291 



Notes on Newton Don and its former Owners. By C. 

 B. Balfour of Newton Don. 



I. — The Estate of Newton. 



In the 12th century the aianors of Newtou and Nathansthairn 

 foi'iued part of the lordship of Lauderdale, then in the 

 possession of the great Norman family of the Morvilles.^ 



In 1150-3 Beatrix de Bollocampo gives a charter to the Abbey 

 of Dryburgh of a tenth part of the produce of the mills of 

 Nenthorn, and Ricardus de Morevilla confirms the charter.^ 



In 1162 Hugo de Morevilla gives to the Abbey half a 

 carucate of land in Newton, pasture for four oxen and one 

 horse. ^ 



In another charter King David confirms to the Abbey all 

 the gifts of Beatrix de Bellocaiiipo and Hugo de Morevilla.* 



It was this Hugo who was High Constable of Scotland, 

 founder of Dryburgh Abbey, and who, with his wife Beatrix 

 Beauchanip, lies buried there. 



In 1196 William Morville died without issue, and his estates 

 passed to his sister Elena, who married the Lord of Galloway : 

 their son Alan had issue only three daughters, amongst whom 

 the property was divided.^ The youngest was the mother of 

 Balliol — the claimant for the Scottish crown in 1292 — her 

 name was Devorgilla, and she also appears among the 

 Dryburgh Charters.*^ 



This Balliol connection was evidently the cause of the lordship 

 of Lauderdale passing out of the hands of the representatives 

 of the Morvilles. As adherents of Balliol their estates would be 

 forfeited ; and, after the conclusion of the War of Independence, 

 Bobert the Bruce, in 1320, gave a charter of the lordship 

 or constabulary of Lauder to James — Lord Douglas.'' 



It is not till this century that I can trace who were the 

 vassals holding under the Lords of Lauderdale: and, whether 



' Jeifrey's Roxburgh, Vol. ui., 110. 



* Liber de Dryburj^h : Charters, Nos. 143 and 92. 

 3 do. No. 201. 



' do. No. 239. 



* Jeffrey's Roxburgh, VoL ui., p. 118. 

 •* Liber de Dryburgh : Charters, No. 9. 



? Douglas Book, Wm. Fraser, Vol. i., p. 148, 



