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

94 APPENDIX.
Though there is only a casual mention of William of Byth and his descendants
in the text of the " Collections," Auchmedden has preserved some notices of them
in the notes appended to the MS. ; and in the Genealogical Scrap-Book in
Mr. Fraser's possession (vide Preface) he has recorded the entire descent between
William above and James Baird of Chesterhall. He says, " This William Baird
of Byth was father to Thomas Baird of the Shaws of Montblairy, father to James
Baird in Bankheid, father to Baillie John Baird in Cullen, father to the late
James Baird of Chesterhall."
All the additional information that it is now possible to recover has been put
together in the following account : —
V.
2. Thomas Baird of Sandbay was father of Walter Baird of Sandbay,
of whom, says Auchmedden, " no male posterity now remains." There is no
record of any descendant in the female line either.
3. William of Byth and Auchnagorth. November 23rd, 1542, Walter,
Lord Torphichen, grants a precept of sasine on the Temple lands of Banff to
William Baird in Byth.
" At the Carmelite friars' place beside Bainff, the 20 June. 1546, Thomas
Tulloch, portioner of Montcoffar, sells (but under reversion) to William Baird in
Byth the town and lands of Auchnagorth for 100 merks then paid, but with this
express condition that whenever the said Thomas Tulloch shall repay the said sum
he shall be retrovert in the property of the said lands, only the said William Baird
is to have a tack of them for 3 years after redemption ; the rent 40 shillings Scots,
a waddir, and 12 poultry. Witnesses, Gilbert Dalgardno of that ilk, Thomas Baird
of Burnside, Thomas Baird in Auchmedden, John Kennedy, burgess of Bamff,
John Duncanson, Maisters James Curisour and George Duncanson, notarys publick,
with uthoris." Auchmedden, who records this deed, adds, "It is fairly writ, on
parchment, and very legible, only, William Baird in Byth is liker Arabic than
Scots." If William's handwriting was worse than Auchmedden's own, it must have
been very bad indeed. Probably one of the Thomas Bairds mentioned may have
been William's brother, Thomas of Sandbay.
William left a son,
VI.
Thomas, who is served heir to his father 8th April, 1578 ; being described as
"haeres Willielmi Bard in Byicht patris in umbrali dimidia villae et terrarum de
Auchnagorth in dominio de Montcoffer." (Retours. Aberdeen.)