182 Kenmure Castle. 



Immediately the Gordons became securely infefted in the 

 lands they seem to have repaired the castle and made it their 

 home. From this time onward they acquired lands after lands 

 till they possessed all the district from Lochinvar to Torkatrine, 

 near Dalbeattie, and thus became the most opulent family in 

 Galloway. 



Rodger succeeded Alexander, and in turn was succeeded by 

 William. M'Kerlie says that he was the first of the family to 

 settle in Galloway, but I think I have clearly shown this to be a 

 mistake. He had three sons and one daughter, viz., John, who 

 succeeded ; Alexander, who obtained the lands of Auchenreoch, 

 parish of Urr, from whom the Gordons of Airds are descended; 

 George, who obtained the lands of Troquhain, in Balmaclellan ; 

 Rodger, who married Geylles (Grizel) M'Nacht, heiress of Crogo, 

 parish of Balmaclellan ; and Margaret, who married Sir Thomas 

 Maclellan of Bombay. His son succeeded, and to give an idea 

 of the turbulence of the times and the laxity of justice I may say 

 that murders, reiving of cattle, and blood feuds were quite 

 common, and law and justice so indifferent that nearly all these 

 crimes not only went unpunished, but were pardoned by remis- 

 sions from the King. In 1477 George Gordon obtained a remis- 

 sion for the slaughter of Gilbert Rorrison ; in 1507 John Gordon 

 of Lochinvar was before the King's " Ju.stice Aire" for horse- 

 stealing, but was pardoned. In 1508 he had also to obtain a 

 remission for art and part of the oppression done to William 

 Levinox of Cally for detention of the land of Plunton and Trun- 

 zeartoune waste. In the same year he was also arraigned for 

 oppression done to — M'Adam, and was bound in surety. John 

 was armour-bearer to the King. 



Blood Feud. 



John was succeeded by his son Alexander. Alexander was 

 a great favourite with King James III., and it was during his 

 reign that the lands of Kenmure, and Laggan, and Balmaclellan 

 were erected into a Barony. Alexander had a very serious blood 

 feud with the Dunbars of Wigtownshire. Sir John Dunbar was 

 slain and Alexander had to abscond, but owing to powerful influ- 

 ence he obtained the following respite : — " September 25th, a 

 respitt to Alexander to cum to the Sovereign's presence, or 

 quhare he plesis, and to pass and repass with 50 or 60 men in 



