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By Dr Fraser-Mackintosh
THE BAILLIES OF DUNAIN.
This family, which terminated
in 1869 upon the death of William Baillie, ran an honoured course in the
neighbourhood of the burgh of Inverness, for upwards of four hundred years.
With one exception, connected
with the winning and leading of peats in the mont of Caiploch by the people
of Inverness, against the remonstrances of the Baillies, every good feeling
prevailed betwixt the Baillies and the town of Inverness.
The distressing circumstances
connected with the 14th and last of the Baillies, after attaining his
majority, first commencing in India, and lasting over a period of nearly
sixty years, are so well known that, when I come to write of him, the
references will be brief.
The first of the Baillies of
Dunain was named
1. Alexander, said to be a
younger son of the head of the ancient family of Lamington. He married
Catherine, daughter of Duncan Grant, Laird of Grant, and settled in the
North betwixt 1450 and 1460, and all the Baillies claim that they are
descended of the ancient house of Balliol Alexander’s eldest son, Alexander,
dying without issue, he was succeeded by his second son,
2. William, and he by his
son,
3. Alexander Baillie. The
Baillies were, protected by the family of Huntly, from their first acquiring
the Castle lands, and the office of Constable of the Castle under the
Gordons was held by at least three of the family of Dunain.
The oldest existing document,
so far as known, goes no further back than 1554, when the name of
4. David Baillie, Constable,
is mentioned, and of his wife, Margaret Rose of Kilravock. At same time, the
name of Alexander, 3rd, father of David, as Constable of Inverness and
Sheriff Depute, is found in the Sheriff Court Records as early as 1534.
Colonel John Baillie of
Dunain, after referred to, gives, in his MS. account of his family, the
names of Alexander and William Baillie as the first and second of Dunain, as
I have stated above.
Upon 15th June, 1554, John
Grant of Corrimony grants a bond over the naif of Sheuglie, in the parish of
Urquhart, in favour of David Baillie and Margaret Rose, signed in presence
of George Strachan of Culloden, George Cuthbert of the Auld Castle, Provost
of Inverness, and others, and to the infeftment following, taken up on 17th
September, 1554, are the following witnesses:—Donald og Macpherson, Allister
mac Coil vie a Go win, Donald mac Iain vie Finlay, David mac Iain vie
Robert, Iain mac Allister vie Ruarie, James mac Conchie vie Duile, Finlay
mac Hannah vie Soirle, and Ferquhar Macpherson, with William Cuming as
nottar.
During the time of James
Stuart, the Regent Moray, he granted, on no valid authority apparently, a
charter of Dunain Mor and Dunain Croy to
5. Alexander Baillie, as son
and heir of David Baillie, dated Elgin, 29th August, 1564. The above charter
was inoperative, proceeding a rum habile potestatem. Alexander Baillie got a
charter of Balrobert from George, Earl of Huntly, the superior, dated at
Edinburgh, 15th August, 1571, one of the witnesses being Patrick Gordon, the
Earl's brother.' Alexander's sasine on the charter is dated 16th September,
1571, and amongst the witnesses were:—Alexander Roy Baillie in Lagnalian,
Jasper Fleming, burgess of Inverness, William Macpherson, servitor to Dunain,
and Thomas Annand, servitor to John Gibson, the nottar.
Alexander dying without
issue, was succeeded by his brother,
6. William Baillie, who gets
a Precept of Clare Constat from George, Earl of Huntly, with consent of his
curators, dated Inverness, 10th January, 1577. One of the witnesses is
described, “ Mr John Gordon, Rector of Petty/’
William Baillie, 6th of
Dunain, was Provost of Inverness, and in 1583 he grants a Letter of
Reversion, as son of umquhile David Baillie, Constable of Inverness, and
Margaret Rose of Kilravock, his father and mother, and as heir of Conquest
of umquhile Alexander Baillie, 5th of Dunain, his brother, in favour of
George, Earl of Huntly, of the lands of Dunain Mor and Dunain Croy, on the
narrative that his (William's) rights were of the nature of a wadset only to
David Baillie, and that David and his wife gave their letter to that effect,
dated 27th August, 1550.
Following upon this Deed of
Reversion, matters were put upon a secure foundation, by George, Earl of
Huntly, granting a new charter to William Baillie, of Dunain Mor and Dunain
Croy, with their sheillings in the Caiploch, the lands of Tor-breok and
Balrobert, with their sheillings in Killievorskie (really
Coillie-mor-na-Skiach). Upon this charter Provost William Baillie was infeft.
His sasine is dated 15th June, 1590, the witnesses being Alexander Gordon,
Dunain’s servant; Allan, mac Allister vie Iain dhu in Lagnalian; James
Denoon, Dunam s servant; Donald dhu mac Conchie in Dunaincroy; Finlay mac
Vurich mor; and Adam Dunbar, nottar.
Provost William Baillie
married Katherine Munro, daughter of Munro of Milntown, Ross. After Dunains
death, she married John MacCallum mor Macpherson in Breackachie.
Provost Baillie died early in
1606, for upon 1st May of that year George, Marquis of Huntly, grants a
charter of Dunain to
7. Alexander Baillie,
William's son, now of Dunain. This charter is dated at Inverness, 1st May,
1606, John Grant of Freuchie being one of the witnesses. Alexander’s
infeftment is dated 9th June, and registration being now compulsory, it is
registered at the Chanonry of Ross, 15th June, 1606, the witnesses thereto
being John Cuthbert of Auld Castle Hill, Alexander mac Coil vie Ferquhar
Maclean of Davochgarrioch, Alexander Baillie of Dochfour, John dhu Baillie
in Lagnalian, John mac Coil vie Iain in Dochnacraig.
Alexander Baillie receives
another charter from George, Earl of Enzie, with consent of the Marquis of
Huntly, his father, and Lady Anna Campbell, his spouse, of the lands of
Dunain and Torbreck, dated Elgin and Bog o’ Gicht, 15th February and 10th
March, 1616.
In the time of this Alexander
Baillie the family stood at its highest territorially, having consolidated
what he inherited from his predecessors, including Dochcaims, and added the
important estate of Dochnacraig, or Lochend, and valuable fishings in the
Ness. He received a charter of Dochnacraig from the Earl of Enzie and
spouse, dated 25th November and 8th December, 1619, upon which he was infeft
11th December, 1619, registered at Chanonry, 3rd January, 1620, the
witnesses to the sasine being Iain dhu Baillie in Lagnalian, Alexander mac
Phadrig in Dochnacraig, William Baillie in Dochfour, William Baillie in
Dochnacraig, Hector Mac Allister in Davochcaim, and Ferquhar mac Eachin, his
son there.
Alexander Baillie was
appointed Chamberlain for the Family of Huntly over their lands in Lochaber
and Badenoch, by Letters of Bailiary, dated Inverness, 28th November, 1619.
Finally, in 1623, Alexander Baillie gets an ordinary charter of all his
estates on both sides of the river Ness, with Garvamore, in Badenoch, in
warrandice, from the Earl of Enzie, with consent of his father, dated at
Inverness and The Bog, 8th and 9th May, 1623, Hugh, Master of Lovat,
William, Lord Sinclair of Berriedale, and Thomas Fraser of Strechen,
witnesses. The sasine thereon is dated 23rd May, registered at Chanonry,
12th June, 1623, and the witnesses, Alexander Maclean of Doch-garrpQh,
Alexander Baillie of Dochfour, William Baillie, his son, and Donald Mac
Eachin in Dochnalurg.
Alexander Baillies affairs
being now on a very satisfactory footing, domestic troubles arose,
particularly on the part of David and William, his brothers, who, it would
appear, were jealous of his growing prosperity. These began as early as
1621, when on 15th June of that year Alexander Baillie had to procure
letters from the Secret Council against them. It was intended to waylay him
near Torvean, on his way back from Inverness to Dunain. Being dark, his
servant was taken for his master, and received dangerous maltreatment. The
old public road towards Dochgarroch and the Bona skirted the east slopes of
the Torvean range.
In 1633 James Cuthbert of
Draikies pursues Alexander Baillie of Dunain and Alexander Maclean of
Dochgarroch, as sureties for the Earl of Enzie under their cautionary
obligation, dated Inverness, 6th May, 1633. Dunain is discharged of his
obligation 27th May, 1634.
Alexander Baillie married
Miss Munro of Fowlis, and had at least one daughter, Katherine, married to
Malcolm Fraser, first of Culduthel, formerly styled “ in Ruthven.” His
eldest son, William Baillie, married, in 1634, Isobel Forbes, daughter of
Duncan Forbes, first of Culloden, then described Duncan Forbes of Bught. In
the same year Alexander, William's father, gets all his lands confirmed by
Royal charter. Besides his eldest son, William, Alexander Baillie had David,
his second son, first of the present family of Dochfour, to whom he gave the
lands of Dochcaims, by disposition dated 22nd October, 1657. His third son
was Captain James Baillie, who got a charter of Knocknageal, part of
Torbreck, dated 2nd July, 1639. His fourth son was named John, mentioned in
1638 and 1658. The latest date I have connected with Alexander Baillie is
1658.
8. It was with his son,
William, the 8th Dunain, that the serious disputes regarding peats with the
town of Inverness occurred. He was also in trouble with his neighbour, John
Maclean of Dochgarroch, as to their respective, marches, settled for a time
by the arbitration, on the grounds, of Lieut.-Col. Miles Man, Deputy
Governor of Inverness; Hugh Fraser of Belladrum, Lachlan Mackintosh of
Kinrara, John Forbes of Culloden, Hugh Fraser of Struy, and Alexander
Mackintosh of Connage, Justices of the Peace for Inverness-shire, on the
27th June, 1659. William Baillie was a great sportsman, musician, and
composer in Gaelic. His eldest son was
9. Alexander Baillie, who
received from his father a disposition of the estates on 7th April, 1661, on
occasion of his marriage with Jean Mackenzie, daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie
of Coul, reserving certain rights.
In 1663-67, Alexander
Baillie, younger of Dunain, was in an impecunious state, with diligences
against him in force
In one of the numerous
attempts at a settlement betwixt Mackintosh and Lochiel, a meeting at
Inverness of the Chiefs, with thirty armed followers each, was arranged to
take place before the Earl of Moray, upon Tonrnahurich. Lochiel and his men
encamped at Dunain, but not until William Baillie had first obtained a
written assurance from Mackintosh that his giving accommodation to Lochiel
would not be prejudicial. This curious document of assurance is dated 8th
June, 1664.
In 1671, David Baillie, first
of Dochfour, with his wife and family, had his residence at the manor place
of Castle Spirital in Bona.
In 1673, George, Earl of
Panmure, Titular of the Tiends of the Parish of Inverness, granted a long
tack, still running, to William Baillie of Dunain, of the tiends of his
lands within the parish of Inverness.
In 1676, I observe the name
of John Baillie of Mid Leys, first of the Leys family, cadets of Dunam.
James Fraser, as bailie for
William Baillie of Dunain, holds a Baron Court at Balrobert, upon 12th
November, 1677. About this time the proprietors of Dunain and Dochgarroch
adjusted their marches at the Tormore, part of which, termed “ The Gob/’ was
cut away early this century, for its clay, in course of the construction of
the Caledonian Canal, leaving the present precipitous, ugly day face at
Dalrioch. By 1679 Alexander Baillie, 9th of Dunain, is dead, leaving an only
son, William, who succeeded his grandfather.
Isobel Forbes, Lady Dunain,
on 9th September, 1685, makes her testament in favour of her husband,
William Baillie. William Baillie, 8th Dunain, died in 1691, for on 14th
November of that year his grandson aJso,
10. William, described as
William Baillie now of Dunainy enters into a contract of marriage with Mary
Duff, eldest •daughter of William Duff, Elder Bailie of Inverness. Among the
witnesses to the contract were William Mackintosh of Barium, William Duff of
Dipple, and Alexander Duff of Drum-muir.
Alexander Baillie, second of
Dochfour, discharges William Baillie of Dunain, for himself and as
representing Alexander Baillie, his father; William Baillie, his
grandfather; Isobel Forbes, his grandmother; and Alexander Baillie, his
greatgrandfather, of all claims, dated at Bught, 8th September, 1692.
Upon the 20th of October,
1692, William Baillie of Dunain is similarly discharged of all claims
competent to his mother, Jean Mackenzie, otherwise Baillie, and to William
Fraser of Erchite, her present husband.
William Baillie had a sister,
Janet, who, upon 23rd November, 1693, enters into articles of marriage with
John Grant, younger of Glenmoriston, with consent of John Grant, elder, his
father, the witnesses being Donald Macdonell of Lundie, William Grant of
Achmonie, Alexander Baillie of Dochfour, with others. Janet Baillie died
shortly after her marriage, and the line of Glenmoriston was carried on
through John Grant, the younger’s, second marriage. Notwithstanding this
connection, the Baillies suffered much from the depredations of the Grants,
who regularly swept off their cattle when summering in the hills of
Dochnacraig, removing them very expeditiously to the west by Gartallie,
Cluuemore, and Bunloit.
William Baillie, as might be
expected from his dose neighbourhood, helped the burgh of Inverness to erect
the old stone bridge, over which he got a Tolerance, dated 26th September,
1698. In truth, it may be said that, with the exception of the peat
troubles, the family of Dunain were close friends and allies of the burgh,
and later, towards the close of the eighteenth century, when Colonel John
Baillie was recruiting for his Fendbles, he got great countenance from the
authorities, and material support from the people.
Dunain is made a free burgees
and Guild brother of Dundee on 6th August, 1697, and of Inverness upon 1st
May, 1699. After his first wife’s death, William Baillie married secondly,
on 12th August, 1700, Helen Baillie, his oousin, eldest lawful daughter of
William Baillie, Commissary of Inverness.
Dunain gets a charter same
year from the Burgh to a rood of land south side of Bridge Street, which had
belonged to his grandfather, William.
Dunain’s brother, Kenneth, is
married 17th December, 1702, to Isabel Chisholm, lawful daughter to the
deceased Alexander Chisholm of Comar, with consent of her brother, John
Chisholm, now of Comar. William Baillie and John Baillie of Tor-breok,
Kenneth’s brothers, are cautioners, and among the bridegroom’s near friends
are Duncan Forbes of Culloden, William Baillie, commissary, and James
Baillie, writer, Inverness; and on the bride’s, Sir John Mackenzie of Coul,
Kenneth Mackenzie of Scatwell, and Symon Mackenzie of Allangrange.
Kenneth died in low water,
November, 1705, but his.widow is found on 16th October, 1736. The children
emigrated, under
General Oglethorpe, to the
new colony of Georgia, and there are existing descendants, with whom I had
the pleasure of corresponding. The male Baillies have died out. Some letters
from these Georgia Baillies exist.
William receives a charter to
all his lands, in which his father, Alexander, stood infeft, from the first
Duke of Gordon, dated Gordon Castle, 27th September, 1708. The Duke would
hardly carry a prize for spelling, as he signs thus—“ Georg duk off Gordon.”
William Baillie of Dunain was
in considerable pecuniary difficulties, very much in connection with
cautionary obligations for his brother,'John Baillie of Torbreck,
Chamberlain for the Duke of Gordon, and in 1715 assigned all his heritable
estate to his eldest son, William. This son, William, died prior to 1725,
for in that year old Dunain, as representing his deceased son, William
Baillie, younger of Dunain, is pursued by David Scott, burgess of Inverness.
By contract, dated Dunain,
3rd June, 1731, Sir Archibald Campbell of Clunes marries, as his second
wife, Magdalen, eldest daughter of William Baillie of Dunain.
William Baillie executes a
disposition of all his estate in favour of his second, but eldest surviving,
son, Alexander, dated at Dunain, 18th December, 1731, but survived until
1737; for in that year Alexander is described as “ younger” of Dunain.
11. Alexander Baillie of
Dunain married, 24th June, 1737, Anne, third daughter of Sir Archibald
Campbell of Clunes, contract signed at Calder. There was this curious
connection, Magdalen and Alexander Baillie, sister and brother, married Sir
Archibald and Anne Campbell, father and daughter. Alexander Baillies
marriage was a happy one, for, writing from Dunain, 5th March, 1738, he
gleefully writes that he had come home with £250 of tocher in his pocket,
acknowledging at same time his thankfulness for “ a good wife; ” and in his
letters to India to his sons, William and John, he refers most
affectionately to their mother as his only comfort and support.
Alexander Baillie of Dunain
took no part in the Rising of 1745, further than by doing what he could to
succour quietly distressed Jacobites, and the shelter and nourishment
afforded by the “ Soul Mor” of Dunain was constantly spoken of in my younger
days. The only paper of the period I have seen has , been lithographed and
printed, being an order, in name of Prince
Charles, dated Invss. - March
1746, signed by O’Sullivan, requisitioning eight horses and carts for the
use of the forces.
I have a document, dated 4th
Deer. 1747, written by Alexr. Baillie, eldest lawful son of Hugh Baillie of
Dochfour, when an apprentice to his uncle, Evan Baillie of Abriachan, and
long as that date is separated from the present year (1898) by 151 years, a
niece of Alexander’s, who was himself bom in 1734, still lives. The document
above referred to is contract of marriage between Patriok Grant of
Lochletter, with consent of his eldest brother, James Grant of Sheuglie, and
Katharine Baillie, only lawful daughter of David -tsaiUie, storemaster at
Fort-Augustus, which David was, I think, brother of Alexander of Dunain. The
contract is witnessed by a number of Baillies, including Lieut. Wm. Baillie,
of the Earl of Drumlanrig’s Regiment. For delivering an urgent message from
Inverness to Dunain, a boy is paid, on 20th April, 1748, the munificent sum
of two pence Scots, less than a farthing.
Alexander Baillie had two
sons, William, John, who succeeded his brother, and two daughters. The
eldest, Anne, married her cousin, Dr George Baillie of Leys, and the
youngest, Nellie, married, as his second wife, Dr John Alves of Shipland.
The boys were educated at King's College, Aberdeen, under Principal Jack and
Professor Leslie, letters from both, in the year 1756, being very
complimentary to the young students.
The eldest finished his
education at the University of Edinburgh. Inclining to a military life, he
was appointed, 18th October, 1759, 5th Lieutenant in the 89th, or original
Gordon Regiment, which was equipped by the Dowager-Duchess of Gordon, and
commanded by her second husband, Col. Staats Morris. The regiment was
immediately ordered to the East Indies, and many of his letters, and some of
his journals at sea, remain. William Baillie, after a few years, elected, in
1764, to remain in India, and joined the East India Company’s military
forces. He rose but slowly, *yet he pinched himself, and whatever moneys he
could save were regularly sent home, and the pecuniary position of his
parents much ameliorated. Before the father's death, it may be said that the
estate had been cleared by William Baillie’s remittances. ,
To the great grief of his
parents, John Baillie, the younger son, displayed strong disinclination to a
home life, and nothing would do but to join his brother. This occurred in
1766. through the influence of Sir Alexander Grant of Dalvey, M.P
Thereafter, both daughters having married, and both sods in India, the old
couple were left alone, and it is not surprising that in his parents letters
to Colonel William, they are full of prayers for his speedy return and
settling at home.
Alexander Baillie died 30th
June, 1771, his wife on 15th March, 1776, aiid he was succeeded by his
eldest son,
12. William. William’s
services at the taking of Pondicherry, the expedition against the Isle of
Mauritius, and elsewhere, deserve recognition in a much fuller manner than
is possible within the scope or limits of this paper, suffice to say that
Colonel William Baillie fought his way up, in face of many discouragements
and want of support, outminating in the fatal (battle at Conjeveram, on 10th
September, 1780, where his forces were overwhelmed by Hyder Ali, and he
himself taken prisoner and moved to Seringapatam, where he died, after two
years captivity, on 13th of November, 1782. Some of his letters and papers,
which were afterwards delivered up by the Nabob, remain, and the true
account of that unhappy part of Indian history should yet be given. Lieut.
Francis Baillie, unfortun-atefy killed at Porto Nova, in India, in a letter
to Dr Alves, dated Fort St George, 28th November, 1780, makes several
significant references about the conduct of Colonel Hector Munro of Novar,
superior officer, immediately prior to the battle of Conjeveram, and the
ideas about Inverness, when the news came, even suggested betrayal At all
events, the brother, John Baillie, wrote to Munro a very distinct letter,
considering their rank respectively, on 27th March, 1781.
13. John. Colonel John
Baillie had a miserably anxious time during his brother’s captivity. His
promotion was, in his opinion, unduly kept back by Munro, and thus, although
a bora soldier, he became so disgusted that ue threw up his captain's
commission and returned home, a disappointed and, as he felt, an ill-used
man, arriving in Great Britain in the year 1785. Shortly afterwards he
married his cousin, Isabella Campbell of Budgate, a lady of great tenacity
in her views, the only child of a simple couple, and during the whole of her
life dominating her parents, husband, and children. Colonel Baillie
continued the plantations of his hill grounds, begun by his late brother,
built in 1790 the present house of Dunain, much enlarged of late years,
bought plate and china of an expensive character, took out a game license,
started a bleaching mill at Dunaincroy, and settled down to the life of a
country gentleman of easy means, not omitting, so as to avoid stagnation, a
somewhat stirring litigation with his neighbours, Dochfour and Sir James
Grant of Abriachan. A note of the salmon caught at Bona in 1785, and to whom
sold, shows what splendid fish they were, running up to 33 lbs., and the
price only 2d per lb. All this, however, could jiot satisfy the “bom”
soldier. He fretted and pined, until the exigencies of the times' demanding
the constant enlistment of soldiers, and forming of regiments, gave him his
opportunity.
The raising of Inverness
Fenribles was a great event in the town of Inverness and neighbourhood.
Dunain was first appointed Major, afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel, and at
great cost completed his regiment. Not only in the raising, but afterwards,
Colonel Baillie met with many crosses. He tad raised 30 men ‘beyond the
requisite number, complaining that no fewer than 48 were improperly
rejected. Then, by orders from headquarters, his men were invited to join
the 42nd, and offered a large bounty. Chafing under these discouragements,
Colonel Baillie addressed a vigorous but pathetic remonstrance to Secretary
Dundas, that unless he was differently treated, it had been better his bones
had rested in India with those of his ill-fated brother. The regiment was
ordered to Ireland, then in a disturbed state, and Colonel Baillie was
seized with illness, which terminated fatally at Kilkenny, 1st February,,
1797.
Colonel Baillie left three
sons and two daughters, all young.
The suddenness of Colonel
Baillies death, and the maladministration of the regiment's affairs by its
army agents, proved serious, and it was not until 1809 they were settled,
resulting in so serious a loss to Colonel Baillie’s family, following on the
heavy bounties he had paid at the enrolment, that the estate was involved
almost beyond recovery.
To the Colonel's nephew, Mr
Archibald Alves, and his friend, Colonel Donald Macleod of Achagoyle,
afterwards of St Kilda, father of Sir John Macpherson Macleod of Glendale,
the greatest credit is due for their exertions to preserve the estate from
insolvency. Colonel Baillie, to oblige the Alves family, purchased the
estate of Shipland. This estate and Dochnacraig were scheduled in an
application to the Court of Session for judicial sale. Most fortunately,
however, the Caledonian Canal operations involved the compulsory acquisition
of part of the Dunain estate, which brought in about £4000, and Shipland
brought in about £5000, a great deal more than it cost Colonel Baillie.
These were the times when lands near Inverness brought 50 to 70 years’
purchase of the rentals. Matters were continued in the charge of Provost
Gilzean, Mrs Baillie postponed her claims, and thereby the creditors were
pacified. By and by, every farthing of debt was paid off.
14. William. William Baillie,
the eldest son, was carefully brought up, and his great natural talents
developed by a liberal education. In justice, it must be said that his
mother did not treat him with the affection she bestowed on the younger
sons, Archibald and Alexander. Her second daughter, Anne, was also kept at a
distance.
The three boys were all sent
to Aberdeen, under charge of Mr Ewen Maclaohlan. The youngest, Alexander,
died there, and had his virtues celebrated in verse, “Ode to Alexis,” by his
master, while the career of the second, Archibald, his mother’s favourite,
destined to proceed to India, was out short by an illness, leaving him
unfitted to make his way in the world. He died about 1818.
The eldest daughter,
Katharine, married, when very young, Hugh Bose of Kilravock, and died at an
early age, leaving children whose descendants ultimately succeeded to the
estate.
Miss Anne Baillie died
unmarried, and several acts of kindness to me, when a small boy in her
neighbourhood at Doohna-lurg, I gratefully remember.
It was first intended that
William Baillie should become a lawyer, and he was apprenticed to Mr Kenneth
Mackenzie, W.S., in 1806. He took a dislike to the profession, and his
mother crossing him in a love affair at Edinburgh, Mr Baillie availed
himself of the opportunity of his brother’s incapacity, to take up the
appointment of writer in the East India Company’s service, which had been
obtained by the influenoe of Charles Grant, senior. All his letters, up to
his arrival in India, which occurred in 1811, show a refined and cultivated
mind, but traces are not wanting of pride in family and conceit of
knowledge, forboding danger of over-strained intellect. Upon his arrival at
Bombay, with letters to Sir James Mackintosh and others, he . became
unsettled and extravagant, and without apparent good reason, started off for
Persia and Bagdad. During his lengthened journey he made copious notes,
showing an intelligent and observant mind, but returned in weak health to
Bombay, having spent a good deal of money. To save his life, he was ordered
home, and arrived in London in 1814, but all was in vain. His -mind had
given way, and in 1816 he was placed under a curator bonis, and so continued
under successive curators until his death, in 1869, a period of 53 years.
The estate was well managed,
so far as regards the proprietor, but the people were gradually cleared out.
At Balnagaick alone there was, within my own recollection, seven families,
and I may be allowed to congratulate myself that, when the estate was under
my charge, 1869-1872, six houses were erected by Sir John Ramsden for
cottars, and all occupied at Balnacraig.
After Mr BaiUie's death, the
estate sold lor £60,000, and there were accumulations of about £30,000,
which fell to three-heiresses portioners, Mrs Rose, Mrs Dealtry, and Mrs
Innes, the descendants of Mrs Katharine Rose of Kilravock, the only member
of Colonel John Baillie’s family having issue.
The Baillies, prior to the
Reformation and since, have been, buried in the Grey Friars at Inverness;
and while clearing up and levelling the Dunain portion, a headless figure
was brought to light, since inserted in the wall, the only relic, except the
solitary pillar, remaining of the ancient monastery. There is little doubt
that this figure represents the famous Alexander, Earl of Mar, who died at
Inverness on 26th July, 1435.
If, as I trust, there will be
a Book Club at Inverness for the editing and publishing of Highland Family
History, I am glad to say that ample material exists for an interesting
volume regarding the Baillies of Dunain. |
