Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

654 TULLIDOWIE, AFTERWARDS RELUGAS.
APPENDIX W.
ALTYRE.
Cumings of Presley, Dollesbrauchtie, Tulliduvie, or Relugas.
It has been sometimes imagined by the descendants of these collaterals of the Altyre
family, that they might possibly come from a branch of the Badenoch family distinct
from Altyre ; and something to that effect was inserted in the last edition of Shaw's
' History of Moray,' which, however, copies of deeds given in the appendix sufficiently
disprove. And we are further enabled to show that Dr Patrick Cumin was correct in
believing, as he wrote to his chief, that they were all cadets and wadsetters of Altyre,
holding portions of the estates, to be redeemed for certain sums, at pleasure. Dr
Patrick Cumin's letter is still extant. " I have several genealogies of Presley, which
derive from Lord Badenoch, but I have begun only with my great-grandfather's father,
who purchased the estate of Relugas. I firmly believe that we are descended from your
family ; but as the account of our family will be justly supposed to be from me, I am
unwilling to say anything I cannot vouch. The old papers are wanting, and they are
not so considerable as to have any mention made of them in the public records."
Papers, however, do exist, showing that Dr Patrick was wrong in supposing that he had
a "great-grandfather's father" who held Relugas distinct from Altyre.
Oct 23, There is an instrument of sasine in favour of Alexander Cumyn of Alter, in Mekle
1 543- an( j Little Bronquhillis, Craigton, Logyurwell, Presley et Drummyne — confirmed 12th
March 1553, by charter, from George, Earl of Huntley and Moray, to Alexander, Prior
of Pluscardine, from whom Thomas Cumyn of Alter has seizen in these lands, nth
April 1567, with all his other lands of Altyre, &c. It appears that he had held them in
1526 from James de Dunbar of Cumnock, Sheriff of Moray, who confirms them to
Alexander Cumyn of Alter in 1532.
1570. Tullidowie (afterwards Relugas) became the property of Thomas Cumyn of Alter by a
charter from Patrick Gordon of Tullidovie, dated 8th May 1570.
Jan. 19, There is a commission under the Great Seal to the Sheriffs of Elgin and Forres, 'to
1 573- administer justice in all actions and cases for Thomas Cuming of Alter, against James
Dunbar of Tarbert, &c, relative to the possession of the lands of Tullidovat.
Feb. 29, Tulliduvie is settled by charter of Thomas Cumming of Alter on his third but only
1600. surviving son, James Cumming, and on Margaret Gordon, daughter of Sir Thomas
Gordon of Cluny, his spouse — on James heritably, and on his spouse in liferent ; at the
same time, Thomas Cumyn settles upon James, his son, heritably — along with all his
lands and baronies of Altyre and Dollar — Presley, Dollesbrauchtie, Logie Ardovie, &c,
reserving the liferent of himself and his spouse Margaret Gordon.
1602. Charter by James Cuming, fiar of Alter, heritable possessor of Tulliduvie, by which
(his first wife being dead) he enters into a contract of marriage with " Margaret Fraser,