History and traditions of the land of the Lindsays in Angus and Mearns

336 LAND OF THE LINDSAYS.
was son to James Arbuthnott of Arrat, near Brechin, and father of the first Viscount
of Arbuthnott.
In 1616, Robert, the son of David of Findowrie, married Margaret Graham,
daughter of Sir William Graham of Claverhouse, and widow of George Soniyr,
younger of Balzeordie.* This laird was an early acquaintance of the future
Marquis of Montrose, who addressed the following friendly note to him, many years
before he embarked in those perilous enterprises for which his name is now so
famous : —
" To my loueinge frende the larde of findoury.
Loueing frende — I wreatte to you some tyme since to heave keipet ane apoynt-'
ment but I harde ye wer from home Wherfor I must intreet you now to take the
peans to meite me at auld Montrois upon monday about thrie houres efternone. In
doing whych ye shall obliege me to remaine
Y r louing frende
At Kinarde, the 17 of Sepb er , 1631. "f Montrose.
Circumstances, however, cooled Montrose's friendship towards Arbuthnott ; for
it appears from the subjoined statement of " Losses " which the latter sustained
through him and his soldiers, that his lands and tenants were not only harried to a
large extent, but his private residence was also burned and pillaged.
The son and grandson of the last-mentioned laird were also staunch supporters
of the Covenant, and fined by the Earl of Middleton in the large sum of £2,400;
and, as appears by a letter from the Earl of Strathmore, commander of the Angus
regiment, while located in Strathblain, on the 18th of June 1685, the laird of the
period was a person of so great consequence, that he. was chosen by the Earl to
command a company of horsemen during that stirring period.J
This laird was succeeded by his son Alexander, who died before the 18th of
September ] 707, as of that date his son, by a daughter of Lindsay of Evelick, was
served his heir. On the death of the son of the last mentioned Alexander, the
male succession failed, and the estates were carried to the family of Balnamoon,
through the marriage of the heiress with James Carnegy "the rebel laird," in the
hands of whose descendants Findowrie still continues.
Statement of Losses sustained by the Laird of Findowrie and his Tenants, through
the Marquis of Montrose, in 1646. — {From the Findowrie Papers.)
At Brechine the sextein day of October the year of god I m vjc and fourtie sex
yearis. In presence of James Guthrie of Fitforthie, John Simmer fiear of Bra-
thinsch, David Livingstoune in Dunleppie, James Boss in Dalbog, George Straton
in Achdovie, and Johne Lyone in Aldbar, as ane quorum of the Commissioneris
appointit be the Committee of the moneyis and process for the north conforme to
the Commissione grantit to them for uptakinge of the Losses conteinit in the said
Commissione, Of the qlk quorum the said David Livingstoune wes electit preses.
Compeirit personallie Robert Arbuthnot fier of Findawrie and his fatheris tenantis
c Several carved stones, bearing the initials and arms of this laird and lady, are built into
the walls of the farm steading, dated 1638.
t The body of this letter, and the superscription, written by Montrose's servant— the
signature his own.
t A stone built into the wall of the farm house of Findowrie belongs to this laird's time.
It bears the following quaint observation: — "hic • argvs • non • bhiari' • esto • mat - 12
1684 • R ■ A : E • R."