Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

upx'HASF:s the laxds of SIBBALUBIE, 1644. ccix
aud other lands in the parish of Dryfosdale, etc. In 1644 he purchased from
Alexander Jardiue of Applegirth the lands of SiVibaldbie, comprehending the
lands of Cleiicliheads, Belcathill, Newbigging, and many others, all formerly
in the parish of Silibaldbie, but now in Applegirth.
Besides this vast extension of his territories in the county of Dumfries,
.the Earl of Hartfell also secured an interest in the county of Lanark, by the
acquisition in 1G34 of the lands of riaecleuch in the parish of Crawford.
The tutor of Johnstone's son had allowed these and other lands to be
apprised from him for debt, the right to which apprising was purchased by
the Earl of Hartfell in 1G36.
In 1C35 the earl exchanged the lands of Allarbeck and Bellorchard witli
William Irvine of Eonschaw for tliosc of riockhallhead, Corthat, aud Hare-
gills; and %^'ith the Johnstones of Vicarlaud, in 1639, he exchanged Craigie-
lands and Cauteknow for parts of the lands of jMillholm, Hallholm, and
Mains of Moffat. All these acquisitions of land greatly increased the power
and prestige of the Johnstone family, and gave a territory worthy the
dignity of being created into an earldom.
The chamberlain accounts show that the Earl of Hartfell went to
Edinburgh in the end of Xo^embcr, and remained there until Ttlarch
following. The lease of his mansion-house in Edinburgh extended to
Whitsunday 1G53, when it terminated. There are the following entries
in the chamberlain accounts. On 25th September 1G52— "Item, for towes
and vthcris to pak the furniture in tlie loading for transporting it to Annan-
daill." On 10th January— "Item, to James Farreis to carrie his charges and
4 horses with him fra Edinburgh to Ne^vbie." These removals of furniture
must either be consequent upon the recent death of Margaret Hamilton,
Countess of Hartfell, aud the disposing of her furniture and goods in
terms of her will, or, as is more probable, the resolution of the earl to give
up his house in Edinburgh at the expiry of the lease in the month of May.
But the earl did not live till then. In January he was in failing health.
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