The book Arran; - Cook Clan

356 THE BOOK OF ARRAN
Extract registered Contract betwixt James Earl of Arran, etc.,
Governor of Scotland, and James Hamilton, his eldest son and apparent heir
on one part, and James Stewart, sheriff of Bute, on the other part, to the
effect that James Stewart shall infeft the Earl in frank tenement and liferent
for all the days of his life, and James Hamilton his son in fee, in all lands
and others within the Isle of Arran and sheriffdom of Bute in which
Stewart is infeft or in which his father the late Ninian Stewart died seised,
reserving the office of sheriff of Arran and Bute. In return the Earl shall
pay to Stewart four thousand merks, under certain conditions, and shall
also cause Stewart to obtain feu infeftment of the office of the chamber-
lainry of Bute, he finding security to the Queen for payment of the rents
and duties. The Earl shall further cause Stewart to obtain infeftment
in feu farm of his steading of the lands of Cumbray extending to ten pound
land of old extent, he paying therefor the yearly dues owing to the Castle
of Dumbarton ; providing, however, that the Earl shall not be obliged
to wan-ant the lands and office to Stewart at the Queen's hands. It is
also agreed that Arran shall ' do his diligence ' to reconcile the Earl of
Argyll and Stewart, and that he shall stand a good friend to the sheriff
in time coming, and shall help him to his kirks of Bute which he had
previously. From this contract the five mark land of Corrygills is excepted
to the sheriff, as pertaining to his office of sheriffship. Dated at Edinburgh,
28 May 1549 in presence of John [Hamilton], bishop of Dunkeld, Neil
Layng, Master Andro OUphant, notaries public, Robert Stewart in Neilsonsyde,
John Hamilton of Nelisland, and Robert, master of Semple. Re-
gistered in the books of council, 29th May 1549.
Charter by James Stewart, sheriff of Bute, in terms of the preceding
contract, granting and alienating to James, Earl of Arran, etc., in liferent
and to James Hamilton his eldest son and heir-apparent, his heirs and
assignees, the forty-pound lands of old extent, called the ten penny
lands [as described supra], also the nine merk land of Tonrydder alias
Knychtislands, with the island of Pladow, and with towers, fortalices, etc.,
patronage of chapels, etc., lying in the island of Arran, and sheriffdom of
Bute ;
Dated at Edinburgh, 4th July 1549 ;
to be held of the queen and her successors for service due and wont.
witnesses, John [Hamilton], Archbishop
of St. Andrews, primate of Scotland, legate, etc., Robert, Master
of Semple, Mr. Gawin Hamilton Dean of Glasgow, William Hamilton of
Humby, John Hamilton of Nelisland, Mr. Alexander Forrous, provost of
Fowlis, Robert Stewart in Neilstown side, and Mr. Andrew Oliphant,
notary public, who leads the sheriff's hand at the pen, he being unable to
write. Seal appended ; quarterly, 1 and 4 a lion rampant ; 2 and 3 the
Stewart fess cheque. Legend S. Iacobi Stevart.