Memorials of the Browns of Fordell, Finmount and Vicarsgrange

BROWN OF FORDELL. 3
scheperdis housis apon the landis of Lurgyndaspok, as pertenancez of
the landis of Tirepressy." 1
1333, July 3. — Gift by Sir John Brown, of seven acres of arable
land, near Perth, in pure and perpetual alms, to the Friars of the
Order of Predicants there, for their performance of an anniversary for
the souls of the donor, his son, who lies buried with them, and of his
successors, to the latest generation. 2 One of the witnesses to this deed
is Sir David de Mar. The frequent occurrence of the names of
members of the house of Mar along with those of this family is
remarkable, and seems to indicate a relationship. According to an
old pedigree, produced in evidence in the claim to the earldom of Mar,
now (1872) before the Committee of Privileges, Sir James (? Andrew)
de Garioch was grandson and one of the heirs of Gratney, Earl of
Mar, and married Jane, daughter of Broun of Blandrue, by whom
he had an only child, afterwards wife of Stephen Johnston. 3
Sir John, then designed John, son of Adam Bruning, purchased
the lands of Gillandriston, in Garioch, from Agnes, daughter and heir of
Sir Peter de Morthington, for three hundred and sixty marks, in 1321.
Sir John Brown had, at least, four children.
1. Richard Broun — took part in the conspiracy of Lord Soulis and
the Countess of Strathearn ; was condemned to death by the
Black Parliament of Perth, and, along with David Lord of
Brechin, Sir John de Logie, and Gilbert Malherb, drawn at
the tails of horses through the streets of that burgh to the
place of execution, where they were hanged, their hearts taken
out, and their bodies dismembered, in August 1320. Robert
the Second grants a charter of the forfaultrie of Adam de
Paxton and Richard Broun, within the county of Berwick, to
John de Roos and John Lyoun. 4 In a charter by Robert the
First to Sir Robert Boyd, of the barony of Kilmarnock and
other lands, Richard Brune is mentioned as holding lands
within that barony. 5
1 Regist. Aberdonense, i. 248. 2 Book of Perth, p. 9.
3 Minutes of Evidence in Mar Peerage Case, p. 577.
4 Peg. Mag. Sig., Rot. v. 131. 6 Ibid. Rot. i. 46.