New Spalding Club > Records of Invercauld MDXLVII - MDCCCXXVIII [1547- 1828]

ESTATE PAPERS : TORGALTER. 95
their possessions by the old form of tenure. The earliest recorded
charter is one from " Lord Mar and his son, of the Lands of Easter
Micras to Donald Farquharson, dated Sth June 1633."
This Donald Farquharson was the son of Alexander of Allanquoich,
and great grandson of Finla Mor through Donald of Castleton. He
married first, Violet, daughter of Troup of Balnacraig (Birse), and second,
Helen, daughter of Garden, of Bellamorc (Inchmarnoch). His descen-
dants long possessed the property thus acquired.
TORGALTER,
another small property in the same district, is conveyed by
" Precept of Sasine from John, Lord Erskine, for infeftment to
John Morgan of Dargaltie (Glenshee) in the Lands of Torogalter of
Wester Micras, dated 23rd April, 1650, proceeding upon a Disposition
from John Erskine of Wester Micras to Morgan."
The family of Morgans continued to possess their small holding (it
was only a part of the property called Torgalter) till 17 13. Another,
and the larger portion, was held in 1696 by David McKenzie, of the
family of Dalmore (Mar Lodge).
We have next : —
"Charter from Lord Mar to John Erskine, son of Donald Erskine
of Castletoun of Braemar, of four oxgatcs of the Lands of Wester
Micras, 13th January, 1660,"
with the following note appended : —
"Wester Micras and Torogalter of W. Micras, Sleach, Badquan
(? Badfandoch), and Richarkarrie, acquired by John Farquharson
in 17 13."
Sasine on the foregoing charter followed, 21st March ensuing.
The said John Erskine does not seem to have held his small
possession beyond ten years ; for on 27th April, 1670, he disposes of the
said four oxgates to Robert McHardy, portioner of Crathinairt in Liferent,
and Charles McHardy, his second son, in Fee.
There seems to have been some family connection between these
Erskines and McHardies, though the particulars thereof cannot be traced.