178 Memorials and Reminiscences of Hohkirk. 



valued at £1 6s. 8d., and were tenanted by a family of 

 Turnbulls ; and, like many others of the abbey tenants, they 

 acquired the proprietorship of the lands at the dissolution 

 of the monastery. Like others of the clan, the Soneshiell 

 Turnbulls bore a conspicuous part in the feuds of the period. 

 In 1567 Robert Tiir ahull, in Siron Shiell, was amongst others 

 charged to compear before the Regent Murray, under pain of 

 rebelling and horning. In 1580 James Turnbull of Suinshiell 

 entered on a bond of surety to the warden, for airt and 

 pairt in the slaughter of Watte Turnbull of Bewlie. 



Before 1643 Swanshiell appears to have been divided into 

 Easter and Wester Soneshiell. A die Turnbull was proprietor 

 of Westerlands, and Adie Turnbull of the Easter. At that 

 period the Easter land, which was the largest portion, was 

 valued at £66 1 3s. 4d., and the Wester half at £32 10s. 

 Easter Swanshiell was situated on a promontory, jutting into 

 the Soneshiell cleugh, a dark and deep defile, through which 

 flows a small burn, formerly called Blackha burn, which enters 

 the Rule at Hopekirk Manse. This naturally protected the place 

 on the east, while deep gullies fenced it on the south-east, making 

 the only entrance from the north. A portion of the foundations 

 still remain, and the site is now planted. In the field behind 

 are the evident remains of an ancient camp, and though partly 

 obliterated by the plough, a succession of earthworks are still 

 distinct, running back from the brink of cleugh. 



The Turnbulls of Easter Soneshiell were succeeded b}' a 

 family of the name of Grieve. George Grieve of Easter 

 Soneshiell died in 1731, and, according to the Session Register, 

 had the use of the "new plush moarcloth," for which was 

 paid 15 shillings Scots. George Grieve was succeeded by 

 James Grieve, who was probably his brother, who died in 

 1733. A small tombstone was erected to his memory in 

 Hobkirk churchyard, which has the inscription : — 



"HERE LYS JAMES GRIEVE, LAIRD OF SWAN 

 SHIELL, WHO DIED 1733." 



The Grieves were probably related to the Turnbulls, as the 

 tombstone of the Grieves stands near that of the Turnbulls 

 of Wollie Mill. After the death of James Grieve the estate 

 was sold and annexed to Wolflee, though the steading existed 

 for some time after, as we find it occupied by a person of 



