The family of Burnett of Leys, with collateral - Electric Scotland

DEESIDE BURNETTS : XIV. SIR ALEXANDER. 73
failing his uncle, Robert Burnett, a sine quo non\ is accounted for by the
circumstance that he is the wadsetter, and that the lands are those of
which he had a tack in security of his portion of 10,000 marks. Mis-
management, however, or extravagance is suggested when the debt to
Alexander Burnett of Countesswells, stated in Sir Thomas' will at
8000 marks, has risen to 20,000, for which sum, in 1658, Sir Alexander,
newly of age, has to give him a wadset over Leys. In 1662, the year
before his death, Sir Alexander gives a redeemable conveyance of
Muchalls to Master Robert Burnett of Cowtoun (fourth son of James
Burnett of Craigmyle, the 1st Baronet's brother), of which the latter had
actual possession for the next sixteen years, and was generally styled
Robert Burnett of Muchalls.
"
Heard," writes Brodie on 8th May, 1663,
"that Leys Burnet was dead. Youth, strength, and vigour could not
preserve from death." Dying at the early age of 26, he left six children
by his wife, Elizabeth Coutts, of the family of Coutts of Auchtercoull,*
who afterwards married David Ramsay of Balmain. The exordium of
his testament, dated 3Oth January, 1663, recommends his "soul to God
to be presented in Jesus Christ in readiness to the great God His grace,
by whose mercies I hope to be saved," and ordains his body to be
" honourably buried in the quire of the Kirk of Banchory." Mr. Robert
Burnett, advocate, his uncle, and Mr. Robert Burnett of Muchalls, are
appointed executors, and also tutors to his children. He leaves to Robert,
his second son, 8000 marks; to William, his third son, 6000 marks; to his
daughters, Elizabeth, 6000, Jean, 4000, and Margaret, 4000 marks. The
amount of his executry as given up is 1108 133. 4d.
I. THOMAS, third baronet, of whom below.
II. ROBERT, being unmentioned, except in his father's will, probably
died young.
III. WILLIAM, Sir Alexander's third son, acquired the lands of Balfour
and Woodtoun, in the parishes of Fettercairn and Edzell, in 1685,
by purchase from Stratoun of Lauriston. On 8th December, 1687,
* "The lands of Auchtercoull, which formed part of the Earldom of Mar, were granted by
the King in 1433 to Mr. William Coutts and his heirs. They were held by the family, who
intermarried with Irvine of Drum, Forbes of Towie, Ross of Auchlossen, Burnett of Leys, etc.,
till 1635, when the Earl of Mar recovered them from William Coutts." Stodart's Scottish Arms,
II., p. 298.
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