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

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Protestant line ; however, I arn glade, since it is so, that he is fallen into such
good handes as my cusin Edmiston's ; but as this last raport may be rectefy'd in
time, in it's injury, the occasion of my remarkes may also change his doom.
I writt to you the just and extreem griff I receiv'd at the newes of his father's
death, whos memory shall forever be dear to me.
I received a letter from Billy Gilbert inclos'd to me with yours.
Our Chevalier remain'd with us in his joumy at the camp of Barreau a con-
siderable time ; where I had offten occasion to make my court to him ; he was
ador'd by all our generals ; when in this town great intertainment was made him
and 8 of the principal ladys invited particularly : by Mr le C. de Grigueau's
absence, and his daughter, consequently Miss Wauchope* found herself first in
rank, to whom his Majesty shew'd all the civillity's possible, and was pleas'd to
say many obliging things of me to the company, and a thousand times more than
I can hope to deserve. My paper finishing, I must against my inclination do the
same, and pray my D r . Jeames to belive me his most faithfull cusin and obed".'
servent,
Fr. WAUCHOPE."f
The family circumstances alluded to in the above letter refer to the death of
William Wauchope, of Niddrie-Merschell in 1711 — a few months after the death
of his father — leaving a son, Andrew, his heir, only five years of age. By his will
he appointed ten trustees, five of whom were Protestant, and five Boman Catholic.
The severe enactments passed against " the Papists " about this time occasioned
much annoyance to the Niddrie family, most of whom adhered to the old faith.
William, the father of the young heir, and James, his uncle, were both Roman
Catholics.
In the affair of 1715, or " Mar's year," as it was called, prepai-ations for which
are alluded to in the letter of Francis Wauchope, it does not appear that any of
the family were engaged ; nor yet in the later and more chivalrous undertaking
of 1745. There are, however, in the charter chest, various printed and written
documents in reference to both of these periods, which show that the family was
not altogether uninterested in the passing events.
The Mansion-House of Niddrie, as already stated, is pleasantly situated on
the banks of a little stream, which, rising in the Pentlands, flows into the sea at
* It is difficult to surmise to which of the branches of Niddrie this " Miss Wauchope " belonged.
We are not aware that Francis himself was ever married. Col. John was not.
•)- Niddrie Charter Chest.