Notes on the surnames of Francus, Franceis, French, etc. in Scotland

SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 75
First, on the 18th of September, 1550, at Edin-
burgh, to a charter of John Stewart of Minto to the
parochial church of Aberdeen.
Second, to a charter of Patric Mowet, Lord of
Boquhellie and Freschwik, wherein he makes a grant
to M. Malcolmo Halcro, prebendary of the cathedral
church of Orkney, dated at Elgin on the 2 2d of Feb-
ruary, 1553.
Henry French appears to have acquired fishing
rights on the river Spey. He died in the month of
January, 1569; and by his will, given up on the 26th
of January of this same year, it appears he was a
brother of Adam French, the Laird of Thornydykes.
Among those named in his will were the execu-
tors of the Laird of Innes (William) and Patrick
Menzeis of Abirdene; and you find Sir Andro Currie
of Bassendean, James Wemis of Bowhouse, and Jonet
Morray mentioned among his legatees.
" He left his saule in the handis of Almychtie
God and his banes to be bureit in the muldis of Bas-
sinden."*
* Bassendean was located in the southern part of Westruther,
about two miles from Thornydykes. Previous to the Reformation
it belonged to the nuns of Coldstream. It was most probably the
burying-place of the Frenches, as it was at one time the resting-
place of their neighbors, the Edgars of Wedderlie. After the
Reformation Sir Andro Currie, the vicar, conveyed this place to
William Home, third son of Sir John Home of Coldenknows, in
Earlstone ; and King James VI. gave him a charter of it on
Janu. n, 1573.