Series 1 > Journal of the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-1687

JOHN ERSKINE OF CARNOCK
1683]
think, the same expression). This was said either at Glasgow
or Stirling. I went with Jas. Johnston to see Mr. Tho. Robb,
and then to my horse at one o’clock, and came to the Laird of
Blairs (Spence) after sun set, where I stayed all night.
\Qth.—Afternoon, I came to Culross and was with Da.
Mitchell, Will. Adam, and Will. Burns’s. At night I came to
Torrie, where was my mother, my two sisters, and Miss Jean
Lumsden, my cousin german.
9.0th.—I went to the Valleyfield with Miss J. Lumsden,
where I saw my aunt, the Lady Innergelly, who, having come
from Edinburgh this day, told that Earlstoun1 was brought
prisoner there on Saturday last; and of a report that he had
discovered some noblemen and others of haveing a design to
rize in arms against the government,2 but it was thought a lie
that he either could or had discovered any such thing.
9\st.—This morning I went to the pouting with Broomhall’s 3
three sons, Pat. Sands, and my brother William. We lodged
all night at Cleish Kirk.
9,9.d.—We came home.
23d.—I went to Valleyfield with my brother Will.
9^th.—I stayed at home all day, but heard no preaching.
95th.—Will, and Cha., my brothers, went for Edinburgh.
Tho. Bruce came from Culross to Torrie with me, and stayed
all night.
96th.—I went to Torryburn with Alexr Lumsden and Th.
Bruce, and played at the Byas Bowls with Geo. Grierson.
My brothers came from Edinburgh about midnight.
91th.—Rob1 Preston and Will. Adam were in Torrie.
Charles should have taken ship this day for Holland, but the
ship he should have sailed in was gone before he was at the
shore.
Ja. Spence was all night in Torrie.
98th.—My eldest brother came to Torrie this night.
1 Alexander Gordon of Earlstoun, one of a family noted for great suffering in
the cause of religion and liberty. He had already been condemned in absence
for treason in 1680.
2 This refers to the Ryehouse Plot.
3 Sir Alexander Bruce of Broomhall, cadet of Carnock, afterwards fourth Earl
of Kincardine. He was uncle to the author.