180 Kenmure Castle. 



Gordons. He had a son, Alexander, who succeeded to the 

 Strathbogie estate (Aberdeenshire), and was the progenitor of 

 the Gordons in the north, and a daughter, Mary, who married 

 Walter Fitzgilbert, and thus became the ancestors of the Hamil- 

 ton family. 



In 1367 I find again that David H. granted a charter of the 

 New Forest of Glenkens to Walter de Lessly. This charter is 

 extremely interesting, because it contains the onlv record of 

 bondmen or slaves existing in Galloway. 



In 1402 I find an Adam de Gordon present at the battle of 

 Homildon Hill. Sir Herbert Maxwell says in his " County 

 History " that Sir John Swinton, seeing his men falling fast with- 

 out a blow struck, cried out for volunteers, saying " Better die 

 in open mellav than be shot down like deer." " Near him stood 

 one with whom he had ever been at mortal feud, Adam Ck)rdon, 

 who fell on his knees before him, craved pardon, claimed and 

 received knighthood on the spot, and rode at his side down the 

 hill. Only a hundred or so followed them; it was magnificent, 

 but it was not war; the whole party perished under the eyes of 

 their comrades." This Adam Gordon, however, was not a 

 Galloway Gordon, but belonged to the Strathbogie Gordons. 



An Incident of the Chase. 



With reference to the name and knighthood of the first Adam 

 de Gurclon there is an old tradition mentioned by Maclellan in 

 his description of Galloway for Timothy Font's map, and en- 

 larged upon by Barbour to the effect that the first Adam de 

 Gurdon received his lands and knighthood as foll;;ws : — In the 

 reign of Alexander the Third a wild Iwar infested the environs of 

 Lochinvar. Alexander offered knighthood and a portion of land 

 to the person who should bring him the boar's head. The Laird 

 of Lochinvar gave chase, and killed the boar, but being so 

 fatigued with the chase, he lay down beside the carcase, and fell 

 fast asleep. He had the foresight, however, to cut out the 

 tongue of the animal, and put it in his leathern bag. While he 

 slept a Maxwell, who was also in pursuit, came on the scene, and 

 seeing the dead boar, and Lochinvar fast asleep, he cut off the 

 head of the animal, and hastened with it to the King, and 

 claimed the award. On awakening, Lochinvar noticed the head- 

 less animal, and scenting treachery, rode post haste to the King. 



