Memorials of four old families

32
XIII. ALEXANDER, the 13th laird, b. , died 1720, was a son
of Alexander of Murthill, who died in 1692, and a descendant, probably
great-grandson, of Gilbert of Colairlie, who was a younger son of Alexander
who fell at Pinkie, and brother of the 8th laird, who married Lady
Elizabeth Keith.
He married, on 12th July, 1693, Jean, daughter of Alexander, the 1 ith
laird, by Lady Mary Gordon, and had issue by her 1 son and 2 daughters.
1. Alexander, yr. of Drum.
Daughters — 1. Helen, md. Gordon of Dorlathers.
2. Margaret.
He had also a brother, John, who, after his death, was tutor-at-law to
his son, and, on the death of the latter, succeeded to Drum as heir of entail.
By their marriage contract, he became bound to infeft her in life-rent
of the lands of Murthill, and should he succeed to the estate of Drum, to
secure her in life-rent to 30 chalders of victual and money rent out of said
estate, counting 100 merks for the chalder of victual, and to the manor
place of Drum with the offices, while the heir of the marriage should be
minor or unmarried, and thereafter to ,£100 Scots yearly.
On this laird's succession in 1696, troubles gathered on him fast, the
nearest heirs of line threatened processes of reduction of the entail, and he
had to undertake to pay considerable sums to Count Leslie of Balquhain,
Menzies of Pitfodels, and others for securing his right. He accordingly got
a warrant or act of the Scots Parliament for selling so much of the estate of
Drum as would pay off all the debts contracted either before making the
tailzie or by the entailer himself: there can be no doubt that the debts of
the entailer were considerable, besides a jointure to his widow, and an
aliment to his son : but these proved the cause of further debts to the 13th
laird.
He first carried out the sale of the lands of Strachan. which were not
included in the entail, to Sir Alexander Bannerman : he then sold Auchter-
coul, part of the estates in Cromar, for £48,000 Scots to Black of Haddo,
but repurchased it in fee simple in 1702 ; and sold the lands of Him and
Drumquhynie to Sir Thomas Burnett of Leys : he appears a little before
this time to have sold his own property of Murthill to Robert Cuming,
Master of the Mortifications of Aberdeen, with consent of his wife, who
renounced her right under her marriage contract to the life rent thereof,
and he made provision for her by obligations dated 1697 and 1709, out of
the manor-place of Drum and other lands, including Tarland, whereby she
was to have the use of the manor-place until any heir male issue of their
marriage should marry or become major : in which case she was, after her
removal, to receive £100 yearly for mailling of a house.