Ancient deeds and other writs in the Mackenzie-Wharncliffe charter-chest

MACKENZIE-WHARNCLIFFE DEEDS
David Campbell ' the said lands and mills, astricted multures, free and
dry, and " ring-bear " of the haill lands and lordship of Coupar within the
parochin of Bennethie on the south side of the water of Iliff, and aikers
of Saint Ninians and pertinents, excepting the eight part feued to Archi-
bald Campbell.' Among the earlier titles of Keithick there are several
interesting documents referring to the abbacy. For example there are
several acts of court regarding the mills of Keithick and Coupar, from
1478 to 1562, together with several other acts of the abbot's council of
1551, 1552, and 1554.
The abbots, whose names are given in these writs, are David Bane
or Bays, 1464-1480; John Schanwell, 1480-1509, and William Trunbull
or Turnbull, some time Abbot of Melrose, together with those already
mentioned. Abbots Bane, Schanwell, and Trunbull were all distin-
guished ecclesiastics. Much interesting information as to them will be
found in the Register of Coupar Abbey, vol. i., pages 86 et seg.
On the 5th December 1558, Donald, Abbot of Coupar and convent
thereof, granted to Margret Campbell, a sister of David's, two charters
of the lands of Kemphill, Bruntihill and Cowbyre of Keithick, and other
charters were granted by the abbot and convent on 5th April 1559 and
30th August 1571. On 10th June 1574 King James vi. granted a
charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of these last-mentioned
charters.
On the 13th March 1571, Leonard, Commendator of Coupar and the
convent thereof, granted in favour of Arthur Mule a charter of a croft
of land near Kemphill, which charter was confirmed by King James vi.
in 1602.
On the 6th October 1541, Donald, Abbot of Coupar, granted a
charter to John Campbell ' his servitor ' of his boat upon the water of
Hay near the lands of Beachill or Baitsehill, or Baitshill with the whole
profits and commodities of the lordship of Coupar, and whole other
parts adjacent of eleven acres and a half-acre of the said lands of Beachill
and another pendicle on the north side of the said water.
It is interesting to note that, until towards the end of the eighteenth
century, there was no bridge over the River Isla, which is a river of con-
siderable size and importance, on the main road between Coupar-Angus,
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