RIDDELLS OF MINTO, SCOTLAND.
103
Walter Scott, of Harwood, in the year 1676, and obtained a charter under
the Great Seal, dated June 23d of that year, under the terms of which the
property, after his own life interest, was entailed upon his son and his
second and younger daughters in succession, omitting his eldest daughter.
Mr. Riddell retained Minto but a short time, and June 7, 1683, made a
disposition of it in favor of his son-in-law, Thomas Rutherford, a brother
of John Rutherford, of Edgerston, from whom it passed in the following
year into other hands. (Disposition by Thomas Rutherford in favor of Mr.
Richardson, dated July 22, 1684). But the alienation of the property
by Walter Riddell was disputed by his children as heirs of entail, and
legal proceedings were taken by the purchaser to enforce his rights. Ulti-
mately, however, in the year 1687, on the purchase of the property by the
Earl Ferras, all the surviving children (four daughters) joined in the con-
veyance of it to him.
Walter Riddell was twice married. The name of his first wife does
not appear. His second wife was Isabel Riddell, but of what family I do
not know. He had issue six children, of whom hereafter. Mr. Riddell
died before January, 1685.
SECOND GENERATION.
James Riddell² (1), only son of Walter¹ (1), survived his father, but
was dead in the year 1687, or his name would have appeared in the alien-
ation that year.
Jean Riddell (1), eldest daughter of Walter¹ (1), was married to
Sir Robert Laurie, the first Baronet of Maxwelton, and had by him three
sons and four daughters. Jean was the second wife of Sir Robert; and
one of her daughters was "Annie Laurie,'
"celebrated in Scottish song.
She was famed for her beauty; and Mr. Douglas, of Fingland, whom she had
captivated, composed in her honor the well-known verses † which are still
were owners between the Stewarts and Elliotts. Lord Minto informs me, that Minto
House, his present residence, was rebuilt in 1814, but stands on the same site as
the former one, which was the residence of the Riddells, and was supposed to be
very ancient. Lord Minto kindly furnished the author a photo'-view of the south and
west fronts of his magnificent and beautifully situated seat. Minto Craigs, mentioned
by Sir Walter Scott, consist of a romantic assemblage of cliffs, which rise above
the vale of the Tiviot, in the immediate vicinity of Minto House. A small plat-
form on a projecting craig, commanding a beautiful prospect, is termed "Barnhills
Bed." The character from whence the name was derived is said to have been a
robber or outlaw. There are remains of a strong tower beneath the rocks, where
the outlaw is supposed to have dwelt. On the summit of the craigs is the ruin of
another tower, in a picturesque situation. Among the houses cast down by the
Earl of Hartford in 1545, were the towers of Barnhills and Minto Craigs, with
Minto town and place.
"ANNIE LAURIE.
"Maxwelton braes are bonnie
Where early fa's the dew,
And it's there that Annie Laurie
Gie'd me her promise true -
Gie'd me her promise true,
Which ne'er forgot will be;
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'll lay me downe and dee.
"Her brow is like the snaw-drift;
Her throat is like the swan;
Her face it is the fairest
That e'er the sun shone on-
