Memorials of four old families

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the deep sense which he had of the family's loyalty, and their services and
sufferings in the Royal cause.
This Charter 1 proceeded on a Hrocuratory of Resignation dated 4th
April, 1683, for resigning in the King's hands the laird's lands and baronies
of Drum, Fedderat, the tenandrie of Ruthven, the lands of Coull, Kinmucks,
Kennerties, the barony of Auchtercoul, and others therein mentioned, for
new infeftment thereof, to be granted to the said Alexander and his heirs
male, which failing to the heirs of entail to be contained in any nomination
under his hand, and failing such a nomination to his eldest heir female,
which failing to his nearest heir male whatsoever, which failing to his
nearest lawful heirs and assignees whatsoever.
The two following documents relate to this.
1. Copy Extract from the Books of Exchequer, 1684 : —
" At Edinburgh the 8th day of February, 1684. His Majesty's letter
underwritten directed to William Marquis of Queensberry, Lord High
Treasurer, John Drummond of Lundie, Lord Treasurer Depute, and the
remanent Lords of his Majesty's Exchequer was presented and read, and
ordained to be booked, whereof the tenor followeth. Sic superscribitur-
Charles R. Right trusty and right well beloved Cousine and Councillor,
right trusty and well beloved Cousine and Councillor, right trusty and well
beloved Councillor, and trusty and well beloved we greet you well, whereas
in a signature (of the date of these presents) signed by us in favours of
Alexander Irwing of Drum, we were graciously pleased in consideration of
the eminent loyalty and good services of the family of Drum for several
ages to change the holding of such of the lands as formerly held ward from
simple ward to Taxt ward. We have also thought fit hereby to authorise
and require you to pass the said signature in the ordinary form and method
in such cases accustomed ; and (in further consideration of the sufferings of
several of that family upon the account of their adherence to the true inter-
ests of the Crown) to fill up the Taxt duties in the blanks that are left in
the said signature for that effect, according to the old Retoured duties of
those his ward lands, notwithstanding any orders or instructions formerly
given by us to the contrary. For doing whereof this shall be your warranty
And so we bid you heartily farewell. Given at our Court at Windsor
Castle the 3rd day of August 1683 years, and of our reign the 35th year.
By his Majesty's command sic subscribitur Morray.
" Extractum de libris scaccarii per me.
(Signed) " Geo. MACKENZIE, Cler. Reg."
2. Copy of Clause in the Charter of Resignation by Charles II. to
Alexander Irvine of Drum, August 3rd, 1683 : —
" Insafer nos pro bonis fidelibus et gratuitis servitiis nobis et progeni-
1 Chart, in publ. arch.