Agnews of Lochnaw

244 FEATS OF ST. PATRICK. [l6ll.
used were flat-bottomed, and regularly beached on each arrival.
When the expected packet-boat approached, it was the way of
the place for the inhabitants to turn out, and all bearing a hand,
to drag the vessel high and dry.
The area of the present parish of Portpatrick was then
simply designed " the black quarter of the Inch ; " but the village
had a chapel of its own, called Chapel Patrick. It derived its
name from that worthy Scotsman whom the Irish have so un-
unhesitatingly accepted as their patron saint ; it being the scene
of several of his achievements.
Once, when about to revisit his native land, he crossed the
Channel at a stride, leaving the mark of his foot distinctly im-
pressed on one of the rocks of the harbour; unfortunately, in
making a new jetty, this interesting memento was destroyed.
He performed a still more wonderful feat upon his return.
Having preached to an assembly on the borders of Ayrshire, the
barbarous people seized him, and amidst shouts of savage glee
struck his head from his body in Glenapp. The good man sub-
mitted meekly to the operation ; but no sooner was it over
than he picked up his own head, and passing through the crowd
walked back to Portpatrick ; but finding no boat ready to sail, he
boldly breasted the waves and swam across to the opposite shore,
where he safely arrived (according to the unanimous testimony
of Irishmen innumerable), holding his head between his teeth !
On acquiring the Adair property, the new laird made a futile
attempt to change the name of Portpatrick into Port Mont-
gomery ; government acquiesced in his whim, and in the official
records of the time that designation may be found. But, popu-
larly, the old style was always preferred ; tradition asserted its
power, and after a tenure of three generations the Montgomerys
disappeared from the county, and the name of Port Montgomery
disappeared along with them.
In 1628, Portpatrick (as Port Montgomery) was constituted
a parish as at present, and Soulseat was annexed to Inch.
In 1611, John M'Dowall of Garthland died, and was suc-
ceeded by his son of the same name, who married Margaret Ker,