History and genealogy of the family of Wauchope of Niddrie-Merschell

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that it could garrison a hundred followers — was destroyed by the enemies of the
family. Robert the elder was then well advanced in years, and under forfeiture,
though Birrel says he was restored. Archibald, the younger, who had led so
strong-handed a life, was dead, so that the junior members of the family were not
in a position to continue the feudal quarrel.
"After Sir Archibald's forfaulture," continue the MS. notes, "Sir Francis,
his son, to get back the estate, married Secretary Sandilands' daughter, and en-
gaged for him and his friends cautioner to the value of 200,000 merks, which dis-
tressed him so as he was forced to quite the country. He went to Holland,
where he lived very privately as a soldier. The lady stayed in the Wester House,*
living meanly, and much upon the good offices of kind tennants, and a certain
merchant in Edinburgh called Red, who managed the fortune, and compounded
with creditors, furnishing of his own to the most pressing. Things going some-
thing better, and much by the help of that merchant who compounded with
creditors for Sir Francis's behoof, and advanced money, Sir Francis came over
from Holland, but dyed by the way coming down to Scotland, at Holy Island.
He dyed Catholick, having been converted while he was abroad."
It appears the lands belonging to the Niddrie family had fallen chiefly into
the hands of the Edmonstouns, as a solatium probably for the injuries sustained
by them and their friends during the feuds with the Wauchopes. From the
Edmonstons they were acquired by Secretary Sandilands, but whether by purchase
or otherwise is not very clear. He had the escheat of Archibald Wauchope, and
gave an assignation of the teinds of Niddrie-Merschell to John Wauchope, bailie
of Niddrie, in 1599.f Francis Wauchope, son to the forfeited and outlawed Archi-
bald, was restored in 1603 by the following letter of James VI., addressed "To
our right trustie and wel-beloved Counsellor, Sir David Murray of Gosperd,
Knight, our Comptroller :" —
"James R.
" Trusty counsallour, we great you hertlie well. Whereas we have of our
clemencie, and for goode consideratiouns moving us, restorit and rehabilitat
Frances Wauchope, eldest lauchfull son to umquhill Archibald Wauchope, sum-
tyme of Niddrie-Merschell, to Iris haill landis, rowmes, possessiouns, coilles, coil-
* The Wester House stood in the immediate vicinity of Niddrie, and " was built by the Lairds of
Edmistoun, on a run-rig which belonged to them. Niddrie, on the other hand, had the run-rig of Ed-
miston." — Family MS. Notes. It was in existence in 1711. In the " Inventory of the household plenish-
ing within the Mansione House of Niddry Marishall," drawn up in that year, with a view to sale, the
plenishing in "the Wester House" is also included. None of the building now remains, save a vault
used as a store.
f Niddrie Charter Chest.