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

SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 79
Peter Franche (French) was a legatee in the year
1569 of Henry Franche, in whose will he is designed
as Elder, a distinction from the following legatee :
" Peter Franche, my bruthir sone," evidently imply-
ing that he was the son of Peter French, " Elder."
Fifth, Hue French. About ten miles from Thorny-
dykes, the ancestral home of the Frenches, was the
Abbey of Dryburgh, which was particularly identified
with the family of Erskines. Three of this name
were here commendators, and probably John Erskine
(who afterwards became Lord Erskine) held the same
title. Hue French was in the service of this lord
prior to the year 1565 (when he became Earl of Mar),
during which period he had an annual income con-
ferred upon him by John Menteith of Kers and Al-
wath (with the consent of Robert Menteith, his
father), out of the lands and barony of Alwath, in
the county of Stirling. On the 19th of December,
1567, the chamberlain of Dryburgh Abbey reports
" that Hue French remained there sick after my
lord's departure." Apparently, he was a pensioner of
Dryburgh Abbey, as a reference is made to the pen-
sion due him for the year 1573. Soon after the
coronation of King James VI. it is supposed by the
influence of his patron, John Erskine, now Earl of
Mar, that he entered the royal service as " Controller
of his majesties Horse" ; and it is most probable that
he held this position at the time of his decease, for at
that time he was still in the service of King James.