30 
MEMOIR OF 
a variety of domestic troubles, caused by the un- 
fortunate marriage of his favourite sister, and the 
commencement of a law-suit in behalf of his 
nephew. Another source of great vexation, and 
eventually of litigation, happened at the same time 
respecting the division of his grandfather’s estate, 
which, upon his death, fell to be divided between 
his two daughters. The eldest was Mrs Sibbald, 
and the other was married to a gentleman of the 
name of Carriber. Sibbald, who represented his 
mother, claimed the house and lands of Kipps, 
as descended from the eldest daughter, but this 
Carriber disputed, and though the decision of the 
inferior courts was in Sibbald's favour, he per- 
sisted in carrying the case to the Court of Session, 
which decreed that part of the property to Sibbald, 
subject to the payment of one thousand one hun- 
dred merks to his uncle. 
The possession of this estate induced the doctor 
to retire from town, and reside there with a view 
to country practice. He probably, also, in this 
step, studied his mother’s comfort, who resided 
with him there for two years, previous to her 
death, in 1672. After that event, finding his 
situation lonely, he began to think of marriage, 
but was three or four years before he could deter- 
mine on the lady. At last, “ by the recommenda- 
tion of a friend he addressed himself to Anne, 
second sister of Mr James Lowes of Merchiston, 
was accepted, and the consent other friends being 
