the reinstatement of the lands, abated none of his energy to accomplish the task.

Where any legal arrangements are required, beyond his factor Cunninghame’s power, Patrick employs his first cousin, David Graeme of Orchill.

An account from the latter, 1727 to 1729 is dated from his residence in Edinburgh, and many of the items are expenses connected with the parish of Auchterarder. A certain "David Caw" is paid for "making a cast of the locality to prove the rental." This account is of importance, for though Inchbrakie’s heir is alive, David of Orchill has had to revise "your charter from the Duke of Montrose," and to draw up a settlement "of your estate in favors of your grandson." The 7th laird’s grandson is ten years old.

David Graeme of Pitcairns and Orchill helps Patrick loyally, as he helps his grandson Patrick nearly a half century later, when he is retoured heir to the Montrose Earldom.

In 1733 Patrick binds and obliges himself to see the ratification of the Beldhill mortgage, which he and his wife have granted the deposition of in 1732, and signs the document at Balgowan on 9th August.

Patrick is friend and helper to many of his neighbours. His unfortunate duel does not prevent his taking his natural position in the county; in 1730 he is empowered by the Earl of Kinnoul, Sir William Calderwood of Poltoun, Sir Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre, and several other gentlemen, to arrange for them in installation of Mr Robert Drummond (son of Mr R. Drummond, minister of Crieff) in the parish church of Auchterarder.

Then his great aim is accomplished, and during the years 1730 to 1733, the lands of Aberuthven are cleared, and he pays off the mortgage lying in the hands of Beatrice Graeme of Orchill and her husband David Graeme of Pitcairns. In Sketch XVI we told how his father mortgaged these lands to Swintoun, a maltman of Leith. Reams of paper show how from him the mortgage fell into the hands of a certain James Crawford, to whom had been assigned a frigate named "The Margaret of Burntisland" and a "pryse called the ‘Bounder,’" who obtained a decreet before the High Court of Admiralty for these against Robert Swinton and Mr James Graeme of Orchill, his "air in a sum of £4413."

James Graeme of Orchill becomes, after long litigation, the owner of this mortgage, which he makes over to his eldest son William Graeme from whom it passed in turn to his daughter and heiress Beatrice, and when in 1730 Patrick pays the sum which frees the lands, Beatrice has just become David of Pitcairns’ wife. David Graeme has been the family lawyer since Patrick’s return home. Probably for this reason there is appended to the deed, renouncing all claim on Patrick Graeme, a short statement on Beatrice Graeme’s oath, that she was in no way forced to the above at Orchill, 24th August 1733.

To her attestation is appended as witness, the name of George Bryce; this must be a nephew of Patrick’s and first cousin of David Graeme of Pitcairns, afterwards of Orchill.

Then Inchbrakie house is built. Patrick and his wife, Jean Pierson, have a comfortable home over their heads again and a small carved stone (arabesque) is built in to the wall bearing date 1736, for the larger carved marble slab (1) triangular in form is not ready till 1739; this is elaborately ornamented as shown in the illustration.

Years are telling on Patrick, whose health is not good; lumbago has him in its grip when 60 years old on May 15th 1736, he write a note to Lawrence Oliphant of Gask, a cousin, saying he has been hoping to call on him but having strained himself, he spoke to Doctor Sterling on Sabbath last, who told him not to ride or to do any extraordinary walking, but to take all the rest he could "and would prescribe nothing more"; he regrets it would be useless to do anything about the memorial enclosed to him but would like to assist if possible, and asks Gask to come over the consult about it. This letter is signed with the curious monogram signature given with Coull’s account.

A heavy cross is laid on the last years of Patrick’s life. Just when his lands are their once more, when the new residence is complete, Goerge, his first-born dies, and the son for whom so much labour and skills has been expended can never enjoy its results; in 1737 he dies; and Patrick’s and Jean Pierson’s lives are overshadowed.

This is the last record of our great baron’s life, he does not long survive it; in 1740 he ends a somewhat troubled life of 65 years, a life which had opened brightly enough and then been marred by fate, and by a hasty action for which in his last years the seventh baron of the lands did all he could to atone for.