220 Notes on Maxton, by the Rev. M. H. Graham. 



known border family — the Kerrs of Cessford (now almost 

 extinct) ; many of whom repose in a vault beneath the church. 

 Portions of the tower are, as usual, of different dates, the 

 earliest being probably of the first half of the 14th century, 

 and the most recent 200 years later. The building must 

 have been on an unusually large scale, for the plough now 

 reveals that it covered a wide surrounding area. The walls 

 are of remarkable thickness ; the ordnance surveyors said 

 they had seen no Pele of such massiveness. In shape, it was 

 a half moon on the western, and an oblong square on the 

 eastern side ; while on the southern side it appears to have 

 jutted out considerably beyond the western oval tower ; for 

 some of its foundations, in this direction, were taken up not 

 many years ago. There are three tiers of loop-holes — an un- 

 common number — and so placed as to completely command 

 every approach. On the topmost battlement there ran all 

 round a bartisan, three feet high, portions of which may still 

 be seen. But wanton hands have been rudely laid, in recent 

 years, on this grand old pile. For miles, its once precious stones 

 have macadamized the Kelso highway ; and stables, not far 

 distant, were built of these too. As if conscious of the pur- 

 posed desecration, its huge walls refused to give way till 

 blast after blast was repeated ; and then there fell, in one 

 mass, some 28 feet solid masonry of the front elevation. I 

 am hopeful, that efficient means will now be taken to prevent 

 further destruction. 



Near this tower, and on the sides of Ploughland burn, 

 some remains of a ruin called the ''Abbey Mill" existed, until 

 the course of the burn was turned, to prevent the adjoining 

 quarry being inundated, and then they were removed. It has 

 always been doubtful how much of the land here belonged to 

 Melrose ; but, as a humble contribution to this profoundly 

 interesting controversy, -I would suggest that, as the "Abbey 

 Mill " was on the north side of the burn, it is therefore very 

 likely that the Monk's land extended from Broomhouse burn 

 to Liitledean burn, instead of between Broomhouse burn and 

 Ploughland hum, as Mr Jeffrey in his work on Roxburgh- 

 shire supposes. Popular tradition, and a note of Sir Walter 

 Scott's, point to Broomhouse as the site of a splendid tower, 

 the inmates of which were slain on the eve before the battle 

 of Ancrum Moor. Hence the war-cry of that day, " Remem- 

 ber Broomhouse /" which lent a terrible strength and efficacy 

 to the battle-axes of our gallant villagers. Here also, on the 



