Strathendrick, and its inhabitants from early times

224
HISTORY OF STRATHENDRICK
St. John, Preceptor of " Torfechyn," by overture of a precept of the Chapel of
St. John duly gave sasine. This was done at the house (mansionem) of the
said Temple lands of Letter, and the witnesses were " Thomas Spetal, Donald
Blar, John Blar Nelson, and John Blar Donaldson."
The next writ referring to these lands is a charter by James, Lord of St.
John, Preceptor of Torphichen, Knight, to Thomas Buchanan (3rd) of Carbeth,
in liferent, and Thomas Buchanan, his son and heir, heritably of the Temple
lands of Letter and Boquhanbeg. It was signed at Edinburgh 25th June 1555.
A precept of sasine followed, addressed to George Buchanan and Edward Buchanan
of Spittal, and sasine was given upon the ground of the lands on 15th June
1556, the witnesses being Alexander Buchquhannane in Ibert; Alexander Muddy,
junior; John Bris and Walter M'Alpin; and John Buchquhannane, Clerk of the
Diocese of Glasgow, Notary Public.
On the 24th May 3605 George Conynghame of Hag, Lord Superior of the
Temple lands belonging to the Lord of Torphichen, as well within burgh as
without, lying within the Sheriffdom of Dumbarton
and within that part of the Sheriffdom of Stirling
which lies in the Earldom of Lennox, disponed to
him (George Conynghame) and his heirs male by a
noble and potent Lord, James Sandelandis of Calder,
Lord of Torphichen, with consent of James Tennand
of Lenhous and Master Robert Williamsone, writer
(script), granted a precept in favour of Thomas
Buchanan (4th) of Carbeth, as lawful son of the
deceased Thomas Buchanan (3rd) of Carbeth, of
all and whole the Temple lands of Letter and Bo-
quhanbeg. The precept is dated at Ballendalloche,
and the witnesses are Davide Conynghame of Ibert,
Wmphred Conynghame, John Buchanane in Ballat, and Alexander Adame, Notary
Public. Sasine was given upon the ground of the lands. Witnesses : Thomas
M'Gowne in Carbeth, John M'Gowne in Blarinschogill, Adam Blair in Camquhill,
and Alexander Edemenston of Letter of Killearn. The date was 3rd June 1605
and " the Temple Bailie " was David Cunninghame of Ibert.
In 1614 the Temple lands of Letter were sold by the Buchanans, the dis-
position, dated 2nd December 16 14, narrating that Thomas Buchanan of Carbeth,
in consideration of sums of money paid by the "Richt Honorabill Sir Williame
Levingstoun of Kilsythe, Knicht, ane of the Senatouris of our Soiirene Lord is
Colledge of Justice," disponed to him and his heirs male, " All and Sindrie my
Tempill landis of Letter," to be held in blench farm for a payment of i2d.
Scots. This deed and the corresponding charter were signed at Edinburgh the
Seal of
George Conynghame of Hag