http://books.google.com/books?id=lyENAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA385#v=onepage&q=&f=false Page 385 - 391

“JOHN LESLIE, “SIXTH BARON OF PITCAPLE

“John Leslie, eldest surviving son of Duncan Leslie, fifth Baron of Pitcaple, succeeded as sixth baron on the death of his father.

“Duncan Leslie of Pitcaple granted a charter to his second son John Leslie, and his legitimate heirs-male, with remainder to his third son Alexander Leslie, and his legitimate heirs-male, failing whom, to the said Duncan Leslie, the granter, and his heirs, of a third part of the sunny side of the town and lands of Rothmeis, and a third part of the lands of Keltiswall, in the parish of Rayne, at an annual rent of £20 Scots, on condition that if William Leslie, eldest son of the said Duncan Leslie, should die without legitimate heirs-male, then John Leslie and his heirs whould be bound to renounce the said lands in favour of his brother Alexander Leslie, and his heirs; dated 8th December 1593. John Leslie of Pitcaple got a charter of the Mains of Balquhain 28th June 1610; of the Kirktown of Daviot, 25th February 1619; of the lands of Pitbee and Knockallocy, with the mill, the lands of Aquhorties, Craigmyln, and others, 27th August 1625. He obtained a precept of clare constat, as heir of his father Duncan Leslie in the town and lands of Aquhorsk, from George Leslie of that Ilk, 10th July 1627.

"It was in the time of John Leslie, sixth Baron of Pitcaple, that the mysterious burning of the House of Frendraught happened, and in which the Pitcaple family were concerned. The following is an account of the circumstances:--

"William Gordon of Rothiemay sold certain lands to James Crichton of Frendraught, but a dispute arose regarding some salmon-fishings appertaining to the lands, which was decided by law in favour of Crichton. This irritated Gordon so much that he assembled a number of disorderly men, and endeavored to waste the lands of Frendraught. Circhton obtained a commission from the Lords of Council to apprehend Rothiemay and his associates. For this purpose, being joined by his friends, Sir George Ogilvie of Banff, George Gordon, his own uncle, and James Leslie, second son of John Leslie, Laird of Pitcaple, John Meldrum of Reidshill, and others, he proceeded, 1st January 1630, towards Rothiemay. Gordon advanced to meet them: a conflict ensued in which he was defeated and mortally wounded, and he died three days afterwards; and on the other side George Gordon was mortally wounded, and John Meldrum was badly wounded. After the feud continued for some time the affair was amicably settled by the intermediation of the Marquis of Huntley, with two commissioners from the Lords of Council -- Sir Rober Gordon and Sir William Seton. But John Meldrum, conceiving that Crichton had not rewarded him sufficiently for his part services, and for his wound in the above feud, and that he had delayed to grant him what he required, came one night and carried off two of Crichton's best horses. Crichton accused Meldrum of theft, and obtained a commission to apprehend him. John Meldrum had married a sister of John Leslie, Laird of Pitcaple, and was then lying concealed in Pitcaple's bounds. On Crichton coming to search for him on Pitcaple's lands, he met James Leslie, Pitcaple's second son, who expostulated with him regarding Meldrum. Crichton took this in good part, as James Leslie had been his friend in his former feud when Gordon of Rothiemay was killed. But Robert Crichton, a relation of Frendraught, argued the affair so warmly with Leslie, that from words they came to blows. Robert Crichton drew a pistol, and shot James Leslie through the arm, and the latter was carried home for a dead man. Frendraught returned home much enraged at his relation. 'By this,' said the old chronicler, 'we see that these who were parties in shedding another's blood, are now by the ears, and made the avengers of another's guarrel.'

"On this occurrence many families of the name of Leslie confederated against Crichton, and took up arms in the quarrel. Crichton represented to the Marquis of Huntley, and to the lieutenant, the Early of Moray, how much he was grieved for what had happened to James Leslie. Huntley summoned the several chiefs of parties, and endeavored to effect a reconciliation. But Pitcaple and his friends would listen to no terms until it was known whether James Leslie would die in consequence of his wound. So the several parties departed, and the Marquis detained Frendraught with him at the Bog of Gight two days. On learning that the Leslies had assembled, and were lying in wait for Frendraught on his return home, Huntley sent his son, the Viscount Melgum, and the Laird of Rothiemay, to escort his guest back to the House of Frendraught. Crichton and his wife, Lady Elizabeth, insisted on Lord Melgum remaining that night at Frendraught, and they entertained him and Rothiemay, and his followers, with every demonstration of kindness, showing themselves happy to have now acquired such friends who had formerly been their foes. But this happiness was but momentary, for that same night the Tower of Frendraught, in which Viscount Melgum was lodged, was burnt, and he and Rothiemay, with six attendents, were burnt to death, 8th October 1630.

"The origin of this unhappy occurence was attributed to various causes, according to the feelings of the different parties then existing in the kingdom: -- some casting aspersions on Crichton, as if he had wilfully destroyed his guests who had come to defend him, and others ascribed it to an accidental fire; while many suspected it to have been done by the adherents of the Leslies, as it was said that John Meldrum and Alexander Leslie, Pitcaple's brother, had been heard to threaten that they would burn the House of Frendraught. There does not seem to have been any ground for the suspicion against Frendraught himself, for, besides the improbability of the matter, he lost by the fire a large sum of money, a quantity of silver-plate, many valuable deeds, and all his papers.

"In November 1630, John Meldrum and some others of Pitcaple's followers and adherents were apprehended on suspiciion of being concerned in the plot, and were carried to Edinburgh, and tried before the Lords of the Council. They all denied the deed, and were remanded to prison, where John Meldrum remained until 1633, when he was brought to trial by reason of his having confessed that the evening before the House of Frendraught was burnt, he had said to Sir George Ogilvie of Banff, and to George Baird, bailie of Banff, when they were earnestly persauding him to a reconciliation with Crichton, that he could not be reconciled to the Laird of Frendraught unless it was instantly done, because Frendraught would be burned before next morning, which actually happened. Meldrum acknowledged having used these words, but denied that he was accessory to the burning of the house. The jury found him guilty, and he was hanged and quartered at Edinburgh, continuing to the last to deny his guilt. There was, however, an impression on men's minds that he was guilty. There was also two men of James Grant's party apprehended at Inverness, who made a confession concerning this affair, and were executed at Edinburgh, when they charged John Meldrum and Alexander Leslie, Pitcaple's brother, with having made use of some such words as John Meldrum admitted having spoken to Sir George Ogilvie.

"John Leslie of Pitcaple, perhaps apprehensive that his estates might suffer by these troubles, made over his property to Sir Gilbert Ramsay of Balmain, the father of Agnes Ramsay, wife of John Leslie, younger of Pitcaple, and Sir Gilbert Ramsay got a charter of the barony of Pitcaple 24th December 1634.

“John Leslie, sixth Baron of Pitcaple, married Marjory Cheyne, daughter of John Cheyne of Pitfichie, and had issue -

“ I. John, his successor. “ II. James of Aquhorsk, who got from his father a charter of the lands of Aquhorties, 3d September 1625. He married Margaret Hay, daughter of Sir Patrick Hay of Meigens, and gave her a liferent-charter of the lands of Aquhorties, 5th October 1527. He was a colonel in the Guards, and was killed at the battle of Worcester, leaving issue - “ I. John, who succeeded his father in the lands of Aquhorsk. He married, first, M. Seton, widow of the Baron of Crombie, by whom he had no issue. He married, secondly, Miss Forbes of Pitfluig, by whom he had issue - “ I. John. “ II. Christian. “ II. Alexander, married Miss Lundie, daughter of James Lundie of Glaswier, Minister of Kinnoul, and had several children. He was killed by Thomas Oglivie in the Mearns.

“John Leslie, sixth Baron of Pitcaple, died in 1640, and was succeeded by his eldest son, John Leslie, seventh Baron of Pitcaple."