Genealogical collections concerning the sir-name of Baird, and the families of Auchmedden, Newbyth, and Sauchton Hall in particular

PREFACE TO THE "ACCOUNT," &c. vii
The Letters appended to the Genealogy will, it is hoped, be found interesting,
as illustrating the style of writing which prevailed in private correspondence at
that period. They are also calculated to throw some light on the social habits of
the time, while the occasional references to events of historical interest are not
without considerable value. They commence in 1595, and are continued down
to 1720.
Those earliest in date are chiefly from Andrew Baird to his brother Gilbert
Baird of Auchmedden. This Andrew was the second son of George Baird of
Auchmedden, by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Keith, of Troup, who
was brother to the then Earl Marischall. After getting a University education, he
was sent to France to finish his studies, and he became Professor of Philosophy at
Lyons, but subsequently embraced a monastic life.
His letters from France throw considerable light on the difficulties which
persons in his situation, who were then a numerous class, had in communicating
with their friends in Scotland. In one instance, it appears that a letter written to
him by his brother took two years to reach its destination, and in another he com-
plains that it was " aucht " years since he had heard from home. A visit to his
native country was an affair of still greater difficulty, and one which, after due con-
sideration, he had made up his mind not to hazard. In Letter VII. he says: —
"As to me to cum into Scotland, as be I haif assurance of the Kingis Majestie, and
of the estates baith of England and Scotland, it schymis to be an thing impossible,
gif that I will not put myself in danger, for the preists, monks, and friars are not
very welcome amang you; but gif there were ony helth, I could wreat to my
acquaintance, wha micht do sumthing for me in case of necessity; quhairfore,
luiking for sum letter, I am altogider resolvit as yit to remain in thir parts, as it sail
pleis my superiors, or else into Italy or Spaine ; for, thanks be to God, we haif
many fair houses and boothings in thir parts — God in sa far has provyded for his
Miss Christian Baird of Newbyth, the eagles returned to the rocks and remained until the estate
passed into the hands of the Hon. William Gordon, when they again fled, and have never since been
seen in the country. Those facts, marvellous as they may apjiear, are attested by a cloud of living
witnesses.— {The New Statistical Account of Scotland, No. XXV., pp. 261, 262.)
The estate of Auchmedden has again passed into the hands of a proprietor of the name of
Baird, having recently been purchased by the late Mr. Robert Baird, of G-artsherrie, and is now the
property of his brother, James Baird, Esq., M.P. We are curious to learn if the eagles, true to the
prophecy, have once more returned to their eyrie. — (See Appendix, No. V.)
Auchmedden — a fair and old court. The name in Irish signifies a wood in a den. — (Piicaim's
Ancient Criminal Trials, Vol. ii., pp. 399, 400. — Description of the Parish of Aberdour, by William
Baird of Auchmedden, Collections for the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff, printed by Spalding
Club, p. 446.) r