348 Rev. S. A. Fyler on the Village of Cornhill. 



Harper Rig and Melkington were formerly parts of the 

 manor of Tilmouth, but were alienated therefrom by the 

 Claverings. In 1425 they were held of Sir John Clavering, 

 knight, by Henry Redale, a descendant of the old lords of 

 Tilmouth, at the yearly rent of a pound of cumin or two 

 pence. Melkington was formerly written Millenden, and 

 again Melking(^wwe, the final syllable dun (or hill) evidently 

 signifying the elevated position on which the mansion house 

 (now the property of Mr. Wm. Smith) Avas built. About a 

 mile to the south of the village are the remains of an encamp- 

 ment or barrow, the most remarkable, perhaps, to the north 

 of the Roman wall, supposed to have been Ancient British 

 and commonly now called Camp Field, or Kippie* Hill. It 

 commands a beautiful view of the surrounding scenery — of 

 Wark and Home castles and the fords of the Tweed. 



In the middle of a wood contiguous to it is a very cold 

 and pure spring, whose waters are reported to be beneficial 

 in the scurvy and gravel. There used to be a bath house 

 there, now destroyed. 



But to return whence we started, viz., to the parish church 

 of Cornhill. In its burial ground there is this singular in- 

 scription, in Latin, almost now illegible, which may be thus 

 translated: "Alas, who shall now retard the scythe of death? 

 James Purdy, at the bridge of Twizel, was an excellent old 

 man, although not exempt from diseases. He died on the 

 4th day of December, 1752, aged 81 years, and together with 

 Jane his wife and Eleanor his grand-daughter lies under this 

 stone. But, passenger, if thou hast a good heart, perhaps 

 thou mayest live. Samuel, the son of James, survives, and 

 is healthy, and exercising the profession of his father, under 

 his paternal roof. If thou seekest health, — Go thither ! " 



* There are several other places in this county, commandincr a good view, 

 called "Kippie" or "Kipp" Hill; perhaps from the Celtic " Cip," " Cipis," 

 to snatch or take, and " Olwg," a view. See notes on the Roman roads, by H. 

 Maclauchlan, honorary member of the Society of Antiquaries at Newcastle. 



