History of the Fife Pitcairns

TRANSFER OF DOVAN. 57
Both agree to sell Dovan to Sir Andrew Balfour of Mont-
quhannie, but disputes arise about the conveyance.
In Nov. 1605 Martin inhibits John for not fulfilling the
contract.
In Dec. 1606 Montquhannie inhibits Martin to deliver
him his bond of sale.
In Feb. 1607 John Balfour, with the consent of Mont-
quhannie and Pitcairn, inhibits Martin, and Montquhannie
inhibits John, from selling elsewhere.
Feb. 1, 1608. The inhibition of Martin against John is
relaxed on the ground that neither could sell Dovan on ac-
count of the double ownership of the lands, and Robert
Lundin of Balgonie, now about twenty-two or thereby,
appeals to the Privy Council that he cannot receive both
as vassals, and gets letters of suspension till it can be
proved which is right.
Feb. 16, 1608. Sir Andrew of Montquhannie inhibits
John from selling elsewhere, and the writ is served on him
at Bandon where he is residing.
Montquhannie got the lands, as he is mentioned as
residing at Dovan in another charter ; but he died without
issue, and was, as far as can be ascertained, the last of
his family who possessed Montquhannie. He probably
sold it, or it was in the hands of creditors, for otherwise
he would have no reason for acquiring and living at Dovan.
Presumably an arrangement was come to with Martin,
who, from what is known of his history, was not the man
to give up a quarrel. He remained on amicable terms
with Sir Michael Balfour of Burleigh's family, who also
took part in this agreement, so he possibly gave up his
claim for a substantial consideration.
Montquhannie must also have arranged matters with
John to hold Dovan from him, for he was never infeft in
Dovan, and on John's death his cousin Henry Pitcairn was
served heir to him in these lands in 1618, and they con-
tinued in the Pitcairn family till 1803, when John Balfour
of Balbirnie, the direct descendant of Martin Balfour of
Lawlethan, bought them and Forthar also from the heirs