The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

The Hic^hland Monthly.man, eldest son and heir of Robert Chapman, sells Bughtto Mathew Paterson, burgess of Inverness (son of AlexanderPaterson), and to his wife Jane. Mathew Patersonwas living in 1734, being succeeded by his son, LieutenantRobert Paterson, who sold Bught to William Fraser, TownClerk (before referred to), son of Provost AlexanderFraser. William Fraser was infeft on a Charter from theBurgh in February, 1744.Clerk Fraser set up a Bleachfield on the river banks,which was carried on for several years, but it was not agreat success. He employed an experienced Bleachernamed William Henderson from the south. Henderson'sextraordinary but involuntary adventures after sailing fromLeith bound for Inverness in April, 1757, until his arrivalin Inverness months afterwards, are worthy of beingrecorded. He married, 30th March, 1767, Isobel, fourthdaughter of the Clerk, who died 31st July, 1769, and theirsurviving daughter. Christian Henderson, a lady of greatbeauty, married Sir Hector Mackenzie of Gairloch.William Fraser's Trustees sold Bught to Duncan Grant,Commissary of Inverness, who began his legal career as" servitor" to Evan Baillie of Abriachan. Mr Grant marriedJean, daughter of Hugh Baillie of Dochfour, and niece ofAbriachan—no beauty, but a clever member of a risingfamily. Her sisters were—Mrs Fraser of Belladrum Mrs;Chisholm, wife of Provost William Chisholm of Buntait ;Mrs Duff, younger of Muirtown. The accumulations ofthe two brothers Alexander, and Evan Baillie, together withthat of Evan's sons, Peter and James, made up the presentgreat estates of the Dochfour family.As a marriage present, tradition has it, Mrs Grant'sbrother, Evan Baillie, who had purchasedhis brother-in-law, theKinmylies, gavesouth-west part thereof lying 'twixtthe old road to Dunaincroy on the one side, and very nearthe present road to Urquhart on the other, thus includingTorvean Hill, Loch-na-Sannish, &c., more than doublingthe area of the original Estate, with a feu of £2 2s, but noconsideration otherwise.