200 John Welsh, thk Irongray Covenanter. 



1656, hut there was also a David of Ahnagill m 1647. Did the 

 two designations refer to the same person ? Was the Newark in 

 Irongray confused in any way with the Xew Wark in Dumfries ? 

 It seemed as if there were two persons, for Mariote Maxwell, wife 

 of David M'Brair of Almagill was in 1660 appointed tutor to her 

 son, Robert M'Brair of Almagill, who was served heir to his father 

 in 1664. David M'Brair of Xewark was murdered in 1667. He 

 appeared to have been succeeded also by a Robert M'Brair, who 

 appears as "of Newark" in 1673. Could the descent of David 

 M'Brair of Newark be traced? 



Referring also to the murder by John Gordon, Mr Shirley 

 .said he had found the following document among the Burgh 

 Records of Dumfries : — 



" Ane order by my Lord Annindaill and Lord Druralangrike 

 to the magistrats to cause them haue the toune in 

 amies and to goe to the bridgend of Drumfreis to 

 atend the execution of Johne Gordoune. 



Drumfreis the last of May 1667. 

 These requyereth zow in his Maties [Majesty's] name to haue 

 .ane company of foot belonging to zor toun armed the best way 

 they can be Boden ; To be by ten of the clok this day at zour 

 gaule [gaol] stair foot to receave the per.sone of Jon Gordoun now 

 in your gaule and to guard him from thence to the bridgend of 

 Drumfreis and ther to attend till he be putt to a tryall for his con- 

 fessed murdering of David M'brair and giff he sail be fand guiltie 

 and adjudged to die that the said companie attend the execution 

 and do sutch dewtie as is vsuall for guardes to do in sick caices. 

 This ze sail not faill to do as ze will be ansherable. 



Annandale. 

 Drumlangrig. 

 ffor the proveist and baillies of the burgh 

 of Drumfreis." 



From a document of the same date, which unfortunately he 

 •did not have with him, Mr Shirley gathered that John Gordon was 

 executed on the Gallowhill, in Troqueer parish. 



