Michael Forbes Tweedie. Published 1902.
CHAPTER IV
AD 1600
Matters did not seem to mend in the least with the advent of the seventeenth century, and among the earliest records for the year 1600 in the Register of the Privy Council is an entry of a caution by Thomas Porteous of Glenkirk for "John Tweedie of Winkston and Elizabeth Hamilton Lady Stenhous his spouse in £1,000 not to harm certain tenants and indwellers in the upwode of Baith."
The disturbed and lawless condition of the Tweeddale district at this time is shown by the appeal of King James VI to the more prominent of the Barons of the Borders to appear at a meeting of the Council at Falkland and give their advice for the quieting of their districts. The Borderers' indifference to the Royal desire is evidenced by the fact recorded in the Register that these Barons had not appeared, although summoned by the King, and that in consequence the King had postponed all further deliberation in the matter (28th July 1600). Among those whom the King had honoured by his command we find James Tweedie of Drummelzier and Tweedie of Drava, and Chambers remarks that nothing perhaps conveys so impressive an idea of the Sovereign's abject position at this period as the circumstance of his inviting the Tweedies, those arch disturbers of the peace to assist him by their counsel, in putting a stop to the disturbances. It looks like the old story of the poacher taken on as gamekeeper, and it is not perhaps surprising to find immediately afterwards the feud between the Tweedies and the Veitches still going on. Something had happened of sufficient importance to cause the King to issue an order charging James Tweedie of Drummelzier and William Veitch of Dawick to appear before the Council on a certain day, prepared to submit their feud to "neutral persons" under pain of being declared rebels; and later on in the same year James Tweedie apparent of Dreva is registered for a caution bond in 300 merks while Robert Tweedie of Blackcastle appears on the record as a surety for James Somerville of Murehall in £500.
On the 4th November 1600, the King granted to William Tweedie the younger of Wrae, and Mary Baillie his spouse the lands of Whitslaid, Glenkirk, and Wrae, resigned by William Tweedie the elder of Wrae and Marjory (or Marion) his spouse.
Amongst the wills proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury is found that of Anthony Twedye of Stebunneth, Middlesex, in the year 1600.
AD 1601
"Symound" Tweedie of Lyntoun stands as surety in the following year for Robert Graham and Adam Dovis in 400 merks, while the only other mention of the name on the records for that year is where one William Tweedie, a serving man of Henry Bickartoun, attested a charter at Holyrood House on the 29th December.
AD 1602
Next year, however, the arm of the law seems to have taken courage, or rather to have succeeded in enlisting on its side some of the better disposed of the Borderers. On the 23rd October 1602 a General bond is registered as formed of "Noblemen Barons landit Gentlemen and utheris against thieves murderers and oppressors deiplie considering with owreselfis the wrackful and intolerable calamities so long sustenit be us" among the subscribers to which appear James Tweedie of Dreva and William Tweedie of Wrae.
On the 12th November 1602, King James granted a charter conveying in feu farm to William Tweedie of Wrae the church lands of Glenquhome with the pasturage of 30 "soums of bestial" in the common of Glenquhome. The lands are stated to have belonged for some time to the parson of the Parish Church of Glenquhome and to have been possessed by William Tweedie of Wrae and his predecessors as "native tenants and feu farmers beyond the memory of man".
AD 1603
Next year something happened the only trace of which exists in an entry in the Privy Council Register of the names of George Hamilton in Reston and John Tweedie in Winkistoun, concerning someone (unnamed) and the "demolishing of his house". What it all was and how the house had come to be demolished we know not, but it would not be difficult to form a guess.
Violet Tweedie was the wife of Henry Bickartoun as appears from an entry in the Great Seal Register dated 4th April 1603, and again in 1606.
About the same time James Tweedie of Drummelzier and his friend Alexander the Lord Spynie had some quarrel with William Kemp a merchant burgess of Edinburgh, for there are entries of bonds by both of them not to harm William Kemp who it may be presumed had some good cause to call for this protection.
AD 1604
In 1604, Tweedie of Drava had some grievance against Lord Maxwell "for exhibiting Armstrong before the Council". Who this Armstrong was is not very clear, but it is interesting to note that the estates of the famous Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie, after his seizure and summary execution by James V in 1530 had been made over to Lord Maxwell and that Christie Armstrong, Johnnie's son, in 1557 got back the lands and further in 1562 was intrusted with the office of collector of the revenues of the Maxwell lands in Eskdale.
Trouble was going on in many quarters at the same time; John and James Tweedie, the sons of Tweedie of Dreva are bound over not to harm William Linlythgow; and James Tweedie of Drummelzier not to harm William Hay of Linplum; George Tweedie of Calder in company with James Bailye is in trouble for attacking and wounding John Lowrie, and they are apprehended by the King's Guard and lodged in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh; Oliver Kay and James Tweedie burgess of Peebles have a difference with James Lowrie about "a complete stand of footmen's arms"; the feud between Lady Skirling relict of Sir James Cockburn and James Tweedie of Drummelzier still flourishes and Tweedie is again bound over not to harm her; Adam Tweedie, son of Adam Tweedie of Dreva and William Veitch of Kingsyde give a bond by John Tweedie of Winkistoun not to harm James Brown in Wester Hoprew, the bond being written by and subscribed before John Tweedie, notary in Peebles; James Tweedie, apparent of Dreva becomes security for John Tweedie of Innerleithen and for his son Adam not to harm James Stewart of Schillinglaw, the bond being witnessed by William and Walter Tweedie the sons of James Tweedie of Dreva; while Burke tells us that William Tweedie of Oliver, the son of a former William Tweedie of Oliver, had his cows oxen and horses stolen by John Batesoun, alias Jock of the Scoir, and was killed by him, Batesoun being afterwards hanged at Edinburgh for the crime.
AD 1605
The next year shows but little difference. The Registers open with a record of two harmless dealings with certain lands, from which it appears that a Margaret Tweedie was wife of Archibald Douglas and Mariote Tweedie was a daughter of the then late John Tweedie, tutor of Drummelzier, but thereafter there is no reference but to quarrels: John Tweedie has difficulties with James Lithgow; John Tweedie as tutor to John Tweedie his brother's son, claims from one Daniel Wilkie the custody of "Thomas Henderson, his young kinsman on the mother's syde"; Patrick Tweedie claims John Tweedie from David Wilkie; Uchiltorie McDowell finds surety for John Cochrane to James Tweedie; Hew Scott charges James Tweedie with rebellion; John Tweedie of Winkstoun compels Oliver Kay to go bond for James Linlythgow that he will not harm him; and Oliver Kay is also called upon to guarantee that Robert Scott shall not harm Isobel Hamilton, Lady Stanehous, John Tweedie of Winkstoun her spouse, William Tweedie son of Tweedie of Dreva, William, Adam and Charles his sons, or James Tweedie of Denis; Uthreid McDowell (possibly the same as Uchiltorie before mentioned) has, in his turn, to get surety not to harm James Tweedie in Culmoir or ravage his lands; James Tweedie of Drummelzier is bondsman for Sir John Murray and Sir Archibald Murray not to harm Andrew and James Veitch, and again for "Mr" Archibald Douglas, parson of Peebles not to harm Alexander Horsburgh of that Ilk.
Notwithstanding all this James Tweedie of Drummelzier is summoned by the authorities as a Baron to the Council, on the 7th June 1605, and sits in parliament as member for Peebleshire for that year and again in 1608.
William Twyddie (as the name was written) of the Essex branch is mentioned in Morant's History of Essex as having married Beatrix Winnington; he died 21st June 1605. He held the Manor of Maldon alias Earles Maldon and was succeeded by his son Richard Twyddie who was then forty years old. There had also been another Richard Twyddie (described as of Boreham, Stocke, Oldehall in Essex and Stamerden in Northumberland), the father of William, who by his will, dated 22nd January 1574, gave large benefactions to the parish of Stock in Essex and died on the 28th January 1574, and it is recorded that his great-grandfather was "George Twedye who came out of Scotland from the house called Drummelzier". What caused George to emigrate is not known, but it was a very unusual thing in those days. The will of another member of this branch, Robert Twedye, is also registered; he was apparently of Runsell in the parish of Dunburye. Another Tweedy also resided at Hilmer Bucks in 1599 and was assessed for beans and mutton for the Queen's household on her progress.
A gift is recorded on the 26th November 1605 to James Tweedie of Dreva, of the lands of Bodisbek and others fallen by decease of John Ewart of Bodisbek the grandfather of Neil Ewart, now of Bodisbek.
AD 1606
On the 14th February 1606, the King confirmed to Marion Tweedie daughter of John Tweedie, tutor of Drummelzier, certain lands in Brochtounschelis, Nether Stirkfield, Hopkcailzier and Drummelzier. This Marion appears to have married Mr James Law a writer in Edinburgh, as we shall presently see, sometime previously to 1631.
In the same year a warrant was issued at the request of the Laird of Calderwood for the arrest of one George Tweedie, named without any identifying description "upon suspicion of the hoching of James Maxwell's horses and burning his houses and corn."
In August 1606, a great onslaught had been made by George Earl of Dunbar, under the King's orders, upon the Borderers when he hanged no less than 140 of them as outlaws. It is somewhat curious, after what the records disclose, to find on the Register of the Privy Council, under date of 23rd November 1606, an entry of a charge issued by the King calling on certain landlords of the Borders, amongst them James Tweedie of Drummelzier, to appear before the Lords of Council, as one of the barons known "to be weill disposit to the peace and quietness of the estaite" to give their advice as to reducing of the Border to quietness and obedience.
A William Tweedie appears on the register of the Privy Council as a witness to a Bond subscribed at Edinburgh in connection with the affairs of Sir James Bannatyne, and Alexander Tweedie of Moit appears on the same record as surety for James Somerville.
Thomas Tweedie, "son to the guidman of Dreva" is mentioned as one of the witnesses to a certain proclamation made at the Market Crosses of Kinross and Cupar on the 4th and 5th September 1606 by the King's messenger charging the Earl and Master of Morton under certain letters for a purpose not mentioned.
AD 1607
In January 1607, there is an account of proceedings taken by the King's Advocate in regard to a Bond entered into on the 1st August 1597 by William Earl of Angus and James Tweedie of Drummelzier, engaging that the Earl should neither directly nor indirectly "have intelligence with any foreyneris or strangeris" "nor traffic with Jesuits". This Bond was now alleged to have been infringed and action taken upon it accordingly for recovery of the caution money of £20,000 against the Earl and against James Tweedie of Dreva the endorsement being "King's Advocate against the Earl of Angus for having resetted an excommunicated Papist decree."
James Tweedie of Drummelzier also seems at the same time to have been in difficulties in company with Sir James Johnston and John Johnston, baillie of the water of Leith, under another bond of caution given by him in their support, and before the year was six months older he was to be in more serious trouble still, as will be seen from the next incident.
The murder of Alexander Lord Spynie, the friend of James Tweedie of Drummelzier, who also suffered severely in the fray, affords a curious picture of the dangerous state of everyday life even in the capital itself, and the whole is brought before our eyes almost as if we had actually been present "Upon the 5th inst." (June 1607), runs the complaint, "while Alexander Lord Spynie was gangand in peciable and quiet maner upon the Hie Street in owre Burgh of Edinburgh recreating himself after his supper, David Lindsay, apparent of Edgell, his own sister's son, accompanied by Andro Stratoun, son to the Laird of Lowrestoun" and others "all bodin in feir and weir" armed with "secreteis plaitslevis gantillatis swordis hagbuts pistolets and utheris weapons invasive" came to the said Lord Spynie "about ten howris at evin and or evir he wes wer of thame, or saw thame and afor they utterit any speitcheis unto him they schote and dischargeit thrie pistolettis at him, quhairwith James Tweedie of Drummelzier, quha was gangand with our said cousin (Lord Spynie) for the tyme was schote alangis his ribbis and throwe the armis", but Lord Spynie "having by the providence of God" escaped the shot, they all then drew their swords and set upon him, wounded him in the head and left him lying for dead. And dead he was for in the bonds of caution registered by both sides for some time after, "the slaughter" and the "widow" of Lord Spynie are referred to, while his son is called the "now" Lord Spynie; James Tweedie, however, evidently recovered from his wounds and he and the other Tweedies seem to have been nowise behind in this quarrel whatever it was; his son James the Tutor of Drummelzier, his brothers John, Adam and Robert; James Tweedie of Dreva and his brothers John and William; Tweedie of Howgait, and Walter his brother; James Tweedie the brother of the Laird of Fruid; James Tweedie of Culmoir, and all their friends and servants being concerned in the reprisals upon the Lindsays, Horsbroughs, McDowalls and others that had been of the party which attacked Lord Spynie and James Tweedie of Drummelzier on the eventful 5th June 1607.
It is noticeable as illustrating the spirit of the times that it was thought necessary to mention in the complaint that the attack on Lord Spynie was made by the assailants without having "utterit any speitcheis unto him" and before he was aware, rather as if to anticipate a suggestion that Lord Spynie had been given fair warning and had no one but himself to thank for being killed under the circumstances.
Adam Scot, the son and heir of Robert Scot of Aikwood and Helen Tweedie died in 1607. He was also designated as of Wamphray.
AD 1608
Amongst the original charters is a seizin on Charter by James Lord Hay of Yester to James Tweedie of Drummelzier of the lands of Fruid, lying in the Barony of Oliver Castle dated 20th May 1608.
James Tweedie of Dreva was on the 23rd June following served heir to his father Adam Tweedie of Drava in the lands of Winkstoun.
AD 1609
Gilbert Tweedie, identified as of the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the western end of Peebles, granted, probably in his character as the incumbent of that Chapel, certain lands to Alexander Horsburgh, a charter which was confirmed by the King on the 14th February 1609 and on the following day another Charter of the like was confirmed to Alexander Tait and Mariote Horsburgh. These charters are referred to as having been originally made on the 17th July 1596 in the Castle of Neidpath at Peebles.
John Tweedie, a serving man of James Kynneir is a witness to a Charter dated 6th July of this year confirmed by the King at Edinburgh.
Now follows another entry of one of those "complaints" which are made in such a matter of fact way as shows that the affair referred to was little more than an everyday occurrence. We give the quotation in extenso.
"Complaint by Sir Thomas Hammiltoun .... as follows:- ... Robert Tweedie in Nether Southwood .... with others to the number of four score all armed with hagbuts and pistolets and other weapons came on the 9th June last to the Kirktoun of Crawford Lindsay and to the lands of Glencaple and there sought complainer for his slaughter. Again on the 11th June 1609, being Sunday, the said defenders and others to the number of 200 all armed as above came to the parish Kirk of Crawfurd Lindsay where the said Umfra Jadane being thair as his ordinair paroche Kirk sitting in ane yle within the samyn quhair of he had bene in possessione thir aucht yeiris bigane and being upoun his kneis at his prayeris and Mr Williamsoun, minister of the said Kirk, being in the pulpet saying the first prayer and the said Umphrais bak being towards the said Johnne his face, the said Johnne chairgit and bendit ane hagbute presentit this samyn to the said Umphra his body and wer not that the said minister seeing the samyn and crying to the said Johnne Carmichaell from the pulpet gif he durst schote cryed to the said Umphra aloud behind his bak that he was schote the said Johnne Carmichaell had not faillit to have cut him of from his natural lyf."
There are entries of decrees against James Tweedie of Drummelzier for non-payment of moneys due from time to time, and there is also mention made of a John Tweedie of Kinglegas as a surety for one Matthew Moffat in Camp.
An application was made on the 25th August 1609 to the Privy Councillor by Archibald Row, the minister at Stobo, against James Tweedie in Stank for remaining unrelaxed from a horning of the previous 9th January for not removing from that portion of the complainer's Glebe called "Willie's Croft".
In the Charter granted by the King to John Erskein of Balgony on 14th February 1610, James Tweedie of Drummelzier is referred to as lately the owner of certain lands of Carnwath &;c and a Thomas Tweedie is referred to as a serving man of Alexander Cunninghame in another Charter confirmed to George Gordon of Auchinreoche on the 21st of the same month.
AD 1610
The Privy Council Register of 10th March 1610, describes another disturbance in which the Tweedies were concerned : - the "petition of John Russell, son of John Russell in Stobo and William Russell his brother" for summons against John Tweedie in the Hoilhous of Stobo and Adam Tweedie his son for having on the 5th March "bodin in feir if weir" come "under silence of nicht" and waylaid John Russell betwixt Harrow and the Kirk of Stobo, attacked him with drawn swords, struck off "there twa former fingeris" of his right hand and left him for dead; and also because on the 7th March Adam Tweedie came to William Russell "gangand" at his father's plough, gave him "a straik upon the richt shoulder" with drawn sword and "chaissit the pleugh af the ground" Possibly however there was something in the claims of the Tweedies, for a month afterwards the archbishop granted to James Tweedie of Drava life rent and to John Tweedie his son and heir apparent in fee the lands and Barony of Stobo and the lands of Dreva with the Manor Place &;c, a Charter which was afterwards ratified by Sir James Douglas of Spot, Knt.
A John Tweedie was Town Clerk of Peebles at this time. There is also entry of an action by Walter Tweedie the brother of the Laird of Drummelzier against one Symon Graham and of a charge of rebellion by William Aitoun against a David Tweedie.
AD 1611
In furtherance of certain family arrangements, probably consequent upon the death of the late Alexander Lord Spynie, the King, on the 23rd February 1611 granted a Charter of certain lands in Forfar "que ferunt quondam Alexandri domini Spynie" to Lord James Scrymgeour of Dudhope, and James Tweedie of Drummelzier, apparently to be held under the trusts of the settlement made on the marriage of Sir Robert Graham of Scottistoun, Knt, son of John Earl of Montrose, with Anna Lindsay, a daughter of the late Lord Spynie, which had taken place at Edinburgh on the 27th February 1607 and in the extract which is given on the register among the names of assize are found John Tweedie of Kingledoors, William Tweedie younger of Wrae and James Tweedie of Denes.
In this year (1611) a complaint was also lodged by Jonet Stewart Lady Dawik, that James Tweedie in Stobo "perceiving" a gray horse belonging to her in the town of Dawik, "with ane long knyf barbarouslie cuttit and stowed the taill from the said horse". James Tweedie did not think it worth his while to take any notice whatever of this charge and was accordingly "denounced". James Tweedie elder of Drummelzier is shortly afterwards similarly "denounced for treating with the like contempt a summons to appear to answer some wrong with which he stood charged.
The ancient quarrel with the Veitches still broke out at times, and in this year (1611) attracted the notice of the King, one of whose last acts before leaving for England was to visit in person the district of Upper Tweedale with a view to staunch this bloody feud, which as Professor Veitch, himself one of the same Veitch family, says had subsisted between the Tweedies and his ancestors of Dawyck for centuries. The professor refers graphically to the tradition which tells the story of the chance meeting of James Tweedie of Drummelzier and the Laird of Dawyck one summer day.
"They were alone when they confronted each other, the memories of centuries of mutual violence and mutual deeds of blood were quickened in their hearts and that strange savage feeling of blood atonement seemed to thrill in both. They agree to settle the strife of centuries then and there, and tradition tells us that as the birds waked the June morn Drummelzier was found dead beside a bush by the river and the blood had stained the white blossoms of the hawthorn spray. Still the feud was carried on by son and son and the King in March 1611, in a Proclamation calls upon the Lords of the Privy Council to take steps to suppress the strife."
An original copy of the document says the professor is in the possession of William Burnett of Hay Lodge Peebles and there is also amongst the Quarter papers an original print, somewhat torn , of the Proclamation, no doubt one of those delivered to the Tweedies of those days by the King's messengers. It is curious and worth giving entire: -
"James Rex, Right Trustie, and right well-beloved Consengills and Counsellors, We Greet you weel. Whereas we understand, that the deadly Feid betwixt VEITCHES and TWEEDIES is as yet unreconciled, and our peace keept betwixt them only by the Means of Renewing of Assurances from Time to Time; But since we came so far by great Pains in our Person, endureing our Stay there, and by Our continual Direction sensyne, suppressed that Monster within that Kingdom, so as Wee do hardly think that there be any One Feid except this in all that Kingdome unreconciled; and the Wrongs and Mischiefs done by either of them, as We understand, to others being in such a Proportion of a Compensation as neither Party can boast of Advantage, or otherways think himself too much behind. THEREFORE Our Pleasure and Will is, That you call before you the Principalls of either Surname and then take such Course for removing of the Feid, and Reconcileing, as you have been accustomed to do in the like Cases: And whosoever shall Disobey your Command and Direction, you shall comitt them Prisoners, and certifie Us thereof, to the Effect we may return unto you Our further pleasure and Will therein; and so We bid you faireweell: From our Court at Greenwich, the tenth of March, 1611.To Our Right Trustie and right weel beloved Cousins and Counsellors, the Earle of Dunfermline, Lord Chancellor, and remanent Lords, and others of Our Privy Councill, in Our Kingdom of Scotland".
Surely the personal hand of King Jamie himself is manifest in this curious specimen of a state document of the time.
There is a complaint on record by David Tweedie and others of the Burgh of Irvine, that certain persons, "although not one of them is of the Council, sat themselves down in Council as if they represented the town and without citation of Tweedie, Cunynghame or Barclay, passed an act depriving Tweedie and Barclay of their liberty within the said burgh, apprehended them and put them in the stocks in their Tolbooth as if they had been murderers and detained them in ward". The date of this complaint is 25th July 1611.
William Earl of Mortoun and James Tweedie of Drummelzier being in dispute about their respective rights to the crops of a certain land called Chapel Croft, and, as is stated, "forder inconvenientis being lyke to fall oute" John Syde (of Fawsyde), the Minister of Newlands, as a neutral person is appointed to shear the sheep and get in the crops and stack them at Romano pending a settlement of the difference.
An entry of the 16th July 1611, shews us William Tweedie of the Wrae as surety for one Richard Baillie, who had had a difference with Matthew Baillie and had fired on him with a pistol and wounded him with a drawn whinger (or sword).
Thomas Tweedie of Oliver Castle had a charter dated 18th August 1611 from Robert Williamson of Murieston Superior, of all the Temple Lands in Scotland and heritable Baillie of the regality of Torpichen, the tenure being charged to blench for payment of one penny annually at Pentecost.
James Tweedie of Drummelzier is registered bondsman on the 12th October 1611 for Adam Gilleis of Glenkirk, who has wounded William Turepland.
William Tweedie of Wrae sat on the assize at a trial held on 29th October 1611 of Andrew Henderson and his son at Jedburgh.
The year 1611 closes for the Tweedies with the decree pronounced at Edinburgh on the 19th December by the Privy Council against William Tweedie of what place is not mentioned, for irreverent speeches against the King and his Council. Irreverent they certainly were , if we may judge from the example given on the record, from which Tweedie seems to have made sarcastic suggestions as to what the Council might do. These suggestions were apparently too much even for the 17th century and are wholly unfit for publication in the 20th. Moreover Richard Powrie, the minister of Dawick, who laid the complaint, alleged that he went in fear of his life. Tweedie, for whose apprehension it had been necessary to send "some of the guard" was forcibly brought from Peebles to Edinburgh, convicted and ordered to be "put in ward in the thevis hoill" in Edinburgh, and to pay all expenses; after which we hear no more of him.
AD 1612
An order is recorded on the 9th January 1612 under which William Tweedie in Lornfallow and John Tweedie in Townfute, with others were to be apprehended and their houses and goods seized "for the King's use" for not appearing in response to the complaint of Matthew Baillie, but what the offence had been is not mentioned. A little later on, Tweedie the elder of Dreva, Robert Tweedie of Borderland, and James Tweedie of Drummelzier, with others are summoned to appear before the Privy Council about the slaughter of Walter Scot, brother of Sir Robert Scot of Thirlestone,. This murder is alleged to have been committed by John Scot, son of Walter Scot of Tushielaw, and concerning the same "contradictory reports had been made to his majesty".
A decree issues against James Tweedie and his son as cautioners in an affair between one Symeon Scot of Bonytoun and John Jarden of Appilgirth, in respect of some unfulfilled contract.
The next entry carries us back again to the murder of Lord Spynie five years before, for John Lindsay and others are put to the horn at the instance of Alexander "now" Lord Spynie, David Earl of Crawford, Lord Lindesay, Sir Harie Lindesay and "the remanent Kyn and friendis of the late Alexander Lord Spynie and James Tweedie of Drummelzier," for the murder, truly a tardy act of justice. The phrase "the remanent kyn and friendis" of the murdered man and his companion, points somewhat significantly to the manner in which those concerned had taken the law into their own hands and to the result of the blood feud that had been carried on. There is also an entry of a process by James Cockburne against "Mr" John Tweedie for riot.
AD 1614
Among the original writs and Charters of the family now comes an Extract Retour of service of James Tweedie, as heir to his father, the late James Tweedie of Drummelzier dated 22nd October 1612 and a seizin on precept from Chancery in his favour in the lands of Drummelzier, dated 10th November 1612, with a duplicate of the latter on paper. It is a matter of tradition that in this year James Tweedie of Drummelzier fell in a duel with Veitch of Dawick, and there is yet to be seen at Drummelzier Church a stone with the inscription "hic jacet honorabilis vir Jacobus Tweedie de Drummelzier" followed by the date of his death. Two years afterwards his son James Tweedie then of Drummelzier, sold the lands of Hopcalzie-Wester to Robert Stewart and Alie Cokburne his wife under a Charter dated 18th January 1614 to which amongst others Robert Tweedie Drummelzier's uncle and Robert Tweedie his brother were witnesses.
One Thomas Tweedie was apparently a Notary at Dunbar at this time; and in the Minute book of processes for July in this year is an entry of rebellion brought by one James Tweedie against a William Chancellor.
AD 1615
Under the entry of processes appears in May 1615 "precognitione against Drummelzier and Tweedie of Dreva", "imprisonment James Murdoch against Tweedie of Drummelzier" and "riot Adame Gibson against James Tweedie" dated June 1615; and the only other entry in that year is the return of James Tweedie of Drummelzier as heir of William Tweedie of Drummelzier, his grandfather, in the lands of Halmyre, and the Barony of Clifton in Roxburghshire.
On the deaths of William and James Tweedie of Drummelzier, the grandfather and father respectively of James Tweedie "now" of Drummelzier, the gift is recorded on 22nd June 1615 of certain lands in Roxburgh, Peebles and Forfar to John Murray the elder.
AD 1616
Early in the year 1616 an incident took place which is curious not only as characteristic of the times but for its mention of golf, to which game this is perhaps one of the earliest known references. James Tweedie of Dreva having some difference with a Mr James Eastoun, determined to settle it once and for all. He tracked his man as far as Edinburgh and we give the story verbatim from the public Records: -
"Complaint by Mr James Eistoun .... albeit his Majestie before his departure fourth of this realme ... hes verie straitlie prohibitie and dischargit all his heynes liegis and subjectis that nane of them presome nor tak upon hand to invaid or persew ane another within the Burgh of Edinburgh or within ane myle .... under certane panes ... nevertheless on a day of this month while pursuer was coming from the Lynkis of Leith quhair he had bene recreating him selff at the gowff to Edinburgh he was attacked by James Twedy son of Mr Johnne Twedy of Dreva, with a drawn sword and had his hat and coat cut. Defender raschet him to the ground and he being lying on the ground he reft from him his cloob quhairwith he defendit him selff from his persute and giving him many blows would have killed him had not people interfered. Defender not appearing the Lords order him to enter his person in ward within the Tolbooth and there to remain during their pleasure"
and there follows an entry in February of a process of "ryott" by Mr James Eistoun against Tweedie of Dreva.
James Tweedie of Dreva and his son John were also in trouble in the same year with the Ministers of both Stobo and Dawick for non-payment of 250 and 400 merks to them respectively, being "the beltane terms payment of stipend", and orders were issued by the Privy Council to the Captain of the Guard dated 14th November and 12th December to apprehend Tweedie and seize his goods. This was followed on 24th July 1617 by a like complaint from the Minister of Dawick upon which a similar order was made.
AD 1617
In the following year we find a record stating that James Tweedie of Dreva, having been apprehended by John Lang an officer of the Crown, with the help of certain burgesses of Edinburgh, was violently taken from them by two of the ordinary officers of Edinburgh who came by night and took the prisoner off the hands of John Lang, out of the tavern of John Thomson in the Canongate of Edinburgh. James Tweedie of Dreva, it appears had failed to pay 1100 merks which he owed to one George Corse, a tailor, who had aided John Lang to make the arrest. Tweedie was ordered as a rebel to be entered in the Tolbooth by the officers of the City of Edinburgh, who, however, appear by that time to have lost him. The whole thong savours of bribery and corruption and possibly some friends raised a false issue upon which the officers of the City acted, and Tweedie's escape was part of the scheme. This all took place in January 1617, and in February there is an entry of a formal complaint by John Diksoun, who had been concerned in the rescue, if we may so call it, that James Tweedie of Dreva, John Tweedie his son and John Tweedie of Winkestoun yet remained unrelaxed from a horning.
The usual order issues that the delinquents shall be apprehended and their goods seized, and were it not for the suspicious fact of Tweedie's escape, it might be that the whole affair arose from a conflict between the Crown Officer and the officers of the City as to who should get the benefit of the arrest. That the Tweedies of Dreva were surrounded by difficulties at this time is shown by a complaint lodged on the 7th May following by a Thomas Barboure against them for non-payment of moneys due, upon which a like order was also made and an order for their arrest also issues again in the following year. A William Tweedie is named as being among other persons who, on the 16th April 1617, rescued a grey horse belonging to one John Spottiswood from the custody of the Sheriffs in Edinburgh in April 1617 and "cruelly assaulted" the officers.
The original charters of the family contain one dated 2nd July 1617 under which James Tweedie of Drummelzier, with the consent on his wife, Elizabeth Hay, the daughter of Lord Hay of Yester, granted an annual rent of £36 out of the lands of Drummelzier. This Elizabeth Hay was one of the six daughters of the then Lord Hay of Yester and had married James Tweedie some time between the years 1576 and 1617. There is also among the family papers a disposition of the same date and a Seizin thereon dated 5th July 1617.
In the general Register of Sasines under date of the following August, James Tweedie of Drummelzier is seized of the lands of "Wester Deinis in the Shire of Peebles" and on the 22nd August, James Tweedie of Dreva and his son John grant a charter in favour of James Tweedie of Drummelzier of lands in Stobo, Thomas Tweedie in Dunsyre being a witness; James Tweedie of Drummelzier also acquires more land in Stobo in the following September, and James Tweedie of Dreva makes over the lands and fortalice of Winkstoun to his brother german John Tweedie on the 20th November 1617. We learn also that Jonete (Janet) Tweedie was the daughter and heiress of the then late John Tweedie tutor of Drummelzier from an entry on the Register of the Great Seal of a Charter dated 6th November 1617 under which the lands of Over and Nether Quodquennis (i.e. Quothquan) in the Barony of Carnwath in Lanarkshire some time the property of one Robert Chancellor, are granted to her apparently in satisfaction of a debt, contrary to the usual practice of the family who generally appear to have lost lands in that way.
AD 1618
William Tweedie of Wrae is returned as the heir of his father William Tweedie of Wrae in the lands of Glenholm, Burntisland and Broughton on the 15th January 1618.
A Commission issued from the Privy Council on 12th February 1618 to William Earl of Angus, James Tweedie of Drummelzier and others to apprehend and deliver to justice John Carmichael of Abingtoun, his brothers George and William, and others of the Carmichael family who had been guilty of some wrong-doing.
Adam Tweedie of Dreva had a daughter named Nicole, who married George Haddon of Haddon. Adam was dead in 1596, as we learn from a charter dated 19th February, 1618, under which George Haddon and Nicole his wife had certain dealings with lands in the Barony of Haddon and in Broughton belonging to them, William Tweedie of Wrae being one of the witnesses. In the Churchyard at Broughton is an ancient stone bearing the initials and date G.H. 1617 N.T. and the legend "repaired by Richard Andre William James David Tweedie 1725". These initials are no doubt those of George Haddon and his wife Nicole, and the Tweedies referred to must have been descendants of the wife's family.
Some time previous to this the then late James Tweedie of Drummelzier must have been in possession of and parted with, the lands of Harperrig in the Barony of Calder near Edinburgh, for under a charter dated 10th March 1618 to Lawrence Scot, these lands are so described.
About this time a family of Tweedies in the town of Peebles rose to eminence in that Royal and ancient Burgh. John Tweedie was Notary and Sheriff Clerk of the town, he had a son Thomas, possibly the Thomas Tweedie who was Treasurer of the Burgh, and another John Tweedie became Provost. These Tweedies were a branch of the family of Tweedie of the Wrae, and cousins also of the Nasmyths of Posso; references to them are frequent throughout the records of the Burgh, and there is a curious old stone in the churchyard of Peebles which covers their burying place.
James Tweedie of Dreva and his eldest son John had trouble with one Rachel Wilson, the widow of William Harper, and her children Thomas and Rachel Harper, about a claim upon the Tweedies for 500 merks, which they had failed to satisfy, and an order issued to the Captain of the Guard to seize their goods and apprehend them; also the like in regard to a claim against them by Nicoll Scot in Quhytsyde on 25th June 1618, and William Thomesonn of Edinburgh on the 19th August 1618. The Tweedies did not deign to put in any appearance at all in any of the proceedings, and they were declared rebels. James Tweedie of Dreva at all events was eventually apprehended by David Ramsay, one of the King's Guard, but was released at the instance of John Murray, a burgess of Edinburgh who "earnestlie delt and travellit" for his release, and went surety for him, as we learn from a complaint lodged on 15th December 1618, stating that John Murray had failed to satisfy his bond.
Robert Tweedie and Matthew Baillie of Littilgill are obliged to give security not to attack or molest certain members of the Baillie family and others, which they do by an act of caution dated 13th May 1618. It is not mentioned of what place or family Robert Tweedie was , but it is explained by another entry a month later, of a complaint by a James Hamilton of Westport, Commissary of Lanark, and Robert Tweedie "of Nether Southwood his Servitor and Factor", which has reference to a brawl in the town of Crawfurd between Tweedie and James Baillie a natural son of Matthew Baillie of Littlegill about the lands of Crumperampe (Crimp-Cramp).
In the particular register of Sasines for Peebleshire James Tweedie of Drummelzier, John Tweedie of Kingledoors, James Tweedie in Mot, David Tweedie in Kilbucho are on record as witnesses to various Sasines of this year, and on the 3rd December 1618, the King issued letters of pardon to James Tweedie the son of John Tweedie of Winkeston, for the slaying of Ninian Weir, the brother of William Weir of Burnetland, within the Burgh of Edinburgh, in November, but the pardon reads rather as if the crime did not so much consist in the killing as in doing it in Edinburgh.
AD 1619
Their evil genius or the natural result of their own evil deeds pursued the Tweedies of Dreva into the next year. More enemies arise in John Douglas of Kilbothe and Robert Livingstoun, the Minister of Skirling, and eventually the lands of Dreva, with the Manor place and fortalice and their other lands are sold, some to John Murray of Halmyre, and a small portion to Walter Tweedie a younger son of James Tweedie of Dreva; James Tweedie of Drummelzier, James Tweedie in Stobo, and John Tweedie, Portioner of Innerleathen, being also parties to the proceedings.
An entry on the registers of a discharge of letters of Reversion on 29th July 1619, in respect of the lands of Hopkailzie Wester, tells us that James Tweedie of Drummelzier was the son and heir of the late James Tweedie of Drummelzier, and that Robert Tweedie was his Uncle.
In this year on the 14th June, Patrick Tweedie of Oliver had a charter of Oliver from Thomas Earl of Melrose, President of the Court of Session, on the resignation of his father, Thomas Tweedie of Oliver, and his own marriage with Janet Bollo (Boo or Bullo). James Tweedie of Drummelzier received Sasine of the lands of Paltraill in Lanarkshire; William Tweedie in Moirbarn (Muirburn) of the lands of Scotistoun in Peebleshire; William and Thomas Tweedie of the lands of Stobo in Peebleshire; and Alexander Tweedie of a fourth part of the lands of Quhutslett (Whitslaid) in Glenholm in Peebleshire.
A complaint is lodged on the 7th December 1619, by the King's Advocate against William Tweedie of the Wrae, and his son William Tweedie and others for going armed. The indictment is quaint and alleges that they have during the last six years and during every month of those years, or at least in some or other of them,
"borne and worne hagbuttis and pistollettis upon their personis and in thair companyis rydis and gangis thairwith in all partis quhair the occasioun of thaire affairis drawis thame and useis the same alsweill for thair privat revenge as for the slaughter of Wyld foull and Venniesoun quhairof they have made a grite distructioun and spoyle in the partis quhair they remain hant and repair."
It would seem as if the indictment had desired to anticipate the stock excuse that the firearms were carried for sporting purposes only, and it is a matter for some speculation how much "privat revenge" had been indulged in before the King's Advocate was roused to bring the matter to the Privy Council. Of what had been happening there is no record, but the Tweedies and their friends were ordered under pain of heavy fines to desist from carrying arms for sporting or any other purposes. This record is interesting also in that it shows us that the district still abounded in deer and that they were apparently regarded as common property and killed by anyone who wanted venison, and could hunt them in the hills.
AD 1620
On the 26th January 1620, the lands of Winkestoun in Peebleshire, with the fortalice &;c passed from John Tweedie of Winkestoun to one Alexander Nobile, a merchant of Edinburgh. It is noteworthy that this John Tweedie is always referred to at all times as "Master" John Tweedie of Winkestoun.
James Tweedie of Drummelzier secures an annual charge of 200 merks Scots upon his lands of Glenbrek in favour of James Harper Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh on 21st February 1620 but whether this had anything to do with the troubles with the Harper family two years before does not appear. There is also a Sasine on charter registered in favour of Alexander Greg, the Minister of Drummelzier, and Agnes Veitch, his spouse, of the Nether Riggs of Glenbrek, of which Sasine was given on the 15th February 1620.
Patrick Tweedie of Oliver and Janet Boo (Bollo or Bullo) his spouse receive Sasine of the land of the East side of Oliver Castle in March 1620.
The troubles between the Tweedies of Dreva and the Barbours and Lindsays arise again in this year and at the instance of the latter the usual order is given to the Captain of the Guard to apprehend James Tweedie of Dreva, with probably as little result as before. The crime was the remaining "unreleased from a horning" of the previous 11th December.
Sasine is registered in April to James Tweedie of Drummelzier of the lands of Hopcarton. James is also a consenting party to a charter of the 13th March 1620, by John Douglas of Kilbucho and others of the lands of Kilbucho. James Tweedie of Drummelzier himself assigns a reversion of the lands of Fruid to John Murray of Halmyre in June; and Thomas and William Tweedie renounce the lands of Stobo and Hopland in the Shire of Peebles in favour of the same John Murray. James Tweedie is seized of half the lands of Nether Urde in August; and "Master" John Tweedie of Winkestoun is in trouble again, this time with one George Laurie, a burgess of Edinburgh to whom he owed £40; and the usual order for his apprehension is issued.
A James Tweedie, a notary was clerk of the Diocese of Glasgow at this time, as appears from his being recorded as a witness to a Sasine on 20th October 1620; James Tweedie of Drummelzier parted with the lands of Chapelkingledoors to the Earl of Wigtoun under Sasine dated in December 1620; and on the 7th of the same month there is an entry of a Grant of lands in the Barony of Clifton to John and David Murray of Halmyre on their resignation by James Tweedie of Drummelzier the Grant being also curious for the mention of the "Rose-noble of Gold" as current coin of the realm and the statement that it was the equivalent of 16 merks. We shall later on, hear more of the result of this grant to John Murray and the feud that broke out between him and the Tweedies. The year closes with the entry of a complaint by John Inglis of Mannerhead, that James Tweedie of Drummelzier had not paid him 2,500 merks which he owed and the usual and apparently ineffective order is made, and Tweedie is declared a rebel.
Although John Murray of Halmyre had as we have seen, acquired the lands and Barony of Stobo and the lands of Dreva and of Muirburn with the fortalice and Manor Place by purchase, yet certain members of the Tweedies appear to have resented it and attempts were actually made to retake the lands by force. Their threat was made "oute of thair lawles and insolent humour" to "haif hys lyff or els to lay his landis waist". Professing all outward show of love they "keepit als familiar and social company with him as could be expectit frome most inteir and loveing frendis, and this they did to draw him in a cairles securitie;" having been warned, however, of their wicked intentions, Murray sought the protection of the authorities, whereupon the Tweedies are stated to have "avowit with mony fearfull oathes that they sould haif hys lyff" and to put their threat in force, on the 13th May 1621, they "maid search for the complenair about hys house" and elsewhere and knowing that he "had riddin to the Walkfield, but thair finding that he was riddin away" they followed him back and coming upon him at his own house "they drew their swordis and shoutit Traytour thou sall die, and before the complenair was able to haif made his defence gaif him ane grite straike upon his left leg by the quhilk he fell to the ground and being lyand thay gaif him a number of deidlie straikis and left him as a deid man and threatened his tennents to haif their lyves." This was the story of John Murray, but on the same date is entered a counter charge of the Tweedies, who say that Murray and his friends had first attacked them at the Bromehouse between Linton and Edinburgh and that John Murray, James Murray of Romanno, and Thomas Edmond in Slipperfield, all "armed with secreitis, swordis, hagbuittis, pistolettis," etc, had turned upon the Tweedies "with bendit hagbuittis and pistolettis in thair handis quhilkis thay fyred," the Tweedies escaping because the pieces "misgaiff", whereupon the Murrays had drawn their swords and attacked and seriously wounded Thomas Tweedie. John Tweedie of Dreva and his son John, James Tweedie of Stobo, Thomas Tweedie of Dunsyre, John Tweedie of Winkistoun, John Tweedie of Henderlethane, Walter Tweedie son of James Tweedie of Dreva, William Tweedie of Scottistoun, Alexander Tweedie, son of John Tweedie of Dreva, and William Tweedie, son of John Tweedie of Henderlethane were all concerned in this affray.
Thomas Tweedie is a notary in Peebles and John Tweedie is Notary and Sheriff Clerk of Peebles at this time; William Tweedie with Thomas and James Tweedies and their spouses transfer the lands of Nether Urde to John Murray of Hopingait; and among the memoranda in the Minute Book of Processes appears the following, under date 30th June 1621, "Walkning of suspension of lawbarrowis Jonet Tweedie against James Geddes".
At Theobalds, in England, the favourite Hunting seat of King James I, the King confirmed a charter on the 16th July 1621 to Alexander Lord Spynie of great estates, which are therein set out, in the Counties of Forfar, Elgin, Forres, Nairn, Inverness, &;c, which, it is stated, Sir John Scrymgeour of Dudhope, James Tweedie of Drummelzier, James Harper and David Mitchaell of Edinburgh had resigned. This looks rather as if these gentlemen had been the trustees of the Spynie family estates during the minority caused by the murder of Lord Spynie in 1607, and that his son Alexander having now come of age, they handed over the properties to him and took a discharge of their stewardship.
Thomas and William Tweedies, of what place is not said, were prisoners in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh and were liberated on bail of John Haldin of that Ilk on 20th July 1621, in 1000 merks; and James Russell goes bail on the 23rd August 1621, for "Thomas and William Tweedies, brothers" charged at the instance of John Murray of Halmyre.
In the general Register of Sasines under date September 1621, William Tweedie is styled as of the lands of Scottistoun in Peebleshire.
AD 1622
The curious tenure by which the Horne huntarislands were held is again recorded in the next year in the charter dated 29th January, by which the same are confirmed by the King to Sir John Stewart of Traquhair. The lands are described as being resigned by James Tweedie of Drummelzier, the son and heir of the late Tweedie of Drummelzier and the reddendum is still "two blasts of a horn to rouse the King and his hunters when they should come hunting in the lands of Kingishalwallis.
Sasine on charter by James Tweedie of Drummelzier in favour of Alexander Greg, Minister at Drummelzier of lands called Glencraigga in the Barony of Drummelzier was given on the 1st March 1622; in favour of Marion Tweedie of the lands of Bogboun Scheillis; in favour of Jonet and Marion Tweedies of part the lands of Bog; and in favour of one Andrew Hay, writer, of that pendicle of the lands and Barony of Drummelzier called Glenumphard alias Badlew (in Tweedsmuir), presently possessed by Robert Tweedie, uncle to James Tweedie of Drummelzier, all in the month of May, of the same year.
Among the MSS at Knole, Kent, is a note of a letter apparently a challenge from one Edward Villiers to Sir Edward Tweedy. It is endorsed "Sir Edward Tweedy" and dated 24th July 1622.
John Tweedie of Winkistoun is again to the fore this year and this time in character of an injured man. On the 28th August 1622, he complains that certain of the Paterson family and their followers came armed, drove off his cows and oxen and "most barbarously with swords and knives they cuttit the taillis and rumpillis of ten or twelve of the poore beastis and sua Schamefullie manglit thame that some of thame are in danger of thair lyves". The alleged wrongdoers, however, are "assoilzied" on their oaths of verity, but in the minute book of Processes is an entry of "oppression John Tweedie against James Paterson, 31st August 1622".
An entry of Sasine to Marion Tweedie of an annual rent "fourth of the lands of Caithople" closes the year.
AD 1623
An order to apprehend one William Tweedie "now a Vagabond" and Adam Tailfeir in the Canongate, issues on 23rd April 1623, for that they had come under cloud and silence of night to the house of the Drum, broke up the cellar door and stole "five boltis of Maill with some salt beiff and aill". This order is signed by the Chancellor, Mar, Mourton, Glencairn, Lothian, Melros, Lauderdale, and J Erskene, a truly formidable array to achieve the arrest of poor starving William Tweedie and of Adam Tailfeir, and somewhat like cracking a nut with a sledgehammer.
It is recorded on 26th June 1623 that James Tweedie of Drummelzier failed to fulfil the conditions of the matrimonial contract entered into between himself, the then late James Tweedie of Drummelzier, the then James, Lord Hay, of Yester, and Elizabeth his daughter on the occasion of the marriage of the latter with James Tweedie in 1604, the contract having been dated 19th and 23rd January and 8th March in that year.
James Tweedie, follower of the Earl of Roxborough, had a horse stolen by one Matthew Huildie, who was apprehended; and an Alexander Tweedie was in trouble for the "oppression" of Lady Stenhouse in November 1623.
Evidence now begins to appear of the monetary troubles which eventually overpowered the Drummelzier family. On the 20th August 1623 a charter is registered by which the lands and Barony of Drummelzier, with the Tower and Manor place, the property of James Tweedie of Drummelzier are vested in John Lord Hay of Yester, probably by way of security for money advanced and not absolutely, for they did not finally pass away until some years after as we shall presently see.
John Tweedie, the eldest son of "Master" John Tweedie of Winkistoun. and heir to his uncle Adam Tweedie received Sasine on 8th December 1623 from John Murray of Halmyre of certain lands in Stobo, formally possessed by James Tweedie of Dreva and the late John Tweedie his son. The only other mention in this year is of William Tweedie in Kilbucho and William Tweedie of the Wrae as witnesses to Sasines.
AD 1624
A Henry Tweedy, no doubt one of the Essex family, was master of the English mint in London in the year 1624.
The decease of John Tweedie tutor of Drummelzier, is recorded as having taken place some time prior to 27th January 1624 in connection with certain arrangements with a Mr. James Law.
AD 1625
The lands known as "Orchard Knowe in the Barony of Glenholm, were in the occupation of a Robert Tweedie in 1625 as appears from the particular Register of Sasines, and Alexander Tweedie in the same year was seized of the lands of Oliver Castle, whilst in the following year Henry Tweedie is seized of the third part of the lands of Frude, under a charter dated 20th October 1625, Charles Tweedie in Nethersyde of Oliver being Bailie. In this year and for many years after, William Tweedie of the Wrae and Thomas Tweedie the Notary and Burgess of Peebles appear frequently as witnesses to legal documents; Thomas Tweedie himself receiving seizin of the lands of Frankisland on the 10th March 1626, and William Tweedie the Younger of the Wrae is recorded as having been present on the 15th June 1627 at the "Weapon Shawing" or gathering of the Militia on the King's Muir at Peebles accompanied it is stated by one horseman both armed with lance and sword.
The indexing and printing of the Registers of the Privy Council do not at present (1900) go beyond the year 1625 (Volume XIV), further than which it is difficult to follow it. No doubt much remains to be discovered from the records yet untouched.
On the 1st September 1627, James Tweedie of Drummelzier, as the husband of Elizabeth, one of the daughters of William, Lord Hay of Yester, concurs in a Charter on the Register of the Great Seal confirming certain lands to John Lord Hay of Yester, the father William being deceased.
AD 1628
Sasine of the lands of Kirkurde is given, in the year 1628, to one Marion Tweedie; there was a John Tweedie in Maynes of Kilbucho at the same time; a John Tweedie is returned as heir of his father, Symon Tweedie in Linton, of lands in Linton, and is seized of the Kirk lands and Vicarage of Lyne, Robert Tweedie of Bridland being a witness; William Tweedie is given Sasine of the lands of Burnetland; and Margaret Tweedie, the daughter of Robert Tweedie of Boirland (Bridland), is given Sasine of the lands of Wrae and Crinkstoun from James Scott of Crinkstoun.
On the 15th June 1628, Patrick Bullo, a burgess of Peebles complains that being employed by the Archbishop of Glasgow to measure some land at Linton for a glebe for the Minister, John Tweedie in Linton, with a number of accomplices, attacked him, threatened to take his life, and that Tweedie "straik hime in sundrie parts of his bodie, took him by the shoulder and violently flang him over and high and stey brae" for all of which Tweedie was acquitted for want of proof.
We now come to the beginning of the final catastrophe that overtook the family of Tweedie of Drummelzier. What led up to it is not quite clear, but it would seem that James Tweedie of Drummelzier had borrowed money from his first cousin, John Lord Hay of Yester, and that Hay of Yester had some charge or hold over the Drummelzier estates in security for it, possibly by virtue of the Charter registered 20th August 1623, and that he enforced it, first against James Tweedie in person, and then against the property.
On the 7th of August 1628, James Tweedie of Drummelzier complains to the Lords of the Privy Council
"that he has beene deteaned in ward within the tolbuith of Edinburgh five yeares and foure months bygane at the instance of John Lord Hay of Yester, his cousin Germane both in his own name and under colour and pretext of other men's names; Lykeas, he has not onlie unnaturalie deteaned the said compleaner in wofull captivitie ..... mynding thairby to appropriat unto himsellfe be forged pleyes his haill estait and rents but also to detane the compleaners persoun in waird till his dying day whairas he haveing all that belongs unto the compleaner he has nothing to susteane himsellfe but is lyke to starve unlesse the goodman of the tolbuith supplied his necessair wants".
It was decreed by the Lords that Lord Yester should either release Drummelzier or allow him a weekly maintenance to be fixed by the Lords of Council. Lord Yester consented to his release on the date of the complaint, no doubt feeling himself strong enough to defy him henceforth. How far James Tweedie was wronged in this affair it is not possible to ascertain now.
There is no doubt that he was in Yester's debt, but it is not unlikely that Lord Yester took advantage of that to crush his turbulent neighbour. Chambers states that the feuds in Peebleshire had been aggravated by the outrageous conduct of William, Master of Yester, and it is remarked in the "Cockburns of that Ilk" that it is not a matter for surprise, considering the impotence of the government in these districts, that Yester availed himself of the shadow of right afforded him by his pecuniary claim to keep Drummelzier and other lands which he had a charge over.
AD 1629
Amongst the original writs and charters of the family is a disposition by James Tweedie of Drummelzier in favour of David Murray of Halmyre of part of the lands and Barony of Drummelzier dated 16th April 1629, to which is affixed the signature of Tweedie; as also a Reversion by David Murray to James Tweedie of the same date; and a charter by the same to the same dated 20th June 1629, with a seizin thereon; and in the General Register of Sasines is a renunciation by James Tweedie to David Murray, dated also June 1629, all no doubt connected with the financial troubles of the family at this time.
AD 1630
James Tweedie of Drummelzier, however, had a charter of Glenkirk, Whitslaid, Rachan &;c, Sasine upon which is given immediately after in January 1630; in the register of the Secret Seal, this date, however, is 6th February 1629 (ci. fol., 424). Thomas Tweedie, the burgess of Peebles, who afterwards rose to eminence there and was a member of the family of Wrae, received Sasine on a Crown Charter of the lands and Barony of Henderstoun called Whitehauch on 16th and 26th January 1630. There was a William Tweedie in Kilbucho, who appears on 12th May 1630, as a witness to Sasine by Archibald Douglas, and on the 24th June 1630, is registered a renunciation by Alexander Tweedie in "Westsyde of Olivercastell" in favour of Patrick Tweedie, son lawful of Thomas Tweedie of Oliver Castle and Janet Boo his spouse, of certain lands at the west side of Olivercastle in the Barony of Oliver Castle, which renunciation is dated 15th May 1630, in Edinburgh, John Tweedie being a witness. In the month of July is registered a renunciation by John Tweedie to James Tweedie of the lands of Halmyre and Hopkailzie; John Tweedie, the writer in Edinburgh, is referred to in a charter dated 24th July, registered in the Great Seal, and John Tweedie the eldest son of Robert Tweedie of Boirdland, appears as baillie to James Reid of Pitlethae in Sasine of 3rd September, on a charter of 3rd April 1630, to which James Tweedie of Drummelzier is a witness, and the wife of the latter is again referred to as Elizabeth Hay in a charter registered in December of this year, in which the wife of James Tweedie in Wester Denes is given as Agneta Anstruther.
James Tweedie of Drummelzier must have died late in 1630 or early in 1631, for James Tweedie is served as heir of his father, the late James Tweedie of Drummelzier, on 3rd February 1631, in the lands of Fruid in the Barony of Oliver Castle.
Thomas Tweedie was at this time, Treasurer of the Burgh of Peebles as appears from a case in the Justiciary Court of Edinburgh; and James Tweedie and David Murray had dealings with the lands of Hopcartoun and Glenkirk in December of the same year.
John Tweedie, the son of James Tweedie of Drummelzier, who predeceased his father, had a daughter Mariota (or Marioun), who was married to James Law, a Writer to the Signet in Edinburgh, some time previously to May 1631, as she is referred to as his wife in a charter of that date registered 14th January 1632. Under this, Mariota grants to Gilbert Clerk and his wife, Margaret Brown, certain lands in Brouchtounscheill then lately occupied by William Romage and Ninian Elphinstoun. John Tweedie, "writer in Edinburgh", is a witness to a precept of Sasine by Lord Binning in the same year; while it would seem that, among its other privileges, His Majesty's Great Seal assumed to itself the power of pardoning sins at this time, for there is an entry on its registers of a "grant of letters of pardon" dated 2nd April 1632, to Alexander Tweedie, described as "in Monfirnane" (Mossfennan) for the wholly improper terms he appears to have been on with his servant Janet Grieve. Violeta Tweedie, whose father's name is not stated, was the wife of one Henry Bickartoun, for they are mentioned in a charter of 23rd June 1632, by Sir George Bruce of Carnok to Thomas Lord Bruce of Kinlos, of the lands and Barony of Pittincrieff and other lands in the County of Fife, as having been lately in occupation of certain of the lands dealt with.
Amongst the original writs and charters of the family is still to be seen the contract for sale of the lands and Barony of Drummelzier dated 10th August 1632, by James Tweedie of Drummelzier and David Murray of Halmyre, who seems to have held a mortgage over the properties, with John Lord Hay of Yester as the purchaser, and later on we shall come to the record of the completion of the sale.
Robert Tweedie resigned the Maynes of Kilbucho to John Diksone and took Sasine of the lands of Moite in Peebles at this time.
AD 1633
James Tweedie of Drummelzier received Sasine of the lands of Frude in the following year and appears to have settled down there instead of at Drummelzier, the sale of which was about to be completed. Violeta Tweedie, the wife of Henry Bickartoun, is again referred to in another charter registered this year, of lands in Fife connected with the Bruce family; and Robert Tweedie and Agnes his mother, described according to custom by her maiden name of Inglis, receive Sasine of an annual rent charge on the lands of Croceknow.
The year closes with the completion of the sale to Lord Yester of the lands and Barony of Drummelzier by an instrument dated 27th September 1633, yet remaining among the original papers of the Drummelzier family. It is endorsed as "Done in the over chalmer of the said noble Lord in his lodging on the Castlehill of Edinburgh on the north syde thereof". In connection with this sale there is a quaint old tradition in Tweedale, which we give here as it was received from an old man named John Fleming, who was born in the year 1805, and probably received it from his father and his father's father, thus taking us back almost to the date of the occurrence. The technical act of taking possession of a property in the old days was to make an entry into the house and to put out the peat fire on the kitchen hearth as a sign of ownership, and the legend is that when Drummelzier passed into the hands of Hay of Yester, his Lordship and his son William went up to take formal possession, taking a strong guard with them, for, as the records shew only too plainly, it would have been an imprudent thing to have ventured upon a hostile mission into the heart of the Tweedie country without precaution. They met with no more serious opposition, however, than the sight of Tweedie's daughter, sitting as old John Fleming put it, "greeting by the hearth". This spectacle seems to have touched the heart of William Hay notwithstanding the roughness of the age, for after the fire had been put out, and notice to quit given to the weeping girl, no doubt none to gently, he and his father were riding away down the Banks of Tweed, when the old Lord rallied his son upon his silence and the son replied "that he cared not for the old fox (meaning Tweedie) but was vexed for the lassie". Whereupon his father jestingly said that he had better go back and "tak" her; and the story goes that William Hay acted upon the suggestion there and then, and the young lady being willing, they were married, and Lord Hay gave Drummelzier to his son as a wedding gift, so that Tweedie's daughter lived out her life and died in her own home after all. It is a pretty romance, and might easily be substantially true, for the Hays and Tweedies were not only neighbours, but relations, and no doubt were well acquainted with each other. There is, however, no means of corroborating the legend as parish registers did not then exist, and no record of the marriage is forthcoming, although it is true that Lord Hay did make over Drummelzier to his son William, and perhaps some evidence may yet turn up to tell us what really happened to give rise to the tradition.
From this time onward the power of the Tweedies in Tweeddale seems to have been broken. The centre round which they rallied was gone, and although we find some of the more turbulent among them breaking out occasionally, yet it was in a comparatively small way, and most of the family appear to have fallen in with the civilisation which was spreading over the country, and to have settled down as country gentlemen or farmers, according to their several means, and to have devoted their energies in a more proper direction than in former times.
AD 1634
Marioun or Mariota Tweedie, the wife of James Law and daughter of James Tweedie of Drummelzier, received Sasine with her husband of the temple lands of Kirkurde in May 1634. James Tweedie of Drummelzier as he is still styled, is mentioned in a charter granted to David and Joan Murray registered on 21st June 1634, and the only other entry for the year is a renunciation by Robert Tweedie and Elizabeth Stewart is wife, of an annual rent charged on Torboun in Fife dated September.
AD 1635
We see from a charter registered on 27th June 1635, that a John Tweedie was a merchant in Edinburgh and that his wife was Isobelle Gairdin. A James Tweedie is seized in July of the same year of a piece of land in the Burgh of Peebles; and an Alexander Tweedie likewise. Thomas Tweedie of Quhythauch had a wife named Rebecca Vaich, whom he dowered with an annual rent charge over his lands of Quhythauch by a charter of 28th November 1635, and by another charter of the same date, with a further dower out of his lands of Frankisland, in which latter charter Rebecca is referred to as the daughter of Patrick Vaich, the Sheriff Clerk of Peebles. There is also registered in the same year the charter dealing with lands in Broughton, which tells us of the parentage of Mariota Tweedie who had married James Law, she being therein described as "Mariota Tuedy filia legit quondam Joannis Tuedy tutoris de Drummelzier et M Jacobus Law Scriba ejus Maritus".
AD 1636
In 1636 a Thomas Tweedie received Sasine from William Mure of the lands of Scottistoun; and Robert Tweedie in Bordland was nominated arbitrator in some difficulty which had arisen between James Law of the Temple lands of Kirkurd and the latter's tenants there.
AD 1637
William Tweedie of the Wrae was married to Mary Baillie, and their eldest son was also William, whose wife was an Agnes Tweedie as appears from a charter granted to the son registered 18th February 1637. Under this charter, probably entered into on the occasion of his son's marriage, the estates of Wrae, Whitslaid and Glenkirk, were settled upon his son and his wife with a life interest reserved to the father in Wrae, and to the mother in Whitslaid and Glenkirk.
A rent charge in favour of Hector Douglas, second son of Hector Douglas of Lintoun is registered by William Tweedie of Scottistoun, Sasine being given on 21st June 1637, and Robert Tweedie in Boirland (Bordland) and John Tweedie his son being witnesses.
The lands of Kingledoors, alias Chapel-Kingledoors, were acquired in 1637 by Alexander Tweedie of Wastsyde of Hairstanes, in life rent, and John Tweedie his eldest lawful son, in fee, and they got a Crown Charter on 31st July in that year.
AD 1638
Sasine is granted to William Tweedie and his spouse of the lands of Wrae in June 1638 from which it may be inferred that William Tweedie the elder of Wrae was dead, and from a deed registered on 22nd August in the same year it seems that John Bullo of Bonyngton borrowed £1000 at this time from Thomas Tweedie of Quhythauch and his wife Rebecca Vaich and pledged the lands of Bonyngton in security. John Tweedie, the writer in Edinburgh, is also again referred to in a charter registered in this year.
Marion Tweedie "and her bairns" are granted Sasine of the lands of Cowthroppillis in May; Jeane Tweedie of part of the lands of Boirdland in June, and James Tweedie of the Kirklands in September 1639.
An old memorandum says that in 1641, Patrick Tweedie had a charter of Oliver in the same year.
One Archibald Tweedie was a serving man of Lord Hay of Yester at this time, and on the 21st October in the same year William Tweedie of the Wrae is served heir to his father the late William Tweedie of Wrae, to lands in Burnetland and Broughton.
AD 1642
One Robert Crombie, the natural son of Thomas Crombie in Maxtoun and the late Margaret Tweedie, received letters of legitimacy from the king on the 29th January 1642. John Tweedie is referred to as a merchant of Edinburgh in a charter dated 13th May 1642; James Tweedie is returned as heir of John Tweedie of Kirkland, his father, in respect of lands in Lintoun, on 30th June, is given Sasine of the lands of Kirkland on the 18th September, 1642 and is referred to as a burgess of Edinburgh and Laird of Cardrona on 20th December in the same year.
AD 1643
In 1643, William Tweedie of Scottistoun had financial dealings with William Douglas in Spitleheid, which necessitated his giving to the latter a charge upon his lands of Scottistoun of 80 merks per annum, while the next item in order of date comes from England, in the shape of a letter among the MSS of the Duke of Portland dated 31st January 1643, at Woolwich, from Alexander Bence, Roger Tweedy, and Phineas Pobb, to the Commissioners of the Navy. In this year also are registered the charters to Lord Hay of Yester confirming the sale to him of "the lands and Barony of Drummelzier with the Manor Place and lands of Hopcarten", by James Tweedie of Drummelzier. Alexander Tweedie and his son are granted Sasine of Chappel-Kingildores and William Tweedie and John Tweedie of Burnetland. William Tweedie of Wrae is nominated under the Act of Parliament "for the Committees of Warr in the Shyres"v as one of the Commissioners for war for Peebles, on the 26th August 1643, and the same again in 1644 in which latter year Marion Tweedie obtains Sasine of the Kirklands of Drummelzier, and William Tweedie paid Hector Douglas his debt and cleared his lands of Scottistoun of the annual charge already mentioned.
The first mention of the family in the Parish Registers, now just beginning to be kept, is found in he record of Patrick Tweedie of Wester Oliver and Thomas Tweedie "there" as witnesses on the Tweedsmuir register to the baptism of Rebecca Shaw on 25th April 1644.
Roger Tweedy, no doubt the same as formerly mentioned is again referred to in the MSS of the Duke of Portland, this time as one of the Commissioners of the English Navy, in a letter dated 24th October 1644, to the Earl of Warwick.
In view of the appointment of William Tweedie of Wrae as one of the Commissioners for war, it may not be uninteresting to recall the political events which at this time were creating so much excitement in Scotland, and the stirring scenes amid which those then alive were moving. The call to arms was the outcome of the appeal to Scotland from the English Parliament and a well disciplined army of more than twenty thousand men under the command of Alexander Leslie, Earl of Leven, was despatched to the assistance of the English Parliament. This army, known as the Covenanters, fought at Marston Moor, and shortly after, on its return to Scotland, met the Royalist forces of Montrose, formed of the Irish and Highlanders, on 1st September 1644, at Tibbermuir near Perth and was signally defeated with great loss. Montrose's army was in its turn obliged to retreat before the army of Argyle, and the Covenanters met Montrose again near Aberdeen and were again defeated. Aberdeen was stormed and sacked on the 14th September 1644, and the tide of war surged up and down the country till winter fell, when both sides went into winter quarters according to the custom of warfare in those times.
During the next and following year the fighting went on, the Covenanters having two armies in the field, one in Scotland, and the other in England. The former was constantly defeated by Montrose, until at length from the Scottish army in England was despatched David Lesley, with five or six thousand men, chiefly cavalry, to attack Montrose, and on the morning of 13th September 1645, they surprised and utterly defeated him in Ettrickdale. Montrose with a few followers fled up the Vale of Tweed, reached Peebles, and eventually gained the fastnesses of the Highlands, where he once more assembled an army of the mountaineers but never regained any importance.
David Lesley's victory established throughout the Lowlands the authority of the Convention of Estates, and of the Puritan rigour of life and habit of which we shall presently find instances on record. Later on, in May 1646, King Charles I gave himself up to the Scottish army, then laying siege to Newark, by whom he was eventually handed over to the English Parliament in January 1647, after which the Scottish army returned to its own country. With one of the chiefs of the family acting as Commissioner for war for Peebles, many Tweedies must have served in the Covenanters' army, especially as Tweeddale was a district from which most of the army was drawn, and no doubt they suffered equally with the rest in the constant and severe fighting, and it is difficult to understand how the men and women and children survived the anxiety and the hardships and dangers of those times at all.
AD 1645
James Tweedie of Drummelzier is mentioned as having once owned the lands of Torpedo in the Barony of Stanhope, in a charter to David Murray of Stanhope, and William Murray his son; Marion Tweedie described as daughter of the "late" John Tweedie, tutor of Drummelzier, and James Law her husband resigned certain lands in the Parish of Stobo; and Patrick Tweedie of Oliver is a witness to a baptism in Tweedsmuir on the 26th October, all in the year 1645, while in the next year Patrick Tweedie is recorded on the parish register for that he "did give in our whole Kirk contributione extending to £14 13s 4d" on the 2nd August 1646; and he is again recorded as a witness to a baptism along with Alexander Tweedie of Kingledoors in the year following. In the same year James Tweedie received Sasine of the lands of Boirlands on July 1647; he is described as a Captain, having served in that rank in the Military operations to which reference has already been made. William Tweedie of Wrae was again nominated by the Act of Parliament as a Commissioner of war for the shire of Peebles, along with the Earl of Traquair and others, and also as a Commissioner for the re-valuation of the Sheriffdom of Peebles. Margaret, Mary and Isobel Tweedies are returned as heirs of Thomas Tweedie of Whythauch, their brother in the lands of Whythauch on 26th August, all in the year 1647.
AD 1648
William Tweedie of Wrae is again in 1648 appointed a Commissioner for carrying on the war which still raged, while we are carried to England by finding that Roger Tweedy is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex on the 10th January. Patrick Tweedie of Oliver and Walter Tweedie were ordained elders for the Parish of Tweedsmuir and "to have the chairge of collecting for the poor".
In 1649 William Tweedie of Wrae once more acts as a Commissioner of war for the Shire of Peebles, and in the parish register of Tweedsmuir, which seems to have been used as a kind of chronicle of parochial events, there is an entry under date 25th February 1649, "Thomas Tweedie of Wester Oliver in the name of his father did Supplicat the Session to appoynt him ane place for to sett up his seat", and the Session granted his request.
The custom of seating the Kirks with fixed pews was only just beginning. Before that, people stood during service or sat on stools or "creepies" which they either brought with them or set aside in the church, and many of the brawls and disorders which disgraced the beginning of the service arose over their ownership or occupancy, and not unfrequently before the entrance of the Minister, or even afterwards, the worship of the Sabbath was mingled with a tumult of oaths, of battering stools, and struggling Christians; gradually however, the custom of fixed pews became general, and parishioners of position got permission from the session "to set up a seat" or "a desk" for their family in a vacant space, which they removed if they left the parish.
Clergymen seem to have sometimes been at variance with their patrons even in those days, for William Tweedie, the Minister at Slamanan, was by Act of Parliament awarded £100 to be paid to him by his patron the Earl of Callendar for the losses he had sustained over the building of the manse, about which there was some misunderstanding with the Earl.
William Tweedie, described as a Merchant burgess of Edinburgh, obtained his release from the Tolbooth of Edinburgh chiefly it would seem through the loyal efforts of his wife Jeane Patoune, the petition stating that he had been imprisoned at the instance of his creditors and kept there notwithstanding that he had offered to "mak assignatioune of his haill estaite means and debits to thame" and the Committee order him to be released, a curious anticipation of the principle which was applied to the debtors laws upwards of 230 years afterwards.
Evidence now begins to appear of the tyranny exercised by the Puritan Church throughout the country in these days. To attend church was no question of choice; it was a matter of compulsion. During services Elders went out to "perlustrate" the streets, to look into windows and doors of private dwellings and bring deserters into kirk or report them to the Kirk Session. There was not a place where one was free from their inquisitorial intrusion. They might enter any house and even pry into the rooms, and it was an offence even to fodder horses or carry a pail of water on the Sabbath. The Ecclesiastical Authority also held almost undisputed sway over the general conduct of the Community. Every rumour, every suspicion of ill doing was reported, and evidence taken by the Kirk Session of the most inquisitorial kind. Sins the most heinous and offences the most trivial were treated with equal gravity. Superstition was spread among all classes and witchcraft was looked upon with horror and profound belief.
These inquisitions did much more harm than good; they were dangerous weapons to put in the hands of any malcontent who had a grievance or a grudge to gratify. Life assumed a sombre aspect and the pleasures of the world were taken sadly; for anyone who had a spite against another had only to report some so-called offence to the Minister and congregation, and all kinds of pains and penalties were inflicted upon the delinquent. The reports of these cases were duly noted in the parish registers of the times and plenty of instances are found concerning the Tweedies. For example, in the Drummelzier parish register we find on 15th April 1649 "A scandal case. A party complains that James Tweedie and other servants of Alexander Tweedie had accused him of theft"; and on the 22nd April comes the following entry;- "Report that Hackshae, Thomas Tweedie in the West port of Edinburgh, and Alexander Murdersone, wer drinking in Marion Tweidies hous in the tyme of divine service the last Lordis day. Ordains Alexander Murdersone and Marion Twedie to be cited pro 1mo as also the minister to write to the severall ministeris of the other two they not being parishioners" . In a subsequent note it was stated that the ministers of Tweedsmuir and Westport were to attend to the matter. Again, on the 13th May -
"The minister reported he had revised the minutes and found that Marion Tweedie had been guiltie of and censured for selling drink in tyme of sermon on the Lordis day and after ten o'clock at night, and that there wes ane act of banishment aboue her head in cais she should be found guiltie of the lik fault againe. The minister thinking it was beyond the power of a Session to mak such ane act, the business was referred to the Presbetrie to seek thair advyce thairon. (The Presbytery advised that the act should not be used against her, but that she should enact not to do the like again)"
On the 8th July "Thomas Tweedie in Westport acknowledged his sinne before the congregation and payed 6/8d and gat a testimoniall of his repentance".
In the Acts of Parliament appears the following quaint entry:-
"Parliamentary proceedings March 16th AD 1644 Supplicaoune poore man Wm. Tweedie his creditors for his liberatione upon assignaone of his haill means to pmt for ye debt or to intertene him in waird the pairties being cited called and not compeirand. It is the opinion of ye Comittie That ye Supplicant be put to libertie upon his assignoune product",
Whether this is the same as William Tweedie, the Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh already mentioned does not appear.
The fate of the bankrupts, debtors, "dyvours" was worse than that of criminals in Scotland at this time, for they were liable to be put in the stocks or to be put on bread and water for a month and then scourged. They were detained in prisons which were scandals to humanity and disgraces to civilisation; everything was done to intensify their discomfort; even when ill they were deprived of all fresh air which the worst felons might breathe, for it was in the hope of compelling them to make payment to their creditors that they were expressly confined to the "squalor carceris" to the misery and the dirt of the noisome pestilential room which formed their prison, where they were denied every privilege which all criminals enjoyed.
Erskine in his "Principles of Scottish Law", writing a hundred years later says "Debtors in prison ought not to be indulged with the benefit of air, for the creditors have an interest that their debtors be kept under close confinement that by squalor carceris they may be brought to pay their debts". Even those who made restitution by surrendering all their goods for the benefit of their creditors were compelled to wear all the rest of their days a strange piebald garb, half yellow, half brown. Hugo Arnot describes the Tolbooth of Edinburgh as a most deplorable place, without ventilation, without drainage; with unmentionable filth in every corner; with rooms where children were confined in air so pestilential that no visitor could abide in it or venture in; with straw which served as beds worn into chips from long use by a constant succession of uncleanly occupants.
A Katherine Tweedie was granted Sasine in August 1649 of one part of the lands of Somerstoune in the shire of Roxburgh.
AD 1650
The temple lands of Kirkurd are granted to James Dunlop writer in Edinburgh, by a charter dated 1st March 1650, in which they are referred to as having lately been in the possession of the late James Law of Boiges and of Mariota Tweedie his widow. Mariota, it will be remembered, was a daughter of the last Tutor of Drummelzier, John Tweedie, and this James Dunlop seems to have been her son in law, as a certain Peter Dunlop is afterwards referred to as her grandson.
John Tweedie of Kingledoors got into trouble at this time with the "unco guid". In the parish register of Drummelzier an information is entered "That John Tweedie of Kingledoors should have been fishing on a certane Sabbath night the minister being at Edinburgh, ordain him to be cited." This was on the 3rd March 1650, and it would seem that when the ecclesiastical cat was away the mice played in those days, even in austere Peebleshire. On the 23rd April following comes the entry "John Tweedie called and examined, confessed he had been fishing in the night that was alleged, bot it was not till after the cockes crew yea and that he had been in his bed that night and rose earlie as the fault could not be proven he was admonished and dismissed", a curious version of the verdict "not guilty but advised not to do it again".
AD 1651
In the record of the burgh of Peebles under date 6th June 1651, is found an entry of a "Mortification by Mary, Isobell, and Margaret Tweedies". They are described as the lawful daughters and heiresses of the late John Tweedie, Sheriff Clerk of Peebles, sisters of the late Thomas Tweedie of Whythauche, and cousins of Sir Michael Nasmyth of Posso and of William Tweedie of the Wrae, Isobel Tweedie being the wife of one William Lowes. The document registered is dated 21st July 1649 and states that the ladies "out of godlie zeall pietie and conscience" grant an annual charge over their lands of Frankisland and Dalatho, and in the Northgate of Peeblestoun, to provide a stipend for the Schoolmaster of Peebles for training up the children in learning and virtue. Marie and Isobell appear to have died shortly after, for in the Retours of Heirs for Peebles, Margaret is served as their heiress in the lands of Wythauch on the 20th July 1652.
The arranging and printing of the Register of the Great Seal does not at present (1900) go beyond the year 1651. It is impossible to say what matters of interest may not be forthcoming when this is completed by the authorities and can be consulted.
A sequence of entries in the parish registers of Tweedsmuir is curious and characteristic: -
"21st December 1651. This day John Twedie lawful sone to Patrick Twedie in Wester Oliver and Elizabeth Laidlay in Easter Oliver wer proclaimed fro the first tyme the said Johne obliging himself to produce ane testimonial from the Kirk Session of Grayfriers where had remained these six years by past etc."
"28th December 1651. This day Patrick Twedie of Wester Oliver did produce ane testimoniall from the church of Edinburgh for his sone Johne Twedie ..... and the said Johne Twedie and Elizabeth Laidlay were proclaimed for the second tyme"
"4th January 1652. This day John Twedie and Elizabeth Laidlay were proclaimed for the last tyme and being injoyned to consigne thair pandis according to the order of the Sessione and pretending want of moneyes, Thomas Twedie feir of Oliver and brother to the said Johne, and Walter Twedie brother to the said Elizabeth Laidlay did bind themselves before famous witnesses that if the said pairtties did not fulfil thair bandis within fourtie dayis after thair proclamationne they sould pay their bandis to the Sessione," &;c.
"22nd January 1652 Johne Twedie and Elizabeth Laidlay were married after they had bein proclaimed three severall Lordis dayis at our Kirk of Tweedsmuir"
"14th March 1652. It was declared to the Session that Elizabeth Laidlay spous to Johne Twedie sone to Patrick Twedie of Wester Oliver was brought to bed of ane chylde within six weeks eftir thair marriage notwithstanding of their former declarations, and they were ordered to satisfy church discipline".
"24th March 1652. Was baptised Walter Twedie lawful sone to Johne Twedie, the said chyld was presented by Patrick Tweedie father to the said Johne becaus he himself had not eased his satisfaction for his fornication".
"3rd October 1652: - This day Elizabeth Laidlay spous to Johne Twedie made public satisfaction for fault above referred to; [this child died shortly after.]
The tyranny of Puritanical times again makes itself felt under date 24th July 1653, in the registers:-
"Thomas Tweidie of Oliver (and two others) delated to the Session for profanation of the Lord's day by drinking in the time of divine service."
AD 1653
Amongst the original Oliver papers is found the form of oath, on vellum dated 14th September 1653, taken by John Tweedie the younger as a burgess of Edinburgh, where he was apprenticed to John Tweedie the elder; it runs as follows:-
"The aith of ilk burgess made and given be him at his admission. I doe swear that I sall be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England as it is now established without a King or Hous of Lords. And in order thereto I sall be obedient unto the just and good government of this cittie and burgh of Edinburgh I sall to the best of my power maintain and preserve ..... thereof and according to my knowledge and abilities sall doe and performe all such art is and ..... as doe belong to a burgess of the said cittie and .... so help me God."
The reference to the constitution of the realm of England is curious.
Peter Dunlop is served heir of Marion Tweedie his gudame (the daughter of the late John Tweedie Tutor of Drummelzier) in the Kirklands of Hopkailzie and Drummelzier on the 20th September 1653. The same Peter Dunlop is referred to again in the Retours of Heirs for Peebleshire in 1658 as son to the "Umquhile Mr William Dunlop and heir of Marion Tweedie daughter to John Tweedie tutor of Drummelzier his gudame"
More church discipline follows on record in the parish registers of Drummelzier: -
"14th May 1654. Archibald Tweidy in Drummelzier complains that William Brown had slandered him alleging that the complainer had sold him ten ewes but had only delivered nine".
"17th September 1654. Informed that Alexander Tweedie of Kingledoors should have twice or thrice broken the Sabbath day by riding towards Edinburgh and coming from it on the Sabbaths and by staying from the eftirnoonis sermon in Tweedmoor Kirk to speak of worldlie businesses. Ordanis him to be cited". At a subsequent diet, he was "ingenious in confessing" and was ordained to be rebuked by the minister, which was done, "and Alexander Tweedie promised not to do the like again".
Alexander, however, was in trouble again next year, for on 9th May 1655 he is fined £20 Scots for creating a disturbance and troubling the fair on Beltane day at Peebles.
"James Twidie and his Spouse" are granted sasine of an annual rent furth of Pomphrastoune on 28th June 1655, and Margaret Tweedie of the lands of Whythauch in the shire of Peebles on 26th January 1656.
More evidence of the tyranny of the church is found in the parish registers of Drummelzier: -
"28th December 1656. "Thomas Tweedie lawfull sone to umquhill James Tweedie of Drummelzier desiring a testificat the Session for several reasons referred the business to the Presbyterie for advice."
"14th January 1657. Adam Tweedie complained that Alexander Murdosone should have called him `witches gate' - also that the said Alexander had been in drink on Hansell Monday in Marion Tweedie's house - order him to be cited" At a subsequent diet Alexander Murdosone acknowledged his offence and was ordained to acknowledge the slander before the congregation which he did on 8th February 1657, "and Adam Tweedie did forgive him."
"21st June 1657. Ther was debarred fra the table of the Lord for various causes, inter alios for scandalls unremoved Archibald Tweedie".
"20th September 1657. Informed that Archibald Tweedie in Peebles should have been overtaken heir in drink, the minister is desired to write to the minister at Peebles to cite him."
"As also that Thomas Tweedie should have thrown a pint stoup at William Broune in thair drinking ordains him to be cited William Broune having confessed the same already".
"27th September 1657. Thomas Tweedie confessed his casting the stoup at William Broune being provokit be him thereto bot refused he was drunk or had been drinking with Archibald Tweedie for which he was rebuked."
"26th September 1658. Archibald Tweedie and Marion Tweedie proclaimed pro 2do Said Archibald lying under a scandal of fighting &;c, to be rebuked before the congregation".
"5th June 1659. Debarred from the Lord's table - for ignorance Margaret Tweedie - for scandals living in malice and envy Archibald Tweedie and Marion Tweedie his wife; (and others)"
"4th September 1659. This day Johne Tweedie of Wester Oliver did produce ane testimoniall of his good behaviour and conversatioune and of his whole familie, from the South east Session of the Kirk of Edinburgh before ..... during all the tyme of his keiping hous in Edinburgh untill the terms of Witsonday last at which he removed and came to our congregatioune."
David Tweedie, the Laird of Kingledoors, married in 1659, Margaret Hunter, a daughter of Hunter of Polmood. Her brother was Robert Hunter - known as "Uncle Robert" - the owner of the famous dog Algiers, and the chief actor in the great Polmood litigation.
On the 23rd August 1663, the Parish Register tells us that Elizabeth Laidley spouse to John Tweedie of Olipher lodged a complaint against wife of Thomas Laidley in Nether Olipher.
AD 1664
Among the MSS of the Marquis of Ormonde appears a petition dated 24th September 1664, addressed to Thomas Earl of Ossory, depute of James Duke of Ormonde Lord Lieutenant of Ireland by Patrick Tweedie, praying a direction to the Surveyor General's Deputy to grant him a certificate of certain lands, and again four years later, is another petition by Patrick Tweedie for recovery of an amount due to him by "Edward Bolton of Colonel Dillon's troop" dated 19th September 1668.
William Tweedie was one of the Regents of Philosophy in the College of Edinburgh for some years prior to 1665, in the February of which year he died.
The following extract from the parish registers of Drummelzier is interesting:-
"7th March 1669. There being no session kept these sundrie years becaus the King and his counsell had by publick proclamation discharged synods, Presbyteries, and Sessions and the Government of the Church be Act of Parliament had been altered from Presbyterie to Prelacie which government the minister could not allow nor submit unto and the Session had been reduced to three, did elect (inter alios) David Tweedie of Chapelkingledoris to be an elder admitted to office 28th March 1669."
AD 1672
John Tweedie of Edmonstone was summoned on the 5th July 1672 with many others to appear before the Lords of Council at Edinburgh to answer for the assembling of the Covenanters in the Castle of Boghall at the instance of the Dowager Countess of Wigtoun.
AD 1681
In the Tweedsmuir parish register the following appears;-
"11th December 1681. No Session all this while the elders all deserting ordinances except Walter Tweedie".
AD 1682
Again we find:-
"12th November 1682. This day was baptised Adam Tweedie eldest lawful sone to John Tweedie in Tala; witnesses Alexander Tweedie in Cockiland, Adam Brydon in Mossfennan brother in law to the said Johne, and because the said Johne had not frequented ordinances formerly he did find the said Alexander Tweedie caution and Adam Brydon to live regularly under the penaltie of 20 lib."
There was a serious riot in Peebles town on the 13th February 1682, in which certain of the Tweedie were of course concerned. It was all about the letting of a small piece of common land by the provost and baillies of the burgh, an act which a number of people considered an infringement of the public rights. Accordingly, on the day in question, when the Magistrates were administering justice in the Tolbooth, a great crowd came to protest against it, and ended by threatening the provost that he "should be sticked as provost Dickison was". Two of the ringleaders were committed to prison from whence they were forcibly rescued by a number of people with whom was John Tweedie. It would seem that the authorities succeeded in overpowering the riot at the time and securing their prisoners again, along with their rescuers, for on the 2nd March a number of women, who are all named stormed the prison again, rescued the prisoners, John Tweedie among them, "and went to the croce of Peebles with them and there drank their good health as the protectors of the liberties of the poore and the confusion of the Magistrats and Council and took up with them (on the platform of the cross) stones to stone to death such as should oppose them; and thereafter they being about three hundred persons divided themselves several companies, and every company convoyed home a person and drank their good health to the great astonishment of the honest and well meaning people". So runs the indictment of the riot lodged by the provost and baillies, and later on they succeeded in getting the principal rioters, John Tweedie included, found guilty by the Lords of Council and committed to the Tolbooth in Edinburgh and deprived of their burgess rights.
The remainder of those concerned in the riot were dealt with by the local Magistrates and condemned to fine or imprisonment, and loss of burgess rights. Consigned to the Tolbooth in Edinburgh, the delinquents, in apparent repentance, petitioned the Privy Council to let them out on ground that "they are poore ignorant men who did not think they could have given any offence to the Magistrates of Peebles and that some of them are valetudinary persons and not able to undergo the restraint of a prison without impairing their health". On 31st March the Lords liberated them on their giving caution for future good behaviour, and they were also ordered to go before the Magistrates and Council of Peebles on the 12th April, and crave pardon of their fault. John Tweedie seems to have been Dean of the Guild for the Burgh of Peebles in 1692, but whether he was the same as the John Tweedie concerned in the riot or not does not appear.
AD 1690
On the 1st July 1690, William of Orange finally shattered the cause of King James II at the battle of the Boyne in Ireland. An officer from Tweeddale, of the name of Tweedie fought in the ranks of William's army and his sword is yet preserved by his descendants. In recompense for his services he received a grant of lands in Ireland, where he settled permanently and founded a new branch of the family in County Leitrim; there they remained until about the year 1822, when the three brothers Robert Tweedie, Joseph Tweedie and James Tweedie the then representatives of the family migrated to the Province of New Brunswick, where they and their descendants have risen to eminence and amongst their numbers is included the Honourable Lemuel Joseph Tweedie the distinguished Premier of the Province.
AD 1694
James Tweedie of Oliver had a charter from Thomas Earl of Haddington, his father having disponed the estate in his favour on 16th April 1694.
AD 1696
There was still a tower standing at the Beild in 1696 for on the 24th March in that year, Thomas Tweedie of Oliver had a difficulty with his tenant there, William Tweedie, who is described as a violent and masterful man and had to take summary measures to eject him.
With the kind permission of his descendants, this information is reproduced from the book privately published in 1902 by Michael Forbes Tweedie. This highly regarded book includes many references to the original sources of the information, extracts from parish registers and some detailed family trees.
Copies of the book are known to be in the British Library, Edinburgh Central Library and the New York Public Library.
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