James Innes of Crombie

JAMES INNES OF CROMBIE

ANE ACCOUNT OF THE FAMILIE OF INNES. compiled by Duncan Forbes of Culloden, 1698. Printed for teh Spalding Club, Aberdeen, 1864. [available on Google Books.]

CAP. IV. pp. 25-32

The first whom we find in wreat of this family have been certainly brave and worthy people, and probably their vertew has continued right long with their posterity; for the two Sr Walters and two Sr Roberts that lived betwixt the 1370 and 1470 years, have been undoubtedly men of worth, else the Knighthood which in those dayes was only given as a mark of valour had not been so heretably theirs. We also find that whatever increase came to their estate, was either the inbringing of their honourable allyances, or else the reward of their valor for good and effectuall knights services.

But after Laird James his tyme the temper of the family began to alter. He himself had increast the estate much by his purchases from the Earles of Buchan and Bishops of Morray, as is evident by many peices of wreat in one bundle, marked X. His son Alexander followed the same course, so that the estate in these tymes became vast, and was still increasing by the worldly tempers of the second Alexander, of Laird William, and his son Alexander lately spoke of. Which oppulency of fortune, with their allyances, had elevate them to such a high opinion of themselves, that they became uneasie and ungratious to severall of their relations, whill in end their sin was seen in their judgement: The Lord haveing first suffered the pryde and passion of Laird Alexander to burst out, to the great breach of his family and loss of his lyfe, and then having wrettin himself and his brother childless, so that there was none of theirs to possess what they, their fathers and goodsyres had exercised themselves so much about and been so proud of. As for Laird John, he had neither children, nor discretion to manadge a fortune (wherein God also visibly judged the too high opinion they had of themselves) and therefore was perswaded, a litle after he came to the estate, to part with it in favors of the nearest air male, who was Alexander Innes of Cromy, son to James and grandehyld to Robert of Rathmakenyie, which Robert was the second son of the family and granduncle to the two last Lairds. And to the effect that this relation may be undenyably evident,

See first, the charter marked 17, given by George Earle of Huntly, upon the lands of Rathmakenie and others, to Alexander Innes younger of that ilk, and fayleing of him, to his brother Robert, sisters children to the Earle, etc. in anno 1491: See the charter marked 21, given by Laird Alexander to his brother german Robert, in anno 1499, upon the Garmoch, &c. in warrandice of Cromy &c: See the resignation and instrument thereupon, both marked 30, made by the same Laird Alexander, of the lands of Rathmakenyie, Mureack, Brakanhills and others, in the hands of George Earle of Huntly, superior, dated in March 1499: See the precept of scasine given by the said Earle in Apryll thereafter, for infefting of the honourable man Robert Innes, in Rathmakenie and the rest, of those lands, subscrived by the Earle and sealed with the sealls of Huntly and Innes, marked 31: See the instrument of seasine, past upon the forsaid resignation aud precept, the 20 day of the same Apryll, whereby the honorabilis vir Robertus Innes, frater germanus nobilis viri Alexandri Innes de eodem, was invested in the forsaid lands of Rathmakenie and the rest of them, marked 32.

That Robert Innes, brother german to Alexander Laird of Innes, was first designed Cromy (that being proposed to be a part of Roberts patrimony) is evident from the disposition of annual-rent upon Kilmalemnock in anno 1499, and by the indentur of marches three years thereafter, both marked 33, A, where he is called Robert Innes of Cromy, brother german to Alexander Innes of that ilk.

But being frustrate of the possession of Cromy by his elder brother, who only gave him the Garmoch in warrandice of it, he designed himself by the lands of Rathmakenyie, whereof he was possest, which is plain by two precepts given at Aberdeen in May 1501, where Robert Innes of Rathmakenyie appoints his brother James Innes to be infeft for warrandice in the midle roome of Rathmakenyie and in Blairmade, both marked 33, B. That this James was Roberts fyfth brother, is evident from Laird James their father his tayllies of the baronies of Muldavid and Ogstoun, marked 16. See the charter of confirmation and seasine following thereupon, given by Alexander Earle of Huntly in anno 1521, houorabili viro et nostro consanguineo Roberto Innes, upon the landa of Rathmakenie, Mureack, Dunimaide, &c. Witnesses, John Lord Forbes, John Grant of Frewchie, William Sutherland of Duffus, Robert Innes of Innermarkie, &c. marked 34, A.

Robert Innes of Rathmakenyie was married upon . . . Meldrum, daughter to the Laird of Fyvie, as appears by the tack of the Woodend of Fyvie, sealed and subscrived in anno 1508, by George Meldrum of Fyvie to Robert Innes of Rathmakenie, his brother-in-law, marked also 34, B.

Robert had two sons by his wife (or three) and one by another woman. His eldest son was James, who succeeded him, the other two were Alexanders, one whereof was full brother to James, as is evident by ane infeftment given upon the 17 of May 1541, by the said James of Rathmakenie to Alexander Innes his brother-german, upon 200 merks of annnal-rent, 10 inerks land, or 20 bolls victuall, &c. George Earle of Caithnes, and severall others, witnesses, marked 35.

This Alexander was the grand father of Alexander Innes of Cotts, who was called Craig-y-perrill all the dayes of his life, for the slaughter of Innermarky, and is predicessor to Leuchars, Dynkinty and others of that people, as will appear by the tayllie of the estate made by Robert Innes of that ilk in anno 1597, marked 36, where, immediately after his own fathers family, Cotts is substitute as being nearest. The other Alexander was designed Captain of Orkeney, and is not the son of Roberts marriage, as appears by the disposition of the kirk lands of Catboll, made to the said Alexander by Robert McCulloch of Plaids, with consent of a certain fraternity, in anno 1551, and is marked 37.

There was another brother of James called John, as appears by a certain recept upon victuall, marked X. But whither he was a full brother, or who may be come of him, is not known.

James Innes of Rathmakenyie was married first upon Catharine Gordon daughter to the Laird of Gicht; witness the resignation made by his father Robert, in the hands of the superior, George Earle of Huntly, for new infeftment to be given his son James and his spouse Catharine Gordon and their airs, &c. in liferent and fee respective, of the two part of Rathmakenie, &c. in anno 1537, marked 38. See also the charter given thereupon by the Earle, dated the 3d of August the same year, marked 39. See the contract already spoke of, which past in anno 1533 betwixt Alexander Innes of that ilk and Alexander his apparent air, on the one part, and his brother Robert Innes of Rathmakenie and James Innes his apparent air, on the other part. It is marked 23. See also the charter marked 24, given by the said Laird Alexander, in July 1542, to his beloved cousine, James Innes of Rathmakenyie, upon the lands of Garmoch, &c. in warrandice of Cromy, which then he had sold for money to the said James, although really it was designed 43 years befor that, to be a part of his father Roberts patrimony. See also the other charter, marked 25, given in anno 1543, by the said Laird Alexander to his cousine James, upon the lands of Newmills and Bracanhills, which was another part of his father's patrimony.

It appears that in the year 1543 James Innes has got the possession of these lands of Cromy, for which he payed money the July befor: And since their holding was of the King, and that Cromy had been his father Roberts first designation as said is, he immediately changed his tytle from Rathmakenyie to Cromy, as is evident by a charter and precept of seasine, both given under his seall and subscription the 26 day of February 1543, to Androw More upon the half of Newmills; the wreats are marked 40 and 41, so that in January he was designed Rathmakenie, and in February Cromy, which he ever afterwards kept.

This James of Cromy was married, after the death of Catharine Gordon, to Margaret Innes daughter to Laird Alexander and his own cousine-german, as appears, first by the despensation marked 23, and next by a charter given by Sr Walter Ogilvy of Dunleugas, upon the lands of Barel made to James Innes of Cromy and Margaret Innes his spouse, in liferent, and to the heirs of the marriage in fee, which failying, to James his airs whatsomever. The charter is of date the 26 of June 1546, and is marked 42.

Upon the 10 day of September 1547, James Innes of Cromy dyed under the Queens banner, in defence of his country, at Pinkie, for which she gives his son and heir Alexander Innes of Cromy, the free gift of his ward and nonentries, as is evident by the sealed gift itself, expressing the cause, and is of date, at Aberdeen, the 6th day of November 1562, marked 43.

As also, upon the 20 day of March 1565, Francis Lord of Badenoch, Eynyie and Forrestry of Boyne did by his charter of confirmation under his own seall, and the subscription of the Queen's Majestie, give, grant and confirme to the said Alexander Innes of Cromy, all and haill the lands of Rathmakenie, Mureack, and the rest of them which belonged to himself formerly in property, as being the son and air of James Inues of Cromy, his father, marked 44.

By what is said, it is evident that this Alexander Innes of Cromy was the son of James, and James was the son of Robert, who was the second son of the family. And the succession of the elder brothers body fayling, the second brothers grandehild, to wit Alexander Innes of Cromy, was the unquestionable air male of the family.

Upon which consideration, John Laird of Innes, who was the only man alive (lawfully begot) of the elder brother's race, did, upon the 15 March 1577, enter into a mutuall bond of taylie with his nearest relation of lineall descent (as he calls him), to wit Alexander Innes of Cromy, disponing to him and his airs male his whole estate, fayling of airs male of his own body; and takeing the like disposition from Cromy of all his estate, &c. both of them mutually binding up their hands from any alteration of their present resolutions, by a clause of interdiction, as the said principall bond of taylie subscryved by them both, and marked 45, doth testifie.

This Alexander of Cromy was twyce married, first with Elizabeth Dunbar, with whom he got back the lands of Lewchriss and the halfe cobles fishing upon the watter of Spey. But she not liveing long, he married Elizabeth, or rather Isobell Forbes, daughter to Arthur Forbes of Balfour, brother to John Lord Forbes, who out-lived himself and did contribute much to the revenging of his death, as shall in its own place appear. With this woman Cromy had a considerable patrimony, as appears by the letters of arrestment raised upon the dewtys of severall lands, at her and her husbands instance, in anno 1573, marked 46. See also a charter granted by John Laird of Innes upon the 17 of Apryll 1578, wherein he dispones the lands of Ardmelly and Tillidown to Alexander Innes of Cromy and Isobell Forbes his spouse in literent, and their heirs male in fee, which faylieing, to said Alexanders nearest airs, marked 47. See farder, an assignation made to the said Alexander by the said John Innes of that ilk, of the reversions of all lands under redemption to the family of Innes, &c. It is of date the 3 of September 1578, marked 48, sealed and subscrived. See lastly the charter of alienation of the whole estate of Innes, from the said Laird John to the said Alexander, sealed and subscrived the 2d December 1578, marked 49, and the Kings confirmation thereupon under the great seall, marked 50.

It is evident that this Alexander of Cromy, after he got possession of the estate, acted as Laird of Innes and designed himselfe so, notwithstanding of Johns being alive, which appears from a charter granted by James Innes of Elrick, and naturall son of the second Laird Alexander formerly spoken of, to Alexander of Cromy, whom he designes honorabilis vir Alexander Innes de eodem. This charter is given upon the lands of Neitherculine and Tillidowne, sold then by him, and is sealed and subscrived by the said James of Elrick, being of date the 16 of October 1577, which was but about 8 months after the tayllie. It is marked 51.

Though this Laird John lived long after, yet he suffered the title to go with the estate, and designed himselfe no more but John Innes sometyme of that ilk, as appears by the contract betwixt him and Robert Laird of Innes in anno 1585, marked 29.

Since this Alexander was in possession and acted as Laird, the estate also transmitting to his posterity as airs to him, I reckon him the twentysecond that represented his family, though he enjoyed it not long, being shortly thereafter barbarously murdered by Robert Innes of Innermarky, of whose interest and pretensions wee are now concerned to speak, since they have made so great a noise in the countrey.

The first of that family (as is above said) was Walter of Innes, called by the fragment Wyllie Watt, who was second son to that Laird of Innes who had got the name of ill Sr Robert.

It has been told that the sons of that Sir Robert were three. The eldest, James with the Beard (as he is called in the same fragment) who maryed Janette of Gordon, and had by her Alexander, whose race kept the estate for three generations, and Robert, whose race succeeded to it, as said is.
The second of ill Sir Roberts sones was Walter of Innermarky.

The third, Robert of Drynie, of whom there is nothing to be said but that his posterity continued in a family of good repute for about seven generations, and is now extinct.

To prove Walter and Robert to be the brothers of Laird James, see the witnesses in the close of the indentur of marches, marked 3, which, in anno 1482, says, Presentibus ibidem honorabilibus et circumspectis viris Waltero de Innes et Roberto de Innes pradicti Jacobi de Innes de eodem fratribus germanis, &c.

How or upon what considerations Walter of lnnes got the lands of Innermarky from the Earles of Atholl and Huntly I shall not say, but that it was not long (if at all) befor the year 1480, I have great reason to believe. For, first, there was never a Walter of Innermarky befor the 1600 year of God but one, whom I find in the year 1496 giveing seasine to one Alexander Tulloch, upon a precept direct to him thereanent by Walter Ogilvy of Boyne, which is marked 52: from which I infer, since Walter was brother to the Laird Innes in the year 1482, and Walter of Innermarky is found in wreat in the year 1496, and that there was never a Walter of Innermarky befor the year 1600 but one, and that the first Inuermarky was a brother of the family, as is acknowledged by all; therefore this in the precept must be he, and at this tyme is come off the family.

Walter of Innermarky had severall sons, of whom I find in wreat only three, to wit, Robert his eldest, who succeeded him, Walter Innes of Touchis his second son, who was afterwards Achintoull, and Peter Innes in the Keam, of whom this present Coxtoun is descended.

As to Robert and Walter, I find the first gives infeftment to the later in the lands of Touchis, by a warrant under the great seall in anno 1509, marked 53.

To make it appear that those three were brothers, see the signet summonds raised against the Laird Innes by Balveny and Coxtoun anent the estate of Achintoull in anno 1626, marked 54, wher the whole pedegree, from the first Robert down to that day, is deduced.

This Robert Innes of Innermarky was marryed to Elspet Stewart, sister to some Earle of Atholl. For I have seen a part of those lands of Innermarky confirmed to Robert Innes of Innermarky and Elspet Stewart his spouse, sister to the Earle in liferent, &c. He had two sones (as I take it), who may be found in wreat. The eldest is called, in a charter of confirmation (which I have seen) from George Earle of Huntly, upon the half of Innermarky, Roberto de Innes juniori armigero nostro, &c. The other son (as I understand) was Walter Innes, predicessor to the family of Achlunkart. This young Robert of Innermarky had two sons that I find, viz., another Robert and another Walter; the Walter was Innerbreakys predicessor, and the Robert is he who was emulous of Cromys becomeing Laird of Innes, and did assasinate him at Aberdeen, as is now to be related.

The house of Innermarky about this tyme haveing attaynd to the possession of a considerable estate, had for that reason thought themselves the next in respect to the cheeff; and finding the family of Innes like to be childless, Robert of Innermarky grudged exceedingly that Cromy, who was inferior to him in estate, should be advanced so farr before him, as he behooved to be by such a succession.

Innermarkys relation (as appears by what is said) could not incouradge him to pretend to it, by reason of the great number descended of Laird James his fyve sons, who were all betwixt him and it, so that he had nothing left for him to say but that it ought to be given to the worthyest, which behooved to be himselfe, because he was richest.

In a meeting of friends (as the tradition runs, for things of this sort must be taken upon report) these reasons were much pressed by him, and after Innes entred in the bond of tayllie with Cromy, Innermarky made so loud expressions of his displeasure that Cromy, who, as most men say, was the gallantest man in his name, found himselfe oblidged to make the proferr of meeting with him single in armes, and, laying the Tayllie upon the grass, see if he durst take it up: In one word, to pass from all other pretensions, and lett the best fellow have it. The friends, but particularly Achintoull, who was the first and most considerable cadett of Innermarkys family, dislykt bis procedor in the matter, approved of Laird Johns taylieing his estate to the righteous air, and were weell satisfied that Cromy had blustered Innermarky in the termes he did, which had put him to silence; yet yeilding, as he pretended, to the inclinations of the friends and not to the threats of one whom he would still reckon his inferior because his estate was something less than his.

However, the disappointment and discredit wrought so powerfully upon his spirit, that there was nothing so ill but he would adventure upon to have his harts will of Cromy, which made him take the courses following: It has been told that Alexander began soon enough to act as Laird Junes, and haveing gott all from Laird John that he could receave, he left him at Kinnardy, which was the principall dwelling of the family, and lived himself either at Innes or Cromy (I cannot distinctly learn which.) This affoorded opportunity to Innermarky, who dwelt not farr from Kinnardy, to insinuate with Laird John, and hold out the iniquity Cromy had done him, as well as the dishonor or discredit he had put upon him, not only in cheating him out of his estate but in takeing the tytle of Laird upon him, and leaving John, who was trewly so (and by whose favour he had all) no better than a masterless dogg! Had he left him but the name, at lest dureing his lifetyme, it might have kept him in some estceme, but now Cromys insolence had made him more contemptible than the meanest beggar, &c. with every thing els that could exagerate the imaginary misery of the mans condition: All which took so weell with Laird John, that he would have given any thing to have that undoone which was doon.

Innermarky haveing once thus possest him, told him that it was impossible he could recover what he was cheated out of, any other way but by killing of Cromy, who certainly would never part with what he had gotten but with his lyfe: And if he pleased to concurr with him, he would be the doer of the thing himself, be the hazard what it lykt, he would undertake it rather than see his cheeff made a slave as he was.

John being brought over to his mynd, there wanted nothing but a conveniency for puting their purpose in execution, which did offer itself in the moneth of Apryll 1580. At which tyme Alexander, being called upon some bussiness to Aberdeen, was oblidged to stay there longer than he intended by reason that his only son Robert, a youth of sixteen years of age, had fallen sick at the colledge, and his father could not leave the place whill he saw what became of him. He had transported him out of the Old Town, and had brought him to his own lodgeing in the New Town. He had also sent severalls of his servants home from tyme to tyme to let his lady know the reason of his stay.

By means of these servants it came to be known perfectly at Kinnardy in what circumstances Alexander was at Aberdeen, where he was lodged, and how he was attended, which invited Innermarky to take the occasion. Wherefore, getting a considerable number of assistants with him, he and Laird John rydes to Aberdeen; they enter the town upon the night, and about midnight came to Alexanders lodgeing.

The outer gate of the close they found open, but all the rest of the doors shutt. They were affrayd to break up doors by violence, lest the noyse might alarme the nighborhood, but choised rather to raise such a cry in the close as might oblidge those who were within to open the doors and see what it might be.

The feuds at that tyme betwixt the familys of Gordon and Forbes were not extinguisht, therefore they raised a cry, as if it had been upon some outfall amongst these people, crying, Help! a Gordon! a Gordon! which is the gathering word for the friends of that kindred. Alexander, being deeply interessd in the Gordons, at the noise of the cry started from his bed, took his sword in his hand, and opening a back door that led to the court below, stept down three or four steps, and cryed to know what was the matter. Innermarky, who by his word knew him and by his whyte shirt decerned him perfectly, cocks his gun and shoots him through the body. In an instant, as many as could get about him fell upon him and butchered him barbarously.

Innermarky perceiving in the mean tyme that Laird John stood by, as either relenting or terrified, held the bloody dagger to his throat that he had newly taken out of the murthered body, swearing dreadfully that he would serve him the same way if he did not as he did; and so compelled him to draw his dagger and stab it up to the hilts in the body of his own neerest relation and the bravest that bore his name. After his example, all who were there behooved to do the like, that all might be alike guilty. Yea, in prosecution of this, it has been told me that Mr John Innes, afterwards Coxtoun, being a youth then at schooll, was raised out of his bed and compelled by Innermarky to stab a dagger into the dead body, that the more might be under the same condemnation: A very craftie crueltie I

The next thing lookt after was the destruction of the sick youth Robert who had lyen that night in a bed by his father, but upon the noise of what was doon had scrambled from it, and by the help of one John of Coldreasons, or rather of some of the people of the house, had got out at ane unfrequented back door into the garden, and from that into a nighbors house, where he had shelter; the Lord in his providence preserveing him for the executing of vengeance upon these murderers for the blood of his father.

Then Innermarky took the dead mans signet-ring, and sent it to his wyfe as from her husband, by a servant whom he had purchased to that purpose, ordering her to send him such a particular box, which containd the bond of tayllie and all that had followed therupon betwixt him and Laird John; whom the servant said he had left with his master at Aberdeen, and that, for dispatch sake, he had sent his best horse with him, and had not taken leisure to wreat but sent the ring. Though it troubled the woman much to receive so blunt a message, yet her husbands ring, his own servant and his horse, prevailed so with her, together with the mans importunity to be gon, that she delyvred to him what he sought and let him go.

Ther happened to be then about the house a youth related to the family, who was curious to go the length of Aberdeen and see the young Laird who had been sick and to whom he was much addicted. This youth had gon to the stable, to interceed with the servant that he might cary him behind him, and in his discourse had found the man under great restraint and confusion of mynd, sometymes saying he was to go no farder than Kinnardy, (which indeed was the treuth,) and at other tymes that he behooved to be immediatly at Aberdeen.

This brought him to jealous, though he knew not what; but farder knowledge he behooved to have, and therefore he stept out a little beyond the entry, watching the servants comeing, and in the by going, suddenly leapt on behind him, and would needs either go alongst with him, or have a satisfying reason why he refused him. The contest became such betwixt them that the servant drew his durk to rid him of the youths trouble, which the other wrung out of his hand and downright kild him with it, and brought back the box with the wreats and the horse, to the house of Innes (or Cromy, I know not whch.)

As the lady is in a confusion for what had fallen out, there comes another of the servants from Aberdeen who gave an account of the slaughter, so that she behooved to conclude a speciall hand of providence to have been in the first passage. Her next course was to secure her husbands wreats the best she could, and fly to her friends for shelter, by whose means she was brought with all speed to the King, befor whom she made her complaint. And what is here sett down is holden by all men to be the trew matter of fact. The Earle of Huntly, immediatly upon the report of the slaughter, concerned himself, because of his relation to the dead, and lookt out for his sone, whom he instantly caryed to Edinburgh, and put him for shelter into the family of the Lord Elphinston, at that tyme Lord High Theasurer of the kingdom.

Innermarky and Laird John, after the slaughter, came back to the Lord Saltoun's house, who lived then at Rothymey, and is thought to have been in the knowledge of what they had been about: for certain it is, they were supported by the Abernethies, ay whill the law went against them. From Rothymay they went with a considerable party of horse, and repossest Laird John in all the parts of the estate of Innes. And Innermarky, to make the full use of what he had so boldlie begun, did, upon the 17 day of May 1580, which was fyve weeks after the slaughter, take from Laird John a new disposition of the estate of Innes (pro consilijs auxilijs et bene meritis mihi factis et prestitis) reserveing his own lyferent, together with the lyferents of Dame Jean Gordon, relict to his brother Alexander, and of Elizabeth Abernethie, his own wyffe, as appears by the wreat marked 55.

And to make all sure, he had caused his eldest son Robert marry Margarett, sister of Lairds Alexander and John (though old) by which means he made, as he pretended, an infallible title, not only to the estate, but also to the cheeffship; as is evident by the renunciation given by the said Robert of Innermarky, of that pretence amongst others, in the contract past betwixt the Laird Innes and him at the Chanry Kirk of Elgin, in December 1587, which is marked 56.

By what is said, Innermarky may appear to have been a man full of unrighteousness, craft and crewelty. Yet some say, for alleviation of the fact, that he haveing his cheeffs favor, had got the first disposition of his estate, faillying airs of himselfe; but that Cromy had taken a posterior right and had supplanted Innermarky, for which he, in revenge, had kild him, Ace.

The reason was no ways relevant for such a fact, though it had been trew; but the falsness of the alledgeance (mean as it is) is plain past contradiction, from the above narrated wreat, which was given to Innennarky but 40 days after the slaughter of Cromy.

For two full years Innermarky and Laird John had possest the estate of 1 inics, strengthning themselves with all the friendship they could acquire. But being in end declared outlaws, in the thrid year, Robert Laird of Innes, the son of Alexander, came north with a commission against them and all others concerned in the slaughter of his father. This Robert was a young man, weell endewed with favor and understanding, which had ingadged the Lord Theasurer so farr to wed his interest, that he first wedded the young man to his daughter, and then got him all the assistance requisite to possess him in his estate; which was no sooner doon but he laid waste the possessions of his enemies. Burneing and bloodshed was acted by both partys with animosity enough. In the mean tyme Laird John had run away to seek some lurkeing place in the south, where he was discovered by the friends of the Lord Elphinstoun, and by them taken and sent north to Laird Robert, who did not put him to death, but took him bound to various sorts of performances, as appears by the contract betwixt them in anno 1585, marked 29: One whereof was, that he should delyver up the charter chist and all the old evidents which he and Innermarky had seased, and which I doubt if ever he faithfully did, els this narration had been with less pains and more fully instructed.

As to Innermarky, he was forced for a while to take the hills, and when he wearied of that, he had a retreat of difficult access within the house of Edinglassie, where he slept in litle enough security; for in September 1584, his house was surprysed by Laird Robert, and that retireing place of his first entred by Alexander Innes, afterwards of Cotts, the same who some years before had killed the servant who came from Inncrmarky with the fals token for the wreats, and who all his lyffe was called Craig in perrill, for ventering upon Innermarky, then desperate, and whose crewlty he helped to repay in its own coyne. Ther was no mercy for him, for slain he was, and his hoar head cut off and taken by the widdow of him whom he had slain, and caryed to Edinburgh, and casten at the King's feet: a thing too masculine to be commended in a woman.

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