The Irvings of Hoddom. 185 



But he came to an Annandale end at the last, for Lord Torthor- 

 wald ran his lance out through him." 



I have previously stated that Richard Irving' succeeded to 

 Knockhill, and that John (Jock o' Milk) got Whitehill. Richard, 

 who was in most of the troubles of the time, died about 1620, 

 and was succeeded by his son Richard, known as the Young 

 Duke. This Richard left three daughters, Margaret, Barbara, 

 and Janet. Meanwhile Jock o' Milk's son, John Irving the Lang 

 Laird, married a Johnstone, and their son, John Irving of White- 

 hill, married Margaret Irving of Knockhill. Barbara married 

 William Johnstone of Myrhead (Lockerbie), and Janet married 

 George Irving of Braes. John Irving of Whitehill, son of the 

 above John Irving and Margaret Irving, married Mary Bell, and 

 on behalf of his mother and two aunts signed a disposition of the 

 lands of Knockhill to George Johnstone, son of Andrew Johnstone 

 of Lockerbie, in 1665. 



After the Union of the two Thrones of England and Scot- 

 land, the Borderers for a good many years were in a transition 

 state. Many complications as to ownership of lands and for loans 

 had arisen, which led to a great deal of litigation, into which 

 there entered a good many border tactics. The records of the 

 Law Courts contain many examples of acts of violence, in which 

 the Dukes of Hoddom and their followers figured. 



In 1657 Parliament passed " An Act for the better suppres- 

 sing of Theft upon the Borders of England and Scotland, and for 

 Discovery of Highwaymen and other Felons." 



In the Book of Caerlaverock, Vol. II., page 498, the following 

 appears about the Irvings' Respite by James VI. to Sir James 

 Johnstone and 8 score others for the slaughter of John Lord 

 Maxwell, warden, Dec. 1593, including John Irving of Lus, 

 Habbie Irving of Turnschaw, Richie Irving in Staikcleuch, and 

 Ekkie Irving, his brother, AVilliam Irving called Kange, Edward 

 Irving of Bonshaw, and his sons. 



Turnschaw is on the opposite side of the River Annan, close 

 to Woodcockair, and nearly opposite Meinfoot, In the old maps 

 it is represented as a place of importance, but is now known as 

 Upper Bridekirk and a farm-house called Turnschaw Head. 



" John Irving of Turnschaw having been transferred from 

 Edinburgh Castle to James Chene of Streloch and escaped from 

 him, forfeited 3000 merks." 



