Old Uall of Ecclefechan. 81 



3. Further Notes on the Old Hall of Ecclefechan (otherwise Kirk~ 

 connel Hall). By Mr Geokge Ikving, Corbridge-on-Tyne. 



In my paper on the above sent to the Society in October last, 

 I stated generally that the Irvings of Kirkconnel (Springkell) had 

 lands at one time extending through part of Middlebie to Eccle- 

 fechan. Since I wrote that paper evidence has come to hand 

 which I was not aware of at the time. This evidence confirms 

 what I stated, and I think is worth recording. The old parish of 

 Kirkconnell, now part of Kirkpatrick-Fleming, was in the possession 

 of the Bells in the loth century, but the then owner forfeited his 

 estate for participating in the Douglas Rebellion in 1451. Their 

 tower, called Bell's Tower, stood near the Kirkconnell Churchyard. 

 This tower was demolished in 1734. Soon after the estate was 

 forfeited by the Bells it passed into the hands of the Irvings of 

 Bonshaw. The first William Irving of Kirkconnell, so far as I 

 have been able to ascertain, flourished about the year 1542, and 

 was in possession of Woolcotes, Middlebie, and other lands in 

 Iloddom, and got sasine in 1551. These lands he probably acquired 

 by marriage ^\'ith the daughter of Richard Bell. The original 

 charter of lands in Woolcotes in favour of William Irving-, elder 

 in Kirkconnell, was dated 21st day of 1608. Thei^e does not 

 appear to be any record of issue of this marriag-e. The second 

 William de Kirkconnell, called senior of Kirkconnell, 1555 to 1605 

 (youngest son of Edward Irving of Bonshaw, who died in 1605), 

 is said to have succeeded in 1619, died 1642, aged 87. I think 

 the second William married in 1631 Janet, daughter of Jardine of 

 Applegarth, and was father of John of Woodhouse, who married 

 Sarah, daughter of Sir William Douglas of Kelhead, and was 

 succeeded by his son William of Bonshaw. The third William 

 (sou of William second) married Jean, sister of Lancelot Armstrouo- 

 of Artine, died 1680. The fourth William (son of William third) 

 obtained sasine in 1G81. Married Isobel Irvine 1654. She died 

 1684. Isobel left six children, viz., Richard (died young), Rosina, 

 Margaret, Sarah, Elspeth, and Isobel. By the second marriage 

 with Margaret, daughter of Carruthers of Ilolemains, he had one 

 daughter, Jean. William Irving died June, 1706, aged 80 years. 

 (See tombstone in Kirkconnell Churchyard.) Herbert Irviuo- 

 succeeded and died in 1709, aged 60 years. It is not very clear 

 whether Herbert Irving was a son or brother of William (fourth). 



