Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

PURCHASE OF MOFFATDALK AND KVANUALE, 1G29. clxxv
occasion of this \-isit appears to l)a^o beeu to cany out tlie final arrangements
for the purcliase from John, sixth Lord Herries, of the lands of IMoflatdale
and Evandale, whicli was completed wliile he was there. It has already been
noticed, that it was on Sara Jlaxwell, Lady Jolnistone's account, that Lord
Herries was willing James Johnstone should become the purchaser of these
lands, and that his lordship had stated that no Johnstone sliould possess
these lands but such as he was content with. This was in 1C09. Twenty
years after, on 16tli and 18th July 1G29, three several contracts were entered
into between John, Lord Berries, and his sou John, jMaster of Herries, and
James Johnstone. In the first of these the lauds of Moffatdale and Evan-
dale were sold to James Johnstone for the sum of twenty-seven thousand
merks. The second contract recites the terms of the previous one, and
subsumes that only two thousand five hundred and fifty merks of the price
of tlie lands had been actually paid, and arranges that the balance be paid to
certain persons named therein. Tlie third contract contains an assignation
to James Johnstone of the riglit of reversion of the lands of Blacklaws an.d
Corrifirin, comprehended in the lands of Moffatdale and Evandale.^ The
three contracts were subscribed by Lord Herries at Broughton, and by the
Master of Herries and James Johnstone at Duddingstou. Resignation of the
lands of Moffatdale and Evandale in favour of James Johnstone proceeded
upon the contract of sale on 24th July 1629, and on the same day Johnstone
received a crown charter of the lands. Sasine followed upon tlie cliarter on
4th August 1G29.- John, Earl of Annandale, ajipears to have had some
intention to call in question James Johnstone's right to the lands of Moftat-
dale and Evandale. A summons was issued at the instance of the latter,
charging the earl to appear before the lords of council and session, and have
the right of property declared.^ Nothing further, however, seems to have
been done in the matter. During his stay in Edinburgh in June and July
' Oi igio.U Contract in Annand.-Je Cli.irter- - Inventory of Annandale Charters, iUd.
cheat. ^ Original summons, Md.