26 Hoppom BRIDGE. 
I thought it was needless. The Exrs. nominate in the will and 
codicil did administrate 18th October and 4 Novr., 1639, and 
Lord Johnstone with Sir David Cunningham of Robertland were 
overseers to the Exrs. in seeing the Will duly executed. In the 
Codicil there is £3000 left to Lord Johnstone to be applied to pious 
uses in Scotland which I imagine went the same way with the 
£500. . . . We have reason to complain that the town of 
Annan did not get the family of Annandale to apply the money 
left, but rather took, as they alledge, that very sum by way of 
loan from that family, for that purpose, and we therefor obliged 
to pay a toll at Annan Bridge, while all the other Bridges in the 
County are free to them and every body. . . . The North 
Country have reason to complain of paying this toll for the Cattle 
that come by Moffat on their way to England which are never 
within 4 miles of either the town or Bridge of Annan. 
I am with the utmost regard, 
My Lord, 
Your Lordship’s most obedt. and most humble 
servant, 
“ Mattw. SHARPE. 
“Dumfries, March 1, 1762.’ 
Hoddom Bridge. 
In a letter without date, but evidently 1762, Matthew Sharp 
of Hoddom writes about the proposal to build a bridge over the 
Annan at Hoddom, now known as Hoddom Bridge :— 
“Dear Sir,—I had a letter from Sir Robt. Laurie at Edinr. 
by last post wherein he writes me that Lord Garlies wants an 
explanation of the enclosed note for himself and the other 
members which he desires me to send him. I have wrote him 
all I know about it which I desired him to communicate and 
could have been more particular had I been in ye country to 
have had the information of my tennants. But I shall freely 
write you my reasons for opposing the toll at the Bridge of Annan 
which are in some measure particular as to my self. 
Sir James Johnstone and the late Sir Willm. Maxwell and 
the gentlemen from Esdale, had long insisted for a Bridge over 
Annan (Water) near to Hoddom (Castle), which my Brother 
would not consent to as he must have sunk five pound as the Rent 
of his boat and made the road much more publick by his house 
