Records of the clan and name of Fergusson, Ferguson and Fergus

FERGUSSONS IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY 399
very old date which show the lands of Craigdarroch were possessed
by Fergussons (and who were then people of some Rank) above
Three hundred and fifty years ago, particularly a Charter in the
year 1398 of the lands of Jardbrugh, granted by Crawford of
Dalgarno to Jankine Fergusson, who is therein called Lord of
Craigdarroch.
From what appears from the papers of the family, from the
Tradition of the Country, and from the common observation that
riches dishonestly acquired soon take wings and fly away, it would
seem that the estate has been honestly acquired. The proprietors
of it have been always esteemed lovers of God and of their
country, and men of honour, probity, and personal courage.
AVhen I mention these things, I mean them not as boasting
and vanity, but as incitements to myself and posterity to trede in
the paths of our Ancestors, to use our honest endeavours, by the
blessing of God, to preserve this estate in our family, and to pray
that the Supream Being may enable us to love and fear Him and
serve our country to latest generations with contented and thank-
ful hearts for the Station in which He has placed us in this world,
and for preserving our Estate for so long a tract of time.
This Estate was brought under considerable debts in the times
of confusion and trouble in the days of Robert Fergusson, my
Great Grandfather, and John Fergusson, my Grandfather, who
was killed in the year 1689 at the Battle of Killycranky, where
he served as a Lieut. Colonel in King William's Army, and left
Alexander Fergusson, my father, an infant. During his minority
the Estate was ill managed and the affairs of the family neglected,
so that the debts were increased and the Estate put into his
possession, when he became of Age, under very great burdens.
Providence never threw any opportunity in his way to lessen
these ; but though he served in the British Parliament as a member
of the House of Commons during the first parliament of King
George the first, and always maintained the honour and credit of
his family, he has not greatly increased the family debts, when it 's
considered that he made many considerable and expensive im-
provements on the Estate, particularly upon the lands of Craig-
darroch and those therewith inclosed, purchas'd the lands of
Terrarran, and built a handsome house. His strict honour and
probity gained and preserved his money credit, so that tho he got
the Estate and left it under great burdens, he never was oblidged
to sell any part of it, but left it entire when he died, upon the