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Although a Dickson of
Leitholm, county Berwick, appears as early as 1380, only three
generations removed from Thomas Dickson (I), still the houses of
Buhtrig and Belchester seem always to have been recognized as the
Chief, for Leitholm and others acknowledge their superiority in
1574, and Ormeston, the oldest of the Peeblesshire lairds, does the
same in 1591, but the Marchmen often had their houses burnt and
their writs destroyed, so that it is frequently impossible to trace
their origin, especially as many of these old warriors disdained
holding their lands by what they contemptuously called the
"sheepskin" or "parchment" title, preferring to hold them by the
sword.
A Hugh Dickson
Esquire (sculzfer) seems to have been connected with the shire of
Berwick in 1431, if not earlier, for an inquest was held, dated
Berwick, Sep. 2, :408, regarding the right of Lady Margaret, relict
of Sir John of Swynton, Knight, to her terce of his lands, and a
transcript of the same was made at Perth, April 29, 1431, at the
instance of "providi vin Hugh Dicson scutaferi," but to what house
he belonged does not appear. He was probably, however, a relation or
friend of her ladyship.
This roll therefore
commences with Buhtrig and Belchester, after which the families are
ranked according to the oldest dates they are found in manuscript or
printed records.
The first named,
however, only appears as slain at Flodden in 1513, and the second as
receiving a Royal Charter in 1539, but in 1591 a Belchester served
heir to his great-grandfather (jroavi) John Diksone of Belchester,
who must have been living before 1539.
BUHTRIG.
ROBERT DIKSONE in
Bouchtrig, county Berwick, was one of the gentlemen who fell on the
fatal field of Flodden in 1513. [Ada Dominorum Conciliar Vol. xxxiv,
fol. 136. 1 Mar., 1523. Not published.] He married Isobel Murray,
and had, with other issue, a son John who succeeded him.
In 1552 Robert
Diksoun in Bouchtrig and others appeared before the Lords of the
Privy Council and signed an obligation to pay a sum of money to
Richard Maitland. This was made by Robert Dixson in the peill of
Lethame, who probably headed the list as the principal debtor,
Robert Diksoun in Bouchtrig, Robert Diksone in the eist end of
Lethame and four others named Furde, Sanderson and two Red. piths,
and is signed "with our handis at the pen led be the notar
underwritten for vs becaus we culd nocht writt." The notary signed
for all the seven.
In 1557 Robert
Diksoun of Bouchrig and John Diksoun of Belchester, as already
shown, were charged with having, with a party of fourteen score (280
persons), pursued and slain Archibald Douglas of Kilspindy, Provost
of Edinburgh, on August 8, 1556, and gave Alexander Lord Hume as
surety that they would appear at the next Aire or Itinerant Court of
Justice (Circuit Court) of Berwick.
Dicksoun of Buhtrig
(no forename), Cuthbert Trotter in , Hob Diksoun, Patrick Hume
younger of Polwarth, Sir Robert Bell and others were accused Sep. 4,
1563, by Robert Hume of the Heuch, of having taken possession of his
corn and goods, which it seems were claimed by Polwarth.
This and the
preceding of A. D. 1557, in both of which legal documents he is
called " of proves that he held the lands then, but he appears to
have fortified himself with a so-called "parchment" title soon
after, for Robert Diksoun in Bouchtrig and Elizabeth McDowell, his
wife, had a charter from the King and Queen of lands of Bouchtrig
and lands in Lethame, Dec. 27, 1565, and six months after (8th July,
1566), the same were confirmed to Robert Diksoun, eldest son and
heir of Robert Diksoun in Bouchrig.
The word "in" appears to be an error, for even if the Crown would
not acknowledge his previous ownership the charter made him a
landholder, and therefore "of," similar to the German "von."
Robert Dicksoun of
Buchtrig, Robert Dicksoun, son of the Gudeman of Belchester, and
Robert Dicksoun of Hassington Manys, together with some fifty others
(not Dicksons), signed a Band at Jedburgh Feb. 12, 571, pledging
themselves to rise against the King's enemies, etc., and to
apprehend any rebels or thieves found within their borders.
Robert Dicksoun of
Buchrig, John Dicksoun of Belchester, Alexander Dicksoun of Hirdrig
and Robert Dicksoun in Eistand of Lethem, signed a Bond Jan. i 9,
1573-74, obliging themselves as principals and representatives for
the surname of Dicksoun that they shall behave themselves as dutiful
and obedient subjects of the King and Warden, and that they shall
keep good rule under the penalty of five thousand pounds.
In the Roll of '590,
as before stated, Buhtrig appears first among the landed men of his
clan, as well as in Monipenny's List of Alexander Dicksoun (by
himself) and afterward Robert Dicksoun of Buchtrig, Andro Dicksoun
of Belchester, and other border lairds, signed one of the bonds of
August 6, 1591, pledging themselves to serve the King against
Bothwell.
Robert Dicksoun of
Buchtrig, Andro Dicksoun of Belchester, Robert Dicksoun of Ormestoun,
Robert Dicksoun of Hassinden Manis and Alexander Dicksoun of Hirdrig
signed a Caution agreeing to relieve the Lords Wardens of the
Marches, Oct. 8, 1591.
In 1604, Walter
Davidson was convicted and ordered to be hung for stealing horses,
oxen, sheep, etc., from the lands of Pittilisheuch, belonging to
Dicksoun of Buchtrig and Sir John Cokburne, knyt. justice clerk.
Although the stock belonged to them the land apparently then
belonged to a Dickson alone, as a Robert Dickson of Pittilisheuch
was taxed £8 in 1607.
In 1646, Robert
Dicksoun of Buchtrig was a Commissioner of War. He married Agnes,
daughter of Andrew Edmonston of that ilk, and died in 1647. His son,
Robert Dicksone de Bughtrige served heir to his father in 1647. He
was one of the Commissioners of War for Berwick, and was appointed
Colonel of Horse and Foot in 1648. He was also an Advocate or
Barrister, and as such vas entitled Magister or Maistcr, and he was
appointed Justice of the Peace in 1663. His arms were recorded in
the Lyon Register as follows: "Mr. Robert Dickson Advocat descended
of ye familie of ye Earle Marischall Bears azure three mollets
argent on a chief or alse many pallets gules On ane helmet befitting
his degree with a mantle gules doubled argent And torse of his
collours is set for his crest a dexter hand grasping a sword in bend
proper The Motto in ane Escroll, Fortes fortuna juvat."
Magister George
Dicksone served heir to his brother in the lands of Buchtrigg,
Lochrigs and Halfland, or Brewlands in Leitham in 1674. He was
chosen Member of Parliament for New Galloway in 1678, but was said
not to be qualified as he was not a residenter nor traffiquer in the
burgh, but as he showed that he had succeeded as heir to his brother
Robert to some houses in the town, he was approved of. In 1686, he
was appointed Commissioner of Supply (i. e., for providing money for
the King). The Commissioners for this year were the Duke of Gordoun,
the Marquess of Douglas, the Earle of Lauderdale, the Lord Ross, Sir
William Scot of Harden elder, Sir William Scot younger thereof, the
Laird of Wedderburn, Sir Alexander Home of Rhentoun, John Home of
Manderstoun, Mr. George Dickson of Buchtrig, Alexander Home of
Linthill, Anthony Haige of Beamersyde, John Home of Nynwells, John
Home of Haliburton, John Home of I3roomhouse, James Dickson of
Belchester, Robert Dickson of Overmaynes, John Dickson of Newbigging,
and ten others; twenty-eight in all, of whom four were Dicksons.
George Dickson of
Buchtrig was witness to the marriage contract of James Dickson of
Belchester, in 1689.
George Dickson of
Buhtrig petitioned in 1698, to be allowed to qualify as an Advocate,
and although he had been suspected as being unfavorable to the
government his petition was approved. It is not improbable that
there were two of the name of George in succession, but this one
appears to have been the last of the family.
Buhtrig is still held
by a clansman, having been purchased by the father of the present
Colonel Archibald Dickson, R. A., of Chatto, Buhtrig and Housebyres.
It is a lonely place in the midst of the hills. The old bastel house
was demolished by the English in 1544, when the parish of Eccles was
thoroughly wrecked, and although in the English reports it is
sometimes said of a demolished tower that it had been destroyed in a
previous raid and rebuilt, they had probably by this time learnt the
power of gunpowder and ceased to rebuild such fortalices, trusting
more, according to their ancient customs, to the security of the
forests and mountains, agreeably to their old proverb that it was
better to hear the chirp of the bird than the cheep of the mouse.
There are no ruins of
stone and lime at Buhtrig, but a little to the south of the present
farm-house the various mounds covered with grass clearly point out
where at one time has been a building of considerable size, and this
is borne out by the fact that various roads converge there. When the
place was visited in 1887, a very old woman pointing to the spot
said that it was the "Laird's House."
Between the
farm-house and Greenhill there was formerly a hamlet or village, the
foundations of which can be clearly traced, where the dependents of
the laird probably dwelt, and that they were then numerous is
evident from the many old places round the sides of the hills where
they cultivated a patch of land, and from the walls which can still
be traced which separated the cultivated part from the hill-tops
where they grazed the black cattle. So long as cattle and horses
were the principal stocking a number of cottars were absolutely
necessary to raise a sufficient quantity of winter produce for them.
In the immediate
neighborhood of the "Laird's House" is a place called the Moat,
which is perhaps one of the best preserved British strongholds in
existence. At the foot of the Moat have been buildings of stone and
lime which were of course erected long after the builders of the
Moat had been forgotten. The materials of these buildings and of the
old bastel house were probably utilized for the building of the
present farm-house and the numerous walls, as the old castles
generally served for quarries for the country round.
BELCHESTER.
JOIIN DIKSOUN de
Belchester, county Berwick, and Isobelle Hoppringle his wife, had a
charter confirmed by the King, Dec. I, 1539. In 1591, however, a
John I)iksone served heir to John Diksone de Belchester, his
great-grandfather (fr-oavi ), who may have been the father of the
first-named John.
Johne Dikson of
Belchest was one of the lords, barons and gentlemen of the Merk
(March) of Teviotdale who, on the 4th Oct., 1545, subscribed a Band
obliging themselves to furnish one thousand horsemen for the space
of three months to remain upon the Borders "to resist and Invaid our
auld enemys of Ingland."
Belchester also
signed, next after liuhtrlg, the Bands of 1571, 1574 (as one of the
principals) and 1591, was on the Roll of Clans in 1590 as a
Landlord, and signed the Caution to relieve the Wardens in 1591.
John Diksoun was
declared heir to his father, John Diksoun of Belchester, in 1632.
James Dicksone of Beichester was Colonel of Horse and Foot and
Commissioner of War for Berwick in 1648, and James Dickson was
Commissioner of Supply in i686, together among others with Haig of
Bemerside, of whose family Thomas the Rhymer said six centuries ago:
"Tide, tide, what'er
betide
There'll aye be Haigs in Beamersyde."
Three years later he
married Hannah, slaughter of Bemerside, and among the witnesses to
the marriage contract were George Dickson of Buhtrig, advocate, and
William Dickson, younger of Newbigging.
James Dickson of
Belcliester was out in the Rising of 1715, and fled to America — but
he lived to return home.
The last Dickson of
Belchester married Jane, daughter of General Sir Martin Hunter, G.
C. M. G., G. C. H., of Medomsley, county Durham, and Anton's Hill,
county Berwick. He sold the property about thirty years since and
died leaving a son:
Major ALEXANDER G.
DICKSON, M. P., late 16th Hussars, born 1834, married 1861,
Charlotte Maria, daughter of the Rev., the Hon. William Eden and
widow of Lord North. Major Dickson has sat in Parliament for Dover
since 1865.
SEAT — Glenham Hall,
Wickham Market,, county Suffolk.
LETHOLM.
HUGO DEKONSOUN was
paid L13.6 for the King's expenses while he was at Lathame, county
Berwick in 1380. As already stated this is the first mention of the
name in the county.
John Dyksone in
Lathame was appointed Tutor (z. e., Trustee or Guardian) of Herdrig,
which belonged to the late George Dyksone of Herdrig in 1517.
There appear then to
have been two or more of the title for Robert Dixson in the peill of
Lethame and Robert Diksone in the eist end of Lethame appeared
before the Lords of the Council in 1552, and signed an Obligation
together with Buhtrig, q. v.
Eumond Dikson in
Leitholme, called Eumond of the Grene, with others, were at the horn
[Proclaimed outlaws or denounced as rebels for not appearing at
Court when summoned.] for the slaughter of Walter Fairley in Kelso
in 1572.
Robert Dicksone in
Eistand of Lethem was one of the principals of the Clan in 1574, and
he or his successor appears among the Landed Men on the Clan Roll of
1590.
Alexander Dikson in
Leithame gave an Obligation to Home of Stanerig in 1623, Robert
Dickson, younger of Buchtrig being Cautioner and his brother James
one of the witnesses.
The remains of
Leitholm peel, razed in 1544, consisting of a fragment of the wall
thirty-one feet long, about fifteen high and four feet thick, are
still in existence.
ORMESTON.
ROBERT DYCKISON had a
Charter of Hethonfields' or Hutcheonfield, county Peebles, granted
him by King Robert III (1390-1406). During the Regency' of the Duke
of Albany (1406-19) Malcom Fleming` of Biggar gave to him a wadset
of the lands of Oliver Castle, and in 1407, the estate of Ormistoun,,
or Wormiston, county Peebles, with its peel, was con-, veyed to him.
Ruecastle or Rowcastle, county Rox-` burgh, with its two strong
towers also belonged to the family, but it was resigned by Thomas
Dickinson( of Ormestoun into the hands of King James IV (1488—I5I3).
In 1491, Thomas Dikesoun de Or mestoun had the lands of Rauchen,
Glenhigden and Glenchoen conveyed to him.
Thomas Dicsoun son
and heir apparent of Thomas` Dicsoun of Ormestoun, witnessed a deed
in 1504. William Dickison held the estate in 1516, and John Dikesone
de Ormestoun had a deed confirmed by the King in 1534.
In 1542, Dickson of
Ormeston seems to have been called "of that Ilk," at least in his
own county, fors the Arms in Sir David Lindsay's manuscript are
attributed to him.
Dikkesoun of
Ormestoun was on the Roll of Clans in 1590 as a landed man. Robert
Dickesoun of Ormestoun was the third in order who signed the Caution
to relieve the Wardens in 1591 (vide Buhtrig). their houses any mill
called "quyrnez" (querns), because they ought to grind at the lord's
mill, under a forfeit of xx s.
Thomas Dicsoun of
Mersintoune was on an inquest at Berwick-on-Tweed, 4th March, 1464,
in a case concerning the lands of Cranschaws in the earldom of
March, and Patrick Dicksone in Mersyntoun (perhaps a son of the
laird) was summoned by King James III to attend an inquest
concerning the same lands 16th March, 1476-7.
Patrick Diksone, the
laird, was living at his bastel house in Mcrsinbton in 1479, when
the Macer or officer of the court declared he had summoned "Pait
diksone ye lard at his hoes in mersingtoun david Jakson t Will
dikson of ye tour at ye tour in eklis." They were charged with high
treason in company with the Duke of Albany and others.
Thomas Dyksone in
Mersintoun was on an inquest concerning the estates of Swynton at
Dunse 6th Oct., 1500.
The bastel house was
destroyed by the English in 1544.
SMITHFIELD.
JOHN DIKESON of
Smithfield, county Peebles, was witness to a charter of Thomas
Inglis of Manner, county Peebles, in 1457. He is the oldest recorded
proprietor of the castle of Smithfield, which was destroyed about a
century ago. John dikesone of Smethfcld, who signed an obligation in
1488, was owner of the lands of Melwelisland. William dikkesone was
in 1494, son and heir of John in the lands of Smithfeild and in a
quarter of the lands of Edrigstoune. John Dykison released the lands
of Smeithfeild to his brother, Thomas Dikison, in 1500.
From the Dicksons the
estate passed to the Hays, by the marriage of the daughter and sole
heiress of John Dicksone to John, fourth Lord Hay of Yester, who
died 1557.
BYRTONANE.
JOHN DVKSONE of
Byrtonane, county Berwick, was living in 1484, when Sir John Swinton
of that ilk grants precept to his beloved friend (dilecto) John
Dyksone of 13yrtonane to act for him.
BIRGHEM.
PATRICK DIKSON owned
five husbandlands in Byrgheame, county Berwick, in 1486. A
husband-land in the Merse was anciently estimated at twenty-six
acres of land fit for the plough and scythe.
MAILINGSLAND.
JOIHN DIKESON of
Smeithfeild was owner of Mel. welisland, county Peebles, in 1488. In
1494, it passed to his younger son Robert. It seems then to have
been acquired by the Gladstones, one of whom, John Gledstane of
Coklaw, disposed of it to John Dikeson of Winxton. Richard Dikson of
Mailweinsland and his wife Janet, daughter and co-heiress of Martin
Wylie of Baumertoun, and Adam Dikson, their son, were living in
1567, when Marion Wylie conveyed lands to them. In 1580, Adam Dikson
had a gift of the ward and nonentry* of these lands which were in
the King's hands since the death of John Dikson of Mailingsland.
WINKSTON.
The Dicksons are said
to have been in possession of Winkston, county Peebles, in 1489. In
the Register of the Privy Seal is a precept for the confirmation of
a charter granted by James Hamilton, son and heir of the deceased
Margaret Mowat of Hanehous, to William Dikeson, burgess of Perth, of
the lands of Winkeston, holding of the King 28th Oct., 1536. John
Dikeson, son and heir apparent to William Dikeson, leased lands in
Peebles in 1555.
JOHN DIKSOUN de
Wingestoun was Member of Parliament for Peebles in 1568, and another
of the family was Member of Parliament in 1612.
John Dickeson of
Winkstoun and Aleson Udward his spouse had a gift of the nonentry of
the lands of Cruikstoun in 1570.
John Dickeson of
Winkstoun was Provost of Peebles, and was assassinated in 1572.
William Dickson,
uncle of James Dickson of Winkestoun had a precept of the lands with
tower, fortalice, etc., in 1581, on resignation of the said James.
A scion of this house
went to Ireland and on the 4th March, 1646, Roberts, Ulster Herald,
registered to "John Dixon, Sergeant Major in Colonel Arthur Fox's
Regiment of foot, descended from a very ancient and noble family of
Dixon in the Marches of Scotland," the following ARMS— First and
fourth, ar. a war-tivolf " passant ppr. on a chief az. three mullets
of the first. Second and third, a bull's head couped sa. langued gu.
armed or. On a chief of the third an armory sword ppr. CREST — A
pelican in her nest feeding her young. The quarterings show that one
of the family married an heiress of the Turnbulls.
Part of the old
fortalice now turned into a farm. house is still in existence. They
had also a mansion in Edinburgh, in the Cowc ate above the foot of
Libberton's Wynd, where their Arms were to be seen in Nisbet's time
(1724), cut in stone above the door.
HIRDEIG.
PATRICK DVKSONE of
Heirdrig, county Berwick, was with Dyksoun of Mersington on an
Inquest concerning the estate of John Swynton of that Ilk in 1300.
George Dyksone of Herdrig died circa 1517, when John Dyksonc of
Leitholm was appointed Tutor of Herdrig.
Alexander Dicksoun of
Herdrig subscribed the Band of 1573-74, as one of the principals for
the surname of Dickson (v. Buhtrig). Alexander Dicksone of Hirdri;
was on an Inquest for Robert Swynton in 1585-6.
Hirdrig was on the
Roll of Clans as a Landlord in 1590. Alexander Diksone of Heirdrig
and others signed a Caution Sep. 6, 1591. He signed another Sep. 14,
and likewise the Caution of October 8, 1591, to relieve the Wardens.
Although these
Cautions were sometimes pledges to assist the Crown, they were also,
in some cases, equivalent to our bonds to keep the peace.
James Dicksone de
Herdrig was declared heir to his father Alexander Dicksone de
Heardrig in 1617. John Dikson, younger of Herdrig, was witness to a
Deed of Dickson of Kennetsydehead in 1623. Robert Diksoun de
Heardrig was declared heir to his brother George Diksoun of Heardrig
in 1626. Robert Dicksoun of Hirdrig was on an Inquest of John
Swynton and others at Dunse, 20th Mar. 1628.
The fortalice of
Hirdrig was destroyed by the English army in 1544.
TULYQUHENDLAW.
Mr. THOMAS DIKsON had
a Charter of the lands of Tulyquhendlaw, county Forfar, confirmed by
the King, 29th Nov. 1512.
HARTREE.
ROBERT DICKSON, born
circa 1530, by his wife Anne, daughter of John Eccles of that ilk,
county Dumfries, was father of John Dickson who married Agnes,
daughter of John Boc, or Book, of Stane, county Lanark. His son,
John Dickson, who acquired the lands of Kilbucho, county Peebles, in
163o, and those of Hartree in the same county in 1633, was nominated
and appointed Colonel of Horse and Foot in 1643, Commissioner of War
in 1644, and Member of Parliament for Sanquhar in 1645. In 1649, he
was raised to the bench, when 'lle took the title of Lord Hartrie.
At his decease lie gave Hartree to one of his sons and Kilbucho to
the other, but the two estates became united again in the early part
of this century.
In the seventeenth
century, William Dickson of Kilbucho married Margaret, and John
Dickson of Hartrie married her sister Anne, daughters of Sir William
Murray of Stanhope, Bart., by his wife Janet, daughter of James Earl
of Hartfield, and his wife Margaret, daughter of William, Earl of
Queensberry. David Dickson of Hartrie married Helen, daughter of Sir
Alexander Wedderburn of Blackness. Elizabeth, daughter of John
Dickson of Hartrie, married Sir George Mackenzie, Lord Advocate of
Scotland (ob. 1691), and their daughter Agnes (born 1663) married
the first Earl of Bute.
John Dickson of
Hartrie was Commissioner of Supply in 1704, and William Dickson of
Kilbucho was so also the same year. John Dickson of Kilbucho was
Member of Parliament for Peebles in 1747, and Brig. General William
Dickson of Kilbucho, Lieut.-Governor of Cork, was Member of
Parliament in 1802.
The last representative of the family, Alexander Dickson of Hartree
and Kilbucho, LL.D., Justice of the Peace, Deputy Lieutenant for the
county of Peebles, and Professor of Botany in the University of
Edinburgh, died suddenly while skating in 1888, and was succeeded by
his brother, Archibald Dickson, Esq , of Edinburgh, M. D., born
1837, who is twelfth of Hartrie and eleventh of Kilbucho.
SEAT. Hartree House,
Biggar.
BANCHRIL.
WIL DIKSONE in
Banchrie, county Perth, was suInmoned on an assize in Perth in 1541,
and they afterward became possessed of the lands, or part of them,
as Jacob Dicksone, Portioner of Banchrie, died in 1642. His heir was
William Dicksone, Senr., Burgess of Perth.
The term portioner,
anciently parsenere, signified partner or co-heir.
HASSINGTON MAINS.
One of the strong
houses razed in 1544.
ROBERT DICKSOUN of
Hassington Manys, county Berwick, signed the Band of 1571, binding
himself to rise against the King's enemies. Robert Dicksoun of the
Manys in the Newtoun signed that of 1574, as one of the principals
of the Clan. Robert Dicksoun of Hassingden Manis signed the Caution
of 1591, to relieve the Lords Wardens of the Marches, and a Dikson
of Hassington is in Monipenny's List of 1597.
In 1601, William Home
of I3allycass was charged with the slaughter of the late Mr.
Alexander Diksoune, son to the late Robert Diksoune, elder of
Hassingtoune-Manis, committed the 21st day of April, 1597. Robert
Dickson of Maynes was living 12th March, 1722, when Mr. George
Dickson, Advocate, made a disposition to him.
Mains, man is or
maynes signify demesne lands.
A small fragment of
the old fortalice still remains, forming the gabel of a cottage.
NEWBIGGING.
This house was
demolished by the English army in 1544.
WILLIAM DIKSOUN in
Newbigging, county Berwick, is mentioned in a caution to Overmains
and others, August 15, 1591, and a Dikson in Newbigging occurs in
Monipenny's List of A. D. 1597. They appear to have been then
tenants, but became afterward proprietors, as John Dickson of
Newbigging served heir to his grandfather (gudscr) John Dickson of
Newbigging in 1654.
John Dickson of
Newbigging was Commissioner of Supply in i686, and in 1689, William
Dickson younger of Newbigging was one of the witnesses to the
marriage contract of Dickson of Belchester.
The Earl of Hertford
says (Oct. 8, 1544), "burnt a Towne of New-byging and brought away
from thence 100 shepe, 4 nolt, 4 naggs and 4 prisoners * * * and
after came to Mersington." This proves that the Newbigging referred
to was the Dickson barony, which was in the vicinity of Mersington.
It is called a town, but in Scotland that word signifies not only a
town as in England, but also a collection of houses, and sometimes
even a single house.
NEWTON.
One of the fortified
houses demolished in 1544.
ALEXANDER DIKSOUN of
Newtoun, county Berwick, is mentioned in a Caution Aug. 5, 1691, to
Dickson of Overmains, and Alexander Diksoun in Newtoun signed a
Caution with Herdrig and others, Sept. 15, 1691.
KENNETSIDEHEAD.
Another of the
strongholds destroyed in 1544.
In 1612, John Diksone
de Kennetsydeheidis, county Berwick, was the nearest relation on the
part of his father Robert Diksoun, who was son and heir of the late
Robert Diksoun, Jr., of Uvermanis, and in 1623, John Dikson of
Kennetsydeheadis gave an obligation to Home of Slegden at Stanefauld,
John Dikson younger of Herdrig being a witness.
STONEFAULDS.
Another of the peels
ruined in 1544.
In a list of the
Heritors of the Shire of Berwick, who attended or sent their
servants to attend the Rendezvous on Fogo Moor in 1696, all of whom
were generally well mounted and armed with sword or pistol, was John
Dickson of Stonefaulds, who was armed with a sword. This place was
held by a ____
Dickson, Esq., as late as 1829.
INVERESK.
JOIIN DICKSONE of
Glasgow 1cmA. Jac. iv (15671625) purchased of Sir Matthew Stewart of
Minto the lands of Busby, county Lanark. He claimed descent from the
Buhtrig family and was father of the celebrated Rev. Dr. David
Dickson, Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh and
Moderator of the General Assembly when it was broken up by order of
Cromwell in 1653. He was born 1583 and died 1663.
It is related that an
English Merchant happened to l.be in Scotland and having heard three
of Scot. land's worthies preach, describes them thus:—"First I heard
a sweet, majestic-looking man (Mr. Blair, and he showed me the
majesty of God. After him I heard a little, fair man (Mr.
Rutherford) and he showed me the loveliness of Christ. And then I
heard a well-favored, old man, with a long beard (Mr. Dickson) and
that man showed me all my heart."
Dr. Dickson's son,
John Dickson of Busby, Member of Parliament, was appointed Colonel
or Commander of Horse and Foot in 1649. He married Mary, daughter of
Sir Robert Montgomery of Skermerley, by his first wife, the Lady
Mary, daughter of Archibald, Marquess of Argyle. His son, Archibald
Dickson of Tourlands, county Ayr, was Commissioner of Supply for
that shire in 1690. His son, Sir Robert Dickson, was created a
Baronet in 1695, and took the title of Sornbeg from a barony he
acquired in Ayrshire, and was afterward styled of Carberry and
Inveresk. He married, in 1693, Helen, daughter of Sir John Colquhoun
of Luss, Bart. by his wife Margaret, daughter and heiress of Sir
Gideon Baillie of Lochend.
Sir Robert's Arms
were recorded in the Lyon office before he was baronetted, as
follows:-
"Captain Robert
Dickson of Sornbeg and which Surname was originally Keith, Bears
Argent three mollets gales on a chief of the second as many pales
or. For his Crest within two branches of Laurel disposed in One an
hart couchant guardant proper attyred or. The motto Cubo sed curo.
Ext. 14th Sep. 1694."
This seems to have
been extracted from some other record in 1694?
Sir Robert was one of
the Founders of the Bank of Scotland in 1695, and was also one of
the Barons in the Scotch Parliament who voted for the Union, being
the first named on the list of thirty-seven Barons "Approvers." He
died 1612, having had issue a daughter who married Patrick Grant,
Lord Elchies, Judge of Session, and a son and successor Sir Robert
Dickson of Carberry, Bart. who d. s. p. m. in 1760.
KAMES.
Jolla DIKSOUN in the
Camis, county Berwick, was on an Assize in 1574. Patrick, son of
John Dickson in the Camis, was witness to a Bond of Patrick
Chirnside of East Nisbet, to John Dickson, son of the late Robert
Dickson of Buhtrib, in 1592. John Diksoun in the Camys was party to
a Bond in 1603 (vide Peill).
These may have been
then younger sons or ten• ants, but were certainly freeholders soon
after, as the successor, Patrick Dickson of Caimes, who died circa
1662, seems to have been a pretty large proprietor, but his son and
heir apparent, John Dickson, signed a Renunciation from being served
heir to his father 29th Jan. 1663, and the King ratifies, approves
and confirms the Charter under His Majesty's great seal, granted to
George Home of Caimes of the lands called Caimes, with the maner
place, houses, bigings, yeards, orchyeards, parts, pendicles, anexis,
conexis and pertinents thairof sumtyme possest and occupyed be wmgl*
Patrick Dikson of Caimes. And of all and hail the lands called
wester Caimes, with houses, biting, yeards, parts, pendicles and
pertinents thairof whatsornever. With the brickst of land
underwritten, viz.: that brick lyand * * * with ane other brick of
land lyand * * * Ane other brick * * * etc. To be holden of his
Majestic and his Ilienis successours, superiors thairof free of
blensh for yearly payment of ane pennie scots at the feist of
witsonday at the maner place. of Caimes.
LOANHEAD.
JHONE DIKSONE called
J hone of the Loneheid, county Berwick, had a Deed confirmed by the
King in 1574. Patrick Dicksoun, brother of Johnne Diksoun, called
The Lonheid, is mentioned in a Caution in 1591 (vide Overmains).
This Patrick, younger
of Loneheid, may have been the one who signed the Band agreeing to
serve the King against Bothwell.
John Diksoun de
Loneheid served heir to his father, Patrick Dicksoune in 1593, and
Pat Diksone de Lonheid served heir to his father in the lands of
Birghem, Newtoun de Birghem and Langbirghem in 1662.
PEILL.
This seems hardly a
distinctive appellation in a country of peels, but it may have been
either a large and imposing one, or a solitary one built when there
were no others in the vicinity; or perhaps it was the only tower
among surrounding bastilles, and it is not unlikely that it is the
very peel or tower mentioned in 1479, when the Macer summoned
Patrick Diksone, Laird of Mersington, "at his (bastel) house," and
also William Diksone of the lower, at the tower in Eccles, for it is
here also called the tower par excellence.
The Laird of Peill,
county Berwick, in 1590, is included among the Dicksons in the Roll
of Berwickshire Landlords, where they occur in the following order :
Buhtrig, Beichester, Leitholm, Peill and I Ierdrib, and either he
was incorrectly styled " in " in 1603, or the following applies to
some younger member of his family: "Edinburgh, June 21, 1603. George
Trotter of Prentonnan surety for Patrick Diksoun in Belchester,
William Diksoun in the Grene, John Diksoun in the Camys, James
Diksoun in the Peill and James Diksoun in Quhitrig bound in jji000
each to buy from Colonel Balfour such sort of arms as they are bound
to buy according to the Act of Convention."
From this and other
Cautions it would appear as if the bondsman had to be of some other
family?
There is a place on
the Buhtrig estate still called Peelneuk (Peel corner), showing that
there was a peel (unnamed?) there, probably the stronghold of this
family. There are no ruins, but on the opposite hill are remains of
walls, etc.
OVERMAINS.
ROBERT DICKSOUN,
elder of Over Manis, county Berwick, Robert, John and Mr. Alexander
Diksonis, his sons, Alexander Diksoun of Newtoun, William Diksoun in
Newbigging, Patrick Diksoun, brother of John Diksoun, called The
Lonheid, Sir John Edmondston of that Ilk, William Diksoun in Ednew,
Johnne Diksoun his brother, George Diksoun in Harlaw and Johnnc
Diksoun his son were assured in a Caution to the King, Aug. 5, 1591,
by Hume of Aytoun and others, " that they shall be harmless of
them;" i. e., Hume and his party agreed to keep the peace.
Robert Diksoun, Jr.,
of Overmanis was on an Assize in 1601. Robert diksoun of Overmaynes
was Colonel of Horse and Foot in 1648, and Robert diksone of
Overmaynes was Commissioner of War for Berwick and Commissioner of
Supply in 1686.
Helena, Susanna and
Lilias Dicksones were declared heiresses of their brother Robert
Dickson of Overmaynes in 1694.
HARLAW.
GEORGE DIKSOUN in
Harlaw, county Berwick, is mentioned in the Caution to Overmains in
1591, but they afterward became landlords, as George Diksoun of
Harlaw is mentioned in 1609, and in a List of Heritors of the shire
who attended a review (vide Stonefaulds) in 1691, was John Dickson
of Harlaw, who was armed with a sword. Harlaw is a small place,
however; only a farm steading, and the owner was, therefore,
probably a so-called "bonnet laird."
SYDENHAM.
WILLIAM DIKSOUN in
Ednew, county Roxburgh, was one of the parties mentioned in a
Caution from Hume of Ayton, Aug. 5, 1591 (vide Overmains).
William Dikson in
Ednem gave an obligation to John Dikson in Ednem, at Ednem in 1606.
John Dickson of Ednam
and Sydenham, county Roxburgh, Member of Parliament for Selkirk and
Peebles, died i 771. His brother, Archibald Dickson, of Pontefract,
county York, was father of Admiral William Dickson, whose son,
Admiral Sir Alexander Dickson, Bart. (cr. 1802), was ancestor of the
present Sir John Dickson-Poynder, 6th Bart., born 1866, of Sydenham,
who assumed the additional name of Poynder in 1881.
SEAT—Sydenham, county
Roxburgh and Hardingham, county Norfolk.
HADDINGTON.
ROBERT DICKSOUN was
Portioner of the lands of the Abbey of Haddington, same county,
before 1618, in which year his son, John Dickson, served heir to
him. Patrick Dickson was Portioner of the same in 1636.
WHITSLAID.
JOHN DICKSON of
Whitslaid, county Peebles, born 1629, a cadet of Kilbucho, was
Commissioner of Excise for Peebles in 166 i , and of Supply and of
the Militia in 1689. He married Janet, daughter of Sir David Murray
of Stanhope, by his wife Lilias, daughter of John, Earl of Wigton,
and his wife Lilias, daughter of John, Earl of Montrose. His
great-grandson, William Dickson, sold the estate of Whitside to his
kinsman, William Dickson of Kilbucho, and settled in Jamaica.
WESTRAW.
JOHN DICKSONE of
Westraw, county Berwick, was on an Inquest of Service of John
Swinton of that Ilk in 1632.
STANE.
JAMES DICKSON, a
cadet of Kilbucho, is said to have acquired the lands of Stane,
county Lanark, from his kinsman John Boc or Book of Stane in 1640.
In 1663, however, the King ratified a disposition made by William
Lindesay in 1658, to James Dickson of Stane, with tour, houses,
yeards, pertinents thereof, etc.
He was made Colonel
of Horse and Foot in 1649. He married Janet Douglas, and secondly
Margaret Edmonston, and had five sons and four daughters.
In 1663, William,
Earl of Dumfries, gave a bond for 500 merks to James Dickson of
Stane, writer (advocate) in Edinburgh, probably son of the
preceding. This James had a son Alexander, who signed a bond in
1664.
LOCHARWOODS.
This was once
entirely Dickson property, but was divided into Upper, Mid and
Nether Locharwoods. The two latter have passed away.
THOMAS DICKSON of
Nether Locharwoods, county Dumfries, born circa 1650, died May 5,
1717, leaving a son John, born 1682, died 1743, aged 61, leaving a
son David, born 1727, died i8o6, aged 79, having had issue (i)
George, who died unmarried 1803, aged 25, (2) Richard Lothian, Major
1st Life Guards, who married Julia, daughter of Gen. Thomas Coxe,
Foot Guards, and died in France in 1841. His eldest son, Lieut. Col.
Lothian Sheffield, born i8o6, was a Knight of the Order of St.
Ferdinand of Spain.
JOHN DICKSON of Upper
and Mid Locharwoods, born 1671, died 1751, aged 8o, and was
succeeded by his son, John Dickson of Upper Locharwoods, born 1719,
died 1793, aged 74, and was succeeded by his son, William Dickson of
Upper Locharwoods, born 1745, died 1827, abed 82, leaving a daughter
and heiress who married Clark, Esq., and had issue a son, who
assumed the additional name of Dickson, the present.
WILLIAM CLARK
DICKSON, Esq., of Upper Locharwoods, who married and has issue.
MONYBUIE.
THOMAS DICKSON of
Locharwoods, county Dumfries, was born 1680. He was father of John
Dickson of Conheath in the same county, Provost of Dumfries 1764-72.
One of his sons, the Hon. William Dickson, M. L. C., settled in
Canada, where. he became Member of the Legislative Council, and was
succeeded by his son, the Hon. Walter Dickson, M. L. C., who married
and left issue.
From the Provost also
sprang Walter Dickson, W. S., who married Margaret, daughter and
coheiress of Thomas Goldie of Monybuic, Kircudbright, and was father
of the present (I) John Dickson, W. S., of Monybuie, born 1817,
married Eliza, daughter of Colonel A. Macleod, C. B. (2) Thomas
Goldie, born 1819, J. P., married t~e Hon. Louisa Charlotte,
daughter of 2d Viscount Sidmouth. (3) Walter George, M. D. and J. P.
) James Gilchrist, married Jane Catherine, daughter of George H.
Jackson, Esq., of Glenmore, county Waterford. (5) George, married
Edith Mary, daughter of Miles Charles Seton, Esq., of Feskerby,
Cornwall. (6) William, married Anne Stewart, daughter of Thomas
Bruce, Esq., of Langlee, and (7) David Scott, married Hon. Frances
Sophia, fourth daughter of 2d Viscount Sidmouth.
BARRETSTONE CASTLE
(Ireland).
Sir KILDARE BORROWES
of Barretstone Castle, county Kildare, third Baronet, married Eliza,
daughter of Sir Richard Dixon, of a Scotch family (knighted in 1683,
(lied 1709), by his wife, the widow of the Lord Chancellor Eustace.
His son, Sir Walter Dixon-Borrowes, M. P., who inherited the estates
of his maternal uncle, Robert Dixon, Esq., of Colvers_ town, county
Kildare, and assumed the name of Dixon, was ancestor of the present
Sir ERASMUS DIXON-BORROWES, 9th Baronet, High Sheriff, county
Kildare, 1873.
WESTERHALL.
JOHN DICKSON of
Westerhall, county Selkirk (? ), was father of James Dickson of
Westerhall, who married Maria Home, and was living in 1693.
WESTERBINNING.
Mr. ALEXANDER
DICKSONE Of Westerbinning, county Linlithgow(?), registered his Arms
in the Lyon office between the years 1672 and 1694, as follows:
"Mr. Alexander
Dicksone of Westerbinning de. scended of the familie of Buhtrig
which was descended of the Earle Marshall Bears azur three mollets
argent on a chief Or alse many pallets gules a bordur engrailed of
ye third. On ane helmet befitting his degree with a mantle gules
doubled argent and wreath of his collours is sett for his crest a
man's heart volant proper with wings argent. The motto in an Escroll,
Ceelum versus."
From the title
Magister or Master he was probably an Advocate.
Patrick Dickson of
Westbinnie was Commissioner of Supply for Linlithgow in 1695, and a
contract of marriage between Patrick Dickson of Byning and Christian
Dundas, only daughter of John Dundas of Manor, co. Perth, was signed
at Edinburgh 26th Dec., 1696. John Dickson, only son of the deceased
Patrick Dickson, of West-Bining, signed a Ratification in 1721, and
the same John signed another deed at Edinburgh 4th Oct., 1725,
Nisbet, in 1722, mentions Mr. Alexander Dickson of Wester-Binning.
There are places
called Bining both in Linlithgow and Haddington shires.
PERSILANDS.
MARY DICKSON of
Kilbucho, county Peebles, born 1709, married in 1733 Muirhead of
Persilands, county Lanark, who died leaving that estate to her. She
died 1782, s. p., leaving it to her nephew Rev. David Dickson of
Edinburgh, ob. 1820, one of whose grandsons emigrated to the United
States of America and settled in Indiana.
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN.
JAMES DICKSON of
Kelso, born circa A. D. 1715, believed to be a scion of the house of
Westerbinning, was father of James Dickson, merchant, who settled in
Montrose in 1780. His fourth son, James Dickson, born 1784, removed
to - Gothenburg, Sweden, where he died 1855. His son, Baron OSCAR
DICK-SON, Phil. Doct. of Gothenburg, born 1823, was ennobled in i88o
and created Baron of the Kingdom of Sweden in 1886. He married
Countess von Rosen, daughter of Count Adolph E. von Rosen of
Penningby, and has issue.
The baron has a
signet ring which has been very long in the family on which is
engraved the winged heart of the Westerbinning family together with
their motto.
ALTON AND CHISHOLME.
ARCHIBALD DICKSON of
Hassendeanburn and Horsley Hill, county Berwick, born 1718, was
father of (i) Robert Dickson of Huntlaw and Hassendean, born 1742,
who succeeded him ; (2) Archibald Dickson of Chatto, q. v., born
1755, and others. One of his successors dying s. fi. in 1846, was
succeeded by his nephew, William Richardson of Alton, who assumed
the additional name of Dickson, and died 1859, leaving a son,
William Richardson Dickson of Alton, who died 188 I, leaving two
daughters, (I ) Blanche Margaret Dickson of Alton and Chisholme,
county Roxburgh, and (2) Jessie Mary Dickson.
CHATTO.
ARCHIBALD DICKSON,
younger son of Archibald Dickson of Hassendeanburn (vide Alton and
Chisholme), born 175, married a daughter of Fisher of Housebyres,
and was ancester of the present Colonel Archibald Dickson, R. A., of
Chatto, Buhtrig and Housebyres, J. P. and D. L. for Roxburgh, and J.
P. for Berwick, born 1829, married, i88o, Alice Florence, daughter
of J. W. Seaburne-May, Esq.
BLACKBECK, ETC.
The Dicksons,
formerly of Burton, county Lancaster, and of Blackbeck, same county,
are of Scotch origin.
GEORGE- FREDERICK
DICKSON of Blackbeck, etc, had four sons, of whom the only survivor
is the present Arthur Benson Dickson, Esq., of Blackbeck and Abbot's
Reading. A Magistrate for the county. Born 1827.
CORSTORPHINE.
JOHN DICKSON, Esq. of
Corstorphine, county Edinburgh, who died 1872, was father of John
Heatly Dickson, Esq., of Corstorphine, Commissioner of Supply for
Mid Lothian, born 1843, married, 1874, Anna, daughter of Sir William
Collins.
In 1720, the lands
and barony of Corstorphine belonged to Sir Robert Dickson, Bart.
WHITECROSS.
WILLIAM DICKSON, J.
P. of Whitecross, county Berwick, was father of the present William
Dickson, Esq., of Whitecross, a Magistrate for the county, who
married, 1st, 1852, his cousin Dorothy, daughter of the Hon. Sir
Henry Manisty, and secondly Frances, daughter of the late Francis
George West, Esq., of Horsham Hall, Exeter, J. P. and D. L.
CLOCKBRIGGS.
DICKSON of
Clockbriggs, county Forfar, Knight of the Order of the Legion of
Honour, had a Grant of Arms in 1856.
WOOODVILLE.
DICKSON of Woodville,
county Forfar. A branch of the Clockbriggs family as shown by their
Arms.
PANBRIDE.
DICKSON of Panbride,
county Forfar. A branch of the Clockbriggs family as proved by their
Arms.
PEELWALLS.
JOHN DICKSON of
Peelwalls, county Berwick, died leaving a daughter and'heiress who
married, in 1863, George Weir Cosens, Esq., eldest son of R. Cosens,
Esq., of Kames, county Berwick. A Magistrate for the county and
Captain in Her Majesty's 85th Light Infantry.
BARNHILL.
DAVID DICKSON, Esq.,
of Frogfield, county Kincardine, who died 1878, was father of the
present Patrick Dickson, Esq., of Barnhill in the same shire.
Justice of the Peace for the county, married, 1856, Rosalie Isaline,
daughter of M. Fransois Favre of Geneva.
CLONLEHARDE.
SAMUEL Auchmuty
DICKSON, Esq., of Clonleharde, county Limerick, had a Dickson arms
confirmed to him by the English Herald's College, with a mark of
Cadency.
STOCKTON-UPON-TEES
(Town).
RICHARD DICKSON,
Esq., of Stockton-upon-Tees, county Durham, is of Scotch origin. He
is Lord of the Manor of Beverly-Watertown, county York.
Many landholders have
undoubtedly passed into oblivion who have never been recorded, or
whose records have been lost by the ravages so frequent on the
Marches, while still others occur with but short notices of the
names only, as the Dicksons of Qulentis, or Clontis, county Wigton,
first mentioned A. D. 1471 ; of Cowiswark, 1574; of Roskuniefield,
1579; of Burnhouse, 1604, and of Quhitrig, 1607.
Besides these were
the tenants, who were, as already shown, of the better class, and
not subtenants or cottars; as Dickson in Glenpoite, 1479; in Luthrie,
1480; in Rothuylt, 1480; in Le Kingis Barnis, 1480; in Railston,
1480; in Crawmond-regis, 1524; in Bothkennar, 1528; in Inglestoun,
1534; in Challachwrek, 1554; in Bonytoun, 1558; in Elistoun, 1575;
in Bankheid, 1576; in Brochtoun, 1581; in Meginch, 1583; in Ancrum,
1590; in Quodquon, 1590; in Manerkirk, 1591; in Fairnyrig, 1591; in
Esshiesteill, 1592; in Gourdis, 1592; in Mertoun, 1595; in
Newtounheid, 1595; in Scotlandwell, 1595; in Preston, 1597; in the
Grene, 1603; in Carphray, 1604; in Snawdoun, 1604; in Easthopes,
1604; in Airhouse, 1608; in Gordon, 1608; and in Fechane, 1609.
The dates given are
when they first occur, but it is now impossible to show how long
they had then been settled there, or how long they afterwards held
the lands.
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
(ANCIENTLY CALLED COMMISSIONERS TO PARLIAMENT)
TO END OF THE LAST CENTURY.
THE OLD SCOTTISH
PARLIAMENT MET FOR THE LAST TIME IN 1707.
John Dickson of
Winkston, for Peebles, A. D. 1558.
Patrick Dickson, for Peebles,(?) A. D. 1583.
John Dickson of Winkston, for Peebles, A. D. 1612.
John Dickson, for Sanquhar, A. D. 1645.
Andrew Dickson, for Inverkeithing, A. D. 1649.
John Dickson of Hartrie, for Peebles, A. D. 1649.
John Dickson of Busby, for Lanark, A. D. 1649.
David Dickson, for Forfar, A. D. 1661.
John Dickson, for New Galloway, A. D. 1661.
Robert Dickson, for New Galloway, A. D. 1663.
George Dickson of Buhtrig, for New Galloway, A. D. 1678.
Sir Robert Dickson of Inveresk, Bart., for Edinburgh, A. D. 1702.
John Dickson, Jr., of Kilbucho, for Peebles, A. D. 1747.
James Dickson of Broughton and Ednam, for Peebles and Selkirk, A. D.
1768.
Brig. General William Dickson of Kilbucho, Lieut.Governor of Cork,
A. D. 1802.
ARMS.
BELCHESTER. Az. three
mullets ar. on a chief or, as many pallets gu. crest— A dexter hand
holding a sword in bend ppr. Motto — Fortes fortuna juvat.
BLACKBECK, etc.
Quarterly, first and fourth az. three mullets ar. on a chief or, as
many pallets gu. for DICKSON. Second and third, ar. on a chevron
between three goat's heads erased sa. as many escallops of the field
for Benson. Crest — First DICKSON. A dexter hand holding a sword in
bend ppr. Second BENSON. A goat's head as in the Arms.
BUHTRIG. The same as
afterwards borne by Belchester.
CHATTO, etc. Same
Arms as Dickson of Huntlaw, with the bar engrailed. Same Crest and
Motto.
CLOCKBRIGGS. Per fess
az. and arg. in chief a mart_ let or, between two mullets of the
second, and in base a ship in full sail with sea, between a garb and
thistle all ppr., on a chief of the third three pallets gu. On a
canton the Decoration of the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour.
Crest — A dexter hand holding a sword in bend ppr. Motto — Fortes
fortuna juvat.
CLONLEHARDE. Az. a
crescent between three mullets ar. on a chief or, as many pallets gu.
('rest—Out of battlements a naked arm embowed holding a sword all
ppr. Motto — Fortes fortuna juvat.
GLENHAM HALL, vide
Alexander G. Dickson (Major).
HUNTLAW Az. a bar or,
between three mullets ar. On a chief of the second two pallets gii.
Crest — A dexter hand holding a sword in bend ppr. Motto—Fortes
fortuna juvat.
ILK. Of that, vide
Ormiston.
INVERESK. Ar. three
mullets gu. on a chief of the second as many pallets or. Crest — A
hart couchant and guardant ppr. attired or, within two branches of
laurel disposed orleways. Motto — Cubo sed curo.
NEWBIGGING. The same
as Buhtrig, with additional figures for difference, as Nisbet says,
but he does not blazon these marks of cadency.
ORMISTON. Ar. a wehr
wolf sa., on a chief az. three mullets of the first. This coat of
arms marked "Dikesoun of yat Ilk," and attributed to Ormeston, is
emblazoned in the MS. of Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount, Lord Lyon
King at Arms, A. D. 1542. A wehr wolf is a human-faced one, a
heraldic animal, the French lou garou.
PANIDRIDE. The same
as Clockbriggs within a bordure gu., but without the canton. Same
Crest and Motto.
SMITHFIELD. Ar. three
mullets, a chief gu. From a Funeral Escutcheon of the Hay Family.
SYDENHHAM. Az. an
anchor erect or, encircled with an oak wreath vert, between three
mullets pierced of the second. On a chief of the last three pallets
gu., the centre one surmounted by a mural crown ar. Crest — An armed
arm embowed brandishing a falchion ppr. surmounted of a trident and
spear in sal-tire or. Motto— Fortes fortuna juvat.
WESTERBINNING. Az.
three mullets ar. on a chief, or, as many pallets gu., the whole
within a bordure engrailed of the third. Crest — A man's heart ppr.
winged ar. Motto — Coelum versus.
WINKSTON. Ar. a were
wolf passant ppr. on a chief az. three mullets of the first. Crest —
A pelican in her piety.
A branch of this
house as already mentioned quartered a bull's head sa. langued gu.
armed or, on a chief of the third an armory sword ppr.
WOODVILLE. The same
as Clockbriggs within a bordure ar. but without the canton. Same
Crest and Motto.
Major AI,EXANDER G.
DICKSON, M. P., of Glenham Hall, co. Suffolk. The Arms of Belchester.
B. HOMER DIXON, K. N.
L., Toronto.
Ar. three mullets gu.
on a chief or, as many pallets of the second. Crest— A hand holding
a sword in bend ppr. Motto—Fortes fortuna juvat.
CHARLES DECKSOUNE, A.
D. 1481. A lion passant. On a chief a crescent between two mullets.
"S. Charles Decksoune." Dalhousie Charters.
This seal of the year
1481, is from Laing's Descriptive Catalogue of Scottish Seals. Not
being very legible a wehr wolf has probably been mistaken for a
lion. "S." is the abbreviation of the Latin for "Seal of." The name
generally accompanied the arms on old seals.
Sir COLLINGWOOD
DICKSON, G. C. B., V. C., Officer of the Order of the Legion of
Honour, General in the Army. (Son of the late Admiral Sir Alexander
Dickson, G. C. B., K. C. H. and A. D. C. to King William IV). Same
Arms and Motto as Dickson of Sydenham, Bart. Crest — The same also,
a crescent on the arm for difference.
ISABELLA DYXCOUN,
wife of W. Nicolson. Three mullets. "S. Isabel Dyxcoun." Appended to
Reversion of one husband-land in the'town of Yester, A. D. 1527.
Tweeddale Charters.
Sir JEREMIAH DICKSON,
K. C. B., Major General. Ar. a chevron between three estoiles of six
points wavy gu. on a chief of the last as many pallets or. ('rest—On
a mural crown or a stag couchant guard-ant ppr. attired or.
Baron OSCAR DICKSON,
of Gothenburg. Quarterly, first and fourth ar. a rose gu. Second and
third upon a bend an estoile ar. on an inescutcheon az. a man's
heart ppr. winged ar. Crest---Over a baronial coronet, two
coronetted helmets, on the first a man's heart as in the arms, and
over the other a laurel wreath vert. Motto— Ccelum versus.
RICHARD DICKSON, Esq.
Stocton-upon-Tees. Ar. three mullets gu. within a bordure engrailed
az. bezantee, on a chief of the second three pallets or. Crest—On a
mount vert between two branches of palm a buck lodged in front of a
tree all ppr.
POSTSCRIPT.
As a rule it may be
said that the sons, or at least the grandchildren of Scotchmen who
settle in English-speaking countries, soon lose the language of
their fathers, some even looking at it as one not to be proud of,
but ours is not on a level with the different English provincial
dialects as is generally considered, but as Mackay in his Dictionary
of Lowland Scotch, says is, broadly speaking, classic old English,
and as the London Daily Telegraph says, the terse and vigorous
expressions of the Lowlanders are of older and purer extraction than
many a word and phrase current with us to-day. " Neither the
vernacular nor our literature would be the losers, perchance, if Dr.
Mackay had the power, as doubtless he possesses the inclination, to
weed our modern discourse of some of its thin, insipid
colloquialisms, and fill their places by the best of the strong,
harmonious language that gives local colouring to the pages of Scott
and Hogg, Ramsay and Macneil. Who would not gladly see some of
Burns' one-word sentences once more restored to use amongst us, and
ousting some of the insipid and un-English jargon which weaken as
well as deface the most widely-spoken, and, with fair play and wise
conservatism, the most simple, mobile and powerful language in the
whole world. English and Lowland Scotch were originally the same,
but the literary and social influences of the southern metropolis,
after the transfer of the Royal Family of Stuart have favored the
infusion of a Latin element into current English, which our kinsman
were slow to adopt, and which we have taken with small or no
advantage."
Another writer says:
"The pure and classical language of Scotland must on no account be
regarded as a provincial dialect any more than French was so
regarded in the reign of HenrylV., or Italian in the time of the
first Napoleon, or Greek under the Roman Empire. Nor is it to be in
any way considered as a corruption of the Saxon; on the contrary it
contains much of the old and genuine Saxon, with an intermixture
from the Northern nations, as Danish and Norse, and some, though a
small portion, from the Celtic," and Lord Brougham made these
striking remarks, "There can be no doubt that the English language
would greatly gain by being enriched with a number, both of words
and phrases, or terms of expression now peculiar to the Scotch. It
was by such a .process that the Greek became the first of tongues as
well written as spoken."
Let the reader peruse
the following lines by the Rev. W. Mitchel, and it will be strange
if their exquisite pathos does not make him think kindly of the
tongue of old Scotland:
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