68 Henry Riddell on 



At the end of the hour he took up his load of wood, and soon 

 after found that his conversation had lasted 300 yeai's. 



George Stewart, in 1738, tells the story of the family as 

 follows : — 



" My grandfather, William Stewart, settled at Ballydrain in 

 the year of our Lord 1608. When the forty-one warre broke out 

 his eldest son, William Stewart, lived in Tyrone with Sir William 

 Stewart, great-grandfather of Lord Mountjoy. My uncle was the 

 first express who was sent from this Kingdom to give an account 

 of affairs to King Charles I, who was then at Edinburgh. The 

 King sent him commissions for raising five regiments to Lord 

 Hamilton, Montgomery, Ijord of Ards, Sir William Stewart and 

 Sir James Stewart. Sir William Stewart lost his life at the 

 Break of Dunbar ; at that time the armye made use of match- 

 locks. General Leslye trejicherously sold the King's armye to 

 Cromwell. The evening before he gave orders to all the armye to 

 put out their matches, which was done by all except Colonel 

 Ladin. This narrative I have from my own kinsmen, who were 

 there. 



Belfast, 1738. G. Stewart." 



The following is another extract from the records of Bally- 

 drain, which seems to be in the handwriting of Mrs. Sturrock: 



"About the year 1640 Miss Anna Wilson, daughter of the 

 Laird of Croglin (near Dumfries) came on a visit to some relative 

 in Ireland, attended by a trusty servant. She landed at 

 Donaghadee, and on her way to Dublin reached the small Inn of 

 Drumbeg intending to pass the night there. But not finding 

 accommodation the landlady proposed that she should go to Mr. 

 Stewart's of Ballydrain, who she knew was absent from home at 

 that time, and that she would apply to his housekeeper who she 

 knew would oblige her. They proceeded accordingly and met 

 with every kindness. But in the middle of the night the young 

 master of the house unexpectedly returned and on being told of 

 what had taken place desired to see the young lady though 



