Early records of an old Glasgow family

AN 'OLD GLASGOW FAMILY 153
purchased in the year 1 766, the later purchases being additions for
increasing its amenity, and improving the entrance to the property
from the road leading to Glasgow.
The whole of these lands of Cathcart were sold in 1802 by
James Hill's Testamentary Trustees, at the price of ^7000 Stg.,
to the Right Honb Ie - William Shaw, Lord Cathcart, whose title
was originally derived therefrom, by Disposition, dated 15th
August and 4th September, 1804, and recorded in the books of
Council and Session on 2nd April, 1805.
Mention is made of the lands in the continuation by George
Robertson, in 18 18, of George Craufurd's General Description
0/ the Shire of Renfrew (p. 263) as follows :
" The Barony of Cathcart continued in the Williamwood family
till about the year 1788, when, being sold in parcels, the old Castle
and principal messuage were acquired by the late Mr. James Hill,
Writer in Glasgow, whose representatives disponed them to the
present Earl of Cathcart, the direct male heir of its ancient Lords,
and who has since bought the conterminous lands of SymshilL
There is here a modern house (Cartside) situated upon the banks of
the Cart, adjacent to the old Castle, and which commands perhaps
the most beautiful and romantic scenery in the country, built by the
former proprietor, and to which a large addition had been made by
the late Alexander Campbell, Esq., who occupied as tenant the
whole of his Lordship's property in this Parish. The arms of the
Cathcart family, quartered with those of Stair, have lately been
prefixed to the front of this addition." 1
The following descriptive mention of the Castle and grounds
while in the possession of James Hill, and for a short time after
his death in that of his widow and daughters, who were the near
relatives of James Grahame, author of "The Sabbath," and the
intimate friends of Thomas Campbell the Poet, is taken from the
Ordnance Gazetteer, edition, 1882, sub voce "Cathcart."
1 For a detailed description of the lands as separately acquired, see Hill, Mummtnta, vol. II.,
Part VI. ; and for a Sketch Plan thereof see relative Ordnance Survey Sheet accompanying the
MSS. of these Notices.