19^ Mr. Stuart on Hutton Hall. 



much that is historically interesting, so little is preserved in 

 the traditions of the people. The manners and customs of 

 the inhabitants have changed so much that, owing to their 

 peaceful employment, they have really no relish vrhatever for 

 information of this nature. Of the times that the Homes were 

 owners of Hutton Hall, there is no record preserved, but of 

 their successors, the Johnstons, there are two interesting 

 stories. 



Joseph Johnston, the son of Archibald, the first of Hutton 

 Hall, flourished during the reigns of Charles the second and 

 James the second, and during that time Daniel Douglas was 

 minister of Hilton, a man whose memory is still preserved 

 among the people, as a staunch presbyterian. His zeal at this 

 time got him into trouble. The people had assembled in 

 Hilton kirk, the ruins of which still exist, and among others 

 Joseph Johnston. Douglas, in his sermon, said something 

 which gave offence to the laird, who rushed upon Douglas 

 in the pulpit with his drawn sword, and wounded him. In- 

 dignantly addressing Johnston, he prophesied against him the 

 prophecy of Elijah against Ahab, — " In the place where thou 

 hast done this shall dogs lick thy blood." 



Douglas, compelled by the troublous times, sought refuge 

 in Holland. Some time after these events, Johnston and 

 Home of Ninewells, were invited by the Countess of Home 

 to the Hirsel at the merry Christmas times. The Earl of 

 Home was detained in London on state business, and was in 

 consequence not present. 



One evening Home of Ninewells, and Johnston of Hilton 

 were playing cards with William Home, sheriff of the Merse, 

 and the latter having lost a large sum of money, was not, when 

 they parted for the night, in the most amiable frame of mind. 

 Johnston, indeed, had just retired to bed, when the sheriff 

 bursting into his room with a lighted candle in the one hand 

 and a drawn sword in the other, demanded satisfaction. As 

 Hilton was rising from his bed, Home ran him through the 

 body and inflicted several most severe wounds; Ninewells, 

 who hearing the fracas, and in the act of coming to see what 

 was the matter, was also stabbed and expired on the spot. 

 The murderer instantly fled; Johnston lingered for a few 

 days and expired. His remains were put in a coflin and 

 taken to Hutton Hall: but on the way, the persons who 

 were conveying the body were caught in a severe snow storm 

 at Hilton, and had to wait some time till the storm passed 

 by. For the sake of decency, the coffin was carried to the 

 church, where it was deposited. It Avas then observed that 



