NOTES ON COLDINGHAM 129 



have been found in this field, and, singular to state, the 

 ground everywhere over the field is full of pebbles, the 

 white pebbles so common on the sea-shore ; and, stranger 

 still, as the tenant, Mr Peter Thorburn, remarked — " chuckie 

 stanes, and no a black ane among them." They are in such 

 numbers that one may gather dozens in a few minutes, so 

 closely are they mixed up with the soil. A few are also 

 to be found in the glebe, but more sparsely. The tradition 

 is that they were brought there by the ancient inhabitants 

 to fill in their graves. The spot had been a sacred one in 

 the eyes of the people, and, in accordance with the wise 

 policy of the Church of Rome, it was respected as such, 

 and dedicated by the worshippers of the new religion to 

 St. Michael and All Angels. 



In an account of expenses by Brother R. de Kellaw for 

 the repairs and maintenance of buildings and grounds of 

 Coldingham Priory, there is an interesting notice of this mount. 

 The date is the 14th century (1344), and runs thus: — 



In the mowing of the cemetery of the church, and of the 

 garden of St. Michael, with the tedding and lifting of the 

 hay and herbage of the same, 2s. 6d. 



Also in mowing of the Langmeadowe, with the tedding 

 and lifting of the same, 2s. 6d. 



The Langmeadowe may have been the present glebe, near 

 the manse ; at least it is the only level ground bordering 

 a stream which answers to the description. 



Mr Dysart in his intimations of visitations frequently speaks 

 of Suttiraw and Hallcroft, and as they are always mentioned 

 in connection with his visits to Coldingham Law, we are 

 led to believe that they may have been somewhere close by ; 

 besides, the lands Howcroft, Armstrong's park, Beapark, 

 Beancroft (now called "the Cockit Hat"), etc., seem to have 

 all been not far from one another. In 1561 the common 

 lands of Coldingham are laid out as marching " west the 

 hall croft, and down the Halycraft head." 



"Coldingham Law doors" and "Davy Ellin's doors" are 

 also boundaries of the marches of Coldingham Common. 

 The latter refers to the properties in the Kilnknowe, lately 

 possessed by the heirs of Mr Thomas Paterson, wright, the 

 father of the late Mrs Andrew Wilson. 

 R 



