against all comers, except the King. In 1598 James Hammiltoune of Sanct Johnis Chappel, became caution for Nicol Cairncross of Calfhill, and the said Nicol came under a similar obligation on behalf of Johnne Hop-Pringle of Buckholm, and his son James, that they would not harm Johnne Govane of Cardrous or any of his family. Previous to 1606, the prefix Hop appears to have been dropped, as at that date it is on record that Johnne Pringle of Buck. holm became security for Johnne Pringle of Tynnes, to the extent of five hundred merks, and the said laird of Buckholm and James Pringle, his eldest son, became security to the extent of five hundred merks each, for George, R bert, Johnne, David, and Alexander Pringle, brothers of the goodman of Whytbank, not to harm Sir Robert Stewart of Shillinglaw. At one time nearly all the land in the valley of the Gala was in the hands of the Pringles. In a narrative of a journey into Scotland in 1629 it is stated that, "there are of the Pringles for some eight miles up Gallow Water, gentlemen all of pretty seats and buildings. From Callow Shields to Windeley (Blyndley), one of the Pringles is two miles. It stands in a dale, up which dale is a pretty wood on our left hand, within the sight of the same side is another of the Pringles, his house is called Torritleys (Torwoodlee.) On the other side of the water on the right hand is another of them, his house is called Buckholm, and by the waterside he hath a wood called Buckholm." At the Reformation Buckholm was valued in the rent roll of the Abbey of Melrose at £10, and in the tax roll it was entered as being worth £611, 6s 8d, and paid a duty amounting to £11, 68 8d. In the turbulent times that occurred about the middle of the seventeenth century, the tower appears to have been considered a place of strength and security. On the 4th February, 1646, a supplication was presented to the Scottish Parliament, "Be Mr James Urquhart, minister at Gallowscheillis against James Scott of Gallowscheillis, John Pringle of Cockilferrie, and some other persons as witnesses. Bearand that in the tyme of James Graham and his associatts being in the south country, the said John Pringill sent the soume of ane thousand pundis with his writtis in ane chist to the hous of Buckholme for securitie. And when the hous of Buckholme was assulted, the chist with the monev and writtis was convoyed to Gallowscheilles, and came into the hands of Elizabeth Pringill, spous to the supplicant who delyverit the samyne to John Pringle of Cockilferrie, her brother-in-law, to whom she knew the money and writtis belonged. And notwithstanding thereof the said James Scott purchast ane warrant from the Comittee of Estates for vplifting frae the supplicant the foirsaid soume, whilke he affirmed to be twenty-five hundred merkis. And thereupone he caused cite the supplicant to be computable for the soume, and caused incarcerate him in the tolbooth of Selkirk, and confined him within the town thereof for the space of eight weeks till he was forced to grant ane band to the said James Scott of Gallowscheilles for payment to him of the said soume of 2500 merks." Pringill of Cockilferrie appeared and admitted having received the money, and on the 29th April, 1648, Parliament found the bond not due, and acquitted Mr Urquhart of all responsibility. In the struggle between the Royalists and Covenanters, there is no record showing to which party the laird of Buckholm adhered, but his son George appears to have supported the Royalists. In the acts of Commission of Assembly in 1646, it is recorded that, "The Commission of Assemblie continues George Pringill in Buckholme to the next quarterly meeting in Februar, and in the meantyme the Presbyterie of Selkirk is to deal with nim, to bring him to repentance for joining the rebells, and to report their opinions concerning him the forsaid day, quhairof the said George personally present is warred. Apud acta, Elinburgh, 11th Feb., 1647. This day George Pringill, soune to James Pringill of Buckholme, compeiring personally, and giving in the declaration and confession of his offences, subscribed by his hand, the Commission remits him to the Presbyterie to satisfie according to the act of Assemblie, etc., recommending to them to be carefull to bring him to some sense of his offences before his satisfaction be received." In 1649 the above George Pringill married Margeret, daughter of James Pringle of Torwoodlee, and notwithstanding the action of the Presbytery and the influence of his wife, whose family were strong supporters of the Covenant, he had continued to sympathise with the Court party, the memory of his conduct being long preserved in the couplet, "Blainslie, Buckholm, and Blindlee, The old tower occupies a somewhat exposed, but commanding position on the side of Buckholm Hill, overlooking the vale of the Gala, and the beautifully wooded policies surrounding the mansion house of Torwoodlee. The lands of Buckholm were acquired by James Pringle, who succeeded to the Torwoodlee estate in 1780.. Within comparatively modern times an addition was made to the old tower, which served as the farm house till between forty and fifty years ago, when a new steading was erected in a more convenient and less exposed situation. Among the older inhabitants of the dis.rict the phrase "The Deil o' Buckholm," is familiar as a household word, the following legend regarding that persónage being stiil current. "The old tower of Buckholm was at one time inhabited by one of the Pringles, who was a cruel persecutor of the Covenanters. A new large iron hooks fastened in the roof of the vault were said to have been used for the purpose of suspending his victims by the chin. His day of retribution arrived, he was called to his account, but the grave denied him rest because of his misdeeds. His troubled ghost, goaded by a gnawing conscience, wandered nightly round the scene of his iniquities. This awrul doom was to continue till the foul spirit should be accosted by some daring mortal, whose unpolluted tongue was to break the spell. Regularly at midnight the groaning spectre appeared, striking such a terror over the few inhabitants of the place, that none dared to venture out at that dread hour. At length the position became utterly unsupportable, and the building was about to be deserted, when it was agreed to apply to the Rev. Henry Davidson, minister of Galashiels, for advice and assistance. Ever ready to respond to the cry of suffering humanity, Mr Davidson bade them allay their fears, and appointed a night on which he would encounter the dread appearance, and he promised, if within his power, an end would be put for ever to the nightly wanderings of the frightful spectre. The hour arrived, and the minister made his appearance with a Bible under his arm. Towards midnight all the inhabitants of the place were gathered in the hall. After engaging in devotional exercises, he strictly cautioned them to remain together, neither to open door nor window, nor at their peril seek to know aught regarding the unearthly interview that was about to take place. With the Bible in his hand, he sallied forth. During his absence not a word was spoken, the trembling inmates seemed to suppress their very breath, so awful was their apprehension of the encounter between the mortal and immortal. At length, to their intense relief, Mr Davidson returned and broke the silence by saying, "Peace be with you all, let us return thanks to the Great Reliever of all our troubles, and henceforth know that the cause of your fears is laid to rest. Ask no questions, what has transpired can never be revealed."" The Pringles of Buckholm are now extinct, and corroding time is playing havoc with their ancient habitation. But since that awful night "the Deil o' Buckholm" left the old tower in the peaceful possession of the farmers, shepherds, and others, who, in their day and generation, found a quiet home within the shelter of its old grey lichen-covered walls. bawick 120 Years Ago. OME time ago, writes an esteemed contributor, I came across the following interesting statistics which refer to Hawick about the year 1780. The description of the town is taken from "Essays on the Trade, Commerce, Manufactures, and Fisheries of Scotland," by David Lech, merchant. Published in 1778:-Hawick, Tweeddale-shire, a pleasant village, situated on the river Tiviot, and the water Lutridge, which runs almost through the middle of the town. There is a strong new bridge just built over this water, which joins the village. Here is a good brewery and tan work, and a skinner who makes good shamois of all sorts-Mr Robertson and Company carry on the carpet manufacture to a large extent, and just now employ fourteen looms. Mr Hardie occupies four frames for stockings, and Mr James Halden two. The whole number of looms presently employed in linen and woollen are about 65. The town has a large common belonging to it, but the property of the other lands all round is the Duke of Buccleuch's. His Grace is much respected and esteemed by all ranks of the people all over the country. Mr Laurie, the minister, is likewise a publicspirited man, and beloved by the people. There are about 1500 examinable persons in the parish; and the town itself is much increasing by buildings now carrying on by Mr Oliver and others, which make house-rents and wages high. There is an export and import of goods to the amount of 1000 1. at a medium, every week in the year. Carriers, waggons, and carts pass once every week to Berwick, Newcastle, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and all places in the country of any consequence. There is also a good weekly market every Thursday, and a friendly patriotic meeting of the gentlemen, farmers, and others who wish well to their country, the first Thursday of every month. Upon the whole, they are a diligent, enterprising people, and deserve the notice of the public. |