Montgomery manuscripts

The Montgomery Manuscripts. 347
He was most adhered to, and obeyed, by his kindred and servants, who were made fitt for
preferment, by being about him, those, in the first place, who needed most, for whom, tho' he was
carefull to provide, he bestowed no lands, yet payd for some apprentiships for, and for others he
did effectually recommend, or himself did, advance them to beneficial posts ; because he knew
and had read them throly, and had found them true to their trust, as well as able to discharge it.
A few instances may serve to prove this, viz — Hugh M'Gill (his female cosen german's son), 37 he
made first Cornett, then Lieutenant, to his troop. The same was Controller to the Ordinance
aforesaid. He hath left no issue. 38 — Item, the said Hugh's brother, James M'Gil 39 aforesaid, first
he made Ensign, and then raised him to be Captain in his regiment. — Those two brothers' grand-
mother being eldest sister of Sir James his mother.''
Hugh Montgomery, of Gransheoch, he made Captain in his regiment, and then procured him
to be Major, under Sir Charles Coote, as aforesaid. He made Mr. Nicholas Montgomery, of
Derrybrosk, in Farmanagh, and another Mr. Hugh Montgomery, both Lieutenants ; also Math.
Hamil, whose son, Hugh built B. Attwood house, with David Ramsey his servants, to be Lieuts.
under his comand, Jo. Hamill, the first and second Viscounts' Gentleman, he made Quarter-Master.* 1
As for Gentlemen of better sort, who had lands or estates in the Ardes, he gave them com-
missions, chargeing them to raise a quota of their tenants to serve in their companys ; and he
proceeded accordingly with the subalterns, whom he choosed out of fee farmers, or other substantiall
men, and was very ready to make provision for, and to receive all those who had fled from their
burn'd habitations ; thus (as it were in an instant) he raised his regiment and troops, placing some
officers (who had served beyond seas) among them. Such was Lieutenant-Colonel Cochran,
Major Keith, and some like Lieuts. and serjants.
Sir James Montgomery had seen service and fortifications abroade, and had studdyed the
military art and the mathematicks, and left me books and his manuscripts of the same ; and
particularly he was skilfull in castrametation and gunnery,
It would be tedious to describe him as a Justice in peace and a Commander in warr ; which
is signified by his device that he put over the entrance door, within the porch of Rosemount house,
viz. a sword and lance saltire wise, and surmounted on an open book, connected with a wreath of
bays and laurel ; on the one leaf is written Arte, on the other Marte, (this being to the same
purpose as Tarn Marte quam mercario); underneath is this motto in utrumq. paratus.
And at the breaking out of the said grand rebellion, he had on both sides the standard of his
troops painted, a dwelling-house on fire, flameing out at doors and windows, with this motto Opes
non Animum, importing that the Irish burning houses and goods, could not destroy our courages.
crooked and some of them straight — and he was a king of 39 James M'Gil. — See p. 251, supra.
Erin. When the king's son changes his home, after v James his mother. — See note 33, supra.
killing the giants, it seems as if he were made a knight." 4I Made Quarter-Master. — The names on the foregoing
37 Cosen german's son. — Hugh M'Gill was son of list in the text have been, with one or two exceptions,
Elizabeth Lindsay, the latter and sir James being cousins already noticed, as attending the first Viscount's funeral
by their mothers, the Shaws. at Newtown, or settling in the vicinity of Enniskillen, on
38 Left no issue. — See p. 244, supra. In the Rawdon the lands of bishop George Montgomery. David Ramsay
Papers, are several interesting letters, principally on public was probably a relation of Gilbert Ramsay, the presby-
affairs, addressed to sir Arthur Rawdon by Hugh M 'Gill. terian miaister of Bangor.
Pp. 302-8, 313-328.