Strathendrick, and its inhabitants from early times

THE NAP1EKS OF BALLIKINRAIN 203
family and others of the district. It is dated, Ballikinrain, December 28
1747 :—
"D r B r , I have yours 28 last mo., wherein I observe your great affection
and Regard to our Litle Old family, now among the oldest in the west end of
this shire. As to my son, the truth is I have been advising him to marry, which
is the only worldly affair that most concerns me, and that I should refer the
termes betwixt him and me to himself. His answer with modesty was that as
I had my sister-in-law to pay, he thought his marrying would straiten us both.
In regard he inclined to bring in non but from a family equall to those our
Predecessors had matched with, and that our new way of Living over all the
Kingdom is much altered to the charge ; but as now you are soe very kind in
giving him so much unexpected Encuradgement I find he will be advised to
look out for marrying, but not without your special advise, which is but part
of his duty he owes to you ; and as I keapt him for Education in Glasgow and
Edin' for about ten yeares I find he has had an Itching to be concerned in
some other business besides that half idle way here, such as the factories at
Glasgow, which as I hear does pretty well, but not untill he has your serious
advise. As to Ballacharn, Culcreuch with desings to sell it did much over rent
it in setting. . . . Gabriel Napier met with me last week about it . . . but
I told him plain I could not advise you to above 22 yeers purchas ... so
could not come near each other. Our high way of living has brought too many
lands to sale, viz., Killern is in the Prints for sale ; Cremanan is in the hands
of C rs for sale ; Achentroig is to be sold ; L d Napier says he will sell his lands
here . . . Kilmahew is Dead and his Estate . . . will sell. I know
not what Mr. Bonten will doe w' Balglass and Mildovan, but his parents has
left 20,000 merks of Debt on them — more than they are worth — and I fear
Culcreuch goes to som body if the young man does not alter his way, for he
has not don well since his majority. . . . nothing keeps Ballagan from sale
but his mother's life, now above 80 years, besides several others to the south-
ward. Therefore be not rash, for you'll have my best advise if my health
continue, which is now som better, and Lands now does not sell at such high
prices as they did for some time after the Stockjobbing. . . ."
Of these estates, James Napier's son and successor, John Napier, probably
helped by his uncle, bought Ballochairn and Balglass.
In 1748 James Napier entailed his lands of Ballikinrain and others on John
Napier, his son, and his heirs and the other heirs of Tailzie, viz., George Napier,
merchant in London, his brother, and his heirs; Rebecca Napier, lawful daughter
to the deceased William Napier, merchant in Glasgow, and her heirs ; Gabriel
Napier of Craigannet and John Napier, his heir male, and the heirs male of his
body, whom all failing to my heirs and assignees whatsoever.